My Review

This first volume introduces Kitahara Kei, a brilliant screenwriter whose talent has made him famous, but whose success comes with a disturbing pattern. The people he uses as inspiration for his protagonists keep ending up dead. Haunted by guilt and convinced his writing brings misfortune, Kei abandons the pen and falls into drinking, despair, and self-destruction.

Then he meets Youichi, a young amateur photographer who finds him collapsed in the street. Youichi’s changing expressions, soft smile, and quiet intensity pull Kei back toward creativity, even though Kei fears that using him as inspiration may only lead to another tragedy.

What immediately stands out is the atmosphere. Teki Yatsuda’s artwork is gorgeous, with cinematic paneling, elegant character expressions, and a moody historical backdrop that makes every page feel heavy with emotion. The writing leans poetic and dramatic, which works beautifully when the story is focused on Kei’s guilt and his growing fascination with Youichi.

That said, this volume is not exactly light reading. The pacing is fast, the emotional tone is intense, and the supernatural idea surrounding Kei’s “cursed” writing can feel a little confusing at times. It is the kind of story where the style is very strong, sometimes almost stronger than the plot itself.

What I Loved

• The artwork is beautiful, elegant, and cinematic.
• The post-war atmosphere gives the story a heavy emotional weight.
• Kei and Youichi have a fascinating, intense dynamic.
• The writing has a poetic, melancholic feeling.
• It feels unique compared to a lot of softer BL releases.