Manga Review: Monster and Ghost Volume 1
While looking for something spooky to read this month for Halloween, I stumbled on the new manga release Monster and Ghost by Himemiko. The cover immediately captured my attention in addition since it appears to show a man kissing a spectral hand. I also wanted to learn more about the title. I ended up going into this fairly blind, choosing to avoid the summary before I started reading.
Official Summary
Tsubaki Koton is a monster — a violent delinquent with a chilling past and a terrifying image to match. No other student dares to approach him, not even now he’s transferred to a new high school. His anti-heroic acts of selflessness end only in bloodshed and rumors that spiral out of control. But one night, he’s followed home by a stranger who sets out to change his life for good. This boy, stubborn and hauntingly beautiful, is the pure-hearted Kabuto Yuuki, with his stunning jewel-like eyes that see past Tsubaki’s fearsome charade. But although someone finally sees Tsubaki for who he truly is, Kabuto cannot be seen at all. After all, Kabuto is a ghost.
Quick Information
Story and Art: Himemiko
Publisher: TOKYOPOP
Published: October 28, 2025
Genre: Romance, Drama, Supernatural
Rating: 16+
Series Status: Ongoing
Review
Tsubaki Koton has always been bigger and stronger than everyone else around him. Violence seems to follow him wherever he goes. No one dares approach him, calling him a monster. One day he meets Kabuto Yuuki, a ghost of another high school student who decides to haunt him.
As the story unfolds, we discover that Tsubaki is an awkward, misunderstood young man who has lived a troubled life. Other students think he is mean and antisocial. However, Kabuto recognizes this perspective on Tsubaki is just a big misunderstanding… aside from the fact Tsubaki does beat up bullies. The two grow closer as they spend more time together. Slowly, Kabuto starts pulling Tsubaki out of his own isolation, and Tsubaki starts to enjoy being around another person, ghostly or otherwise.
The characters are complete opposites of one another as more than just a mortal and a ghostly counterpart. With every part of his appearance, Tsubaki seems to want to create distance with the people around him, even going so far as to grow his hair longer because he doesn’t want to see the people who don’t want to see him. Eventually we find there is more to Tsubaki than his monstrous outer appearance. In contrast, Kabuto has wide eyes that take in everything from the world around him. In each panel featuring him, he has short, brightly shining hair which opposes Tsubaki’s darkness. The artist makes a point of showing Kabuto always glowing like there’s a halo around him. He smiles, and is even more excited for Tsubaki than the man himself when other students start to see him in a more positive (and attractive) light. While I do appreciate the opposites attract theming, I couldn’t help but think there is more to Kabuto’s side of the story than what’s ultimately revealed. Especially after the small detail we see at the very start of the story.
While the art style may not be for everyone, I found it complemented the gruff nature of the story, elevating the stylistic contradictions of Tsubaki and Kabuto’s lives. Their personality differences come through with the use of heavy dark inking juxtaposed by pure white.
Normally I’m not very interested in ghost stories. Often they lose the whole point of having a ghost as a character by making them “too physical” without reason or explanation which can be frustrating. This story however includes several details which showcase the physical drawbacks between a different spectral essence and a regular living human. One instance I appreciated was Kabuto being able to eat a meal from Tsubaki because Tsubaki offers it to him directly. This was a cultural touchstone which differentiates this ghost story from Western ones.
I was surprised at how sweet and sad this story is. Watching the misunderstood Tsubaki slowly come out of his shell and change due to his friendship with Kabuto is very touching and relatable to anyone who's ever been judged for their appearance alone. Sometimes it just takes one person getting to know you to make it all worthwhile.
Despite the suggestive cover, there is no blatant romance in this first volume which seemed fitting given the story's premise and characters. Tsubaki and Kabuto do grow close and clearly care for one another, but this is most certainly a slow burn. We don’t see anything more than smiles and blushes. That could change in the second volume which will be released next year.
If you enjoy character driven stories with complicated emotions like Touch Within the Abyss and Boy Meets Maria, you will enjoy Monster and Ghost.