Mirai Nikki

Is this manga dear to me? Very much. Did I enjoy re-reading it? Yes, indeed. Can I see someone else enjoying it? Sure, why not. Would I recommend it? No, not really.

Unless you're fueled by nostalgia or possess an exceptionally open mind, there's minimal value in reading this title. To say it has aged poorly is an understatement; calling it outstanding would be a lie. This manga commits many grave sins that could drive anyone crazy while reading. Despite all that, it remains very dear to me.

The protagonist is your typical introverted middle schooler who gets thrown into bizarre circumstances unimaginable for ordinary people. He faces incredible troubles, accomplishes great feats, and so on. It's far from groundbreaking. The older you are, the more likely you are to be tired of this trope. However, I believe much of its charm comes from that simplicity. This story should be viewed through the lens of youth, as many of us first experienced Mirai Nikki when we were younger.

It entertains the childish dream of being someone special, of being wanted and loved, even obsessively. Great things happen to the protagonist out of nowhere, as if he's destined to be a hero. Characters are motivated by naive and shallow goals, but it's easy to relate since we were also naive at that age. It touches on darker topics like divorce, manipulation, and contemplating death, all wrapped up in a simple, fun story with clumsy moments that appeal to younger audiences. Those moments of dumb childishness are where Mirai Nikki still holds value, at least in my opinion.

Am I giving this story too much credit? Very likely. This way of thinking can apply to many titles, and this is just one example.

That said, if you don't find the listed elements worth it, I don't see much redeeming quality here. We age, and our perspectives change. In reality, this title isn't good. The story feels like a fever dream when looked back upon; the more logic you apply, the less cohesive it becomes. The characters are over-the-top, bizarre, and random. By the end, some have committed numerous severe crimes yet somehow maintain clear consciences. I'm laughing recalling some of the utterly ridiculous parts. And the sheer amount of de-ra-ng-ed s-h-i-t-t-t-t (each 'T' represents how many times I genuinely felt shame reading this) is concerning. At some point, your ability to be critical vanishes because it makes barely any sense. It's just dumb fun at the end of the day.

The art is far from special and merely gets the job done. There isn't much more to say about it.

This manga offers nothing unique compared to other titles, many of which offer much more. Unless you're younger and new to this medium, seeking nostalgia, looking for dumb fun, or curious about Yuno Gasai, I'd recommend looking elsewhere for better titles. But if you fall into those categories, I won't discourage you. Despite the flaws, I can't deny finding some entertainment in it.

In the end, I am objectively judging something I'm very subjective about. I wrote this review partly for others but mainly to encapsulate my thoughts. Ultimately, I'll always have a sweet spot for Mirai Nikki. I'll always remember the characters and the story. I'll always feel something when reading the ending. And I'll always find charm in the nostalgia behind it...

Thank you very much for reading up to this point. I wish you all the best. Kind regards.

Just as epic as I remembered it to be.

I watched the anime many years ago and had forgotten most of the plot details. However, one thing I hadn't forgotten was the chills and goosebumps I experienced. And guess what... they returned, even more intensely this time around.

The story, art, characters, setting, narration, chapter placement—every single element in this manga worked together seamlessly. You become so engrossed while reading that you sometimes forget your surroundings... It's just that good.

The insane heights this manga reaches are too much for the faint-hearted to handle. The sheer malevolent atmosphere you feel at certain moments is unforgettable, yet I'm glad those emotions from my reading experience won't fade. There will come a time when I forget the storyline again, but that won't stop me from recommending this to anyone.

I might be praising this manga a LOT, but of course, it has its flaws. At times, it gets weird. Too much emphasis is placed on characters instead of explaining the situation. The pacing can be fast in some instances but slow in others. The main character's plot armor is obvious and poorly concealed.

(This paragraph includes VERY light spoilers which can only be understood by those who have finished reading the manga) But the worst part of the manga was undoubtedly the ending itself. It felt like the author tried to create a euphoric ending for our protagonist after wrapping up the manga once but then changed their mind later. A dark and sad ending would have suited the theme much better than what the author chose here.

Conclusion: Instead of me explaining why this manga is one of the best in its genre, I recommend you read it yourself. Just give it a try, and I'm pretty sure you'll love it. If you don't typically enjoy this genre, this manga might awaken a new appreciation in you. Read it for its story, not just because of the best waifu.

Mirai Nikki swiftly garnered a significant following online, primarily due to its captivating premise and the novelty of a yandere protagonist, which is uncommon nowadays. The series promised an intriguing mix of mind games, fortune-telling, and romance but ultimately fell short of its ambitious goals. It had the potential to be excellent but ended up being somewhat mediocre.

The show's concept is undeniably fascinating. A diverse group of individuals, from a pathetic schoolboy to a homicidal terrorist and an upper-class businessman, receive a gift from God—aptly named Deus Ex Machina—that grants them the ability to foresee the future in unique ways. Each person maintains a diary, and their visions depend on the type of diary they keep. For instance, the protagonist Yukiteru records everything he sees, allowing him to predict events around him. They are also given a chance to become God, albeit at a steep price: they must kill all other diary holders to achieve this.

This setup works well for the first few volumes. The battles often evolve into mental duels where each participant tries to outsmart their opponents so that their diaries cannot predict their demise. There is a twisted logic to these diaries, though it doesn't always hold together. Still, it creates intense scenarios with clever solutions. However, around volumes 7-8, the quality takes a nosedive. Instead of relying on wit and cunning, the conflicts start leaning heavily on deus ex machina devices—a plot device as old as storytelling itself. The explanations for surviving impossible situations become increasingly implausible, and by the end, major plot points feel forced and lacking coherence. Without spoiling the ending, let's just say the author writes himself into a corner and resorts to contrived reasoning to resolve the story hastily.

The characters are more subjective, so my views may be biased. Their interactions are generally decent, although some characters seem to turn good or evil without clear motivation (the ninth is particularly guilty of this). Yukiteru and Yuno, the leads, are rather unremarkable. Yukiteru fits the typical mold of a weak, lonely, whiny protagonist, while Yuno is a psychotic killer obsessed with her love for Yuki. I find her unsettling and annoying at times, although many fans enjoy her "psychotic for love" character. The author's attempts to evoke sympathy for their romance fall flat since both characters arguably deserve their fates compared to others. Overall, the cast is adequate but not spectacular, sufficient to keep the manga engaging.

In summary, Mirai Nikki is a decent manga with potential that wasn't fully realized. The initial volumes are fresh and interesting, but the latter ones feel rushed and contrived. Ultimately, Mirai Nikki is like a virgin's first time: full of anticipation and preparation, starting strong, but ending prematurely with a sense of disappointment for everyone involved.