The Alpha's Greatest Sorrow

Mitsuko-san... she's got a gentle smile...

This was quite an enjoyable read, and I loved every second of it. It was short and interesting, making you want more. I'm really glad there's a movie so maybe I can learn more about such an interesting series.

I've had high expectations for this because it looked really good. I didn't realize at first until later but it was made by a really good creator named Furuya Usamaru. His works are always great, and he makes amazing creations. I love it. Adding this to my favorite mangas (*＾＾*).

Overall 10/10
This manga easily earned a 10/10 overall. It was a pleasant and short read. I would love to get a longer read of this manga, but I feel it was good as a short manga as well. It may be an adaptation, but it's well executed. Furuya Usamaru does his adaptations nicely. I've never seen the movie before, so I can't comment on that aspect, but the manga is really good.

Story 10/10
The story really captivated me. The beginning really draws you in with a bizarre event and slowly leads up to why it happened through cues and small changes within the characters, truly fascinating stuff. I don't really have any complaints for it. I really liked it! It's a unique plot I've never seen done before, a great manga, and I bet an even greater movie.

Characters 10/10
Great characters, especially Saya and Kyoko. These two were a duo I couldn't help but root for; they were super interesting. (Spoiler warning)... seeing the faint cues of Mitsuko awakening within Saya but her still being there somewhat even in the end amazed me, as well Kyoko going to become the new Mitsuko... (Spoiler ended!) I love this manga.

Art 8/10
Now, I do enjoy Furuya's style. It's really appealing to the eyes, and he can draw some great gore... Now, I'm not sure when this was drawn, but I feel this is more of a weaker point of the manga. I love the style, yes, but some of the characters look really odd. That may just be the appeal of his style, but I didn't really like it that much.

Enjoyment 9/10
I really enjoyed this series, as I did with other works of the author. It's an interesting story, amazing art, and enjoyable characters. Though, since this deals with more heavier themes, I felt really uncomfortable during some scenes and chapters, BUT, it doesn't take away from the experience. It may even add to it. I would 100% read this again, and I would really love to analyze it even further.

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One word: Disturbing and thrilling.  
From the beginning to the end, you crave more; you yearn to understand why, yet simultaneously, you don't want to—because the answer will likely unsettle you far more than the question ever could.  

This manga makes you reflect on your own life, on society, perhaps even on a friend who resembles one of the characters... because it doesn't matter which country it is set in—there is always a "Saya Kota" present in every society.  

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One way I discover new manga is through the recommendation section of a manga I've already read and enjoyed. This particular manga was recommended to me by another recommendation—I usually steer clear of horror, haha. Nevertheless, this manga serves as an excellent break from other genres unless you're already into horror. It's a very MYSTERIOUS (in a good way) and DISTURBING manga all at once.

Story:
Jisatsu Circle vividly portrays what some girls endure, with plenty of gore and severed body parts thrown in for good measure (as you'll soon discover when you read it *winks*). Like most horror manga, it begins with a massive shock factor that leaves readers horrified and wondering, "Why did this happen?" prompting them to keep reading. The story is full of twists, leading readers to falsely suspect characters and encounter unexplained eerie events.

The narrative primarily revolves around suicide, the hidden aspects of girls' lives, gore, and cults. DO NOT READ IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE EXTREME GORE; even I, who pride myself on tolerating most shock factors, flinched during the first chapter.

Art:
The characters are drawn in a style quite distinct from what most manga readers are accustomed to. I must say, this is one of the few mangas where the characters could pass for real people (smaller eyes, not all girls are overly cute). While those who prefer cute manga girls with large eyes might find this less appealing, the art style is unique and suits the manga well.

Character:
There's ample character development, particularly for the protagonist, Saya Kota. The story is mostly narrated from a third-person perspective: Saya Kota's friend Kyoko. In my opinion, the characters are well-developed, with insights into their backgrounds. Kyoko shares her memories of Saya from childhood, recounting the tragedies that befell her friend. Ultimately, Kyoko manages to connect with Saya just a little, but it's too late—the cycle of horror perpetuates.

Enjoyment:
Most people will likely enjoy the story more than the gore, in my view. The combination of the narrative and explicit imagery evokes feelings of horror, sadness, intensity, shock, and occasionally disgust. However, the numerous twists will keep you turning pages to unravel the mystery.

Overall:
Once again, DO NOT READ THIS MANGA IF YOU CAN'T STAND GORE. Otherwise, it's an exceptional manga that's concise and effectively conveys the struggles some girls face. With its shocking content and mystery, it keeps readers on edge and flipping pages.

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Warning: avoid cause of spoilers  

One word: infuriated  

Story: The premise is straightforward—girls take their own lives, one survives, and the survivor forms a new circle of girls who follow the same path, perpetuating the cycle. What truly angers me is the fact that they forcibly brought in a girl against her will, someone who was genuinely a good friend. How could they justify stealing her life like that? I don’t care about any justification regarding how she might be “like them”; it’s fundamentally wrong.  

Art: The style fits perfectly with the story, and I appreciated the visual design, even with the gore—it’s exactly what I expected and came for.  

Characters: I thoroughly enjoyed Kyoko’s character and her kindness until the end when she so easily accepted her suicide attempt. That made me furious. As for Saya, I pitied her for a while because I understand her pain and the downward spiral she faced. However, similar to Kyoko, I can’t accept their sudden shifts so effortlessly. Saya didn’t deserve this fate, but at the same time, her actions as a friend and person were deplorable. While death and suicide are undeniably tragic and not to be taken lightly, given her behavior and choices, she deserved the worst possible outcome.  

Overall: I’d recommend this if you’re into art and horror, but I wouldn’t suggest it for those sensitive to these topics or if you’re like me and struggle to comprehend why these suicidal students change their perspectives so effortlessly.

RED Dizziness  
by radiantfire  

Context:  
For this review, I'll be analyzing Jisatsu Circle by Usamaru Furuya. The concept of the series originates from a movie with the same title. Though not a direct adaptation, it still incorporates the same core elements: troubled children and suicide.  

Story:  
The mass suicide of 54 schoolgirls at Shinjuku station stands as one of the most unforgettable opening sequences in any manga I've ever read. Gruesome and deeply unsettling, this opening scene alone establishes a chilling commentary on the state of contemporary Japanese society. It is with this that Jisatsu Circle introduces one of the most disturbing narratives I have encountered.  

Art:  
The horror theme of the manga is significantly enhanced by its art style. Characters are depicted pragmatically, bodies are realistically torn apart, and moods and emotions are vividly conveyed through facial expressions. The unique styling of Furuya gives the series a strongly grotesque aesthetic.  

Character:  
Saya is deranged. All the girls in the club are deranged. They mentally and physically destroy themselves in pursuit of a sense of happiness, which, terrifyingly, they find in their deaths. They are, without doubt, the primary source of horror in the series. Through them, Furuya emphasizes the value and profound fragility of life.  

Enjoyment:  
The series provided me with a peculiar experience. While I was thoroughly captivated by the story, I also felt an intense sense of fragility. To be honest, I have never read anything quite like it before. It offered what can best be described as a bittersweet form of enjoyment.  

Conclusion:  
Jisatsu Circle delivers a horrifying and unsettling examination of Japanese contemporary society. It prompts us to question not only the state of their world but also our own mental well-being. A deeply sickening and profoundly depressing piece of horror, Jisatsu Circle is certainly not for the faint-hearted.

Well, I've seen other reviews here crying about how disturbing it is or whatnot...  

Story: 6  
I don't really think it's THAT disturbing, but rather a bit disappointing in terms of execution. The mangaka is quite skilled at delivering grim stories, but unfortunately, I don't see a very realistic portrayal of the whole "Mitsuko" incident. People talk about Mitsuko as if she's some kind of sage, that she brings tangible benefits, and that they feel peaceful when they look at her.  

Oh right, and regarding the dead people business—it wasn’t explained properly, in my opinion. There are significant gaps between major events. For instance, after the train mass suicide, didn’t the police or counselors approach "the only girl who survived"? Plus, there are several odd points—like why no one questioned why high school and middle school girls from different schools gathered at one place? And how did Saya gain so many followers over just a summer?  

Considering this was completed in a month, I can't say too much against it. But it's quite a shame because most of the content seems to be steeped in tragedy and horror. In my opinion, it wasn't very solid. The ending wasn't great either—I don't understand how Kyouko and Saya suddenly became close again; it feels rushed.  

Art: 7  
I'm not a fan of the naked child scenes, but aside from that, it was decent. Except for Yoko's face—sometimes it looks a bit off, especially the placement of her eyes.  

Character: 5  
There’s some character development, mainly to justify the emergence of 'Mitsuko-chan'.  

Enjoyment: 6  
Ugh, it leaves a bad aftertaste, and the experience while reading it wasn't great either.  

Overall: 6  
Overall, I didn’t like it, but it’s not a terrible series. It isn’t a direct retelling of the original movie with the same name; it’s been modified by the mangaka with the permission of the original creator. And it was created within a month.  

P.S. Check out the mangaka's other works, like Picasso's ?? and 51 Ways to Protect Your Lover, to truly appreciate his talent!

Disturbing.  

I came across this manga while searching for something short to read. Suicide has always fascinated me—it represents the ultimate act of giving up and seeking comfort in death. It’s one of those few things that those with a strong will to live can never truly grasp, which is why I was eager to dive into this story.  

Story: Unfortunately, this manga leaned more toward horror (perhaps unsurprisingly) rather than offering profound psychological insight, leaving me relatively unimpressed by the end. The manga starts with a shocking scene of mass suicide, throwing you into the chaos without explanation. While the shock factor initially intrigued me, as it likely does most readers, I soon realized this was the sole element keeping me engaged. The narrative didn’t delve deeply into the minds of the girls who joined the "suicide club," nor did it explore much about the protagonist's emotions—things just happened. Maybe it’s my limited exposure to Japanese culture, but despite the protagonist's tragic upbringing, I found myself unable to relate or feel sympathy. Instead, the entire experience felt unrealistic and deliberately designed to disgust. By the conclusion, nothing is resolved; there’s no depth. The story succeeds as a horror manga, though, so I’ll give it a 7/10 for that.  

Art: The artwork was solid and effectively amplified the dark, unsettling tone of the story. Bodies are drawn proportionally, and the depictions of violence are brutally realistic. The characters are consistently unattractive, and the creators clearly went all out to make this manga as disturbing as possible. Every detail contributes to its eerie atmosphere.  

At this point, I don’t feel motivated to analyze the other aspects in detail as I usually would. The characters, like the story, were two-dimensional at best. While the plot kept me reading due to its suspenseful nature, it offered no real value or insight. It wasn’t thought-provoking, the art wasn’t breathtaking, and the characters failed to evoke any genuine emotional response. This manga exists purely to disturb—to shock and unsettle—and it accomplishes that goal well. If they had explored the concept of suicide more thoroughly, examining its causes and effects on various individuals from multiple angles while preserving the existing ominous mood, it could have been far superior. Overall: 6/10

Not like the film, yet unique as its own piece of art.<br /><br />I got into the manga since I learned it was inspired by a movie sharing the same name and concept. At first, I assumed it might be an adaptation, but it's certainly not. It shares the same starting idea, yet diverges in plot right from the beginning.<br /><br />The narrative takes on a completely different path. Its concept is unsettling, and it unfolds in a chilling manner. The characters are intriguing too, and their pain is depicted convincingly.<br /><br />However, the issue lies in the fact that despite providing some closure, the answers given aren't satisfying. It concludes with a sense of "incompleteness".<br /><br />Nevertheless, I still suggest it for those who enjoy horror and mystery. It's engaging and enjoyable.<p>