Shūzō Oshimi Books

"..if you enjoyed Oshimi's previous work with "Flowers of Evil", and you enjoy dark storylines with twisted characters, you'll no doubt enjoy "Blood on the Tracks"! Recommended!" - Neo Tokyo 2099 Seiichi's aunt and uncle have arrived to confront Seiko, and the truth has come out at last. The lies—and his family—are falling apart, and Seiichi is left to pick up the pieces... But as he shakes off his mother's influence and faces police questioning, a shocking revelation about his past emerges!!

From the creator who brought you notable works such as The Flowers of Evil, Happiness, and Inside Mari, comes a new suspense drama centering on the theme of a toxic parent. Dive into this latest thriller by master storyteller, Shuzo Oshimi. Unable to process the horrifying events of the past few months, Seiichi’s anger, fear, and frustration boil over. But even as he is haunted by the memory of his mother’s hands around his throat, he finds his voice again thanks to his classmate Fukiishi. Their puppy love provides a tenderness he has been missing, but it quickly comes under threat from his mother’s insane jealousy... Torn between the two women in his life, Seiichi is forced to make a choice that could bring his whole world crashing down.

After the climactic incident during the festival, we are sent to a completely new locale, 3 years later. Takao and Nakamura have been forcibly separated. Takao is now living with his parents in the suburbs of the big city, and they mostly act like a normal, happy family. Takao is in a new school, and a typical middling student. And while he’s as awkward as ever, he’s made some friends. Even more intriguingly—Takao may have found a girl to open up to. As with Nakamura, this girl can see there’s more to Takao than meets the eye. But this time, she’s the one who reintroduces him to literature...

After his grandfather falls ill, Kasuga goes with his parents back to Gunma—his first trip back to his hometown ever since the incident with Nakamura—and Kasuga must confront the friends and family he hurt in the past. A former classmate gives him a tip regarding Nakamura’s current whereabouts, but will he have the courage to track her down and ask her the question that has haunted him since that day? In this final installment, time passes and people grow, change and heal, and we get a glimpse into the first fateful encounter between Nakamura and Kasuga, from her point of view…

From the creator who brought you notable works such as The Flowers of Evil, Happiness, and Inside Mari, comes his latest suspense drama centering on the theme of a toxic parent. Dive into this latest thriller by master storyteller, Shuzo Oshimi. Seiichi's outburst has brought him and his mother closer together, but also served to deepen his aunt's suspicions. It's only a matter of time before the truth comes out...and before Seiichi's psychic tension erupts into violence!!

Seiichi confronts his troubled past as he navigates the aftermath of his mother's arrest, uncovering memories of a traumatic incident. As he starts to break free from her influence, he reconnects with Fukiishi, igniting hope for a better future. However, his newfound stability is threatened by the arrival of a mysterious visitor in the night, hinting at unresolved issues and challenges ahead. This blend of psychological struggle and emotional rebirth sets the stage for an intriguing exploration of resilience and relationships.

"..if you enjoyed Oshimi's previous work with "Flowers of Evil", and you enjoy dark storylines with twisted characters, you'll no doubt enjoy "Blood on the Tracks"! Recommended!" - Neo Tokyo 2099 Up on the hill, Seiichi's encounter with Shigeru merges with his own experience of being cast away by his mother, Seiko—and in that moment, he kills Shigeru in order to kill himself, a sacrificial rite to permanently sever his connection with his mother. Taken into custody, Seiichi feels only relief... But Seiko isn't gone from his life yet!!

The last days of summer creep toward a violent climax... Seiichi's family begins to fall apart in the wake of his cousin's "accident," but nothing compares to the mental and emotional torture he undergoes as he tries to maintain some sense of self in the face of his mother's manipulations. Torn by his love for her, Seiichi is pushed to the breaking point and finds himself unable to speak, both literally and figuratively. The tension continues to build in Shuzo Oshimi's masterwork of understated psychological horror, as Seiichi falls further and further into the abyss of his mother's unraveling psyche.

"..if you enjoyed Oshimi's previous work with "Flowers of Evil", and you enjoy dark storylines with twisted characters, you'll no doubt enjoy "Blood on the Tracks"! Recommended!" - Neo Tokyo 2099 Shigeru has finally awakened from the coma he's been in since Seiko pushed him off the cliff—but he remembers nothing of the incident, nor does he even recognize his assailant. Rather than setting Seiko's mind at ease, however, this only serves to disturb her further. Meanwhile, Seiichi is determined to keep his promise to his mother—with devastating consequences for everyone around him.

Beset by mental images of his mother, Seiichi flees from Fukiishi's embrace and returns home. Safety and reconciliation aren't the only things that await him there, however. The Osabes have become one big happy family again...but at what cost? Shuzo Oshimi's masterfully nuanced tale of familial horror continues to tighten its grip on the minds of its characters and readers alike.

Takao makes a decision... he will try to win the affection of one of his muses. This will be no simple task, as the teens are all now damaged and warped. Takao is in search of a utopia, one that can only be shared with his only friend, that will sit just briefly among the rice paddies of his rural hometown. But then Takao and Nakamura are wrongly accused of a crime, and the local authorities want to pin all strange behavior this small town has seen recently on the two teens. Will being treated as outcasts in their own community keep these two from crossing over to the other side...?

Seiichi's journey is sparked by a midnight visit from Shigeru, taking him back to a pivotal hill from his childhood. As he revisits these memories, he begins to perceive his past through his mother's perspective, unraveling the complex layers of his psyche. The narrative explores themes of maternal influence and personal liberation, culminating in a symbolic act that may either liberate him from his mother's grasp or plunge him deeper into a surreal nightmare.

A sophisticated and bloody coming-of-age story from the creator of the hit Flowers of Evil. Ages 16+. FINALITY After ten years, Makoto and Sakurane's reckoning has arrived. The inevitably bloody confrontation between the two monsters brings an end to one story, but marks the beginning of others. Gosho now faces a life marked by unimaginable trauma. Makoto's mother struggles to find resolution while never truly understanding what became of her son. And Makoto himself faces eternity. FINAL VOLUME!

Exploring the theme of a toxic parent, this suspense drama delves into complex family dynamics and emotional turmoil. The narrative promises to engage readers with its intense storytelling, characteristic of the creator's previous acclaimed works. Expect a gripping exploration of relationships and the psychological impact of parental influence, making it a compelling addition to the author's portfolio.

A college student apparently wakes up in the body of a high school girl.

Encouraged by Fukiishi to stand up for himself, Seiichi exploded in a moment of rage, telling his mother Seiko, "I don't need you"—the first rebellious act of his young life. Now Fukiishi has offered him sanctuary in her room, hidden from her father and away from the watchful eyes of his own parents. But as Seiichi fumbles toward sexual awakening, his mother's specter is never far from his mind... Shuzo Oshimi's masterwork of psychological terror continues, as Seiichi struggles to navigate the tangled web of his competing emotions. Meanwhile, Seiko's desperate search for her son brings her to Fukiishi's doorstep...

A sophisticated and bloody coming-of-age story from the creator of the hit Flowers of Evil. Ages 16+. THE FEAST Sakurane's madness reaches its peak and causes a blood-soaked frenzy that consumes the cult and even their "god." With nothing to stop him, Sakurane sets his sights on Gosho to complete his ritual of ascension. But as she suffers unspeakable horrors, her inner pleas awaken Okazaki from his decade-long slumber, and he makes his escape...

A college student apparently wakes up in the body of a high school girl.

From the creator who brought you notable works such as The Flowers of Evil, Happiness, and Inside Mari, comes a new suspense drama centering on the theme of a toxic parent. Dive into this latest thriller by master storyteller, Shuzo Oshimi. His mother has done the unthinkable...and now Seiichi must decide if he will be complicit. But before he can even catch his breath, what remains of his sense of self is smashed to pieces by her next shocking act... Shuzo Oshimi (The Flowers of Evil) invites us to watch as a once-happy household quietly transforms into an inescapable living hell.

DARK APPETITES Makoto begs Nora to undo the horrific change she has wrought upon his body, even as Yuuki is increasingly consumed by his own thirst. Unaware of his escalating taste for violence, Yuuki’s girlfriend Nao is convinced that her affection can tame the beast he is becoming. But even if the love of a girl will be enough to stop the body count from rising, Makoto is coming to realize that he’s merely the newest player in a very old war…

A college student apparently wakes up in the body of a high school girl.

A supernatural story of sexual awakening, growing up, and suburban vampirism, Happiness follows a dorky boy who is attacked by a girl in an alley. She sucks his blood and gives him a choice: life or death. He chooses life, but finds himself nearly overwhelmed by a new thirst and a fascination with the necks of his classmates... Praise for Flowers of Evil: "A shockingly readable story that vividly--one might even say queasily--evokes the fear and confusion of discovering one's own sexuality. Recommended." -The Manga Critic "A page-turning tale of sordid middle school blackmail." -Otaku USA Magazine "By loving this manga I recognize what a sick and twisted individual I have become. While I can still say that I am not truly deviant, Flowers of Evil is a great reminder of my own thirst for power and my own personal corruption." -Otaku Champloo

A sophisticated and bloody coming-of-age story from the creator of the hit Flowers of Evil. Ages 16+. MONSTERS Sudo arrives to rescue Gosho from Sakurane's torture, and like so many before him, he underestimates the cult leader's monstrosity, with devastating consequences. Amid the horror, Yuuki emerges from his catatonia to a chance at redemption--but it may take a monster to defeat a monster, and in spite of everything, Yuuki's still just a bit too human...

Mari's life is starting to fall apart. She's fallen out with her friends, teachers and family. So, with few clues as to where she has disappeared to, Isao and Yori turn their focus on the man currently living in the Komori apartment.

"If you enjoyed Oshimi's previous work with "The Flowers of Evil", and you enjoy dark storylines with twisted characters, you'll no doubt enjoy "Blood on the Tracks"! Recommended!" - Neo Tokyo 2099 It's been 20 years since his mother told Seiichi that she renounced motherhood, since she thanked him for being a killer, since he tried to strangle her there in the courtroom—and somehow he made it through. Living alone, working the night shift at a commercial bakery, barely speaking to his father, Seiichi's life is solitary and empty, and he likes it that way. But nothing lasts forever... The grand preface is over—and now the real story begins!!

From the creator who brought you notable works such as The Flowers of Evil, Happiness, and Inside Mari, comes a new suspense drama centering on the theme of a toxic parent. Dive into this latest thriller by master storyteller, Shuzo Oshimi. Seiichi's mother loves him very much, and his days pass with placid regularity. School, friends, even the attention of his attractive classmate Fukiishi. Until one terrible summer day, that all changes... Shuzo Oshimi (The Flowers of Evil) delivers his most unsettling work yet, the tale of a seemingly normal family suddenly swallowed up by the creeping horror of everyday life. Gorgeous art and an understated script only serve to heighten the tension as we watch Seiichi Osabe's life spiral into nightmare.

LIFE OR DEATH As the body count rises, the horror that has descended upon Makoto Okazaki’s life reaches an apex. The forces pursuing him and Nora are relentless, and they will not rest until they’ve captured their prey. But what fate awaits Makoto at their hands? And even as Yukiko continues her determined search for the truth and discovers the carnage that Yuuki has wrought, she is unprepared for the violent consequences… Praise for Happiness: “Shuzo Oshimi is a manga artist who is not afraid to play with your feelings.” — Turnaround “A stunning new horror manga.” — Third Eye Comics

First published in Japan by Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo.

A college student apparently wakes up in the body of a high school girl.

I want to get out of this hell Yo didn't expect high school life to be a whirlpool of lust and regret. He feels trampled on by Mitani, the girl he has had a crush on for as long as he can remember. He also can't forgive himself for upsetting Kei, the one person who seems to fully understand him. And when Yo realizes how much he has hurt the people around him, anguish and panic lead him to do something that shocks not only Kei and Mitani, but his entire class. 16+

BLOODLUST After succumbing to the urge to drink Yuuki’s blood, Makoto and Yuuki escape from the dangerous Saku with their lives…or at least, with what’s left of them. As Makoto, and now Yuuki, deal with their growing thirst for blood, the two struggle to hold onto what’s left of their humanity – and resist the urge to hurt the ones they love. But when Nora offers Makoto a form of salvation, will he accept, turning his back on his family and friends, or can he find a way to continue living in the only world he’s ever known?

CHANGES Makoto Okazaki is changing. Having turned his former bully Yuuki into a strange kind of friend, he’s been forced to help confront Yuuki’s own tormentors. But even if Makoto’s bizarre new physiology might solve one problem, it is creating others. And behind all of Makoto’s problems lurk horrifying questions: Who was the girl who attacked him? What is happening to his body? Why is he still so thirsty?

Komori's apartment has led them to a dead-end. Yet, after days without a reasonable lead to Mari's whereabouts, one finds them. Mari has called home! Where has she been? Why has she disappeared? And why did she decide to make contact now?

The first combined edition of The Flowers of Evil features volumes 1-3 of this best-selling and acclaimed series. It follows the adventures of a lonely bookish teen struggling to find his identity through Baudelaire’s poetry, until two girls—a beauty and a bully—help him find true love and friendship. Edgy, intense, and romantic, this new edition will give fans a chance to reconnect with Kasuga, Saeki, and Nakamura as it explores the issues of bullying, loneliness, individuality, and identity.

It is becoming clear to Isao and Yori that finding Mari is going to take more time than expected. As the two continue their search they'll have to cooperate, despite their contrasting personalities, to preserve Mari's social life.

A college student apparently wakes up in the body of a high school girl.

Seiichi grapples with a profound question about his mother's actions that have deeply impacted their relationship. As Seiko's past unfolds, the story explores themes of forgiveness and the possibility of reconciliation. With the dawn symbolizing new beginnings, the narrative delves into whether a meaningful connection can be rebuilt between mother and child after confronting painful truths.

From the creator who brought you notable works such as The Flowers of Evil, Happiness, and Inside Mari, comes his latest suspense drama centering on the theme of a toxic parent. Dive into this latest thriller by master storyteller, Shuzo Oshimi. "..if you enjoyed Oshimi's previous work with "Flowers of Evil", and you enjoy dark storylines with twisted characters, you'll no doubt enjoy "Blood on the Tracks"! Recommended!" - Neo Tokyo 2099 Seiichi is back home for the first time in ages to inter his father's remains in the family grave. After that, he'll be finished, nothing left to hold him in this world...until he happens to bump into Fukiishi, resurrecting all the feelings he had buried along with his past— Will Seiichi finally find peace in death? Or will the specters of the past keep him here against his will...?

A college student apparently wakes up in the body of a high school girl.

Together...I feel like we can find our true selves Yo doesn’t know what he’s doing anymore. Nothing feels right. His relationship with Mitani has distorted into something far from what he had wanted it to be—his body can’t resist the pleasure, but he feels filthy and dead inside. Only when he’s with Kei can he recover a part of himself, but even that bond is on the verge of breaking... The newest installment of Shuzo Oshimi’s psychological coming-of-age series is here! 16+

What is Kei to you? Yo doesn’t exactly get what love or dating is. After all, things ended up in a disaster with Mitani, his ex-girlfriend. And for some reason, he feels much more comfortable when he’s with Kei. Sure, Kei may look like a girl, but there’s something more to him than just his appearance that allures Yo. And when Kei makes a move on Yo, Yo doesn’t stop him. In fact, he might even enjoy it… 16+

Exploring adolescence through a unique gender-bending lens, this latest work from the creator of Blood on the Tracks delves into the complexities of identity and self-discovery. The narrative intertwines themes of transformation and societal expectations, offering a fresh perspective on the challenges faced during this pivotal life stage. With engaging characters and thought-provoking scenarios, the story promises to resonate with readers navigating their own journeys of growth and acceptance.

From the creator of Blood on the Tracks, comes his latest work tackling adolensence with a gender bender twist... Yohei, Kei and Yui are childhood friends and things get complicated when Yohei witnesses Kei and Yui in an intimate moment. But when unexpectedly Kei moves away and returns a few years later to reunite in high school, he seems to be a bit different. 16+

Originally serialized in Young Magazine, this volume combines the first two installments of a gripping tale that delves into themes of temptation and desire. Set against a backdrop of supernatural elements, it explores the complexities of human emotions and the consequences of indulgence. The narrative is rich with character development and intricate plot twists, drawing readers into a world where ecstasy and peril intertwine. This edition marks the first English publication of the series, inviting a new audience to experience its captivating story.

From the creator of Blood on the Tracks, comes his latest work tackling adolensence with a gender bender twist... Yohei, Kei and Yui are childhood friends and things get complicated when Yohei witnesses Kei and Yui in an intimate moment. But when unexpectedly Kei moves away and returns a few years later to reunite in high school, he seems to be a bit different. 16+

"Nothing interesting in happening in Makoto Ozaki's first year of high school. HIs life is a serise of quiet humiliations: low-grade bullies, unreliable friends, and the constant frustration of his adolescent lust. But one night, a pale, thin girl knocks him to the ground in an alley and offers him a choice. Now everything is different. Daylight is searingly bright. Food tastes awful. And worse than anything is the terrible, consuming thirst. The tiny shames of his old life have been replaced by two towering horrors: the truth of what will slake his awful craving, and high school itself."--Publisher description

"High school can be a stressful time for many young people. The change means a new commute, new friends, new courses...new teachers. For Shino Oshima the change could have meant an opportunity to blossom into adulthood. Unfortunately, things go wrong on her first day - she fails to even say her name during her homeroom introduction. From then on Shino is a part-mute part-stuttering mess. Ostracized and afraid she struggles to find her place in this new world... But thankfully for her, she finds her voice through music and some unexpected new frienemies."-- Provided by publisher

Welcome Back, Alice is the latest work by Shuzo Oshimi, the highly acclaimed author of Blood on the Tracks, Happiness, and The Flowers of Evil. The story revolves around three childhood friends, Yohei, Kei, and Yui, who are reunited in high school. What appeared to be a straightforward love triangle between two boys and a girl takes an unexpected turn when Kei shows up looking and dressed like a girl. Suddenly, Yohei is thrown into a maelstrom as he struggles between his infatuation with Yui and his lust for Kei. In this story of adolescent awakening, perversion, and love, Oshimi takes a bold approach and sets out to explore the boundaries of gender, sexuality, and identity.

From Shuzo Oshimi, the creator of Blood on the Tracks, The Flowers of Evil and Happiness. I just want to see it! High schooler Yumeko is your ordinary high school girl except she's obsessed with seeing the male body part in real life. Determined, Yumeko decides to join the art club at school. 18+

Middle school is hard enough without problems like these... Toshihiko Ota is mocked by his peers for his smooth, hairless body, but his life changes forever when he meets a young woman in swim club with the opposite problem: Ayako Goto, poised for swim-meet glory but too ashamed of her body hair to compete. After Ota happens on her trying unsuccessfully to shave in the locker room, she comes to him with an astonishing request...! Can they help each other find the confidence to embrace their own bodies? This sweet yet erotic early work from psychosexual auteur Shuzo Oshimi (Blood on the Tracks, Flowers of Evil) is not your average tale of puppy love. A quiet story of budding sexuality, self-exploration, trust, and friendship, Sweet Poolside is ultimately one of Oshimi’s most focused and sincere works, as well as the basis for the live-action movie of the same name.

Lange Zeit konnte sich Seiichis Cousin Shigeru nicht an jenen Vorfall im Sommer erinnern. Doch als er daheim stürzt, scheinen seine Erinnerungen bruchstückhaft zurückzukehren. Seiichis Tante beschuldigt Seiko, etwas mit Shigerus Unfall zu tun zu haben. Ausgerechnet Seiichi verteidigt seine Mutter, und sein plötzlicher Ausbruch bringt die beiden einander wieder näher. Doch der Samen des Zweifels wurde gesät, und es ist nur noch eine Frage der Zeit, bis alles ans Licht kommt …

Zutiefst verstört von seinen eigenen Gedanken, ist Seiichi aus Fukiishis sicherer Umarmung geflohen und in den Schoß seiner Familie zurückgekehrt. Nun möchte Seiko endlich mit ihrem Sohn über all das sprechen, was vorgefallen ist. Was ist an jenem Tag wirklich geschehen? Je mehr Zeit Seiichi mit seiner Mutter verbringt, desto weniger kann er zwischen Wahrheit und Lüge unterscheiden …

Zum ersten Mal seit drei Jahren ist Takao in seine Heimatstadt zurückgekehrt. Nun fühlt er sich endlich bereit, mit der Vergangenheit abzuschließen. Doch als er die Möglichkeit erhält, Sawa erneut wiederzusehen, muss er eine Entscheidung treffen …

Shigeru ist endlich aus dem Koma aufgewacht. Allerdings kann er sich nicht mehr an den Vorfall erinnern, und auch sämtliche Erinnerungen an Seiichi und seine Mutter Seiko scheinen verschwunden zu sein. Doch anstatt Erleichterung zu verspüren, wird Seiko in tiefe Verzweiflung gestürzt. Denn nun ist ihr jeder Ausweg versperrt …

Seiichi hat das Undenkbare getan: Er hat sich von seiner Mutter losgesagt und ist von Zuhause weggelaufen. Ein schützendes Dach über dem Kopf bietet ihm nun sein Schwarm Fukiishi, die ihn vor den urteilenden Augen der Welt verbirgt. Fukiishi und Seiichi kommen sich langsam in der Dunkelheit ihres Zimmers näher. Doch wann immer Fukiishi ihn berührt, wird Seiichi von Gedanken an seine Mutter heimgesucht …

Shigerus schrecklicher „Unfall“ hat Seiichis Welt völlig auf den Kopf gestellt. Denn seine Mutter weigert sich, Shigeru im Krankenhaus zu besuchen – und ihm verbietet sie dasselbe. Seiichi muss nun hilflos mitansehen, wie seine Familie langsam, aber sicher zerbricht – und gleichzeitig droht er, an der Liebe seiner Mutter zu ersticken … Wo er ist, ist auch sie. Nicht einmal in seinen Gedanken ist er allein. Wie Gift hat sie sich ihren Weg in seinen Geist gebahnt, und Seiichi beginnt, sich selbst endgültig zu verlieren …

Isao, ein menschenscheuer Studienabbrecher, findet Trost in Maris Anblick. Als er plötzlich in ihrem Körper aufwacht, muss er sich als Schulschwarm behaupten. Doch die unscheinbare Yori hat es auf ihn abgesehen und plant, ihn genau zu beobachten. Ein spannendes Abenteuer zwischen Identität und Selbstfindung beginnt.

Isao ist weiterhin in Maris Körper gefangen und kämpft mit Ängsten und Zweifeln. Seine Umgebung wendet sich von ihm ab, einschließlich seiner Klassenkameradin Yori. Als der Schwarm von Maris bester Freundin ihm näherkommt, kann Isao schließlich seine aufgestauten Gefühle ausdrücken.

Takao, als Perverser beschuldigt und gebrandmarkt, hat seine Liebe zu Büchern hinter sich gelassen und der Welt den Rücken gekehrt. Alles, was ihm nun bleibt, um die Leere in sich zu füllen, ist die Beziehung zu seiner exzentrischen Klassenkameradin Sawa, und die dunklen Abgründe, die sie gemeinsam erforschen können. Doch während Takao und Sawa ein neues Bündnis eingehen, erblüht in Nanakos Herz ebenfalls eine düstere Blume …

「惡の華」押見修造 最新作は究極の毒親! 「惡の華」「ハピネス」「ぼくは麻理のなか」「志乃ちゃんは自分の名前が言えない」など、傑作を次々と世に送り出してきた鬼才・押見修造氏が、ついに辿り着いたテーマ「毒親」! 母・静子からたっぷりの愛情を注がれ、平穏な日常を送る中学二年生の長部静一。しかし、ある夏の日、その穏やかな家庭は激変する。母・静子によって。狂瀾の奈落へと! 読む者の目を釘付けにせずにはおけない、渾身の最新作!! 【編集担当からのおすすめ情報】 「惡の華」が大ヒット。「ぼくは麻理のなか」の実写ドラマ化も決定した押見修造氏の最新作です。ストーリーはまだ序盤ですが、「毒親」に興味関心のある読者の方は必見です。心を抉る傑作になる予感がしています。

Isao, ein gescheiterter Studienabbrecher mit großen Träumen, lebt zurückgezogen und ist besessen von der Oberschülerin Mari. Seine Besessenheit führt zu einem unerwarteten Wendepunkt, als er plötzlich in Maris Körper erwacht.

暴走する母性という狂気…愛に殺される! ママ、なぜ「あんなこと」をしたの!? 母・静子の突然の“異常行動”. 息つく間もなく 静一の自我を粉々に打ち砕く次なる“事件”が起こり… 幸せだった家庭は、静かに、逃げ場のない地獄へと 変容してゆく…

Drei Jahre sind vergangen, seit Takao und Sawa ihre finstersten Abgründe erforscht haben – und seit sie mit Gewalt voneinander getrennt wurden. In einer neuen Stadt, an einer neuen Schule, soll Takao nun ein neues Leben aufbauen. Hier kennt niemand sein Geheimnis. Doch als er ein Mädchen trifft, das seine Liebe für die Literatur wiedererweckt, wird er erneut von der Vergangenheit eingeholt …

Takao Kasuga to mol książkowy, a jego ulubioną pozycją jest tomik poezji Baudelaire?a pod tytułem ?Kwiaty zła?. Wrażliwy chłopak nie wybija się szczególnie na tle rówieśników. I choć jest zauroczony swoją koleżanką z klasy, piękną Saeki Nanako, nic nie robi z tym uczuciem. Pewnego dnia pod wpływem impulsu i nadarzającej się okazji kradnie strój gimnastyczny Saeki! Klasę obiega plotka o zboczeńcu przywłaszczającym sobie garderobę dziewcząt. Przytłoczony rozterkami moralnymi oraz wyrzutami sumienia Takao postanawia zapomnieć o całej sprawie. Nie będzie mu to jednak dane. Nakamura, klasowa dziwaczka i outsiderka była świadkiem niecnego występku! I choć obiecuje dochować tajemnicy, to jednak wszystko ma swoją cenę… Takao wkracza w skąpany w szaleństwie, pełny brudnej szarości, mrocznej czerni i łagodnej bieli świat. Dokąd zaprowadzi go relacja z niestabilną Nakamurą? Czy jego krucha psychika jest gotowa na nadchodzące zmiany?

Takao hat einen Neuanfang gewagt und seine düstere Vergangenheit hinter sich gelassen. Doch die Freundschaft mit seiner Klassenkameradin Aya, mit der er die Liebe für die Literatur teilt, wird auf die Probe gestellt, als er wegen einer Familienangelegenheit in seine Heimatstadt zurückkehren muss …

Takao Kasuga to mol książkowy, a jego ulubioną pozycją jest tomik poezji Baudelaire?a pod tytułem ?Kwiaty zła?. Wrażliwy chłopak nie wybija się szczególnie na tle rówieśników. I choć jest zauroczony swoją koleżanką z klasy, piękną Saeki Nanako, nic nie robi z tym uczuciem. Pewnego dnia pod wpływem impulsu i nadarzającej się okazji kradnie strój gimnastyczny Saeki! Klasę obiega plotka o zboczeńcu przywłaszczającym sobie garderobę dziewcząt. Przytłoczony rozterkami moralnymi oraz wyrzutami sumienia Takao postanawia zapomnieć o całej sprawie. Nie będzie mu to jednak dane. Nakamura, klasowa dziwaczka i outsiderka była świadkiem niecnego występku! I choć obiecuje dochować tajemnicy, to jednak wszystko ma swoją cenę… Takao wkracza w skąpany w szaleństwie, pełny brudnej szarości, mrocznej czerni i łagodnej bieli świat. Dokąd zaprowadzi go relacja z niestabilną Nakamurą? Czy jego krucha psychika jest gotowa na nadchodzące zmiany?

Seiichi Osabe to zwyczajny, trochę nieśmiały czternastolatek. Co prawda koledzy uważają go za maminsynka z racji nadopiekuńczej matki, ale poza tym drobnym szczegółem w jego życiu nie dzieje się nic niezwykłego. Do czasu pamiętnej w skutkach wycieczki w góry, która uświadamia mu, jak niebezpiecznym uczuciem może być matczyna miłość.

Takao ist ein Bücherwurm – unauffällig, introvertiert und die Nase immer zwischen den Seiten eines Romans versteckt. Doch stille Wasser sind tief: Ohne jede Hoffnung darauf, dass sein heimlicher Schwarm Nanako jemals seine Gefühle erwidern wird, begeht Takao eines Tages eine impulsive Tat: er stiehlt Nanakos getragene Sportkleidung – doch er wird dabei beobachtet. Nun, da seine Klassenkameradin Sawa Takaos Geheimnis kennt, erpresst sie ihn: Entweder, er geht einen Vertrag mit ihr ein, dessen Konditionen er selbst nicht versteht – oder alle erfahren, was er getan hat.Die Blumen des Bösen erblühen. Und wie bei Charles Baudelaire liegen Lust und Grausamkeit nah beieinander …

Für Isao ist Maris Abwesenheit weiterhin ein ständiger Begleiter. Während er verzweifelt nach ihr sucht, strömen Maris Erinnerungen wie flüchtige Geister in sein Bewusstsein und gewähren Isao tiefe Einblicke in ihre verletzliche Gefühlswelt. Doch schon bald wirft ein Foto aus Maris Kindheit neue Fragen auf. Es zeigt Mari in einem Freizeitpark, den sie einst gemeinsam mit ihrer Großmutter besuchte. Als Isao versucht, sich jenen Ausflug in Erinnerung zu rufen, beschleicht ihn ein ungutes Gefühl. Denn das Mädchen auf dem Bild trug nicht den Namen Mari, sondern wurde Fumiko gerufen …

Der Studienabbrecher Isao Komori hat beschlossen, sein zermürbendes Leben in Tokyo endgültig hinter sich zu lassen. Nun ist er in sein Elternhaus zurückgekehrt, um in der vertrauten Umgebung einen Neuanfang zu wagen. Doch schon bald holen ihn die Schatten der Vergangenheit ein. Mari stattet ihm gemeinsam mit Yori einen Besuch ab, um einen Blick in Isaos Tagebuch zu werfen. Darin befindet sich der Schlüssel zu Maris dunkelsten Erinnerungen – und die Wahrheit über Mari selbst, den zweiten Isao und die kleine Fumiko …

Skłamać, by chronić matkę, czy wyznać prawdę o tym, co wydarzyło się na górskim szlaku? Seiichi nie ma pojęcia, co powinien zrobić. Zwłaszcza że nadal nie może uwierzyć w to, czego był świadkiem. Dotychczas szczęśliwy dom z każdym kolejnym dniem coraz bardziej przypomina pułapkę, z której nie da się uciec.

Wypadek w górach sprawia, że dotychczas poukładane życie Seiichiego rozsypuje się jak zamek z piasku. W relacjach między rodzicami pojawiają się gniew i frustracja, zaś rozdarty pomiędzy poczuciem winy a miłością do matki chłopak sam staje na krawędzi.