Manga Review: Shiki

Title: Shiki
Author: Ono Fuyumi, Fujisaki Ryuu
Release: Monthly
Status: Ongoing
Genre: Supernatural, Mystery, Horror
Art: S+
Originality: A
Story: S
Characters: A
Humor: B
Action: S

Impression: This is a manga adaptation of novel about a village that’s way out in the country that suddenly finds itself plagued by a series of mysterious deaths that pop up at a daily rate. The story focuses on how the villagers are affected by these deaths and their attempts at overcoming the unusual situation they find themselves in. Though only a select few in the village actually manage to grasp at the truth behind these deaths, most of the villagers already suspect the strange new reclusive flamboyant family that has taken up residence in the equally ostentatious western styled castle-mansion found at the top of a hill in their area. Of course they’re right on the money about this as they really are… vampires! I really don’t consider that to be much of a spoiler though, the hints are far too obvious for anyone miss this so anyone who didn’t see that coming at all should be very ashamed of themselves. As the story itself encompasses the villagers rather than any one character, you don’t really see anyone that truly qualifies as the main character. There are a few characters that are more prominent than others in the manga but that’s mostly because their personalities and actions make them stand out amongst the huge cast of colorful personalities featured inside. This allows for an intensely gripping storytelling style that’s imbued with plenty of suspense and a dark ominous atmosphere of mystery(despite how obvious it is what’s really going on). It plays out like a quiet horror movie that you just can’t help but keep on watching. You just get pulled into the whole thing and can’t stop yourself from until you get to the very end. I absolutely recommend this even if you aren’t into any of the genres it falls under but not until you can get your hands on everything from start to finish as the suspense just eats away at your sanity.