What do you think?
Rate this book
Sadako at the End of the World
After the world comes to an end, a pair of sisters play a certain infamous video tape-but Sadako appears, they're just happy to meet another girl in this post-apocalyptic world.
146 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2019
7 people are currently reading
334 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 11, 2023
"Sadako is a ghost who emerges from a cursed video. Everyone who watches the video even children will be killed by the curse of Sadako in one week's time."
This was okay. The art was cute and I really loved the art mix between cute and spooky. It was definitely a pick me up after reading "The Girl Next Door"
I wish I had a spooky friend who came out of a well and threatened me with a good time in seven days.
This was okay. The art was cute and I really loved the art mix between cute and spooky. It was definitely a pick me up after reading "The Girl Next Door"
I wish I had a spooky friend who came out of a well and threatened me with a good time in seven days.
November 21, 2020
So Ringu was a popular horror movie and that lead to massive popularity for the character of Sadako. Now during an apocalypse, two young street urchins have figured out a way to watch the cursed video which summons Sadako and gives said watchers a week to live. But maybe, just maybe, a little love can go a long way...
What in the hell did I just read? This book is like a post-apocalyptic travelogue with two stock standard characters and a literal refugee from a horror movie who’s been so overused she’s practically descended into parody, who ends up communicating via a tablet.
So these three travel from story to story, looking for other survivors and hearing their stories and it goes to some weird places and makes some strange choices, yet all the while suggesting that maybe Sadako is growing to care for her young charges.
It all goes swimmingly until the end of the first chapter, at which point this book shows that its intent is more to remind you of the story of the lion and the scorpion than anything else. We never know what caused the apocalypse, but that’s fine because the nihilism is the point.
The two kids are so desperate for the company of other people that they don’t care who it is or how they get it (which may ultimately underline their acceptance of what they’ve gotten themselves into). That they immediately find a shed load of other people is best ignored since the narrative doesn’t bother pointing it out either.
Topped off with an ending that is so jaw-droppingly meta that I wasn’t sure whether to applaud it or burst out laughing and you have a weird, weird book. I’m not sure it actually does anything right, although the third chapter is a folklore tale that I kind of loved, but it doesn’t do anything particularly wrong.
Look, if you coated a stuffed moose in maple syrup and then set it on fire while catapulting it into a sand castle replica of the Alamo while Livin’ La Vida Loca was being sung by a choir of particularly gifted geese, I can’t say I wouldn’t be interested. This book? Same energy.
I mean, it’s worth three stars just because it commits to its premise with absolute gusto. This book knows exactly what it is and exactly what story it’s telling and has zero issues with itself. And, hey, I’m not sorry I read it, though I don’t know if I’d have paid for it had I known what I was getting into.
What in the hell did I just read? This book is like a post-apocalyptic travelogue with two stock standard characters and a literal refugee from a horror movie who’s been so overused she’s practically descended into parody, who ends up communicating via a tablet.
So these three travel from story to story, looking for other survivors and hearing their stories and it goes to some weird places and makes some strange choices, yet all the while suggesting that maybe Sadako is growing to care for her young charges.
It all goes swimmingly until the end of the first chapter, at which point this book shows that its intent is more to remind you of the story of the lion and the scorpion than anything else. We never know what caused the apocalypse, but that’s fine because the nihilism is the point.
The two kids are so desperate for the company of other people that they don’t care who it is or how they get it (which may ultimately underline their acceptance of what they’ve gotten themselves into). That they immediately find a shed load of other people is best ignored since the narrative doesn’t bother pointing it out either.
Topped off with an ending that is so jaw-droppingly meta that I wasn’t sure whether to applaud it or burst out laughing and you have a weird, weird book. I’m not sure it actually does anything right, although the third chapter is a folklore tale that I kind of loved, but it doesn’t do anything particularly wrong.
Look, if you coated a stuffed moose in maple syrup and then set it on fire while catapulting it into a sand castle replica of the Alamo while Livin’ La Vida Loca was being sung by a choir of particularly gifted geese, I can’t say I wouldn’t be interested. This book? Same energy.
I mean, it’s worth three stars just because it commits to its premise with absolute gusto. This book knows exactly what it is and exactly what story it’s telling and has zero issues with itself. And, hey, I’m not sorry I read it, though I don’t know if I’d have paid for it had I known what I was getting into.
October 29, 2022
2.5
One of the reasons I'm not a big fan of one-shots generally is because there's just not enough of everything, especially character development and world-building. The only reason this was even semi-cohesive as a story is because we already know who Sadako is, and barring that knowledge a lot of this wouldn't make any sense.
In the end, this is basically just cute Sadako fanfiction.
I did appreciate this Ring timeline though, because it makes me want to check out everything I haven't already seen or read:
One of the reasons I'm not a big fan of one-shots generally is because there's just not enough of everything, especially character development and world-building. The only reason this was even semi-cohesive as a story is because we already know who Sadako is, and barring that knowledge a lot of this wouldn't make any sense.
In the end, this is basically just cute Sadako fanfiction.
I did appreciate this Ring timeline though, because it makes me want to check out everything I haven't already seen or read:
November 4, 2020
I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I've certainly never read anything else like it...
May 18, 2023
An intensely interesting topic ("what would happen to a curse when everyone else is gone?") done very lightly. It's good enough, but I couldn't help but be distracted by the potential that goes unexplored. You could almost read the first and last chapters and be done with it, which would conveniently excise extra characters that kinda break the whole "we're two kids alone out here" that's established and then quickly broken right after the first chapter.
December 5, 2024
The gems I find on TikTok!
This is a brilliant, kind of hilarious and bittersweet reinterpretation of The Ring. The author is clearly a super fan!
It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where 2 girls living in isolation watch the tape and meet Sadako (Samara), but instead of being scared, they’re happy to have a new companion! 😅
Since Sadako can only stay 7 days, they go looking for more people (victims) to introduce her to, so she can continue to exist for longer! It’s hilarious, sweet, sad, and super creative!
My favorite part was obviously the hairdresser moment lol
Loved it!
This is a brilliant, kind of hilarious and bittersweet reinterpretation of The Ring. The author is clearly a super fan!
It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where 2 girls living in isolation watch the tape and meet Sadako (Samara), but instead of being scared, they’re happy to have a new companion! 😅
Since Sadako can only stay 7 days, they go looking for more people (victims) to introduce her to, so she can continue to exist for longer! It’s hilarious, sweet, sad, and super creative!
My favorite part was obviously the hairdresser moment lol
Loved it!
February 28, 2021
Gothic kawaii, if there is such a thing heh.
Sadako in a post apocalyptic world, doing her thing.
Features wells, ghosts and curses.
Sadako in a post apocalyptic world, doing her thing.
Features wells, ghosts and curses.
September 9, 2025
Who would’ve thought BookTok would deliver something this bizarrely cute?
Sadako at the End of the World is a surprisingly bittersweet reinterpretation of The Ring (yes, the horror movie I've always refused to watch, except for the Scary Movie version.)
The author is clearly a mega-fan and seriously leans into parody, while also delivering some oddly touching moments.
The setup: two girls living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland stumble upon the cursed videotape and summon Sadako aka our good old Samara. But instead of screaming in terror, they’re thrilled to finally have a new companion.
It’s equal parts hilarious, sad, and genuinely creative.
The art is adorable, soft, expressive, and perfectly balanced between creepy and cute. I loved the strange mix of cozy post-apocalyptic travelogue with folklore, inspired detours, Sadako communicating via tablet, and the undercurrent of loneliness driving the girls’ decisions.
I can’t say it’s flawless. The characters themselves are thinly sketched, the worldbuilding doesn’t always make sense: we never find out what caused the apocalypse. The answer I gave myself: everyone started watching the videotape and Sadako/Samara killed everyone. Everyone was crazy about The Ring growing up, so it only makes sense that everyone would die because of it). But, I guess, chaos is kind of the whole point.
This was the perfect break from current readings that are somewhat heavy.
Bottom line: if you’re in the mood for something that commits to its premise with absolute gusto—cute, creepy, silly, and sad in equal measure, this is worth the read.
This literally gave the same energy as the Australian woman who competed for Break Dancing during the Paris Olympics 2024, weirdly unforgettable.
Sadako at the End of the World is a surprisingly bittersweet reinterpretation of The Ring (yes, the horror movie I've always refused to watch, except for the Scary Movie version.)
The author is clearly a mega-fan and seriously leans into parody, while also delivering some oddly touching moments.
The setup: two girls living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland stumble upon the cursed videotape and summon Sadako aka our good old Samara. But instead of screaming in terror, they’re thrilled to finally have a new companion.
It’s equal parts hilarious, sad, and genuinely creative.
The art is adorable, soft, expressive, and perfectly balanced between creepy and cute. I loved the strange mix of cozy post-apocalyptic travelogue with folklore, inspired detours, Sadako communicating via tablet, and the undercurrent of loneliness driving the girls’ decisions.
I can’t say it’s flawless. The characters themselves are thinly sketched, the worldbuilding doesn’t always make sense: we never find out what caused the apocalypse. The answer I gave myself: everyone started watching the videotape and Sadako/Samara killed everyone. Everyone was crazy about The Ring growing up, so it only makes sense that everyone would die because of it). But, I guess, chaos is kind of the whole point.
This was the perfect break from current readings that are somewhat heavy.
Bottom line: if you’re in the mood for something that commits to its premise with absolute gusto—cute, creepy, silly, and sad in equal measure, this is worth the read.
This literally gave the same energy as the Australian woman who competed for Break Dancing during the Paris Olympics 2024, weirdly unforgettable.
April 7, 2021
-4/10
-The artstyle is SO CUTE
-The things that happen in the story aren't touched on or explained well which made it super confusing
-Not really worth reading or at least not worth owning
-If you're going into this expecting a horror story you are in for a rude awakening
-The artstyle is SO CUTE
-The things that happen in the story aren't touched on or explained well which made it super confusing
-Not really worth reading or at least not worth owning
-If you're going into this expecting a horror story you are in for a rude awakening
July 24, 2021
"Telling would be spoilers."
Sadako at the End of the World is a short manga with a premise that's more than unusual: two girls in a vague post-apocalyptic setting manage to find a copy of a VHS which just happens to be Sadako's cursed video tape; that is, Sadako from the Ring horror series. Sadako herself emerges from the VHS tape (Ring aficionados will immediately cry: but she doesn't come out of the VHS tape until the last day! And you are right, but that would destroy the premise so, out it goes) and spends the next 7 days with the two young girls as they search for other survivors. Sadako communicates via a written tablet and seems conflicted, yet not conflicted, about the ultimate fate of the two youngsters who are eager for her company.
This manga is short--too short to really flesh out the premise, which is a shame--and has a tone that is best described as bittersweet. The girls seem mostly oblivious to Sadako's true nature, and while Sadako is placed in some cutesy situations, she never quite wavers from her goal or desires.
If you're a fan of the Ring series, you won't want to miss a manga from an author who is clearly a fan of the series and character. As she writes in her author's note:
After working on this book, I fell in love with Sadako even more than I already had. I wish for nothing more than to assist Sadako with her curse, somehow.
And perhaps she has...
Sadako at the End of the World is a short manga with a premise that's more than unusual: two girls in a vague post-apocalyptic setting manage to find a copy of a VHS which just happens to be Sadako's cursed video tape; that is, Sadako from the Ring horror series. Sadako herself emerges from the VHS tape (Ring aficionados will immediately cry: but she doesn't come out of the VHS tape until the last day! And you are right, but that would destroy the premise so, out it goes) and spends the next 7 days with the two young girls as they search for other survivors. Sadako communicates via a written tablet and seems conflicted, yet not conflicted, about the ultimate fate of the two youngsters who are eager for her company.
This manga is short--too short to really flesh out the premise, which is a shame--and has a tone that is best described as bittersweet. The girls seem mostly oblivious to Sadako's true nature, and while Sadako is placed in some cutesy situations, she never quite wavers from her goal or desires.
If you're a fan of the Ring series, you won't want to miss a manga from an author who is clearly a fan of the series and character. As she writes in her author's note:
After working on this book, I fell in love with Sadako even more than I already had. I wish for nothing more than to assist Sadako with her curse, somehow.
And perhaps she has...
May 3, 2024
A fairly simple plot, with a little shonen goofiness makes this a pretty fun read as a fan of horror and The Ring. It also made me feel empathetic a little bit towards our titular protagonist (antagonist?). She’s always been someone whose lore is fun and her many appearances surely prove how popular she is. TLDR: if you like scary stuff and want a cute story about one of the most famous, this is a perfect all in one sitting read.
October 10, 2025
So damn cute. This was really sweet, dark and wholesome.
Feel like it captures that child like wonder of choosing a character you’re too young to actually watch properly but still making them your comfort character. Like if Jason Voorhees not friend why friend shape?
Feel like it captures that child like wonder of choosing a character you’re too young to actually watch properly but still making them your comfort character. Like if Jason Voorhees not friend why friend shape?
January 1, 2021
Kinda cute. Not what I was expecting.
October 12, 2024
It’s a fun and quick read. Only big fans should seek it out but I enjoyed it well enough.
December 15, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This was such a cute way to break my manga virginity! I loved how Sadako was portrayed in a much friendlier light. Off to read The Ring manga now!
This was such a cute way to break my manga virginity! I loved how Sadako was portrayed in a much friendlier light. Off to read The Ring manga now!
September 28, 2025
corniest cutest book i love how goofy they draw her 😭
October 15, 2025
A super short read, but the art style is cute, and the story was actually kind of heartwarming.
December 11, 2021
I am...here to curse you
The world is in ruins. Humanity still exists to a pint but whatever has been wiping out humans is about to put Sadako out of business so when two lonely girls who have so far survived the apocalypse discover Sadako's cursed tape and play it she comes out (for stories sake but I am going to say because phones no longer work) immediately and is welcomed by the 2 girls. Believing their new friend is only going to be around for seven days (and not that they will die in a week) the now group of three start a journey to find new friends and maybe some hope in a world ready for the end of the human race.
The manga itself doesn't really feed you any information about the reason humanity is going extinct and although it has cute moments it appears that Sadako is all but happy to continue her cursing business as long as humans still exist and don't worry because by the end of the volume she will find someone she will become very interested in meeting. :)
All in all it was a short little one shot more focused on the human interactions still available when hope is all but lost and the ghost who's grudge may finally end once the last of them are gone. Obviously written by someone who loves the Ringu franchise this story gives us insight on things related to it including that a 2019 remake called "Sadako" was in production and they mangaka got a chance to visit the set. Throw in a last minute what happened to everyone after the book and you have a nice ending on a book with few details allowing your imagination to fill the gaps as needed. :)
The world is in ruins. Humanity still exists to a pint but whatever has been wiping out humans is about to put Sadako out of business so when two lonely girls who have so far survived the apocalypse discover Sadako's cursed tape and play it she comes out (for stories sake but I am going to say because phones no longer work) immediately and is welcomed by the 2 girls. Believing their new friend is only going to be around for seven days (and not that they will die in a week) the now group of three start a journey to find new friends and maybe some hope in a world ready for the end of the human race.
The manga itself doesn't really feed you any information about the reason humanity is going extinct and although it has cute moments it appears that Sadako is all but happy to continue her cursing business as long as humans still exist and don't worry because by the end of the volume she will find someone she will become very interested in meeting. :)
All in all it was a short little one shot more focused on the human interactions still available when hope is all but lost and the ghost who's grudge may finally end once the last of them are gone. Obviously written by someone who loves the Ringu franchise this story gives us insight on things related to it including that a 2019 remake called "Sadako" was in production and they mangaka got a chance to visit the set. Throw in a last minute what happened to everyone after the book and you have a nice ending on a book with few details allowing your imagination to fill the gaps as needed. :)
September 3, 2025
Cute and quick, but sorely lacking. Three stars for sheer passion alone—the artist clearly adores Sadako!
September 17, 2025
This is a really cute and so sad one shot book. I loved the concept from beginning to end and it was beautifully done. The characters were so friendly and trusting of Sadako but in the end is probably what's best for them considering the state of the world. It was one of those I'm not crying you're crying kind of bittersweet endings. But I loved this so much as a major fan of anything pertaining to Sadako.
March 20, 2021
This is so cute! As a longtime Ring fan, there were lots of little things in this book that indicated what a fan the author is, too, and delighted me! But even if you aren’t a hardcore Ring franchise fan, it’s an adorable read.
December 14, 2020
This was so cute, very in character, and please let it be considered canon because oh my GOSH
April 24, 2021
Genuine guilty pleasure delight.
March 19, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up
So this is cute. I've long been a big fan of any related to Ringu/The Ring; the latter, the US remake, is one of my favorite films of all time. I've read the original novel (although not the sequels; I need to get on that), dug up some of the more obscure films (a Japanese TV movie adapting the film before Ringu and The Ring Virus), and loved all of them even the really really awful ones. Certainly there are parts of the Ring world that I have yet to catch (some of the Sadako films have been hard to dig up in the US), but I'm happy to bide my time; their time will come.
It was with some shock (and delight) when I saw a copy of this manga sitting on my kitchen table—something my roommate is borrowing from someone—as I didn't know it exists. I quickly pulled up Comixology and found it there. Purchased it, read it, life is good.
Sadako at the End of the World is the most lighthearted, cute way to consume anything Ring-related. It assumes you know the basics of the legend (watch a video, get cursed, long hair) and places it in a post-apocalyptic world. Two young girls repair an old VHS player, watch a random video—Sadako's video—and upon Sadako's appearance, befriend her and drag her along on some adventures.
These are frilly adventures. They do not add to the Ring lore in any way. And it's basically an extended gag: This iconic franchise horror antagonist being befuddlingly treated like a normal girl by two normal girls. She remains mute throughout—although has a tablet on which she sometimes writes answers/thoughts—as her two new fiends look to make the most of their time together. The tablet is a really fun part of this, acting more as asides than a serious communication device. It adds a neat dimension to the gag as we get to see glimmers of her personality and reaction to this whole journey.
Sadako's legs aren't completely kicked out from under her. While not typical horror presentation, she still gets her kills. So there's also a sad undercurrent to this. These are people we meet and like, who help the two kids and Sadako. But these are also people much quicker on the uptake about who and what Sadako is; none express shock or horror at the end.
While this feels a bit like a passion project from the author, Koma Natsumi, I suspect it became a real actual manga because of the 2019 Sadako film. Natsumi was even given an opportunity to spend a day on set during filming—something replicated in comic form as a bonus section at the end of this. Perhaps that slight whiff of promotional tie-in dooms Sadako at the End of the World to be a one-off experience—the film is out, we have no more need of whetting the Japanese market's appetite—but this was fun enough that I'd love to see more comics in its vein.
Regardless, as long as you're not expecting anything that actually feels like horror or something exploring Sadako's past, this is a comfy, enjoyable read.
So this is cute. I've long been a big fan of any related to Ringu/The Ring; the latter, the US remake, is one of my favorite films of all time. I've read the original novel (although not the sequels; I need to get on that), dug up some of the more obscure films (a Japanese TV movie adapting the film before Ringu and The Ring Virus), and loved all of them even the really really awful ones. Certainly there are parts of the Ring world that I have yet to catch (some of the Sadako films have been hard to dig up in the US), but I'm happy to bide my time; their time will come.
It was with some shock (and delight) when I saw a copy of this manga sitting on my kitchen table—something my roommate is borrowing from someone—as I didn't know it exists. I quickly pulled up Comixology and found it there. Purchased it, read it, life is good.
Sadako at the End of the World is the most lighthearted, cute way to consume anything Ring-related. It assumes you know the basics of the legend (watch a video, get cursed, long hair) and places it in a post-apocalyptic world. Two young girls repair an old VHS player, watch a random video—Sadako's video—and upon Sadako's appearance, befriend her and drag her along on some adventures.
These are frilly adventures. They do not add to the Ring lore in any way. And it's basically an extended gag: This iconic franchise horror antagonist being befuddlingly treated like a normal girl by two normal girls. She remains mute throughout—although has a tablet on which she sometimes writes answers/thoughts—as her two new fiends look to make the most of their time together. The tablet is a really fun part of this, acting more as asides than a serious communication device. It adds a neat dimension to the gag as we get to see glimmers of her personality and reaction to this whole journey.
Sadako's legs aren't completely kicked out from under her. While not typical horror presentation, she still gets her kills. So there's also a sad undercurrent to this. These are people we meet and like, who help the two kids and Sadako. But these are also people much quicker on the uptake about who and what Sadako is; none express shock or horror at the end.
While this feels a bit like a passion project from the author, Koma Natsumi, I suspect it became a real actual manga because of the 2019 Sadako film. Natsumi was even given an opportunity to spend a day on set during filming—something replicated in comic form as a bonus section at the end of this. Perhaps that slight whiff of promotional tie-in dooms Sadako at the End of the World to be a one-off experience—the film is out, we have no more need of whetting the Japanese market's appetite—but this was fun enough that I'd love to see more comics in its vein.
Regardless, as long as you're not expecting anything that actually feels like horror or something exploring Sadako's past, this is a comfy, enjoyable read.
February 10, 2023
PopKulturowy Kociołek:
Świat spotkała straszliwa zagłada, która doprowadziła do prawie całkowitego wyginięcia gatunku ludzkiego. Ostatnimi przedstawicielami rasy ludzkiej są dwie urocze dziewczynki Ai i Hii. Pewnego dnia odnajdują one tajemniczą kasetę wideo. Nie spodziewają się one tego, że obejrzany przez nie film jest przeklęty i z ekranu telewizora wyłoni się czarnowłosa istota. Tytułowa Sadako, która ma tydzień na to, aby sprowadzić śmierć na osoby, które obejrzały film. Przeklęcie ostatnich ludzi na planecie oznacza jednak koniec wszystkiego. W takiej sytuacji nie pozostaje nic innego jak tylko wyruszyć w podróż, której celem jest odnalezienie innych ocalałych, o ile tacy istnieją.
Przeklęty film, studnia, czarnowłosa istota. Chyba każdy, kto miał kiedykolwiek do czynienia z azjatyckim horrorem, doskonale wie na jakiej produkcji oparta została część fabuły mangi. Wielbiciele dalekowschodniej grozy muszą jednak opanować swoją ekscytację. Nie mamy tutaj bowiem do czynienia z typowym horrorem, mało tego klimat tego gatunku popkultury jest tylko mikroskopijną częścią scenariusza.
Autorka Koma Natsumi sięga po ikonę J-Horroru i osadza ją w emocjonalnej opowieści, która w znaczącej części jest psychologicznym dramatem. Podróż, w którą wybiera się wspomniane trio, staje się dla nich okazją do jeszcze mocniejszego zacieśnienia więzów przyjaźni, a dla czytelnika okazją do troszkę mocniejszego poznania opustoszałego świata. Nie należy jednak oczekiwać przysłowiowych „cudów”. Scenariusz jest bowiem dosyć prosty w swoich założeniach, a na zaledwie 102 stronach naprawdę ciężko jest głęboko przedstawić niektóre wątki. Główną osią fabuły jest tutaj obserwowanie wewnętrznej walki Sadako z własnym przeznaczeniem i jej niechęcią do krzywdzenia dziewczynek, które naprawdę mocno cieszą się z nowego towarzystwa. Do tego dochodzi szczypta niezłego humoru, który staje się niezłą przeciwwagą do wszechobecnej w tym świecie apokalipsy.
https://gameplay.pl/news.asp?ID=147658
Świat spotkała straszliwa zagłada, która doprowadziła do prawie całkowitego wyginięcia gatunku ludzkiego. Ostatnimi przedstawicielami rasy ludzkiej są dwie urocze dziewczynki Ai i Hii. Pewnego dnia odnajdują one tajemniczą kasetę wideo. Nie spodziewają się one tego, że obejrzany przez nie film jest przeklęty i z ekranu telewizora wyłoni się czarnowłosa istota. Tytułowa Sadako, która ma tydzień na to, aby sprowadzić śmierć na osoby, które obejrzały film. Przeklęcie ostatnich ludzi na planecie oznacza jednak koniec wszystkiego. W takiej sytuacji nie pozostaje nic innego jak tylko wyruszyć w podróż, której celem jest odnalezienie innych ocalałych, o ile tacy istnieją.
Przeklęty film, studnia, czarnowłosa istota. Chyba każdy, kto miał kiedykolwiek do czynienia z azjatyckim horrorem, doskonale wie na jakiej produkcji oparta została część fabuły mangi. Wielbiciele dalekowschodniej grozy muszą jednak opanować swoją ekscytację. Nie mamy tutaj bowiem do czynienia z typowym horrorem, mało tego klimat tego gatunku popkultury jest tylko mikroskopijną częścią scenariusza.
Autorka Koma Natsumi sięga po ikonę J-Horroru i osadza ją w emocjonalnej opowieści, która w znaczącej części jest psychologicznym dramatem. Podróż, w którą wybiera się wspomniane trio, staje się dla nich okazją do jeszcze mocniejszego zacieśnienia więzów przyjaźni, a dla czytelnika okazją do troszkę mocniejszego poznania opustoszałego świata. Nie należy jednak oczekiwać przysłowiowych „cudów”. Scenariusz jest bowiem dosyć prosty w swoich założeniach, a na zaledwie 102 stronach naprawdę ciężko jest głęboko przedstawić niektóre wątki. Główną osią fabuły jest tutaj obserwowanie wewnętrznej walki Sadako z własnym przeznaczeniem i jej niechęcią do krzywdzenia dziewczynek, które naprawdę mocno cieszą się z nowego towarzystwa. Do tego dochodzi szczypta niezłego humoru, który staje się niezłą przeciwwagą do wszechobecnej w tym świecie apokalipsy.
https://gameplay.pl/news.asp?ID=147658
March 9, 2025
Był to mój reread, tym razem po polsku, jednak wrażenia pozostały takie same.
Postapokaliptyczny świat i dwie dziewczynki pozbawione rodziców, które chcąc zobaczyć człowieka, odtwarzają kasetę, tym samym przywołując Sadako do życia.
Sadako to postać raczej znana, przynajmniej z wyglądu (pierwowzorem była chyba książka ,,Ring", pewności nie mam, bo jeszcze się w to nie zagłębiałam, ale czeka na moim tbr).
I tak zaczęła się trwająca 7 dni przygoda. Tragiczna przygoda, bo kto zobaczy Sadako, ten skazany jest na śmierć. Tym samym czytanie o tym, jak dzieci traktowały ją jak przyjaciółkę i chciały zatrzymać ją na zawsze, jednocześnie wiedząc, jak to się skończy, było smutne. Pod względem emocjonalnym ta historia w jakiś sposób do mnie trafiła.
Niestety więcej tu poszło ,,nie tak", niż ,,tak". Jak na świat bez ludzi, prosperował on normlanie, tzn. był prąd, jedzenie, woda. Dlaczego?? Zupełnie nie czułam klimatu zniszczonego i opuszczonego świata. To, że na świecie nie zostało już więcej osób było wiadome, bo.. no właśnie, bo tak powiedziała jedna z bohaterek. A potem poszły na poszukiwania ludzi i bez problemu w mniej niż tydzień znalazły dwie osoby, więc dlaczego w innych miejscach na świecie miałoby ich nie być? Otóż dlatego, bo nie. Szkoda, że tak to wyglądało, bo historia dobrze się zapowiadała.
Zakończenie było smutne, ale nie było rzucone wprost, ogólnie manga pozbawiona była obrazowych scen śmierci, mimo że czytając, było wiadome, że ktoś umarł. Czy mi się to podobało? Z jednej strony tak, z drugiej nie. Miałam nawet chwilowy moment niezrozumienia zakończenia (czytając recenzje, widziałam, że ktoś też tak miał), więc mogło ono być przedstawione lepiej, bardziej dosadnie. No i w większej ilości scen, bo było za szybkie i zmuszające do domysłów odnośnie tego, co się właściwie wydarzyło.
Postapokaliptyczny świat i dwie dziewczynki pozbawione rodziców, które chcąc zobaczyć człowieka, odtwarzają kasetę, tym samym przywołując Sadako do życia.
Sadako to postać raczej znana, przynajmniej z wyglądu (pierwowzorem była chyba książka ,,Ring", pewności nie mam, bo jeszcze się w to nie zagłębiałam, ale czeka na moim tbr).
I tak zaczęła się trwająca 7 dni przygoda. Tragiczna przygoda, bo kto zobaczy Sadako, ten skazany jest na śmierć. Tym samym czytanie o tym, jak dzieci traktowały ją jak przyjaciółkę i chciały zatrzymać ją na zawsze, jednocześnie wiedząc, jak to się skończy, było smutne. Pod względem emocjonalnym ta historia w jakiś sposób do mnie trafiła.
Niestety więcej tu poszło ,,nie tak", niż ,,tak". Jak na świat bez ludzi, prosperował on normlanie, tzn. był prąd, jedzenie, woda. Dlaczego?? Zupełnie nie czułam klimatu zniszczonego i opuszczonego świata. To, że na świecie nie zostało już więcej osób było wiadome, bo.. no właśnie, bo tak powiedziała jedna z bohaterek. A potem poszły na poszukiwania ludzi i bez problemu w mniej niż tydzień znalazły dwie osoby, więc dlaczego w innych miejscach na świecie miałoby ich nie być? Otóż dlatego, bo nie. Szkoda, że tak to wyglądało, bo historia dobrze się zapowiadała.
Zakończenie było smutne, ale nie było rzucone wprost, ogólnie manga pozbawiona była obrazowych scen śmierci, mimo że czytając, było wiadome, że ktoś umarł. Czy mi się to podobało? Z jednej strony tak, z drugiej nie. Miałam nawet chwilowy moment niezrozumienia zakończenia (czytając recenzje, widziałam, że ktoś też tak miał), więc mogło ono być przedstawione lepiej, bardziej dosadnie. No i w większej ilości scen, bo było za szybkie i zmuszające do domysłów odnośnie tego, co się właściwie wydarzyło.
August 28, 2021
Say what?!?!?
Two apocalypse survivors befriend a horror movie monster?!?
What, pray tell, is this bizarre hilarity?? And HOW do I get my grabby hands on it???
These are the questions that were spinning through my mind when I first encountered news that this book even existed. Because it totally jives with the more sophisticated and twisted yes, FINE, dark side of my sense of humor (although I still do enjoy a good poop joke, but that's what the Dumb & Dumber trilogy is for). But before I go further, you need to know this about me:
the movie The Ring scared the figurative shit out of me!!
Of course it didn't help that I watched it while completely alone. In a dark, creepy apartment. Truly, I was setting myself up. What did I expect? And it most certainly didn't help that a friend happened call to chat shortly after I'd finished the movie. An effed-up coincidence if there ever was one (said friend would get some comeuppance a few weeks later in the Infamous Candyman Incident...which is another story to be told at another time as it has nothing to do with this book). Even chasing the scary movie with the most cute and spazzed-out movie from my then-smallish/limited video collection, Lilo & Stitch, didn't help cover the horror I'd witnessed (And given the connection between the two films, which I didn't know at the time, I suppose I can see why...in a weird way). I haven't watched The Ring or its sequels or spinnoffs or had anything to do with the story since.
Maybe what I needed was THIS BOOK!
And WHAT a book! I'm still cry-laughing at it! It involves Ai and Hii-Chan, two little girls who, somehow, survive the apocalypse. They come across the cursed video from The Ring and release Sadako, the murderous monster from the video who kills anyone who watches said video within a week (This girl would make a terrible Influencer. Just saying... ). Of course the girls don't know they're supposed to be afraid of Sadako. They don't even know of the curse. They're just over-the-freaking-MOON thrilled to have a new friend. In a twisted twist of fate, the girls and Sadako go on a journey through the ruined landscape to hunt for more victims, er, survivors and maybe even help their new pal break the curse.
The ending, though... Best. Ending. EVER!! ()
p.s. I'm not creeped out by The Ring anymore. Thank you Ai, Hii-Chan & Sada-Chan!!
p.s.s. I STILL love Lilo & Stitch, though! Best Disney Movie ever. I can quote whole parts of it...including the Peanut Butter Sandwich Rant...
Two apocalypse survivors befriend a horror movie monster?!?
What, pray tell, is this bizarre hilarity?? And HOW do I get my grabby hands on it???
These are the questions that were spinning through my mind when I first encountered news that this book even existed. Because it totally jives with the more sophisticated and twisted yes, FINE, dark side of my sense of humor (although I still do enjoy a good poop joke, but that's what the Dumb & Dumber trilogy is for). But before I go further, you need to know this about me:
the movie The Ring scared the figurative shit out of me!!
Of course it didn't help that I watched it while completely alone. In a dark, creepy apartment. Truly, I was setting myself up. What did I expect? And it most certainly didn't help that a friend happened call to chat shortly after I'd finished the movie. An effed-up coincidence if there ever was one (said friend would get some comeuppance a few weeks later in the Infamous Candyman Incident...which is another story to be told at another time as it has nothing to do with this book). Even chasing the scary movie with the most cute and spazzed-out movie from my then-smallish/limited video collection, Lilo & Stitch, didn't help cover the horror I'd witnessed (And given the connection between the two films, which I didn't know at the time, I suppose I can see why...in a weird way). I haven't watched The Ring or its sequels or spinnoffs or had anything to do with the story since.
Maybe what I needed was THIS BOOK!
And WHAT a book! I'm still cry-laughing at it! It involves Ai and Hii-Chan, two little girls who, somehow, survive the apocalypse. They come across the cursed video from The Ring and release Sadako, the murderous monster from the video who kills anyone who watches said video within a week (This girl would make a terrible Influencer. Just saying... ). Of course the girls don't know they're supposed to be afraid of Sadako. They don't even know of the curse. They're just over-the-freaking-MOON thrilled to have a new friend. In a twisted twist of fate, the girls and Sadako go on a journey through the ruined landscape to hunt for more victims, er, survivors and maybe even help their new pal break the curse.
The ending, though... Best. Ending. EVER!! ()
p.s. I'm not creeped out by The Ring anymore. Thank you Ai, Hii-Chan & Sada-Chan!!
p.s.s. I STILL love Lilo & Stitch, though! Best Disney Movie ever. I can quote whole parts of it...including the Peanut Butter Sandwich Rant...
October 28, 2025
This is a cute graphic novel, placing the villain Sadako from the Ring franchise into a profoundly silly situation. We are so familiar with Sadako at this point, she has basically descended into parody. She “wakes” into a post-apocalyptic world, finding only two Chibi-like girls left alive. With nothing better to do, Sadako spares their lives and travels with them, perhaps looking for other survivors to curse. Sadako at the End of the World has a funny premise, although it wears out its welcome eventually. I suppose I wanted the ending to be cleverer. This is an okay read.
***************************************************************************
[Image: Book Cover]
Citation:
Natsumi, K. (2020). Sadako at the end of the world (C. Cook, Trans.). Yen Press. (Original work published 2019)
Title: Sadako at the End of the World
Author(s): Koma Natsumi (story, art), Koji Suzuki (supervision), Caleb Cook (2020 translation), Lys Blakeslee (letterer)
Year: 2019
Genre: Fiction - Graphic Novel: Humor, Supernatural Horror
Page count: 146 pages
Date(s) read: 10/28/25
Book 228 in 2025
***************************************************************************
***************************************************************************
[Image: Book Cover]
Citation:
Natsumi, K. (2020). Sadako at the end of the world (C. Cook, Trans.). Yen Press. (Original work published 2019)
Title: Sadako at the End of the World
Author(s): Koma Natsumi (story, art), Koji Suzuki (supervision), Caleb Cook (2020 translation), Lys Blakeslee (letterer)
Year: 2019
Genre: Fiction - Graphic Novel: Humor, Supernatural Horror
Page count: 146 pages
Date(s) read: 10/28/25
Book 228 in 2025
***************************************************************************
August 20, 2021
A gimmicky manga that wants to be too many things at once: it's not quite horror, the ironic comedy falls a little flat, and the comedy cheapens the attempts at poignancy. I think if the author had accepted that there is already some inherent humor in the premise of this story (Sadako traveling and caring for some lonely children) and left out the jokey gags, the book would have been much stronger overall.
While it presupposes some familiarity with the Ring series, it is otherwise self-contained. That said, I would recommend it only as an additional purchase where horror comedy is quite popular. A much better recommendation for someone interested the concept (a rather dark but pathos-imbued story of a gentle innocent/innocents obliviously befriending a monster) would be the "Those Without Eyes" story in Nagabe's recent Love on the Other Side collection.
While it presupposes some familiarity with the Ring series, it is otherwise self-contained. That said, I would recommend it only as an additional purchase where horror comedy is quite popular. A much better recommendation for someone interested the concept (a rather dark but pathos-imbued story of a gentle innocent/innocents obliviously befriending a monster) would be the "Those Without Eyes" story in Nagabe's recent Love on the Other Side collection.
November 26, 2024
I've often be teased about my movie collection, which is essentially half horror and half kid movies... so this manga is absolutely perfect for me. The core of each chapter is an adorable little girl and her sister hanging out with Sadako from Ringu. She seems super naive but that's helping her get through whatever apocalypse emptied the world of people and this also means when she and her sister watch the Sadako video, they're just willing to accept they have a new friend to hang out with. Unfortunately for the other few survivors, this means they happily take Sadako on a journey to see if anyone else is left. While there are a few creepy scenes, most of the panels are super cute and then tension comes from the reader knowing what happens to Sadako's voyeurs... and of course you have to wonder if the power of friendship and love can change their fate.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews