Marrying a Werewolf to save her hybrid sister.

chapter 486 to 490 are wrong please fix

holy sh*t a 2.6 rating is crazy

A good book for those who are interested in romantic thriller genre.

wow! waiting for the next update!

28 chapters 6/26/23

This is one of those stories that you find yourself revisiting time and again, each reading offering new insights, something previously overlooked right before your eyes. Such is the allure of Nijigahara Holograph, a masterpiece crafted by the brilliant mind of Inio Asano, the same creator behind the celebrated manga Solanin.

It's ironic how the title "Rainbow Field Holograph" contrasts sharply with the manga's theme. While the name suggests a world filled with rainbows and marshmallows, the reality it portrays is far from it.

The manga opens with surreal yet tangible imagery; these visuals, scattered across panels and pages, symbolize pivotal moments in each character's life, influenced by their pasts—tired, conflicted, and secretive—which in turn shape their present and future. Don't let the confusing images throw you off; though they may seem unrelated, they are pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Once they conclude, they usher in a story that feels more like an ending than a beginning.

As the reader realizes the narrative has transitioned into another story—one spanning over a decade—a deeper layer unfolds, entangling the reader further in the intricate web of Nijigahara Holograph. The overarching theme revolves around life itself—dark, dreary, devoid of hope, characterized by selfish humans who take without feeling. Encountering such horrors while reading this manga compelled me to revisit it three times, incredulous that I inhabit the same world as these characters. It's astonishing how we coexist under the same sky with people whose tragedies and mindsets remain unknown to us unless we confront them directly—a confrontation I pray we never face.

A central element of the story involves butterflies, which might still elude comprehension even after reaching the end or rereading the manga multiple times. Research revealed that Asano's Nijigahara Holograph draws heavily from Taoism. An excerpt from Chuang Tzu's teachings in one chapter reads, "Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering happily, unaware that I was Chou. When I awoke, there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly dreaming I am a man. Between a man and a butterfly, there is necessarily a distinction." In my view, this manga explores a complex perspective on life in general. It transcends religion or personal beliefs; it reflects how things are and must be. Perhaps the life we live isn't real. Perhaps what we perceive as real is merely a trick of the mind. Maybe reality coexists with the intangible.

Regardless, the butterflies herald significant events—a calamity, a revelation—altering the course of things, restoring the natural order.

These butterflies are closely tied to a character, a young girl. Every event in the story is inextricably linked to her. She serves as both the pinnacle and foundation of the narrative, guiding its ascent and conclusion.

When starting a manga, art is usually the first thing I notice. For me, good art is crucial, even if the story isn't particularly engaging. However, sometimes the story surpasses the art. Nijigahara Holograph, however, is a manga where the art seamlessly integrates with the story rather than standing apart.

I adore this manga—it captures not just the reality of life but its essence, with the art reinforcing the reader's connection to the story. The artwork is stunning; it captivates attention effortlessly. The details are a feast for the eyes, inviting reflection and curiosity, evoking fear and disgust.

The way objects are depicted makes it challenging to fully grasp their beauty; what stands out is how every item in the storyline, living or otherwise, possesses a personality. The level of detail is remarkable; focus is essential. Emotions are vividly portrayed without restraint, compelling the reader to fully absorb the content. Personally, I believe the mangaka prioritized how things should appear over what they represent, emphasizing nature's influence on outcomes.

Overall, the art is subtly extraordinary. Expressions are instantaneous, creating the illusion of watching a film with moving images, scenes transitioning smoothly.

Character design is intricately subtle; each character's personality is meticulously detailed without explicit explanation. It's impressive how readers can grasp the entirety of a character's persona, despite potential instability. Each character is unique, burdened by their own issues, dilemmas, and secrets hidden from others.

Suzuki Amahiko is a troubled individual with disdain for those around him, resenting the world's perceived unfairness. He avoids forming connections or attachments, having been ostracized by society, moving frequently with parents he knows aren't his biological ones, and attempting suicide multiple times. Then there's Kimura Arie, seemingly central to everything. From the start, I felt she lost her innocence upon attaining ethereal beauty; I empathize with her—her sole desire was something everyone craves, yet circumstances turned against her brutally, eliciting expletives from readers. Her life has been the cruelest and most unsettling of all. Komatsuzaki is an aggressive character whose unpredictable actions hold significant meaning. Sakaki, the trio's homeroom teacher, harbors mature feelings for Suzuki; she suffered an injury to one eye in an 'accident' that fits another piece of the puzzle. There are a few more 'main' characters with noteworthy roles.

I commend Asano for achieving such profound character depth within a mere 300-page manga.

Ultimately, this manga demands concentration at every level. It imparts unique lessons to each reader—what I gleaned from it would differ from another reader's takeaway. For me, it reinforces the belief that everyone has a role to play in life and contributes significantly to someone else's journey. People lead interconnected lives, with complicated mindsets, concealed pasts, and lives built on lies—this is what Nijigahara Holograph embodies. Ironically, it's a whirlwind of emotions featuring characters seemingly devoid of them.

This manga is the weakest I've read from Inio Asano so far.  

The art is insanely gorgeous, as always. The plot is well-told and foreshadowed, but it lacks depth and isn't as twisted as one might expect from the style and author. The characters don't have enough time to shine, making it hard to connect with the cast. I would recommend reading *Girl on the Shore* before this, especially if *Punpun* seems too daunting. *Solanin* is also a superior work in my opinion. If you choose to read *Nijigahara Holograph*, I suggest taking it slowly and paying close attention to locations, interactions, and dialogue choices. If you rush through it, you'll likely end up confused.  

Themes: Generational trauma, bullying, and existential dread.

Overall Opinion:  
I didn’t take anything away from it.  

Story:  
2/10. Was there even a story? I’m not entirely sure I picked up on one. A series of violent events happen either to or because of the characters, and they spend their time brooding over them. For the first 20 pages, I was so disoriented that I began wondering if the pages had been bound out of order. Unfortunately, as I reached the end, things didn’t become much clearer.  

Characters:  
3/10. Entirely unlikable, impossible to relate to, and their motivations remain a mystery. Most of them act in ways that feel completely unrealistic. About 85% of the time, any given character is just glum and introspective, no matter what’s going on around them.  

Themes:  
3/10. The idea that experiencing violence at a young age can mess you up later in life, I suppose? Not exactly an original thought. Butterflies are aesthetically pleasing? The ending tried to be profound, but it went right over my head. You might argue ‘depression’ is a theme, but when every single character in your narrative is perpetually depressed without any emotional diversity, it stops being a theme and becomes the norm.  

Art:  
7/10. It’s far from perfect, but it’s still quite impressive. There were a few truly memorable panels, like the one where a group of kids peer over an open sewer grate. Seen from below, their heads almost resemble a jigsaw puzzle—whether intentional or not, it was striking. Some effective use of lighting, and the characters themselves look well-designed.