There are two universal truths in today’s rapidly changing comics industry. The first is that Dog Man is the defining blockbuster of our era. The second is that more people are reading manga and Webtoons (aka vertical scroll comics) than ever before. Therefore we at Comics Beat have returned to our Beat’s Bizarre Adventure. Every week we’ll have three writers recommend some of their favorite books and series from Japan, Korea and elsewhere. This week we have evil classmates, cyberpunk, and, of course, romance! What, you thought that romance was dead now that February is over? I don’t think so, buster.
The Love and Creed of Sae Maki (Sae-ism)
Writer/Artist: Tohru Uchumizu
Translator: Krystal Uyekawa
Publisher: Akita Publishing Co.
Sae-ism follows high school transfer student Misao as she meets and befriends Sae, the most popular girl in her new school. Her new friendship with Sae protects her from bullying. But Sae has a dark side. This is a fascinating series that deals with very real problems like bullying and both emotional and physical violence. But it does so in an outlandish setting that offers up tonal whiplash compared to the more serious skin-crawling moments.
To me that’s the genius of Sae-ism: the more outlandish, over the top, comedic or even ultra violent scenes make the raw, stripped down human moments of darkness even harder to stomach. Sae’s hold over Misao combined with Misao’s fear of standing up for herself are very human elements that give this series its weight.
Granted, the story takes some wildly out of left field swings into the supernatural that I wasn’t expecting. But the cast of characters pin those ideas down in a way that for me made them easier to stomach and accept as a part of the story. As I went along I found myself more intrigued by what was being revealed until the ending ties it all together into a neat bow.
At four volumes the story does end, the final book even ends with the words “Series Complete.” But I recently learned that there are still eleven more books that have been published in Japan and not here, combining to a current total of fifteen volumes. We only have four. I don’t know how the series could continue, and I have no idea if Akita Publishing simply canceled the release here in the U.S., but I need them to pick it back up. So read this. It’s good. — Derrick Crow
Future Agents
Writer/Artist: Pilot-Obvious
Platform: WEBTOON, Tapas
Webcomics are my bread and butter; there’s just such a variety of stories across genres told in their raw, unrestrained form. Today’s story is Future Agents, a webtoon by Pilot-Obvious for young adults that began publication in 2022. It is a science fiction thriller centered around 16 year old Maddie Cinder, who, after a chance encounter with a Future Agent, becomes entangled in a world of cyber crimes bleeding out into the physical world.
The art and composition of said art within panels is cinematic and moody. Large rectangular panels substitute a film camera; characters are positioned so that each panel resembles a storyboard or a still frame.. Lots of composition that is less seen in comics as a whole, whether that’s an intentional or unintended goal of the artist. Pilot-Obvious renders the backgrounds and characters with care and attention. I’m honestly amazed they have been able to push out weekly episodes since publication started, even as that schedule has changed since the years went on.
The art also draws inspiration from anime, specifically the 90’s to 00’s art style with how the eyes are drawn as well as adhering to realistic human proportions for the characters. Pilot-Obvious uses simple flats with cell shading and occasional rim lighting to add extra depth, followed by subtle use of color correction to blend the art as much as possible with the scenery and the lighting.
Occasionally, for comedic effect, there will be the usual switch to a chibi-fied art style or reliance on character’s body and facial expressions to work alongside the brief shift in tone and mood. Backgrounds are mostly edited photographs or 3D models but have been carefully integrated into the art so that it is barely noticeable that it is 3D. There is also a use of digital effects to work alongside the theme of cyber crime and the sci-fi vibes Pilot-Obvious is trying to get across.
Story-wise, Future Agents follows Maddie’s journey from the comfort of a mundane life to a darker reality that has always existed in the background. Without spoiling it, it reminds me of some episodes from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. I can ramble on some more, but just know this is a story I’ve been reading for years that deserves a spotlight in today’s bizarre adventures with The Beat.
So if a dark and gritty thriller about a schoolgirl joining a cyber-crime fighting agency that has amazing art, cinematic vibes and the occasional meta post at the end of each episode sounds like your cup of coffee, you can give Future Agents a read right now on Webtoon CANVAS and Tapas.You can also support Pilot-Obvious on Patreon, or check out additional information on the comic’s official site. Until next time, my adorable birb nerds! — Justin Guerrero
Kowloon Generic Romance
Writer/Artist: Mayuzuki Jun
Translator: Amanda Haley
Lettering: Abigail Blackman
Publisher: Yen Press
Kowloon Generic Romance is a beautiful manga by Jun Mayuzuki, the acclaimed creator of After the Rain. This unique series blends sci-fi, mystery, and romance, transporting readers to the enigmatic world of Kowloon Walled City. Once a densely populated, lawless urban enclave in Hong Kong, the city is re-imagined as a place where a nostalgic past intertwines with a dystopian future.
The story revolves around Reiko Kujirai and Hajime Kudou, two real estate agents navigating the chaotic charm of Kowloon Walled City. Reiko, with her curiosity for the new and unknown, contrasts with Hajime, who clings to the city’s old-world allure. Despite their opposing views, a subtle bond begins to form between them. Their mundane routines take a strange turn after which Reiko seeks answers about the past she can not recall.
The manga stands out for Jun Mayuzuki’s delicate and evocative art style which seamlessly captures the gritty charm of Kowloon. It is a vivid portrayal of a real-world location steeped in history. Kowloon Walled City, known for its tight, maze-like architecture and lawless nature, is brought to life with exquisite detail. Fans of Wong Kar Wai‘s atmospheric films will find themselves immersed in a similar mood, where longing and mystery linger in every panel. This intricate setting enhances the emotional depth of the story while providing a nostalgic escape. With an anime adaptation and a live-action movie slated for 2025, the world of Kowloon Generic Romance is poised to captivate an even wider audience.
The story’s slow-burn approach can be both a strength and a hurdle. For every mystery resolved, new questions emerge, weaving an intricate but sometimes perplexing narrative. But it is important for the depth of the story. Readers who stay to the end will understand when I say, “Hajime’s stubbornness about resisting everything new will make a lot of sense later on, trust me”.
Kowloon Generic Romance is anything but generic. With its compelling characters, striking visuals, and narrative brimming with secrets, it offers a distinctive blend of romance and sci-fi. If you’re drawn to stories that transport you to another world while exploring the complexities of human connection, memory and nostalgia, then this manga is a must-read. Prepare to lose yourself in the haunting beauty of Kowloon Walled City—you won’t regret it. — Ilgın Side Soysal
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