Wow! This was a wild ride of manga. The art style had slight vibes of the 90s which I loved. But the story was where it really picked up. I loved the twist at the end, no spoilers though, and how it all played out. I was not expecting it at all which is always the sign of a good psychological thriller. I also loved that it was a contained story. The panels have a good mix of text to art and all in all I really enjoyed this one, so much so I will be getting a physical copy.

As always thank you to Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for the copy to review, my reviews are always honest and freely given.

This manga starts as soon as Ishikura confesses his darkest secret to Asai when he is badly injured. Though at that moment, he starts to become worried that he might try to tell someone about the murder Ishikura committed, and the story begins here.

This manga is a great one at describing how your thoughts can be manipulated by your own hand. Throughout the manga, Asai keeps thinking his friend might murder him because of the confession he made, and that makes him worried about Ishikura. It's a constant battle of what they are thinking versus what is actually going on.

The art in this manga is very detailed and beautiful. It reminded me of previous mangas I've read before, but this one has an originality to it, it made the story feel more alive and even in black and white it felt vibrant.

It was a fast read and a very solid one if you're looking for a fast-paced action thriller, it was great; 3.5 stars.

This was so good!! I had the feeling that there had to be more to the story and I was right. Some might have seen it coming but I didn’t! I thought it was just a story about the slow mental decline of two men as they succumbed to paranoia but then!!!
I really recommend this story. The art is great and the plot has you twisted up in knots until the end. It’s so easy to fall into the anxiety they’re feeling. A well crafted thriller!

I was fascinated by the synopsis and excited to check out Confession. Full disclosure, this was my first foray into manga. Once a confession has been made, it can’t be taken back. Two men are stranded on a mountain in the freezing cold. When one confesses to a horrible act as a ‘deathbed confessional’, both have to carry the burden of paranoia and suspicion as they wait for help to arrive. The art is technically decent but it didn’t grab me or evoke any emotional connection to the characters who were both rather unlikeable. The story itself didn’t hold my attention or compel me to keep reading, which was the greater difficulty. Often lacking true suspense, I lost interest in the story quickly and had to make myself get through it. I have nothing to compare it to in the genre. For manga lovers, this may be just what you’re looking for so give it a shot for yourself.

Psychological thriller of closed space and oppressive atmosphere, in which once the confession is made we see how the two friends are closing in on themselves and thinking about whether or not they should care that the other knows and survives. It was initially published as a series, which would explain that around the middle of the manga there is a part that seems a little repetitive, but once it is solved I got hooked again and had a final surprise. (A one time, I thought it was going to be a dream caused by altitude sickness, because it can't be that the Japanese police are so clumsy).

The drawing is in black and white and the human figures are very recognizable as Japanese, even with the big eyes.

I have seen that there is a version in Italian and French, in addition to English; and also that last year a film adaptation was made.

PS Be aware this is a manga and you have to start reading back to front. Also use double page or you’ll missed some good illustrations.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @Kodansha for letting me receive the e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

I didn't hate this manga but I wouldn't say that I enjoyed my time reading it either. This manga was disappointing since the plot sounds amazing.

Sadly it took me two weeks to get back to it and finish it. I just kept not wanting to pick it back up.

The suspense in this manga was not very suspenseful which I think is key to a good thriller/suspense manga.
I didn't care for either of the character which made it hard to care what happened to them. I was going to rate this two stars but the twist at the end convinced me to give it a 2.5 stars.

I honestly don't see my self rereading this. Maybe this manga was just not for me. I do read a lot of thriller novels so maybe I am just picky when a thriller doesn't have me on the edge of my seat. I have read better winter thrillers. I really wanted to love this manga!

I have a e-arc of this manga and the physical of this since I had already pre-ordered it before receiving an e-arc through Netgalley. I am probably going to un-haul my physical copy.

el dibujo no dejaba leer lo que decian los personajes, se mezclaba y no era claro. Es mas que obvio que el problema es de la edicion y la eleccion de la gama de grises.

Imgur link goes to Instagram Graphic scheduled for January 25th
Blog post is live
Amazon and B&N Review submitted, pending system approvals
Will be covered in upcoming youtube wrapup as well

**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.

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).