Contract Marriage: In love with my boss

I have no prior experience with any Grudge movie or related media; this manga serves as my introduction to the franchise, allowing me to offer the perspective of someone completely unfamiliar with the story. After reading the manga, I also watched the movie (the 2000 Japanese version), so I can provide a comparison between the two.  

This review may include what some might consider spoilers, but they're quite general and merely outline the basic story.  

I enjoy horror manga but am not particularly fond of typical horror movies, so I was curious about how a manga based on a horror movie would turn out. My expectations were low, and while I wasn't disappointed, I certainly wasn't surprised either. This manga feels like a run-of-the-mill horror movie.  

The plot follows the predictable formula: a family moves into a haunted house despite warnings. An angry evil spirit haunts and kills them off after spooking them a few times. Why does this ghost act this way? Your guess is as good as mine. The manga doesn't delve into the mechanics of its spiritual world, though that's fairly standard for basic horror works. It's angry and bloodthirsty—what else do you need to know?  

The characters lack depth, serving only as victims in the narrative. I did appreciate the subtle hint of "motherly" qualities in Kayako (though I had to look up her name). Unfortunately, this aspect isn't explored further, as the manga feels rushed. After all, it condenses an entire movie into one volume.  

The art is decent at best for most of the manga, but it shines during the gorier scenes. One particular sequence stands out as the only truly effective horror moment in the manga, though it lasts only a few pages.  

Comparing it to the movie, the manga isn't a direct 1:1 adaptation of the version I watched. However, I wouldn't call it a poor adaptation, as both the manga and the movie gave me the same impression—a typical B-grade horror film. This didn't spark much interest in exploring other versions of the movie. I'd say this manga is more of a niche curiosity for fans rather than something that stands on its own.

Ju-On, or The Grudge, holds a notorious place in the horror genre, and after numerous films, spin-offs, and a video game, it was inevitable that a manga adaptation would emerge. However, much like the video game, the manga fails to capture the scare factor or charm that the films are known for.

Story: Volume one adapts the narratives of the first and second television films, Katasumi and 4444444444 and Ju-On: The Curse. While it is a faithful adaptation, the transition from film to manga results in a loss of suspense, scares, and overall impact. The story comes across as mediocre and almost dull.

Art: The artwork isn't particularly impressive and, in some instances, it's more amusing than frightening. Certain scenes, especially the gorier ones, exhibit greater detail and effort compared to the rest of the manga. However, the art remains unremarkable and quite generic.

Characters: Given its short length, the manga offers little character development, as most characters meet their demise swiftly. The portrayal of Kayako Saeki (aka The Grudge) is intriguing. In some scenes, she is depicted as a merciless ghost bent on destruction, while in others, she displays affection and care towards Toshio, even speaking instead of emitting her usual death rattle. Aside from this, the characters are rather bland and uniform.

Enjoyment: As an avid fan of the Ju-On franchise, I found this adaptation underwhelming. It feels akin to the books written as companions to films post-release. I was fairly disengaged throughout my reading experience.

Overall: Ju-On falls short in delivering the scares, charm, and suspense of the films, making it a lackluster adaptation in my view. Nevertheless, it serves as a decent introductory manga, and fans of the series might find it worth a read. There are a few commendable pages, but overall, it is mediocre at best. Rating: 5/10.

they didn't do it but where almost so it can't be considered as NTR

I wondering why am I still reading this to the newest chapter
Is it because of curiosity how will it become worser??.
I don't now but fuck this novel Is bad and I am a idiot

I watch the donghua
So i read this novel
I will finish this
Becouse i know this is a crude unpolish jade
Lets goooooo 3/30/24

Yap yap yap yap yap. All for a mid novel. A record of a MID mortals journey to immortality. This is a record of a background character. Not an mc. If someone likes to sleep and read about MC never having cool/ memorable epic moments I recommend this book.