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サイレントメビウス [Silent Möbius] #1
Silent Mobius: Complete Edition Volume 1
The ultimate sci-fi manga returns! In the future, powerful beings known as 'Lucifer Hawks' have begun invading Earth from another dimension. Only one thing stands in their way -- the Attacked Mystification Police force; an all-female security team with some amazing paranormal powers!
Silent MObius: Complete Edition features an all-new translation, and new high-quality scans taken directly from the original artwork. Each volume also features a full-color gallery of rare artwork, plus bonus material like data files, character designs, and interviews.
Silent MObius: Complete Edition features an all-new translation, and new high-quality scans taken directly from the original artwork. Each volume also features a full-color gallery of rare artwork, plus bonus material like data files, character designs, and interviews.
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1995
7 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Kia Asamiya
446 books23 followersKia Asamiya(麻宮 騎亜, born in 1963) is the pen-name of a popular Japanese manga artist whose work spans multiple genres and appeals to diverse audiences (1990s).
He is well-known for using influences from American comics, television, and movies in his work, and describes himself as a big fan of both Batman and Star Wars. One of the most widely-published Japanese manga-ka, nearly all of his stories have been translated into other languages, including English. His two most successful and popular manga series to-date are Nadesico and Silent Möbius.
Prior to becoming a manga artist, Asamiya graduated from the Tokyo Designer School, and then worked as a character designer for a number of anime series, and even designed models for some of the later Godzilla movies (1980s). For this career, he used a different pen-name, Michitaka Kikuchi (菊地 道隆), and maintained the two professional identities separately for many years. Several of the anime series that he worked on were very popular both inside and outside of Japan, most notably including Sonic Soldier Borgman. Even after focusing primarily on his manga career, Asamiya continued to do character designs and creative consultation on anime series based on his stories, occasionally under the Kikuchi name.
In the early 2000s, Asamiya has shifted his focus from teenage and young-adult stories to stories designed for children and for an American audience. In the former case, he credits his young children as a motivation, but in the latter case, he points to a long-standing desire to work with his favorite American characters. To that end, he has worked on projects with Image Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics, as well as developing a manga adaptation of the movie, "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace".
While many Japanese artists (and artists in general) are quite reclusive, Asamiya often makes an effort to be available to his fans. He maintains a website with news and information about his studio, Studio TRON (named after the Disney movie TRON). He also aids and assists his Official Fan Club by sending them regular announcements and limited-edition merchandise. Despite these actions, he shunned all public photography, and had the often-hilarious habit of depicting himself with a placeholder sign for a face. It has become a trademark feature of his books that instead of a picture of the artist, there is an elaborately decorated rectangle sporting the words "Now Printing".
He is well-known for using influences from American comics, television, and movies in his work, and describes himself as a big fan of both Batman and Star Wars. One of the most widely-published Japanese manga-ka, nearly all of his stories have been translated into other languages, including English. His two most successful and popular manga series to-date are Nadesico and Silent Möbius.
Prior to becoming a manga artist, Asamiya graduated from the Tokyo Designer School, and then worked as a character designer for a number of anime series, and even designed models for some of the later Godzilla movies (1980s). For this career, he used a different pen-name, Michitaka Kikuchi (菊地 道隆), and maintained the two professional identities separately for many years. Several of the anime series that he worked on were very popular both inside and outside of Japan, most notably including Sonic Soldier Borgman. Even after focusing primarily on his manga career, Asamiya continued to do character designs and creative consultation on anime series based on his stories, occasionally under the Kikuchi name.
In the early 2000s, Asamiya has shifted his focus from teenage and young-adult stories to stories designed for children and for an American audience. In the former case, he credits his young children as a motivation, but in the latter case, he points to a long-standing desire to work with his favorite American characters. To that end, he has worked on projects with Image Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics, as well as developing a manga adaptation of the movie, "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace".
While many Japanese artists (and artists in general) are quite reclusive, Asamiya often makes an effort to be available to his fans. He maintains a website with news and information about his studio, Studio TRON (named after the Disney movie TRON). He also aids and assists his Official Fan Club by sending them regular announcements and limited-edition merchandise. Despite these actions, he shunned all public photography, and had the often-hilarious habit of depicting himself with a placeholder sign for a face. It has become a trademark feature of his books that instead of a picture of the artist, there is an elaborately decorated rectangle sporting the words "Now Printing".
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 29, 2018
The title has no relevance to anything so far. The book is a disjointed and poorly paced set of brief stories about girls in the "Abnormal Mystery Police" fighting supernatural entities also cyborgs and serial killers whatever moving on to the next story we can't even be bothered ending that one or having any sort of follow up like how does whatsername feel knowing her gramps was going to let her get killed and I guess bunch of random citizens were hurt peripherally but no biggie forget them.
Maybe they went like 50% over the allotted page count and then edited really fast. That's kind of how it felt. I may try the next volume just to see if it's better, because the concept was ok.
Many buildings and hovercraft are smashed, if that appeals to you. I prefer how Godzilla does it.
Maybe they went like 50% over the allotted page count and then edited really fast. That's kind of how it felt. I may try the next volume just to see if it's better, because the concept was ok.
Many buildings and hovercraft are smashed, if that appeals to you. I prefer how Godzilla does it.
June 16, 2023
I won’t lie to you, I found this first volume a bit confused and confusing. After a big introductory chapter summarizing the concept- a special unit (AMP) of empowered girls fighting demons in a cyberpunk megalopolis- the next two are focused on two members of AMP without apparent logic.
As can be expected, the cyberpunk/fantasy mix is sometimes awkward- in plot as in art- but I can’t honestly say it’s a failure. I kinda liked it actually even if it’s nothing to write home about so far. I think the problem lies in Asamiya’s somewhat muddled storytelling. The plot is still unclear after closing the book and some action scenes are not very legible.
Nothing irredeemable but I’m not sure younger readers will really get into it though.
For it is a manga that spells N.I.N.E.T.I.E.S all the way.
Actually I’m kinda fond of that post Otomo/Shirow style wich was all the craze in my late teens. Heavy zipatones, huge cyberpunk cities, big guns and flying vehicles: that’s my jam.
And the girls with improbable hairdos. Mustn’t forget the hairdos.
So. I think you need to be in a certain age bracket to truly appreciate this book since the plot isn’t this compelling so far but since it’s just my opinion why don’t you give it a try?
As can be expected, the cyberpunk/fantasy mix is sometimes awkward- in plot as in art- but I can’t honestly say it’s a failure. I kinda liked it actually even if it’s nothing to write home about so far. I think the problem lies in Asamiya’s somewhat muddled storytelling. The plot is still unclear after closing the book and some action scenes are not very legible.
Nothing irredeemable but I’m not sure younger readers will really get into it though.
For it is a manga that spells N.I.N.E.T.I.E.S all the way.
Actually I’m kinda fond of that post Otomo/Shirow style wich was all the craze in my late teens. Heavy zipatones, huge cyberpunk cities, big guns and flying vehicles: that’s my jam.
And the girls with improbable hairdos. Mustn’t forget the hairdos.
So. I think you need to be in a certain age bracket to truly appreciate this book since the plot isn’t this compelling so far but since it’s just my opinion why don’t you give it a try?
Read
April 10, 2019A classic work of the early 1990's, the anime adaptation of Silent Mobius was a cult hit in the late 1990's in America. With this, Americans get to experience the original work.
Silent Mobius is an interesting blend of influences. The world is heavily inspired by Blade Runner, from androids run amok in a neon-soaked city to giant floating billboards. It's hard not to also compare it to the similarly Blade Runner-inspired Bubblegum Crisis, particularly because both series focus on a an all-female crew that fall into similar personality patterns (the strong, silent leader; the grim action heroine; the perky younger girl; etc.).
But Asamiya adds a fantastic flair, as the protagonists fight monsters straight out of Japanese myth. These monsters have begun appearing and attacking the residents of Tokyo, and the officers of these Abnormal Mystery Police fight back. This is where I had the most trouble following Asamiya's art style, sadly, as his designs are so exotic it's often hard to tell if you're looking at the front or back of a creature, particularly when it's standing in the midst of rubble (as it so often is). These action sequences often left me more confused than excited.
But he seems to find firmer ground in the later parts of the book, where the story not only has its most Blade Runner-like scenic elements but also feels more inspired by Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell, as a character deals with the question of how human she really is. The art in general feels very much like Shirow's early manga art, with the outfits reminding me quite a bit of Shirow's Orion. Like Shirow, Asamiya lavishes time on intricately detailed backgrounds, really grounding Silent Mobius in its alternately sleek and grimy future Tokyo.
But what is Silent Mobius? It's the story of an all-female group of special police detectives who hunt down and destroy paranormal monsters in a futuristic city. It's fundamentally a 1990's sci-fi action tale with bits of character work beginning to worm their way through the story, in this volume at least. I enjoyed it and want to see where it goes.
Silent Mobius is an interesting blend of influences. The world is heavily inspired by Blade Runner, from androids run amok in a neon-soaked city to giant floating billboards. It's hard not to also compare it to the similarly Blade Runner-inspired Bubblegum Crisis, particularly because both series focus on a an all-female crew that fall into similar personality patterns (the strong, silent leader; the grim action heroine; the perky younger girl; etc.).
But Asamiya adds a fantastic flair, as the protagonists fight monsters straight out of Japanese myth. These monsters have begun appearing and attacking the residents of Tokyo, and the officers of these Abnormal Mystery Police fight back. This is where I had the most trouble following Asamiya's art style, sadly, as his designs are so exotic it's often hard to tell if you're looking at the front or back of a creature, particularly when it's standing in the midst of rubble (as it so often is). These action sequences often left me more confused than excited.
But he seems to find firmer ground in the later parts of the book, where the story not only has its most Blade Runner-like scenic elements but also feels more inspired by Masamune Shirow's Ghost in the Shell, as a character deals with the question of how human she really is. The art in general feels very much like Shirow's early manga art, with the outfits reminding me quite a bit of Shirow's Orion. Like Shirow, Asamiya lavishes time on intricately detailed backgrounds, really grounding Silent Mobius in its alternately sleek and grimy future Tokyo.
But what is Silent Mobius? It's the story of an all-female group of special police detectives who hunt down and destroy paranormal monsters in a futuristic city. It's fundamentally a 1990's sci-fi action tale with bits of character work beginning to worm their way through the story, in this volume at least. I enjoyed it and want to see where it goes.
November 24, 2021
This volume was actually better than I expected.🤯 It was a little gorey and dark but other than that it was very action packed,exciting,had a interesting storyline and the art is beautiful.
I know there's this movement in the community to mindlessly trash sci-fi/Mecha manga especially retro ones (80s - early 2000s mostly), mainly because people don't get the references or like it's nerdy fandom but I believe this to be one of the best era of manga.
Full review to come.
I know there's this movement in the community to mindlessly trash sci-fi/Mecha manga especially retro ones (80s - early 2000s mostly), mainly because people don't get the references or like it's nerdy fandom but I believe this to be one of the best era of manga.
Full review to come.
December 16, 2025
Non so perché ma ero convinta che fossero solo tre volumi. Per questo avevo cominciato a leggerli. Poi, però, mi sono accorta che non era proprio così.
In effetti, mi ero stupita: questo primo volume sembrava un volume troppo introduttivo per una serie di soli tre numeri. E proprio per questo non mi era piaciuto molto. Si son presentati tre personaggi, ognuno con la propria storia, e basta.
In effetti, mi ero stupita: questo primo volume sembrava un volume troppo introduttivo per una serie di soli tre numeri. E proprio per questo non mi era piaciuto molto. Si son presentati tre personaggi, ognuno con la propria storia, e basta.
November 3, 2025
Narrativamente e’ un po’ all over the place: i Lucifer Hawk fanno un po’ un po’ Kaiju manga, l’ambientazione e l’estetica sono cyberpunk, il ritmo e’ da manga d’azione, ci sono anche elementi magici ecc…
Ogni capitolo si concentra su un membro diverso della squadra. La protagonista del primo e’ Katsumi, una medium che viene posseduta temporaneamente da un Lucifer Hawk.
Il secondo si concentra su Nami Yamigumo, discendente di una famiglia di sacerdoti il cui compito e’ combattere i Lucifer Hawk con la magia. E’ il capitolo che ho apprezzato di meno, sia per il world building senza senso (perché mai uno dovrebbe costruire un ascensore che si ferma a due piani dalla destinazione, in mezzo ad un covo di esseri ostili) sia perché ho trovato la componente magica un po’ fuori tono.
Il terzo (di cui il volume contiene solo la prima parte) si concentra invece su Kiddy Phenil, che ha il dono di essere superforte.
Asamiya disegna i fondali e le uniformi con una cura e ricchezza dei particolari assai inusuali per un manga. Si percepisce invece un pò di confusione nelle situazioni più concitate.
Ogni capitolo si concentra su un membro diverso della squadra. La protagonista del primo e’ Katsumi, una medium che viene posseduta temporaneamente da un Lucifer Hawk.
Il secondo si concentra su Nami Yamigumo, discendente di una famiglia di sacerdoti il cui compito e’ combattere i Lucifer Hawk con la magia. E’ il capitolo che ho apprezzato di meno, sia per il world building senza senso (perché mai uno dovrebbe costruire un ascensore che si ferma a due piani dalla destinazione, in mezzo ad un covo di esseri ostili) sia perché ho trovato la componente magica un po’ fuori tono.
Il terzo (di cui il volume contiene solo la prima parte) si concentra invece su Kiddy Phenil, che ha il dono di essere superforte.
Asamiya disegna i fondali e le uniformi con una cura e ricchezza dei particolari assai inusuali per un manga. Si percepisce invece un pò di confusione nelle situazioni più concitate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2018
It can be difficult sometimes to rate manga. This can be especially challenging when you have only read the first book in a manga series. This however, was a very easy book to rate. It didn't blow me out of the water, but I am very intrigued with this series. It can be semi confusing at the beginning. It is not the best when it comes to establishing rules for this universe, nor does it do well at explaining the characters. You were kind of thrown in with half a life vest and are expected to swim across an ocean. By the end however, I was wanting to know more about this world and series. I 100% plan to continue this series. This is a 16+ manga series and contains mild nudity so be weary of that when going into this manga.
June 21, 2021
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
In the near future in Tokyo, powerful supernatural forces have infiltrated our dimension and continue to attack humans. These “Lucifer Hawks” are beaten back only by a specialized police force: The Attacked Mystification Police Department. AMP is a group of six strong-willed, high-spirited women - Katsumi, Nami, Yuki, Kitty, Lebia, and Chief Rally - who use their special power to fight the Lucifer Hawks, and is a force composited entirely of strong-willed, opinionated ladies. In the first adventure, Katsumi Liqueur is targeted by a mid-level Lucifer Hawk who is determined to possess her and take her power. The entire AMP force has to work together to overcome the powerful Hawk. Later, Nami must overcome a trial from her family to prove herself ready to become the true heir of the Yamigumo Clan, a family with deep-rooted power from the Five Spirits. At the end, Kitty goes up against a fierce enemy with deadly razor-sharp cords.
After reading Akira, it’s hard not to see it everywhere. This version of Tokyo looks very much like Neo-Tokyo with the stylized futuristic cars and the lit up city. The mangaka credits Blade Runner as an influence, which was in turn influenced by Akira. With the team of strong ladies, this would be an interesting recommendation for Sailor Moon fans who want to dive into sci-fi and a little bit older storyline. This story was originally released in a "seinen" magazine for older men, but it has plenty of appeal to teens. The illustrations are incredibly detailed, similar to Akira, where the backgrounds have very dense futuristic elements with lots of details.
There is some female nudity in this volume as Nami goes through a purification ritual, but it isn’t sexual in nature. There is a slight bit of fan service in that the ladies walk around in their underwear occasionally.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
In the near future in Tokyo, powerful supernatural forces have infiltrated our dimension and continue to attack humans. These “Lucifer Hawks” are beaten back only by a specialized police force: The Attacked Mystification Police Department. AMP is a group of six strong-willed, high-spirited women - Katsumi, Nami, Yuki, Kitty, Lebia, and Chief Rally - who use their special power to fight the Lucifer Hawks, and is a force composited entirely of strong-willed, opinionated ladies. In the first adventure, Katsumi Liqueur is targeted by a mid-level Lucifer Hawk who is determined to possess her and take her power. The entire AMP force has to work together to overcome the powerful Hawk. Later, Nami must overcome a trial from her family to prove herself ready to become the true heir of the Yamigumo Clan, a family with deep-rooted power from the Five Spirits. At the end, Kitty goes up against a fierce enemy with deadly razor-sharp cords.
After reading Akira, it’s hard not to see it everywhere. This version of Tokyo looks very much like Neo-Tokyo with the stylized futuristic cars and the lit up city. The mangaka credits Blade Runner as an influence, which was in turn influenced by Akira. With the team of strong ladies, this would be an interesting recommendation for Sailor Moon fans who want to dive into sci-fi and a little bit older storyline. This story was originally released in a "seinen" magazine for older men, but it has plenty of appeal to teens. The illustrations are incredibly detailed, similar to Akira, where the backgrounds have very dense futuristic elements with lots of details.
There is some female nudity in this volume as Nami goes through a purification ritual, but it isn’t sexual in nature. There is a slight bit of fan service in that the ladies walk around in their underwear occasionally.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
June 5, 2025
Mangastorico,essendol'operachehalanciatoilsuoautore(KiaAsamiya)comestarinternazionaledelfumetto.Permeèstatoungrossosospirodisollievoperlapauracheleaspettativecheriservavoinquestaletturanoncorripondesseroallarelatà.Alcontrariolaletturaèstatamoltopiacevoleeidisegnisisonorivelatidialtissimolivello.Aspettooraconpiùfiduciailrestodellasaga.
December 11, 2018
A great Manga sci-fi classic. Artwork, albeit complex in its details enhances the believability of the world-scape.
April 14, 2010
I start this review by admitting that had I not seen the anime on Tech TV a few years back I would not have ordered the first two of the Viz release of the manga and would not have been nearly so excited as I was when I heard about the Complete Edition's release.
One of the first things to strike me about the new release is the gallery at the front of the book. With color illustrations from various sources, some of which are rather humorous, taking up the first ten pages I am left with mixed feelings. On one hand, getting the illustration here means that they will not be made into an art book like some other, more main stream manga art. On the other hand, with the gallery and the new additions to the comic itself the story only gets part way through what the Viz release covered and stops right in the middle of one of the chapters. At fifteen bucks with out tax I am thinking the publisher might have been able to finish out Kiddy's chapter in the first book.
Then it gets to the story. Silent Mobius is one of the anime I continued watching because the story and the characters caught me rather than because it was popular and came on before something I enjoyed. The first two pages of story introduce the main cast in a manner fitting an old science fiction movie or Star Trek with a panel of the character and her name below it. The whole thing starts with one of the series many monster attacks complete with zombies, pages and pages dedicated to one spell, and finally just shooting the thing in the face. That was one of those moments where I just had to wonder, why didn't they just shoot it in the first place? I know that they had to let Katsumi look cool, it is her show, but really seven pages of magic just to kill it in half of a page with a big explosion. It seems a little much. Most of the new additions to the story served to clear up what was going on, fix translation/ grammar problems, or to provide more screen time for some of the other characters. It was really nice to see expansion on how that monster caught Katsumi, and seeing Rally take a more hands on approach to dealing with monsters was awesome, and most important I no longer feel the urge to go through with a red pen to correct my old Viz copy. More humor was added between Katsumi and Lebia which was nifty. Given the comparison to the the Viz release and the fact that I already liked the series, I'm going to say that this is definitely worth picking up.
One of the first things to strike me about the new release is the gallery at the front of the book. With color illustrations from various sources, some of which are rather humorous, taking up the first ten pages I am left with mixed feelings. On one hand, getting the illustration here means that they will not be made into an art book like some other, more main stream manga art. On the other hand, with the gallery and the new additions to the comic itself the story only gets part way through what the Viz release covered and stops right in the middle of one of the chapters. At fifteen bucks with out tax I am thinking the publisher might have been able to finish out Kiddy's chapter in the first book.
Then it gets to the story. Silent Mobius is one of the anime I continued watching because the story and the characters caught me rather than because it was popular and came on before something I enjoyed. The first two pages of story introduce the main cast in a manner fitting an old science fiction movie or Star Trek with a panel of the character and her name below it. The whole thing starts with one of the series many monster attacks complete with zombies, pages and pages dedicated to one spell, and finally just shooting the thing in the face. That was one of those moments where I just had to wonder, why didn't they just shoot it in the first place? I know that they had to let Katsumi look cool, it is her show, but really seven pages of magic just to kill it in half of a page with a big explosion. It seems a little much. Most of the new additions to the story served to clear up what was going on, fix translation/ grammar problems, or to provide more screen time for some of the other characters. It was really nice to see expansion on how that monster caught Katsumi, and seeing Rally take a more hands on approach to dealing with monsters was awesome, and most important I no longer feel the urge to go through with a red pen to correct my old Viz copy. More humor was added between Katsumi and Lebia which was nifty. Given the comparison to the the Viz release and the fact that I already liked the series, I'm going to say that this is definitely worth picking up.
November 18, 2025
Lebia Maverick?! Her name is Lebia fkng Maverick?!? There are so many other things about this book that are stupid, but I'm too busy being offended by the names alone to list them all 😤
Also, Katsumi Liquer?? Gigelf Liquer?? Did they just pick words out of a hat?
Don't get it twisted: there are lots of other things about this book that are legitimately abhorrent. The writing, the illustrations, the male gaze-y ness of it all. But I can't get over the names 😫
Also, Katsumi Liquer?? Gigelf Liquer?? Did they just pick words out of a hat?
Don't get it twisted: there are lots of other things about this book that are legitimately abhorrent. The writing, the illustrations, the male gaze-y ness of it all. But I can't get over the names 😫
November 13, 2025
Lo leí hace mil años en los libritos finitos de Norma que se deshojaban con sólo mirarlos y me gustaba mucho. Me pregunto si en algún momento tendrá reedición.
February 18, 2015
Enjoyable story, great artwork...but some not so good content.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews