This is an in-depth review of Island, written in the way I would write any other review. It’s also spoiler-free. :D

Story: It begins as a typical “demon-slaying” horror story, but becomes so much more. Around half-way through, a plot begins revolving around cursed skulls that emit a seemingly toxic gas which kills everyone in the vicinity until the skull is concealed or destroyed. But there is a human distributing these skulls, and the hunt for this person becomes a huge part of the story. The secret behind the skulls actually stems from a real-life conspiracy dating back to World War II. The fact that many ideas in this series (the skulls, Cheju island itself, the many legends and myths) are rooted in reality gives the whole story a more poignant feel. It also covers many important themes and ideas that should not go unheard, including racism, hatred, grudges, forgiveness, and acceptance. This story will stick with you long after you’ve finished reading.

Art: The artwork of Island is highly detailed and professional. I personally find it to be of higher quality than your average Japanese manga. The anatomy of the characters is perfect in every panel, the backgrounds look realistic and the monsters are very well-done. The artist uses plenty of shadows and black space to convey the dark nature of the story, without drowning in screentone. The character designs are particularly interesting because they actually look Asian. You can’t look at these characters and mistake them for Americans. Still yet, the overall feel of the manga style is present, even if the eyes aren’t huge.

Characters: Island begins with a small cast of recurring characters, including “rich bitch” Miho, serial killer Pan, and Miho’s bumbling yet more-than-meets-the-eye butler who is referred to as “Old Man”. Miho and Pan take center stage, each worthy of the attention as they are individually fascinating and highly entertaining when interacting with each other. Miho’s cynical attitude masks a reluctant yet genuine concern for those around her, and Pan is purely a mysterious badass. Volume two introduces the goofy, humorous John, possibly the deepest, most likable character of all. Though immediately a source of comic relief, John’s strength and troubled past are rather quickly brought into light. Midway through the series, four more major characters are introduced, each with their own abilities and unique personalities.

Overall: Island is a powerful series that shouldn’t be missed by anyone. It has something to offer for everyone and quickly evolves beyond being a generic horror story. The only possible drawback to the series is that it leaves a few minor plot points dangling, supposedly fleshed out in the two novels (which, sadly, will probably never be released here). It’s only slightly annoying, and doesn’t really detract from how excellent this series is overall. It’s deep and involving, and it’s a shame the series is so little known, because it’s many themes and mysteries would make for some great discussions. We can only hope that more people will discover Island.