I know that I should avoid doing it, but I tend to be of the mindset that popularity = quality. At times, it is rather difficult for this not to be my default approach. There is some logic to it, after all. Though, I don’t mean this (“this” being popularity = quality) in the sense that anything and everything that has a large fan base is of high quality and/or substance as a creative work. That much should be obvious. Be that as it may, I do think so-called “good” creative works do happen to be well-known -- more often than not -- and are generally well-received. I only say this to establish how surprised I was to discover My Dearest Self With Malice Afterthought. It’s a dark horse, for sure. No one I follow on AniList has even touched it
After browsing the front page of my favorite manga reading site, I noticed there was a new chapter updated for My Dearest Self With Malice Afterthought. The cover did happen to catch my eye, but what first drew me into this work was the title. There are a few things that a reader can assume — given the nature of the title. It gives the impression of a work with a darker, sinister theme. At least, that was how I initially felt. This presumption of mine was not a false alarm, as it has demonstrated itself to be true during my reading of the manga. Given that this is the case, I would exercise caution in approaching this work -- as it can get be a bit graphic. Though I was drawn in through the raw uniqueness of the title, I stuck around for the compelling artwork and the intricately-woven storytelling.
In the first chapter, the reader is introduced to the protagonist: Eiji Urashima. Upon first glance, he appears to be nothing more than an average college student. He’s a tad bit socially awkward and introverted, but it is nothing out of the ordinary. He’s got a decent group of friends and a solid family/home life. He seems like a decent kid, someone who is just doing his best to head down the right path. The only concern he has in his life (within Chapter One, at least) is finding himself a girlfriend.
Things are going somewhat o.k. After a night of drinking with his buddies, Eiji wakes up in a situation he has yet to find himself before. There is a woman lying next to him in his bed. Not only is she a woman, but she happens to be known as one the most attractive specimens on his university campus. Eiji, says hello to Kyoka...his new girlfriend.
His memory evades him, as he tries to come to grips with the fact that he not only has a girlfriend in Kyoka Yukimura, but she is lying in her birthday suit right next to him. In the midst of this, Eiji is also taken back by the fact that three days have passed by since he was out drinking with his friends. Having no recollection of the three days proves to be the tip of the iceberg for Eiji. Something dormant seems to be lying in wait, as one of Eiji's friends vaguely mentions "a secret." This is the beginning of the protagonist's attempt to maneuver through this unexpected jolt in his young adult life. It's a dream come true, but there is so much more than what meets the eye.
If anyone asked me to compare this to something, I would feel obligated to mention the works of Shuuzou Oshimi. There is clearly an overlap, specifically in how both Inoryu and Oshimi explore the darker issues of the human condition with their writing. Based off of what I have read from the two authors, I notice that both individuals have a knack for plugging their readers into scenarios that are a root cause for intense discomfort and sound food-for-thought. I can’t speak for others, but this has been my own experience while reading their work. I’m sure that I’m not alone in this respect.
There are numerous twists and turns that accompany the reader throughout the journey of My Dearest Self With Malice Afterthought. It is a tumultuous read — in a good way though. I would recommend this to anyone that is fond of suspense-filled thrillers, or anything else along those lines. I didn't really delve into the exact nature of the story because I do not want to give too much away. The manga has the potential to be a thoroughly enjoyable read for many; the last thing I'd want to do is inadvertently run someone else's reading experience.
Though I obviously wasn't able to tell at the time, this title encapsulates the essence of the manga perfectly. I really appreciate the author’s aforethought. This is a great piece of storytelling. I would like to see this get a bit more traction on the site, so I can see how others feel about it. I have high praise for this work and am looking forward to anything else that both the mangaka and author may put out in the future.
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