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chroniclesofabookworm
SERIES: フツーと化け物 [Futsū to Bakemono] (#1)
RELEASES: August 26, 2025 by Yen Press
GENRE: Horror, Drama, LGBTQ
AGE RANGE: Teen
RATING: 3 out 5
SYNOPSIS: Socially awkward teenager Itou is jealous of her kind, unassuming classmate Takahashi who gets along with everyone. One day, however, she witnesses Takahashi...devour someone whole. It turns out the girl’s actually a monster-and one who can blend in with humans, no less! Full of admiration, Itou really, really wants to be her friend. Takahashi begins to teach her how to act “normally,” but...will Itou succeed? And what is Takahashi truly after?
REVIEW: Itou, a socially awkward teenager, is jealous of Takahashi, a kind, unassuming classmate who gets along with everyone. Her life changes one day when she witnesses Takahashi devouring someone whole. It turns out the girl is actually a monster-and one who can blend into humans! In awe of her, Itou longs to be her friend. She begins learning how to act "normally" from Takahashi, but will Itou succeed? Takahashi's true goal?
The following is going to make someone mad: I liked it, but I hated it at the same time. There is an interesting premise to the story. However, the pacing felt uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others rushed through crucial developments. Additionally, the character development was lacking, as I wanted more depth and background for both Itou and Takahashi. The ending also left several questions unanswered, leaving me feeling unsatisfied.
The story had potential, but the execution fell short. Some plot points felt unresolved, and the characters' emotional depth was underdeveloped. Despite its flaws, the unique concept kept me engaged, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it could have been much better with tighter storytelling and more nuanced character arcs.
Should I continue reading the next volume? This is the thing, I want to continue, but at the same time, I have no interest in this manga. In summary, while the story's unique premise held promise, its uneven pacing, underdeveloped characters, and unresolved plot points left much to be desired.
