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大ダーク [Dai Dark] #1
Dai Dark, Vol. 1
NECROMANCY, SPACE ACTION, AND DARK HUMOR COLLIDE IN THIS WILDLY CREATIVE NEW SERIES FROM THE CREATOR OF DOROHEDORO!
Zaha Sanko's body has great and terrible powers--they say that possessing his bones will grant you any wish, even the desire to become ruler of the universe. But Sanko is still a teenage dude with his own life, and he isn't about to let every monstrous lowlife in the galaxy rip him limb from limb. He and his skeletal buddy Avakian will use their dark powers to fend off any murder attempts while they search space for whomever put this curse on Sanko's bones...because killing them might end the madness. (And then Sanko can celebrate with his favorite spaghetti.) Don't miss this hilariously twisted and gruesome new series from the unique mind of Q Hayashida, creator of the manga and Netflix anime Dorohedoro!
Zaha Sanko's body has great and terrible powers--they say that possessing his bones will grant you any wish, even the desire to become ruler of the universe. But Sanko is still a teenage dude with his own life, and he isn't about to let every monstrous lowlife in the galaxy rip him limb from limb. He and his skeletal buddy Avakian will use their dark powers to fend off any murder attempts while they search space for whomever put this curse on Sanko's bones...because killing them might end the madness. (And then Sanko can celebrate with his favorite spaghetti.) Don't miss this hilariously twisted and gruesome new series from the unique mind of Q Hayashida, creator of the manga and Netflix anime Dorohedoro!
212 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2019
115 people are currently reading
2004 people want to read
About the author
Q. Hayashida
81 books596 followersQ Hayashida (林田球, Hayashida Kyu) is a manga author from Tokyo.
Hayashida studied oil painting at Tokyo University of the Arts. She has discussed her childhood and artistic inspirations in interviews but maintains a high level of privacy about her personal life, to the point that her true name and face are unknown.
Hayashida's first major manga was Maken X Another (1999-2001), a comic book adaptation of a video game.
Her most famous work is the 23-volumes long Dorohedoro (2000-2018). It was originally serialised in the alternative manga magazine 'Monthly Ikki', but it was later moved to 'Hibana' when Ikki ceased publication, and finally transferred to 'Monthly Shōnen Sunday'. Dorohedoro has been partially adapted into an anime on Netflix in 2018.
Hayashida's most recent manga series Dai Dark began serialisation in 2019 in the pages of Monthly Shōnen Sunday.
Hayashida studied oil painting at Tokyo University of the Arts. She has discussed her childhood and artistic inspirations in interviews but maintains a high level of privacy about her personal life, to the point that her true name and face are unknown.
Hayashida's first major manga was Maken X Another (1999-2001), a comic book adaptation of a video game.
Her most famous work is the 23-volumes long Dorohedoro (2000-2018). It was originally serialised in the alternative manga magazine 'Monthly Ikki', but it was later moved to 'Hibana' when Ikki ceased publication, and finally transferred to 'Monthly Shōnen Sunday'. Dorohedoro has been partially adapted into an anime on Netflix in 2018.
Hayashida's most recent manga series Dai Dark began serialisation in 2019 in the pages of Monthly Shōnen Sunday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews
May 3, 2021
A comic that screams for a raw black metal soundtrack. Mistress of the Macabre Q. Hayashida is back with a delectably weird scifi-something-or-other that's an easy must-read if you're already a fan of Dorohedoro.
The plot, such as it is, plays a bit like a riff on Doro. Teenage dude Zaha Sanko is burdened with an awful curse: purportedly his bones can grant any wish. As such every scumfuck in the dank universe he inhabits wants a piece of him. Not one to let this interfere with his life, Zaha wanders the universe with his dark paggy Avakian (think a skull-headed schoolbag that breathes fires...and can transform into a Geiger-esque skeleton!) seeking whomever it is that can grant wishes with his bones. Since clearly if they kill them, Zaha will be free. Or so the beleaguered spaceling hopes!
I lost count of how much I cackled while reading this manga. Be it because someone was meeting a gory demise, or because of the nonchalance Hayashida's heroes display while meting out gory demises. The macabre humor, as in Dorohedoro, is relentless. Bones, bodily fluid, and organic growths are the order of the day in Hayashida's vision of inhabited outer-space. All while leaving room for corporate-owned elementary school starships, videogame-like powerups Zaha buys with bones he collects from fallen foes, black holes, and mystic darkness-powered spaceship AIs. Oh my.
Zaha and Avakian are a likeable enough duo. Hayashida doesn't answer much about their shared past, but the two are bloody, and bloody hilarious. They were a bit overshadowed for me however by the introduction of Shimada Death, Zaha's one friend outside of Avakian (Whom I guess is more like...a parent?). I can't really bring myself to say much about Shimada...their introduction, and a later chapter full of badassery kinda need to be seen to be believed. Suffice to say, the scene wherein they explain why they have no wishes to make was enough to cement a place for them in my ichorous heart.
If there's any weakness to the mad proceedings, it may simply be that there's less of a driving narrative going on here than there is a number of introductions and set-ups. It in fact reminded me more than a bit of the earlier chapters of Soul Eater. Or, once again, like Dorohedoro, which some accuse of being pretty meandering narrative-wise. I don't speak from experience, having only watched the anime and read the first two or three volumes of that series. I can only hope that Hayashida manages to drum up at least some sorta satisfactory arc for Zaha and Avakian. This volume does manage to pull a cliffhanger that gives at least some impression of where things are heading.
Buuut I can't even really feel the above misgivings too too much. I loved reading this in a way I rarely feel with manga nowadays. It brought me back to the days of reading Berserk, Hellsing, and Gantz as a teen. Back when there was a more-than-usual illicit thrill in reading foreign comics about aesthetically pleasing ultra-violence. Maybe I'm just a simple dude who likes his comics slimy, dark, and spewed forth from a black hole. I don't wholly know, but I do know I fucking love Dai Dark 01, and am excited to open Volume 2's sticky, darkness-exuding pages whenever it finally drops out of the atmosphere like some blighted cosmic insect.
The plot, such as it is, plays a bit like a riff on Doro. Teenage dude Zaha Sanko is burdened with an awful curse: purportedly his bones can grant any wish. As such every scumfuck in the dank universe he inhabits wants a piece of him. Not one to let this interfere with his life, Zaha wanders the universe with his dark paggy Avakian (think a skull-headed schoolbag that breathes fires...and can transform into a Geiger-esque skeleton!) seeking whomever it is that can grant wishes with his bones. Since clearly if they kill them, Zaha will be free. Or so the beleaguered spaceling hopes!
I lost count of how much I cackled while reading this manga. Be it because someone was meeting a gory demise, or because of the nonchalance Hayashida's heroes display while meting out gory demises. The macabre humor, as in Dorohedoro, is relentless. Bones, bodily fluid, and organic growths are the order of the day in Hayashida's vision of inhabited outer-space. All while leaving room for corporate-owned elementary school starships, videogame-like powerups Zaha buys with bones he collects from fallen foes, black holes, and mystic darkness-powered spaceship AIs. Oh my.
Zaha and Avakian are a likeable enough duo. Hayashida doesn't answer much about their shared past, but the two are bloody, and bloody hilarious. They were a bit overshadowed for me however by the introduction of Shimada Death, Zaha's one friend outside of Avakian (Whom I guess is more like...a parent?). I can't really bring myself to say much about Shimada...their introduction, and a later chapter full of badassery kinda need to be seen to be believed. Suffice to say, the scene wherein they explain why they have no wishes to make was enough to cement a place for them in my ichorous heart.
If there's any weakness to the mad proceedings, it may simply be that there's less of a driving narrative going on here than there is a number of introductions and set-ups. It in fact reminded me more than a bit of the earlier chapters of Soul Eater. Or, once again, like Dorohedoro, which some accuse of being pretty meandering narrative-wise. I don't speak from experience, having only watched the anime and read the first two or three volumes of that series. I can only hope that Hayashida manages to drum up at least some sorta satisfactory arc for Zaha and Avakian. This volume does manage to pull a cliffhanger that gives at least some impression of where things are heading.
Buuut I can't even really feel the above misgivings too too much. I loved reading this in a way I rarely feel with manga nowadays. It brought me back to the days of reading Berserk, Hellsing, and Gantz as a teen. Back when there was a more-than-usual illicit thrill in reading foreign comics about aesthetically pleasing ultra-violence. Maybe I'm just a simple dude who likes his comics slimy, dark, and spewed forth from a black hole. I don't wholly know, but I do know I fucking love Dai Dark 01, and am excited to open Volume 2's sticky, darkness-exuding pages whenever it finally drops out of the atmosphere like some blighted cosmic insect.
November 29, 2024
4.5 ★
this was so random/bizarre and i truly had no idea what’s going on at first.. loved every second though! i’d expect nothing less from the creator of dorohedoro 💅🏽
this was so random/bizarre and i truly had no idea what’s going on at first.. loved every second though! i’d expect nothing less from the creator of dorohedoro 💅🏽
August 31, 2022
Dai Dark volume 1 was a gritty, humorous, bloody introduction into an incredibly-designed necromantic world that I’m so eager to explore!
I can’t even begin to put into words how much I adore this unique and wildly creative cast of characters that go along with this world. So much thought is always put into Q Hayashida’s work and you always can see it reflected on the page. Already I’m intrigued by all three protagonist introduced: Zaha Zanko, Avakian, and Shimada Death.
In an nutshell, it was worth every single star 😍.
I can’t even begin to put into words how much I adore this unique and wildly creative cast of characters that go along with this world. So much thought is always put into Q Hayashida’s work and you always can see it reflected on the page. Already I’m intrigued by all three protagonist introduced: Zaha Zanko, Avakian, and Shimada Death.
In an nutshell, it was worth every single star 😍.
February 11, 2025
Fans of Dorohedoro know what to expect. Hayashida's manic invention is applied to space opera tropes. Eating is an important component, of course. The story is marginal, but it's dark and over-the-top funny.
Somewhere in there, the main character asked:
Somewhere in there, the main character asked:
Man, why does everyone wanna be the ruler of the universe?We can ask the same of all the cabinet nominees.
June 22, 2022
Bizarre gory sci-fi horror by the author of Dorohedoro Q. Hayashida with lots of comedic sensibilities.
Have absolutely no idea where this going to but I'm ready for the ride through Kahiya in Hyperdrive.
Creative and gore-filled artwork. Not something you'd see somewhere else.
Have absolutely no idea where this going to but I'm ready for the ride through Kahiya in Hyperdrive.
Creative and gore-filled artwork. Not something you'd see somewhere else.
June 3, 2024
This feels heavily influenced by European sci-fi bande dessinée with its goofy, clueless protagonist bopping pointlessly between strange locales and brief battles while meeting colorful characters who either like him for no reason or want to kill him for a reward.
I usually hate such Euro SF fantasy series, but maybe the manga-style art here makes it more tolerable because I'm willing to give the second volume a try.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Bone 1. Bloodbath Wanderer -- Bone 2. Fireball Mad Ax --Bone 3. Galactic School Days -- Bone 4. Allow Me to Kill You -- Bone 5. So Dark It's Scary -- Bone 6. The Hateful Four -- Bonus Bone: Shit That Happens in Space: You set off casually, then realize it's a hell of a long way.
I usually hate such Euro SF fantasy series, but maybe the manga-style art here makes it more tolerable because I'm willing to give the second volume a try.
FOR REFERENCE:
Contents: Bone 1. Bloodbath Wanderer -- Bone 2. Fireball Mad Ax --Bone 3. Galactic School Days -- Bone 4. Allow Me to Kill You -- Bone 5. So Dark It's Scary -- Bone 6. The Hateful Four -- Bonus Bone: Shit That Happens in Space: You set off casually, then realize it's a hell of a long way.
July 21, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 4.5 out of 5 stars
I added Vol. 2 to my cart right away.
I added Vol. 2 to my cart right away.
January 28, 2025
utterly ridiculous. 5 stars.
July 20, 2024
"Come dark flesh!"
Spotted this while at BN. Flipped through it to look at the illustrations and I was blown away by how gruesome they looked. Was sold instantly. I do love blood and guts strung across the pages.
The story was dark and quite comical. It held my attention from start to finish. The illustrations were wild and I had to go back to look at them again after completing this volume. Great start to a series and I’m excited to read more.
Spotted this while at BN. Flipped through it to look at the illustrations and I was blown away by how gruesome they looked. Was sold instantly. I do love blood and guts strung across the pages.
The story was dark and quite comical. It held my attention from start to finish. The illustrations were wild and I had to go back to look at them again after completing this volume. Great start to a series and I’m excited to read more.
August 24, 2024
Dark art. Dark humor. While wholly original, it reminds me of the nonchalance of Deadpool's comedic delivery and the zeal of Kick Ass's violence.
Read
October 30, 2024Pfff no sé qué pensar, pero si tengo que decir algo sería que me ha decepcionado un poco. Me esperaba más esa imaginación infinita y superaleatoria de Dorohedoro y más bien se siente un poco "magias porque patata en el espacio".
October 19, 2021
Nádherný space road trip o přátelství, laskavém humoru, svlíkání lidí z kostí, střev, podivných mimozemských postav a to v krásném vizuálním kabátku.
Tenhle příběh o hrdinovi který má jako pomocníka mluvícího kostlivce kterého nosí jako baťoh- a samotného hrdinu se snaží všichni zabít, jelikož když někdo sebere jeho kosti tak se mu splní jakékoliv přání- vás prostě jen tak nepustí. Tohle je fakt parádní jízda, která nejenže nabízí černý humor a nějaký ten góre, ale zároveň je to tak hravý, i milý zároveň že to není možný.
Navíc kresba má skvělý komediální timing a chemie mezi hlavní dvojkou je výborná. Tahle manga mě fakt bavila natolik že po dočtení objednávám dvojku. Jestli hledáte hravou jízdu s tunou fakt zábavných nápadů a hlavní bromance dvojkou, tak nehledejte jinde. Dai Dark je prostě překvapení roku!
Tenhle příběh o hrdinovi který má jako pomocníka mluvícího kostlivce kterého nosí jako baťoh- a samotného hrdinu se snaží všichni zabít, jelikož když někdo sebere jeho kosti tak se mu splní jakékoliv přání- vás prostě jen tak nepustí. Tohle je fakt parádní jízda, která nejenže nabízí černý humor a nějaký ten góre, ale zároveň je to tak hravý, i milý zároveň že to není možný.
Navíc kresba má skvělý komediální timing a chemie mezi hlavní dvojkou je výborná. Tahle manga mě fakt bavila natolik že po dočtení objednávám dvojku. Jestli hledáte hravou jízdu s tunou fakt zábavných nápadů a hlavní bromance dvojkou, tak nehledejte jinde. Dai Dark je prostě překvapení roku!
January 8, 2024
dritta dritta nelle mie cose preferite SUBITO. e adesso me lo rileggo
June 30, 2025
The God of Death being a cutesy woman... oh I'm sat.
June 28, 2025
This was delightful. It’s giving space pirates x adventure time humor, but make it metal
January 29, 2021
DOPEST
March 8, 2022
Dai Dark is a Action, Horror and Sci-Fi Manga, Which Follows Zaha Sanko Who has been fighting for his life. As legends says, if you posses the bones of Zaha Sanko, you will be granted any wish.
Q, Hayashida Does a Good Job Introduction Her Story and Building a Mystery around the main cast to take us in a journey in unavailing that Mystery. Also, Hayashida Does a Great Job in Terms of Her Art Work, in Both Dai Dark and Dorohedoro (her previous work)You Can Feel The Mustiness, Darkness and Strangeness of her Worlds. All The Gore and Violence Presented in a Way That You Can Enjoy Without Being Disguised.
Overall, The Story is Interesting, Art Work is Great. Main Cast Seems a Bit Amusing. The World is A Mystery That I Would Love To See More of it and What Could Hayashida Bring To it.
Q, Hayashida Does a Good Job Introduction Her Story and Building a Mystery around the main cast to take us in a journey in unavailing that Mystery. Also, Hayashida Does a Great Job in Terms of Her Art Work, in Both Dai Dark and Dorohedoro (her previous work)You Can Feel The Mustiness, Darkness and Strangeness of her Worlds. All The Gore and Violence Presented in a Way That You Can Enjoy Without Being Disguised.
Overall, The Story is Interesting, Art Work is Great. Main Cast Seems a Bit Amusing. The World is A Mystery That I Would Love To See More of it and What Could Hayashida Bring To it.
June 13, 2022
This was bonkers and I loved it
January 10, 2024
Iconic art style, legendary comedy, interesting plot line.
December 28, 2024
Space? Bones as currency? Soul drumsticks? Alien reference? Hell yeah
August 26, 2025
3,75 ⭐️
bardzo fajne, raczej bede czytac dalej
bardzo fajne, raczej bede czytac dalej
February 11, 2025
Think I’m just not into space, sci fy
December 30, 2021
Wack space adventures, a lot of set up.
I love it
I love it
May 1, 2022
This is Gideon the ninth vibes
August 25, 2023
August 2023. I posted some photos of this manga recently! Cursed teen in some sort of space mad max necromancy universe with a robot skeleton friend. Gory and silly and an absolute blast!
I borrowed it from the library, after seeing the cover and being intrigued, when I was perusing for mystery manga series last weekend (I have a few on hold that aren’t in yet from other libraries). I could tell it wasn’t mystery but I flipped to a page near the start, saw the skeleton “Say okie dokie,” with a big happy smile and was immediately sold on getting both volumes.
I was absolutely cracking up reading this and requested volumes 3-4. It’s very silly and often gory and messy. Our teen lead is some sort of dark being and there’s a rumor that if you kill him and take his bones they will grant any wish, so he’s constantly on the run with randos out to get him and demand to have his bones.
He has a robot skeleton friend caretaker and he befriends death at one point. It’s absurd and a fun romp while being full of some horrifying moments and visuals. I suspect this one would’ve been too gory for me in anime with color and sound effects, but with black and white panels it avoids being too much.
Cannot recommend highly enough for people who think that sounds fun and not too disgusting to check out. An absolute treat. My first series by the author and definitely interested in checking out their other stuff.
“Dai Dark” vol 1-2 by Q Hayashida.
I borrowed it from the library, after seeing the cover and being intrigued, when I was perusing for mystery manga series last weekend (I have a few on hold that aren’t in yet from other libraries). I could tell it wasn’t mystery but I flipped to a page near the start, saw the skeleton “Say okie dokie,” with a big happy smile and was immediately sold on getting both volumes.
I was absolutely cracking up reading this and requested volumes 3-4. It’s very silly and often gory and messy. Our teen lead is some sort of dark being and there’s a rumor that if you kill him and take his bones they will grant any wish, so he’s constantly on the run with randos out to get him and demand to have his bones.
He has a robot skeleton friend caretaker and he befriends death at one point. It’s absurd and a fun romp while being full of some horrifying moments and visuals. I suspect this one would’ve been too gory for me in anime with color and sound effects, but with black and white panels it avoids being too much.
Cannot recommend highly enough for people who think that sounds fun and not too disgusting to check out. An absolute treat. My first series by the author and definitely interested in checking out their other stuff.
“Dai Dark” vol 1-2 by Q Hayashida.
April 13, 2025
Zaha Sanko's bones grant wishes, which means everyone in the universe is out to kill him. Which is easier said than done with his bestie Avakian by his side (or on his back literally) Zaha will take on anyone who gets in his way in order to find the person who placed this curse on him and kill them.
Omg this was so weird in the absolute best ways! Zaha and Avakian come from a black hole, spacelings (people?) can modify their bodies to have three heads, they make money by selling the bones and skin of the spacelings they kill to an arms dealer in the black hole, Zaha's hides his armor as underwear so people cant steal it...like I could go on. It's just weird and also oddly cute and hilarious. Zaha and Avakian are almost like siblings, so they take care of each other, but Avakian is also clearly the smart ass older sibling. Oh, and they meet Death, who is definitely like no Death I've ever come across.
I'll definitely be picking up Vol. 2 of this one because I have a feeling Zaha and Avakian are going to have some hilarious, heartwarming, and well bloody adventures!
Omg this was so weird in the absolute best ways! Zaha and Avakian come from a black hole, spacelings (people?) can modify their bodies to have three heads, they make money by selling the bones and skin of the spacelings they kill to an arms dealer in the black hole, Zaha's hides his armor as underwear so people cant steal it...like I could go on. It's just weird and also oddly cute and hilarious. Zaha and Avakian are almost like siblings, so they take care of each other, but Avakian is also clearly the smart ass older sibling. Oh, and they meet Death, who is definitely like no Death I've ever come across.
I'll definitely be picking up Vol. 2 of this one because I have a feeling Zaha and Avakian are going to have some hilarious, heartwarming, and well bloody adventures!
February 12, 2024
Taking place in space, we follow teen boy Zaha Sanko who has a gift and a curse: his bones give him special powers but can also grant you any desire. With that, he is captured by a three-headed giant who plans to kill him for his bones. Luckily, Zaha has his skeletal companion Avakian💀 with him and they will escape their capture and continue their journey of finding the one responsible for Zaha’s deadly gift.
It’s a surprise read that I recently found at my library and I’m so glad I picked it up. “DD” feels a lot like a sci-fi version of “Chainsaw Man” with bones and filled with hellish-looking creatures. Sanko and his skeleton pal are a very great pair despite being opposites. Definitely proves to be another thrilling action packed manga that I’m hooked on, no bones about it 🦴. A (100%/Outstanding)
It’s a surprise read that I recently found at my library and I’m so glad I picked it up. “DD” feels a lot like a sci-fi version of “Chainsaw Man” with bones and filled with hellish-looking creatures. Sanko and his skeleton pal are a very great pair despite being opposites. Definitely proves to be another thrilling action packed manga that I’m hooked on, no bones about it 🦴. A (100%/Outstanding)
January 21, 2025
Un tomo introductorio lleno de información pero sin ni una pizca de info dumping. Alejándose de Dorohedoro pero no tanto como pueda parecerlo, la historia de Dai Dark nos pone en la piel de Sanko Zaka, un chico de 14 años con habilidades que superan cualquier comprensión humana. En lugar de desarrollarse en la industrial Hole, Dai Dark nos lleva a la infinita oscuridad del espacio.
Esta oscuridad parece que va a jugar un papel importante en la historia, ya que todos los personajes principales están relacionados de alguna manera con la energía oscura. El dibujo, mientras que es sucio y grotesco, deja paso a personalidades entrañables a pesar de que son todos asesinos, una especialidad de la autora.
Me ha dejado con mucha curiosidad por continuar la historia, que parece ser tan impredecible como divertida.
Esta oscuridad parece que va a jugar un papel importante en la historia, ya que todos los personajes principales están relacionados de alguna manera con la energía oscura. El dibujo, mientras que es sucio y grotesco, deja paso a personalidades entrañables a pesar de que son todos asesinos, una especialidad de la autora.
Me ha dejado con mucha curiosidad por continuar la historia, que parece ser tan impredecible como divertida.
March 17, 2022
Uma bizarra, mas menos interessante do que esperava, mistura de ficção científica com horror. Sanko é um adolescente que viaja pelo espaço na companhia de Avakian, uma entidade que se manifesta através de ossos. Há um constante saltitar entre dois mundos, o aparente real, povoado por personagens de moralidade muito duvidosa, e um de trevas, onde os devoradores de ossos se congregam. Criaturas essas que apesar do aspeto tenebroso e propensão para o horror, são no univero de Dai Dark forças curiosamente bondosas.
March 16, 2024
Not sure where this is going, but oh, what a fun ride is being.
Gore galore, but the comedy balances things out in a very nice way; and it's not even your raunchy manga jokes here and there, but something somehow far more endearing, which makes for a great contrast with all the bloody bits.
I'll be reading the second volume soon, and we'll see if things start to get a little bit more defined, in this dark fantasy story, with a strong sci fi and horror component.
Gore galore, but the comedy balances things out in a very nice way; and it's not even your raunchy manga jokes here and there, but something somehow far more endearing, which makes for a great contrast with all the bloody bits.
I'll be reading the second volume soon, and we'll see if things start to get a little bit more defined, in this dark fantasy story, with a strong sci fi and horror component.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 333 reviews