REVIEW: ‘Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition’

In Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition something lies beneath the Tokyo subway system that is too frightening for any human to ever imagine. A gateway to the underworld, home to spirits, loss souls, and death.  Some humans unfortunately find themselves mysteriously drawn to the gateway, and in need of guidance to find their way back to the world of the living.

Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition is a horror manga written by Tokyo Calen and illustrated by Yoshiken and is published by Tokyopop. This ultimate edition includes the entire series in one book in addition to bonus content bringing the page count to over 500. This ultimate collector’s edition also includes the third and final volume of the original Dark Metro series, never before published in English. This ultimate collector’s edition includes the entire series in one book and collects

Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition is a collection of bone-chilling shorts that tells the story of a rift between the human world and the world of spirits and death. When unexpecting humans find themselves lost and on the edge of the gateway they receive guidance from,  Seiya. Seiya is a mysterious young man who has the power to tell who is destined to live and who is fated to pass onto the other side. With his supernatural gift, Seiya protects and helps those deemed worthy of living while also teaching twisted and haunting lessons along the way.

Dark Metro initially interested me because it reminded me of other Japanese horror anthology series such as Hell Girl. And while the premise for Dark Metro seemed interesting it felt lacked depth for me. I liked that this manga as anthology series filled with a variety of short horror stories, but overall it doesn’t stand out much storywise. I think if the story focused more on the mystery of how spirits can draw humans to the gateway. Or if there was more conflict or action between the protagonist, Seiya, and the antagonistic spirits, then might have helped to give the story more depth.

While the story lacked the depth something I did enjoy about the series was the collection of horror stories. Each story tells an original story and  I also thought it was an interesting touch to name each chapter after a train station stop. Additionally, I did enjoy the later chapters that gave more insight into the protagonist’s, Seiya, backstory. it still isn’t much but it does 

The artwork for most of the Dark Metro is so-so. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the art style for the human characters as it just felt bland and generic. However, I will say that I was very impressed and pleased with the illustration of the ghost. The artist doe not hold back with any of the gory and graphic details of the ghosts that haunt the gateway to the underworld. Each creature is drawn with great detail and individuality that it compliments horror elements very well.

Overall, the premise of Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition is interesting and reminiscent of other Japanese horror anthology series such as Hell Girl. While the story lacks depth it gets better in the later chapters has more focus is put into the protagonist. This is a nice collection of horror stories and filled with beautiful graphic and gory illustrations of supernatural spirits.

Dark Metro: The Ultimate Edition is available from booksellers now. Learn more at Tokoypop.com.