The narrative moves at a rapid pace and lacks detailed explanations. However, the animation is outstanding, as if the creator conveys the tale primarily through visual artistry. The setting is grim and oppressive, governed by guanas (where black signifies good and white represents evil), which transform into Akira-like super creatures. There's an opposing organization that remains somewhat mysterious but serves as humanity's primary defense. The action sequences are intense, featuring graphic scenes of heads and bodies being torn apart. In summary, it makes for a decent sci-fi short read.
To me, this is one of those mangas that provides a pretty enjoyable experience but nothing beyond that. I can't see myself returning to Abara because it doesn't offer much depth.
Story: 6
It's not the most original thing I've ever read, but it is entertaining. The narrative unfolds with minimal exposition or explanation from the characters. There isn't much clarification regarding the power system or the events that occur. Personally, I don't mind the lack of explanation as it gives the story a cinematic vibe (similar to the movie 'The Angel Egg'), but there will be moments when you might feel confused and wonder if you accidentally skipped some dialogue. By the time you reach the end, you'll likely have pieced together the story, so my earlier points may seem irrelevant. I enjoyed the climax.
Art: 7
There's not much to elaborate on concerning the art—it's fantastic. However, some fight scenes are slightly disorienting. The pacing could have been improved with just a couple of additional panels in certain spots. The monster designs are impressive, effectively conveying a parasitic-like presence.
Characters: 5
They exist solely to propel the story forward. I can overlook this since, similar to the story, the characters don't reveal much about their thoughts and emotions, enhancing the cinematic feel.
Enjoyment: 6
As mentioned at the start, despite its occasional confusion, Abara is enjoyable and worth your time. It's a quick read due to its brevity and limited dialogue. Highly recommended!
Story
The narrative isn't terrible, but it is somewhat dull and lacks originality. It seems like the story progresses too quickly from one point to another. However, I do appreciate how it's presented, with minimal dialogue and exposition.
Characters
I don't have any significant issues with the characters. While there's no background provided for them, it doesn't feel like they lack depth or have poorly developed backstories.
Art
Undoubtedly, the art is the strongest aspect of Abara. Although the action scenes can be a little challenging to follow at times, there are no other major problems. I would suggest reading this solely for its artistic merit.
Enjoyment
I did enjoy this, but I believe that's largely due to my love for Blame! (another manga by the same author).
Overall
It's a very quick read (15-20 minutes), so you're not losing much even if you don't end up enjoying the story.
So this is the first work of Nihei Tsutomu that I've read. I have to say, it was quite enjoyable for me at least. The author tends to use minimal dialogue and instead invites readers to comprehend the world through his stunning imagery, which I think he accomplishes very well.
The story unfolds in a bizarre world where there were once massive structures known as mausoleums, which were destroyed by monstrous entities called Gauna. Only one mausoleum remains, and it's crucial for humanity's survival. The events we witness occur when only this sole structure is left, and it is under threat.
There are numerous mysteries woven into the narrative, but I find that aspect rather charming. The ending felt like a cliffhanger, yet it's clear what likely transpired.
I genuinely can't wait to explore more works by this mangaka.
I would recommend "Abara," as it offers a brief but delightful journey into the strange and beautiful world crafted by this mangaka.
7/10
SPOILERS AHEAD!
TL:DR: It's bad, but you can read it if you want; there is some great art and it's short.
While *Blame!* manages to create a compelling narrative with little to no dialogue, *Abara* feels too rushed. Concepts are not properly developed. If the white Abaras invaded Earth, who are the monsters that activated the tower? What is the tower? Did the city explode in the end? Did the white Abaras die? And why were there two out-of-place chapters focusing on the two women? What happened?
At the end of the scan I read, there was a glossary explaining all the concepts, names, and events that occurred in the manga. I don't know if this was part of the original manga, but I do know that *Blame!*, another work by the same author which also used minimal dialogue, didn't have one. That’s because, unlike *Abara*, *Blame!* actually builds up its world, characters, machines, technology—everything. *Abara* begins with a man turning into a monster, killing another monster, then getting beheaded only to return at the end. Then we see other types of monsters—but what are these monsters? Weren’t the Abaras the ones who invaded Earth? Who was that skeleton-cyborg-man who activated the tower? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
“B-But you have to see the symbolism! And you must form your own interpretations!” No, no, no. The greatest writers, movie directors, and mangakas have shown that you cannot make symbolism and interpretation the foundation of a story. You can include as much symbolism as you like, but it can't hold the entire narrative together on its own. There needs to be characterization, themes, world-building, tone... etc.
This felt rushed, strange, nonsensical, and ultimately disappointing.
Story 5/10:
I suppose this is meant to be a tale set in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic world where humanity's fate is sealed due to monstrous beings known as Gaunas. But how am I supposed to know for sure when the story is so convoluted and leaves so much unexplained? What’s the backstory of the Gaunas? What are their motives? How did they even come into existence? We're left in the dark, feeling disconnected. I kept turning pages hoping for answers, but alas... sigh.
Characters 3/10:
The characters are lackluster, devoid of any defining traits or emotional depth.
Art 9/10:
The artwork is truly exceptional—characters are beautifully rendered. In fact, the art is the sole reason I continued reading.
Enjoyment 5/10:
I didn’t enjoy this manga because leaving readers confused and shrouding everything in mystery without providing clarity isn’t a virtue.
Because of the scarcity of reviews for this manga, I've read them all and observed that many discuss the author's use of visuals over dialogue. I concur on two points: the art is exceptional, and the dialogue is minimal. However, that’s where my agreement ends. Many claim that a closer examination of the artwork enhances story comprehension, but this isn't accurate. While the art is intricately detailed, only a few panels significantly contribute to understanding the narrative. With that clarified, here begins my review.
Story - 6/10
The storyline was fairly decent and could have been rated higher if it were more comprehensible. Despite scrutinizing the artwork, I gained little additional insight into the plot. The sole segment I fully grasped and appreciated was the ending—a masterpiece both visually and intellectually. To avoid spoilers, I won’t elaborate further on the story.
Art - 10/10
The artwork here is outstanding, though the character designs might deter some readers due to the wide spacing of their eyes, which is part of the author's unique style that I respect. By saying the art is amazing, I truly mean it. It’s not only meticulously detailed in every aspect but also effectively conveys emotions. There is one drawback regarding the artwork—the battle scenes. They often confuse me as the author skips significant actions, and the sketchy drawing style doesn’t always highlight what the author intends. Additionally, the sound effect design feels somewhat plain, though this too may be part of his artistic approach.
Character - 3/10
The characters score low for a reason—they received little introduction or depth. We couldn’t discern their feelings or personalities well. Most seemed emotionless, except for one character who stands out if you’ve completed the manga. I believe the author could have developed the characters further to make them more endearing or distinctive.
Enjoyment - 2/10
The entire manga wasn’t particularly enjoyable or engaging. This might be because the author didn’t intend it to be so. I prefer faster-paced manga, and while this one moved quickly, it did so in an unbalanced way. The narrative accelerates rapidly, yet the reader must proceed slowly to appreciate the complex artwork. This contradiction made me feel rushed throughout the manga, and honestly, I had to push myself to finish it.
Overall - 5/10
I awarded it a 5 overall, initially considering a 6 or 7 while reading it. However, the portion I found interesting was brief, with the rest being underwhelming. That said, I believe this manga had substantial potential. The artist focused on the wrong elements to bring the story to life.
Before I start, I want to clarify that I'm not sure if this is based on a movie or something else. If it is, I'd be open to watching it and reconsidering my rating here.
*sigh* So, let's get started:
**Story: 6**
It had potential. As someone who enjoys apocalyptic stories, I found myself initially intrigued. However, it didn't live up to expectations. It felt like a watered-down, cliché version of other apocalyptic series. It seems as though the artist might have been constrained by a limited amount of material, forcing everything into just two volumes, which added to the confusion. For a long time, I was lost and had to reread several sections multiple times to make sense of what was happening.
**Art and Characters: 2 and 3 respectively**
I’m combining these two because they’re both problematic. The mangaka clearly knows how to draw, but the excessive lines obscure the story rather than enhance it. There were moments when I couldn’t figure out what was happening due to the chaotic artwork. The characters themselves were decent, but their designs were confusing. Many "normal" characters looked identical, while the "ugly" ones were overly disfigured with unnecessary wrinkles. If you're looking for a series where good and evil are easily distinguished by appearance, this is it—though finding unique traits among the "normal" characters proved nearly impossible for me.
**Enjoyment: 1**
The series was overwhelmed by too many ideas crammed into its short runtime, making it unenjoyable. The bizarre art style only compounded the issue. There were numerous occasions when I considered abandoning the manga altogether, but I held out hope that it would all come together in the end. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
**Overall: 1**
There’s nothing worth salvaging here. Every aspect of this series could have been executed much better, except perhaps the story. This is one of the rare instances where even the plot couldn’t save it.
Please don’t take offense at my review. As mentioned earlier, if this is based on a movie, I’d be interested in checking it out. Should the manga accurately represent the source material, I’d be willing to revise this review accordingly.
The artwork is fantastic, incredibly kinetic and chaotic, which sometimes makes it difficult to follow due to the lack of dialogue. However, most elements did become clear after a bit of revisiting. The setting is extremely cool, but the characters are rather shallow and not well-developed. Essentially, this is Nihei in his purest form, and if you're already familiar with his work, you likely know whether you'll enjoy this or not.
I truly believe this would make an amazing action anime OVA or movie, something akin to Ninja Scroll, where you can just relax and enjoy the experience without overthinking.
Some have praised this as some kind of great artwork, claiming you need to be intelligent to understand it. However, I do understand Abara, and it isn't miraculous at all.
The manga attempts to tell its story primarily through images. Yet, it suffers from poor character development, leaving you confused until the very end. It delays explaining crucial elements far too late in the series, which is incredibly frustrating.
Additionally, the artwork can vary wildly—from "Wow, this looks amazing!" to "Okay, this looks sloppy at best..." This inconsistency irritates me to the point where I'm tempted to give this zero stars.
If you're looking for a truly miraculous, abstract, and intelligent manga, check out Darkside Blues instead. Everything Abara tries to achieve, Darkside Blues accomplishes ten times better.
After reading several of Tsutomu's stories, I've concluded that the main issue preventing me from enjoying them lies in how the characters are introduced and developed. Whether the story is short or long, it seems irrelevant; the characters are all unveiled at once in a manner that makes it hard to keep track of who’s who. Names are revealed indirectly, often without any accompanying characterization, which complicates following the plot. Abara fits this pattern as well.
This happens because Tsutomu tends to tell his stories through visuals rather than dialogue. However, even with the limited dialogue available, he doesn't provide enough substance to make readers care about or connect with the characters.
The art stands out as the manga's strongest point. If I were to view some of the pages as standalone, apocalyptic, gritty images, I'd find them captivating. But trying to read this as a coherent narrative becomes confusing. The characters' motives are unclear, replaced by vague justifications and urgency driving the action forward.
I get that withholding information can be a storytelling technique, but Tsutomu holds back almost everything except names and basic terms, leaving readers to decipher motives from cryptic illustrations. Some might call this "deep and psychological," but it feels more like an exhausting guessing game hidden behind intrigue.
It seems the author prioritized drawing gritty, sci-fi monsters and fight scenes, sacrificing plot and characters in the process. Despite the stunning art, my rating is low due to its sloppiness. There was no reason the author couldn’t include small details to help readers distinguish the characters and grasp the storyline better.
Let me add: I admit I value character development and a well-rounded story. If you don't mind being somewhat confused or disconnected from the characters, this is a grimy, action-filled read you might appreciate.
Beautiful as expected from Mr. Nihei.
A bleak look at humanity and what it can be reduced to in times of despair.
As is typical with Nihei, there are numerous subtle subplots intertwined with side characters, along with the one-shot attached character "Digimortal."
I don’t think it’s ever explicitly stated, but considering the art style and the resemblance to the Executioner ladies in *Abara* and Digimortal, I like to believe that *Abara*/*Digimortal* exists within the same universe as both *Blame!*, *APOSIMZ*, and a proof of concept for *Blame!* called "NoiSE."
I doubt that if you enjoyed *Blame!*, you wouldn’t appreciate *Abara*, even with its minimal dialogue and seemingly hard-to-grasp story.
I should clarify—it’s not difficult to understand due to complexity; rather, Tsutomu Nihei isn’t going to have a side character explain the entire situation to the protagonist.
So, we’re left piecing things together from where we start: the Gaunas, our main character, and Digimortal if we include him.
Objectively speaking—if such a thing exists in this medium—I wouldn’t rate it a 10/10. However, having read a lot of Tsutomu Nihei’s works, I adore this type of storytelling and consider this one of his finest creations.
Popular Reviews
<p>
Story: 6
It's not the most original thing I've ever read, but it is entertaining. The narrative unfolds with minimal exposition or explanation from the characters. There isn't much clarification regarding the power system or the events that occur. Personally, I don't mind the lack of explanation as it gives the story a cinematic vibe (similar to the movie 'The Angel Egg'), but there will be moments when you might feel confused and wonder if you accidentally skipped some dialogue. By the time you reach the end, you'll likely have pieced together the story, so my earlier points may seem irrelevant. I enjoyed the climax.
Art: 7
There's not much to elaborate on concerning the art—it's fantastic. However, some fight scenes are slightly disorienting. The pacing could have been improved with just a couple of additional panels in certain spots. The monster designs are impressive, effectively conveying a parasitic-like presence.
Characters: 5
They exist solely to propel the story forward. I can overlook this since, similar to the story, the characters don't reveal much about their thoughts and emotions, enhancing the cinematic feel.
Enjoyment: 6
As mentioned at the start, despite its occasional confusion, Abara is enjoyable and worth your time. It's a quick read due to its brevity and limited dialogue. Highly recommended!
The narrative isn't terrible, but it is somewhat dull and lacks originality. It seems like the story progresses too quickly from one point to another. However, I do appreciate how it's presented, with minimal dialogue and exposition.
Characters
I don't have any significant issues with the characters. While there's no background provided for them, it doesn't feel like they lack depth or have poorly developed backstories.
Art
Undoubtedly, the art is the strongest aspect of Abara. Although the action scenes can be a little challenging to follow at times, there are no other major problems. I would suggest reading this solely for its artistic merit.
Enjoyment
I did enjoy this, but I believe that's largely due to my love for Blame! (another manga by the same author).
Overall
It's a very quick read (15-20 minutes), so you're not losing much even if you don't end up enjoying the story.
<p>
The story unfolds in a bizarre world where there were once massive structures known as mausoleums, which were destroyed by monstrous entities called Gauna. Only one mausoleum remains, and it's crucial for humanity's survival. The events we witness occur when only this sole structure is left, and it is under threat.
There are numerous mysteries woven into the narrative, but I find that aspect rather charming. The ending felt like a cliffhanger, yet it's clear what likely transpired.
I genuinely can't wait to explore more works by this mangaka.
I would recommend "Abara," as it offers a brief but delightful journey into the strange and beautiful world crafted by this mangaka.
7/10
TL:DR: It's bad, but you can read it if you want; there is some great art and it's short.
While *Blame!* manages to create a compelling narrative with little to no dialogue, *Abara* feels too rushed. Concepts are not properly developed. If the white Abaras invaded Earth, who are the monsters that activated the tower? What is the tower? Did the city explode in the end? Did the white Abaras die? And why were there two out-of-place chapters focusing on the two women? What happened?
At the end of the scan I read, there was a glossary explaining all the concepts, names, and events that occurred in the manga. I don't know if this was part of the original manga, but I do know that *Blame!*, another work by the same author which also used minimal dialogue, didn't have one. That’s because, unlike *Abara*, *Blame!* actually builds up its world, characters, machines, technology—everything. *Abara* begins with a man turning into a monster, killing another monster, then getting beheaded only to return at the end. Then we see other types of monsters—but what are these monsters? Weren’t the Abaras the ones who invaded Earth? Who was that skeleton-cyborg-man who activated the tower? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
“B-But you have to see the symbolism! And you must form your own interpretations!” No, no, no. The greatest writers, movie directors, and mangakas have shown that you cannot make symbolism and interpretation the foundation of a story. You can include as much symbolism as you like, but it can't hold the entire narrative together on its own. There needs to be characterization, themes, world-building, tone... etc.
This felt rushed, strange, nonsensical, and ultimately disappointing.
I suppose this is meant to be a tale set in a dystopian or post-apocalyptic world where humanity's fate is sealed due to monstrous beings known as Gaunas. But how am I supposed to know for sure when the story is so convoluted and leaves so much unexplained? What’s the backstory of the Gaunas? What are their motives? How did they even come into existence? We're left in the dark, feeling disconnected. I kept turning pages hoping for answers, but alas... sigh.
Characters 3/10:
The characters are lackluster, devoid of any defining traits or emotional depth.
Art 9/10:
The artwork is truly exceptional—characters are beautifully rendered. In fact, the art is the sole reason I continued reading.
Enjoyment 5/10:
I didn’t enjoy this manga because leaving readers confused and shrouding everything in mystery without providing clarity isn’t a virtue.
Overall 5/10:
Not recommended.
<p>
Story - 6/10
The storyline was fairly decent and could have been rated higher if it were more comprehensible. Despite scrutinizing the artwork, I gained little additional insight into the plot. The sole segment I fully grasped and appreciated was the ending—a masterpiece both visually and intellectually. To avoid spoilers, I won’t elaborate further on the story.
Art - 10/10
The artwork here is outstanding, though the character designs might deter some readers due to the wide spacing of their eyes, which is part of the author's unique style that I respect. By saying the art is amazing, I truly mean it. It’s not only meticulously detailed in every aspect but also effectively conveys emotions. There is one drawback regarding the artwork—the battle scenes. They often confuse me as the author skips significant actions, and the sketchy drawing style doesn’t always highlight what the author intends. Additionally, the sound effect design feels somewhat plain, though this too may be part of his artistic approach.
Character - 3/10
The characters score low for a reason—they received little introduction or depth. We couldn’t discern their feelings or personalities well. Most seemed emotionless, except for one character who stands out if you’ve completed the manga. I believe the author could have developed the characters further to make them more endearing or distinctive.
Enjoyment - 2/10
The entire manga wasn’t particularly enjoyable or engaging. This might be because the author didn’t intend it to be so. I prefer faster-paced manga, and while this one moved quickly, it did so in an unbalanced way. The narrative accelerates rapidly, yet the reader must proceed slowly to appreciate the complex artwork. This contradiction made me feel rushed throughout the manga, and honestly, I had to push myself to finish it.
Overall - 5/10
I awarded it a 5 overall, initially considering a 6 or 7 while reading it. However, the portion I found interesting was brief, with the rest being underwhelming. That said, I believe this manga had substantial potential. The artist focused on the wrong elements to bring the story to life.
*sigh* So, let's get started:
**Story: 6**
It had potential. As someone who enjoys apocalyptic stories, I found myself initially intrigued. However, it didn't live up to expectations. It felt like a watered-down, cliché version of other apocalyptic series. It seems as though the artist might have been constrained by a limited amount of material, forcing everything into just two volumes, which added to the confusion. For a long time, I was lost and had to reread several sections multiple times to make sense of what was happening.
**Art and Characters: 2 and 3 respectively**
I’m combining these two because they’re both problematic. The mangaka clearly knows how to draw, but the excessive lines obscure the story rather than enhance it. There were moments when I couldn’t figure out what was happening due to the chaotic artwork. The characters themselves were decent, but their designs were confusing. Many "normal" characters looked identical, while the "ugly" ones were overly disfigured with unnecessary wrinkles. If you're looking for a series where good and evil are easily distinguished by appearance, this is it—though finding unique traits among the "normal" characters proved nearly impossible for me.
**Enjoyment: 1**
The series was overwhelmed by too many ideas crammed into its short runtime, making it unenjoyable. The bizarre art style only compounded the issue. There were numerous occasions when I considered abandoning the manga altogether, but I held out hope that it would all come together in the end. Unfortunately, I was disappointed.
**Overall: 1**
There’s nothing worth salvaging here. Every aspect of this series could have been executed much better, except perhaps the story. This is one of the rare instances where even the plot couldn’t save it.
Please don’t take offense at my review. As mentioned earlier, if this is based on a movie, I’d be interested in checking it out. Should the manga accurately represent the source material, I’d be willing to revise this review accordingly.
I truly believe this would make an amazing action anime OVA or movie, something akin to Ninja Scroll, where you can just relax and enjoy the experience without overthinking.
The manga attempts to tell its story primarily through images. Yet, it suffers from poor character development, leaving you confused until the very end. It delays explaining crucial elements far too late in the series, which is incredibly frustrating.
Additionally, the artwork can vary wildly—from "Wow, this looks amazing!" to "Okay, this looks sloppy at best..." This inconsistency irritates me to the point where I'm tempted to give this zero stars.
If you're looking for a truly miraculous, abstract, and intelligent manga, check out Darkside Blues instead. Everything Abara tries to achieve, Darkside Blues accomplishes ten times better.
<p>
This happens because Tsutomu tends to tell his stories through visuals rather than dialogue. However, even with the limited dialogue available, he doesn't provide enough substance to make readers care about or connect with the characters.
The art stands out as the manga's strongest point. If I were to view some of the pages as standalone, apocalyptic, gritty images, I'd find them captivating. But trying to read this as a coherent narrative becomes confusing. The characters' motives are unclear, replaced by vague justifications and urgency driving the action forward.
I get that withholding information can be a storytelling technique, but Tsutomu holds back almost everything except names and basic terms, leaving readers to decipher motives from cryptic illustrations. Some might call this "deep and psychological," but it feels more like an exhausting guessing game hidden behind intrigue.
It seems the author prioritized drawing gritty, sci-fi monsters and fight scenes, sacrificing plot and characters in the process. Despite the stunning art, my rating is low due to its sloppiness. There was no reason the author couldn’t include small details to help readers distinguish the characters and grasp the storyline better.
Let me add: I admit I value character development and a well-rounded story. If you don't mind being somewhat confused or disconnected from the characters, this is a grimy, action-filled read you might appreciate.
<p>
A bleak look at humanity and what it can be reduced to in times of despair.
As is typical with Nihei, there are numerous subtle subplots intertwined with side characters, along with the one-shot attached character "Digimortal."
I don’t think it’s ever explicitly stated, but considering the art style and the resemblance to the Executioner ladies in *Abara* and Digimortal, I like to believe that *Abara*/*Digimortal* exists within the same universe as both *Blame!*, *APOSIMZ*, and a proof of concept for *Blame!* called "NoiSE."
I doubt that if you enjoyed *Blame!*, you wouldn’t appreciate *Abara*, even with its minimal dialogue and seemingly hard-to-grasp story.
I should clarify—it’s not difficult to understand due to complexity; rather, Tsutomu Nihei isn’t going to have a side character explain the entire situation to the protagonist.
So, we’re left piecing things together from where we start: the Gaunas, our main character, and Digimortal if we include him.
Objectively speaking—if such a thing exists in this medium—I wouldn’t rate it a 10/10. However, having read a lot of Tsutomu Nihei’s works, I adore this type of storytelling and consider this one of his finest creations.
Leave a Review