I honestly don’t know where humans are supposed to find time to read all the incredible manga out there. Back in June, I got drawn into the first few chapters of Chiyoko Maruume and Tokegoro’s Twilight Blade. A promising new, dark shonen manga that feels like Spy X Family meets Jujutsu Kaisen, I was all in from page one!
As an editor working primarily in the anime/manga and gaming industries, keeping up with current and ongoing titles and trends can be overwhelming. There’s always something new to check out, and when they stick, the already lofty stack of series I’m invested in just gets higher.
Sadly, life happened to me in late June, and I had to set Twilight Blade aside until recently. Returning to polish off the next eight chapters to get caught up was easy. And now that I’m all up to date, it’s one I definitely want to keep up with. I only hope it doesn’t go the way of Alien Headbutt and get canceled just when things are starting to get good.
Twilight Blade’s Protagonist Drew Me In By Appearance Alone, At First
Image via VIZ Media
Yes, I’m ridiculously superficial sometimes. If you haven’t noticed the way I gush about Satoru Gojo by now, well… it’s a thing. I will check out an anime or manga sometimes on character appeal alone. That approach doesn’t always pay off, but it’s still a fun experiment, especially when it does end up being a good time investment.
Needless to say, the cover art for Twilight Blade sucked me in like a Dyson. Protagonist Yojin Odaki gives off major Loid Forger/Kento Nanami vibes, and it’s not just because he’s buff, stoic and blonde. As an exorcist and paranormal investigator, it’s obvious from page one that Yojin is socially awkward. He’s all business in ways that pretty much confirm he doesn’t know the first thing about letting his hair down. Much like Nanami, you know that when he does finally let loose, it’s going to be memorable.
Having taken in a fourteen-year-old boy named Hikari after a paranormal incident that landed him in the hospital and killed his mother, Yojin becomes his legal guardian. You get the impression almost immediately that it’s about more than just protecting Hikari from the dangerous spirits drawn to his unusual constitution. Yojin wants to give Hikari a good life, and the only way to even start understanding why is to keep reading.
Found Family Is One Of The Coziest Sub-genres, Even When Things Get Crazy
Image property of VIZ Media
I love a good found family story, and the darker the premise, the better. Spy x Family, Sakamoto Days, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, Witch Hat Atelier… All of these series have a found family element that serves to remind us all that blood is not always thicker than water. In a world where blood family is sometimes the most complicated obstacle people face, it’s comforting to know you can forge your own family of like-minded people who will love you just as you are.
One of the aspects of Twilight Blade that drew me in was Yojin’s nervous attempts at being a good father to Hikari without going overboard. Of course, he goes overboard in the most hilarious ways all the time. Like, discovering Hikari really likes bacon, then going to the grocery store and buying ALL the bacon. Standing outside Hikari’s school and watching over him, worrying that he’s not doing well, wanting to do whatever he can to make sure this boy he’s taken in is getting the normal childhood he deserves.
The best part is discovering why that’s so important to Yojin. His own childhood was far from normal. Stepping into Hikari’s life as a guardian and protector, all while trying to make sure he has everything he needs to live a well-adjusted life is more than just a cover for him. Sure, it’s his job to watch over Hikari, but the fact that he sees it as more than just a job is what tugs at heart strings.
And it’s not just Yojin and Hikari. As the manga advances, new characters join their found family dynamic, expanding it into a supportive environment for Hikari and themselves.
Twilight Blade’s Art And Story Work Hand-In-Hand
Image property of VIZ Media
I love it when artists and writers collaborate to form compelling stories together. Sometimes, it doesn’t always work out, but the combined efforts of storyteller Chiyoko Maruume and artist Tokegoro pay off in Twilight Blade. Every panel draws me in, expanding on the story visually and keeping me invested in the compelling narrative unfolding page after page.
Tokegoro’s art style is clean and precise, resulting in really beautiful imagery that sparks imagination. I do think Yojin looks an awful lot like Loid Forger, especially his eyes, which isn’t a bad thing. Not for me, anyway. The spirits are drawn with such detail, it’s impossible to ignore them even when they’re lurking in the background of a panel. They add a horrific element, even to more comedic moments, which I love to see, especially in dark shonen manga and anime.
Comedy isn’t an easy thing to maintain, but I feel like both the art and story for Twilight Blade do it well, so far. It may not be the most original story idea in the world, but it’s enjoyable. I’m hoping it continues to sharpen its own identity as a manga with each new chapter.
The first 12 chapters of Twilight Blade are currently available on VIZ Media’s Shonen Jump app.
