Colette Decides to Die

Colette Decides to Die is a very cute manga series with a slightly misleading title. The title may make you think this story could be on the darker side, but in reality it is incredibly cute, wholesome, and rather calm in terms of plot. It almost feels like a sweet slice of life, following the daily adventures of the young heroine and many other characters. It starts out showcasing the life of a young apothecary named Colette, who also happens to be one of the few available in her village. Exhausted from the never ending demands of work, she decides to, well, you know—and does soby jumping into a well! However, to her surprise, she ends up in a new world...the underworld, that is. Here is where she meets some unique skeletal creatures and the lord of the underworld, Hades. However, Hades is not really what you'd expect. In fact, Colette discovers many other Greek mythology-inspired characters, many of whom seem to have their own unique twist. They don't strictly follow the usual Greek mythology, but loosely contain well-known aspects of the folklore. Anyway, along with a unique premise and interesting characters, this story is just a relaxing and simple read. There aren't any true conflicts or crazy dramas, and instead the story follows Colette's daily adventures as she visits the underworld. It contains a soft, fluffy, slow-burn romance that's insanely cute and sweet. While the relationship poses some obstacles, you'll likely find yourself rooting for Colette and her love interest. So if you're looking for something uncomplicated and rather wholesome to read, this manga could be a great fit! Lastly, this story has a nice art style and lovely character design. It feels a bit like a mix between older shoujo styles and modern styles, and fits the fantasy theme nicely. One last note: This series is being published in English now by Viz Media, yippie! ＼(＾▽＾)／