SINoALICE Manga Review: A Dark and Confusing Journey

Explore the dark and confusing world of SINoALICE manga as Alice navigates the blurred lines between dreams and reality. Discover the intriguing horror elements and visually appealing artwork in this adaptation of the popular video game.

SINoALICE Manga Review: A Dark and Confusing Journey

SINoALICE is a manga that combines horror, fantasy, and classic literature, offering a dark and intriguing journey. Based on the popular video game, this manga follows the protagonist, Alice, as she navigates a world where dreams and reality intertwine. Let’s explore the visually appealing artwork and delve into the story’s execution.

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Alice’s life is filled with a sense of unreality, with dreams featuring ball-jointed marionettes questioning her desires. Drawing inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the manga cleverly plays with the idea of Alice’s name, suggesting it may be a placeholder chosen by the player. However, the manga struggles to strike a balance between effectively utilizing this liminal space and confusing the reader.

The manga’s narrative is open to interpretation, leaving readers divided on its merits. It can be seen as a well-crafted horror story, drawing inspiration from famous works of children’s literature and fairy tales. On the other hand, it can be perceived as hyper-gory, with excessive focus on the sexualization of its female characters, leading to a superficial portrayal of darkness. These conflicting readings make it challenging to fully appreciate the manga’s intended depth.

Effective Horror and Confusion

In the first half of the manga, the horror elements are executed effectively. Alice’s seemingly ordinary life takes a dark turn when she wakes up to a massacre in her kitchen. The small details, such as the presence of two phone straps instead of one, add to the sense of confusion and unease. However, as the story progresses and introduces characters like Red Riding Hood, Snow, and Pinocchio, the pacing becomes rushed, leaving little room for explanation. The manga prioritizes showcasing Red’s destructive actions rather than providing clarity to the reader.

Artistic Excellence and Fan Service

The artwork in SINoALICE is generally impressive, particularly in its portrayal of unsettling scenes. However, the latter half of the manga suffers from pages that are difficult to follow. Additionally, the fanservice predominantly focuses on the girls’ posterior, with only one moderately explicit sex scene. While the art quality is commendable, the excessive focus on fanservice detracts from the overall storytelling.

Conclusion: A Coherent Narrative Lost in Confusion

SINoALICE’s manga adaptation falls short of delivering a coherent and satisfying narrative. While it presents intriguing concepts and visually appealing artwork, the confusion surrounding the story’s execution hinders its potential. Whether or not familiarity with the video game enhances the reading experience remains uncertain. Ultimately, while SINoALICE has its merits, it may not be worth picking up for all readers, even for fans of the game.

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