This is an absolutely fantastic manga, but requires you to give it a chance before it really shines, because the author takes a little bit to pick it up. Once it does take off, it goes straight to Jupiter.
At first, it does really seem initially aimless. The art is pretty much the only good part. There's some fanservice, but nothing out of control (sadly the anime adaptation does exaggerate it). At first, I was only reading because I thought the art was good and I wanted to see what kind of monster designs and strange scenarios the author would come up with, but later, I
...
found myself genuinely invested, as plotlines began to start and characters began to be established more thoroughly.
If there are two themes Mieruko-chan revolves around, it's our relationship with death and family, as well as to learn how to not judge things by their cover. This is honestly very refreshing for horror, though I'm not a big horror nut, so it may be more common than I think. It's often the case that horror generally revolves around feelings of helplessness, of smallness, of despair. Horror often showcases the powerlessness of humanity, as well as its capacity for cruelty. But Mieruko-chan often has a positive message, despite it all, that people often genuinely care for each other and seek their own peace, and that familial trauma and abuse CAN be overcome, and does not have to follow you like a ghastly shadow. Through the stories of those spirits, and of the people around Miko, we learn that the world is often not as terrifying as it may seem on the surface, and the ones we shouldn't trust are often the ones that seem the most innocent. The terrifying, grotesque monster may just be seeking its own form of happiness, rather than your suffering. It's a genuinely emotionally effective story, and rather than comedy or horror, this kind of message is easily Mieruko-chan's greatest strength.
Anyone expecting serious worldbuilding and a complex explanation for all things, as well as bombastic, larger than life characters, will likely be disappointed. You follow the story alongside Miko, who for all intents and purposes is a completely ordinary girl without any huge issues, a juxtaposition to the strange tales that happen around her as consequence of her 'curse'. Miko's main role consists of accidentally playing therapist to the much, much more screwed up people around her, as she learns that both the spirits and the humans can have their own complexities. You learn what little there is to learn with her, but it's clear even the more experienced characters have a poor understanding of what they're dealing with, and simply picked up on some tricks through dealing with the supernatural for much longer than she has. In a way, the mystery of what exactly the spirits are not only enhances them as threats, but also serves as an ongoing hook. The reader is invited to come up with their own interpretations of the strange logic of the ghosts, just as Miko has to in order to survive. Even the mere idea that the ghosts could directly hurt you is really just an assumption, though a fair one.
The comedy is probably the weakest part for me. Other reviews mention that it's the "one joke", which is true. It's somewhat repetitive, and generally speaking, not that interesting. Once the story opens up, though, I believe the comedy becomes more of a secondary priority. While the manga does try to keep a lighthearted tone throughout, when it's time to get serious, it does. I do believe that the tone of the story does serve to further characterize the characters. Ultimately, Miko is a normal girl in a world that perceives itself to be normal, and the main draw are her attempts to live normally despite her condition, lending the manga some SoL characteristics in a bit of a twisted sense. Almost like it could've been one, but is continually disrupted by things Miko has no choice but to deal with. In a way, the more consistent characterization, though criticized by others, to me allows a sense of normality and downtime that is desperately needed in-between the tense encounters with the ghosts. Seeing Miko's peppy, happy-go-lucky friend get up to her usual antics is a huge relief, and it allows both the reader and Miko to breathe. And besides, some of the characters do grow, and we learn more about them as people. It's just a lot more subtle than other stories where characters openly declare the lessons they've learned.
The author clearly takes cues from Junji Ito, with particular inspiration taken from Ito's tendency to 'jumpscare' readers through first establishing a scene that seems normal, or perhaps a little off, and then as the reader turns the page, revealing something utterly horrifying with no leadup and preparation (we've all seen THAT scene. Nobody is ever prepared for THAT scene). It's really the kind of horror that is only possible in manga.
The art itself, even aside the panel and page compositions, is amazing. The spirits have a grotesque, scratchy look to them, which deliberately contrasts with how simple and ordinary the human characters look. When the ghosts choose to reveal themselves, you can clearly tell, alongside Miko, that they do not belong. They are immediately apparent as threats, even if sometimes, they may not be. However, the humans' capacity for expressiveness cannot be understated. The author sells me completely on how terrified Miko is, even as she tries desperately not to show it in order to avoid attracting the ghosts' attention.
Also, just look at some of those page spreads, man. They're crazy!
Ultimately, Mieruko-chan is a great story. Its biggest weaknesses is that it takes a while to get going (even as this review is being written, the story continues to improve and reach new heights, and as such has almost certainly not reached its 'final form' yet. I thought the last arc had an amazing conclusion, but the current one at time of review could be even better! It has me hooked, and I'm dying to see each new monthly release), the comedy isn't amazing, and there is occasionally some unwelcome fanservice (the author kind of seems to have a thing for scared girls? Sure reminds me a lot of Corpse Party... even the bits about having to go to the bathroom). But if you can put up with that, and you stick with it, and you give the story the faith and the chance that it requires, it'll reward you, and it'll touch you almost as much as it can scare you.
Dec 22, 2022
Mieruko-chan
(Manga)
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This is an absolutely fantastic manga, but requires you to give it a chance before it really shines, because the author takes a little bit to pick it up. Once it does take off, it goes straight to Jupiter.
At first, it does really seem initially aimless. The art is pretty much the only good part. There's some fanservice, but nothing out of control (sadly the anime adaptation does exaggerate it). At first, I was only reading because I thought the art was good and I wanted to see what kind of monster designs and strange scenarios the author would come up with, but later, I ... |
