If you watched the 2024 horror movie “Doku Musume” by Eisuke Naito, i would highly recommend you in picking this manga! This one shot manga is served as prequel of the movie.
The narrative of the manga centers on Yua Hayakawa, who once cherished her childhood friendship with Chi, a girl who is fascinated by collecting dead insects. Years passed, and their bond faded, and Chi becomes an outcast that rarely attend school.

This manga offers an intimate exploration of Chi’s backstory and events that leads up to the movie. I find this manga presents a broader narrative that delves deeper in horror elements on the movie. Both mediums has a distinct storytelling yet complementing each other to enrich the chilling narrative of Chi.

Oshimi’s artistry in this manga is evocative and haunting. It really immerse the readers in where innocence intertwine with malevolence, enhancing the overall feeling of despair.

Wow. This manga completely blew my mind. To be totally honest, I was drawn in from the very first glance at the cover: it instantly told me this would be something dark, intense, and right up my alley. And I wasn’t wrong! Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan is a gripping, unsettling, and emotionally charged story that I couldn’t put down.

The plot revolves around two childhood friends who have grown apart over the years: Chi, an odd, isolated girl with a fascination for dead insects and the wilderness, and Yua, her former best (and only) friend. As teenagers, their lives have taken very different paths, but things shift dramatically when Chi refuses to attend school. Enter Kodai - Yua’s secret crush, the golden boy of their class - who proposes a manipulative plan to coax Chi back to school using Yua as bait.

At first, it seems like their plan might actually work. Kodai and Yua approach Chi with smiles, cakes, and an outward show of kindness, all while ignoring her peculiar habits and awkward behavior. But Chi, true to herself, doesn’t conform to their expectations. One moment in particular - where Chi accidentally harms Yua - acts as the breaking point. What started as a seemingly harmless scheme quickly spirals out of control, turning dark and chaotic. Yua finds herself trapped between Chi’s unfiltered wildness and Kodai’s increasingly volatile intentions.

This story is beautifully twisted and emotionally raw. The more I read, the harder it became to tear myself away. It’s like watching a train wreck in slow motion: you know disaster is coming, but you can't look away. And just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the ending delivers a shocking punch that leaves you needing a moment to process everything.

What also makes this manga exceptional is the impeccable artwork. Shuzo Oshimi’s illustrations are haunting and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the eerie tension and emotional depth of the characters. Every panel feels deliberate, adding to the creeping sense of unease throughout the story.

Overall, Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan is a masterful piece of psychological horror that explores the darker sides of human relationships, manipulation, and alienation. It’s unsettling, unforgettable, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys manga that dares to push boundaries.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing this incredible read!

It lacks impact compared to some of Oshimi's other works, although it dutifully serves as cinematic prequel to what seems like a by-the-numbers J-horror film.

I think this was really good. I enjoyed the story and the artwork. I found it to be a well constructed story and piece of art.

GOOD FOR HER!

The story is about two students who try to befriend the outcast and convince her to come back to school. I really enjoyed this one-shot story and kind of wished it was a little longer! I was really fond of the art style. I have enjoyed Shuzo Oshimi's other work (The Flowers of Evil) and this was a delightful quick read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha, for the ARC.

"Toxic Daughter Chi-chan" by Shuzo Oshimi is a manga about two students trying to reintegrate a girl named Chi back into their school. Chi is feral and loves collecting dead insects. The story becomes more unhinged the further you get into the manga.

The artwork in the manga is dark and stunning. The story was captivating, but I think it should have been a little bit longer. I will definitely be reading more from Shuzo Oshimi!

Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha, for sending me an ARC of "Toxic Daughter Chi-chan"!

I adored the art style of this shorty story manga. It makes me very interested in checking out the horror film it is connected with. I am a fan of the Blood on the Tracks manga from this creator and want to read more from them. Thank you for the early copy!

₊➴ ꒰ 4-stars★ ꒱ ꒷⊹࣪˖

Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan is a manga prequel to Doku Musume (Toxic Daughter/Poison Girl), the 2024 Japanese horror film that brings Chi-chan to life. This eerie and nerve-wracking read introduces us to the creepy outcast girl known as Chi-chan and the disturbing incident that took place in their neighborhood before her sudden disappearance.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Plot

The start takes us straight to Yua and how Chi-chan silently hovers around her or wanders the streets, obsessively picking up and collecting bugs. While their classmates call her gross, freaky, and creepy, Kodai’s mother suspects that Chi-chan might be a victim of parental neglect. This sparks an idea in Kodai that maybe with Yua’s help, they can help Chi-chan find her footing. But as Yua tries to reconnect with her once close childhood friend Chi-chan, she unknowingly entangles herself into something far more unsettling. Digging herself into a hole she may never climb out of.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Characters

⟡ Chi-chan - The so-called creepy girl who walks around town barefoot and disheveled, collecting dead bugs and storing them as she enjoys/loves bugs. Everyone is disturbed and disgusted by her as she presents an ominous presence that scares people away.
The way she exists on the sidelines seemingly disconnected yet hauntingly present makes every panel feel like a warning that something inevitable and horrific is about to happen.

⟡ Yua - once close childhood friend of Chi-chan yet their friendship grew apart leaving her to quietly pity and care for Chi-chan from a distance. Yua is shy and reserved yet she cares deeply for Chi-chan.
So when Kodai proposes his plan Yua willingly joins him, determined to reconnect with the friend she once knew.

⟡ Kodai - is Yua’s crush and classmate. He presents a out-going and lively personality, wanting to accomplish something or gain recognition for the things that his done.
After observing how her mother worries about Chi-chan’s neglect, Kodai makes it his mission to help her.

⊹ ࣪ ˖ੈ Thoughts

It’s been a while since I last read a manga and I couldn't have picked a better one to dive back in with. I was completely hooked from the beginning up till the end.
The feel and vibe of this manga is suffocatingly eerie and the art makes sure it delivers an intensified and uneasy feeling to it, adding another layer of creepiness to the story and making it more nerve-wracking to read.
As a prequel and a one-shot, this is a quick yet gripping read that made me scroll non-stop! It wasted no time in delivering an unsettling dose of absolute creepiness and eerie suspense. Despite this short story, Toxic Girl: Chi-chan masterfully creates an ominous atmosphere that lingers and follows you till the very final page.

Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s time to grab my popcorn and dive straight into Doku Musume! After that chilling manga, I’m more than ready and excited to see where Chi-chan’s haunting story goes.

➳ Huge thanks to the publishers & author/artist — Kodansha Comics, Vertical Comics, Shuzo Oshimi & NetGalley — for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*Thanks to Net Galley and Kodansha comics for review e-arc*

I really enjoy Shuzo Oishimi's previous works so it's not surprising that I enjoyed this. Oishimi does such a good job at displaying the good, the bad and the psychotic of the human race. Look forward to whatever he releases next.
*Thanks to Net Galley and Kodansha comics for review e-arc*

I really enjoy Shuzo Oishimi's previous works so it's not surprising that I enjoyed this. Oishimi does such a good job at displaying the good, the bad and the psychotic of the human race. Look forward to whatever he releases next.

This was an interesting one-shot origin story for an upcoming film. Oshimi's art is gorgeous and this is definitely a manga that relies more on the pictures to tell the tale. I found the character of Chi intriguing and would be up for watching the film, but otherwise, this was fairly average.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.