My Daughter Is Trying to Change the Law So That She Can Marry Me, Her Daddy, but She Doesn’t Know That She Is a “Stepdaughter”

It's challenging to describe Deadman Wonderland. It's certainly not like Naruto, Fullmetal Alchemist, or Vampire Knight. It's much better than all those series—but only for the right kind of person. The biggest caution about this series is the level of gore involved. Despite its brilliant and innovative story, if you get queasy easily, I don't recommend it.

STORY  
Deadman Wonderland presents a brilliantly crafted, innovative, and fresh narrative that stands apart from other manga. It's dark, morbid, and creepy, offering no false happiness. There's no "joy." Instead, it focuses on people trying to make the best of a terrible situation. The setting is a prison called Deadman Wonderland, which doubles as an amusement park for the public. The story evolves around the protagonist, a young boy named Ganta, the unusual people he encounters, and their daily struggles in this living hell.  
The plot is filled with twists, often driven by the characters' actions. The atmosphere is consistently bleak, depressing, and psychologically intense. If you're into this type of story, it will likely appeal to you.

ART  
In short, the art is fantastic. It's by the same artist and author who created Eureka Seven, so it's crisp and clean yet highly detailed. The depiction of gore and backgrounds is intricate and believable. The character designs are beautiful, but their expressions stand out the most. You can see the pain in each character's face, and they're all vividly portrayed. Sometimes it's not pretty, but neither is their suffering.

CHARACTER  
The characters in Deadman Wonderland are perhaps the series' greatest asset. Each one is deeply flawed in unique ways, given their harsh environment. Ganta, the protagonist, is just a young boy. It's understandable that he might irritate some readers, but his reactions are justified. He's been thrown into chaos, experiencing trauma after trauma—surviving a mass murder of his friends and classmates, being framed for the crime, and then imprisoned in a violent place where no one listens to him—all within a month. He was once an ordinary boy living a peaceful life, avoiding conflict, and now every second is a fight for survival. He struggles to comprehend this place and its intimidating criminals.  
But Ganta isn't the only standout. There's Tamaki, the main villain, who is one of the most despicable antagonists I've encountered. He takes sadistic pleasure in his actions and shows no remorse. He's a refreshing departure from many other manga villains; you can't help but hate him.  
Beyond these two, there are numerous memorable characters in Deadman Wonderland, such as Shiro, the mysterious girl who speaks in third person and seems to know Ganta, and Azami, an oddly normal woman who gives Ganta advice on his first day. All of them experience trauma and suffer greatly in this environment, but they evolve. We learn more about them, what drives them, and why they act the way they do. There have been multiple moments in the story where the characters themselves moved me to tears.

ENJOYMENT  
I thoroughly enjoy Deadman Wonderland, eagerly anticipating each new development and chapter. However, my appreciation includes the well-executed gore, which might detract from your experience if you're not a fan. If you're looking for something substantial, different, and fresh—a series that breaks away from the norm—this is a great choice.

OVERALL  
As I've mentioned, it's not a perfect series, but it comes close for the right audience who can appreciate it. Once again, if you're seeking happiness, this isn't the place to look.

Deadman Wonderland isn't your average seinen. It boasts some truly unique features and is definitely a worthwhile read.

Story - 8:
Ten years after a massive earthquake devastated much of Tokyo, Ganta Igarashi becomes the sole witness to the brutal murder of his entire classroom by a figure dressed entirely in red. Consequently, he is wrongfully accused of the crime and sentenced to death row in Deadman Wonderland, a prison that doubles as an amusement park operated by its inmates. His meeting with an albino girl named Shiro inspires him to keep fighting, leading him to uncover the secrets of the prison and the identity of the Red Man.

Yes, this premise may seem fairly standard at first glance, right? However, while the initial setup might suggest a survival manga set in a chaotic environment, the narrative soon shifts focus to battles, introducing special powers and factions within the prison (no spoilers here—go read it yourself :p).

Art - 9:
The artwork is genuinely outstanding. Every character is rich with intricate details and quirks, and the artist's style perfectly complements the madness of the story. Some double-page spreads are absolutely worth checking out.

Character - 10:
This is where Deadman Wonderland truly excels, folks.
Almost immediately, you'll notice that every character, except for the protagonist, is insane. Each one has a backstory that influences their behavior in the world of Deadman Wonderland, which becomes clear as the characters develop. Ganta is the lone voice of sanity in the prison, determined to survive without losing his mind. His character development is exceptional. Shiro, an eccentric girl, is resolute in her desire to be Ganta's friend, and her anguish when they are separated during their trials is deeply moving.

Enjoyment: 10
I thoroughly enjoyed this manga from beginning to end. The combat scenes, the powers, the characters, the conclusion... Everything was fantastic.

Overall: 9
Yes, only 9, because no manga is flawless (except maybe 20th Century Boys, but that's a discussion for another time :p). Nevertheless, as you can see, Deadman Wonderland is an exceptional manga, and if you're into gory seinen stories (like Gantz, Mirai Nikki, Elfen Lied...), you'll likely enjoy this one too.

Plus, it's fully completed now. No excuses—go ahead and read the entire series in one go!

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To begin with, I would advise anyone who has watched the anime adaptation to disregard it entirely. It was poorly executed and concluded prematurely, leaving out numerous significant plot points. The manga, on the other hand, is far superior and undoubtedly worth most people's time.

In the realm of fiction, stories involving humans with supernatural powers are not uncommon. In fact, the market is inundated with such narratives. This, in itself, isn't necessarily a negative aspect. It all depends on how the concept is utilized and whether the work can achieve something its predecessors couldn't. Does Deadman Wonderland introduce anything new?

In my opinion, not really. What it does provide is a highly engaging and fascinating rehash of elements we've encountered before. To me, at least, this isn't a bad thing. Allow me to explain.

I'd like to start by discussing the setting. A prison that doubles as an amusement park is something I personally haven't come across in fiction before, although I'm sure it has been done elsewhere. Nonetheless, it is an intriguing setting. There are some issues with it that I can't delve into too much due to spoilers, but suffice it to say that the manga doesn't emphasize its setting as much as I would have hoped.

As for the characters within this setting, their quality and generic nature vary. I found the main character to be rather generic, and the fact that he was 14 seemed somewhat unnecessary. He could have been an adult or at least an older teenager, and the story wouldn't have changed significantly, except for making certain aspects more believable. The manga contains a lot of gore and even touches on elements of rape a couple of times, so the argument that he is 14 to appeal to the intended audience doesn't hold up. Most of the other characters were interesting, and I appreciated that almost every major character (and even some minor ones), whether "good" or "bad," received a backstory segment, providing each one with a bit of development, albeit somewhat shallow.

The overarching plot had a few pacing issues, but generally, it is easy to follow if you pay attention. The pace is quick enough that the reader probably won't find themselves bored at any point. Additionally, I'm glad to say that most questions are answered by the end of the manga, and the conclusion wraps things up nicely without feeling rushed. I found the plot quite interesting, though predictable in some areas. There are a few good twists that I didn't anticipate here and there.

The final aspect I want to discuss is the art. The character designs were clearly crafted to be "cool," and the powers of most characters are depicted very impressively. There's plenty of gore as well. The backgrounds can be simple at times, but never unappealing. Overall, I don't recall ever seeing a panel or page and thinking it looked poor.

I would recommend this manga to those who enjoy the "superpowers" concept or simply like action. Although there's a touch of romance, comedy, and quite a bit of drama, this manga is undeniably an action manga at its core. It's worth a try if you're looking for a good manga that gets many things right, even if it isn't anything groundbreaking.

<p>I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of manga. I started reading the Deadman Wonderland manga because the anime quickly became my favorite of all time. When the anime didn't conclude properly, it left me with tons of unanswered questions. Let me tell you, I do not regret a single second I spent reading this manga—it was AMAZING. It's my first manga, and I can proudly say it's not only my first but also the best one ever! READ IT, PEOPLE! YOU WON'T REGRET IT. IT WILL BE THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU. And if you loved the anime and felt really sad that it didn't finish and left you with many questions, don't worry—the manga will explain everything! By the way, the whole story of Deadman Wonderland is not just about gore and fights; it's a beautiful, complicated drama that you'll only fully understand after reading the manga!</p>

In a world filled with mediocre storylines, we are presented with something so fresh and new. Deadman Wonderland offers a rich buffet of plot and setting right from the first page. We are immediately thrown into the deep end of the story, sparking questions and theories. Everything seems interconnected as the manga progresses with twists and turns in every chapter.

The main setting, the prison itself, feels like a world of its own, complete with its own monetary system. The amusement park theme permeates almost every aspect of the prison, giving it a distinct, somewhat creepy style. Its bizarre rules, such as needing to consume an antidote every three days or face death, and the cruel, merciless treatment of prisoners through death matches, place readers directly in the shoes of Ganta, the main character, evoking that "this place is insane" vibe.

Deadman Wonderland introduces refreshing new archetypes, each with their own troubled pasts that deeply define their personalities, ranging from insanity to childlike innocence, or sometimes both. The prison is designed to contain and study "Deadmen," special prisoners who harbor the "Nameless Worm" inside them. This grants them the ability to control their blood, called the "Branch of Sin," allowing them to shoot it like bullets or form blades, with each power being unique and versatile, adding personal flair to the fights.

While this manga is heavy on story, it doesn't shy away from gore. From skin peeling to beheadings, it presents these elements tastefully rather than indulging in meaningless slaughter. Even fan service is tied into current events within the narrative.

To summarize, this manga is deep, immersive, and will keep you on edge with every chapter. It's definitely a must-read on my list.

Deadman Wonderland  

If you've watched the anime adaptation of this, I highly recommend reading the manga first. It surpasses the anime in every aspect. In fact, I'd describe Deadman Wonderland as Elfen Lied on steroids. These two share numerous similarities in terms of characters and plot, but they differ significantly in quality, especially when it comes to character development. Deadman Wonderland boasts several memorable characters, many of whom only truly shine in the manga.  

At first, Deadman Wonderland didn't impress me, but as the story progressed, curiosity and tension steadily built up. It undoubtedly features an intriguing and well-constructed narrative with a satisfying resolution. However, by Chapter 45, the manga started to lose momentum; the final 13 chapters were weaker than I had hoped.  

Unfortunately, plot armor became increasingly prominent towards the end. The stakes felt less intense compared to earlier parts of the story, where the lives of all characters were genuinely at risk. By the conclusion, it almost seemed comical how indestructible everyone had become.  

Story  

The main story begins with a questionable premise. Initially, one might question how the protagonist ended up in prison and why these events unfold to drive the plot forward. Yet, by the end, everything is explained excellently, revealing how interconnected all the events were and how inevitable they turned out to be.  

Moreover, the plot includes subtle backstories that trigger conflicts among the characters and necessitate various developments.  

Drawing/Illustration  

The artwork is of a very high standard, detailed, and impressive in its representation and perspectives. Notably, the artist enjoys showcasing scenes from multiple angles, which he executes skillfully. The manga is also highly detailed and effectively conveys the atmosphere.  

Characters  

The protagonist, Ganta, starts off as quite intimidating but evolves subtly throughout the manga. While his development isn't particularly remarkable, it does tie into the main storyline in a solid way.  

Shiro, another key character, becomes increasingly fascinating by the end, especially due to her backstory. Honestly, you might even feel sympathy for her situation. You also come to understand why this entire story unfolded in the first place.  

The antagonists are mostly detestable and possess a certain charisma. They have backgrounds, but I found them less interesting compared to the other supporting characters or protagonists.  

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the characters, despite some melodramatic moments (particularly with Ganta).  

Conclusion  

It's undoubtedly a high-quality manga with significant strengths and minor weaknesses. From beginning to end, the plot was simpler than I anticipated, but the underlying background and hidden events were far more engaging.  

I believe the last few chapters squandered much potential, but it remains above average. Chapters 20-45 were definitely the highlight.

Deadman Wonderland is truly a remarkable series; there's not much else quite like it.  
It boasts an impressive story that ties together rather neatly. While I do acknowledge that some chapters could have been executed better, the narrative generally flows well. Occasionally, it becomes rather complex, and at other times, overly simplistic, which can lead to confusion. Nevertheless, I deeply appreciate the uniqueness of Deadman Wonderland—it stands apart from any other anime or manga I've encountered.  

The artwork in 'Deadman' is, in my view, exceptionally crafted—neither too realistic nor excessively stylized in the typical anime manner. The visual style suits the series perfectly. Often, both characters and backgrounds are intricately rendered together, with particular attention paid to the latter. This meticulous detail creates an almost immersive experience, as if you're imagining the anime unfolding within your mind. Additionally, the character designs align beautifully with their personalities, enhancing the overall coherence of the world.  

As for the characters, they often straddle the line between insanity and normalcy—or lean fully into one or the other. Their reactions feel genuine and grounded, which I find particularly appealing. Each character possesses a distinct backstory, and Ganta, the protagonist, carries his own compelling motivation throughout the manga. The supporting cast is neither overwhelming nor insufficient, striking a balanced number. Moreover, no two characters—whether main or supporting—are alike; each feels like an individual with their own identity.  

I believe many people would enjoy this manga simply because of its originality and the way it blends various genres seamlessly.  

Apologies if this review isn't up to par—it was my first attempt.  
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This manga is truly a masterpiece in my opinion... There wasn't a single moment when I wasn't eagerly anticipating the next volume. The story consistently kept me engaged, and I would highly recommend it. The protagonist in this tale is your typical teenage character — who seems to be the go-to main character for horror anime/manga, by the way — and they endure immense hardship from the very beginning of the story.  
  
It also reminded me a lot of "Mirai Nikki," another anime that I found incredibly captivating.  
  
Overall, if you're someone who enjoys intense and thought-provoking content, then this is definitely worth checking out.  
  
However, it is quite dark and graphic, so if you're not into darker manga, this might not be the right choice for you.

Deadman Wonderland is a manga that could appeal to many, but it's also important to note that even if a work is good, there will always be those who go out of their way to find certain details so subjective as the ever-common "It contains too much blood" or similar complaints. This is often the author's way of emphasizing that this manga isn't for all audiences, without faulting every single drop of blood for needing justification. Ha! What a way to think—technically, the powers in the story revolve around this concept. Additionally, if the work aims to hook you through its art, story, characters, etc., these are the main reasons you might want to read the manga. Yes, it may not have the best secondary characters or the deepest backstories that any seasoned critic would wish to appreciate, but this is precisely why the main characters stand out in the story—straightforward and concise, as a 58-chapter work should be to avoid boring the reader with subplots that ultimately don't contribute to the main storyline, which presents a rather interesting story that is far from clichéd. As anyone might assume just by reading the premise, especially if you're reading it expecting similarities to other works just to label it as lacking originality and strip it of all the merit it deserves from someone who reads it and enjoys it.

I am fully aware that this is a critique of those who wrote their opinions before, presenting their points in extremely long texts that, if you bother to read carefully, lack objectivity. Eventually, only by reading the work yourself can you draw your conclusions and see that not all opinions come from a critical standpoint. Now it's your turn to give your own opinion on the matter.  

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Ok, no hate towards this manga, but I simply didn't find it very amusing. It felt like any typical manga. I don't know how the story progresses because I dropped this manga pretty quickly. The thing I disliked the most about this manga were the characters.  

1. First, we have the very typical protagonist whose friends are killed by the villain, and now all the main character can think about is revenge. Like, nothing else gets through his head except revenge—just like any other typical shounen protagonist. He has nothing particular about his personality that sets him apart from other shounen protagonists. He's really bland and lacks any unique qualities.  

2. Then there's the always dumb, "friendship is everything" girl best friend of the main character. This type of girl is one of the most common tropes in the anime world. All she knows is the main character's name and how he is everything to her, acting all cute and naive—blah blah. It's just too cliché.  

3. And let's not forget Big Boobed One-San, a woman who has no other role in the manga other than her... well, you know.  

The only character I actually liked was the one-eyed dude.  

The story might have been interesting if I had continued reading the manga, but the character designs were so cliché that it made me drop it.

I truly appreciated the story. The ending was satisfying, but I anticipated more focus on Shiro compared to other characters. A single page showing her smile isn't sufficient to determine if she will be alright after everything she endured. She deserved either a more fulfilling conclusion or a fully tragic one. Ambiguous endings, at least for Shiro, aren't my preference. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this manga. At least it didn't leave me with a splitting headache like "Yankee-kun to Megane-chan" did.  

The journey is often better than the destination. To be honest, don't stress too much about the ending; you might end up liking it more than I did. The start of the manga provides all the elements needed to decide whether to read until the last page. I never abandon a manga, even if the beginning isn't great, but Deadman Wonderland kicks off in an incredible way.  

Take your time while reading and savor the dialogues to fully grasp the intricacies of the story. My rating for this manga is 8/10.  

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Deadman Wonderland is definitely one of my favorite manga series. I initially watched the anime, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but I was left quite dissatisfied with the final episode. Hoping for some resolution and answers to all my lingering questions, I decided to dive into the manga—and I have to say, it did not disappoint.

STORY: 9. The plot is both original and well-developed, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked. That said, the ending wasn't as strong as I'd hoped, leaving a slight sense of dissatisfaction.

ART: 10. The artwork in this manga is outstanding—crisp, clean, and visually stunning. It ranks among the best visuals I've encountered in any manga.

CHARACTER: 9. The characters are unique and compelling, each with fascinating and intricate backstories. While there are occasional clichés, the overall character development is impressive and engaging.

ENJOYMENT: 10. The action sequences are exhilarating, the characters entertaining, and the visuals breathtaking. Each chapter left me eagerly anticipating the next.

I can't recall enjoying any other manga more than Deadman Wonderland. Although I wouldn't label it a masterpiece due to its somewhat underwhelming conclusion, it remains one of my all-time favorites and undoubtedly one of the finest manga I've ever read.