Twilight of the Dark Master

"Twilight of the Dark Master" is a near future, urban horror Manga from Digital Manga Publishing. A horrifying new drug is making its way in the streets that turns men into demon like beats complete with horns, claws, fans, and a ravenous taste for human flesh, particularly the flesh of women. Already over a dozen women, primarily prostitutes have turned up dead and horribly torn apart. A young woman named Shizuka watches her own boyfriend Eiji transform into such a creature and nearly kill her before disappearing. She suspects that Eiji is behind the murders and contracts the supernatural private investigator known as Shijyo Tsunami to find, and if necessary, kill Eiji. Shikuza tries to find Eiji herself, even working in the city's red light district where women have been disappearing from in order to find him. Tsunami is a man to be feared on the streets...a Kaenmajin (flame devil) who has the power to command flames, even the Yakuza fears this man. As Tsunami begins to get closer to the truth while investigating the Kanemaki Group (a Yakuza organization) he finds himself challenged by a brother and sister of Chinese origin who actually delivered the Oni (demon) Eiji to the Kanemaki group and are trying to develop a half-breed, intelligent demon creature with this new drug. The Kanemaki group continues to bring in prostitutes and other women to be fed to Eiji but when he demands a Japanese girl, Shizuka now finds herself caged with the man she once loved. "Twilight of the Dark Master" is a guttural, visceral story. Tsumami's grace in battle is contrasted by the bestiality of the creatures he faces. Saki Okuse's art is magnificent. The near future, shattered industrial landscape is a fantastic backdrop for this urban horror tale. A short feature film based on the story was released some years ago and is available on DVD but I think the Manga is actually much better. Reviewed by Tim Janson