Doe Eyed

This is probably one of the best books on here I have read so far!

I want Allen to accept him whole heartedly and listen to his explaination. I hope to read the next chapters of tho novel. Or the completed stories. Please. Please writer finish writing the story. Thanks for you brilliant mind for sharing this novel to us. Two thumbs up??

Believers is a gripping drama that feels like it could easily be adapted into a live-action film directed by Lars von Trier or another unconventional director known for pushing their actors to emotional extremes.  

The story revolves around three cult members stranded on a small island off the coast of Japan, participating in a purification program aimed at transforming them into superior beings. Their regimen consists of mental exercises, meditation, eating, and sleeping, but beneath this veneer of simplicity lies a cauldron of secret desires, betrayal, paranoia, death, and mutilation.  

It’s no surprise that isolating three people on an island leads to chaos, especially when their food supplies dwindle due to a lack of deliveries from their financially and legally troubled organization. This narrative draws parallels to the 1995 Aum Shinrikyo sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway. Published in 1999, the manga captures the anxieties of the millennial era, focusing on the lesser-known individuals involved in the incident. Author Naoki Yamamoto masterfully isolates these characters from mainland events, heightening the tension as ordinary people are gradually pushed to their limits. Believers excels in this regard, steadily increasing the pressure until the inevitable explosion.  

The three characters are richly developed, each with compelling backstories. Watching them interact—sometimes physically—is both fascinating and unsettling. The lust that emerges is intense, while the paranoia, suspicion, and jealousy masked by hierarchy feel all too real.  

As emotions escalate, one character's behavior becomes increasingly selfish and transparent, yet the others, weakened by their circumstances, struggle to resist absurd demands and erratic actions bordering on satirical if not for their disturbing authenticity.  

The true strength of Believers lies in its depiction of how easily humans succumb to external influences, relying on outside validation rather than inner strength. The characters' vulnerability highlights the folly of joining the cult and willingly isolating themselves on the island, leading to a descent into primal instincts driven by bloodlust.  

The story builds to a terrifying climax before resolving in a satisfying manner that avoids excess, offering a sense of liberation. Ultimately, the tale is about finding freedom—a theme woven throughout the narrative.

Believers is an adult psychological manga with a touch of mystery. It revolves around a small sub-division of a well-organized pop-culture cult, set on a remote island in Japan.

Story: 8/10

The narrative begins by following the main characters' daily activities on the island, working tirelessly for their "compatriots." The early chapters are somewhat peculiar, with characters bearing titles like "Chairman" and "Operator," mindlessly chanting to a cassette recording of the cult leader, and discussing dreams over meager food rations. The intrigue was what kept me reading; I wanted to uncover the reasons behind their bizarre actions and, after a few hints at their ultimate goal, I was eager to learn what it entailed.

Without a dramatic twist, the story might have grown dull. However, when more explicit themes emerged, drama abounded. I found the introduction of the hentai aspect somewhat unrealistic and clichéd, but that's typical of Japanese storytelling. This is one of those narratives that concludes in a way that makes you ponder what just transpired, questioning reality versus illusion—a hallmark of psychological stories. If you seek a conclusive ending, this manga isn't for you.

Art: 6/10

Believers' art leans more towards realism than traditional manga style. To me, the artist lacked consistency in character depiction. Sometimes men had visible facial hair, other times they didn't. Occasionally, they were drenched in sweat, while at other times, not at all. The visibility of irises in the eyes fluctuated as well. Though the bodies were proportionate without major distractions, the faces occasionally appeared discombobulated, almost resembling blow-up dolls. This was particularly bothersome. Initially, I had to rely on specific physical traits to distinguish characters, as they all looked similar—wearing identical clothes and eventually sporting the same hairstyle. Only subtle differences, like a headband or slight variations in eye shape, helped differentiate them. The art seemed rushed, merely functional for storytelling. There were no standout panels, and these inconsistencies could have been resolved with more attention to detail. It almost felt as though the artist didn't fully commit.

Characters: 7/10

Initially, the characters seemed like stock figures, merely acting out their respective roles. It was rather bland. However, I scored this section a 7 because the characters do evolve. One undergoes a forced transformation, prompting changes in others. While individuality remains limited, some character development emerges. In my view, growth is preferable to static portrayals.

Overall: 7/10

Believers offers a concise, intriguing read if you're interested in survival and cult themes. It also introduces an interesting tidbit about dreams that sparked my curiosity for further exploration. I perceived it as a darker, sadder manga, but interpretations vary based on one's views on cults and the ending. Psychological stories thrive on open interpretation. Nevertheless, given the seemingly rushed art and the characters' dryness, I believe this story would have flourished better as a light novel.

Believers is a manga that can be incredibly unsettling when it needs to be. It's not that there are any overtly scary events, but witnessing the characters endure suffering at the hands of an indifferent and manipulative force is both infuriating and emotionally wrenching. The manga often includes graphic content, yet the scenarios portrayed mirror harsh realities in our own world. The story revolves around three members of the “Happy Smile” cult who are sent to a deserted island for a purification program aimed at achieving a higher state of existence. These members are supposed to focus solely on eating, sleeping, and meditating throughout their journey. What initially appears to be an inspiring challenge for the members takes a dramatic turn as their idealistic vision starts clashing with reality.  

Believers is an excellent manga, excelling in both quality and the lasting impact it leaves on readers. While some inconsistencies might stop it from being classified as "a masterpiece," this psychological drama remains highly underrated. At just 22 chapters, it's absolutely worth reading—even if only to understand the buzz surrounding it.  

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First, some background information. Naoki Yamamoto's 'Believers' draws inspiration from the Subway Sarin Incident perpetrated by the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo, which led him to explore a book about the Japanese Red Army (JRA). The JRA was a terrorist group aiming to overthrow the Japanese government and spark a global revolution. In this book, Yamamoto encountered firsthand accounts from former JRA members detailing their experiences. Aptly titled 'Believers,' the series is Yamamoto's exploration of what might occur if individuals fervently committed to an extreme ideology were isolated together. The narrative also takes significant cues from Jonestown and its late leader, Jim Jones, as well as the video game culture of the 90s.

'Believers' centers on three cult members—two men and one woman—who participate in the “Deserted Island Program.” This program aims to “purify” them from modern society's corrupting influences. The characters don't use their birth names; they're referred to by their rank titles—Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Operator. Their daily routine includes meditating in a triangle formation with each other's feet touching, analyzing dreams to cleanse themselves of impurities, testing supposed “psychic” powers, listening to their “master” via radio transmissions, and reporting progress to higher-ranking cult members. Celibacy and honesty are paramount virtues, while sexual thoughts are akin to heresy, punishable by spending a night buried up to the chest in sand to purge the body of its “poison.”

'Believers' starts as a mystery that gradually reveals itself as the story unfolds and the characters spiral into madness. At its heart, 'Believers' is a romance, though labeling it as such oversimplifies its complexity. The tale brims with black comedy, drama, and psychological elements. A recurring theme is the erosion of the boundary between dream and reality, leaving it unclear whether events depicted are real or merely distorted perceptions. It evokes comparisons to Satoshi Kon's work, a high compliment indeed. Yamamoto skillfully contrasts the perils of blind obedience with the mindless contentment of having thoughts dictated. Readers root for the characters' success while recognizing their predicament stems from personal negligence. Their conflicts are as much internal as external. A dominant theme involves the suppression of human desires, particularly sex, a recurring motif in all of Yamamoto's manga.

Yamamoto ranks among the more divisive mangaka due to his focus on erotic manga, leading many to dismiss his work outright. However, the inclusion of sex serves a purpose beyond mere Hentai. As sex symbolized liberation in 'Arigatou,' it fulfills a similar role in 'Believers.' Rarely has an author used sex as intelligently as Yamamoto. Despite censored or obscured genitalia, nothing is left to the imagination. One chapter is entirely dedicated to sexual acts, which, while occasionally seeming gratuitous, shouldn't deter readers from experiencing an otherwise compelling manga.

The story's weakest point lies in its conclusion. It seems Yamamoto crafted the first 20 chapters without considering how to end the series. Consequently, tying up loose ends within limited time feels rushed and poorly planned. This doesn't entirely undermine prior achievements but could have been better executed. Another minor issue is excessive dialogue. For instance, a scene where the Chairman explains a script idea features pages filled with unprecedented amounts of text.

Regarding art, 'Believers' marks Yamamoto's first solo-drawn manga, entirely created on a tablet. While commendable, results vary. The main characters resemble each other too closely, sharing similar body types, hairstyles, facial features, and attire throughout the story. Matters worsen when the Vice Chairman cuts her hair, exacerbating identification issues. Inconsistency in character depiction from panel to panel further complicates matters, especially noticeable with varying facial hair thickness. Yamamoto's preference for thin lines diminishes depth, causing characters to blend into white backgrounds and creases in t-shirts to appear merely as lines. Nonetheless, the setting redeems the artwork somewhat. The island, based on the Second Sea Fortress off Tokyo Bay, benefits from effective long shots showcasing detailed landscapes. Overall, the art is serviceable but not exceptional. As always, Yamamoto prioritizes storytelling over artistic finesse in 'Believers.'

Recommending 'Believers' hinges on one's tolerance for explicit sexual content, abundant here. If appreciated for its intent, 'Believers' appeals to diverse audiences. Yamamoto himself stated genre indifference, a key strength of 'Believers'—there's something for everyone (except minors). Given its short completion time, it might be worth exploring.

Imagine three individuals stranded on an island. Now, imagine that they chose to be there in order to "redeem" themselves. Intriguing scenario, isn't it? "Believers" is a psychological drama manga that delves into the daily lives of three cult members isolated on an island.

The plot is relatively simple: three members of a cult participate in the "Desert Island Program," choosing to live on a remote island to cleanse themselves from the corruption of society. This purification occurs in two ways: through mental exercises that involve sharing everything, even secrets, and peculiar meditation techniques. As one might expect, it's unlikely that three people can endure for long without succumbing to basic human desires, especially when the cult organization ceases delivering food to the island.

This is where "Believers" excels; it vividly portrays human nature through subtle, realistic events and compelling storytelling. Themes of jealousy, lust, paranoia, betrayal, and death are all present, depicted authentically through the characters. The narrative effectively captures the essence of many cults: blind obedience to orders without question, and the potential consequences of such behavior.

The cast is not extensive, focusing primarily on the three individuals on the island. The characters are well-developed, with two being weak-willed and the third exhibiting strong determination. This dynamic is bound to lead to conflict; as time progresses, the demands become increasingly absurd, intertwined with jealousy, disdain, and paranoia. Occasional interactions with outsiders highlight the madness that can arise from unwavering faith.

The art style is not particularly remarkable. There are occasional inconsistencies in the illustrations, but it serves its purpose adequately.

Overall, "Believers" is an engaging read with a fascinating story that realistically portrays human nature. With a satisfying and convincing conclusion, "Believers" essentially tells the tale of humans attempting to escape the oppressive reality and monotony of societal life.

Thank you for reading.

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O shit get out and kill that uncle