Shuzo Oshimi (押見修造, Oshimi Shūzō) is a Japanese manga creator. Drawn in a realistic art style, his comics tend to be psychological dramas exploring the difficulties in human relationships and often touching on disturbing situations and perversions. Oshimi debuted in 2001 with the manga series Avant-Garde Yumeko, appeared in Kodansha's 'Monthly Shōnen Magazine.' Most of his works since then have been published by Kodansha and Futabasha. Among his first successes the single volume manga Sweet Poolside (2004), later adapted into a live-action film, and the series Drifting Net Café (2008–2011), also adapted for TV. Oshimi reached international acclaims with The Flowers of Evil (2009–2014) and Inside Mari (2012–2016), both adapted into successful anime. Other notable works are Blood on the Tracks (2017–2023) and Welcome Back, Alice (2020-2023) .
Shuzo Oshimi's storytelling techniques have the ability to transport readers into the same room as his characters. As the situation becomes terrifyingly real, you can feel the lump in Seiichi's throat as he tries to talk or scream. But every now and again, Oshimi throws a bone to the readers, and they share Seiichi's relief when Fukiishi consoles him. Even when you feel safe, you know something is lurking around the corner, ready to smack you in the face...
Oooh, I am afraid to begin volume 5, after that ending. Let's see, I can't say much or I may ruin the development. I love the cover, a warm and sweet grey and pink portrait of a loving mother and her adoring son, Seiichi. Oshimi shares some other portraits of him and of them both that would seem to belie the nightmare that would emerge. So what happened?! I won't exactly say. But what-happens occurs in volume one and we are in terror ever after.
What can I safely say? Let's just say Mom is a tad possessive of her middle school boy. Two volumes ago Sei got a letter from his friend and classmate Fukiishi announcing her affection for him, and Mom got Sei to tear it up with him. In this volume Fukiishi asserts herself again, and we are hopeful he will again find the voice to express his frustration, his fear, and his anger.
Interesting note: This volume is one of three I am reading within a week (not by any plan, just coincidentally) that is about, among other things, what might be called communication disorder: Komi Can't Communicate, Blood on the Tracks, and then I just read Oshimi's auto-fictional manga, volume one of Shino Can't Say Her Name.
Seiichi bends under the weight of his overbearing mother and their shared secret until he finds an ally who may inspire him to change. The creepiness is deep and the dread is thickening.
Absolutely horrifying but this volume is satisfying me with Sei's movements against his mother. Seiko is definitely on the lookout though. I kinda like how Oshimi metaphorized foods as Seiko's somewhat mood or decisions and plans or way of thinking, and the art of manipulation itself. Lol, Seiichi trying to say Red bean bun on the previous volume instead of pork like always with his mother's critical eyes, he couldn't do it, like there's a hand choking him. Poor kid, he's traumatized. If the art doesn't make you throw up, you got no eyes. I mean, how is Oshimi so good at it? He's got golden hands.
Okay so I can't really talk about much but maybe our boy has found actual love. Not with a condition, someone who actually cares for him. But you know mommy dearest ain't gonna stand for that shit. She coming...and you better be ready.
This series is Oshimi at his finest. Letting the creepy art display a person who has snapped and is uncontrollably crazy. I need more of this series as soon as possible. A 5 out of 5.
I do hope Yuiko lives on, be by his side and help him on what's he's going through.
It is incredible how much emotion this manga is bringing out of me. I feel genuine happiness in this chapter, like it's just too pure, and then I felt DREAD.
I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath for the last forty pages of Vol. 4— sheesh.
Seiichi is beginning to bend and break. He’s reaching a peak that’s heartbreaking and anxiety-inducing to watch. His trauma is not only causing him to suffer poor mental health, but it’s making him defiant and forcing him to stand his ground.
But that is never okay to mommy dearest, Seiko. We begin to watch as she loses her odd facade of calm, too. The jealousy is seeping out of her— I’m anticipating her next move.
Thank goodness for Fukiishi and her level head. She is what Seiichi needs right now— and I hope the two lovebirds see it through.
When something good happens in this manga, you know the bad lurks around the corner. What a climactic and unsettling end to this volume. I can’t stop reading— I’m too eager to watch these terrors unfold.
Mangaka Oshimi has me in the craziest chokehold with Blood on the Tracks.
This made me cringe due to how uncomfortable it made me feel. Seiichi’s mother is manipulative and gaslights him. It’s sad to see how he’s been affected by that (basically stuttering often). I hope his mother decays away 😊 3.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.