✦ My Review

To start off, I like the art. I think the cutesy hairstyle works really well, especially for the past and Headspace, and it actually makes some of the creepy parts of the chapter even more unsettling. My only real complaint is that it makes the teen characters look really young, especially real-world Aubrey. I also think it is a little weird seeing Sunny so emotive this early on. Other than that, I absolutely love the art.

I also liked that this story opens by showing a glimpse into the past, specifically the event that basically started it all: Sunny getting his violin for Christmas. Then that moment gets twisted into a nightmare with the first reveal of Hellmari, which works really well as a tone-setter and immediately tells you this manga wants to be eerie, emotional, and uneasy.

My first big issue is the structure. The story starts with “3 Days Left,” which is already several hours into the game’s story. It kind of merges that section with the early real-world material, and while some of that adaptation works, it still feels too early. What made that part of the game hit was the contrast between how Sunny remembered his friends in Headspace and how they turned out in real life. Here, that contrast loses power because the manga has not fully built that foundation yet.

We have not really had enough time in Headspace first, and Sunny’s friends are barely introduced before the story starts expecting the reader to feel the shift. References and emotional beats that would mean a lot to people who played the game may not land the same for someone coming in fresh.

I honestly think it would have worked better if the first chapter had followed the early Headspace content first, then ended with Sunny waking up and seeing Kel. That would have let the manga introduce the friend group properly before showing how much they have changed.

Another issue is pacing. Everything feels very fast. I cannot tell how much of that comes from the original game taking its time, but here a lot of material moves by so quickly that it loses some weight. I also found it odd that Sunny seemingly passes out and that becomes the transition into Omori and Headspace. Maybe it will lead somewhere later, but right now it feels like a strange change.

That said, there is still a lot here that I liked. Most of the characters feel right, even if Sunny comes off more expressive than expected. Omori’s introduction looks really cool. I liked the little text boxes that briefly introduce the characters, especially the ones that mention the party members’ weapons or Hero’s healing through snacks. The Headspace material also includes small details that fans would notice, which I appreciated.

I also think the manga does a strong job visually separating Faraway Town from Headspace. The real world feels grounded and mundane, while Headspace feels like a childlike fantasy. The playground and theme-park-like elements help communicate Sunny’s desire for safety and normalcy, while the creeping shadow imagery tied to Mari reminds you that his grief is contaminating even the places that are supposed to feel comforting.

One thing that may be confusing for new readers is how the manga handles White Space, Headspace, and the shifts back into reality. The transitions are not always clear, and if you do not already know the source material, the significance of these spaces may not come across as strongly as it should.

Basil’s role is another area that feels underexplained in this volume. The manga hints at his importance, and the mystery around him is there, but for someone unfamiliar with the game, it may feel like plot threads are being introduced without enough context. The same goes for some of the emotional and symbolic weight behind what is happening.

I also was not fully sold on how Aubrey is handled here. Granted, this is only the first volume, so that could change later, but she feels harsher than I expected. In the game, there is resentment and pain there, but here the aggression feels amplified in a way that makes her less understandable at this stage.

Even with my issues, I am still interested in seeing what the next chapter does. I am curious what changes the manga will keep making, what gets cut, and whether it will mix in other route material later. There is still enough here to keep me invested, especially because the atmosphere and the art are doing so much heavy lifting.

✦ Final Verdict

OMORI Vol. 1 introduces a lot of promising ideas that are perfect for psychological horror, especially when it comes to trauma, escapism, grief, and fractured memory. Unfortunately, the storytelling does not always connect those ideas together as cleanly as it should.

The biggest saving grace is Nui Konoito’s artwork, which gives the volume a haunting tone that keeps it engaging even when the structure feels uneven. I think fans of the game will probably get more out of this adaptation than brand-new readers, but there is still enough mood, intrigue, and visual strength here to make me curious about what volume two will do.

Final Rating: ★★★☆☆