I adored the art style of this shorty story manga. It makes me very interested in checking out the horror film it is connected with. I am a fan of the Blood on the Tracks manga from this creator and want to read more from them. Thank you for the early copy!

₊➴ ꒰ 4-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖

Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan is a manga prequel to Doku Musume (Toxic Daughter/Poison Girl), the 2024 Japanese horror film that brings Chi-chan to life. This eerie and nerve-wracking read introduces us to the creepy outcast girl known as Chi-chan and the disturbing incident that took place in their neighborhood before her sudden disappearance.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Plot

The start takes us straight to Yua and how Chi-chan silently hovers around her or wanders the streets, obsessively picking up and collecting bugs. While their classmates call her gross, freaky, and creepy, Kodai’s mother suspects that Chi-chan might be a victim of parental neglect. This sparks an idea in Kodai that maybe with Yua’s help, they can help Chi-chan find her footing. But as Yua tries to reconnect with her once close childhood friend Chi-chan, she unknowingly entangles herself into something far more unsettling. Digging herself into a hole she may never climb out of.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters

⟡ Chi-chan - The so-called creepy girl who walks around town barefoot and disheveled, collecting dead bugs and storing them as she enjoys/loves bugs. Everyone is disturbed and disgusted by her as she presents an ominous presence that scares people away.
The way she exists on the sidelines seemingly disconnected yet hauntingly present makes every panel feel like a warning that something inevitable and horrific is about to happen.

⟡ Yua - once close childhood friend of Chi-chan yet their friendship grew apart leaving her to quietly pity and care for Chi-chan from a distance. Yua is shy and reserved yet she cares deeply for Chi-chan.
So when Kodai proposes his plan Yua willingly joins him, determined to reconnect with the friend she once knew.

⟡ Kodai - is Yua’s crush and classmate. He presents a out-going and lively personality, wanting to accomplish something or gain recognition for the things that his done.
After observing how her mother worries about Chi-chan’s neglect, Kodai makes it his mission to help her.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts

It’s been a while since I last read a manga and I couldn't have picked a better one to dive back in with. I was completely hooked from the beginning up till the end.
The feel and vibe of this manga is suffocatingly eerie and the art makes sure it delivers an intensified and uneasy feeling to it, adding another layer of creepiness to the story and making it more nerve-wracking to read.
As a prequel and a one-shot, this is a quick yet gripping read that made me scroll non-stop! It wasted no time in delivering an unsettling dose of absolute creepiness and eerie suspense. Despite this short story, Toxic Girl: Chi-chan masterfully creates an ominous atmosphere that lingers and follows you till the very final page.

Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to grab my popcorn and dive straight into Doku Musume! After that chilling manga, I’m more than ready and excited to see where Chi-chan’s haunting story goes.

➳ Huge thanks to the publishers & author/artist — Kodansha Comics, Vertical Comics, Shuzo Oshimi & NetGalley — for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Thanks to Net Galley and Kodansha comics for review e-arc*

I really enjoy Shuzo Oishimi's previous works so it's not surprising that I enjoyed this. Oishimi does such a good job at displaying the good, the bad and the psychotic of the human race. Look forward to whatever he releases next.
*Thanks to Net Galley and Kodansha comics for review e-arc*

I really enjoy Shuzo Oishimi's previous works so it's not surprising that I enjoyed this. Oishimi does such a good job at displaying the good, the bad and the psychotic of the human race. Look forward to whatever he releases next.

This was an interesting one-shot origin story for an upcoming film. Oshimi's art is gorgeous and this is definitely a manga that relies more on the pictures to tell the tale. I found the character of Chi intriguing and would be up for watching the film, but otherwise, this was fairly average.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.