“The creepy, the crawly, the grotesque—the daily lives of Miko and friends when ghostly monsters lurk around every corner! The official comic anthology, brought to you by a variety of guest artists!” (Yen Press)
“Mieruko-chan” has proven to be a success in the horror genre and manga in general, starting in November 2018 when it began serialization online via Kadokawa's ComicWalker website. The anime adaptation followed in the apt month of October of the following year. The success of the series and its proficiency in pitting kawaii characters against nightmarish abominations made the horror manga ideal for an anthology tribute. Thankfully, the thirteen short stories that make up “Mieruko-chan Official Comic Anthology” are an ideal homage that resonates with similar ghastly charms of its inspiration.
While the length of the shorts and the subject matter each creator chose to focus on varies, each contributor offers an inspired rendition of the world created by Tomoki Izumi. At the same time, the variation in styles and approaches ensures that readers will each take away a different favourite segment. Personally, Yakan Nabeya's “One Who Knows The Girl Who Sees” and Michuri Noroi's “Fright of the Fitting Room” (pictured below) are highlights for me, especially off the back of recently discovering Noroi through her first English release through Star Fruit Books.
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However, each story will have its appeal, and one person's favourite in the anthology will be just as acceptable an answer as another. The greater truth behind this sentiment is that each artist came to the project with respect for what Izumi has built and managed to honour that work. Notably, most segments carry a familiar vibe and flow that mimics Izumi's writing, instead focusing on changing the art to play to each contributor's strengths. This is ideal for a release aiming to celebrate “Mieruko-chan,” since the project is wonderfully cohesive because of it.
The only negative is that the release itself feels too compact. Additional touches, like notes from each contributor and two full-color pages from guest artists, give the release needed flair. However, a larger format release would have proved an ideal way to highlight the incredibly deranged art throughout. Still, this sentiment comes from a desire to want more of what already works, and there is an abundance of panels and spreads here that will appease all horror fans.
For the existing fandom, grabbing the anthology is a no-brainer. Not only does it allow talented creators to reimagine the ghastly creatures Tomozoki Izumi has brought to life in the series, but the book itself introduces the readers to many amazing artists and storytellers within the horror genre, whose work has yet to see prominence in the West. Adversely, the collection can stand on its own, as the short stories are not heavily reliant on understanding the story behind “Mieruko-chan,” instead allowing greater appreciation for those already in the know. Ultimately, “Mieruko-chan Official Comic Anthology” presents thirteen wonderfully macabre re-imaginings of the work of Tomoki Izumi that fans won't want to miss.
