Title:
Alive: The Final Evolution (US)
Alive (Japan)
Creators:
Author: Tadashi Kawashima
Artist: Adachitoka
Publishers:
- Del Rey Manga (US)
- Kodansha (Japan)
Volumes:
4 volumes (continuing)
Manga Genres:
- Shonen (Boys') Manga
- Drama
- Mystery / Suspense
- Science Fiction
Content Rating:
OT – Older Teens, Age 16+
for violence, bullying and death, including numerous suicides
More about content ratings
About the Manga:
Originally serialized in Monthly Magazine in Japan, Alive is a first-time collaboration between manga writer and artist Tadashi Kawashima and artist Adachitoka.
About the Author / Artist:
Tadashi Kawashima is a manga artist and writer who has drawn other series for Monthly Magazine's Special Issue GREAT.
Adachitoka is a pen name for a team of two female manga-ka: Adachi, who is in charge of foreground characters; Tokashiki, who is in charge of backgrounds. Alive is their first major published manga series.
Story Summary:
A worldwide epidemic of a "suicide virus" causes chaos at a Japanese high school, as kids and teachers alike begin killing themselves in bizarre and violent ways. A group of high school kids learn that they may hold the key to this mystery, but can they solve it before it kills them and all they hold dear?
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the suicide virus has alien origins. The virus affects its victims in three ways: 1) They kill themselves, 2) they turn into powerful psychokinetic killers or in Taisuke Kano's case – 3) gain telekinetic powers without the urge to kill. Is his newfound powers and courage enough to fight against the ever-growing legions of infected, cold-blooded killers?
Main Characters
Taisuke KanoTaisuke Kano is an everyday high school student with a happy-go-lucky spirit that hides his sensitive side. Orphaned as a child with only his older sister Yoko as his guardian, Taisuke is fiercely loyal to his friends Yuichi and Megumi and fights with uncommon courage to protect them, even when the odds are against him.
Yuichi Hirose
Shy and small for his age, Yuichi is tormented regularly by bullies who take advantage of his meek personality. His childhood friends Taisuke and Megumi are often there to help protect him – but when this puny 10th grader is discovered on the rooftop of the school surrounded by the bloody and dismembered corpses of his tormentors, even Taisuke and Megumi can't fathom why Yuichi is the prime suspect in these mysterious murders, much less the reasons behind his dramatic personality change shortly after being detained by the police.
Megumi Ochiai
Megumi has known Taisuke and Yuichi since their elementary school days, so she's like a sister to them. Her no-nonsense approach makes her seem tough on the outside, but she has a soft spot for these two boys, especially Taisuke as she's developed a bit of a crush on him lately.
Yoko Kano
Kano's older sister Yoko has been his sole guardian since their parents' untimely deaths a few years ago. She's also a teacher at Kano's school, which makes it easy for her to keep tabs on her brother. Yoko is confident, fun-loving and flirtatious and is not above flashing her brother once in a while to lighten the mood.
Inspector Katsumata
The lead investigator in the deaths of Yuichi's tormentors, Inspector Katsumata comes across as an easy-going yet efficient police officer – but unknown to most, he's one of the special few who were infected by the suicide virus who've gained special psychokinetic powers, powers that can twist the mind and kill bystanders in a blink of an eye.
