Outsiders, Vol. 1
Story & Art: Akira Kanou
Publisher: Titan Manga (Print & Digital)
Publication Date: June 17, 2025
Rating: Teen
Genre: Manga, Horror, Comedy
Vampires and werewolves collide in this modern fantasy epic. Step into the city’s shadows and uncover the secrets behind the ancient feud, alongside a curious and brave young girl.
Prepare to be captivated by another masterpiece from the mind of Kanou Akira, where fantasy meets reality, with Outsiders Volume 1. Delve into a world where vampires and werewolves clash in the shadows, and humans unravel the secrets of an ancient feud.
Navigate the world of dark fantasy alongside Ema, a high school student who is full of energy and determination. She embarks on a perilous path that will challenge her beliefs and reshape her destiny.
The courageous, young protagonist finds that she possesses special abilities, but will those same gifts attract unwanted attention? Will her curious nature help her uncover secrets, or lead to her demise?
With mesmerizing artistry, Akira brings this dark tale to life, capturing the bustling streets of Japan and the eerie shadows where otherworldly creatures lurk. Although Akira thrusts readers into a treacherous war between fantastical creatures, it is in a world not so different from our own.
These monsters aren’t from another dimension, they are from ours and have been fighting an age-old battle within the shadows. Outsiders Volume 1 casts that same shadow over the reader, who is caught in the chaos and conflict and left on the edge of their seat.
This review contains spoilers for Outsiders, Vol. 1. I received a free copy from Titan Manga in exchange for a review.
Outsiders opens in West Germany, near the French border, where narration tells us that supernatural families once battled across centuries. Only traces of them remain. Nineteen years later, we jump to Tokyo, where a sharp-tongued woman, who we later learn is named Ema, is frantically searching for her sister, Yuko. She follows her GPS into an abandoned district, hops on her motorcycle, and rides straight into chaos.
Yuko has disappeared after a party. Her sister, Ema, finds herself face-to-face with two supernatural men—one unmistakably a vampire. After being caught spying, the vampire tries to erase her memory. She punches him before blacking out. We learn her name is Ema through a flashback, and when she wakes up in a strange room in new clothes, she is not pleased. LOL.
The two men—Tamaki (vampire) and Taiga (werewolf)—turn out to be frenemies and co-workers. Their dynamic is immediately compelling. They bicker with razor-sharp wit, and the chemistry is undeniable. Ema’s blunt, no-nonsense attitude cuts through their supernatural nonsense, and she’s not afraid to throw verbal (or physical) punches.
We find out Yuko and Ema are orphans. Yuko has been brainwashed to forget the vampire encounter, but Ema isn’t so easily manipulated. Her strong sense of justice, inherited from their parents, motivates her to confront these “monsters” head-on. She starts researching them, and when she learns about a massacre involving Taiga’s clan, she demands answers.
Ema sneaks into a party hosted by Tamaki’s company to confront him. What follows is a sharp verbal standoff—and an actual fight. She tries to kill him with Taiga’s blood, leading to a surprisingly heartfelt confrontation where Ema realizes Tamaki and Taiga don’t truly hate each other. She interrupts their duel by shooting Taiga with a crossbow, then has a full-on sobbing breakdown. (Iconic.)
Source: Titan MangaDespite the chaos, Ema insists on keeping them in check. Tamaki, amused, offers her a part-time job for about $12 an hour. She accepts, reluctantly.
By Chapter 3, Ema’s been working at the company for a month. While technically a student, she often appears to be the most emotionally mature one in the room. Her sister Yuko joins the company too, and Ema meets Shin, a half-werewolf public servant (i.e., a cop) with ties to Taiga. Together, they hunt rogue descendants from their clans who weren’t involved in the battle all those years ago.
When a murder points to supernatural involvement, Ema insists on tagging along. Tamaki lets her, despite Taiga’s protests. She ends up facing a full-on werewolf transformation, nearly dies, and is rescued by Taiga in classic “grumpy hero” fashion.
Source: Titan MangaThe volume ends on a quiet but meaningful note: Ema promises not to run away, and Tamaki and Taiga seem to genuinely respect her. She even gets a quick dose of normalcy when she challenges her classmate Hayato to a race, right before he receives a shady text that hints at darker things to come.
I loved this manga. The banter is top-tier. Ema is a strong-willed, hilarious heroine with depth. Tamaki and Taiga’s reluctant partnership is entertaining, and even Yuko—a side character often sidelined in stories like this—gets her moments.
My only “criticism” is the cover art. It’s a bit too busy and doesn’t reflect the tone or strength of the interior. Without the chance to review this, I might have passed it by. But I’m glad I didn’t. Outsiders has the makings of a new favorite.
If you’re looking for a fast-paced, funny, and emotionally rich supernatural manga with found-family vibes and a snarky lead, Outsiders Volume 1 (published on June 17, 2025) deserves your attention.
English (US) · 