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In the near future, nearly the entire world is under the control of a massive conglomerate known as Persona Century Corporation. One day, a mysterious and handsome man appears in Shinjuku, one of the few areas not dominated by Persona Century. Shinjuku is a perilous and lawless zone, filled with rebels and terrorists. The stranger's name is Dark Side, and with the assistance of a small group of rebels, he aims to dismantle Persona's grip on the world.
Darkside Blues was released as a single volume by ADV Manga on April 13, 2004.
Dark Side's arrival in Shinjuku marks the beginning of a daring mission to challenge the oppressive rule of Persona Century. As he joins forces with local insurgents, they embark on a dangerous journey to free the world from corporate tyranny.
The story unfolds against a backdrop of chaos and rebellion, where the stakes are high and the odds are stacked against them. With Dark Side leading the charge, hope flickers anew for those who dare to resist.
Published by ADV Manga, this standalone volume captures the essence of resistance and the fight for freedom in a dystopian world.
After watching the anime "Darkside Blues" and becoming intrigued by its storyline, I decided to purchase and read the manga. Unfortunately, it didn't provide as many answers as I had hoped for regarding the plot. It leaves you somewhat hanging in the middle—or perhaps at the beginning—just like the anime, which is why I rated the story a 3. Had it been completed, it would likely have earned a higher score. However, potential and unresolved threads aren't enough for me.
That said, if you enjoy otherworldly dystopias, a diverse cast of characters, and seemingly deep relationships and plots, you might still find enjoyment in this story.
I personally love the artwork. The sharp shading and defined lines characteristic of 80s manga really impress me. There's a lot of effort put into the art, buildings, and small details. The style is somewhat original, and I believe it's worth taking a look at. I gave the art a 9 because sometimes the character designs can get a bit too exaggerated with their bobble-heads, which slightly annoys me.
The characters are also interesting. You'd want to know more about almost all of them; they seem to have their own stories and personalities rather than just being labeled as "female lead" or "bad guy." There's a nice sense of humanity in the characters that I appreciate.
Some character development works very well, while others are lacking. Specifically, the progression between Mai and Darkside could have been better explored. Given their roles as leading characters, I would have liked more backstory on them.
In summary, "Darkside Blues" isn't a manga you pick up for an easy and enjoyable read. It does answer some questions from the anime, which is greatly appreciated, and the art is, at least for me, nothing short of amazing. It's a peculiar story with depth and potential for something greater, but it suffers from incompleteness. Nevertheless, it remains one of my favorite books on my shelf, and I don't regret buying or reading it.
Lovely art, a cut-off story, interesting characters, but not an easily digestible plot. Overall, I give this manga a 6.
Who knows what happens next right? No need to judge so fast and already conclude the author is X or Y or Z.
I can't wait to see what's next and how this story goes.