Metamorphosis, or Henshin, is simultaneously one of the greatest and one of the worst manga I have ever read. A horrifying exposé on the depraved dark side of modern society- masquerading as a hentai manga- Metamorphosis is an experience you will *never* forget. It's a story you'll read, ponder for a very long time, and then never want to think about ever again.
Story: 10.
The plot of Metamorphosis is almost flawlessly arranged. An innocent girl's nightmarish spiral into a world of filth and disorder carefully laid out over 225 pages, Metamorphosis is impossible to put down no matter how much you want to do just that. Just when you think the worst has come to pass for the MC, Saki Yoshida, the author leads her even further into the depths of her own personal hell. It is no doubt one of the scariest pieces of fiction I've ever come across, and that's for one main reason: none of what happens to Saki is her own fault. The only sins she actually commits of her own free will: being innocent and being self-conscious. These two very mundane flaws, character traits anyone can relate to and sympathize with, are the root cause of everything that will go on to ruin her life.
That's what makes Metamorphosis so scary. There is not a single moment in the story that you can point at and say: "There. That decision. She could've made the choice not to do that, and everything would've turned out fine." The story is a nightmare made reality, a horror story Saki can't escape from no matter what she tries at every step of her downfall, because she's afraid to resist, too pure to understand what's happening, or just forced into making choices she can't refuse.
So that leads me to the next part of what makes this manga frightening: So, nothing that happens to Saki is her own fault. But everything that happens to Saki is everyone else's fault. From the people who just ignore her plight to the ones who uncaringly abuse and manipulate her, Saki's fall from grace is orchestrated by the actions of all of the other people in the story. If just one of the people she encounters along her journey into darkness decides to help and support her, she could be rescued from her plight. Still, whether or not that does end up happening is something I'm not going to spoil. The author does an incredible job of exposing the world of apathy and agony that lurks just under the surface of civilized society, and depicting Saki's headfirst plunge into that world.
The torture and abuse in this manga aren't just for shock value and the sex isn't just jerk-off material. Everything has a purpose and actually builds towards themes and the overall storyline.
And the ending.... man, the ending... It might take you a few minutes to understand what happens, but let me just say that it's going to stay with you for a very long time. (And a piece of advice: throughout the bathroom scene at the ending, pay very close attention to how her appearance changes.)
Art: 7
The art is pretty good for a hentai. The artist's use of perspectives, angling, and decent focus on realistic body proportions isn't something you'll find very often among hentai artists.
My only gripe with the art, and my main problem with this manga overall, is that it makes most of the sex that happens in the manga look visually appealing. Yes, I get that's the point of a hentai, but in the case of a serious story like this, where every sex scene involves Saki and someone who abuses and manipulates her, and in many cases even tortures her, it takes away from the somber tone of the story. Every sex scene is a horrifying representation of her disappearing dignity and sense of self, and the art that goes along with it should reflect that. But in many cases, the art glorifies and sensualizes the act instead.
Character: 8.
Metamorphosis is full of disturbing and sleazy characters, but what makes it even more depressing are the good people who turn their backs to Saki because of misunderstandings.
Saki's metamorphosis as a character is particularly well done. Her gradual corruption and debasement are masterfully executed, and with every scene of the manga the author makes you really feel for her losses.
Enjoyment: 2.
I give the story a full ten, the art a pretty high rank of 7, the characters an 8, and the manga overall an 8/10. So why am I putting the enjoyment at a 2?
Because Metamorphosis is NOT an enjoyable experience. And it's not meant to be. If you're still jerking off 70 pages into the story I'd say you're into some weird stuff. But if you're still going at it 200+ pages in, you're definitely a threat to society. (Just kidding, but seriously... wtf??)
Metamorphosis is a vile, disgusting, depraved piece of fiction. It is a manga you'll read once and never want to read ever again. But it's one that'll leave you thinking about it long after you finish. How could Saki have been saved? Who was the worst person she met? Could something like this actually happen in real life? What did the ending mean? Metamorphosis is a story that will capture you and never fully let go.
Overall: 8.
A perverse, gloomy, sordid tale, Metamorphosis is not for the faint of heart. But if you can make it through all 225 pages I think you'll come to the conclusion that it was worth reading. Just not something worth reading again.
The well-written plot, good art, complex characters, depressing tone, and healthy dose of social commentary all come together to create a truly horrific tragedy, and a uniquely serious outlier in the hentai genre.
8/10. Would recommend with caution.
P.S.: If you're a JoJo fan, I'd recommend that you read the Josuke ending too. It's on nhentai along with the original.
