I hesitated to write an early review of a serialized work, as it can be challenging to accurately convey the essence of the story in its initial stages. However, a manga that has caught my attention recently deserves to be introduced: "MAD" by Yusuke Ootori, which just started its serialization on Jump+ (available on the official Shueisha app "MANGA PLUS" outside of Japan).

I find myself habitually launching the Jump+ app right after midnight every day, and when I noticed the thumbnail that simply read "MAD" on the top screen, I couldn't help but click on it.

The setting isn't particularly groundbreaking—a world suddenly invaded by aliens and teetering on the brink of destruction, where the few surviving humans are either fleeing or fighting back. It's within this bleak world that the story unfolds.

Yusuke Ootori has authored several one-shots on Jump+, all of which have garnered significant views and high praise. In his most recent one-shot, he masterfully depicted the protagonist's emotional journey from weakness to resurgence, capturing the protagonist's internal struggles after retiring as the world's greatest martial arts champion. The exchanges between the protagonist and a young champion during his comeback were truly moving, showcasing Ootori's talent for depicting human fragility and honesty.

As for MAD, no hero makes an appearance (at least, I don’t think so… the story's trajectory seems to be shifting). Despite the presence of aliens, humanity's greatest external threat, the story lacks a traditional heroic figure.

It seems that Yusuke Ootori has been heavily influenced by various films. It's not just about the design of the aliens; rather, there’s a cinematic quality to the "pauses" in the narrative. These pauses inject a sense of unease in the reader as they progress through MAD.

At this point, I don't get the impression that this will be an epic saga. Instead, it seems likely to be a well-rounded story that concludes without dragging on. However, unlike the short-term focused serialization of "Leviathan" (Kuroi Shiro), which ran from August 2022 to February 2023, it’s unclear if MAD will have a definitive ending, so my prediction could be wrong.

Before diving into the review, let me briefly introduce the story without giving away any spoilers from the first chapter.

MAD Synopsis

The story begins on a planet suddenly attacked by aliens. By the time the narrative starts, the devastation is already well underway. A group of humans, barely clinging to hope, are walking across the desolate land. It appears that this group had taken refuge together in a shelter after escaping the aliens, but the shelter was also attacked, leaving only this group as survivors.

The protagonist, John, has lost an arm and seems to have joined the group by chance. He is now traveling with them.

At one point, Ethan, the de facto leader of the group, picks up a "signal," speculating that it might have been sent by other surviving humans. John, drawing from his
past experiences, warns that it could be a trap, but Ethan, refusing to abandon hope, leads the group toward the signal.

John appears to be mentally exhausted, at one point even leaning forward as if to jump off a cliff. When his sister calls out to him, warning that "everyone will leave you behind," he hesitates and, trying to cover up his actions, says, "It's pretty high here." John's expressions and actions suggest that he has lost hope and is indifferent to his fate.

As the group moves toward the signal, an explosion suddenly occurs underfoot, causing casualties. It seems to be an artificial landmine. Inevitably, the group is spotted by aliens and attacked without resistance.

This marks the beginning of a whirlwind of intense and breathless developments in "MAD."

MAD Review

The artwork isn’t necessarily outstanding. In fact, for those accustomed to clearly defined lines, it might even seem difficult to follow. However, the manga excels in conveying the subtle fluctuations and uncertainties in human emotions through the characters' facial expressions, the speech bubbles, the panel layout, the perfectly timed pauses, and the direction of the characters' gazes. In other words, it’s a masterfully crafted manga.

The story teeters on the edge of predictability, keeping readers guessing. The reader comments are generally positive, and while the world isn’t entirely original, the protagonist John is neither particularly strong nor driven by a noble purpose, making him a relatable and likable character. Yet, it’s clear that he has his own sense of justice and isn’t inherently a bad person (in fact, before the alien invasion, he was likely a highly sociable man who often joked around). This makes it easy for readers to embark on this journey alongside John.

The dialogue is simple and easy to understand. Despite this simplicity, there’s an underlying sense of unease that makes you suspect there’s something more behind every word.

Occasionally, the story introduces clear flags that heighten the tension. For example, as the story progresses, John and his group take shelter in a bunker, where they meet Leon, a man who is overly talkative and kind. Leon seems intent on pushing the story forward, disregarding John's feelings. After reading the first chapter, you might think Leon is an enemy, but after the second chapter, you’re left questioning that assumption, constantly swayed back and forth. The narrative maintains a consistent level of tension, leaving you eager to see what happens next. It’s a brilliantly constructed story.

I recommend reading at least the first chapter, or even better, the first two chapters, to see for yourself.

Author: Yusuke Otori

Yusuke Ootori won the Bronze Rookie Award in December 2020 on Shonen Jump+.

The editorial team praised his work for its "strong narrative structure, compelling direction, and natural portrayal of characters, creating stories that captivate readers beyond the constraints of page limits."

Since then, he has released one-shot works such as "Freedom" and "King" on Jump+, and "MAD" marks his first serialized series.