Characters

Yukari Kobayakawa (小早川 紫)

A famous 17-year-old author known for Edo-period historical fiction. His accuracy comes from his past-life memories as Yuumurasaki, a courtesan in Yoshiwara. He’s laid-back, easily absorbed in writing, and not great at day-to-day life without help. As the story progresses, he investigates the secrets behind Yuumurasaki’s sudden death.

Mahoro Tachibana (真秀)

Yukari’s classmate, super-fan, and someone who seems connected to his past life. Yukari notices a burn mark on her wrist that triggers memories, and he becomes convinced she’s tied to the reincarnated souls surrounding his mystery.

Hitoha (ヒトハ)

A shy apprentice in the brothel where Yuumurasaki works. She has a traumatic history and trusts Yuumurasaki more than anyone. Yukari later meets a modern-day fan who seems to be Hitoha’s reincarnated soul—carrying echoes of the same fear and pain.

Masa (マサ)

Yukari’s kind older housemaid who keeps his life functioning—meals, sleep, school, cleaning, and organizing manuscripts. After an injury, her nephew steps in to replace her temporarily.

Katsuhiko Satomi (里見)

Masa’s nephew and Yukari’s temporary housekeeper. He takes the job after losing his previous work and housing benefits. Yukari and Mahoro both feel uneasy around him, and Yukari suspects he might be tied to the past-life death mystery.

Yuumurasaki (湯村崎)

The top courtesan (oiran) in Yoshiwara—kind to her assistants and admired in Edo. When Yukari sleeps, he lives as Yuumurasaki in his dreams, trying to uncover who killed her (him) in that past life.

Kazuma (和真)

A bodyguard at Tatsutaya, fiercely loyal to Yuumurasaki. He has a burn-like mark similar to Mahoro’s. He monitors Yuumurasaki closely because her behavior becomes strange when Yukari inhabits her body during dreams.

Takamura Shizuka (高村静香)

A frequent customer of Tatsutaya and a feared witch-doctor in Edo. Rumors say he can curse people to death if paid. Yuumurasaki isn’t afraid of him, but Yukari suspects Shizuka may be hiding something—and possibly connected to the murder.

Publication Info

Original Japanese releases and North American releases for the collected volumes.

Reception

• YALSA listed Yukarism as one of the 15 top graphic novels for teens in North America.
• Anime News Network reviewer Rebecca Silverman praised its interesting concept and historical setting.

My Roulette Review

First Impressions

The concept is instantly addictive: a modern teen novelist who’s basically “cheating” because he remembers living the Edo period firsthand. The reincarnation hook gives the story momentum, and the Yoshiwara setting adds glamour + tension + danger in the background. In simple terms we all would love to back in time to a cool historical period. I myself thought about “how cool” it would be to go to Edo Period Japan…… In realistic terms that is not the best. I say this because the Edo Period was ruthless full of corruption, and uncertainty. Also as a woman you were to be married or be a courtesan, or plainly just die at the hands of MANY people since it really was one of the major BOOMS for Japan but it was also not an easy time for the common people. I would say the manga was well executed for a manga that is only 4 volumes. It gave me all the points I needed but also closed it off perfectly. Although I wish there was an anime for it, I know it won’t likely happen since barely anyone has heard of it, read it or even know it exists.

What Hits

• Reincarnation mystery:the “who killed me?” thread makes it bingeable.
• Historical texture:Yoshiwara, oiran hierarchy, and social pressure make the setting feel lived-in.
• Dual-life tension: modern Yukari vs. dream-life Yuumurasaki creates built-in emotional whiplash.

Where It Can Get Messy (in a good roulette way)

• Intensity level: the setting includes themes of confinement and exploitation—read with the right mindset.
• Suspicion everywhere: the cast is written so you side-eye basically everyone (Satomi + Shizuka especially).

TL;DR

If you want historical romance with a reincarnation mystery and a setting that feels both beautiful and dangerous, Yukarism is a solid roulette spin.