This is a manga full of that and true dark humor.
Actually, the reason I decided to read this, is the initial synopsis sounded very much like the French existential play "Huit Clos" (transliteration would be No Exit or Behind Closed Doors ) which is a play about that takes place in a closed locked room with a very small cast of similar characters, and the setting seemed like that to me, so when reading the first chapter I thought it was going to go along those lines but it also takes influences from other closed room stories such as a movie about an elevator called Devil and a mystery by Agatha Christie.
As I said, the first chapter starts off with a very existential feel to it - the play I was comparing it to is about 3 people locked in a room together for eternity as their punishment in their sins in a personal Hell - the motto being "Hell is other people". That being with others who you hate and can't stand the sins of would be torture , and that having your own sins revealed to them would be, rather than physical torture instead mental or emotional variety.
The first chapter of this seems to be heading in that direction as they are confessing their sins locked in an elevator, but after that first chapter some plot twists occur that completely changed it being that theme!
It veered off in another direction that I did not expect.
Personally - I really like it when a work surprises me with a twist where I can't guess the plot, therefore, it makes me rate those works higher for their "pleasant surprise factor". So the departure from what I thought I would be reading actually increased the enjoyment for me, even though as I say this is a manga that is unabashedly dark and sardonic.
If you appreciate dark humor this will probably be more to your liking than if that bothers you. :)
The art was good but nothing spectacular, and the characters were interesting however where this particular story really shines is the actual story and plot. The ending is good but sort of open, as in it could well continue and it makes you wonder what might happen next instead of completely telling you.
It is a one volume/ 3 chapter work so it is definitely worth the time.
Overall, I am giving this Akuma a 9.
This is a mature seinen manga with horror and dark psychological themes so it is probably more suitable for mature readers who like mysteries and crime dramas.
