“After the mysterious disappearance of a countryside cop, the role is reassigned to Officer Daigo Agawa. He finds the remote village quaint, and he looks forward to an easygoing post among the warm and welcoming citizenry. Then… He gets a call. The body of a local grandmother has been found. The scene immediately sows doubt for the young policeman. A human bite mark has been left on the corpse, and any voiced suspicion of Agawa's is met with a strange, sudden, and intense hostility. The scene immediately sows doubt for the young policeman. A human bite mark has been left on the corpse, and any voiced suspicion of Agawa's is met with a strange, sudden, and intense hostility. Something dark is lurking under the idyllic facade of the charming mountain village. But can Officer Agawa spare himself and his family from it?” (Ablaze Publishing)
Buy This Title
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
There's something sinister going on in Kuge Village. Yet, despite the whispers and his predecessor's mysterious disappearance, Officer Daigo Agawa chooses to accept the open position there anyway. It's the kind of arrogant decision that leads to dire consequences in Masaaki Ninomiya's supernatural horror thriller “Gannibal.” Easily one of the more unsettling horror mangas of the last few years; it's exciting to see a series with such a captivating story and great art getting an English release.
In an era where zombie and body horror have never been more popular, “Gannibal” stands out as a distinctive take on the genres. From the opening pages, Ninomiya begins to paint a vivid picture of the Kuge Village dynamics and the strange veil that appears to shade the residents to the antics of its most suspicious family, the Gotos. While it's clear to both the readers and Daigo that there's more to his new assignment than meets the eye, the mangaka makes sure to weave just the right amount of action, gore, and mystery throughout every scene to maximize the suspense and keep readers wondering just who, or what, the real villain is. It creates the type of ominous, foreboding tone that keeps you consistently turning the page for more without relying on overutilized scare tactics or unsatisfying reveals. Like most genuinely captivating horror stories, every moment, act, and outcome answers just enough questions to keep you invested without giving everything away at the same time. There are no wasted interactions or jump scares just for the novelty of it.
One of the many things that makes “Gannibal” an enjoyable read is the ever-increasing tension and the notion that something terrible could happen at any time. However, just because there's fun in waiting for things to happen doesn't mean that nothing ever does. The manga contains plenty of stand-offs among characters and even animals that help to keep the plot pushing forward. In the beginning, before viewers begin to see the broader picture, some of the altercations can feel unrelated or disconnected from the plot, especially if you think you've already guessed what's truly going on. Luckily, Ninomiya seems especially skilled at subverting expectations and connecting seemingly random coincidences. It all comes together in the last few chapters. “Gannibal” is the kind of wild ride that fans who love guessing or theorizing will find intriguing.
While action and plot are essential for any horror manga, the visuals are the most make-it-or-break-it aspects. They generally set the tone for the manga, and the ones in “Gannibal” are no different, adding to the fun but anxiety-inducing experience of reading it firsthand. The opening pages stand out immediately, as readers will notice they're shaded differently than the remainder of the volume. The broad, watercolor-like brushstrokes are a unique choice that pays off well, adding a smokey, unnerving feel to the introduction that is sure to intrigue readers enough to continue.
Follow us on Twitter by clicking on the image below
Although the style changes slightly after the introduction, it remains compelling and fits the story well. The sketchy technique Ninomiya employs, combined with the attention to detail, is especially prevalent in the scenery designs, characters, and even corpses. The line work and shading are almost unsettling, as if intentionally half-finished to convey a certain level of unease, especially when a character is placed against an all-white backdrop. At times, some of the body-focused panels could benefit from some extra shading for the sake of creating a more discernable contrast against the background. Still, Ninomiya's art is perfect for the story, as it feels as though every line is strategically etched to create the most distress possible.
While most seasoned horror fans will find even the more grotesque panels tolerable and mesmerizing in their own right, younger fans, those newer to the genre, or those looking for more spooks than gore, may find some of the especially detailed panels a bit gruesome.
In a world where horror is often overlooked, Masaaki Ninomiya's “Gannibal” offers a unique addition to the genre that leaves a lasting impression and highlights how effective well-written scary stories can be. It delivers everything a potential reader would want and expect while going above and beyond in art and suspense. It's the kind of manga fans will want to read multiple times just to see if they missed any clues the first time around.
