Mimi’s Tales of Terror by Junji Ito

Mimi’s Tales of Terror, penned by the masterful Junji Ito, definitely delivers bone-chilling narratives. The stories center on Mimi, a young woman with a penchant for seeing the paranormal. Ito weaves tales that unsettle and intrigue as Mimi faces off against eerily horrific encounters. One of my favorite quotes, from ‘Seashore’- “Nothing scary is going to happen.”- definitely lends itself to setting the tone! And I want to know what’s on the pictures!!! 

Another truly terrifying tale, ‘Just the Two of Us’, creates a haunting and visceral sense of fear on many levels. I found it the most disturbing of all these stories. Ito doesn’t shock with cheap tricks, but rather relies on the slow build-up of dread and terror. This knack for coupling captivating plots with intricate illustrations makes Mimi’s Tales of Terror a delight for horror aficionados.

Some tales felt too open-ended, leaving many questions unanswered. However, that ambiguity might enhance the horror element for some readers. In sum, Ito’s Mimi’s Tales of Terror provides a first-rate read for those seeking a complex mix of fear, macabre, and superb storytelling. Highly recommended!

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Viz Media for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

(The kitty cat in the piccy is our elder cat Shadow 😸❤️)

#DRCL: Midnight Children Vol. 1 by Shin’ichi Sakamoto

#DRCL: Midnight Children Vol. 1 by Shin’ichi Sakamoto delivers an engrossing blend of dark fantasy and childhood innocence. A retelling of Bram Stoker’s classic Gothic horror Dracula, this manga reminded me a great deal of Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child’s Relic. The focus lies with a group of university students, with Mina being the only female in this all-male school. 

Sakamoto’s detailed artwork and his masterful play with dark tones nearly make up for the odd take on the story for me. Very different, yet quintessentially Dracula. I find giant eyes unacceptable in my life, due to eye trauma. I also have to say, the nekkid lady on the ceiling gives off a creepy, distinctly Japanese vibe. While not my cuppa, Sakamoto’s #DRCL: Midnight Children Vol. 1 serves as an engaging beginning to a fascinating retelling of a true classic in the horror genre.

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Viz Media for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Stitches by Hirokatsu Kihara and Junji Ito

The writing seemed short and simplistic on the surface, akin to Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, though part is likely due to translation. The chapters are called ‘stitches’, though I’m not sure of the significance of that. Faces were definitely a theme. From a face moving around under a person’s skin to a face obscured by a kuroko costume and many other examples.

The stories are given as true, but unsolved, tales of the paranormal, which piqued my interest. I truly love tales like that from different cultures; in fact, it’s fascinating to see how culture shapes our perspectives. Among all the stories, ‘The Festival of the Dead’ was my favorite. Not only was it sweet, but it also illustrated that most spirits need not be feared. On the other hand, when it comes to ‘Snow Day,’ I must say, hellz no! As for ‘Snow Day’, hellz no!

***Many thanks to Netgalley & VIZ Media for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Blade and Bastard Vol 1 by Kumo Kagyu

Volume 1 of Kagyu’s Blade and Bastard chronicles the adventures of Iarumas and his eclectic team as they navigate a dungeon, salvaging the remains of fallen adventurers to return them for resurrection at a temple, all while Iarumas seeks clues to his own identity. Having been resurrected himself after dying in the dungeon, Iarumas grapples with amnesia, unable to recall his past.

Although the artwork captivated me, the narrative fell short of expectations. I could not engage beyond the second chapter, marking it as a rare did-not-finish (DNF) on my reading list. It’s hard to pinpoint whether the awkwardness stemmed from the original writing or its translation, but the prose felt overly simplistic and repetitive, relying more on exposition than immersive storytelling. The structure bore the hallmarks of what some might term a LitRPG, despite lacking explicit labeling as such. Moreover, the experience was reminiscent of reading a lackluster transcript of a tabletop RPG. It included an emphasis on the characters’ levels and classes, along with a requisite party size of six. Furthermore, it featured a seemingly infinite dungeon that was partitioned by locked doors.My fondness for engaging in RPGs, whether tabletop or online, did not translate into enjoyment of a narrative attempting to mimic such a gaming structure.

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Yen Press for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Blue Wolves of Mibu Vol 1 by Tsuyoshi Yasuda

The Blue Wolves of Mibu Vol 1 introduces us to Nio, a young orphan who dreams of making the world a better place. It’s 19th century Kyoto, during the end days of the Tokugawa Shogunate. To find his place, Nio joins a group of fierce ronin- the Shinsengumi. These masterless samurai support the shotgun and have taken it upon themselves to keep the streets of the capital safe.

I found the story engaging, with strong pacing and well-developed characters. The setting- sunset of the samurai- was rich and immersive. I loved the artwork, which brought to life the emotions of the characters and the richness of the setting.

Overall, it’s a great beginning to a new series. Highly recommended for those who enjoy samurai manga and/or historical fiction.

***Many thanks to Netgalley & Kodansha Comics for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.