Dark Gathering Edit What would you like to edit? SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links   6n2xr

I'm so sad to see that there aren't many people who know about this manga but this review will be for those who happen to stumble across this page and are wondering if they should pick up. Answer: YOU TOTALLY SHOULD

Dark Gathering might be one of my favorite hidden gems I've found in a while. If you are looking for an action occult manga like jujutsu kaisen and still have the sour/disappointing taste of phantom seer in your mouth I HIGHLY rec. starting this manga. The fun twist is that non of the main characters actually have 'super powers' its all done within the rules ... of this world and nothing is ever pulled out of the ass which just makes it so much more enjoyable. No power of friendship, no random power ups, the occult side stuff is actually horrifying at times (especially the main characters main curse/fear which is actually terrifying) it real shows that this is a true HORRER manga.

Story and Characters: 10 Yo I love our 3/4 main cast of characters, I love how likable and complex they all are. We got our very progression driven main character who is a ghost magnet but has personality problems which surprisingly don't get grating as he is constantly trying to improve making him a lovable, wholesome goof ball just trying to make his way through his horrible life. We got the ghost torturing 20 yr old loli who has a super interesting character design as screams that "I'm an expert don't question me attitude". AND WE HAVE THE BEST CHARCTER of best girl who is just the best (read to find out (>‿◠), but no really I love Eiko's whole character as it gives so much more character to the story as a whole as I feel the duo main ghost people would get stale on their own. Having a character who serves so many roles as the love interest, outside perspective, extremely capaple, etc. is just so impressive.
Art: 9 The art is good, all the ghost designs are extremely creepy and I love how they portray ghost capturing, focusing a lot on the voodoo aspect as well as their physical designs. What helps is that for the 'main' ghosts they love to hint at their designs which makes for a lot of interesting reflection shots, etc.
Enjoyment and Overall: 9 ITS SO GOOD BUT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF CHAPTERS BUT I STILL RECCOMEND IT BECUASE ITS SO GOSH DARN FUN, its not perfect and it seems to be going towards a somewhat fast story maybe 50 or so 50pg chapters its feeliing like but its still got good pacing so get on the train boys.

Dark Gathering unlike most other horror manga starts off very strong and keeps the reader on their toes through each chapter. There's rarely any big cliffhangers at the end of each chapter as is the trope with most manga these days and each chapter averaging 40 pages leads to a satisfactory conclusion but still wants one to keep reading that next chapter. Dark Gathering has good art and I mean VERY good art combined with grotesque horror that sends chills down your spine. The ghosts are pretty well designed. Most of the stronger ghosts have their own backstory so you can kinda sympathize with how ... they turned into such monstrosity. The manga calls them "ghosts" but they are basically man eating monsters that will kill anyone who encounters them. The story is pretty simple. The plot revolves around our main trio who have to go around hunting ghosts and capture them in order to defeat a certain ghost and free our main characters from their curse. The characters seem well written so far. Give the frst 4 chapters of the manga a try. I don't really write reviews but seeing that there's not many reviews I am compelled to write one for this gem.

This really is one of the gems of currently publishing manga.

Story: The overarching story is compelling, with the main character’s curse serving as a long term plot driver while offering episodic chunks of taking on various locations and spirits. The spirits and entities they face are varied and always presenting new horrors, new stories, and interesting new occult magic. I don’t get “scared” from media so I don’t find this or any manga “scary” in that way, but this manga is genuinely disturbing at points. It’s very graphic at times and it pulls no punches with disturbing and violent events. I really like that there ... is an element of traditional Shonen battle manga with the spirits being raised and battled, but the stakes always feel high and it is balanced against the disturbing and mysterious plot elements to truly feel like horror and not just Shaman King with more blood. I’m constantly engrossed by the stories, eager to find out the backstory of the new spirit, or see what tricks the main characters will have to use to get out of a bind. There is genuine tension and a sense of unease running throughout the manga that sets a really delightfully foreboding mood for horror fans.

Characters: The characters are all interesting and have unique, defined, and different personalities. I was skeptical when I saw Yayoi’s design, as the aesthetic is a little Hot Topic or goth Steam game-esque in a manga that for the most part has fairly grounded characters and realistic character design (realistic in of clothing, design, and general demeanor of the characters). However, I find her character charming as the strange outsider while Keitarō plays the everyman (including being rightfully terrified to death of these horrible spirits and entities), and Eiko… has her own thing going on. The main trio contrast with one another in of goals and reactions to situations, which makes them feel defined and differentiated.

Art: The art is fantastic. The locations feel deep and lived in, and the design of the spirits is often horrifying and disgusting in new and surprising ways. The art captures a lot of disgust, horror, violence, and kinetic energy that makes the scenes feel dynamic, important, tense, and engaging.

Another small thing I appreciate while reading: the author sprinkles in pages at the ends of chapters where a page or is redone but with absurd and comedic dialogue replacing the original to reinterpret the scene as something ridiculous, funny, and off the wall. I think it’s a great little way to inject some comedy without putting it in the main story and interrupting the tense and serious mood.

9/10 - One of the best manga I’ve read in the last few years. It’s really a refreshing delight, and fans of horror, the supernatural and occult, and violent manga will surely find something to love about this comic.