Phantom Tales of the Night Vol. 5by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 6 Murakumo Inn welcomes troubled humans and others with payment in secrets. In this volume, the Owner (innkeeper) visits a couple of gambling establishments to win Sasaki, and then protect him, as his partially skeletal body makes for a good and unusual prize for beasts that like to wear human skins. Now, Sasaki's classmates are the next prizes to be won.This is a review copy, and I have not read the previous volumes. I was intrigued by the horror aspect, and on that this volume delivers, though not quite how I expected. The horror is mostly experienced by seeing Sasaki's reactions, with what seems and sounds like gory scenes (of beasts taking human skins for themselves) taking place just off-page. A couple things are shown on-page; they're of a different nature, but the focus remains on Sasaki's reactions. These scenes definitely get under the skin and will appeal to fans of Japanese horror. Sasaki's skeletal body is used more for humor than horror. Sasaki has a human head and limbs, but the torso is a skeleton (no flesh or organs). One humorous scene has him tripping and literally falling apart. Some scenes where this secret is forcefully revealed to some, are clearly meant to be funny, but read more like sexual harassment and / or assault. There are even extra comic strips at the beginning and end of this volume that point out that very thing, trying to squeeze more humor out by talking about who the "heroine" is. It falls flat, partially since it's using "heroine" as "damsel", and being the "girl" is a negative for the boys involved in this scene. I'm not really sure what to make of all this. I feel like I'm missing something important (maybe because Sasaki has no memories?). The volume opens with what appears to be an origin story of sorts for what appears to be the main character, Sasaki. However, volume five is an odd place to put that, and it's clear I'm missing plenty of things that led up to this point. We don't get to see the Inn at all in this volume, though it's mentioned a couple of times. We just see two gambling establishments. It will probably be more interesting to those who have been following the series. Interestingly, there are several philosophical discussions / monologues by Owner. I had to read some of them more than once to make sure I followed; they are pretty deep, and I appreciate the unusual / outsider perspective on certain human issues. The art is overall appealing. It's a mix of nice looking (even somewhat sexy, though still forgettable) characters and horror elements. There are some interesting quirks, like one character having ears covered in piercings. And facial expressions are well done, which sells the horror. While I felt a bit lost while reading this in regard to the bigger picture, I was able to follow the story that was here. I would be interesting in reading another volume. If you like dark supernatural stories with some horror elements, check it out. Written: September 30, 2020
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