Manga Review: Shinsoku Kiss Vols. One & Two

[Eric]

Title: Shinshoku Kiss
Volumes: 1-2
Mangaka: Kazuko Higashiyama
Originally Serialized in: Genzo (Gentosha)
Genre: Drama, Supernatural
Licensed by: Tokyopop
Price: $9.99/US

Kotoko’s dream is to make dolls. She only hopes that she can one day make them as realistic and incredibly beautiful as those produced by her idol, the doll-maker known as Fool. Her dreams of Fool as a mysterious artist who might guide her into greatness are shattered, however, when she's kidnapped by his assistant, kissed on the hand by the artist himself, and informed that she is going to die if she doesn’t work for him. Now, surrounded by a host of weird characters, Kotoko struggles to find the reasons behind Fool’s strange behavior.

Higashiyama, artist from the manga Tactics, is in fine drawing form here, but her story lacks some important elements. I liked the main characters quite a bit—flustered, but determined Kotoko; high and mighty, but troubled Fool/Yuta and shy, silent Takuto. Higashiyama ties their strings of fate together in a fashion that is believable and works in the story. Unfortunately it’s the details of the story that don’t quite mesh together. Many elements aren’t fully explained, especially the all-important encroachers which allow the doll makers to steal people’s attractive qualities. By not fully explaining them, and just dumping them into the story, Higashiyama mutes some of the horror elements which should exist.

This series is a great choice for readers who like their bishies pretty. Beautiful men abound here, as do gorgeous goth-loli inspired outfits. There are a lot of poses of stunning kisses and draping vines as the encroachers do their work. Unfortunately all the attractive qualities also seem to dim the horror, keeping the story from being fully realized. If you’re a fan of Higashiyama’s work from Tactics, then I think you’ll probably enjoy this as well. If you are a fan of Mizuki Hakase or Mitsukazu Mihara, looking for more gothic horror, then you’ll probably be attracted by the art, but left slightly disappointed by the story.

Reviewer: Snow Wildsmith
Proofer: Eduardo Menendez
Editor: Lissa Pattillo