Shadows House

Emilico is just one of many "Living Dolls" serving in the Shadows House, residents of which are pitch black from head to toe and constantly leak soot that stains the house black. Each "Shadow" is partnered with a Doll, which strangely resembles the other. As a Living Doll, Emilico must keep the house sparkling clean as well as act as the face for her master, Kate. In turn, Kate supports Emilico and treats her as her confidant.

As far as either of them can remember, this has always been the way their world works. However, the bond between a Shadow and a Doll isn't quite clear. Administrators watch over the young pairs from the higher levels of the mansion and judge them—but for what purpose?

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Shadows House has been published in English by Yen Press since July 12, 2022. It has also been published in Polish by Waneko since June 7, 2021.

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Kate

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Emilico

Main

John

Supporting

Shaun

Supporting

Barbie

Supporting

Patrick

Supporting

Lou

Supporting

Rum

Supporting

Maryrose

Supporting

Ricky

Supporting

Reviews

Feb 16, 2023

ludiio

Recommended

Preliminary (155/? eps)

Shadows House sadly belongs to one of the most underrated pieces of fiction I've witnessed so far, simply because the premise is not appealing enough for most people, and therefore it is ignored by the mainstream. But what people miss out on through this is easily one of the best told and most unique mystery stories you can find. If you already liked TPN, then this is even better.

Going into this, one might think that it's a simple slice of life just in a very obscure scenario whose plot only goes further for the sake of some self-contained storylines. But the truth is, once you ... get more and more involved, you realize that things are much more connected and play together in a way that you didn't even consider first. The plan for the plot and setting seems to have been certain from the beginning on.

Starting relatively simple with only the two main characters who merely get to know each other at the beginning, more and more characters and plot points get introduced after time, simultaneously with new arising questions while also getting a continuous darker tone.
While other mystery stories often fail to execute its own resolutions to their plot by lazily adding more and more elements to its own lore (making it seem like a forced scenario by the author), Shadows House meanwhile manages to keep a systematical vibe throughout the story which characterizes through having tons of details and foreshadowings from the beginning on that help to point out to much later plot points in a great logical way.
As you progress, you repeatedly get tiny bits of information that slowly make you realize the thoughtful concept behind the shadows house and its mysteries. And in the middle of nowhere you occasionally get to witness some bigger reveal that turns the whole plot into another direction. Overall the whole story is very intelligently written.

Thanks to the very unique concept, you also get confronted with topics that usually don't get addressed in other fictional works. The unusual scenarios and their philosophical background make a particular basis for deeper thoughts.
Another point are the various characters that all play their own part in the shadows house. Having the main focus on children might turn off some people, but it is indeed an important part of the plot that makes certain things possible in the first place. Also because of its concept, it again opens new ways for unique character traits and interactions. Each character has its own quirks, but they are all still very likeable (or at least understandable) to some degree, and each has their own development process. Especially Kate is an incredibly good character.

Lastly I want to point out the very enjoyable art style of the manga which also happens to be colored as the standard. Speaking from an anime view point, I only got to read the manga after chapter 80, but I think besides one little arc being changed, there is not much difference. Also while writing this, Shadows House is still far away from being finished, so there is still a lot of potential in the air for waaaaay more twists and turns.
Summarized I can highly recommend to read this manga or at least watch the anime first.

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Nov 22, 2022

eednamoj

Recommended

Preliminary (148/? eps)

This manga took me by storm. I'm a huge fan of the ones that start out innocent, even possibly mistaken as a kids show, only to get incredibly dark. In that sense, this manga hits the spot perfectly.

But the plot itself is great. The author sets up a solid foundation and links back to things from the very beginning that you wouldn't think twice about at that point - but not so that you forget it happened. It makes you go, "Holy shit! THAT's what that meant!?"

The characters are amazing. Really great development. It's rare for a manga that introduces so many characters ...

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Jun 25, 2021

Otaku_cheiroso

Recommended

Preliminary (103/? eps)

"Shadows house" is a mistery, slice of life manga which shows the day by day of Emiliko (the face) and Kate (her's shadow) through the house, as well as their intereactions with the other shadows and faces that live in that same house. In this universe "faces" reconize themselves as living dolls, and therefore, they have the ultimate purpouse of serving their shadow, by cleaning this "dust" their masters release, performing good-night kisses, or even making the facial expressions of the feelings, that is somethig shadows can't do.

Story: 10
The manga has great qualities in story, especially because of the way the story-telling is built, by ...

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Poll: Shadows House Chapter 209 Discussion KM_31 - Jan 26	3 replies	by MomoSinX »» Jan 30, 11:05 AM
Poll: Shadows House Chapter 210 Discussion LastLuminescence - Jan 29	1 replies	by KM_31 »» Jan 29, 6:35 PM
Shadows House Manga Enters Final Arc and Goes on Hiatus Andrete - Jul 18, 2024	7 replies	by Stars-Soul »» Jan 28, 9:04 AM
Poll: Shadows House Chapter 208 Discussion LastLuminescence - Jan 15	2 replies	by KM_31 »» Jan 17, 9:39 AM
Poll: Shadows House Chapter 200 Discussion LastLuminescence - Jul 30, 2024	4 replies	by landofthekwt »» Jan 13, 9:09 PM

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