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A review by azaleas_bouquet
Hikaru ga Shinda Natsu by Mokumokuren
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I read this because James Somerton made a video about it. I started the video, and then about halfway through I stopped because I knew I wanted to read it for myself first, and I’m glad I did.
The layout of this manga is genuinely so beautiful. Aesthetically, yes, but it also serves its purpose. It adds to much to the story and emotion in a way I can’t see happening in other mediums like anime or novels. (TBH, it kinda of reminds me of Chainsaw Man, except less comedic and more focused on character-centric emotional builds than plot-centric emphatic moments.) Even as someone who knows literally nothing about art, I can say without a doubt that the style of the art and layout is one of the standout qualities of this manga.
That’s not to say the other elements were lacking, however. This volume set such a good foundation, and I’m excited to see how all the loose threads are going to get tied up. I was immediately invested in the characters, especially in Toshiki’s internal conflict and the desperation of the titular Hikaru. The horror elements of this manga are also astounding. They were so perfectly timed, and got some genuine gasps out of me. The body horror with Hikaru is the perfect balance between intriguing and unsettling, and the off-putting formatting of the manga during the sections focused on Toshiki reminded me that horror doesn’t necessarily have to be in an external plot device, but just in the manner in which something is presented. I really feel like these are characters than can carry a series, and all the side characters also have me intrigued.
Overall, I would highly recommend this manga. It’s intriguing, and it incorporates it’s horror elements with it’s teen angst emotional elements seamlessly. I’m excited to read the rest of this series.
The layout of this manga is genuinely so beautiful. Aesthetically, yes, but it also serves its purpose. It adds to much to the story and emotion in a way I can’t see happening in other mediums like anime or novels. (TBH, it kinda of reminds me of Chainsaw Man, except less comedic and more focused on character-centric emotional builds than plot-centric emphatic moments.) Even as someone who knows literally nothing about art, I can say without a doubt that the style of the art and layout is one of the standout qualities of this manga.
That’s not to say the other elements were lacking, however. This volume set such a good foundation, and I’m excited to see how all the loose threads are going to get tied up. I was immediately invested in the characters, especially in Toshiki’s internal conflict and the desperation of the titular Hikaru. The horror elements of this manga are also astounding. They were so perfectly timed, and got some genuine gasps out of me. The body horror with Hikaru is the perfect balance between intriguing and unsettling, and the off-putting formatting of the manga during the sections focused on Toshiki reminded me that horror doesn’t necessarily have to be in an external plot device, but just in the manner in which something is presented. I really feel like these are characters than can carry a series, and all the side characters also have me intrigued.
Overall, I would highly recommend this manga. It’s intriguing, and it incorporates it’s horror elements with it’s teen angst emotional elements seamlessly. I’m excited to read the rest of this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Death
Minor: Homophobia