Dark Gathering Vol. 1
Author: Kenichi Kondo
Illustrator: Kenichi Kondo
Publishers: Viz Media
Age Group:
Older Teen Genre: Horror Shonen
Type: Manga
Content Warnings: Curses, Dark Entities, Parental Loss
Spoilers ahead
Plot
Keitaro Gentoga couldn’t be unluckier. Not only can he sense ghosts, he’s a magnet for what lurks in the dark. After a horrible development with one such entity, he and his friend are cursed. Traumatized and re-entering society after a long sabbotical, Keitaro gets a tutoring job where he meets occult-obsessed girl, Yayoi Hozuki. Not only can she see ghosts, but she captures the most dangerous spirits as well. This unlikely duo set out on the quest (Keitaro reluctantly) to find her mom, who was taken by one such gut-wrenching monster.
Character Development
The character development for this story is clear. Who hasn’t been traumatized by something or lost their mom? At the same time, the character development may be relatable, but it’s trying too hard to get the audience to care about our protagonist. Keitaro’s trauma of becoming cursed and getting his friend involved comes up several times throughout the story. After the 2nd time, it just feels like the author tried too hard to get us to relate. Keep in mind this series is supposedly aimed at older teenagers. As such, they’re intelligent enough that reiterating his trauma multiple times throughout just in the first volume isn’t only redundant but forces you to lose interest in the main character. The best timing the author did on explaining Keitaro’s trauma and making him relatable is for his introduction and when we find out who the friend is that’s cursed with him. Beyond those two instances it would’ve been better to leave the rest out.
If anything, the Yayoi’s background is relevant to the plot more than Keitaro’s is. We feel bad for her. She has a clear goal. Nothing will stop her from accomplishing this goal. Keitaro feels second rate compared to Yayoi’s choices and actions. He’s just there along for the ride.
World-building
There isn’t really any world building. We know that some people are sensitive to the supernatural in varying degress. Keitaro is a magnet and can sense them, but not see them. While yayoi, can see them but not as often as she’d like. In volume one she only sees about one third of what is there. If there is only one entity at a location, it’s likely she’ll only see it one out of ten visits.
The audience assumes we are in modern Japan. We get basic descriptions and backgrounds of the hauntings and locations. This sets the audience up to know what to expect from the coming action. The world building seems more like these kids are learning ghost stories and if they’re true, much like Ghost Hunters the TV series and all the various ones like it. If they are true, Yayoi captures them into her plushies and uses them to amass power. Without this power she can’t fight the monster that’s taken her mom. We get all of this context in just the first volume.
Themes
While theme is always subjective, and this piece doesn’t seem to have one. There is one that I’d like everyone to consider.
Trauma must be dealt with head on.
We see this in Yayoi and her goal to find her mom rather than grieving that she’s lost her. She realizes that she has this gift, and she’s going to use it. Keitaro is traumatized by his gift, his curse, and getting his friend involved. His grandmother tells him that by eating well, exercising, etc will help him to develop his gift and keep dark spirits away from him. When it comes to his curse, Yayoi thinks she can cure it. This is great and not so great at the same time. If it’s successful, he will be curse free. Yet, he’s not working for it himself. It’s being handed to him.
Observations & Predictions
My hope is Keitaro will step up and actively help in making himself curse-free now that he knows it can be done. Not only that, but I’d love to see his friend forgive him. This would be a necessary step for Keitaro so he can heal from the guilt of getting his friend involved. At the same time, I want to know how his friend feels about all of this. After all, she’s one of the main characters. Eiko Hozuki, cousin to Yayoi.
From her personality, it doesn’t seem like it bothers her that much. Her character and relationship with Keitaro should be fleshed out more. There’s no tension there. Eiko goes along with whatever her cousin wants. Without character conflict between this group, they can’t grow. So I’d love to see how Eiko sees things and if there’s any issues that need addressed between Keitaro and her.
I’d also love to see Keitaro rise above his trauma by realizing his gift is just that, a gift.
World-building outside of hearing the ghost stories and lore of the hauntings they visit would be especially helpful. We do get places like the Hozuki household, but it’s the lore and people making the world vibrant. The settings are just backdrops. I’d like to see the Hozuki home not only be their base but one of the few places that Keitaro feels safe at.
Is this series worth reading? Well, that depends on a lot of factors. I want to read more just because I want to see if any of my observations and predictions become true. Would I recommend this one volume? Not to the audience it states it is for. It would be better suited for younger teenagers and even pre-teens.
Recommendations
Hell’s Paradise By: Yuji Kaku Horror Fantasys, M rating
Gabimaru the Hollow is a vicious assassin betrayed by his clan. Now he must attain the elixir of immortality or be executed. If he survives, he gets a pardon and a boon, he can live with is wife without his clan killing both of them. The island where this elixir lies may look like heaven but hell is just a breath away.
*Watch for a Special Edition coming this Saturday!
