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Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 25

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2024

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

In order to assume complete control over Fushiguro’s body, Sukuna schemes to kill Tsumiki, whose flesh Yorozu has possessed. Meanwhile, Itadori and the others attempt to use the power of Kurusu and the Angel, who have barely escaped death, to bring back Satoru Gojo! Sukuna is the strongest sorcerer in history, and Gojo is the strongest sorcerer of the present day… These two heavy hitters will finally clash!

Everything really feels like it’s coming to a head in this volume. Gojo has been released. Sukuna has taken over Fushiguro’s body. They are locked in combat. Kenjaku is still lurking around. And the rest of our crew is on the sidelines watching everything go down. I was on pins and needles the entire volume.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 07.25.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 24

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 24

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2023

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Military forces from foreign countries invade the culling game, seeking to harness the unlimited potential of cursed energy. However, the soldiers soon find themselves facing off against a horde of cursed spirits! While the merger with Tengen forges on, Fushiguro tries to help his sister leave the culling game and its endless cycle of killing…

Bringing the military into the story was a bit of a strange choice, but I understand that we needed to acknowledge the rest of the world at least. Japan does not exist in the world by itself. I was much more interested in the storyline featuring Fushiguro. And goodness! What an ending! I did not see that coming at all.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 07.24.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 23

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 23

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2023

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Sukuna reveals that he is the Disgraced One whom the Angel wants to kill. While Itadori grapples with this terrible news, Kenjaku has set in motion plans involving various nations, throwing the culling game into further confusion! To make matters worse, Kenjaku then shows up at the Tombs of the Star Corridor where Master Tengen exists in seclusion!

Our larger plot moves forward a ton in this volume. We do a big check in with our major players and see what happens when Itadori realizes who is inhabiting his body. I enjoyed learning more even if Gojo is still missing from the story.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 07.19.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 22

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 22

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2023

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

A mysterious cursed spirit with a grudge against Maki flies into Sakurajima Colony. It evolves with incredible speed from cursed womb to adult form and threatens to overwhelm Maki and Noritoshi. Just then, two more combatants join the battle…

Very excited to see a volume focused more on Maki. She’s become one of my favorite characters in this entire series. And after the development with her sister, I am more and more intrigued. We get a great extended action sequence showing off her revelations and new skills. I cannot wait to see how see fits back into our motley crew of heroes.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 07.19.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 21

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 21

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2022

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 216

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Hakari and Panda head for Tokyo No. 2 Colony in search of Kashimo. When they enter, they get separated, and Hakari faces Charles, a culling game player and wannabe manga creator! Meanwhile, Panda encounters Kashimo and finds himself overwhelmed by their difference in strength!

Meh! I was not really excited by this volume at all. We focus on some other characters and fill the pages with confusing action panels. Seriously, this volume felt more chaotic than usual. It just wasn’t holding my attention very well. I ended up skimming more pages than usual. Oh well. Guess I will just move on to the next volume.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, Finishing the Series, 3 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 07.16.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 20

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 20

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2022

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Fushiguro and Reggie have nearly crushed each other to death. Reggie makes a move to break the stalemate and bring their battle to its climax! Meanwhile, Okkotsu disrupts the four-way standoff between jujutsu fighters in the Sendai colony, leading to a fierce battle involving reincarnated sorcerers and a special grade cursed spirit!

More chaos within the culling game. We finally get to see Okkotsu and Rika again amid all the chaos. I loved the sections of this volume focused on them. We get to see a bit more of the larger plot and plan to help end the game. But mostly, we focus on a ton of action.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, Finishing the Series, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 07.16.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 19

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 19

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2022

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 208

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

In order to add a rule that will serve as a loophole in the Culling Game, Itadori and Fushiguro set their sights on a player named Hiromi Higuruma, who has 100 points. But when they enter Tokyo Colony No. 1, the two get separated. They both find others willing to help them, however…

This volume is all about the action of the Culling within Tokyo. A lot of action sequences in this volume. Less about the characters themselves or any big reveal. But we do get a push forward on the large plot. We get to see our main characters attempt to find Higuruma to force a rule addition but of course they are separated and have to encounter a few red herrings in the search. I did enjoy this one, but cannot wait to see what happens next.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 07.11.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 18

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 18

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2021

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 18In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

In order to thwart the culling game, Itadori needs the help of Kinji Hakari, a third-year who is currently suspended from Jujutsu High, so he decides to participate in an underground fight club where Hakari works as a bookie. Meanwhile, Fushiguro infiltrates the fight club and heads for Hakari’s base of operations, but another Jujutsu High third-year is using their cursed technique to block his way!

Fushiguro is back! I am so glad! I love his character and wanted to see more, but he’s been absent for multiple volumes. We get to see him team back up with Itadori to convince a suspended student to join the cause. And we learn all abut the culling game. This volume felt like it was setting up bigger events to come, but still enjoyable.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 06.27.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 17

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 17

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 200

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Hunted down by Okkotsu and on the brink of death, Itadori recalls a troubling family scene from his past. But why is the former form of Noritoshi Kamo there? As the sorcerers begin to take action toward suppressing the lethal culling game, Maki pays the Zen’in clan a visit…

We get to check back in with Itadori and Okkotsu after the abrupt shift of the world in the last volume. I loved learning more about Okkotsu and get his actual game play. But my favorite section of this volume was focused on Maki. The Zen’in clan is fascinating and I was hoping to see more from them. We finally get to see the ultimate play for Maki and Mai. I cannot wait to see how this plays into the larger storyline.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 06.27.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 16

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 16

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

After he consumes Mahito’s soul, Geto reveals part of his nefarious plan to Itadori and the others. In that moment, Choso recognizes the evil sorcerer possessing Geto's body and is filled with rage! Who is this evil sorcerer, and what relation do they have to Choso? Now that Gojo is imprisoned and the foundations of jujutsu society are crumbling, what will happen to the world as it devolves into destruction and chaos?!

And with that, everything changes! We start by wrapping up the Shibuya incident and then we jump forward. Things are drastically different in this world of Tokyo. All of our heroes are on the run or are not on the page. The fate of so many is left hanging. But at least we get to check back in with Choso and Itadori and see more from the Zen’in clan. I loved seeing the reappearance of another student of Gojo’s and some more action sequences. On to the next volume!

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 06.26.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 15

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 15

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Sukuna is on a murderous rampage. Meanwhile, invaluabe Jujutsu Sorcerers have been taken down, and even Kugisaki falls into Mahito’s trap! Feeling the burden of his sins, Itadori finds it hard to keep going, but he rushes off to help Kugisaki anyway. Can he reach her in time?!

Another super serious volume. I couldn't imagine the story going the way it is and yet I am so invested. I really hope Kugisaki makes it, but considering what happened, I’m not confident. And we get the set-up for what seems to be last act for the Shibuya Incident.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 06.25.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 14

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 14

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2021

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Oh no… I don’t think this incident is going to end well for our heroes, especially Idatori. Sukuna coming out was not the best plan of action, but sure made for some exciting pages. I’m still slightly confused by the weird Todo and Idatori brothers thing, but I assume it has something to do with the larger weirdness surrounding the sorcerers.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 06.25.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 13

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 13

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Dagon has evolved into a terrifying curse, releasing a flood of endless cursed energy attacks at Nabito, Maki, and Nanami! At the same time, a group of curse users devoted to Geto attempt to summon the jujutsu world’s most terrifying threat.

Holy cow! So much action in this volume. And so much death. I was completely riveted by the story here. I cannot wait to see how the jujutsu sorcerers respond to Mahito and Geto’s attacks.

Jujutsu Kaisen

  • Volume 1

  • Volume 2

  • Volume 3

  • Volume 4

  • Volume 5

  • Volume 6

  • Volume 7

  • Volume 8

  • Volume 9

  • Volume 10

  • Volume 11

  • Volume 12

  • Volume 13

  • Volume 14

  • Volume 15

  • Volume 16

  • Volume 17

  • Volume 18

  • Volume 19

  • Volume 20

  • Volume 21

  • Volume 22

  • Volume 23

  • Volume 24

  • Volume 25

Finishing the Series 25.png
Star Ratings.png

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: comics, manga, horror, Gege Akutami, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Monday 06.23.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Alley by Junji Ito

Title: Alley

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 1992

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 344

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Every night, a young man hears children playing outside his boarding house—but the alley below his window is fenced off from the world. Then, when a young woman’s family starts acting strangely at the same time she begins having bizarre dreams, she decides to stay with her aunt, but the town she heads for has neither addresses nor roads… Also, an all-you-can-eat ice cream bus that’s more sinister than sweet!

Legendary horror author Junji Ito presents ten bloodcurdling short stories.

Alley - Such a great story! I especially loved the ending!

Descent - Loved this super weird story! Great unexplained phenomena.

The Ward - Very nice creepy locked room style horror story.

The Inn - Meh

Blessing - Meh

Smoker’s Club - Meh

Mold - Oh loved this one that included a ton of body horror

Town of No Roads - Confusing story. Not a fan.

Memory - Okay I guess

Ice Cream Bus - Always creepy when stories involve children.

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: manga, horror, Junji Ito, 3 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 06.20.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Tombs by Junji Ito

Title: Tombs

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2023

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 344

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Countless tombstones stand in rows throughout a small community, forming a bizarre tableau. What fate awaits a brother and sister after a traffic accident in this town of the dead? In another tale, a girl falls silent, her tongue transformed into a slug. Can a friend save her? Then, when a young man moves to a new town, he finds the house next door has only a single window. What does his grotesque neighbor want, calling out to him every evening from that lone window?

Tombs - I had already read this story, but I really loved it. Creepy creepy.

Clubhouse - Meh. Didn’t really deliver.

Slug Girl - Loved this body horror story.

The Window Next Door - Fun, but I wanted more.

Washed Ashore - I do love creatures from the depths.

The Strange Tale of the Tunnel - Okay story, creepy enough, but not horrifying.

Bronze Statue - Didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Floaters - I wanted more.

The Bloody Story of Shirosauna - So much gore, but I did enjoy it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: manga, horror, Junji Ito, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Wednesday 06.18.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Deserter by Junji Ito

Title: Deserter

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Medai 2011

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 392

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

A vengeful family hides an army deserter for eight years after the end of World War II, cocooning him in a false reality where the war never ended. A pair of girls look alike, but they’re not twins. And a boy’s nightmare threatens to spill out into the real world…

This hauntingly strange story collection showcases a dozen of Junji Ito’s earliest works from when he burst onto the horror scene, sowing fresh seeds of terror
.

Bio House - Weird murdery story. Not my favorite.

Face Thief - Another weird story that I wasn’t a huge fan of.

Where the Sandman Lives - Okay this one was kinda interesting and fun.

The Devil’s Logic - Meh

The Long Hair in the Attic - My absolute favorite from the collection. Just the right amount of suspense in this one.

Scripted Love - Very forgettable.

The Reanimator’s Sword - Not a big fan of the religious bent to this story.

A Father’s Love - Nope. Not for me.

Unendurable Labyrinth - Decent

Village of the Siren - Very weird premise. I was definitely intrigued. Kinda wish that this one was longer.

Bullied - Not very excited about this one at all.

Deserter - I’ve somehow read this one before. I liked it, but not my absolute favorite.

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: manga, horror, Junji Ito, 3 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 06.17.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Black Paradox by Junji Ito

Title: Black Paradox

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2009

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Four people intent on killing themselves meet through the suicide website Black Paradox: Maruso, a nurse who despairs about the future; Taburo, a man who is tortured by his doppelganger; Pii-tan, an engineer with his own robot clone; and Baracchi, a woman who agonizes about the birthmark on her face.

They wander together in search of the perfect death, fatefully opening a door that leads them to a rather bizarre destiny…

Why did I love this story so much? It’s full of otherworldly scenes, unreliable characters, and terrifying visions. Right away we get four characters than find themselves in a strange situation. From there, things get weirder and weirder. I loved see an escalation of horror as we progressed through the chapters. The central idea of where the stones come from and what they actually are was just amazing! I could not come up with an idea like that. I loved seeing Junji Ito’s mind work to confront his characters with choices and consequences. So good!

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: manga, horror, Junji Ito, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Saturday 06.14.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Gyo by Junji Ito

Title: Gyo

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2002

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 398

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

The floating smell of death hangs over the island. What is it? A strange, legged fish appears on the scene... So begins Tadashi and Kaori's spiral into the horror and stench of the sea. Here is the creepiest masterpiece of horror manga ever from the creator of Uzumaki, Junji Ito. Hold your breath until all is revealed.

Something's rotten in Okinawa...

I had been waiting for this volume for weeks. Many Junji Ito fans put the Gyo collection among his top works. I started reading with no notion of what this one would be about. Thankfully the horror starts very quickly and does not let up throughout the entire collection. The creep-factor was turned up very high for this story. Seriously, it even got a bit gross for my tastes. But I loved the strange background story of why walking fish start to appear all over. I loved following Tadashi' and Kaori as they live in the horror. I truly could not put this one down until I reached the end!

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: manga, horror, Junji Ito, 5 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Friday 06.13.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Smashed by Junji Ito

Title: Smashed

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2019

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Try not to be noticed when you eat the secret nectar, otherwise you’ll get smashed… What horrific events happened to create the earthbound—people tied to a certain place for the rest of their short lives? Then, a strange haunted house comes to town, but no one expects it to lead to a real hell… Welcome to Junji Ito’s world, a world with no escape from endless nightmares.

Bloodsucking Darkness - Lots of creep in this one. Loved it.

Ghosts of Prime Time - Probably my least favorite in the collection.

Roar - Fun creepy story set in the wilderness.

Earthbound - Loved this creepy story that reminded me of “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Death Row Doorbell - More sad than scary.

The Mystery of the Haunted House
The Mystery of the Haunted House: Soichi’s Version
Two stories focused on the same family and creepy haunted house. I enjoyed the first one. The second one wasn’t a favorite.

Soichi’s Beloved Pet - Not a big fan of Soichi and his stories.

In Mirror Valley - Strange story focused more on hatred than horror.

I Don’t Want to be a Ghost - I always enjoy Ito’s ghost stories.

Library Vision - Weird, descent into madness story. Lovely nod to Lovecraft.

Splendid Shadow Song - Didn’t quite work for me.

Smashed - Loved this creepy story featuring an alien? Whatever it was, it was great.

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: manga, horror, Junji Ito, 4 stars
categories: Book Reviews
Thursday 06.12.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 

Uzumaki by Junji Ito

Title: Uzumaki

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 653

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Kurouzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but a pattern: UZUMAKI, the spiral—the hypnotic secret shape of the world. The bizarre masterpiece horror manga is now available all in a single volume. Fall into a whirlpool of terror!

Finally I get to read all the stories associated with Korouzucho and the mystery of the spirals. These stories get progressively weirder and weirder until we come to complete otherworldliness and desolation. I loved following a kind of descent into the madness at the spirals take over. These stories were very reminiscent of Lovecraft. I loved having Saito as a voice of reason that is suffering from his own style of madness. We get to meet some fun villagers and outsiders on our journey to uncover the mysteries of the spirals. The story focused on the row houses was my favorite. Full of terror and body horror, just how I like my terrifying stories.

Next up on the TBR pile:

orv1.jpg cold eternity.jpg orv2.jpg black butler.jpg jujutsu26.jpg jujutsu27.jpg antidote.jpg
tags: manga, horror, Junji Ito
categories: Book Reviews
Tuesday 06.10.25
Posted by Tobe Buffenbarger
 
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