Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 13

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 13

Author/Artist: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks 

Genre: Manga, Horror, Adult

Pages: 224

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2022

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"It's been 20 years since his mother told Seiichi that she renounced motherhood, since she thanked him for being a killer, since he tried to strangle her there in the courtroom- and somehow he made it through. living alone, working the night shift at a commercial bakery, barely speaking to his father, Seiichi's life is solitary and empty, and he likes it that way. But nothing lasts forever....

The grand preface is over- and now the real story begins!!!"

My Rating: 1/5

I think this is where I will be leaving the series. I don't care to continue on, the time jump did nothing for me, and the direction the plot is taking isn't for me. I doubt that I will continue at this point but I would still recommend the series for anyone who wants to be a bit unsettled. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 12

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 12

Author: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks Series

Genre: Manga, Horror, Adult

Pages: 256

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2021

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Ordinary middle school student Seiichi Osabe receives love and care from his mother Seiko. 

Until one summer an incident changes the family dynamic forever.

This is a story of a mother's love that has gone too far..."

My Rating: 2/5

This didn't capture my interest the way I wanted it to. I just felt as though not a lot happened throughout this volume although there were some plot points they weren't all I wanted from it. It was just ok for me.

Thanks for reading,

Sdiny

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 11

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 11

Author: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks Series 

Genre: Manga, Horror, Adult

Pages: 256

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2021

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Shigeru's midnight visit leads Seiichi back up the hill where his mother dropped him as a child... and as events begin to fold in on themselves like the layers of his psyche, Seiichi starts to see the past through Mommy's eyes....

With one symbolic act, Seiichi can finally free himself of his mother's malign influence- but is this a nightmare, or is it all too real?!

My Rating: 3/5

This is where we're going off the rails. I really thought I had a grasp on where the series was going and yet, boom the author has surprised me once again. I didn't love the twist, but I can respect it. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 10

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 10

Author: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks Series,

Genre: Adult, Manga, Horror

Pages: 256

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2021

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"His mother finally in custody, Seiichi is questioned by police and recovers a memory of being thrown off a cliff just like Shigeru. He begins to free himself from his mother's spell, and even rekindles his relationship with Fukiishi....

But even as Seiichi's heart fills with new hope, a strange visitor comes to him in the night."

My Rating: 4/5

I think this volume had the creep factor along with decent twists and turns. Again, the art style adds to the narrative immensely. I look forward to continuing the series.

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 4

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 4

Author: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks (Volume 4)

Genre: Manga, Horror, Adult

Pages: 232

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"Unable to process the horrifying events of the past few months, Seiichi's anger, fear, and frustration boil over. But even as he is haunted by the memory of his mother's hands around his throat, he finds his voice again thanks to his classmate Fukiishi. Their puppy love provides a tenderness he has been missing, but it quickly comes under threat from his mother's insane jealousy.

Torn between the two women in his life, Seiichi is forced to make a choice that could bring his whole world crashing down."

My Rating: 4.5/5

Again I binge-read this and it left me unsettled, but wanting to read more as soon as possible. The way the author writes the scenes and lays out the art just adds so much depth to the thrilling aspects of this story. The cliffhangers and the baseline emotions that are seen throughout help the reader remain in suspense. Can't wait to read more. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 3

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 3

Author: Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Tracks (Volume 3)

Genre: Manga, Adult, Horror

Pages: 232

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"The last days of summer creep toward a violent climax....

Seichi's family begins to fall apart in the wake of his cousin's "accident," but nothing compares to the mental and emotional torture he undergoes as he tries to maintain some sense of self in the face of his mother's manipulations. Torn by his love for her, Seiichi is pushed to the breaking point and finds himself unable to speak, both literally and figuratively.

The tension continues to build in Shuzo Oshimini's masterwork of understated psychological horror, as Seiichi falls further and further into the abyss of his mother's unravelling psyche."

My Rating: 5/5

Every time I pick up a new volume of this I feel more and more disturbed. I'm enjoying reading manga with a different vibe than the ones I have read in the past. Both the art style and the writing is so well done that it just puts the reader on edge. I look forward to binging the rest of the series.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 1

Title: Blood on the Tracks Vol. 1

Author: Shuzo Oshimi

Artis(s): Shuzo Oshimi

Series/Standalone: Blood on the Track Series (Vol. 1)

Genre: Manga, Horror, Adult Fiction 

Pages: 216

Publisher: Vertical

Year Published: 2017

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Seiichi's mother loves him very much, and his days pass with placid regularity. School, friends, even the attention of his attractive classmate Fukiishi.

Until one terrible summer day, that all changes....

Shuzo Oshimi (The Flower of Evil) delivers his most unsettling work yet, the tale of a seemingly normal family suddenly swallowed up by the creeping horror of everyday life.

Gorgeous art and an understated script only serve to heighten the tension as we watch Seiichi Osabe's life spiral into nightmare."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This first volume was a good introduction to the story and was unsettling. I am so curious to see how the series goes and I wonder how the characters will respond to what is happening in the cliffhanger. I look forward to continuing the series over the next few weeks.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny