Coelacanth

Synopsis

Ten years ago, there was an explosion at Hisano's apartment building. She would have been there, but she'd been hit by a bike ridden by a boy in blood-stained clothes. He dropped a toy scale when it happened, and she's been hanging on to it as a good-luck charm ever since. Now Hisano's in high school. One of her teachers was murdered, and the police are investigating. A young man suddenly appears carrying the toy that scale belonged to. And perhaps... can he also see the hallucinations Hisano has always been plagued with? Everything is connected as the pattern slowly rises to the surface. (Source: Storm in Heaven)

Many times in my life, someone has asked me, "What's your favorite manga?" It's a difficult question, isn't it? There are so many stories and pieces of art, each one different from the last. There are lots of manga that I have enjoyed, yet none in particular ever seemed to come to mind. I found myself wondering, at the end of each series, "Why isn't this good enough to be my favorite?" Coelacanth is the answer. Reading this manga, you begin to realize how artful and complex a story can be -- and, in turn, how life can be this way too. Although theplot should be ridiculous and unbelievable, anyone who has ever felt emptiness in themselves will find it eerily familiar and relatable. But it's more than that human sadness that makes this particular story come alive. Each moment is powerful and unexpected, shocking and heart breaking, without ever once becoming a predictable cliche. The storytelling is masterful and the art is flawless. The characters are layered and well developed, full of doubt, hate, pain, and love. For me, the most striking character isn't even one with a name. It's Hisano's hallucination, a sheep born from the despair in her heart. As someone who has suffered with serious depression in the past, this sheep affected me particularly. By the end of the story, I was asking myself why I had never seen sheep before. But regardless of your experiences or happiness, Coelacanth will definitely hit home and touch you in a painful, beautiful, hopeful way. And, like me, you may walk away finally having an answer. "What's your favorite manga?" Coelacanth. No contest.