“Ever since a monster killed her mother, Maruka has recklessly sought them out with a death wish. But when the first monster she runs into defies her expectations, not only does Maruka end up fighting alongside him—she asks him to be her boyfriend!” (Yen Press)
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Offering a mix of 90's influenced art and violence with modern character designs, “Monstaboo” is an exquisite mix of styles that will appeal to readers who embrace the larger scope of manga throughout the decades. Alternatively, those familiar with the gross-out action sequences of old anime OVA's from the 90s will likely vibe with the shocking imagery pushed by an, admittedly, simple premise. Most importantly, together Yuya Takahashi & Tali have found a winning combination of narrative and visuals to make this a notable release for obsessive manga readers/collectors looking for new kicks in extreme and exciting content.
The world of monsters among humankind is explored from a troubled teenager's perspective, balancing a desire to die with admiration for the creatures that inhabit Tokyo. The book wastes no time in establishing this, opening it up with past trauma depicting a loved one violently pecked to death by a giant crow into reflections on a desire to be murdered in a grisly fashion. While this may seem dramatic, it plays brilliantly into the familiar structure of your '90s gorefest by creating a protagonist openly inviting the kind of nastiness which has become synonyms with extreme anime. Additionally, other key characters also have reflections that shape their perceptions of the monsters, including a boy whose hatred for the creatures stems from past sexual trauma–of the tentacled kind, of course.
Where this release excels is in taking a more modern aesthetic and design, particularly to the characters, and applying it to the more exploitative elements. The lead romantic interest, though capable of killing, is presented as a rather adorable bunny whose design seems more suited to a key chain than a violent fighter. At the same time, there are panels that take a more traditional style to present the characters; the protagonist is often drawn in a style that readers will find familiar–Yuta from Rumiko Takahashi's “Mermaid Saga” for example. Ultimately, the artistic direction fluctuates between extreme violence and beauty with impressive skill.
While the first volume of “MonsTaboo” is utterly impressive and explosive, this also comes with the caveat that the series is already completed in Japan, ending at a mere four volumes. Certainly, the series feels like it could be something special and memorable for fans looking to have that 90's horror/action itch scratched, but four volumes is a pretty brief existence to make a greater impact. Will there be an abrupt end? Will the series just putter out? These are both concerns about what could happen to a book that introduces such a vast world and multiple characters right away.
Undeniably, time will tell whether “MonsTaboo” has longevity or is able to pack a punch across the limitations of a four-volume release, but volume one kicks things off in an explosive way. Fans of horror, action, and 90's aesthetics will certainly find a lot to champion here–don't miss out.
