Most of us associate the genre ‘josei’ with either some sort of slice-of-life story, major character development, or those harlequin stories. Hatenkou Yuugi is the perfect example of a manga that completely disregards the above three stereotypes, and instead, creates it’s own respective place as a josei (and yes, it is a josei).

Though first few volumes lead you to believe it’s a very sloppy/ugly example of a episodic josei, it’s just the foundation for an even greater story. This is a manga where you have to read the entire thing before you understand it. The faint connections between Rahzel, Alzeid, and Baroqueheat run much deeper than they really appear to be. Could fate have brought the three together? Or even scarier than that: could this fate could be planned, or predetermined? If that’s true, then who is really pulling the strings? And for what reason? The gears of time are steadily moving to an uncertain future.

From the first few pages of the manga, we’re introduced to a very animated girl, Rahzel, who was just kicked out of her house. Seemingly normal, right? Soon after, she meets an aloof, albino man on a quest for revenge, and a strong casanova who just likes to fool around. The characters are superb, all with a very interesting non-static personality. And just like us, the characters actually change their clothes, something I find so refreshing. And most of them aren’t really that forgettable; I mean, who can forget Rahzel’s ‘macho-fetish?' They all have their dark backstories/agendas, including the most unexpected of characters. Not to mention the way everyone interacts with one another is believable. How many mangas show you friends comforting each other, or reassuring each other? Not many, especially nowadays. Something I think is necessary to point out: this manga is mostly friendship, so if you think two guys with one girl on a journey may entail a lot of romance, you’d completely wrong.

The setting is a very interesting trope: “days of a future past”. Though it appears to be a ruined, medieval Europe (especially through how Rahzel dresses sometimes), their technology is just about on par with modern day society. Rahzel’s hammerspace bag could be an example, seeing as no one really brings it up as weird, or unnatural. The narration flows nicely, and the pacing never misses a beat. The backgrounds are very pretty and detailed, but it doesn’t really enhance the overall reading experience. It does prove to be, however, a tool to know where characters are situated. Which isn’t entirely bad since most joseis/shoujos completely ignore this.

I’d like to call it a much lighter version of Pandora Hearts or Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles (especially because of the clones). You have to make theories as to who is who, and try to find the answer to what I’d like to call the ultimate mystery. It definitely contains some mind-boggling insanity later on, something you wouldn't ever expect just by reading the first volume. The overall atmosphere is a comedy, but the dark secrets lying in the subplot are unsettling, making you feel a little nervous and insecure... almost as if you’re being watched by something (or someone). And yes, I must say this: the art and plot does improve, so bear with it for a little while to get to the good stuff.

In fact, this manga is so good, it should be the testament towards all the prejudices of joseis. Which then brings me to the final rating: a 9.0 /10.0. And as I’ve said, you need to read it all before you truly understand it.

★★★★★★★★★☆
RECOMMENDED.