Manga Like Monster

As the 20th century draws to a close, a growing sense of unease spreads across the globe, hinting at a major and possibly ominous turning point for the world. Kenji Endou, an ordinary convenience store manager living a mundane life, learns that an old acquaintance nicknamed "Donkey" has tragically died by their own hand. Around the same time, a new cult led by someone called "Friend" begins to attract widespread attention. Kenji starts to suspect that something dark is unfolding. Using cryptic clues left behind by his late friend, he discovers that this cult is a far greater threat than it first appeared—one that directly targets him and his childhood friends, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Only they hold the key to preventing disaster. Kenji's routine life is disrupted as he reconnects with his childhood friends. Together, they must uncover the link between their past and the cult, as the dawn of the new millennium may signal the end of the world.

For years, Twenty-Fifth Bam lived a solitary life until he met Rachel. With her decision to climb the Tower firmly set, Rachel prepares to leave Bam behind to chase her ambition. Following Rachel through a radiant barrier, Bam begins his journey to ascend the Tower, driven by his wish to reunite with her. The Tower, however, is a treacherous realm filled with ancient mysteries, formidable creatures, and hostile individuals. Each floor is overseen by an Administrator who imposes rigorous trials on those brave enough to face them, pushing their limits to the extreme. When confronting Headon, the Administrator of the first floor, Bam learns he is classified as an "Irregular"—someone who entered the Tower without being chosen by it, an exceptionally rare occurrence. Even with this revelation, Bam's path forward remains unwavering. Whether it be riches, strength, fame, or reunion with Rachel, the summit of the Tower promises to fulfill every desire.

Susumu Nakoshi, a middle-aged man living a double existence between a luxury hotel and a park where the homeless gather, meets a mysterious stranger who proposes trepanation—a surgical procedure that involves drilling a hole into the skull. The stranger insists Nakoshi is the ideal candidate for their experiment. Despite initial hesitation, Nakoshi agrees after his car is impounded, arranging for 22-year-old medical student Manabu Ito to perform the operation for 700,000 yen. At first, there seem to be no effects from the procedure, with Nakoshi showing no signs of abnormality. However, his world takes a strange turn when he begins seeing homunculi, tiny humanoid figures, inside every person he encounters. Transformed by this new perception, Nakoshi must confront the challenge of dealing with these homunculi.

Seon Jin endures constant bullying at school because of his reserved personality and weak physique. Yet his greatest terror originates from his own father. To outsiders, Jin's father seems like a prosperous entrepreneur, a committed charity worker, and a caring family man. In truth, he is a psychotic murderer, and Jin is compelled to assist him. They successfully avoid police suspicion. When the father sets his sights on the fresh arrival, Yoon Kyun, Jin faces a decision: remain a silent accessory or oppose his father and gamble everything to rescue her from sharing the destiny of earlier victims.

In 1999, a massive meteorite impact on Antarctica melted the ice sheets, causing global sea levels to rise dramatically and altering the world's climate, resulting in the deaths of over half of Earth's population. By 2015, the remaining human civilization faces new threats from mysterious beings called Angels—creatures of unknown origin that relentlessly destroy what is left of the world. Shinji Ikari, a 14-year-old boy, arrives in the fortified city of Tokyo-3, destined to fight these Angels. Recruited by his father's secret organization, NERV, Shinji is tasked with piloting an Evangelion, a colossal bio-mechanical robot built to battle the Angels. Bearing the burden of saving the world, Shinji must find the courage and resolve to protect both the future and himself. However, as the frequency of conflicts between Evangelions and Angels increases, the grim truth about their world slowly comes to light.

In the wake of Kenji Endo and his childhood friends' confrontation with the cult leader called "Friend," two puzzles stay unresolved: Friend's real identity and the accuracy of their final caution regarding an "anti-photon bomb." To reveal the truth, Kenji works with the United Nations, employing a virtual reality system built from Friend's childhood memories, bringing to a close a story that stretches across many years.

Kazuki Hoshino values his ordinary daily life above all else. His school days are filled with easygoing moments spent with friends—until the transfer student Aine Aya arrives and shatters that peace. The moment this cold, beautiful girl appears in his classroom, she speaks to him in baffling terms: "I've come to destroy you. This is my 13,118th transfer. After going through so many, I started getting bored, so this time I'll add some fun by making a formal declaration." With these enigmatic words, Kazuki's cherished everyday life descends into chaos and dread—Aya's sudden arrival hints at hidden secrets behind his seemingly ordinary friends, including the mysterious devices known as "boxes."

Maomao, a 17-year-old girl, is forcibly taken from her former life and assigned to serve as a low-ranking attendant in an imperial palace. Despite her circumstances, she maintains her curious and pragmatic outlook, planning to make the best of her service until it concludes. When the emperor's twin infants fall gravely ill, Maomao, drawing on her skills as a pharmacist learned in her upbringing in a destitute red-light district, decides to secretly intervene. Despite her efforts to stay anonymous, Maomao's interventions catch the eye of Jinshi, a powerful eunuch who acknowledges her talents. She is then thrust into the emperor's inner circle, where she begins to build a name for herself through her unique approach and medical acumen, solving a variety of health-related puzzles.

Following the death of his parents, high school student Kimihiro Watanuki lives alone and possesses a unique ability to perceive supernatural beings that constantly target him. These spirits relentlessly torment him, and he longs to escape their influence. While fleeing from a group of these entities, he takes refuge in a peculiar shop where he meets Yuuko Ichihara, the shop's mysterious owner, who claims she can grant any wish at a cost. Kimihiro agrees to work for Yuuko to accumulate the payment needed for his wish. Guided by her, he must venture deeper into the world of spirits and the mystical to ultimately break free. Will he be able to navigate the strange and enigmatic experiences that await him?

After World War II ends, Japanese-American veteran Kevin Yamagata creates the successful detective comic "Billy Bat." When it gains popularity, he realizes his hero, Billy Bat, already appeared in a Japanese comic before. Concerned he may have unconsciously copied art from his time in Japan, Kevin travels there to locate the original artist and ask for permission to keep using the character. While investigating Billy Bat's real origins, Kevin uncovers a disturbing chain of murders connected to the character he believed he invented.

A persistent rumor goes around that a magician lives in a tent inside an abandoned amusement park, and some say his performances are genuine. Before every show, he asks the audience, "Do you believe in magic?" Yoon Ah-ee longs for magic but is stuck with a harsh reality. Living in severe poverty, she spends her time studying, working, and taking care of her younger sister while her parents are away. Her faith in magic has faded, much like her cynical classmate Na Il-Deung, who was raised to believe only a solid education matters. Ah-ee’s life changes dramatically when she stumbles upon the abandoned amusement park and meets the magician. "Annarasumanara" delves into a deep journey of self-discovery, mixing philosophy, emotion, and reflection on the true meaning of personal growth.

At Hyakkaou Private Academy, children of wealthy magnates and political dynasties are trained not in academics but in cunning and the art of reading others. When night falls, parts of the campus become gambling dens run by the student council, where students bet their status, money, and privileges. Ryouta Suzui is reduced to the role of a "house pet"—one of the lowest-ranking students forced to serve those above him. Everything shifts when Yumeko Jabami, a mysterious transfer student, arrives. Despite Suzui's warnings, Yumeko dives headfirst into the school's gambling scene, taking on powerful opponents. Her bold moves catch the student council's attention, leading them to sabotage her strategies. Suzui tries to shield Yumeko, only to realize she embodies the very core of Hyakkaou: a compulsive gambler.

Eiji Urashima, an ordinary university student, spends his days drinking with friends and longing for a girlfriend. One night, after a heavy drinking session, he returns home and falls asleep. When he wakes up, Kyouka Yukimura, a beautiful girl from his campus, is lying next to him, insisting they are in a relationship. Bewildered and unable to recall how this happened, Eiji decides to go along with it. But things grow stranger when he notices gaps in his memory. While chatting with his friend Kashiwagi, he asks if it’s the 24th, only to be told it’s actually the 27th. Three days are missing from his recollection, and Eiji struggles to understand what occurred. The situation escalates when a journalist reveals a dark secret to Kyouka—Eiji is the son of a notorious serial killer. As his world unravels, Eiji sets out to uncover the truth behind the lost days and seek Kyouka’s acceptance of his troubled past.

In Bakemonogatari, Koyomi Araragi is no stranger to the supernatural. During his third year of high school spring break, he unexpectedly becomes a vampire after an encounter with Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade. Submerged in a realm of anomalies, Araragi finds himself aiding classmate Hitomi Senjougahara when he notices something peculiar after catching her falling down the school stairs. He learns that a mythical crab has been stealing her weight. Though she warns him off with harsh words, Araragi manages to convince her to accept his help. To address this bizarre problem, they seek out Meme Oshino, the mysterious wanderer who previously helped Araragi overcome his vampiric condition. This narrative explores the hidden monsters within each individual, raising questions about how deeply they are concealed within those Araragi meets.

Yuugi Mutou, a high school student frequently targeted by bullies, spends his nights absorbed in board games and puzzles within his room. His love for games stems from his grandfather, who runs the game shop where they both live. After solving the ancient Millennium Puzzle one night, Yuugi awakens a concealed, darker identity called Yami Yuugi. In moments of intense stress, Yuugi transforms into this bold and fearsome alter ego, assuming the role of a vengeful figure who challenges bullies and wrongdoers to high-stakes games, where losing brings severe repercussions. As Yuugi and his dark counterpart gain allies among those who once tormented him, they forge strong bonds with these new companions. However, the group soon faces enemies far more dangerous than school bullies—people who twist games for evil purposes, putting Yuugi and his friends' lives at risk.

In a world where most people are born with an "Iris"—a special ability often expressed through visual cues, ranging from lie detection to predicting danger—high school student Tooru Mizushima stands out as an "Iris Zero," lacking this unique power. This rarity makes him a target for bullying, leading him to maintain a quiet and inconspicuous lifestyle. His world turns upside down when Koyuki Sasamori, a popular and outgoing schoolgirl, enters his life. Koyuki possesses an Iris that enables her to identify the ideal person for any task, and she believes Tooru is the perfect match to assist her in selecting the next student council president. Initially reluctant due to his preference for solitude, Tooru is eventually persuaded by Koyuki’s relentless and optimistic approach. As he becomes entangled in various social circles and uses his sharp analytical skills to unravel mysteries, Tooru's once solitary life as an Iris Zero starts to transform.

Every year, the Ushiromiya family gathers on Rokkenjima at the request of their eccentric patriarch, Kinzou, whose health is failing. Most relatives believe his time is running out. As a fierce typhoon batters the island, tensions over inheritance and succession escalate within the family. Battler, Kinzou’s grandson, returns after six years away, expecting a peaceful reunion. Instead, Kinzou devises a peculiar game, challenging the family to find his hidden treasure, with the winner gaining control of the family. The game takes a dark turn when participants are threatened as sacrifices to revive the legendary Millennial Witch, Beatrice. Despite being a staunch skeptic, Battler must confront the possibility of supernatural forces or a murderer among them as the body count rises.

In the summer of 1983, Keiichi Maebara moves from a busy city to the quiet rural village of Hinamizawa. As he adjusts to his new life, he becomes friends with several local girls, forming a close group that includes Satoko Houjou, Rika Furude, Rena Ryuuguu, and Mion Sonozaki. At first, everything seems peaceful and carefree, but Keiichi soon realizes there is more to Hinamizawa than what appears on the surface. During the Cotton Drifting Festival, he learns of a troubling pattern: murders and disappearances have occurred shortly after the event each year for the past few years. The villagers blame these tragedies on "Oyashiro's Curse," claiming that those who offend the village's guardian deity face death or disappearance. Keiichi initially dismisses this as mere superstition meant to keep people in line. However, after a murder and a disappearance happen following the festival, and his friends remain silent about the village's strange events, Keiichi begins to suspect that his new companions may be linked to the horrific incidents—and that he might be the next target.

In Zaregoto, a teenager who withdrew from a prestigious Houston program for gifted young minds journeys to a secluded private island. Upon arrival, they meet the island's owner, who lives in near isolation and interacts mainly with brilliant individuals, mostly young women. Their reality is torn apart when one of these geniuses is found with their head severed one morning.

This narrative explores the consequences of choices, where admissions of feelings can result in either acceptance or rejection, and decisions often require sacrifice and sadness. Following his decision to save a blonde vampire and become entangled with the supernatural, Koyomi Araragi's humanity ends and he is reborn as a monster. However, this event is just one of many tragedies and critical choices he will encounter. He begins to understand that even his most resilient, painstakingly formed bonds are not eternal. As more strange occurrences unfold around him, he must grapple with difficult decisions—whether to sever ties with those he loves or remain in the realm of monsters and spirits, risking the destruction of the world. The choice to accept or reject a confession and to sacrifice everything for others also looms heavily. Both options may lead to heartache and separation. The story delves into Koyomi Araragi's realization of the gravity of his actions. This installment represents the second season of the Monogatari Series.

In her final memory, Natsu Iwashimizu shares cherished meals with her family. However, upon waking, she discovers she's on a sinking ship, saved by three unfamiliar faces: Arashi Aota, whose kindness is matched only by his short fuse; Semimaru Asai, who teases Natsu's shy demeanor; and Botan Saotome, a skilled individual who grasps the gravity of their situation. Together, they manage to escape and navigate towards a deserted island. Unbeknownst to them, this enigmatic land is actually post-apocalyptic Japan. A meteorite impact has eradicated human life and transformed the planet's ecosystem. To repopulate the earth, the government initiated the "7 Seeds" program, sending five teams—Spring, Summer A, Summer B, Autumn, and Winter—each comprising seven resilient youth and a guide. Natsu and her crew belong to Summer B, deemed social outliers. Their survival hinges on finding one of seven government shelters for supplies. In a perilous, alien world devoid of familiar support, the quartet must learn to work together to endure.

Set in an eastern realm where an emperor rules, the hougong, or rear palace, houses the consorts and their servants. Maomao, a simple girl from a small village whose father works as an apothecary, never expected her life to become entangled with the rear palace. Yet fate steps in, and she is kidnapped, forced into servitude within its walls. Though outwardly unremarkable, Maomao possesses sharp intelligence, quick thinking, and extensive medical knowledge, which she keeps hidden. Her abilities catch the eye of Jinshi, the astute head eunuch, who recognizes her potential. He assigns her the role of lady-in-waiting to the emperor’s favored consort, tasked with ensuring the safety of her food from potential poison. As Maomao carries out her duties, she uncovers the intricate web of secrets and scandals within the hougong. Will she find peace, or will her keen mind and relentless curiosity draw her into further intrigue and danger?

In a bleak future, a controversial law known as the National Welfare Act compels citizens between the ages of 18 and 24 to sacrifice their lives for the nation. One day prior to their demise, these selected individuals are informed via "Ikigami" messages delivered by government officials. The sole rationale provided by the government for this law is to foster a deeper respect for life among its populace. Kengo Fujimoto, a recent recruit as an Ikigami messenger, harbors reservations about the law but keeps his thoughts hidden to evade the watchful eye of the national police. Kengo hopes that through the process of delivering these fatal notifications, he can clarify his personal views on the matter. "Ikigami" explores the diverse reactions of those who learn of their impending death, ranging from acts of compassion to emotionally-driven transgressions. These individuals' decisions and actions deeply influence those around them and ultimately shape Kengo's perspective on the law.

Once more, the annual Ushiromiya family reunion is held on Rokkenjima. Despite recovering from a cold, Ange Ushiromiya is overflowing with happiness at seeing her cousins again. Her grandfather is overjoyed to welcome his beloved grandchildren and decides to host a special Halloween celebration filled with treats. On the first day, by lunchtime, the aunts and uncles engage in cheerful conversation, while the cousins eagerly make plans for the afternoon. It appears to be the perfect image of a harmonious family—a stark contrast to the usual quarreling and hostility among the Ushiromiya clan. What could be causing this unexpected change?