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"''Out in the world, if there is only one person here who wants to be violent, the solution is simple, we crush him''  

Decided to pen a brief review on this incredible short manga due to its surprisingly low number of readers and reviews. At first, I wasn't familiar with the story of *Blue Heaven*, but after finishing it, I couldn't comprehend why it had such a low readership and rating.  

First off, this isn't a simplistic manga, nor is it a masterpiece, but what truly captivated me about its concept was the simplicity of its message—though you'll have to read it to uncover that yourself.  

The protagonist is a violent man whose life revolves solely around violence, and we follow his journey after being rescued by the crew of a luxurious cruise ship traveling across the globe.  

'Violence can't be fought with violence'"

I ventured into Blue Heaven as it was featured on a list of top horror mangas recommended for fans of the genre. With its psychological thriller elements combined with graphic violence, I didn't have particularly high expectations, but I grossly underestimated its impact. Despite not being in the mood for psychological horror, the manga managed to shift my mindset, allowing me to fully immerse and enjoy its narrative—a rare occurrence for me when it comes to manga.

The story is genuinely captivating, delving into dark themes like terrorism and racism, yet presented in an almost empathetic manner. Takahashi skillfully crafts a tone that resonates with real-world issues we encounter in the news, making the narrative feel profoundly humanistic, even in its depiction of hate. The exploration of racist undertones is particularly intriguing; while some creators might shy away from such topics, Takahashi handles them effectively.

The plot is gripping, with unexpected twists that keep you on edge. There were moments of intense suspense where I found myself nervously swallowing, but I felt the story was somewhat rushed within its three-volume span. Adding one or two more volumes might have enhanced the pacing, smoothing out the narrative flow instead of feeling constrained by deadlines. This remains my sole criticism.

The artwork is exceptional, with characters' expressions vividly rendered, sometimes evoking a visceral reaction. The character designs are fascinating, ranging from curious to unsettling, which I thoroughly appreciated. Takahashi's artistic prowess has certainly piqued my interest in exploring more of his works.

The characters come across as authentic, reacting in genuinely human ways to the unfolding events. It's compelling to witness the shifts in their moral compasses and how they evolve under pressure. Observing their transformations and adaptations throughout the story was highly engaging.

Blue Heaven is a manga best enjoyed when you're in the right frame of mind. Fortunately, I was, and Takahashi succeeded in crafting a world that kept me hooked, page after page. While the slightly hurried conclusion is a minor drawback, the three-volume format ultimately worked well, avoiding potential filler content.

Route 69 - One-Shot

This one-shot left me somewhat perplexed regarding certain plot resolutions and character decisions, at least from my perspective. Nevertheless, the characters remained intriguing, and despite the confusion, it was still enjoyable. I would be keen to see Route 69 expanded into its own full-length story, though this brief glimpse was pleasant, albeit not as impactful as Blue Heaven.

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Blue Heaven is certain to delight those who appreciate concise plots with a powerful impact. At just 24 chapters, the themes are thoroughly explored and the story concludes tidily.  

What struck me most about this manga's plot was the unexpected twist involving character dynamics. The detestable antagonist—a homicidal maniac and terrorist—rescued by the unsuspecting crew of a luxury cruise ship, is portrayed as the quintessential villain for much of the early narrative. However, things take a darker turn when additional antagonists are introduced—revealing themselves to be far more malevolent than the initially loathed "demon child."  

Perhaps I have a soft spot for anti-heroes, but for a brief moment, the evil killer evoked some sympathy from me.  

The brevity of the manga combined with its compelling storyline is incredibly appealing, offering a refreshing change of pace after delving into the drawn-out and diluted narratives of many mainstream mangas. Overall, this is an outstanding dark psychological thriller that is sure not to disappoint.

'Blue Heaven' is a manga with lofty ambitions that unfortunately falls short of its potential. It boasts solid artwork and an engaging plot with well-rounded characters, yet it's evident that more could have been achieved.

[Story - 7]

The concept itself (a killer released onto a cruise ship) is quite captivating, especially for such a brief manga. However, it doesn't achieve the level of tension it might have. This is largely due to the plot abruptly shifting into, without giving too much away, Neo-Nazis Revealing Themselves And Taking Over. While I don't object to plot twists like this (especially when despicable individuals get their just desserts), the initial premise was sufficient to grab my attention. I truly don't understand the necessity of such a shift, finding it rather lazy.

It's clear the mangaka aimed for themes like 'are humans irredeemable?' and 'what will people do to each other in a crisis?', but it seems he didn't fully realize his vision. It's hard to articulate, but there appears to be much more to explore within this story, setting, and character development than what was accomplished.

The pacing was commendable, though – thanks to the limited chapter count, it made for a pleasant weekend read.

[Art - 8]

The art is somewhat inconsistent in various aspects. Character design is distinctive yet simple (like different facial hair and hairstyles), while backgrounds are either well-rendered or overly minimalistic. The shading was particularly impressive – achieving a perfect balance between moodiness and its opposite.

[Character - 7]

The characters, similar to the story and themes, are intriguing but their full potential wasn't reached:

Ri Seiryuu is an interesting deuteragonist with a fitting, albeit edgy, backstory and a rather stoic characterization compared to others; however, I felt his 'arc' required a more satisfying conclusion. This can be attributed to the sudden plot twist, but it seemed odd to have him still involved when he was initially the antagonist.

Yoshiko is probably my personal favorite – she's really charming and provides some humor, but her role as the mere 'observer' of the events on the ship was handled competently. The mangaka effectively captured the sense of desperation and despair someone like her would experience, conveying it believably.

Other characters, however, aren't as memorable or well-developed compared to these two. Security agent Sano is barely notable due to his abrupt departure and return (thanks again to the plot twist), Jyungo is a typical Nice Guy Yoshiko likes, and... I can barely recall the second half's antagonist beyond him being a larger-than-life Genocide Enthusiast who felt more like a parody than a credible adversary.

[Enjoyment/Overall - 7]

This wasn't a terrible experience, and I did enjoy it due to the tension and strong characterization of Seiryuu and Yoshiko. Nevertheless, it's frustrating to see how much potential this manga had that wasn't fully realized. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a good thriller, but not if you're looking for a thriller with substantial psychological/philosophical depth.

Blue Heaven stands as a commendable action pseudo psychological thriller. It's too brief to fully establish or deeply explore psychological themes, but it does an adequate job. The manga delves into the essence of living and the reasons one might persist in seeking life despite challenges. It also touches on classism and the implications of terror and violence for humanity. However, as noted, this manga is exceedingly short, lacking the scope to allow these themes to resonate deeply.

Overall, the characters are somewhat intriguing, yet the antagonists verge on cartoonishly evil, which can disrupt the narrative immersion. The crew members are well-crafted, and the protagonist, Seiryuu, is engaging, significantly bolstering the story.

The artwork in this manga is genuinely exceptional. There are numerous standout scenes that are worth exploring the manga solely for their visual appeal. The depiction of Blue Heaven in pivotal moments is breathtaking, effectively capturing internal and external tensions through its physical degradation. This serves as a clear visual metaphor for the state of the world.

In conclusion, it's a good manga that doesn't aspire to be overly ambitious, which works in its favor given its length and writing quality. A longer narrative with more breathing room would have been advantageous. Nonetheless, I highly recommend giving this read a chance.

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Blue Heaven (from here on, BH) is a psychological thriller by the same author of Skyhigh, Jiraishin, and Sidooh: Takashi Tsutomu.  

The story of this manga revolves around the Blue Heaven, the most luxurious and enormous ship ever, during one of its transatlantic voyages. While passengers indulge in all the decadent pleasures of a floating Las Vegas, the captain and several officers notice something unusual in their route: there's a ship adrift. After a brief discussion with the cruise owner (who wanted to ignore it and keep going), they decide to stop and check for survivors. What they find: the boat is wrecked, the walls are covered in blood, and where there should be a crew, there are only two people. One is unconscious, near death from dehydration, and the other is screaming in total shock. Once onboard the cruise, Seiryuu, the unconscious man, recovers and escapes, while his companion explains that he is actually a ruthless murderer, devoid of any moral sense. Thus, the hunt begins: the ship's officers must search discreetly yet effectively throughout the vessel, maintaining peace onboard and minimizing casualties.  

So, the main concept behind BH is quite straightforward: a loose murderer with countless potential victims at his disposal. The idea is simple but well-executed, with action flowing almost uninterrupted. There are no unnecessary scenes or overly long explanations, and only a few key characters. All this contributes to a dynamic and engaging read. Some elements are presented in an exaggerated manner, especially towards the end of the manga, but nothing feels too unrealistic—everything could plausibly happen in real life.  

Regarding the characters, as mentioned earlier, there are only a few, but they are well-defined. To avoid spoilers, I'll just highlight three:  
Seiryuu is a Chinese murderer with a mysterious past. He has a deep fascination with human society, and his insatiable curiosity drives him to do whatever comes to mind. He feels no remorse for his actions, as he doesn't perceive them as evil.  
Sano is a cruise agent leading the search for Seiryuu. A seasoned and skilled detective, he will do everything in his power to prevent the worst.  
Lastly, Yoshiko is an employee on the ship and the last person to see Seiryuu before the chaos began. She is as involved as Sano in the search and, like him, will try everything to avoid mass panic. Of course, more characters appear later, complicating matters further, but delving deeper would reveal too much of the plot. Additionally, there are several secondary characters who add minor elements but nothing significant.  

The art is noteworthy, showcasing a distinct and personal style. The character design is realistic, featuring small eyes and noses that exist in reality. Each character is visually unique, which is always appreciated, and different ethnicities are clearly distinguishable—a crucial aspect given the storyline. The backgrounds and settings are well-done, though not as detailed as the characters.  

Overall, BH is a short, intriguing, and fast-paced manga highly recommended for thriller enthusiasts. Its greatest strength may also be its biggest flaw: it's simple and direct. There are no major twists or elaborate backstories, leaving a sense that some opportunities were missed. This might be disappointing... or not. That's up to you. Blue Heaven is a good story with a clear progression, a fitting conclusion, and an appropriate art style. It's highly recommended if you're looking for a well-crafted manga that isn't overly ambitious and has minimal re-read value.  

By the way, there are two one-shots included in this manga. Both are mediocre at best and don't warrant further discussion.  

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I really liked all three books. And since I read them a rather long time ago, I hope for the remaining two stories to be published here! Please continue and complete this series!