“Ever since she was little, Mashiro has been able to see ghosts—of people, of animals, and of some strange creatures that don't seem to be either. For years, she's pretended not to see the eerie sights around her, but then a chance encounter plunges Mashiro into the world of the inhuman Nomans. An accidental kiss leaves Mashiro partnered with Bazu, a human-hating crow lady, as she joins the Boundary Preservation Society to help the dead that walk the earth move on…” (Yen Press)
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“Dear Noman” offers a nice balance of various genres, notably comedy, action and romance, each presented in a lighthearted manner. Consequently, the first volume explores the fantastical world of ‘nomans' at a relaxed pace that can give a sense of lacking in defining sequences or familiar tropes. This can result in a somewhat stilted narrative, as the first volume does not dig deep into the lore, impress with flashy action or keep up a steady comedic tone. However, the subtle approach does allow for a few other elements to really shine through here. Most notably the art style of Neji comes across as personable and emotive, particularly seen in his facial expressions with wide eyes that reflect the delicate nature of his subjects. This also carries through to the monster design, where a lack of definition works well with the aesthetic of its lighthearted approach. This is wonderfully reflected in the character Bazu, a crow human hybrid who plays the role of familiar to the protagonist, whose simple and clean design allows her to be interjected into the story as both a warrior and friend to the young girl. Ultimately, Neji's visual approach makes for an idyllic exploration of a more casual approach to the book's fantasy elements.
Sadly, the more casual and slowed approach to narrative works both for and against the release, depending on reader interests. While there is an undeniable charm in the world of ‘noman' in not rushing into familiar tropes or leaning heavy on one genre, the first release does leave a bit of a void and feels lacking in overall content. As a result, gauging the series success is difficult, and while given more reason to be optimistic, the second volume will likely give a clear idea of Neji's overall direction with the series.
The approach that Neji takes is certainly commendable. Even faced with minor disconnect from the overall narrative I found myself pretty enchanted by the delicate aesthetic that was able to transition into action or comedy seamlessly. Undeniably, those who enjoy more fast paced titles are likely to find “Dear Noman” a bit of a dull read, but for the patient reader, volume 1 eludes to the series developing into a deeply rewarding experience.
