Just like last time, we’re recommending each other our highest regarded ongoing series we think need more appreciated. This time Samu’s pick for Enzo is Fool Night by Kasumi Yasuda - a dystopian sci-fi story where clouds have prevented the sun from shining through and humans have adapted in horrifying ways to sustain life. Plenty of bleak, heavy themes ensue and we both get into what’s trying to be said in with this visually striking series is exploring. 

Timecodes:

0:00 Introduction - Samu’s most underappreciated ongoing manga pick

7:38 A mixture of multiple genres: dystopian, political drama, thriller, body horror, black comedy

10:40 It presents truths of what’s happening and doesn’t push an agenda/message

12:10 Early volumes focusing on more self-contained stories to establish this world

14:58 Our differing journeys with the artwork and its presentation

20:44 The upcoming anime and our hopes/expectations

22:23 Spoiler discussion begins

22:28 Akira’s gender revelation - becoming one of Enzo’s favourite characters

26:45 Standouts to the various bleak and dark storylines throughout the series without easy answers

35:20 Pro- and Anti-Transfloration argument and the politics around it

40:54 Dr. Kudai, Antartica, Central - the scale of the story expanding

44:54 Our disconnect with the latest long-running story arc in the second half of the series

49:52 The series could have been a short think piece but is becoming something larger

52:32 Samu’s Recommendation: Heavenly Delusion by Masakazu Ishiguro

56:22 Enzo’s Recommendation: Chainsaw Man Tatsuki Fujimoto

58:45 Final overview + ratings