Dec 10, 2021
As others have stated before me: this manga is not for everyone.
Frankly, I struggle with the right terms to use whenever I attempt to persuade someone to read this. Do I go with supernatural romance? Supernatural thriller? Supernatural comedy? At times in the story it feels like each one of these is fitting, however it still wouldn't be right in the grand scheme of things. In the end, the only thing to say is: "Just try it out for yourself. It's great."
Without revealing too much, this manga focuses heavily on our protagonist Kou, a 14 year-old disinterested middle school student suffering from insomnia
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and his relationship with a female vampire he meets one night, Nazuna. This relationship between the two is cornerstone of this series, as it plunges Kou into a whole new world full of vampires, detectives, the mentally ill, and other folks you may find just hanging out in the middle of the night. The story is very proficient at handling romance between its two leads, naturally swaying back and forth from wholesome moments between two awkward dorks to racy, erotic vampire-dom scenes that are very clearly meant to parallel sex. Whatever moments get you most excited reading a romance, it's a guarantee that there will be at least one aspect of their relationship that covers what you are looking for.
Other than actually pleasant romance, what this manga has going for it the most is it's aesthetic. In my opinion, there really are none other like it. It makes you want to walk around at night for no reason at all. Reading it feels as though you yourself are sent into this world of vampires, somewhat reminiscent of a noir film (in fact, there's a direct reference to one in the story). The way it seamlessly transitions from comedic quips and moments similar to that of Dagashi Kashi to an eerie, supernatural vampire-detective thriller makes practically every chapter a joy to read, as dull moments are few and far between.
The characters, while some are interesting in their own right, are mostly carried by Nazuna and Kou, and moments without either one on screen can make for some of the most dragging scenes of the entire series. Luckily, however, said moments are extremely rare, and the times when even one of them are present in the story have made for some of the most entertaining moments I've ever read in a so-called "romcom".
Overall, Yofukashi no Uta is a quality series that series that I firmly believe everyone should give a chance at least once. If there's a certain "supernatural late-night aesthetic" manga that you've been looking for, there's a chance that this is exactly what suits your needs. If you're just in it for the romance, then be prepared to be met with a romcom that - actually progresses! Whatever you may be looking for, there's a good chance that this manga may have it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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