First, off as a warning, this review is written very early on in the manga run so my opinion can change as more chapters come out. However, I think I've read enough games adapted to manga and chapters to formulate an opinion based on what we already have. In addition, I have played the game but I'll try my best to not say A or B is better but rather how does the story of the two differ since I believe that's why most people would be interested in reading this manga in the first place.
I will be separating this review into

-People who have played the games (mainly a comparison)
-People who haven't played the game (overall manga review)

I will also score a bit differently between the two.




People who have played the games

Story/Character(7)
As with most game to manga adaptations, this story does make changes to the original but nothing too different. Moreover, it adds more little moments than taken away by changing how the scenes play out. Seeing the little change does also make the manga feel different from the game rather than you're just reading a carbon copy of the game which, for me, can get boring. However, if you like your game to manga adaptations to be 100% faithful with no changes aside from being in a manga format, then you'll be sadly disappointed.

A manga is not structured the same as a game so I expected some changes, like how optional dialogue in the game obviously won't be present here and overall pacing is sped up.

Art(6)
The art is also different from the game, it's not trying to recreate the games art style. In fact, it's quite different to the point where I don't really see the characters as the same ones from the manga but rather their own character. In particular, Keiji and Reko just look off to me, not bad but they just don't feel like they're the same ones present in the games, probably due to the more rounded art style. In addition, very minor changes were made to the character’s designs such as Sou not having a spotted scarf, Sara and Joe’s tie not being checkered etc. Very minor and just to do with pattern then overall design.

Enjoyment (7)
Overall, I'll recommend a read. It's not 100% per cent perfect but definitely much better than other adaptations I've read and it does add new elements so it's not exactly the same as the game.




People who haven't played the game

A quick side note, this manga’s first chapter is a spoiler for the game so if you do wish to play the game I recommend playing the game first or at least to the end of chapter 1. However, I will focus this segment more on people who just wanna read this manga/want a none comparison to the games.

Story/Character(6)
If you've read any death game stories, you'll know where we are heading to. Following our protagonist Sara Chidouin after getting taken away forcibly alongside her friends, Joe Tazuna, into a death game where she and 9 others have to vote who they want to kill off. This is a death game by majority vote and who has the most vote will have to die.
As a premise, this works quite well and gets you interested very early.

In addition to these kinds of stories, you need a strong cast to feel attached to their fated moment. With a quickened pace, we don't really get to know many of the characters very well this early, so right now it is more so which characters quirk you like more etc. However, I hopefully expect this to change as the manga expands. But as of now, it's not bad and at least none of the characters are hateable this early on.

Art(5)
Art I have mixed feelings about. Some panels look off where the perspective makes no sense or, when characters face to the side, just something is not right. The background is also rather plain, though I somewhat expected this due to what it had to work off. In addition, there is shading around the hands which has always bugged me as there shouldn’t be shading around the hand when you think of where the light source is. I believe this is a stylistic choice, it was one thing that I just couldn't get over.

The most standout part of this art is the expressions which you do need to get right for this kind of story. The facial expressions really do show the character's despair being in this situation and the hardships they’ll have to go through to get out. I'm really excited to see what the artist does in the future with the events to come.

Overall/enjoyment (6)
Honestly, nothing really stands out and the art does have some flaws that make it hard to recommend this to just anyone. But, art is subjective. It's not bad but it's nothing new either. If this premise interests you then I think it could be a quick fun read. However, this manga being an adaptation of a game is more clearly designed for people who have played the game so there would be more enjoyable reading this if you have played the game. So when it comes to people who haven't played the game it does become harder to recommend this title but, give it a go! Got nothing to lose, after all, just note that the experience will not be the same as someone who may have played the game however in some way I guess that could also be a positive.

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I have played the game.

Overall, this manga doesn't feel special.

The story is, for the most part, the same. It tries not to stray away too much from the source material.

I feel like taking one piece of entertainment to another medium can give you a chance to improve upon the source material, or change it in a way that more suits whatever the new medium is. Though YTTD is a mainly a visual novel, it's more interective parts help to keep the player involved within the story. They get you to think hard about the situation and keeps you on your toes as things are slowly explained. By moving over into a manga, you loose that sense of immersion.
This manga is moreso a copy of the game, and doesn't feel like it's trying to make it an interesting *manga*.

IMO it feels like the story was sped through. Maybe that lack of player input is to blame. But nonetheless, the story (thus far) feels rushed. It doesn't give you time to truly get understand each character in the introductions, and swiftly moves into the main story. I feel no sort of attachment to anyone because I don't know anything about them. The manga doesn't try to tell you who they are or really get to know them (you could even do this through subtle dialogue ).

Taking even a slight more time to get you used to everyone besides Joe would have helped.

The art is okay. It's nothing incredible or truly memorable to me, but not horrible at all. But when i look at it, I feel nothing.

YTTD is a story full of rich emotions and character, interesting plot twists and excited mysteries. This manga feels as though it doesn't understand what makes the game so incredible, and thought that just copying the story would work.

Conclusion - It's okay. An unremarkable and unmemorable experience. Almost like a manga for people who are already fans. This lacks that needed passion to make it something special.

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