unTouchable

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A k-comic that plays with the vampire mythos in a unique enough way to warrant curiosity. Then the relationship drama kicks into top gear and plants hooks under your skin. Don't let the plot on the front page fool you, this story is not a structured setup for gags, though there are several giggles to be gathered on the journey ahead.

Sia Lee and Jiho make for a great central meet-cute, with his prickly agitation clashing perfectly with her predatory optimism. And gradually, the plot allows these two to be actual people beyond the archetypes of modern vampire huntress and reclusive mysophobe (did ... not realize that was the general term for it before reading unTouchable). She moonlights in the day as a cover model, with connection issues and some clingy bad influence friends. He is a writer of books whose condition has gradually cut him off from everyone but his publisher. And wouldn't you know it, they both have parental baggage that readily makes itself known, smacking the reader upside the head just when those opposing personalities start to attract even a tiny bit. One step forward, two steps back, usual drill with romcoms. Plus, the way massstar tweaks the vampire lore with how they operate in modern day is a rewarding reworking of a classic antagonist.

But in the second half, the melodrama kicks up more than a tad expected, so treasure the relative light-mindedness of the of the opening half, for the melodrama gets quite potent. We're talking Makoto Shinkai level melodrama, on a k-comic budget. And what sells that melodrama is the character writing. The situations these two find themselves wrapped up in rarely feels like standard romantic cliches. They have layers of clear wants, needs, goals, and oh the flaws on these two, mwah! The way each of them internally analyzes and overanalyzes their romantic drama really adds to the flavor of their growing relationship. While not initially the biggest fan of the supporting cast, the way they weave into the story at large, primarily Sia's story, does make the events more than a little complicated, but all in favor of the story being told. Baryu especially, the vampire daylighting (?) as a pop idol, has a very sticky and tricky arc to deal out.

Art style, as shown in the preview, has a very sunny and sparkling attitude for most of the run, but the way the art integrates pendulous gradients for interior interrogations and darkened flashbacks adds a texture that is common to the manhwa web comic style, but utilized satisfactorily here. The comic also integrates wee little moments of chibi interaction to maximize the webcomic variety of it all. Nothing groundbreaking. Just solid work.

Was not expecting to completely fall for this story, as I was only hoping for the lowest of bars, a better love story than Twilight. And I got that, but the solid as bedrock character writing truly hooked this reader. Plus, I'm a sucker for that Kyoto Animation / Makoto Shinkai brand of melodrama the story pulls out in the latter half. Seriously wish there was a physical collection of this available, which speaks to how high I think of it. A very hearty recommend, for a little title that no doubt slipped off the radar of most audiences.