Ushiro no Hikaruko-chan

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I really liked the setup of this manga, and was looking forward to reading another of Ishikawa Emi's works. Overall, the first half is really solid. The main character is very cute and relatable, and the plot is driven by her predicament. The opening is also fairly dramatic and engaging. The story is set up to be episodic (similar to Zekkyou Gakkyuu, the author's prior work).

Unfortunately, that doesn't really pan out. My guess as to what happened is that this wasn't a particularly popular manga, and the author was told to wrap it up by the end of volume 2. As such, ... there are a few episodic chapters, and then an ending that wraps up what is probably the most major plot thread, but leaves a couple open as well. Assuming that this was indeed forced to wrap up in short order, I think the author did about the best she could to create a satisfying ending. Again, unfortunately this does leave some things out that could have given the story more life, like playing out some of the complicated conflicts and relationships that the author had set up, as well as expanding more on the world in which the story takes place, the relationships in the business of being a vengeful spirit, and the other vengeful spirits' convictions about the main character.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. Ishikawa Emi is a great author. I wish Ushiro no Hikaruko chan could have been taken to its full potential, which it definitely falls short of.

FYI I read this in Japanese. I'm not sure what English translations there are available.