Title

Loveless

Also known as: ラブレス

by Yun Kouga

Score from AniList: 66/100releasing

Fantasy Mystery More like Loveless

Buy or read official Read with StoryHoard Community Sign in to vote for this week's Top 10

Aoyagi Ritsuka is one troubled 6th grader. Two years ago, he mysteriously lost his memory and developed an alternate personality. His mother constantly berates (and occasionally beats) him, asking what happened to the "real" Ritsuka, and his only defender and friend, his older brother Seimei, was recently killed. Suddenly, Seimei's apparent "friend," Soubi, appears. Soubi tells him that Ritsuka's true name is "Loveless," and that Soubi was assigned by Seimei to take care of Ritsuka and protect him. Ritsuka soon gets sucked into a bizzare underground society where teams of people, a "Fighter Unit," and a "Sacrifice," battle using elaborate and beautifully-phrased spells. He seeks both acceptance of himself, and the answer to the mystery of who killed his brother and why. (Source: TOKYOPOP)

Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 4/5

A haunting, unsettling supernatural story about a troubled boy who has lost his memory and gained an alternate personality.

Pros

Gripping, layered mystery
Strong, unsettling atmosphere

Cons

Dark themes can be intense
Long run has slower stretches

Read this if you liked:Ghost Hunt Another

Read the full take

Aoyagi Ritsuka is one troubled sixth grader. Two years ago, he mysteriously lost his memory and developed an alternate personality. His mother constantly berates him, and the household is tense. The premise is a psychological supernatural mystery built on identity, family pressure and a secret that the story slowly reveals.The strength is the mystery. The layers of Ritsuka's past unfold carefully, and each reveal feels earned. The unsettling atmosphere and the complicated family dynamic give the story real tension.The weaknesses are about intensity and length. The dark themes are heavy, and the long run has some slower stretches. Readers who prefer lighter fare may find it difficult.Recommended for fans of psychological mysteries with a supernatural edge. Expect a tense, layered read that rewards close attention.