Story: 9
Chi No Wadachi, or A Trail of Blood, is a harrowing psychological thriller about the twisted relationship between a mother and her son that will keep you binging one chapter after another. One of the main things that makes this manga so electrifying is how much thought the author put into the story. Everyday events act as signals for character development (pay attention to what Seiichi eats for breakfast each day) and the plot twists and turns are very carefully laid out and revealed in astonishing ways. And it's because of the ability of the mangaka to make each scene so scary that the
...
story has a continuous atmosphere of tension. Home symbolizes a safe haven away from the dangers and unknowns of the outside world. But when your home is the lair for the very same monster that gave you birth- what can you possibly do to escape?
Adding on to the ambience of terror that makes A Trail of Blood such a spine-chilling drama is its central villain- the mother. Behind her sweet innocent smile hides a manipulative, repulsive predator oozing with evil. The way she gaslights and controls Seiichi, warping this naive middle-schooler kid beyond recognition with her toxic and insidious lies, is both heart-breaking and outrageous to watch. Reading this manga I wanted nothing more than to kick her off the cliffs she wants to throw herself off of so much. She is SUCH a hateable character. The mother is more horrifying than any horror movie monster, and the fact that the protagonist has to live with her- and is manipulated by her 24/7- is what makes A Trail of Blood so nerve-wracking.
Art: 8
The mangaka does an expert job of using art to tell the story. The way he draws certain scenes really adds to the tension, and he also depicts the psychological trauma that the MC goes through in the series in a truly unsettling way. Particularly, I like how the sky is constantly black even at day, making each outdoors scene feel so eerie. And that smile. That damn smile. The mom's killer psycho smile will haunt me in my dreams. While most of the mother's scariness comes from her actions, the way the mangaka draws her makes her even more terrifying.
Character: 9
Let's start off with the mom. And I'm just starting off with the mom because I want to make something absolutely clear: THERE IS NO INCEST IN THIS MANGA. I'm going to warn you in advance, when you get to "that scene" early on in the story, remember that the mom had just found out that Seiichi got asked out by a girl at school, and in her twisted maternal way, wanted to replace and consume the girl's role in Sei's life to "protect" him from harm. The fact that she does not in fact have any sexual feelings for her son is made absolutely clear by the author, since the mom has numerous opportunities to act on any desires throughout the story and never, ever does so. She just really, really, REALLY despises Seiichi's love interest and is afraid of anyone who could take her darling son away from her. Ma is just a murderous psycho, not a horny murderous psycho. If "that scene" turns you off from the manga, don't worry, there aren't any more scenes like it.
All that aside, the mother is a great character, a walking bomb, exploding at sudden moments and fracturing Sei's grasp on sanity and reality over and over again. Her mannerisms, her motives, her cunningly manipulative behavior- all of this contributes to her being one of the scariest antagonists I've ever seen in fiction.
The other important character in A Trail of Blood is the protagonist, Seiichi. An innocent middle school kid, his hopes and dreams are completely dashed to pieces by his insane mother as she tortures him with emotional blackmail, while the poor kid, confused by natural love for his parent, is too helpless to truly fight back. Sei's mental deterioration over the course of the series is heartbreaking to watch and you'll find yourself rooting for the few individuals who try to free him from the chains of "love" that bind him to his mother.
There's minor characters in A Trail of Blood who are important as well. There's the emotionally distant dad who is surprisingly blind to the fact that his wife is crazy. The horny teenage love interest who is abused at home herself. The conked-out vegetable cousin who ends up being the hero of the story (no, seriously.) The author does a great job of characterizing each person in the story overall.
Enjoyment: 7
The one main annoying part of the story is the weird inkling of sexual tension between the MC and his sociopathic killer mom. Yeah. There's a lot of emotional touchy-feely business that goes on between the two and as I was reading this manga I was continuously worried that the situation would escalate, but fortunately it never does. It really took me out of the horror of the story at some parts but as long as you can read without thinking too much about it you'll get through the story just fine. Other than that there's lots to enjoy about A Trail of Blood. The spooky mysteries and startling reveals will keep you on the edge of your seat, I guarantee it.
Overall: 9
As someone who usually sticks to shonen anime and manga, I surprisingly enjoyed this series. A true page-turner doesn't need magic or explosions or aliens to keep you glued, and A Trail of Blood is a convincing example of that. The protagonist has a torturous character arc you'll never forget and the mother is a terrifying villain the likes of which you won't see in any other piece of fiction. After binge-reading all 85 chapters in one sitting, I can't wait to read what happens next in the story. Give A Trail of Blood a try, I guarantee it will haunt you for a long time if you do.
So...
Do you want the steamed meat bun or the steamed red-bean bun for breakfast?
The choice is yours.
Just don't make the wrong one.
 Alternative TitlesSynonyms: A Trail of Blood Japanese: 血の轍 More titlesInformationType: Manga
Volumes: 17
Chapters: 153
Status: Finished
Published: Feb 24, 2017 to Sep 8, 2023
Theme:
Psychological
Demographic:
Seinen
Serialization:
Big Comic Superior Authors:
Oshimi, Shuuzou (Story & Art) Statistics Ranked: #7682 2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded. Popularity: #127
Members: 108,455
Favorites: 3,387 Available AtResources | Reviews
Filtered Results: 62 / 78
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Nov 10, 2020
Story: 9
Chi No Wadachi, or A Trail of Blood, is a harrowing psychological thriller about the twisted relationship between a mother and her son that will keep you binging one chapter after another. One of the main things that makes this manga so electrifying is how much thought the author put into the story. Everyday events act as signals for character development (pay attention to what Seiichi eats for breakfast each day) and the plot twists and turns are very carefully laid out and revealed in astonishing ways. And it's because of the ability of the mangaka to make each scene so scary that the ... 
Jul 20, 2021
i really dont know where to begin with this manga. it hits extremely hard. the author has an amazing grasp at writing complex, traumatized and REALISTIC characters. the imagery used to convey the deep dark dread that Seichii feels for majority of the manga is disturbingly beautiful as well as the sketchy dark lines used to show mother's manipulation during the manga is haunting as well. The story is a dark rabbit hole as well as the character's descents into tragedy. I heavily recommend this manga to majority of readers who want a grim tale but please be mindful of your own sanity. This manga
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Mar 25, 2021
Short review
-the characters are weird In a bad way in the beginning through to the middle -the pacing is awful and the plot is almost nonexistent the only real story was the beginning and after chapter 65 -the setting is basic, the storytelling and stylistic approach is extremely abstract -I'm not sure but I think the story tries to portray mental illness, which if so, is done very poorly. You hear that this manga "breaks people" but I didn't feel any sad emotion from this or any like pity for any characters, basically I didn't feel anything except for pure confusion for bulk of the story ... 
Apr 17, 2021
This is one of the most difficult stories I've ever had to read. There is a lot to unpack that cannot be done easily. There is only one thing I wish to say:
Most comments, when reacting to the events of the plot, are really really dumb. Some keeps calling the plot inconsistent, others try to perceive it as the same as other mangas. This isn't your trash isekai or trash manhua. There is no good side and no evil side, there is a nuance in it, but most thinking people can understand that this is an exploration of many awful tragedies that can happen in ... 
Jan 29, 2024 Not Recommended Funny  Preliminary
(112/153 chp)
Chapters and volumes here are irrelevant, but i think i stopped when the kid grew up to a beta male.
I really hate these kind of "Psychological" type manga, because no one really understands the genre, maybe i am one of those, but this is boring, lame slop. To the point that you can predict that these chracters will never become dynamic in any way. Just look at the mom, static as hell. First of all, its seems as though this manga falls in the category, "just because i have trauma means anything i do can be justified". "You want to kill someone? Oh but ... 
Apr 15, 2021
When art makes you feel something, it has accomplished is goal - even if it makes you feel uncomfortable.
This is an incredible psychological drama of a toxic relationship between mother and son. Every line drawn and every word spoken has the ability to make you intensely on edge. A compelling story that makes you want to continue no matter how much you also don't want to continue. Warnings of Gaslighting, mental and physical abuse, blood, death, and some sexual themes. If you are up for a story of this nature, check it out - but if you have been through abuse or trauma, maybe skip out ... 
Jul 5, 2020
A Trail of Blood is a fantastic example of a thriller/horror manga that does not have to utilize extreme gore to get that 'shock' factor out from its reader. Instead, the true horror of this story emulates from the author's unique artwork. Oshimi uses lines, and scribbles, to reflect the character's state of mind. When Osabe is anxious, the art seems to deteriorate and the panels begin to mesh together to reflect our main character and the narrator's, point of view. Osabe's mother is the other main character of this series and she serves as an interesting antagonist to this story. When it comes to
...
Jul 28, 2020
The suspense genre was always something I really had a hard time enjoying, but this manga manages to keep a steady pace that's incredibly enjoyable and actually suspenseful. It's not too slow or too fast and best of all unpredictable, which were issues I had with the suspense genre.
I really enjoyed the first chapters because right off the bat you knew something was wrong but couldn't figure out what it was or if you were just being paranoid. Once everything all goes wrong, it went wrong in ways I didn't even think would happen in a manga with a delicate art style as this. The characters ... 
Nov 4, 2023
I feel like you need actually need to be from the japan to fully gasps this manga. Of course, there are alot of multicultural experiences and references In It, The pain of growing and living In toxic family and environment Is similar everywhere, that you can try to run away but It will keep hunting you. The weight of the choices that we make.
The art style fitting the story well. Kinda sad that only the main character got good developments, the side characters not so much. Recommended for those who loves stories about the simply cruel sides of life, style oyasumi punpun. 
Feb 3, 2022
If you enjoy horror that makes you go "wow that's fucked up", you'll love this. It's such a simple narrative, but it works so well and leaves you on edge and pulls so many turns you never saw coming.
The facial expressions are incredible. I thought Aku no Hana had some amazing faces, but the ones in this manga had me feeling an entire spectrum of emotions. Especially disgust. I didn't know I could get so much horror just out of strong facial expressions. The abusive relationship between the mother and the protagonist is so scarily accurate and well written. I also found it incredibly ... 
Apr 26, 2021
I don't want to give this a rating since the series has not finished yet and my overall opinion has changed a lot as the series has progressed, but since MAL doesn't let you submit reviews without scores I guess I'll give it an 8. Honestly I don't personally like the direction the most recent chapters have taken the story. The first 80 chapters or so are wonderfully disturbing and some of my favourite that horror manga has to offer. If you haven't read any of the series yet I would definitely recommend it, and I'd suggest you go in knowing as little as possible.
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Jul 20, 2021
This is the first manga that I've ever read and Oh BOY!
First of all, the mangaka has done a wonderful job of evoking this feeling of being stuck in a never ending Limbo, story progresses at snail speed, it's depressing but you can't stop. Art work is fantastic and the shading and details are perfect. Characters are annoying. Every single one of them. His cousin, his mom, his girlfriend, every one seems to be mentally disturbed in some way. I have never felt this repelled from any characters before. You can sense this was all, of course, intentional. I don't really know if I enjoyed it, because it's ... 
Jun 10, 2023
A strangely perfect beginning that unsettles you and a little unexpected development, plots that seemed obvious fall apart in the middle of the narrative and drive you crazy, you don't know what will happen and because of that you keep reading .
The tension comes from the characters' smiles and everyday phrases, it's all very unexpected, the synopsis (of the manga, not of M.A.L.) is very superficial and even if you're already used to genres of horror and psychological drama this manga will cause you a little of discomfort (discomfort, not fear). Everything is boosted when you remember that the protagonist is just a 13-year-old boy, ... 
Sep 17, 2021
Do you love your family? Would you be able to kill for her? How happy are you A mother would do anything for her child, right?
A mind-blowing psychological horror play. Chi No Wadashi is a manga that reads like water passing, it doesn't need many vignettes to tell you what is happening or what the characters are feeling, the drawing speaks for itself. A plot full of suspense, discomfort and pressure where you do not know what the reaction or next step of the characters will be as the chapters go by. Dare to enter the dark distorted mind of a mother who inside her only wanted ... 
Dec 1, 2022
I don’t even know where I beginning to start with this manga, This is the type of manga to make you feel so many different emotions as you find out the real meaning to things and what actually happened, How the man character goes on a journey of confusion, doubt, and fearfulness as he slowly finds out about his mothers narcissistic personality and protectiveness. This is manga is really disturbing but not in a ‘I can’t believe the author drew that’ type of way but how realistic the characters are.
I started this manga and couldn’t stop, mostly after the ‘accident’ and how his ... 
Oct 22, 2021
You know, every once in a while, we come across something, a piece of art, a show, a movie, or in this case, a manga, that we think is great, and still can't stand it. For me, the first experience akin to this was 2001. I first saw it when I was 14, and I hated it. I watched it again last year, and I still hate it with a passion.
And then I come across this, and that same feeling of appreciating all that was put into it surfices again. I hate how realistic the characters are, I hate how it makes me feel absolutely ... 
Oct 28, 2021
The first thing you will notice reading this manga is how quickly you become immersed; within only a few chapters, you are pulled into the cruelly confusing world of Osabe Seichii. The art is a delightful, emotionally charged dance of light and dark, positive and negative. Very little is said, but instead, it is felt, and you will hear the pitter patter of the rain and the beating of Seichii's heart throughout the winding plot line. If you read this manga without doing some preliminary research on Japanese sound effects, I honestly believe you will be doing yourself a disservice. There is something special
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Jun 7, 2024
i saw this manga like a year ago, i checked it again and it was done so i read the whole thing in one sitting like the sane person that i am, and this is the same author of the flowers of evil so i was expecitng not to get shit, and don't understand the decisions of the characters, and i was right i aint undertand shit
Art: nice lines for sure Story 6/10: i thoght i was gonna read a serial killer type shi, but nahhhhhhhhh, i got to see this man changing his mom diapers, the story at the begining was cool though, suspense ... 
Jan 25, 2022
This is a really scary read. An artful drama about the fallout of a horrific incident within a family. Characters come to life with incredible linework. Very moody art, and immersive panel to panel action.
The first 59 chapters are the best horror comic I've ever read. And it's still great all the way thru chapter 95, while with some wavering quality. But after that, it just seems to be running on autopilot. Completely out of material but running as a shell of its former self with no clear way to end it anymore. It feels like we're still stuck unpacking the push even after 12 volumes. In ... 
Oct 12, 2023
A great manga. Perhaps my current favorite work by the author (at the moment, I'm halfway through "Aku no Hana").
The mysteries and psychological events are excellent, the way the entire plot is constructed, and how you become anxious reading and just can't stop; much of this is due to the author's skillful storytelling, along with the excellent artwork. The reading is quick and fluid. Before I knew it, I had finished it, haha. The author is highly effective at expressing emotions in their characters, making everything more melancholic and dramatic. I would say that some things were extremely disturbing (but that was the intention), but even so, ... |
