Book Review
Title: Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition Manga
Author: Tokyo Calen & Yoshiken (Contributor)
Genre: Manga
Rating: *****
Review: I have been reading manga for several years and I have been getting into horror and psychological thriller manga recently and the synopsis for Dark Metro sounds brilliant. “Terror awaits the people of Tokyo, with gruesome lessons only the dead can teach. Anna almost descends to the dark side when she follows the suicidal Rei down an escalator to hell. Seiya pulls her back, but will they make it out of Tokyo’s secret metro lines in time to escape Rei and the ghosts who inhabit the Tokyo underground? A waitress at a maid cafe sparks jealousy. A mother who can’t handle the responsibility of raising her child commits a horrible crime. An ancient sword awakens a psychotic samurai. And finally, the solemn guide Seiya reveals his own tragic past and the nature of his gifts that are his curse.”
So this edition contains volume 1 & 2 of Dark Metro in addition to and never before seen conclusion to the trilogy. I loved the fact that each chapter of the manga is named after a real metro line in Japan, it just added an extra touch to the story. We are introduced to Anna who is a dancer whose friend Rei stopped showing up for rehearsal and there are rumours that she killed herself after having an affair with their teacher. On the way home, Anna misses the last train and encounters Rei who is dead, and she is dragged down into the underworld but the mysterious Seiya saves her. Seiya claims to be the guide to the underworld and with evidence to prove it isn’t a dream Anna is always looking for Seiya.
This manga is a pure gory journey although each chapter seems to be unrelated as all the characters are different with the exception of Seiya who is constantly helping those who fall into the underworld. Although in some cases he does leave people behind to die there because they deserve it. We follow a host of different characters and their experiences with the underworld gate that lies hidden in the metro.
I really liked how the end of this bind-up gave some real insight into who Seiya is and what he does as a guide to the underworld. I loved the art style, it was dark, creepy and very atmospheric. If you are a fan of Japanese horror films and manga like Battle Royale, then I highly recommend you pick up Dark Metro and I personally hope there is more coming soon.
Buy it here:
Paperback: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
I received this review copy from NetGalley
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