Alive: Evoluzione Finale, Volume 1

Alive: The Final Evolution #1

by Tadashi Kawashima

Taisuke Kano è uno studente giapponese orfano di entrambi i genitori, morti in un incidente automobilistico, che vive con la sorellina Yoko e gli amici Hirose e Megumi. Ma un giorno accade qualcosa di orribile: il cielo si oscura improvvisamente, e qualcosa spinge la gente di tutto il mondo a suicidarsi. Taisuke e i pochi che lo circondano riescono a resistere al terribile impulso, e scoprono la realtà da incubo dietro al terribile ‘evento nero’ che ha spinto il mondo in un abisso. Inizia così quella che passerà agli annali come la peggior settimana che il mondo civilizzato abbia mai attraversato..

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Horror, Science Fiction, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2003

About the author

Kawashima made his professional debut with Daughter Maker, which ran in Kōdansha's Monthly Shōnen Magazine Zōkan Great. From October 2003 to October 2009, Kawashima collaborated with Adachitoka to create Alive -Saishū Shinkateki Shōnen (Alive- The Final Evolution), which was published in Kōdansha's Monthly Shōnen Magazine. Kawashima succumbed to liver cancer on June 15, 2010 and died at the age of 41.

Reviews

[Lottie Eve]

So apparently, the mangaka of this series wrote the last chapters on his deathbed. Now that is what I call a truly admirable dedication. And because of that, I'm gonna read this series no matter what.

[Kadi P · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Number 4 of 37 from the Kodansha Amazon sale)

This was Bird Box: Tokyo edition! But then random magical powers entered the fray and it's always so disappointing when apocalyptic manga decide to include powers. I've seen it before with Attack on Titan and Heavenly Delusion. It just feels more fantasy than dystopian and it's not that clear from the outset that that is the route the mangakas are going to take so it feels like a let down when it inevitably crops up.

Still, this had potential, although it felt like the 3 chapters didn't cover enough ground. The last minute plot twist and cliffhanger made the ending feel a bit muddled. But I guess that means there's definitely more to explore in Alive: The Final Evolution, Vol. 2.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

*this is for the whole series, and I won't be adding the other 20 Vols, this 1st one I'll act as if it's a set for the whole series. That said, this is a spoiler free review of the whole series. This is also from my old blog*

This is a hard series to talk about. First I read it with a friend, and second the mangaka wrote it while he was sick and knowing he was going to die, and the manga has a lot of those feelings embedded, and third the mangaka did die right after finishing it. So feelings. I had them, I still have them. I can't reread this because I'm too close and need distance to forget all that to be able to engage again. This is a special post because today is my birthday **it was 13 of April when I posted this on my blog**, growing old and aging, nearing death slowly. And what better than talking about this series?

Safe to say, this is a tough read. It starts as a typical shounen manga fairly enough, until it starts dwelling into existential crisis and what it means to be alive, to exist, to die, and what we can do for those that die and for those that live.

Heavy, I know.

It's pretty refreshing to read something that isn't about the power of friends, or how much power and strength you can get. No, in this series those are roadblocks to jump over, and the wins are not easy. Nor bloodless, or violentless. Many a dear character dies through this series, and it saddened me.

I actually stumbled upon this manga because I'd read ES, by the mangaka of Mars, which was about, well, powers and MAL recced this one for those that liked that one. I'll just say here that aside the powers thing, both series have nothing in common in terms of tone or genres, truthfully. But I'm glad, because this series is one of my cherished ones, and I couldn't have found it without that!

While it was indeed a heavy read, and lead to much thought fuel, I think one of the things that struck me so deep was how this was the last work of the mangaka and his farewell to fans and readers. In a ways, he dwelt with his imminent death through this series, and not only it reflects that, but I felt this series gained so much undertone from it.

We all face our own mortality, but I dare say few face it with writing a series for a popular magazine. It brings me to tears thinking of this author with so many ambitious and thoughts in his deathbed, fighting till the end to complete a beloved series and his farewell letter.

I'm not even sure I can properly convey how it affected me, discovering that close to the end of the series, and how deeply moved I was by the ending. The ending celebrates both those that die and those that live, one day at a time, one thing at a time, without both talking down or talking up.

I must also say the characters suffer from a lot of psychological warfare, and again, this is indeed a heavy series, but the growth of the characters are worth it, and I dare say it's worth it for that alone.

Though it may be heavy, I found even though both the story and the author went through so much, the series ends on a positive tone and it felt justified.

If you want to know exactly how he died, I'll quote Wikipedia:

succumbed to liver cancer on June 15, 2010 and died at the age of 51, having finished Alive on his deathbed.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, this was quite an interesting volume, not sure if it is worth 21 volumes, but I will see how far I will get. In this one a virus hits that causes people to commit suicide... however in some people it awakens powers... powers to kill people. Our MC is also hit but he isn't using his powers to go crazy, if anything he doesn't even know he has time. I am quite curious to see how this one will go and why people have gained powers and what they will do with them (is there anyone else like our MC). Hirose was a character I liked... until that last bit in the third chapter, now I just don't like him. Creepy guy (though I am guessing it is because his powers?).
Didn't like the bullying, but hey that won't happen anymore given things.

[Josi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers Chapters 1-3

This is a manga that takes place in a high school setting following Taisuke, his sister Youko, and his friends Hirose and Megumi. A virus of sorts is spreading around across the world leaving those infected to commit suicide. Taisuke is one of the main characters to first see death up close and let’s just say it hits him pretty hard. A lot more things happened in this volume that I don’t want to spoil, but I’ll definitely be continuing this series! I do love the art style of this older manga too!

CW: suicide, death, gore, bullying

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent start to the series. Seems like it's going to be an interesting mix between horror, scifi, and fantasy with the revelation that some people [SPOILERS] are getting power as a result of whatever caused the virus. I think I'd read more if it were in the library system, but I dunno if I want to invest in the series at this point, even at $5 a pop for digital volumes.

[chanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book along with the second volume during a two hour black out at school. I believed it was so good; I just couldn't stop reading. Upon going through it a second time, I can see how slow it really is, but I still find it awesome nonetheless. No senseless violence is employed here, or anything like that .. the violence portrayed is actually done very artfully.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can go wrong with superhuman abilities given to teens from space aliens? A lot, but fortunately this book doesn't go wrong (that often). I love the powers that the author creates and the characters. The character and plot development is great (I've read the whole series, so I know). This book is definately for action lovers, but it doesn't get too repetitive. I recomend you give it a try!

[Chanakya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series, and to be honest this first volume really doesn't do the series as a whole much justice. Please read the second volume before deciding if you want to pursue this or not, trust me it gets much better!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to check out this series, due to my familiarity with Adachitoka (the artist duo of Noragami) and I went into this story blind. This series was written by Tadashi Kawashima. This story contains depictions and scenes of violence, mentions of death, and suicide.

This was a very interesting first volume where a "virus" spreads across the globe, causing people to commit suicide. These first chapters follow Taisuke Kanou, who lives with his sister (a teacher at his school) Yoko, his friends Yuichi Hirose & Megumi Ochiai. As this is only the first volume, I do not have a good grasp on what the threat is specifically that started the "virus" but it does seem to be of the extraterrestrial kind.

In this volume Yuichi Hirose, a quiet student, is bullied by some of his classmates before the virus arrives. Taisuke (our main character) comes to his aid and fights the bullies off. Days later, Yuichi is approached by these bullies after school one day and he is found on the rooftop of his school surrounded by blood and severed limbs. Taisuke hesitates to approach Yuichi, but soon snaps out of it as his friend is taken into custody.

The following chapters show what happens the weeks after this incident, where Yuichi suddenly develops abilities, a strange individual appears with powers as well, Taisuke and others try to determine what is behind the "virus". We also learn more about Taisuke and his sisters past, without parents, as well as Yuichi's first encounter with Taisuke.

Art: This is an earlier series from Adachitoka from 2003 and their art is most definitely recognizable, the backgrounds are detailed and never feel like a backdrop. Characters are distinct, facial expressions and action scenes are quite impressive as well. I look forward to seeing how their art changes over time.

Overall, an intriguing first volume that raises many questions! I look forward to volume 2!

[inas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jadi ini sebenernya bukan cerita buat orang-orang yang nggak kuat iman sama adegan kekerasan. Meski cuma sekilas dan nggak gore banget, efeknya cukup kerasa ke aku. Memang pada akhirnya nggak kupikirin juga sih, but still, buatku itu lebih ke penyiksaan dan aku nggak bisa tahan. 🙈

Aku kasih 4 bintang karena aku cukup enjoy sama ceritanya. Aku awalnya berekspektasi bakal nemu sesuatu yang berhubungan sama survival kayak The 5th Wave; langsung diserang dan langsung kena ke semua orang. Cuman ternyata ceritanya agak bertahap, meski cukup cepet buat dicerna dan bikin penasaran. (That's it; aku akhirnya sadar aku bisa lebih menikmati cerita scifi/distopia karena cepet masuk otak ketimbang cerita slice of life kayak My Little Monster atau Nan Nan's Daily Life. Seringan apa pun kalo nggak cukup engaging, aku jadi nggak sabaran apalagi sampe tertantang. 😝🤣)

Cerita ini juga sedikit ngingetin aku sama anime Guilty Crown dan Charlotte. Tentang anak-anak yang punya kekuatan khusus dan bertahan hidup di dunia apocalyptic. Meski di sini, virusnya virus bunuh diri. Ini cuma disebarin dikit-dikit, dan jadinya nggak membingungkan, dan tetep menimbulkan pertanyaan.

Definitely will read the second volume!

Tapi ingat, bukan buat orang yang nggak betah sama adegan kekerasan ya. 😁

[Riski Oktavian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Baca komik ini sebagai pengganti salah satu TBR bulan ini yang ternyata gak jadi dibaca, karena di toko buku stoknya pada kosong. Jadi aku memilih judul ini. Aku baca komik ini di Google Play Books.

Sebenernya kalau boleh jujur aku masih bingung cara menggambarkan cerita ini secara keseluruhan atau tentang apa ceritanya. Karena apa yang aku baca di bagian awal dengan seiring berjalannya cerita tuh kayak beda jauh gitu sih. Jadi semacam ada ke-absurd-an di mana orang-orang mulai melakukan bunuh diri, bahkan terhitung sebagai kasus bunuh diri massal yang menggemparkan Jepang sampai ke mancanegara.

Namun ke-absurd-an itu nggak berhenti di situ saja, karena tokoh-tokoh utama yang adalah anak SMA di sini juga mulai menunjukkan gelagat aneh. Di dalam cerita ini juga sedikit dibahas mengenai isu bullying dan broken home. Tapi disajikan dengan cara aneh.

Jujur aku agak bingung aja dengan jalan ceritanya. Tapi melihat rating orang lain, mereka cukup antusias sepertinya dengan seri ini. Banyak yang kasih 4 atau 5 bintang.

[Petros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alive is to its core a fighting shounen. Yet it differs from the usual formula by offering some really gore moments and deep immersion to its characters. This is what made it both good and bad.



ART SECTION: 8/10

The art has some really big fluctuations as it sometimes bad and sometimes great. There are moments that you think the mangaka is an amateur and moments you think he is top notch. It’s a weird feeling. The backgrounds do have some variety albeit they never feel awesome. It’s mostly rural areas, some city sceneries and military bases. At the few times it could show a lot more innovation, it preferred to stick to simple stuff. So it kinda feels repetitive and unimaginative at times.

There is a great variety in body anatomy, facial expressions and funky clothing, making the characters easily eye catchy. Being a shounen manga, expect lots of naked females and sexual teasing, but it never gets to ridiculous harem levels; so it is nice bonus without feeling lame. But down to it, the thing that makes them unique is the way they express their feelings and that is what makes them great to look.

The action itself feels a bit stiff at moments; part of the mangaka’s weird fluctuation in quality. Said battles are never really great as choreography or visual effects. In fact, they will feel to the most part very simple and average. What makes it more interesting is how many types of cinematics are used to continually show the characters’ disturbed mentality; even during battles. Thus the action feels less interesting as the fight each one of them has with his/her inner fears. You rarely get to see so much attention given to the angst in ones mind. It is also interesting to notice that there is a hell of a lot of gore and splatter in this series, most of which is usually not vomitingly gross and offers some really heavy shock value to the viewer. The graphic violence is not that high if you have read some heavy action titles like Berserk, but it’s still very high around Elfen Lied level.



STORY SECTION: 6/10

Although by no means original, the core of the story is very intriguing. If you have read any X-Men or watched Heroes on tv, you will feel something familiar. It’s about several people around the world gaining mysterious powers that drive them to suicide or madness, and unleashing their resentment on others. Turns out it’s all part of an alien conspiracy involving evolution, but I will not say more just to save you the spoilers. It is not original but it is well though of. Just think of it as partly fighting shounen and partly psychological thriller.

There is a big number of characters involved in the story, some of which move in non-linear to time ways, and some have different agendas. This creates a huge complexity in the way the story progresses. It’s always that fulfilling but it really does feel like the story does not revolve around three people only.

Some parts are very interesting, some are boring and fillerish and make you wanna give up. The plot has many side characters and likes to slow as much as possible the actual story; so in all about half of the chapters felt unnecessary long or unneeded to me. You could take out half of the secondary cast without damaging the actual story.

All situations are resolved too conveniently and the author clearly creates mass slaughter of the cast every time he feels like he is in a dead end. He even used bad elements like amnesia, mind control and reset buttons to slow the plot even further. Thus the good idea of the story is practically ruined by bad directing.

There is a solid ending but it’s not something they couldn’t get to 50 chapters before! The story until then has reveiled all its mysteries long ago, the characters will have been running in circles and the final battle will feel like a repeat of what was unnecessarily stopped during the first half of the story. Another effect of the bad directing.



CHARACTER SECTION: 5/10

They are all extreme cases of cute, scary, pitiful or otherwise extreme cases of every mental disorder you can think of. Most feel like archetypes and that takes out some of their interest to you but they are otherwise well made archetypes and thus that is not a problem. I just want to warn you that most have a tragic past concerning close family and it may feel quite far fetched after awhile, as if there isn’t a single normal family in the world.

Well, they all came from somewhere and they all have pasts and goals based on that. It is usually simple and happens through flashbacks but they all get one, so it’s a good part about having a backdrop.

Although most character mature or generally change looks and perception of things, it never happens in a believable way. It’s always about being pulled by the nose to go find something they never chose, brainwashed, killed when no longer needed and generally not being in control of their own lives. Heck, when you get exposition moments before they die, you just see how bad and rushed it is all made to be.



ENJOYMENT & OVERALL SECTIONS: 5
I really liked how each one of the characters was given a spotlight at some point, how their mentality was presented and how they came to terms with their personal issues. At the same time I didn’t like how unnecessary long the story was and how ridiculous all battles were resolved. The pacing of the story is terrible and you don’t feel the characters have control over what they do. They are puppets at the hands of the mangaka and that damaged the overall a lot. As for the gore and splatter, it was a nice extra but after finishing the story I see how it was mostly flashy shock value to pull you in.

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually started reading this late last year but didn’t finish it. There are a few more comics I left sitting around half finished in the event that I run out of fresh titles or the mood strikes me.

4 stars for the concept alone.

Execution is only okay.

Characters are fairly flat.

I have read enough manga now that the tropes are getting predictable.

But I still love reading manga when I get in the mood for it. After Blood on the Tracks earlier today, I’m running with manga again for a while.

[Morgan O'Gorman-Breeze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this volume very much! I like that it’s quite fast pace and I feel like I can see the direction that the series is heading in. I do like the characters, but I feel that they are most likely going to change as the series continues! I love the plot and the mystery that lays around these crazy events. It may be because I enjoy work that questions of how we live is truly “living”, the authors notes make me quite excited. It certainly has more impact knowing that the author was dying from cancer as he finished the series.

I hope to purchase other volumes to read them soon.

[Branden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fascinating idea that when I learned about it, I had to check it out. I have the next four volumes awaiting my pick-up from the library as I type, so clearly I enjoyed this one. This is the story of a suicide virus that unleashes itself on the world's population. In one week, over 13,000 people commit suicide in Japan alone. We're following these high schoolers who seem immune, but it is not clear why. There is definitely something supernatural and bigger going on, and I am excited to find out more. Really enjoyed this one!

4.0 stars

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a suicide virus sweeps the world, a group of friends try to figure out what's going on.

This was an intriguing start since it's different than the usual 'zombie plague' type story. I like the characters and want to find out what happens to them. The art is solid and it's easy to tell who is who. There's a weird hint towards the end that even 'suicide virus' might be a cover up for something even bigger. I'll be reading the next in the series.

[Spoilers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly I groaned when I saw the art style, I don't know why but it makes me feel like I do when I'm reading older literature. However, I am glad that I decided to go ahead and give this a read. I love the premise and after hitting the end of the volume one I decided that I am going ot read this series to its very end.

[Shin Donghae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awalnya saya pikir ini genre survival ala2 battle royale. Namun ternyata ada semacam invasi asing yg melanda bumi sehingga memunculkan yg namanya virus bunuh diri. Bukan hanya itu, invasi ini juga merubah kepribadian yg dijangkiti (bagi yg imunnya kuat). Sang MC imunnya kuat namun gagal berubah hhe.
Sebuah permulaan yg cukup baik dan menarik.

[Rosibel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alive

This book is about a virus called "the suicide virus" and lots of people are dying all over the world... Wow this is not that far from is what is happening now... This was scary.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This suspenseful series is about a virus that has caused a rash of suicides around the world. After a week of this society goes back to some semblance of normal, but a few of those who survived are not the same. They idolize death and have strange powers

[Zeta Syanthis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up from a friend who was leaving it behind... it's... weird. I'm not sure what to think of it without reading more of it, but I think I'll pass, because it's a bit heavy for me at the moment.

[Busy.busi (fumetti) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carino, ma da questo primo volume sembra la copia di kiseiju- l'ospite indesiderato

[arneta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool premise there.

[Laura Yuwi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oke komik ini mengandung konten sensitif yah seperti violence, self harm, suicide, dll. Tapi menurut ku, komik ini bukan komik yg berat dari sisi plotnya.

[Jacob Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25⭐

[Arska-täti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virus, jonka altistamat ihmiset tekevät itsemurhan?

Todella omituinen alkuasetelma menettää nopeasti merkityksensä, sillä tarina muuttuu perinteiseksi supervoimilla pullisteluksi. Niille, jotka eivät päädy tekemään itsemurhaa, kehittyy mitä erikoisempia supervoimia. Näitä superkyvyin varustettuja ihmisiä ohjataan kohti tuntematonta päämäärää, johon liittyy todennäköisesti avaruusolentoja. Tarinan päähenkilö saa myös supervoimia, mutta ei kuitenkaan päädy "pahisleirin" jäseneksi, vaan aloittaa questin ystäviensä pelastamiseksi ja joutuen matkalla kohtaamaan toinen toistaan pahempia vastustajia.

Harmi, ettei erikoista alkuasetelmaa hyödynnetä sen enempää. Tällaisenaan juoni ei säväytä, mutta erilaiset supervoimat on kyllä kuvattu tyylikkäästi.

[Dewi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Membaca Alive : the Final Evolution mengingatkan saya pada serial TV Heroes. Kisah berawal dari bunuh diri yang semakin mewabah di seluruh penjuru dunia. Yang aneh adalah pelaku bunuh diri terlihat bahagia pada saat-saat akhir. Bahkan beberapa tokoh merasa iri ketika melihat orang lain berhasil melakukan bunuh diri. Ternyata wabah bunuh diri ini terjadi karena tubuh manusia dijangkiti parasit berupa mahluk asing dari planet lain. Mahluk asing ini bersifat kekal dan evolusi mereka dianggap sempurna ketika mati. Maka mereka mencari tubuh induk supaya bisa berevolusi dengan sempurna. Beberapa orang yang terjangkit dan memilih untuk hidup akan memiliki kekuatan super. Kekuatan ini berbeda pada tiap orang. Setelah membaca beberapa buku barulah saya paham alasan di balik kekuatan mereka. Misal Hiroshe yang selalu dirundung oleh teman dan kesepian memiliki kekuatan "void" alias menghampakan massa. Persamaan dengan Heroes cukup sampai di sini. Dinamika hubungan antara individu tidaklah klise, kadang kita tidak bisa menilai dengan cepat apakah seorang tokoh kawan atau lawan, bersifat baik atau jahat.
Bab - bab terakhir sarat dengan perenungan akan hidup. Bisa jadi ini adalah refleksi Tadashi Kawashima akan perjalanan hidupnya. Dia menulis bagian terakhir saat sekarat. Karyanya tuntas dan dia tidak meninggalkan hutang apa pun pada pemcanya. Terima kasih sensei Kawashima :)

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew! There is a lot going on in Alive: The Final Evolution: Volume 1. With a strange alien virus, people committing suicide, and other people getting super powers, it is a lot to take in. We all know that in the world we live in today, someone could make some kind of nasty virus that could wipe out the human population. This is especially true with the terrorist threat we are always facing. So, I found this book to be quite poignant.

The writing by Tadashi Kawashima is quite good and the artwork by Adachitoka is worthy. I am intrigued by the story and not quite sure where it is going to go, but I do have some ideas. I will keep those to myself for the time being.

As for the main characters, I presume they are going to be Taisuke and Ochiai. I like both of them a lot and cannot wait to learn more about them in upcoming books. As for Hirose, he is turned to the bad side, kind of like Darth Vader, and I am not sure if he can be turned back. I hope so, because I liked him also, before he became a killer, of course.

Overall, I quite enjoyed the first book in the Alive series and think is quite a good first showing. I look forward to finding our what is going to happen to Taisuke and Ochiai in Alive: The Final Evolution Volume 2. Should be quite interesting.

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.