Tomodachi Game (Manga): 9/10
I picked this one up in 2022 and caught up at the time. I didnt realise it actually had an ending written for it until about an hour ago, where I had a bit left.
The ending actually hit hard and was actually kind of beautiful and hopeful, but not to an extent where its at a fault and unrealistic. The characters were written really well, and the dynamic between money and friendship stays true to the end. The artstyle is really detailed, and I often found myself jumping when turning the page and seeing some insane facial expression.
As a reader you lose your ability to trust anything or anyone until the very VERY end.
A common comparison for the bulk of the story is 'Classroom of The Elite', but I feel that comparison is unfortunate. Tomodachi game and its characters have a direction which clears itself up, and the main character has a set goal and motives from the very beginning, whereas the COTE storyline and main character feels bland and aimless, committing to trickery for no real reason.
Whilst a bit edgy, Tomodachi Game has a message, a message clearly communicated early on, and even though at a first glance it may seem that things get crazy, over the top and deviate from this philosophy, the ending pages bring everything together very nicely.
I've mentioned the ending alot but the story itself is amazing alone, each character is pushed to their limits at some point in the story, the truth gets unveiled, thrown out the window, and a cycle of distrust starts to brew. Character design is also very cool, the mascot is cute, the administrators are cool and some of the main characters get pretty creepy. There are set arcs, or rounds within the game, but as each round passes it becomes apparent that the game becomes increasingly hostile, as the finding the truth takes over the priority of securing victory.
Certified hood classic, I'm glad I saw this to the end.
