otakulys's manga / #supernatural(99)

The Red Book

Complete | rangddo | 2015 released

Oh, I didn't realize it was finished. Well, I enjoyed it! I used to be jarred by the snapshot nature of a lot of Asian horror anthologies, no plot or anything, just a glimpse of horror. But now I love it. These were pretty fun. Some weren't as great as others, but the few that were particularly creepy definitely got a reaction out of me. Plus, I love fridge horror, the type of story that becomes more horrifying once you look back at it a second time and think about the implications. The "right behind you" story, for example. Anyway, the stories are short and easy to get through, so the worst that can happen is you waste a few minutes of your life. Nothing profound or amazing, just plain, shallow entertainment. Worth a look.

Castehate

Complete | NATSUNO Yuzo | 2018 released

WTF. This is so screwed up. ...But I like it. I'm just glad that one part was a fake out, or I would have had to rage quit. That's like the worst kind of violation of the bros before hoes code. Like, seriously? No piece of ass is worth letting someone eat your best friend. XD Anyway, this is obviously a kinkfest for the mangaka, as it squeezes in so many fetishes that aren't particularly common in yaoi. Not that I'm complaining, as a few of them are kinks of my own that I so rarely see. This story is definitely odd, and the cruelty of it is kind of getting to me, but I'm intrigued.

Red Moon

Complete | Kaori Yuki | 2000 released

Kaori Yuki is all about twisted romance. This was pretty confusing and jumbled, though. Would have been better if it were longer and actually had some character development, etc. Oh well. Vampire dude and manipulative boyfriend have a confrontation that suggests maybe they need some couples counseling.

Harami Bara

Complete | HASHIBA Mizu | 2000 released

Wtf, never have I read something that was SO shitty and SO beautiful at the same time. The art is gorgeous, and I want to keep reading, but my god. It was gross enough when they were raping him left and right (and lol at the guy saying it isn't fun to watch when it isn't consensual like, uh, excuse me? What do you call the last dozen times you've been watching AND participating?), but when he told the brothers that when he was almost gang raped, he felt bad for THEM, I was like, I'm out. Flipping through, I see it only gets more disgusting. "Semen! I want semen!" Honestly, weird as it is, I'd be fine if it hadn't been rape from the start. If for whatever reason, he'd been into it, and they'd all come together to make a baby, fine. The way he acts during sex is creepy, but whatever. It's the fact that this was rape for the first half, then they all just pretend it never happened that makes all the other creepy stuff that much creepier. The youngest brother seems mentally disabled, and they're all just total freaks with no redeeming qualities beyond being drawn beautifully. This woman needs a writer to help her art find the outlet it deserves. Cause, believe me, having a fragrant anus is not as sexy as you seem to think it is, ma'am.

Michikusa (Saika Kunieda)

Ongoing | Saika Kunieda | 2000 released

Is this a duplicate? I feel like I reviewed this one already. It's sweet and cute and sad, and I cry every time.

Eien No Aida Ni Miru Yume

Complete | Murakami Yui | 2008 released

Really sad. I read this ages ago, and it broke my heart. Pretty and tragic. I guess it's one of those things where, if you're going to be separated eventually anyway, you may as well have a moment of happiness. Can't read this again, though. I'll just cry.

Mic and Neo

Complete | Aniya Yuiji | 2000 released

I was torn between four stars and five until the ending. It was so sweet, so I had to go with five. Beautiful art as always, and the mangaka sure has her little kinks that seem to pop up a lot. She loves two moles on the uke, a seme with memory loss, and lack of communication of feelings causing issues, lol. But her work is great, and she never uses nasty tropes like rape to love, so her little quirks are fine by me. I actually guessed the twist right at the beginning (in a general sense) but I got so caught up in the story that I actually forgot and got surprised. XD That's the sign of a good manga. This isn't my absolute fave by her for a few reasons, but I did really enjoy it. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite mangaka.

300 Beats Per Second

Ongoing | Shengshi Ka Man | 2000 released

Hmm.... Interesting, I suppose. I feel like there's something a bit clunky about each story. The fur one was really gross, but it was supposed to be. I hate animal suffering. I wish it had ended with some people paying for being so cruel. Despite that, the fur one, chapter four, was the only one that was really creepy. The end of the grandpa one was definitely eerie, too. They were clever concepts. The other two were okay, also. Not the worst I've read. I'll keep reading, at least. ETA: Lol, I don't now if the fifth story was supposed to be deep or what, but... It was pretty mean-spirited, but it was an interesting idea, like most of the others. I've thought about that before, the assumption that we're the main characters of our story. Kind of a miserable, nihilistic approach, but hey. At least the bikini ended up making sense.

children

Complete | Miura Miu | 2000 released

Strange little slice of horror. Might end up being interesting. Maybe someone else will pick it up eventually.

The Dream I Had When I Died

Ongoing | Nishioka Kyoudai | 2000 released

Hm, interesting and odd little take on the afterlife. Surreal and sort of intriguing, but it dragged on a bit with no clear direction. I get that that was intentional, but it didn't really work for me in this instance. Still, it was an interesting concept.