Glitch Volume 1 is an odd and mysterious story that makes mundane daily tasks have an undercurrent of potential surprises. As its title states, strange creatures are appearing in a town called Touka-cho. Readers travel with the newest residents as they experience each weird occurrence. Although it is a gradual story, the art style and compelling enigma of what is happening and why make Glitch Volume 1 a terrific read.
Created by Shima Shinya, translated by Eleanor Summers, and lettered by Abigail Blackman, it starts with siblings Minato and Akira navigating the new town. The Yen Press manga doesn’t waste time building what’s happening. Within a few pages, Minato’s first day of class has more than textbooks in store. A weird humanoid thing appears in the class, but it’s as though bits of it, like data, have not crossed over. In a short time, the siblings realize this town has a big mystery.
Glitch Volume 1 Mixes Sci-Fi Genres
The name alone gives The Matrix vibes, as does the beings’ appearances. The art style is very angular and sharp, complementing the story. The addition of creatures from another world or realm adds another element. Immersing in the story will be difficult if readers are not sci-fi fans, at least at first. However, the mystery and characters pull to the front, especially when they meet Hirata-san. Glitch Volume 1 hints at a possible coming-of-age story alongside the town’s puzzle.
It’s reminiscent of youth, where often there is more fearlessness and acceptance of things, an adaptability. Or, for the residents of Touka-cho, the normalcy lies with the routine of appearances. When people keep experiencing odd situations, they no longer feel odd. But with the arrival of Minato and Akira, Akira’s classmates and the siblings form an investigative group to understand what is happening and why.
Not Enough About the Siblings Aside From Sense of Direction Humor
While Minato and Akira seem close, they do clash over small things. But there is little about the two in this book. Aside from Minato’s penchant for getting lost, readers do not learn anything else in the story. Right now, the character development is small as this volume focuses on the mystery. It’s understandable, given that the one resident they talk to clearly is not a person, as their head looks like a collection of wings. So, despite the lack of depth for the kids, Glitch Volume 1 stays interesting. Hopefully, the series doesn’t make parents entirely nonexistent but balances them.
Glitch Volume 1 immediately lets the cat out of the bag, then builds the questions with the day-to-day life of the two main characters. How the glitches or breakdowns appear feels similar to when Miles glitches in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Though the occurrences seem tame, the series sets up the possibility of danger with a man’s disappearance. As long as it builds the characters as their investigative club dives into the mystery and expands on the townsfolks who take these events in stride, Glitch Volume 1 is an exciting start to a promising series.
