Can You Just Die, My Darling?, Vol. 1

Can You Just Die, My Darling? #1

by Majuro Kaname (Story), Sousou Sakakibara (Artist)

“I want to kill you”—Taku Kamishiro’s crush on Mika Hanazono had always been one sided, until one fateful day, his feelings turn into murderous impulse instead… You won’t be able to predict what each new page will bring!

Genres: Manga, Horror, Graphic Novels, Mystery, Comics, Romance, Comics Manga

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2015

Reviews

[Dusk · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story kicks off with a genuinely intriguing premise—a disease outbreak that warps love and affection into something dark and deadly, turning people’s emotions into bloodlust. Taku Kamishiro, the protagonist, battling his own murderous urges towards his crush, Mika Hanazono, while also protecting her from being killed by her many followers. With its fast pace and a decent art style, it should have made for a tense, gripping narrative, but unfortunately, bland characters and poor execution drag it down, and what could’ve been a standout series ends up being painfully mediocre. It’s frustrating because you can see the potential, but it just doesn’t deliver anything beyond a forgettable experience.

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Schoolboy Taku Kamishiro’s crush on Mika Hanazono had always been hidden. Hanazono lived for teasing Kamishiro. One day he gets infected and he gets superpowers, one of which is a murderous rage to kill the person you love! An off-key premise for a nice boundary breaking series, until you consider the amount of woman who are murdered by their 'love' in the real world. It will be interesting too see how this series evolves; complicated art although at least the characters are recognisable. :) A 7 out of 12, Three Stars from me.

2024 read

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yesterday, I was in the mood for something wild, so I purposefully looked for the most bizarre and unsettling manga to pass the time. In my search, I came across this. Now, after consuming so much gore and strange content, this looked lot less than horrific and, to be honest, at times, humorous. She would have devoured it if I, at the age of 18, had read it. Moving on it was going well, and I believe it has potential. If I want to, I might read this in the future, though it's highly unlikely.

[Sean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well that sure had an extra helping of misogyny.

[Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this in a humble bundle today.

This idea of a male protagonist fighting his urge to kill his love interest is nothing new in anime/manga.

In many cases, the trope involves the female character wanting the male to kill her, but the guy can’t deliver (Urotaukidoji, Gundam Wing).

In other cases, the female can be killed again and again, so the male impulse to kill can be satiated while the female gets to live, or grow stronger (Tomie).

Here we have the same trope, but it takes center stage. This guy wants to kill the cutest girl in school, but he also wants her to live. So this cognitive dissonance is at the heart of the story, and what it might represent is admirable. I have just seen it so many times.

Of course, our protagonist only wants to kill her because he’s infected. This takes the “burden” of agency out of the equation, and makes the story seem indulgent a bit in a weird ass incel fantasy.

I just started vol. 2, and I’m getting the feeling this is going to be a Cain/Abel out of Sandman dynamic, where the girl can regenerate and sometimes lets the protagonist kill her 🤦‍♂️

If that is the case it’ll take the trope in a kind of fresh and demented direction. But then the story at its core is about female selfless sacrifice (to the literal point of death), and that’s some fucked up shit.

We also have the theme of death aesthetic going on. Some of the earlier seasons of America’s Next Top Model featured women being photographed like they were dead. Painted to look pretty in a tub of blood, or looking hot while drying on the sun-bleached pavement. It was weird, but apparently there’s a market for it 🤷🏻‍♀️

We see similar things in film and television. The first season of Hannibal took murder as an art form to a whole new level.

This book dabbles in that. I think it is mainly just trying to make cute ladies look cute while dead. I don’t think they are too focused on death aesthetic (in Hannibal it is a visual priority and integral to the story). It is worth noting.

We’ll see. I’m reading on just to see where it goes. It’s been alright so far 🤷🏻‍♀️ Touches upon some messed up aspects of the human condition, and even flawed works that can teach us about that are worth reading.

[bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I decided to read this I knew it would be weird, fucked up and creepy as hell but that's the reason I liked it. Although it's not exactly how I imagined it would be I still liked it. This first volume only has 3 chapters so there's not much I can say, except that it really is fucked up and definitely not for everyone! I almost forgot but what the hell was that ending?? I need answers asap!

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got this one for free. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

Violent, misogynistic and completely fails any whiff of the Bechdel test.

1, this seems to have been fueled by incel hatred, stars.

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

WHAT DID I JUST READ?

Mixed feelings for this one. I'm just as confused, distressed, terrified, and confused some more. I'm going to give it a safe 3-star since I honestly don't know what to feel with this one. Is our supposed timid hero, an actual villain, or just an anti-hero? And what with the real villains appearing in the climax of the story. Honestly, distressing especially with some of the graphic scenes of imagined homicides all over the volume.

I think I'll crack the next volume open, maybe after the novel I'm supposed to read next. Or if this series kept on haunting me.

[Keeloween · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg wtf

Oh my god! Wtf was that ending???? Ain't no way, ain't no f@#king way. Anyway, I do love some guts flying, so I'll be continuing this

[Helene Black]

Not sure how I feel about the violence.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, you got my interest.

Finally a manga that fits the more 'darker' tone I've been looking for. It's bloody and a bit sadistic story based around being "infected' with strong urge to kill the one you love the most.

Definitely be continuing onto volume 2 soon.

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Mehsi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only things I can say about this one is: What the actual F*CK?

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taku Kamishiro has a secret crush on his spunky tomboy friend Miku. When he stumbles upon an insane man killing the love of his life on the street, the murderous desire radiating from the man seems to infect him like a contagious disease. Now he spirals into an insane nightmare of trying not to become overwhelmed by the supernatural desire to murder the woman he loves while simultaneously protecting her from other murderous lunatics infected by the bizarre sensation.

Interesting premise that gets strange and crazy real fast. It’ll be interesting seeing how the protagonist battles his irrational bloodlust and complicated romance without turning into a complete monster.

[morpho]

i'm so fucking confused

[Marianna Rainolter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taku è un comune liceale, un po’ fissato con la pulizia che viene spesso preso in giro per questo dai suoi compagni. Anche da Mika, la sua amica d’infanzia popolare e desiderata da tutti. Taku però si è finalmente deciso a dichiarasi a lei. La sera prima della sua dichiarazione interviene nel salvare una ragazza che sta per essere aggredita da uno strano uomo. Il ragazzo si sveglia il mattino dopo non ricordandosi cosa sia successo e da allora la sua mente è tormentata da visioni di morte e uccisioni. Taku deve stare attento a mantenere la calma, non rispondere alle angherie che subisce e che ha sempre lasciato correre per non reagire facendo una strage. E poi perché nei confronti di Mika prova un irrefrenabile voglia di ucciderla... Da quel giorno la vita di Taku cambierà e coinvolgerà tutte le persone che gli stanno attorno, anche quelle che ama...

Un manga interessante ma c’è qualche problemino. In questo primo volume a dirci che c’è una specie di contagio che porta a voler ammazzare in modi orribili le persone che ci stanno a cuore lo dice la quarta di copertina. Il manga accenna brevemente e molto largamente la cosa solo sul finale quando Taku incontrerà delle persone che sono mosse dai suoi stessi istinti... Insomma capisco la suspence e il non voler svelare tutto subito, ma in questo modo la storia risulta poco chiara anche se intrigante. Mi è rimasta la voglia di provare almeno un altro volume per capire in che direzione andrà la storia e spero che il secondo volume spieghi qualcosa in più perché altrimenti la storia è ok, ma non eccezionale, anzi forse sotto la norma per la sua stranezza e il mistero che avvolge la storia ma che viene poco sfruttato. Insomma ti lascia un po' così.

Per questo motivo mi è difficile dare un voto perché ci sono degli elementi interessanti e che possono essere ben sfruttati, ma senza la quarta di copertina e l’editore molte cose sarebbero state ancora più confuse leggendo solo il volume. La storia manca di un qualcosa non ben definito; i disegni però compensano in parte perché esprimono molto bene l’orrore e la tensione del momento, oltre alle scene più di azione e movimento e anche l’ambiente.

[Doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever felt like someone should just die?

First off I have to warn you folks that this title (though I can't see the age rating because Kindle manga for whatever reason always have two covers and no backs) is somewhere between Older Teen and Mature (though in today's society probably closer to OT.) You see in this series there are depictions of murder in the minds of those infected with whatever is making certain people act as they will. As such there are some bloody and realistic scenes of gore and at least one scene when an unconscious girls top is ripped open to expose her bra so if either of these bother you (or just in general the idea of people going around murdering others) then you might want to avoid this series.

Taku Kamishiro is a good kid who likes to see everything organized and clean. Little does he know that one fateful night he would become infected and his world will change completely as his body and mind adapt to make him a killing machine. However to give in to the temptations he must give in to the urge to murder his childhood friend and crush Mika Hanazono, how long will he be able to hold out on his urges and who else has been infected are matters to keep an eye out for as a world of death invades their seemingly normal society.

[Rachel ♥⁷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kamishiro is your average teenage boy... for the most part. He loves to clean. He also is in love with his childhood friend Hanazono. On the night before he plans on confessing his feelings, he's impulsively cleaning while figuring out what to say to her. Kamishiro overhears a romantic scuttle in the alleyway outside, and deciding to finally stand up with confidence, he addresses the man outside hovering over a woman. The man screams to stay away from him, otherwise he will also become "infected."

Waking up the next morning with no memory of anything the night before, Kamishiro goes to school and plans on meeting Hanazono on the rooftop to confess his love. However, his plans turn sour when he is suddenly overcome with feels of murderous intent. He realizes these feels of love for Hanazono, although they are still there, are fighting with new feelings of wanting to kill her. Yes, kill her. Kamishiro discovers these new murderous thoughts and fights battles within himself, while also trying to keep his distance, as these new feelings come with new abilities as well. This romantic thriller is really a different take so far, I don't know whether to categorize it as thriller, horror, or dare I say... romance? Very interesting so, 4 stars!

[Youzawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kamishiro is different from the other students. He loves to clean obsessively, he dreams of loving and being loved, and most importantly, his closest friend, Hanazono, a girl he's obviously attracted to although she loves teasing him.
One day, as he looks over his window when he's home alone, he sees a girl being assaulted on the street by a furious-looking man. Kamishiro takes a leap of faith and goes to help her, but before he could do anything, the enraged man jumps on him, and infects him with a disease that will change Kamishiro’s (love) life forever…
I personally really enjoyed the first volume! I was not expecting anything, as I have not read any summaries before reading the manga, and it was quite surprising to read. I am already attached to the main character, his kindness, innocence, and preciousness is comparable to Tanjiro’s (Kimetsu no yaiba) or Kaneki’s (Tokyo Ghoul). Maybe, just like them, it is a terrible fate that awaits Kamishiro… (and my heart won’t take it!!)

[Naki · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stelline

Quando ho letto la trama la prima volta ne sono rimasta affascinata, tutto mi ispirava, dal titolo accattivante alla copertina, inutile dire quindi che mi sono fiondata in fumetteria a comprare il primo volume cartaceo e beh...dopo averlo letto... MEH!!
L'idea di base è interessante, Taku un normale studente un po' sfigatello che si innamora di Mika, la tipa figa e che improvvisamente prova il misterioso istinto di ammazzarla senza pietà spingendo il ragazzo a dover proteggere l'amata da se stesso e cercare di scoprire cosa si nasconde dietro a questo misterioso "virus" che sembra aver infettato non solo lui ma anche altri umani innamorati. Dalla trama non sembrava affatto male, anzi.... diverso rispetto al solito e con una vena horror che non guasta mai peccato che dopo questo primo volume tutto il mio interesse è passato in secondo piano e comprerò e leggerò i sequel solo perché
1) Sono incapace di vendere cartacei acquistati (non vendo neanche i libri di Moccia!!)
2) Odio le raccolte a metà e i primi volumi sfusi
3) Non voglio buttare i soldi senza neanche sapere come va a finire la storia
Per questi motivi... mi sacrificherò e continuerò a leggere nonostante tutto, sperando in un miracolo.
Questo primo volume è... fatto male, posso capire che dare fin da subito spiegazioni su cosa, come e quando sia rischioso per la trama e impossibile, se tutti sapessimo fin dalla prima pagina chi è l'assassino in un giallo non leggeremmo mai il libro (forse) ma per lo meno sarebbe bello avere spunti intriganti per continuare la lettura, avere personaggi carismatici e interessanti da seguire e vicende curiose da scoprire invece ci ritroviamo con cose a caso e zerbini ambulanti.
Taku è il classico protagonista palloso, lo sfigato, non sopportato o quasi da nessuno, quello che si sente brutto e bla bla bla è un piagnone irritante e l'unica cosa che lo rende interessante è l'istinto GIUSTO di voler uccidere Mika. Nonostante il protagonista consideri questo istinto un problema io l'ho trovato la cosa più sensata vista la stronzaggine della ragazza. Mika è ODIOSA, è bella, piace a tutti, tutti la amano e ammirano ed è STRONZA, si diverte a umiliare e tormentare il protagonista e non solo lui, rifiuta pure senza problemi confessioni romantiche senza preoccuparsi di infrangere i cuori altrui, quasi fosse un gioco, solo un masochista vorrebbe averla accanto! La tizia è palesemente la tsunderina che si rivelerà in futuro stronzetta solo perché vuole nascondere la bontà e i buoni sentimenti e i possibili traumi (ci scommetto che è stata picchiata, violentata, traumatizzata o chissà cosa -_-). Il suo atteggiamento è così fastidioso che mi spinge disperatamente a sperare in un bad ending, se questa serie si concludesse con la morte della tipa io farei una ola e rivaluterei il tutto 5 stelle ma ovviamente l'amore trionferà.. di sicuro ci sarà una scappatoia quindi fin da adesso sono indignata. La stronzaggine giustifica completamente gli istinti omicidi visto che le stesse scene di morte viste dal protagonista le avevo immaginate ancora prima di lui... Mika ha tirato fuori il peggio di me e non riesco a capire perché uno dovrebbe volerla salvare, perché uno che viene bullizzato fisicamente e mentalmente da una stronza per anni dovrebbe innamorarsi di lei e volerla proteggere... PERCHÈ?? Why??? Ha la possibilità di farla ammazzare, FALLO, lascia che la scannino!!
Come se non bastasse la motivazione tutto succede di colpo senza nulla di sensato o interessante... il tizio cerca di salvare una donna che sta per essere aggredita, viene a sua volta aggredito da un tipo mezzo pazzo e da lì via di istinti omicidi violenti... ma che? Davvero? Cioè... almeno sforzarsi di rendere l'evento drammatico o spiegare che succede anche ad altri? Nella trama del volume viene detto "Ehi guarda che è un virus che colpisce la gente" ma non si direbbe!!! Cioè se non lo avessi letto non lo avrei saputo neanche, come autore non puoi buttare le cose a caso! Inizia a parlarne fin da subito, fai capire che è una cosa grave e seria, fai disperare il tipo, fai capire che la gente lo sa ed è terrorizzata che ha paura di innamorarsi, fai vedere il lato oscuro della città piena di angoscia e paura invece niente è tutto focalizzato su di lui che vuole salvare lei e BASTA!! Non c'è una visione più corale della storia che sarebbe potuta essere intrigante, più personaggi in luoghi diversi e nella stessa condizione, una visione delle altre persone ecc No... lui sbava su lei e vuole salvarla... costava troppo mettere due POV? Uno che so... di una "vittima" ad esempio una ragazza che deve proteggersi dal tipo che la ama e vuole ammazzarla contrapposto a quello su Taku? Sarebbe stato bello vedere due storie parallele e all'opposto che si intrecciano, da una parte il possibile carnefice e dal'altra la preda in fuga e terrorizzato... o perché non darci un POV più marcato su Mika fin da subito mettendoci nei suoi panni!! Insomma... meh... i colpi di scena poi sono stupidi... il professore malvagio? OMG! Aveva solo la faccia da pluriomicida pazzo ma chi se lo sarebbe aspettato, il ragazzo strafigo e "nemico" del protagonista? Chi lo avrebbe detto che veniva messo fuori gioco subito, il cliffhanger finale? Wow forse lei è morta ma NO... è il primo quindi è OVVIO che è VIVA! Se no a che serve l'istinto pazzo? Mettimi un cliffhanger di lui che sta per parlare con un tipo infetto, di una tipa che sta per essere aggredita, una voce misteriosa fuori campo, un tizio nell'ombra che so... qualcosa che può portarti a dire "Wow... chissà cosa succederà nel prossimo volume!!"
DELUSIONE... non mi sento di consigliarlo perché... se già l'inizio è così... meh... unica cosa bella sono i disegni, ben fatti e splatter al punto giusto per il resto... BOCCIATO!

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this one is odd. I tend to say that a long about manga, but I still enjoy it and keep reading it.

It appears as though a virus is going around that gives men both supernatural strength and the urge to kill the ones they love most. That's the basic premise, and our main character has had a crush on this girl for years, and now he finds himself wanting to murder her. He also finds out he's not the only one.

It's pretty interesting horror manga and I'll check out the next volume, but I'm not sure about the long term.

[Kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

This manga has a pretty strong start, but I wasn't really "hooked" on it. I was on the fence about reading it or not even after completing the first volume... which probably should've told me something.

Still, I persevered... and some of the characters were good, some of the horror was creepy... but ultimately, it just wasn't anything all that special. None of the twists really surprised me for one thing - you could pretty much see them all coming from a mile off. I hoped it would turn into something really great, but it just never did.

[Taun]

An infection of homicidal rage is spreading. Caught up in the invisible plague, a bullied high school boy with OCD tendencies & a hidden crush becomes a monster who dreams of torture & gore.

A DNF. Went into this ebook with no clue of the contents. I found it crude, & over the top violent, with little story to prop up the plot line. Simply violence for violence’s sake, which I feel like reality has enough of.

No rating due to the dnf. Content notes: language, gore, violence, bullying, mental health

[Mandy The Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the manga so far. The illustrations are amazing and the story is really cool.
If you're into dark theme this manga is for you.

I also love that the theme is related to something kind of real which is the fact that when we find something too cute or love it too much are brain give us the urge to squish it until it popped. (I don't know if the author did that on purpose but it's still cool)

Anyways, I really recommend this manga.

[cc · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75

But even in school, you're always doing stuff for someone else... To be honest, it makes you look like a little bitch.

I'm not sure I understand what is going on with this. At first, I was getting zombie apocalypse vibes. Now I'm more leaning towards rage virus.

Honestly, this more than a little nonsensical and I didn't intend to read the next volume until the cliffhanger ending.

[Mandy Sickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect when I grabbed this one on Kindle Unlimited but I've had it on my TBR list because it sounded like my kind of read.

I actually really enjoyed the darker romance it was captivating. I've got the rest of the series and next five on my kindle ready to go. I'm curious to see what happens if Kamishiro can control what's happening to him or if he will end up destroying his crush.

I loved the first installment. Can't wait for the next one.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise has potential, but the sexualization of the violence was uncomfortable to say the least, especially since the cause appears to be a disease, lessening the culpability of the perpetrators. And there wasn't enough chemistry between the lead and his love interest for me to buy the angst element I was hoping for.

[leni · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly, I really enjoyed reading this manga even though I‘d never thought I would (well I gotta admit I used to read it in class all the time and that just made it way better)
All in all, I like the concept and I‘ve never seen it before so all in all, it‘s a fun new manga with interesting characters

[Ryan Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content Warnings: Adult themes, Graphic violence and gore, Disturbing images, Self-harm, Death, Sexual themes

This series is a macabre and sadistic take on a zombie-esque infection where the infected are conscious of their actions. The art is effective and the premise is compelling, though mileage may vary on the awkward social dynamics of high schoolers.

[Izzy King · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dialogue was weird, not natural at all. The art is pretty and well-done. I don't totally get the story and I'm gonna read the second one despite how uncomfortable this one made me.

I did read it all in one sitting, which is at least points in the author's favor.