Mirai Nikki

Obviously, I rated it a ten. This manga never failed to keep me angry. I was mad at the characters' choices, furious with the plot twists, and irritated by its monthly release schedule. BUT! Don't let that deter you. This is the greatest manga I've ever read. It really keeps you begging for more, especially when you're up-to-date and have to wait a month for the next chapter. The story is incredibly complex. You'll understand if you start from the beginning, but good luck explaining it to your friends.

Story: 11
It deserves an 11. It's just so damn confusing! I couldn't stop reading it. The character development was excellent. I was attached, crushed, and emotionally controlled.
Essentially, there's a boy named Amano Yukiteru, who is a loner. He records his daily tasks in his phone as a diary. He lives in a fantasy world outside of reality with a being named Deus-Ex Machina. Yuki knows Deus-Ex doesn't exist, or so he thought. Deus-Ex proposes a game where twelve people receive diaries that predict their futures in their own styles. The winner becomes God of the world, but to win, they must eliminate all other players.

Art: 10
I don't know how to describe the art precisely, but it's excellent. It's very descriptive in its depictions. You can understand what is shown without complications.

Character: 11
The character development was flawless. I was amazed by how strongly I felt for some characters. Even now, waiting for the final chapter, I reflect on the characters I've come to know. I felt what they felt. When they were in love, I felt the love. When they were in pain, I felt the pain. This was absolutely incredible and should be read more than once. I plan to read it again.

Enjoyment: 11
To be honest, this manga constantly annoyed me. It has a habit of using cliffhangers that drive you insane! Yet, every thirty days, I checked back for a new chapter! And that's how it will be until the last one. But I thoroughly enjoyed myself as I delved deeper into the story. I don't know what else to say but READ IT!

Overall: 12
This manga caught me off guard. I don't remember how I found it, but I've been reading it since chapter 10 was released. Anyone I've talked to about this manga hasn't heard of it, making it one of the most underrated mangas of all time. I'm telling you it's perfect, though not knowing the ending might change my opinion. This manga WILL take you on a journey. It WILL captivate you. And it WILL NOT disappoint you.

Welcome to the ruthless game of survival. If you possess a Future Diary, you might become a target in the quest for the title of God. And everyone else has their own type of Future Diary as well.

This is the core plot of Mirai Nikki. The manga delves into how this game begins. How? Yukiteru, our protagonist, is essentially an outcast. Without friends, Yukiteru starts creating imaginary companions like Deus Ex Machina, the 'Lord of Time and Space.' However, conjuring this 'Lord' comes with a cost: it creates 11 Future Diary holders.

This concept is undoubtedly unique. I've never seen anything quite like it before. Although, the pacing can sometimes be too fast.

Now, let's talk about the characters. Yuno is your typical overprotective individual, safeguarding Yukiteru and becoming obsessed with him. But there's a twist—she's a yandere, someone who will even kill to 'protect' her lover. That adds an intriguing dynamic. Meanwhile, we have Yukiteru himself, the classic spineless character. Yet, he develops significantly throughout the story. The other ten Diary Holders are equally compelling. You'll find yourself frantically turning pages, eager to learn more about each holder and their distinct personalities.

I don't have much to say about the art. It's fairly average but serves its purpose well.

All in all, I've thoroughly enjoyed this manga. Brutal scenes fill its pages, so don't expect a heartwarming, cute romance. You're in for quite a ride.

Mirai Nikki [Future Diary]

Story - 8: In my opinion, the story of Mirai Nikki isn't particularly creative. Twelve people possess cellphones that give them glimpses into the future, known as Future Diaries. Upon the main character discovering his power, he's immediately pursued by all twelve diary holders. This setup promises a tense plot, but the combat scenes often fall flat. The mangaka tends to write fights in a way that makes characters as vulnerable as ordinary people, which is realistic, but sometimes unrealistic for fictional endurance levels; a knife attack could easily mean death.

The Future Diaries are enjoyable due to the text displayed on them, making things mysterious. Predicting the next diary holder is challenging since they frequently shift allegiances for survival, adding unpredictability. However, the fight scenes tend to reach critical points, yet the protagonists survive through random luck or the enemies become one-dimensional when defensive. The worst offender is the "Power Rangers" style character who added nothing to the plot and was defeated quickly. Another issue is the unlinked chapter transitions, like an unexpected fanservice scene with Yuno that seemed out of place.

Art - 8: The character designs are fantastic. Yuki looks effeminate with a well-designed jacket, perfectly matching his character's emptiness. Yuno's appearance, taller than Yuki with a face resembling Jeffrey Dahmer, is surprisingly cute and fitting for a yandere. She appears more natural than most manga/anime characters. The other diary holders have fun, Halloween-monster-like designs, appearing scarier than any scary movie creation. The detective and mother have stylishly deformed designs brimming with personality. Backgrounds aren't overly detailed but include fire elements that look great.

Character - 4: By chapter 33, only the main couple, the child, and Akise seem well-developed. Many introduced characters have potential but lack development. Yukiteru isn't inconsistent; initially having friends, he becomes absorbed in writing life stories on his cellphone. Yuno breaks his isolation, but he finds he can no longer appreciate his friends despite fearing commitment with Yuno. He tries to escape her because she's a killer, making it unsafe for him.

Yukiteru's greatest trait is his submissive nature, uncommon in male anime/manga characters. Yuno embodies the purest yandere except Nu from Blazblue, but she fails due to unforgivable flaws. Most find her edgy and interesting, but she doesn't kill many people. Her murderous rampages feel like cop-outs, replaced by sensitivity and romance. All kills are justified or bloodless due to diaries. Yuno feels fake, not trying to kill but keeping Yukiteru alive. The child visiting Yukiteru is fun, showing Yuno as a real yandere. Otherwise, characters feel cliché and shallow.

Enjoyment - 6: While enjoyable for many, those expecting a real yandere will be disappointed. Yuno steals the plot, frustrating new ideas' introduction. The relationship between Yukiteru and Yuno somewhat compensates, but it would be better if Yuno actually killed or hurt someone. If you can overlook Yuno, you won't be too disappointed. However, shallow and memetic moments annoy, and illogical scenes hinder immersion.

Overall - 6: Up to chapter 33, you'll likely wish you never read this, becoming addicted despite compromises.

You know? The concept and overall storyline of this manga are really cool and intriguing, but I simply can't tolerate the psycho and yandere characters. They went way too over-the-top crazy, to the point where I couldn't finish it. The plot is interesting, the artwork is average, and the characters just aren't good at all. I didn't find much enjoyment in this one.

Overall, I didn't like it. I'm happy for everyone who found entertainment in this, but it's just not my style.

This has quickly become one of my favorite manga, and I can't wait for it to be licensed for U.S. distribution.

The story was gripping, keeping me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next and how events would unfold.

The artwork was generally decent, with its highs and lows. However, when the scenes required bloodiness or scariness, the art delivered perfectly with sharp details and atmosphere.

As for the characters, Yukiteru reminds me a lot of a more timid version of Light Yagami from Death Note and Simon from Gurren Lagann. At the beginning, he is reluctant and somewhat afraid of Yuno, showing low levels of social skills, self-confidence, and bravery. But when Yuno or his friends are in danger, he becomes courageous and willing to fight to protect what's dear to him. As the story progresses, he gains confidence in himself and in Yuno, eventually accepting the role of becoming God and taking over from Deus, the mastermind behind the survival game.

My overall enjoyment of this series so far is very high. After finishing each chapter, I found myself pondering, "What if this happened?" or "Did he finally do it?"

In summary, my rating for this masterpiece of psychological horror and suspense is perfect for me. If you're a fan of series like Higurashi, Paranoia Agent, or Elfen Lied, you'll probably enjoy this one too.

This manga essentially gave birth to and defined an entirely new archetype: the yandere. For this reason alone, it deserves significant recognition. While there were other yanderes before Yuno Gasai, the archetype didn't achieve mainstream identity until this manga came along.

Story 7/10
The narrative is chaotic and can be difficult to follow at times, but the author wasn't afraid to experiment with new ideas, taking readers on a wild ride. Despite the chaos, the story manages to come together by the end, albeit barely. If you're someone who requires realism in fiction, this manga isn't for you. However, if you can embrace its unpredictability, you might find some entertainment value, even if it's driven by morbid curiosity.

Characters 8/10
Personally, I didn't like any of the characters except Yuno Gasai. The others lacked distinctiveness and originality. However, as mentioned earlier, Yuno Gasai essentially defined the yandere archetype and brought it into the spotlight. Mysterious, creepy, yet somehow endearing, she created a unique blend of horror and love that had never been seen before. Future yanderes would draw inspiration from her design. Even if you don't like Yuno or yanderes in general, you must acknowledge this achievement. Simply put, without Yuno Gasai, there would be no Mirai Nikki. She single-handedly carries the plot with her unpredictable actions, leaving readers wondering what she'll do next.

However, her unpredictability isn't just for show. There is a method to Yuno's madness, and her actions are motivated by sympathetic reasons explained throughout the story. The author takes the concept of love, arguably the strongest human emotion, and pushes it beyond rational limits, creating intriguing ideas and questions that engage the reader. It's far from perfect, but the author successfully conveys his vision, making Yuno both interesting and original.

What do you get if you mix Higurashi, Death Note, and Battle Royale? Something along these lines. Our story begins with the protagonist, a boy who uses his cellphone as a personal diary, documenting everything he observes. He believes he has no real friends.

In his mind, his "imaginary friend," Deus Ex Machina, reveals to him (SPOILERS for Chapter 1) that he is real and grants him the ability to foresee the future via his phone. However, he isn't the only one bestowed with this power; he must join forces with a deranged stalker girl (more on her later) and a seemingly kind police officer to survive.

The artwork is one of the few criticisms I have about this series. While some elements, like the depiction of the God, are beautifully illustrated, other character designs feel somewhat lacking, as if the artists stopped trying to make each character visually appealing. Nonetheless, this issue is barely noticeable and won't detract from your overall enjoyment of the series.

The characters are an interesting bunch. Some, including our initially weak and helpless protagonist, aren't very likable at first. Yet, they grow stronger over time. One of the first significant characters we meet (excluding the God and his chibi companion) is a crazed girl who uses her Future Diary to stalk our main character. They develop what I call an "on-and-off relationship," where he reacts with fear or anger whenever she does something insane.

Add in a cute terrorist girl, a cop with ambiguous motives, and a man whose sexuality remains unclear, and you get a somewhat lovable cast. Honestly, I'm enjoying this series. The array of intriguing characters keeps things fresh and engaging. The psychological aspects, both from the enemies and the female lead, work well. Even though it's a shonen manga, it's far more enjoyable than many others I've read, and I hope it gets an anime adaptation soon.

The two main characters are Yuki and Yuno. The plot revolves around diaries, often in the form of cell phones, that can predict the future with each diary having its unique abilities. For example, Yuki's diary allows him to foresee events around him but not those directly involving him, while Yuno's diary lets her know Yuki's situation every ten minutes.

This is a fantastic manga to dive into. Yuno is the psychotic girl with a mysterious past, while Yuki starts as a naive and weak protagonist who occasionally reveals hidden strength. Each character is distinct, and the story features plenty of betrayal and deceit among the characters. It boasts an engaging narrative, decent artwork, and overall is a fascinating series.

Read it yourself to discover all its intricacies!

Slow to start, and the ending may split opinions (I wasn't satisfied).

The characters are visually diverse but lack depth in personality, coming off as either bland or overly "edgy" without resonating well.

Moreover, some character actions and motivations seem illogical or are too easily forgiven.

However, the story does find its rhythm midway through and presents an intriguing premise with considerable potential that doesn't fully materialize.

Overall, while not an outstanding manga, it isn't a total waste of time. It's worth giving it a look to see if it captures your interest.

One of the most captivating and top-tier supernatural manga currently available would have to be this one. It initially appears to be a typical high school story with psychological undertones, but it quickly evolves into a survival thriller where anyone could be an enemy and trust becomes a liability.

The plot is excellent, and the artwork is commendable, but what truly draws you in are the characters of the twelve diary holders, including the two protagonists, and the battles between them. These aren't your standard sword-fighting scenes; instead, they're battles of wits and strategy, with their future diaries as weapons and "followers" as soldiers. Additionally, there's a sense that the main characters aren't invincible and have just as much chance of being killed as their opponents. Yuno, Yuki's stalker and the second diary holder, stands out even among the other sadistic murderers who are the remaining ten diary holders.

The manga's characters are diverse, ranging from the cowardly and self-loathing Yuki to the manipulative and complex fourth diary holder, Keigo Kurusu. Each diary holder seems to have faced life challenges that shaped them, although some remain unrevealed. Each has their own reasons for wanting to kill the others and become God, and many appear almost psychotic. Yuno, the second diary holder, is obsessed with protecting and saving Yuki. She's unaffected by killing others except him and possesses incredible combat abilities. In contrast, Yuki, the protagonist, is too scared to fight, lacks skill and strength, and places too much trust in others. Their future diaries somewhat reflect their personalities: Yuno's diary focuses solely on events surrounding Yuki, while Yuki's diary provides extensive information about the future but nothing about himself.

I rated the manga a perfect 10 because I genuinely believe it's one of the best supernatural manga out there, featuring complex characters and plots. It leaves generic and bland shonen manga far behind.

Well, this manga was pretty much it. The story was unique, and it felt like going through a series of climaxes and anticlimaxes repeatedly. The only reason I gave it that score was because it was quite depressing, not to mention it felt out of sync. I rated the characters as such because I wished Yuki wasn't so weak and weepy; it's not befitting of a man. Apart from that, this manga was genius!! :)

Mirai Nikki appears to be just another manga of mediocre quality at first glance. The premise is unique and intriguing, with plenty of entertaining ideas scattered throughout the narrative that keep readers engaged. However, being entertained does not equate to coherence, well-constructed plots, or logical consistency, which unfortunately applies to Mirai Nikki. The story continually introduces new characters, interesting concepts, and exciting situations, but nearly all of them are underdeveloped, rushed, or merely offer a fleeting, pointless thrill.

Many characters possess fascinating backgrounds or motivations, yet they are never adequately explored or developed enough to become truly engaging. Author Sakae Esuno seems more inclined to craft wild, cool scenarios without taking the time to build them naturally, resulting in an overall experience that feels incredibly shallow and tacky. It's genuinely disappointing because there's clearly a touching, sincere core hidden within the chaos of Mirai Nikki. A heartwarming tale about the earnest sincerity found in toxic love, and the power of self-acceptance and trust to overcome a troubled past.

One can certainly find warmth in that message, but it requires sifting through a mountain of poor storytelling and unfulfilled potential to uncover it.