Has anyone ever heard of this series?
Hino HorrorI know we've a lot of anima and manga obsessed folks running around on Gaia, so I'm hoping I'm not the only one familiar with these books. This series certainly isn't going to appeal to the average 'bishy' or catgirl-obsessed otaku, however. The artwork isn't pretty at all.
That doesn't mean it's not good artwork, however, because his style works perfectly for these stories.
They remind me of the old-school American style of horror comics and magazines(a genre I grew up with, although I can't remember any specific titles, atm).
And the stories...they have a tendency to be totally disgusting(and I'm blessed with a cast-iron stomach) yet they are so well-written that you may actually find yourself feeling for these horribly maimed or deformed characters. I'll admit to having teared up at the end of a few of these novels.
Overall, I'm quite impressed with this series, although admittedly, not every story is a winner, although that might just be my unfamiliarity with some aspects of Japanese culture.
Anyone find it strange that the translation has a seriously British twist to it?
And I was quite surprised to learn that the author/artist, Hideshi Hino, has also directed two of the infamous
Guinea Pig movies.
In closing, I'd definitely recommend it to any fan of illustrated horror.
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