“GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST!” official synopsis from Yen Press: “After an illicit affair at her promising first job fell through, office worker Ushiro Akechi has slid down to rock bottom. All the world has in store for her now are temporary gigs, a lonely, run run-down apartment, and plain rice for dinner. With a life like that, would death be any worse…? What she really needs is an older-sister type to talk her back from the edge! Luckily, she is about to meet oneabout one—from the other side! Alleged Guardian Spirit and self self-proclaimed Big Sis Masako is here to take Ushiro under a ghostly wing! Together, can they turn a brush with death into the start of a gloriously funny new partnership?! Oh, honey— Thy grudge shall be avenged!”
It is always refreshing to get a new horror title that manages to approach the genre in a new way, and despite its somewhat misleading and silly title, “GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST!” certainly offers up plenty of intrigue. This comes from a more mature approach to the genre, with a protagonist who is crass and jaded by a turbulent life as opposed to the more common troubled high schooler. This also means the ‘cute’ elements are stripped back—though Ushiro and Masako still have their moments — and the drama and light comedy elements are more mature.
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At the same time, the series does not aim to be a hardcore horror title but rather one that indulges in the genre to great effect. A better indication of the content would be a horror comedy, with the chilling images of Masako turning demonic and lashing at our others as equally entertaining as his s*** -talking with Ushiro. The two work as an odd duo, with Masako giving off a punk/goth vibe and Ushiro hardened by life and quickly indulging in various temptations. Besides offering an interesting approach to the horror genre, the series is just as enjoyable in exploring the partnership between the two main characters, the chaos they cause, and their constant banter.
Despite its strong points, the inaugural volume is not necessarily enough to gauge the direction of “GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST!” Certain elements need to be addressed to give the series longevity. Notably, the book hints at a possible downside to Ushiro’s pact with the ghastly Masako and that her indulging in cursing others may lead to her misfortune. Understanding how this will play out will be the crux of the series’ success, as the inaugural volume only touches on the catharsis of revenge without exploring the repercussions. While the balance of comedy, drama, and horror is perfect in volume 1, there is also reason to be hesitant if Miyako Hiruzuka can consistently deliver various genre elements. New horror titles also have the tendency to make an impact and disappoint in subsequent volumes.
However, one thing that is an unparalleled success is the artistic direction, with Miyako Hiruzuka effortlessly jumping in between genres, with silly panels leading the way to ghastly horror fodder fans will adore (as seen above). There is also a playfulness to the artwork, with the mangaka seeming to do an homage to Hideshi Hino in one sequence. While a direct comparison between the two would be amiss, evoking one of the best creators to balance dark humor, horror, and grotesque in Hideshi Hino does give a glimmer of hope that Miyako Hiruzuka will carry the series to where fans want it.
My approach to “GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST!” is one of cautious optimism. Many horror series fizzle out after making a debut, which is particularly true of a mangaka not yet established in the genre. There is also the potential for the series to lose its edge and become a comedy or drama, not necessarily a negative if handled well, but a potential downside for those drawn to horror explicitly. Still, in the face of uncertainty, there is still much to adore, and horror fans should consider checking it out. If anything, the artistic direction of Miyako Hiruzuka is a treat that should stay consistent throughout.
