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黒 [Kuro] #1-3
Kuro: The Complete Edition
Keep to the roads, keep your eyes open, and keep away from the mansion on the edge of town!In a world where fearsome monsters lurk just beyond the beaten path, Coco and her pet cat, Kuro, are living it up in the mayor’s mansion! While only the two of them reside there, Kuro’s feline antics provide endless entertainment― chasing balls, performing acrobatics, violently spearing the monsters that stray into the garden...Coco seems blissfully unaware of the danger so close by, but the townspeople can’t say the same! Although Kuro has never threatened Coco or the village before, who knows whether the monster she calls her pet is as fickle as the cat he resembles...?!
392 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2026
About the author
Somato
144 books28 followersAn alternative way to credit Mangaka combo ソウマトウ, as seen on certain editions, namely Italian, Spanish, and English.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 25, 2026
it would be a 2 but the art makes it a 3
the execution SUCKEDDDF i should’ve written this it sounds like something i would write when i was little
the execution SUCKEDDDF i should’ve written this it sounds like something i would write when i was little
July 2, 2026
Let's start with the good, because with a 2-star rating, you know some shit is coming. The art here is great, and the muted color palette is really lovely (about half the book is in color). Kuro the monster cat is awesome, and the macabre tint to the atmosphere is easily the best part. But despite Kuro being the series' namesake, the book feels more focused on a bunch of little girls (more about that later).
Next, the mid. Honestly, the story just isn't that great. Despite the gorgeous art and the rad monster cat, it's kinda boring. I probably would have put it down early if I hadn't forced myself to finish it out of pure spite, because...
My rage. Coco, our main character, is 8 years old. On page 10, just after we meet this sweet little girl, there is a very intentional shadow of her nipple on the edge of the frame. It is just enough to be undeniable, but also just enough to make you question if you are overreacting. However, I do not appreciate being gaslit by manga, and in no universe did that tiny detail need to be included on an 8-year-old character. But it was. Nine pages later, another child character (age 10) is introduced getting dressed with her shirt half off, belly bare, and the contour of her prepubescent chest visible. It is very tame, but that is exactly how gaslighting works. "She's covered! It's fine!" She is TEN. Fuck you.
Thankfully, those unnecessary details were limited to the beginning, and my spite-reading confirmed the rest of the book didn't double down on it (instead, it just bored me). But what I hate even more than those scenes and the many nearly-up-skirt angles in those early pages is the realization of why they are there. Despite being a sweet little story about little girls, this is technically classified as a seinen manga, and it feels as if they are intentionally trying to entice a creepy older male audience into the series by showing gross and teasing shots of these children. It’s infuriating enough being gaslit by scenes like this, but it’s even worse realizing it’s all driven by an industry that prioritizes the systemic sexualization of female and underage characters, and makes creators feel like they have to do shit like this.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go scream into the void.
Next, the mid. Honestly, the story just isn't that great. Despite the gorgeous art and the rad monster cat, it's kinda boring. I probably would have put it down early if I hadn't forced myself to finish it out of pure spite, because...
My rage. Coco, our main character, is 8 years old. On page 10, just after we meet this sweet little girl, there is a very intentional shadow of her nipple on the edge of the frame. It is just enough to be undeniable, but also just enough to make you question if you are overreacting. However, I do not appreciate being gaslit by manga, and in no universe did that tiny detail need to be included on an 8-year-old character. But it was. Nine pages later, another child character (age 10) is introduced getting dressed with her shirt half off, belly bare, and the contour of her prepubescent chest visible. It is very tame, but that is exactly how gaslighting works. "She's covered! It's fine!" She is TEN. Fuck you.
Thankfully, those unnecessary details were limited to the beginning, and my spite-reading confirmed the rest of the book didn't double down on it (instead, it just bored me). But what I hate even more than those scenes and the many nearly-up-skirt angles in those early pages is the realization of why they are there. Despite being a sweet little story about little girls, this is technically classified as a seinen manga, and it feels as if they are intentionally trying to entice a creepy older male audience into the series by showing gross and teasing shots of these children. It’s infuriating enough being gaslit by scenes like this, but it’s even worse realizing it’s all driven by an industry that prioritizes the systemic sexualization of female and underage characters, and makes creators feel like they have to do shit like this.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go scream into the void.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Coco is a little girl who lives in a huge mansion with her black cat Kuro. She tends to everything herself, as there are no adults around, which she never questions. Her days are happy, filled with playing with her cat. Occasionally people visit, like a doctor and tutor, but she has no friends.
But the world outside the mansion is a dangerous place. Humans barely have space to live safely—cleverly shown in progressing maps—as everywhere there are monsters who leech humans. Only a flower growing in Coco’s mansion keeps the monsters away. But Coco can’t see the monsters, the only person like that.
Little by little, Coco’s story unfolds. There’s been an accident she doesn’t remember where she lost her parents. She’s fine, but Kuro didn’t return as he used to be. Everyone else knows he’s now a monster but Coco. They want to get rid of it, but it turns out, Kuro is there to keep Coco safe.
This was a rather sad story of loss and grieving. Every friend Coco makes eventually tries to make her see Kuro is a monster. But Kuro is her only friend, and she chooses him every time. Ending is … happyish. Everyone is satisfied, at least, and only the reader knows the truth. Art is full colour—most of the volume—and lovely. This contains the entire story, three volumes, and it concludes here.
I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
But the world outside the mansion is a dangerous place. Humans barely have space to live safely—cleverly shown in progressing maps—as everywhere there are monsters who leech humans. Only a flower growing in Coco’s mansion keeps the monsters away. But Coco can’t see the monsters, the only person like that.
Little by little, Coco’s story unfolds. There’s been an accident she doesn’t remember where she lost her parents. She’s fine, but Kuro didn’t return as he used to be. Everyone else knows he’s now a monster but Coco. They want to get rid of it, but it turns out, Kuro is there to keep Coco safe.
This was a rather sad story of loss and grieving. Every friend Coco makes eventually tries to make her see Kuro is a monster. But Kuro is her only friend, and she chooses him every time. Ending is … happyish. Everyone is satisfied, at least, and only the reader knows the truth. Art is full colour—most of the volume—and lovely. This contains the entire story, three volumes, and it concludes here.
I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Coco is all alone in a big mansion with her trusty cat companion, Kuro. Kuro seems a little odd with his razor-like circular mouth and all black fur who likes to laze in the sun and get into trouble. Coco doesn't know any better and can't see the monsters that are creeping around the town and near the mansion but everyone does like to talk about Coco and her situation with her parents being dead and her inability to see Kuro for what the cat could be. Coco is befriended by a few little girls and has a gaggle of community members who want to keep her safe and protected.
I love the play on the innocence of the situation mixed with the seriousness of the monsters that are around reminding me of one of my favorite manga Siúil, a Rún: The Girl From the Other Side, Vol. 1. For a younger crowd to read manga, this has the mild spookiness that is creative.
I will seek out the final finished complete edition since the Edelweiss version isn't the final version with the mix of complete color and black and white.
I love the play on the innocence of the situation mixed with the seriousness of the monsters that are around reminding me of one of my favorite manga Siúil, a Rún: The Girl From the Other Side, Vol. 1. For a younger crowd to read manga, this has the mild spookiness that is creative.
I will seek out the final finished complete edition since the Edelweiss version isn't the final version with the mix of complete color and black and white.
July 17, 2026
First and foremost, I enjoy the art. I enjoy Somato's artstyle and the version I have has the main story chapters colored.
As for the story, my biggest criticism is that the monsters and their quirks don't tie too well with the main plot of Coco accepting her parent's death. Haunts, monsters that take over the corpse of an animal, but we never see that with apply to human bodies. (There is a scene of Coco's parent's walking away from the deadly accident with black smog around their faces, but it doesn't mean much in the narrative). It didn't feel super focused this time.
I enjoyed the story, but I think Shadows House is a better series.
As for the story, my biggest criticism is that the monsters and their quirks don't tie too well with the main plot of Coco accepting her parent's death. Haunts, monsters that take over the corpse of an animal, but we never see that with apply to human bodies. (There is a scene of Coco's parent's walking away from the deadly accident with black smog around their faces, but it doesn't mean much in the narrative). It didn't feel super focused this time.
I enjoyed the story, but I think Shadows House is a better series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2026
3.5
It took me a bit to get into the nearly vignette style storytelling at the beginning of this book. My enjoyment grew along with my understanding of the world of Kuro. The character art was cool - Kuro and the monsters in particular - and Somato's world building truly left me wishing there was more detail about the setting and how the monsters came to be.
I didn't like the end - it was confusing and abrupt. This was particularly disappointing because I truly was into the story by that point and was frustrated that they couldn't stick the landing.
It took me a bit to get into the nearly vignette style storytelling at the beginning of this book. My enjoyment grew along with my understanding of the world of Kuro. The character art was cool - Kuro and the monsters in particular - and Somato's world building truly left me wishing there was more detail about the setting and how the monsters came to be.
I didn't like the end - it was confusing and abrupt. This was particularly disappointing because I truly was into the story by that point and was frustrated that they couldn't stick the landing.
June 27, 2026
Beautiful artwork I fell in love at first sight with Coco's cuteness only I felt the main story was a little bit repetitive with a open ending. I still support Somato's artwork Shadow House always has a spot in my manga collection just maybe not Kuro Complete Edition.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
This creepy story is full of scary monsters lurking just outside the reaches of safety, ready to gobble people up if they're not careful. Kuro is adorable with a dash of creepy, just how middle-graders like their monsters. Poor Coco breaks my heart with her tragic backstory, but this manga has just enough sadness and just enough spookiness that it's perfect for those in-between readers who want something a little bit of both. The color pages are nice, but the black-and-white illustrations are really where this manga shines. Readers whoe like Creepy Cat or Girl from the Other Side might like this complete-in-one volume story.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 6-12
This review was made possible with a digital reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley.
This creepy story is full of scary monsters lurking just outside the reaches of safety, ready to gobble people up if they're not careful. Kuro is adorable with a dash of creepy, just how middle-graders like their monsters. Poor Coco breaks my heart with her tragic backstory, but this manga has just enough sadness and just enough spookiness that it's perfect for those in-between readers who want something a little bit of both. The color pages are nice, but the black-and-white illustrations are really where this manga shines. Readers whoe like Creepy Cat or Girl from the Other Side might like this complete-in-one volume story.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 6-12
This review was made possible with a digital reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews