Muhoutou

An empty, edgy prequel. Muhoutou is the first manga I've read from Mori Kouji which is most definitely not good. An unnecessary prequel of the great, albeit a bit preachy, “Suicide Island” manga. Which was a look into what it means to find a purpose in life even after yearning for nonexistence (suicide). It was great, and the premise freshened up the usual survival island type of story which was popular a while ago. This one is more about becoming a bad person to do good things, to let go of your good to become the best for those you can, and want to protect. The thesisof the manga is far greater than what it attempted, and achieved. The story becomes a bunch of legitimately tragic characters finding purpose, but then, speaking it, yelling it out loud. If the original story was preachy, this one is so blatant there's nothing to chew on. No character allows us to find the themes for ourselves. There's rape, there's tons of violence, but it doesn't feel like a true exploration on the psychological effects, it's more of “let's give them a reason for being in this situation”. The bad things that happen are nothing more than scene setters, for the revenge and collisions which happen afterwards. The villain is just some dude who doesn't have anything going for him except he likes rape, he works with violence, control with repression, specially in a lawless land. Rules with Iron Fist. Does he have anything going on? No, not really, not even a bit. The evilest of evils, fights the goodest of goods, and good prevails, end of the story. The most bare bones thing I've read in a while. The premise is the best, the thesis is great, but then it all becomes mush which ends happily ever after with no rhyme or reason. 3.7/10. Just read Suicide Island, don't come here.