I love horror but this one was a little bit too out there for me. I wanted to like it to suggest it for our anime/manga section of the store but it is not a book that would appeal to our audience.

I did enjoy most of the stories within this collection. Family portrait was the only story that I didn't like and it felt unnecessary to include certain elements. It's explicit in nature in an uncomfortable and unnecessary way and I didn't feel the story needed that element.

The other stories in the collection were very well done. My favorite was the Labyrinth Quartet. It was a really thrilling and satisfying story. I would definitely read more stories by Kago in this style. I think it was a good story to open the collection with and kept you wanting to read more.

Curse Room was also a good story that was very haunting as well. Blood Harvest was interesting and had a mystery element to it. The drawings for all stories were really well done and the storytelling was clear. The storylines were engaging and easy to follow. I hope that Kago gets more works translated and released in English.

While often compared to the likes of Ito, Kago is for a more mature audience of horror manga. I found this shown in the third story 'Family Portrait, which due to the uncomfortable explicit nature could definitely turn some readers away. While not for everyone, it's definitely worth giving the book a chance if you're a fan of horror, due to the incredibly grotesque artwork and dark humour in the stories that will be sure to shock.

Kago is an incredible artist and his unusual ideas and unexpected endings put him in league with horror mangaka like Ito. This particular work is tamer than others I've read by him, but the explicit, taboo-violating sexual content in one of the stories will definitely turn some readers off. Despite this, however, all of the stories in this collection are thought-provoking and unique.

The obvious comparison is to junji ito. Shintaro Kago has his own style with slighly more humor in his work than I have seen in Junji Ito's.
I liked Episode 2's art the most as well as the story.
I didn't appreciate the grandpa in episode 3 molesting his own granddaughter. It felt unnecessary to say the least.

The last episode about the cars really lost me, it reminded me of Stephen King's Christine, but couldn't get into it.

If you like Shintaro Kago, you'll like this. is manga of 4 short stories, I'll review them one by one.

1. Labyrinth Quartet
I loved the setting, very successfully used the horror of the liminal space, however the overarching story fell short for me.

2. Curse Room
Not one for zombies myself, but this took a tired concept and did something interesting with it, so I respect that. Comical too.

3. Family Portrait
Hm. Now this one was interesting. Overall, I absolutely loved the concept. I loved the idea of the physical horror of dementia effecting friends and family, because dementia is a horror on all fronts. I really did not care for the sexualised nature of this storyline, though. I understand that's an undercurrent in a lot of Kago's work, but it pained me because this is definitely a story that could have been more than that. It was also played cheaply, and really predictably. Esp. if you've read plenty of manga over your lifetime, the rampant sexism gets old really fast.

4. Blood Harvest
Okay this was his funniest, I really enjoyed this. There isn't enough vehicle horror in the world, and the protagonist's final blood bank scene at the end made me feel viscerally ill.

All in all, these stories were very creative. I would easily recommend to fans of Shintaro Kago and body horror in general.

Like Junji Ito with more satire, Kago’s work is a real treat. The illustrations are haunting and the ideas are so disturbing that they’ll stick with you for a long time. An absolute must-read for fans of body horror manga.

SO happy that more of Kago's work is being officially published in the US. He is a genius mangaka who is criminally underrated. His work is disturbing in a way that sticks with you - there are some panels I will never forget because I was so disturbed, disgusted, or shocked. That is very difficult to do these days.

you'd have to have brain damage to enjoy the last 2 stories, because what? I felt all the stories had a really good stopping point, but then just continued until they were overexplained or completely changed the plot and ruined the unique story that was being told and could've had an ominous ending

This was my 1st book by Kago and I enjoyed the mish-mash of stories.
The art was very interesting, extremely gory and quite effective.
Since these are all very short stories, with each a great nugget of an idea, there is litlle time to develop the characters, and that is a shame since it would help deepen our attachement and our horror when everything invariably goes wrong.
I love Junji Ito and this book felt a lot like that, minus maybe some of the overarching cohesion that Ito's collections of short stories have.
I will be reading more from Kago and hopefully he has published some longer form stories.

Good stories/acceptable art. Ultimately, I don’t think there is much present in the book that will stay with me.

Shintaro Kago's Brain Damage is a disturbingly beautiful exploration of the grotesque. This collection of short stories delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche, delivering a potent blend of body horror, dark humor, and surrealism.

Kago's signature art style is both mesmerizing and repulsive. His intricate line work and grotesque imagery create a visual feast that is as captivating as it is disturbing. The characters, often caught in bizarre and horrifying situations, are drawn with a level of detail that is both fascinating and unsettling.

While the stories themselves may not be for everyone, Brain Damage is a must-read for fans of extreme horror and experimental manga. Kago's ability to blend the horrific with the comedic is truly masterful, resulting in a reading experience that is both shocking and darkly humorous.

Shintaro Kago's "Brain Damage" is a visceral, unsettling manga that delves into themes of psychological trauma, bodily autonomy, and existential horror. This collection of short stories showcases Kago's unique blend of surrealism, gore, and social commentary.


Plot and Themes


1. Psychological trauma: Characters grapple with mental anguish, often manifesting physically.
2. Body horror: Graphic depictions of mutilation, self-mutilation, and bodily transformations.
3. Existential crises: Characters question reality, identity, and human connection.
4. Social commentary: Critiques of societal expectations, conformity, and control.


Art and Storytelling


1. Visceral illustrations: Detailed, unsettling artwork.
2. Non-linear storytelling: Disjointed narratives mirror characters' fragmented psyches.
3. Symbolism: Recurring motifs emphasize themes.


Strengths


1. Unflinching honesty: Kago tackles taboo subjects unapologetically.
2. Innovative storytelling: Experimental narrative structures.
3. Haunting visuals: Indelible, disturbing images.


Criticisms


1. Triggering content: Graphic violence, self-harm, and sexual assault.


Conclusion


"Brain Damage" is a challenging, thought-provoking work. Kago's unflinching exploration of psychological trauma and bodily autonomy makes for an unsettling, yet fascinating read.


Rating Breakdown:


1. Plot: 4.5/5
2. Art: 5/5
3. Storytelling: 4/5
4. Themes: 4/5
5. Originality: 5/5
6. Emotional resonance: 4.5/5
7. Overall enjoyment: 4.5/5