“Hayashi's frank, guileless demeanor quietly draws the attention of classmates and strangers as he counts all the stairs in school, photographs street signs, and dries sweet potatoes on the classroom balcony. In a world shaped by conformity, Hayashi is refreshingly and unapologetically true to himself. Conversely, Nikaidou has worked very hard to perfect a gloomy, dour façade that keeps his classmates far, far away. While much of the school regards Nikaidou as a bad omen, one student catches a glimpse behind the mask and—undeterred by rumors of bad luck and supernatural powers—begins to pick away Nikaidou's carefully crafted persona…” (Yen Press)
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Centering around the life of troubled youth, “Captivated, By You” balances sincerity and light comedy in an intuitive manner. Utilizing the formula of the odd kid in class being the one to push change, Hayashi manages to inspire those around him to be the best version of themselves. A sort of friendly super-hero, Hayashi makes an unlikely, yet adorable, friend to those in need to change. In heartwarming fashion, this character speaks to the creator's desire to come up with work that can both comfort and entertain her audience. Ultimately, the first several stories in this collection perfectly speak to childhood anxieties and celebrate our ability to overcome – making us chuckle all the while.
The second half of the release shifts focus to Nikadou, whose gloomy persona is an homage to Junji Ito. Existing in a constant state of cosmic dread, the sullen expression is unmistakable to the aesthetic of the horror maestro. Consequently, the narrative and artistic style sees a shift, which is often a cause for concern in keeping consistency. However, the transformation acts as a slight tweak on familiar themes that made the opening chapters an utter joy. Furthermore, Nikadou flows into social situations with all the awkwardness of a depressed and developing teenager, with his gloominess coming across as endearing. Ultimately, the divide in approach and flow beautifully conveys the range of Wayama to tell endearing stories from various perspectives.
Regarding the artistic direction, the title is divided by the change in protagonist, as the art surrounding Nikadou shifts to compliment the adapted style of Ito. Once again, this diversity shows the skill of Wayama to shift from slice of life to a visual style that is a macabre treat for fans of horror manga (even if “Captivated, By You” is anything but horrific). However, the release does lack those defining panels, that make the reader stop in their tracks. Essentially, the focus on narrative succeeds while the art is just serviceable – revisits to the work will certainly be to engage the story over the admiration of art.
Yen Press is well aware of when work deserves the complimentary boost of a hardcover release, with this title resonating the same profundity and beauty of “My Broken Mariko” (also a debuting mangaka given a the treatment of high quality release). Undeniably, it is a idyllic choice that really pops on the manga shelf.
“Captivated, By You” is a stunning debut work from a future talent storyteller, with Yama Wayama boasting impeccable comedic timing and humane stories that are wholly uplifting. Given the title has received a high quality release, it is also the perfect one to grab the physical release over digital – don't miss out a chance to check this one out!
