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**TL;DR**: A dark and twisty story, very atmospheric and dark.
**Source**: Netgalley, thank you to the publisher!

**Plot**: Two men are stranded together after a mountain climbing accident. One confesses a dark secret to the other, but circumstances change…
**Characters**: You aren’t in this for these characters, both of them are horrible, but a well done horrible.
**Setting**: Cold and snowy, it’s well drawn and it feels cold reading it. I do not want to be there.
**Mystery**: This was great because I genuinely had no idea where or why the story was going and doing what it was doing. This one had me guessing.

**Thoughts**:

I love a well done one shot manga, and this one is that exactly. My only real complaint is just that it’s not my usual genre so I wasn’t completely floored or loved it unconditionally. Ishikura thinks he is about to die after an intense injury while climbing a mountain. In those moments he confesses he’s greatest and darkest secret to Asai. Unfortunately circumstances change and the two are left at an uneasy standoff. Can and will Asai keep Ishikura’s secret? Can they trust one another?

This one has a very simple premise but I felt like it was very well executed. I was surprised by the depth of the characters in the page length we got and by the end I was genuinely thinking ‘Wow, I hated both of those men. What just happened? Should I be happy with this or upset?’ I sat on it for a week, and it lingered. It had me turning the pages very quickly and the tension was drawn out perfectly.

If you want something cold and a bit thrilling, this is the pick. I’d definitely recommend this for fans of murder/thriller style stories. It could possibly be a bit predictable if you read this genre frequently but it worked perfectly for me. A great story with beautiful art and horrible people. What’s not to love?

Thank you to Netgalley and Kodansha for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a bit different than alot of what I've been reading lately. I *love* a good thriller and love psychological themes in my manga. This book kept me on my toes the entire time and I couldn't put it down once I started.

I will say, there was alot of stuff that is brought up that isn't very clear to the end and I'm not sure if that really helps the impact of the overarching themes of the volume. I enjoyed the art style, really brings me back to 90's era manga. I think this was OG drawn in the 90's and published and this is just finally the official translation in the states? But I'm not sure, but regardless I enjoy the feel of the art. I feel it really pushes the story.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this. My 3 star isn't saying its "ehh" but that I really liked it but some technical things (like spoiler stuff) kinda impacted my rating. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a manga to fill an hour or two or looking for a new physiological thriller to get their fix.

Confession reads like the perfect classic thriller manga. It’s got a great blend of action and drama that keeps you turning the pages! We follow two mountain climbers who end up stranded in a cabin together during a snowstorm. However, before they arrive at the cabin, one of them believes he will die, so he confesses a dark secret he’s held for years which creates a lot of tension during their time at the cabin. I personally didn’t connect with either character, but that didn’t detract from the reading experience at all since it’s more about the action.

I’m also not in love with the cover. I think it makes the story look more like a mystery than a thriller, and while it has both elements, I found that it leaned much more heavily into thriller territory. I do think the cover is visually appealing, I just don’t think it properly reflects the contents.

Suspenseful and well illustrated. I liked the illustration style more than the story. I think the story was interesting, but the twist at the end didn't surprise me at all.

~ARC Reader~

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC!

This was a great manga if you're in the mood for some very introspective tension. We spend the vast majority of the story inside the mind of Asai as he grapples with a revelation from his companion. It's a twisty thriller that kept me on the edge right through the end of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an early release copy of Confession by Kaiji Kawaguchi and Nobuyuki Fukumoto.

Confession was a quick and suspenseful read! I found the story, art, and characters enjoyable to read about. It was interesting to read how both of these characters slowly went insane after a death bed confession, how it affected both characters and the outcome of the situation was suspenseful to read. I liked the outcome of the story, I found the twist to be unexpected however I do feel after reading this that it just feels average. It was enjoyable as more of a popcorn thriller/quick read but nothing really sticks out about this manga.

~2.5~

It's not that I didn't like it, I just wasn't all that into the story as I thought I would be.

The art was really good but the story wasn't all that gripping, though the twist in the end was pretty cool.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Kodansha Comics | Vertical Comics that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on January 11th, 2025)

A decent psychological thriller that plays out that idea of a deathbed confession and what the consequences are if you make that confession and a miraculous recovery. This was decently fast paced and really showcased a descent into madness for these two characters as they reckon with all the truth that has been laid bare before them in a moment of panic and resignation. The ending twists were pretty good - not the most unique but satisfying nonetheless.

A manga with a chilling atmosphere, thrilling and captivating. Beautifully drawn illustrations that tied the whole story together.

I'm learning my taste in manga by reading through these and I realized that thriller / horror manga are not for me. I loved the wintery setting, but the actual plot was difficult for me to keep up with. I noticed that I struggle with illustrations in this genre because it's hard for me to tell what's going on.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, Kaiji Kawaguchi and Nobuyuki Fukumoto for providing me with an ARC of Confession in exchange for my honest review.

This psychological thriller and horror manga was the perfect read for me! From the very beginning, the story captivated me with its intense atmosphere and complex characters. It centers on two men who find themselves trapped together on a mountain, an already harrowing situation made even more gripping when one makes a shocking confession that shifts the entire dynamic between them. This revelation sets the stage for a chain of unpredictable events, weaving a narrative filled with tension and betrayal.

The pacing of the story was masterful, pulling me deeper into its web of suspense with every page. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist would catch me off guard, keeping me on edge and eagerly turning the pages. The sense of dread and uncertainty was palpable, making this manga impossible to put down.

The art plays a crucial role in elevating the storytelling. Each panel is meticulously detailed, perfectly capturing the raw emotions of the characters and the foreboding atmosphere of the mountain setting. The stark contrasts, eerie shadows, and expressive character designs work together to create a visual experience that complements the psychological depth of the story. The artwork doesn’t just illustrate the plot; it immerses the reader in the characters’ fears, desperation, and fleeting moments of hope.

What makes this manga truly stand out is its exploration of human nature under extreme circumstances. It delves into themes of trust, survival, and morality, challenging the reader to consider what they might do in a similar situation. The characters are flawed and deeply human, making their decisions and interactions all the more compelling.

This is a story that lingers long after the final page. The combination of gripping plot twists, stunning artwork, and profound psychological insight makes it a thoroughly enjoyable and unforgettable read. I’d highly recommend this manga to fans of thrillers, horror, or anyone looking for a story that pushes boundaries and leaves a lasting impression.

Confession
Story: Nobuyuki Fukumoto
Art: Kaiji Kawaguchi

This is a thriller manga set in the winter. The story involves two friends stuck in a blizzard out in the elements until they come across a cabin for shelter.

Ishikura is badly injured, thinking he's on his death bed so he confesses his darkest secret to his friend, Asai.

Then they find the cabin for shelter, and Ishikura is not so on his death bed, which makes Asai paranoid after being told what he was told (rightly so) and a cabin fever style paranoia starts happening and chaos ensues.

What I liked about this is that you more or less know where its going and you have to slowly watch these two people unravel. You're in their heads a lot in this, considering they're both overthinking everything (or rather, just thinking) while they're waiting to get rescued.

I loved the cold, bleak, isolated snow cabin setting. Reading it during a snow storm was perfect. It was a fast read and I got through it quick. The ending had me staring at the last page for a solid minute and trying to Google if there will be a sequel or not, lol.

Thank you to Netgalley, author, artist, and publisher for this ARC of Confession.

Solid 4 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I also had no idea until reading other reviews that there is a movie, so that'll be added to my list of movies now.

I’ve only just recently gotten into the thriller genre and for me it’s always a hit or miss.
Sadly, I’d have to say this one was a miss for me. It has nothing to do with the quality of the writing, just that personally, I couldn’t really find it in me to sympathize with either character. And when I can’t sympathize with a character, I can’t really get into the story.
The basic plot is two men stuck on the side of a mountain after one of them gets injured. Afraid of death, the injured man, Ishikura, confesses a serious crime to his only remaining friend, Asai. The two end up trapped in a cabin together, which then quickly spirals into Ishikura attempting to kill Asai now that he knows his secret.
While the tension was there, and I did keep reading, I couldn’t really find it in me to care all that much, especially after the plot twist near the end, (which I figured out myself) that made both characters kind of despicable. The thriller elements are there, with a sort of cat-and-mouse game throughout, and the art is pretty good and perfectly depicts the characters emotions. But I guess I’ve been spoiled by other stories (*cough* Sui Ishida *cough*) I’ve read with immense psychological depth, because I just wasn’t seeing the ‘psychological’ element all that well. The character’s thought processes and actions were too closely guarded for me to see exactly how they processed everything and came to the conclusions they did. Either that or I’m just slow. I don’t know.
Overall, I think Confession is a good story, perfect for readers of high-tension action and thrillers.

Confession is a wonderful psychological ticking clock thriller set in a single location. There’s action, drama, and suspense as the two men navigate their new deadly reality and battle for resolution before aid arrives. I was not surprised to learn this had been adapted into a movie (which I haven’t seen yet).

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Confession by Kaiji Kawaguchi and Nobuyuki Fukumoto is a psychological thriller manga set in a cabin during a blizzard. Asai and Ishikura have been friends for years and have climbed many mountains together. When Ishikura is injured and believes he will die, he makes a startingling confession. But Asai finds a cabin for them to stay in and Ishikura is determined to keep his secret safe forever.

One of the things I tend to prefer in psychological thrillers is that no character is a paragon of virtue and everyone involved has made mistakes. Psychological thrillers are very often about the human psyche and the reasons why we do things and what it would take for us to go beyond the norm and dip into darker impulses. A deathbed confession of this magnitude makes complete sense and as does Ishikura wanting to kill Asai to keep that secret.

What really sells it for me is that Asai is aware that Ishikura might want to kill him and tries to stay one step ahead, but he is constantly second guessing himself because this is someone he has known for a long time. There’s a ton of push and pull between them in a very small space and once we reach the tipping point, it does not stop.

I would recommend this to fans of psychological thrillers told in a visual format and those looking for a short, fast-paced manga

Publishing date: 17.12.2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Have you ever regretted telling a secret to someone? Probably, but not as much as these people ... To think this much tension can be created from a little confession. Of course, circumstances.

I don't think I have read such a tense manga before. Most of them lack tension, but have plenty of "ew", or all the tension is wrapped up the moment it is brought to life. Here it begins early and holds you at gunpoint all the way to the end.

The story itself doesn't span that much time, but it feels longer because the chapters creep slowly. It is a very very slow story. And you get a lot of monologues. Hope you like reading people's thoughts.

Final ranking and star rating?
4.25 stars, A tier. Fantastic manga. Typical manga artstyle, cool little plot. Will absolutely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing me with an arc for review.

Confessions reminded me a bit of a manga adaptation of a Japanese detective novel. Just, sans detective. While the atmosphere and art of the manga did heighten the tension, I did find it a wee bit repetitive and predictable. Again, maybe it's just because I've read a handful of similar genre-esque Japanese novels.

That all being said, I had fun with this book. It was creepy (maybe... eerie?) and had a real sense of cold. The art was almost grotesque, but in a way that added to the story.

That twist ending! I flew through this and was on the edge of my seat throughout. Really had a great time reading this and the blizzard setting was apropos of the wintertime I chose to read! Thanks to NetGalley for h the ARC.

Incredibly twisty and suspenseful. Beautiful and eerie in the simplicity of the illustration, this was a fantastic afternoon read. I was hooked immediately and powered through this in one setting. An immersive and chilling winter thriller that I believe many thriller and manga fans will love!

This was near perfect. I had doubts at times, but oh, it was a rollercoaster of suspense and thrills and it needs to be a movie! It has a bit of King's Misery, a bit of Poe, there's madness, there's paranoia, there's suspense and mystery!

I never know how to talk about books that shock me in a very good way. All I can say is that you have to read it!!