Itsuki Kamiyama harbors an unusual fascination with the grotesque and the macabre, particularly drawn to disturbing murders. He can tolerate even the most horrific crimes committed by the most twisted individuals and is irresistibly attracted to unsolved cases. However, his interest goes beyond mere curiosity—he excels at solving these enigmas.
While investigating a peculiar series of crimes, Kamiyama becomes acquainted with his classmate, Yoru Morino. As he spends more time with her, he begins to notice that she shares more similarities with him than he initially thought. With each case he unravels, Kamiyama gradually uncovers the carefully concealed secrets of Morino's past.
As Kamiyama's facade of normalcy starts to crumble, revealing his darker inclinations, he finds himself pondering a chilling question—what if he were the one to end Morino's life?
Goth was first published in English by Tokyopop on September 9, 2008. Later, VIZ Media took over the license and released the title digitally on August 8, 2015, under their VIZ Select imprint.
Goth is a brief yet chilling psychological horror manga centered around two high school students fascinated by death and serial killers. They tackle these cases whenever they cross paths with one. While I say "they" solve the crimes, it's mostly the female protagonist who gets ensnared by the murderer in each chapter, while the male student unravels the mystery. However, he never contacts the police, as his psyche is nearly as warped as the killer's, allowing most to escape.
My expectations were higher when I began reading. The story had the potential to be an excellent mystery manga if not for a few drawbacks. Firstly, it focuses more on gore and bloodshed than on the mystery itself. Despite being a horror manga where such elements are anticipated, their inclusion feels unnecessary. Additionally, the characters come across as somewhat stereotypical. The male lead embodies the heroic genius who swiftly identifies the serial killer, wields all the power, and repeatedly rescues the female character—reminiscent of many other manga protagonists.
Regardless of these shortcomings, the manga remains quite engaging. It's unfortunate that it spans only five chapters. The last two chapters, in particular, showcase its true potential. One can't help but feel that if the series were longer, it would have left a much stronger impression, as those final chapters leave you craving more.
Let me start by acknowledging that there were indeed some excellent panels in this manga, which could stand alone as chilling pieces of art. However, these moments do not salvage what is otherwise a largely vacuous and insubstantial stream-of-consciousness narrative. For a gore-filled story featuring characters who behave erratically and events that defy logic, I would argue that Hikari Lychee Club executed it better. That manga seemed to have something meaningful to convey, whereas Goth failed to deliver the psychological depth or commentary on the human condition that I had hoped for.
The best way to describe Goth is with a sequence of "and then this happened... followed by that... and soon after, this." Beyond the concept of two teenagers obsessed with death, the manga was far from impressive. It felt flat and boring. Even the occasional striking artwork couldn't redeem it. The artistic quality was inconsistent, sometimes looking outright amateurish.
To each their own, but Goth felt like a series of poorly executed events, with a new twist every chapter designed to place the damsel in distress and bring in a makeshift detective.
If you're looking for a manga that asks you to suspend your disbelief but offers far more satisfying results than Hikari Lychee Club, I'd recommend Pupa (the manga, not the anime), which features a subpar storyline but incredibly outlandish scenes and less restrained artwork. Don't forget about mangaka Shintaro Kago, known for his ultra-violent and creatively obscene depictions. Goth could have been more, but it left me feeling like I missed several chapters along the way.
TLDR: Characters are flat, the story doesn't seem to have much to say, and the artwork, while occasionally great with some memorable scenes, is mostly generic.
Some people genuinely enjoy this manga, and there's even a novel that many claim is much better. I haven't read it yet, but I plan to. The manga itself is a quick read, so I definitely recommend giving it a go just to form your own opinion. I finished it in under 30 minutes.
Simply beautiful artistic skills and an amazing plot. Though it's only one volume, it makes your heart race with every second as you delve into the world of darkness.
Initially a novel by Otsu-ichi, it was later adapted into a manga by Kendi Oiwa. The story follows two high school students who are fascinated by murder. Yoru Morino, one of the main characters, seems to have a magnetic pull towards the six murder cases she investigates alongside her classmate, Itsuki Kamiyama.
Goth is a horror/mystery manga that, in my view, falls into the category of works so bad they're actually good. If you appreciate mysteries and gore, and don't mind the unrealistic plot and numerous holes, you might find it enjoyable.
Story: 8
The story had its fair share of plot holes, but I chose to overlook them and revel in its craziness. In its unique way, the plot is intriguing and worth reading.
Art: 7
The artwork was average, but it didn't particularly bother me.
Characters: 7
In a five-chapter horror manga, deep or developed characters are unlikely. However, the two main characters were interesting and somewhat original, which kept me entertained.
Enjoyment: 10
I genuinely enjoyed this manga despite it being describable as mediocre or even bad by some.
Overall: 7
I believe horror/mystery manga enthusiasts should give Goth a chance. It's quite captivating from the start, and if you don't set high expectations, it will likely keep you entertained until the end.
Goth is a brief read with an intriguing initial premise, a dark atmosphere, and appealing artwork. The first chapter grabbed my attention, and I was eager to see what would unfold next. However, by the end of the five chapters, it rapidly loses its impact.
Several plot points and conclusions felt contrived or conveniently placed merely for the sake of adding a twist or surprising the reader. The story also neglects some elements introduced in the first chapter that seemed like they would be central to the narrative; it ended up feeling as if the first chapter belonged to a different story altogether. Additionally, while the final chapter aimed to surprise readers with its outcome, every step felt too predictable to achieve that goal in my view.
Nevertheless, it's a short manga with cool art and ambience. Overall, it’s mediocre, and I’m still glad I read through it. Personal enjoyment is the reason I rate it higher than a 5/10. But, I can't deny that the story and writing were disappointing.
I rated this manga an 8/10. It's definitely not for everyone, and if you're uncomfortable with graphic depictions or romanticized violence and mental illness, steer clear of Goth. However, if you enjoy gory thrillers or own the novel version, this manga is worth picking up.
Its exclusivity in subject matter isn't its biggest drawback; rather, it's the adaptation's potential that feels somewhat unfulfilled. It's undoubtedly a great adaptation, clearly done by someone who loves the original novel. Unfortunately, it falls two chapters short (which is understandable given how challenging these stories are to adapt), which is a shame. Many discursive elements, like internal monologues, were replaced with visuals, even though those parts in the novel elevated it beyond just being gory horror porn. So, if you have to choose between the manga and the novel, I'd still recommend the original novel first, even if you prefer manga. The twists felt more satisfying in the novel, and there are two additional excellent stories that are easily the best ones.
That said, the manga does justice to the original work and remains entertaining to read. The art is clear, concise, and beautiful, and the visual design excellently captures Goth's tone and themes. It's a solid addition to any manga collection.
This might sound like a spoiler, but from the very first page of the manga, you'll learn that the male lead isn't exactly "normal," which is why I found the internal monologues in the novel so important. The point of Goth, I suppose, is to highlight the differences between the male lead and the antagonists, or perhaps to get inside the heads of these psychos and understand them better. Either way, the novel delves deeper into this. Don't get me wrong, though—the manga is still great.
Fair warning: Understand what you're getting into with this manga. It's not particularly scary but is filled with gore, literally showing mutilated bodies and body parts. The horror aspect leans more towards the personalities of the characters.
I thought it was good but not amazing. I don't read much in this genre, but I enjoy horror and psychological movies. I had read something similar before this. If my reading order had been reversed, I might have found this more fascinating.
The story revolves around two students interested in death and murder. They delve into several cases of serial killings in their area. The narrative showcases different reactions and interactions of the two main characters with each incident. It consists of four separate cases, one tied to Yoru's past. It's full of gore, psychological theory, and a few twists.
You could say the plot gives three perspectives. Itsuki represents someone capable of being a killer, witnessing another killer's work. The killers' perspective reveals their inner thoughts, sometimes as they execute their crimes. Yoru embodies a naive, curious girl with a troubled past.
The main character, Itsuki, isn’t groundbreaking for me. I've seen variations of the apathetic, dangerous, potentially murderous individual. Itsuki remains vague, his past never revealed. He appears to fit into society while knowing he's different. He's twisted, manipulative, and downright creepy. Yoru’s character is pretty original and interesting. Her past is definitely unique. I found her case closest to realism in the manga. Her character is explained and somewhat relatable. The cut on her wrist wasn't explained, possibly left for interpretation indicating a dark past. Given its focus early on and Itsuki’s fascination with Yoru, I expected more use or explanation later.
Yoru’s naivety or disregard for Itsuki’s true capabilities seems debated. I believe she's just naive. In the first case about severed hands, Yoru seems more in control. Over time, Itsuki emerges as the one truly in control, enjoying keeping her close and toying with killing her someday. Yoru sees him more as a companion than a threat.
The realism bothers me. How many serial killers exist nearby within a few years? Plus, how likely are the same people repeatedly encountering them? They were interested but didn’t actively seek out these cases. They'd coincidentally run into murderers, and everything would fall into place. The author’s idea is interesting but could have been better if made more plausible.
The plot is an intriguing concept. I’d have liked more mystery. The murders were unique but felt like just reading about them, without real thought or problem-solving. The story does most of that for you.
It's a good read, and I'd recommend it. Would I read it again? No. I might consider the novel if it offered better suspense, but I'll probably pass.
Story: 7 [good]
Art: 8 [very good, considered a 9 for being graphically daring]
Character: 9 [great]
Enjoyment: 7 [good]
Overall: 7 [good]
Okay, from my perspective, this book is incredible. I've only read it twice, but each time I dive back in, it makes me think deeply for some reason. I find myself going, "Wow! Are you serious?" But truly, it's really good.
It's not exactly horror; it leans more towards gore, which is fine, but it's definitely not suitable for younger readers. :3 Just remember, once you read it, the story might stick with you forever.
"There are people who kill and there are people who get killed."