Definitive edition supervised by creator Shirow Masamune. Published it in its original Japanese right-to-left format in English. Released simultaneously with deluxe editions of The Ghost in the Shell 1.5 and 2.
Deep into the twenty-first century, the line between man and machine has been blurred as humans rely on the enhancement of mechanical implants and robots are upgraded with human tissue. In this rapidly converging landscape, cyborg superagent Major Motoko Kusanagi is charged to track down the craftiest and most dangerous terrorists and cybercriminals, including "ghost hackers" who are capable of exploiting the human/machine interface and reprogramming humans to become puppets to carry out the hackers' criminal ends.

What better time to read one of the most iconic sci-fi manga than just before the release of its new anime series adaptation, which is set to premiere worldwide on 7 July?

Kodansha kindly gave me the opportunity to read the first 100 pages of the deluxe edition’s first volume of a three-volume series, and it was an interesting experience. While the ’80s atmosphere evokes a sense of nostalgia, the futuristic themes feel particularly relevant all these years after the manga was created. In fact, it almost seems as if it was ahead of its time, offering a glimpse into some of the topics present in the modern world—although clearly not to the same extent. The plot can be a bit confusing and overwhelming at times, as we find ourselves thrown straight into the midst of events, sometimes even getting lost in the dialogue . . . Nevertheless, it remains thought-provoking. I particularly love the artwork, including the coloured pieces, which at one point switch to black and white, returning to the original maga style—a lovely addition that blends in very well.

Despite being a sci-fi series from decades ago, The Ghost in the Shell remains highly relevant today, prompting reflections on identity and the relationship between humanity and technology.

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Based on the hit indie rpg of the same name, Omori employs the tropes of video games, alternate worlds, and even psychological horror to explore how young people process tragedy, friendship, and forgiveness.
Since the terrible tragedy of four years ago, SUNNY hasn't set foot outside his house. Now, in an attempt to shake him out of his torpor, his family has decided to leave Faraway Town. Three days before the move, Sunny's childhood friend KEL shows up to hang out one last time—but the world outside the young shut-in's door has changed completely, and Sunny's reunion with his old pals goes from bad to worse. Whether by chance or fate, the chain of events that begin to unfold calls up a past they all thought was buried forever . . .

I’m not just an avid reader, I also love video games, so when I saw that OMORI—which I knew as an RPG—had been turned into a manga, I was hooked!

You don’t need to have played the video game beforehand to appreciate or understand the manga, but once you’ve read it, you’ll probably want to give the game a go straight away! Indeed, OMORI has just that mysterious, dark charm. The artwork is really nice, perfectly complimenting the RPG graphics the manga is based on and effectively conveying the story’s dark atmosphere. The Headspace (a vibrant fantasy) and the White Space where Sunny’s mind refuges—and OMORI resides—are deeply intertwined, and the reader can’t help but feel both compassion and a strong desire to understand what really happened. Given the characters’ age, the story feels even more poignant, as it delves into grief and loss, as well as the emotional trauma that lies just ahead . . .

If psychological horror is a genre that captivates you, this manga might have something special in store for you. As a gaming enthusiast myself, I’d recommend checking out the game as well!

Want the full OMORI experience? Try surviving it firsthand!

Explore a strange world full of colourful friends and foes. Navigate through the vibrant and the mundane in order to uncover a forgotten past.

When the time comes, the path you’ve chosen will determine your fate . . . and perhaps the fate of others as well.

AVAILABLE ON

Steam  Nintendo Switch  PS4  Xbox

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The last two years have been full of ups and downs, and it often felt like every time I was ready to start blogging again, life had other plans . . .

I won’t go into details or overwhelm you with everything that’s happened, but it hasn’t been an easy time. In many ways, I needed to step away more than I expected. What I do want to mention, however, is the sudden and heartbreaking loss of my best friend’s mum last September. Some of you may know my bestie Fran from her blog, Life is a Box of Mochi. She is slowly finding her way back to blogging, and if you’d like to show her a bit of love and support, I know it would mean the world to her. I’ve been by her side every step of the way.

In fact, we’ve started a project together called Pic2re Perfect, where we share memories of our unforgettable trip to Japan through photos and videos. It’s something very special to us, and now more than ever we feel the need to hold onto those wonderful moments. If you’d like to take a look, you can find it through the banner in my sidebar—we’d love to see you there.

And now, I’ve chosen today of all days to finally return because my blog is turning 15! It truly feels like such an achievement and I’m incredibly proud of it. Through all of life’s ups and downs—who doesn’t have them?—my blog has never let me down. It has always helped me find inspiration again when I needed it most. So, thank you, Darkest Sins, you’re my precious baby and I adore you! And thank you, dear readers, for reading my posts and sticking with me over the years

I’ve missed all of this, see you very soon!

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From the creator of My Summer of You comes a high school romance about two friends who’ve always been in the same class, but when a new school year separates them, they realize that their feelings for each other might run deeper than friendship . . .
From their first year of middle school to their second year of high school, Kai and Ren have not only always been in the same class—they’ve also always sat next to each other. But in their last year of high school, the boys are assigned to two separate classes, and with each passing day, Kai feels as if he’s slipping further and further away from Ren . . . One day, when Kai finds Ren sleeping in a classroom after school, he whispers the feelings that he can’t bring himself to say out loud . . . and Ren hears him. Will Kai’s confession draw them further and further apart, or will it be the spark that brings them back to each other once more?

There are days when you simply want to pick up a genuine friends-to-lovers story and enjoy it, and My Ultramarine Sky seems just the thing.

Seen from the point of view of both Kai and Ren—starting with Kai’s in particular—the struggle to come to terms with one’s feelings and discover oneself is a journey that has been going on for years and the outcome can no longer be avoided . . . Is the deep feeling that binds one to the other just friendship? Although the story is somewhat predictable, it is nevertheless enjoyable and the gentle journey of self-discovery makes you sympathise with the main characters. In all honesty, with a little more tension and backstory, this manga would have stood out more and conveyed more emotion, but for being a stand-alone volume it still manages to tell a solid story, and since that is not always so easy to do, I’d say it deserves kudos for that.

A short but cute coming-of-age BL with inseparable friends who feel they can be truer than ever when they are together . . . Let’s face it, what reader would ever want to see them apart?

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