Sep 13, 2020
Before I write this review I would like to preface that I am a massive fan of Haikyuu and Furudate in general but I am trying to keep this as unbiased and fair as possible.Also I am avoiding spoilers with it being a mystery manga and all so I'm gonna have a hard time explaining the plot.I hope you can still put up with it though.
Story-9/10
There are many similar plot lines but never have I read or seen one that takes such a unique direction.The rather short manga follows a middle school student Nakashima Makoto (who just so happens to make a cameo in Haikyuu
...
as well so yay) as she seeks help from one of the mysteries of the school.In this case the illusory eighth Yotsuya Buntarou to help find her missing best friend.They solve a string of mysteries throughout the story all with unique and interesting progressions as the plot progresses.They solve a total of 7 school mysteries over the course of the 18 chapters of the main story.The unraveling of the mysteries is done in an extremely unique method,through the use of horror stories.Yotsuya utilizes his talent of narration to tell these stories as he exposes the crimes and mysteries behind all the cases.Masterfully weaving together his words and captivating both his character audience and the reader.The horror stories themselves follow a similar structure but have story specific twists that differentiates them. The cases themselves don't follow cliches and are very original as well.
Art-8/10
I am giving this the benefit of doubt because the scan I read was very bad.With that out of the way the art does not disappoint.The character designs are well drawn and memorable that is other than the main character though which is why this is at an eight.The backgrounds are well drawn and the two page spreads really creative.The facial expressions were utterly amazing.The emotions were drawn with much skill especially for Yotsuya who has some really creepy yet badass faces in the manga.The other mc has a rather forgetful design which does get in the way slightly but the villains and antagonists are specific and fit into the story really well.Lastly I want to bring up the disturbing panels.The bone-chilling panels with minimalist gore still manages to unsettle the reader with the creative use of tones and perspective.
Character-8/10
The characters themselves were not given too much backstory directly,especially the two main characters.Most of their backstory and background information comes from situational dialogue and background characters.
It seemed to me like the focus of the story is put on the characters of the mysteries in the manga instead of the characters of the manga themselves which really fits the bill.All the antagonists have odd motives that make their crimes interesting.While most of them are made to be the textbook psycho killers the rest have their own unique take on the trope which helps to keep things fresh.
Yotsuya is a unique character that I couldn't fit into any tropes because his behavior is just that unorthodox.In a sense he is your typical detective protagonist.A bit crazy in the head with a strong sense of justice.But where other detectives have some form of supernatural,prodigal or technological aid he has none of them.All he has is his charismatic gravity and the talent of narration. Yotsuya draws in the reader with his skillful narration,clever play on words and his charismatic emotes.It is made clear very early on that he is both the centerpiece of the manga and its narrator.
The other side characters all fall into common stereotypes and don't get much panel time because of the short length of the manga so I won't bother with them too much.
Enjoyment-9/10
There's no good reason not to read this.Will it blow off your sock?No but I can guarantee that Yotsuya will pull you into the rabbit hole that is the art of telling horror stories as they explore the mysteries and crimes that go on in the school.The chapters are well paced which makes the delivery of the plot even more significant and enjoyable.The characters and antagonists are the type that don't stick out too much but just enough to grab your attention making for a special dynamic I have found rarely in other manga.During the short one and a half hour it took me to finish reading this I was enthralled for every moment and I can wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who has the time.It is in the truest sense of the word a hidden gem.
Overall-8/10
Short,interesting,and with a gravity that pulls you in Kiben Gakuha, Yotsuya-senpai is a surefire recommendation that deserves much much more attention.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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