The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

Bro is spitting facts. He should have died long ago, but unfortunately the author only likes to kill people close to Lith.

same case. has it finished?

There's about 100 chapters until it's fully translated.

Then I can read it in full in English and not use MTL.

This story is awesome.

I honestly picked this up because it was relatively brief and available on the Viz app. To some degree, I'm glad I read it. The presentation feels mostly ageless. The artwork is quite impressive and consistently matches the mood, while the panel layouts are standard yet effective. This is likely the most consistently strong aspect of the manga.

That said, the manga itself is rather hit-or-miss. Immortal beings serving as a link for largely standalone stories isn't an entirely original concept, but it's a framing device I appreciate. Unfortunately, this manga doesn't leverage this trope particularly well.

The titular character, Orochi, lacks depth in both characterization and context. Her personality is generic, and the manga doesn't explore any philosophical aspects of immortality. Additionally, there's no clear explanation of her abilities or limitations. She often plays a passive role, and aside from her convenient powers, she could be removed from most stories without much impact. To me, this missed opportunity is the manga's biggest flaw.

Given its episodic nature, it's challenging to generalize about the plots and themes, but there are recurring traits in the stories. Some feature significant plot twists that are logically sound but lack impact due to weak character development and repetitive narratives. Generally, the character writing here is simplistic, with little complexity in morals and motivations (save for one notable exception I'll mention later). The best stories tend to feature likable main characters for this reason. While this might seem obvious to many, several of these stories have protagonists who are both unlikable and shallow.

In my opinion, the standout story was about the boy with the wonderful father. His backstory was exceptionally well-crafted, and the connection between the modern-day events and his past is excellent. It feels like the main character genuinely learns something here. I also enjoyed the tale involving the blind girl.

In the end, the positives and negatives balance each other out. 5/10, it's fairly average overall. Next, I plan to read the author's subsequent work, 'The Drifting Classroom'.

One of the initial and less renowned works by horror master Kazuo Umezu, Orochi comprises nine interconnected tales narrated by the eponymous Orochi. This character appears as a beautiful girl who keenly observes humans she finds intriguing. At times, she steps out of the shadows to intervene in the lives of her subjects, altering their destinies with her supernatural abilities.

In contrast to Umezu's more famous creations, such as Hyouryuu Kyoushitsu (The Drifting Classroom) or Kami no Hidarite Akuma no Migite (Left Hand of God, Right Hand of the Devil), horror, gore, and the supernatural take a backseat, allowing the human characters to take center stage. This series delves into dark secrets, revenge, and accumulated hatred. With Orochi as our guide, we witness the corruption of human hearts without the usual supernatural scapegoats.

A variety of themes are explored, and some stories may appeal more than others. I found some lacking, particularly when compared to Blood, the final tale. All the stories are lengthy for manga standards, averaging over 100 pages, ensuring well-developed characters and plots. The psychological focus might alienate readers expecting a more conventional horror setting. Admittedly, there were moments when I hoped for a darker twist.

The artwork is exceptional. Umezo's traditional drawing skills outshine today's computer-aided mangaka. Each panel is meticulously crafted; the women are strikingly beautiful, and the detailed backgrounds draw readers into the story.

This manga is significant as it clearly influenced Junji Ito, arguably Umezu's successor and a horror master in his own right. The beautiful women, existential dread, and heavy panels echo in Ito's work, though he consistently opts for sinister turns. It's evident this manga was a major inspiration for him.

Orochi is a solid manga, albeit with uneven story quality. If you come across Blood on a bookstore shelf, don't hesitate—the compelling story and stunning artwork make it a worthwhile purchase. 7.5/10.

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?? I love this book

I wanted to thank all of you loyal Alpha Logan readers! I just learned I have placed in 2nd for the Blessed Wolf contest!! I couldn't have imagined coming this far in the competition, and it wouldn't have happened without all of you!

Enjoyed this novel and am looking forward to the sequel.