Dai Dark

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If you've read Dorohedoro you should have an idea of what you're getting into.

Ultra-creative, ultra-violent combination of horror, comedy and sci-fi.

This mangaka has a style that is so idiosyncratic and bizzare that it's almost hypnotizing.

This new adventure shows that she is hitting her stride and it's been a blast so far.

We've only scratched the surface of what I'd wager will become an awesome story.

... A lot of the art and character designs are very similar to those of her first work. Which is neither here nor there. Though I do not think the two worlds are connected.

I feel like this is an easier world to initially digest in than Dorohedoro (even though I adore Doro ^^).

There is little to no exposition and it's super easy to jump into and become immersed in the strange, gross and dazzling universe.

Hop on while it's still early and enjoy the hype!

I noticed that at the time I am writing this, no one else has reviewed the artistic genius that is Dai Dark--and so I have come to answer the call. This is also the first review I've written on MAL despite the fact I've used it for like 2 years.

Anyways, to summarize the manga in a few words: beautiful, dark, and morbidly funny. The concept of Dai Dark is so weird and out-of-nowhere, but the worldbuilding is fantastic and it makes you want to learn more. This really is a refreshing, original manga with its own unique balance between horror and comedy. Are you a ... fan of gore? A fan of space? A fan of pun-loving skeletons? Then this is the manga for you.

Story: 8

Intriguing, believable (in a Sci-Fi Fantasy sense), and carefully put together. The story is still ongoing, so I can't say a whole lot about wherever it's headed. But so far I'm loving it.

Art: 9

Very reminiscent of Junji Ito works, but of course with its own style. The art suits the tone of the story perfectly, depicting a kind of gritty realism. As an amateur artist myself I know how hard it is to draw some of (a lot of) the things in this manga, so I really really respect the art.

Character: 8

The characters are honestly my favourite thing about Dai Dark so far. Their witty banter gives a new life to the story, and it was my curiosity about who they were that made me keep reading.

Im really disappointed because Dorohedoro is one of my favorite mangas of all time, this has none of the charisma that made Doro great. I have no investment in any of the characters, the way i can describe them is meeting people at the waiting room of your dentist office, you genuinely couldnt care less about these people. The plot has no direction whatsoever, I tried giving it 10 chapters before dropping it since i was Hooked by the 5 chapter of Doro. the gore is decent at best but the comedy feels kind of dry.

If we can recall why the ending of dorohedoro was ... so generic, was because Hayashida was drawing the story with what she felt like drawing at the time, it was draw first, think later, which i can respect in all honesty but that at the end brought upon such a rushed and unfinished ending.

I think the same happened with this one, i dont think Q is sure what she wants to do with Dai Dark, which makes me really sad that we wont see a piece of what made her magnum opus so good to read.

It gets a 4 only because of the art and character designs.