Chii-chan
Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan

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"Chii-chan" by Shuuzou Oshimi can be considered an example of a promotional manga done right. It looks very good, it's entertaining to read, it has an actual complete story that is well told, it's short, and it really does a great job in encouraging the readers to at least check out the trailer for the movie this manga is meant to promote ("Doku Musume" directed by Eisuke Naitou").

The art, as expected from Oshimi-sensei, is polished and full of beautiful-looking close-ups, showing characters and their faces in a detailed way. Speaking about its characters, they are alright. There are three main characters who are attending the ... same class: Yuua, Koudai, and Chii. They are different from each other, but all have realistic designs (well, apart from Chii) and represent realistic behavior (well, again, apart from Chii). Psychological elements are very common in Oshimi-sensei's manga. This one has them as well. On a side note, Oshimi-sensei designed the character design for one character, mostly about whom this manga is about (Chii-chan).

The story is full of mysteries, giving off a thriller feel or even horror vibes at times. One could say that the story is as simple as this manga's characters. Well, that wouldn't be far from the truth, but in Chii-chan's case, that kind of narration and story's structure work the best. The manga is a short one, since its length is just 1 volume consisting of 10 chapters. Enough to tell a cool story, but not enough to pretend or try hard to write something more complex. It allowed the "Chii-chan" manga to end up with an entertaining and satisfying work of art without pretending or trying too hard to come up with something more complex and failing in the end.

Like I already hinted at the beginning of this review, this manga is something I'd personally consider a model promotional manga. It was really fun to read, and it made me interested in watching the "Doku Musume" movie. I hope I will have the opportunity to do it in the future. However, if you don't plan to watch the movie, fear not! This manga is worth giving it a try anyway. It's simply a nice one, as simple as that.

The blurb sounded really cool – dark. It does start pretty unhinged and like the beginning of a slowly creeping horror story, but then focuses a bit (too much for my taste) on a hetero romance and I wanted to barf. However, I had a bad feeling about the guy’s trying-too-hard-to-be-good vibe from the beginning and turned out I was right. That relationship does develop into a disgusted moment.
Worse is, it’s not a horror-fantasy type of moment, it’s incredibly realistic for a lot of women – mainly, but not only. The peak evilness of humanity which even makes the devil cry.

I hate ... him so much, I can’t believe I actually felt bad for him when his father physically abused him. That I actually gave him a chance. PFF, listen to your gut, people.
Well, I mean, the physical abuse probably is the reason why he turned into such an ass. BUT it makes me love Chi even more. She showed him how asses like him are dealt with! How feminists should deal with asses like him in real life. Should be sold as a guide-book, in fact. (Do make sure to read it in secrecy and don’t tell any republicans/misogynists, because they will ban the book.)

I hope there’ll be a manga continuation, cause I’m not really into watching horror/thriller movies. I prefer reading these genres, especially in graphic novel format – horror simply looks better drawn than live acted, IMO. Although it is a neat idea to have a prequel of and ad for a movie in comic form.
Though I’d be curious why it’s called “toxic daughter”. Based on this prequel alone, it should be “toxic children”.

~

4.5 stars leaning to the 4th cause that one scene did make me very uncomfortable, especially cause there are no trigger warnings regarding that whatsoever. Having blood and such in a horror novel, okay, expected, but not romance-related violence. And, also, Yua was sometimes too quiet, it got a bit annoying. Understandable, but annoying.
I don’t really like anyone from the characters, except Chi, but they’re well made from a writer’s perspective – and have lots of depth for the length.

~

Thank you to Kodansha on Netgalley for an eARC.

-30.03.25