Madness

Madness is one of those comics that immediately resonated with me the first time I read it. There was something about the messy artwork, the intensity of everything and everyone contrasted with the softness of Izaya that made me desperate for the second volume after I finished it.

Izaya is probably one of the main reasons I love this comic so much. Characters that have genuine love for everyone, regardless of their pasts, crimes and sins, with hope that they can become better people and see their feelings are always welcome. Izaya truly loves everyone and while he doesn't change the violent, blood-thirsty main characters as much as he'd like, he certainly leaves an impact.

Not that the other characters aren't wonderful as well. Kyo is delightfully violent and rough (hello, dubious consent issues and possessiveness), Miyabi is amazing in every way, and Oboro is endlessly entertaining. I adore everyone in this cast and I loved watching them all find each other again.

The plot in and of itself isn't the most elaborate, but I do like learning bits and pieces of the old Madness' group history, and seeing them travel in this new dystopian world.

I also love the artwork. While at times it's hard to follow the action due to the over-quick pacing and messy lines, I can forgive it because of the style itself. It's as rough as the story and it fits well with the title.

Madness remains one of my favorite manga titles, and I highly recommend it (as long as you're fine with the content warnings - this series is rated mature for a reason).