Higurashi's Kei Natsumi Debuts New Manga on March 4

The manga adaptation of Rokakoen's dark novel Shikkoku no Bojō (Pitch Black Affection) is set to begin serialization on March 4, and it will be illustrated by Kei Natsumi. Fans of mystery-horror manga and readers who enjoyed Natsumi's previous Higurashi-related work have reason to be excited: this adaptation promises a fresh visual take on Rokakoen's atmospheric tale. Below is everything we know so far about the project, the original novel, and what to expect from the manga run.

Image via Amazon

© Rokakoen

Quick Rundown: What’s Happening

Kei Natsumi will launch the manga adaptation of Shikkoku no Bojō in the next issue of Young Ace magazine on March 4. The original novel, written by Rokakoen, first appeared as a web novel on Kakuyomu in January 2022 and later saw a physical release in February 2022. This new manga adaptation aims to bring the novel’s tense atmosphere and emotional darkness to readers in a serialized comic format.

About the Original Novel

Shikkoku no Bojō (Pitch Black Affection) began life on the Kakuyomu web novel platform in January 2022. The story quickly attracted attention for its blend of psychological tension, mystery, and unsettling romance. The author Rokakoen published a compiled print edition soon after the web serialization began, making the novel accessible to a wider audience.

Read the original novel on Kakuyomu: Kakuyomu — Shikkoku no Bojō.

Kei Natsumi: The Artist Behind the Adaptation

Kei Natsumi is known for adapting and drawing dark, suspense-heavy narratives. Most recently, Natsumi illustrated Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei: Iro Tōtoshi-hen, which wrapped up with its fourth compiled volume in February 2025. That series began serialization on Square Enix’s Gangan Online in June 2023 and served as an “answer arc” within the broader Higurashi continuity—demonstrating Natsumi’s capability to handle intricate plots and chilling atmospheres.

Natsumi’s Past Works and Style

Natsumi’s art tends to balance delicate character work with stark, dramatic paneling to heighten suspense. Given Natsumi’s track record on the Higurashi-related arcs—some of which launched in Gangan Online and Monthly Big Gangan—readers can expect strong visual storytelling, careful pacing, and a capacity to translate psychological dread from prose to page.

What Makes Shikkoku no Bojō a Good Candidate for Manga?

Shikkoku no Bojō combines emotional complexity with an eerie atmosphere—elements that tend to translate well to manga when handled by a skilled artist. Key strengths of the source material that could shine in manga format include:

• Intense character-driven drama that benefits from expressive artwork.
• Psychological tension and slow-burn pacing that can be enhanced by panel composition and page turns.
• Visually evocative imagery and motifs that provide strong iconography for serialized chapters.

With Natsumi at the helm for art and adaptation, the manga may emphasize facial expressions, shadow work, and layout choices that make the novel’s unsettling mood more immediate and visceral.

Serialization and Release Details

The manga adaptation will begin in Young Ace magazine on March 4. While the serialization schedule and frequency (monthly/bi-monthly) will follow the magazine’s established rhythm, compiled tankōbon releases typically come out after several chapters have been serialized. Fans should watch magazine announcements and official store listings for volume release dates.

For readers interested in the printed novel: the collected edition of Shikkoku no Bojō is available through retailers. Example listing: Amazon Japan — Shikkoku no Bojō (print edition).

How This Fits Into Natsumi’s Career

Natsumi’s adaptation marks a continued interest in darker speculative fiction and horror franchises. Their prior Higurashi-related manga runs—such as Oni Okoshi-hen and Hoshi Watashi-hen—showcase a willingness to tackle complex multi-arc narratives. Taking on Shikkoku no Bojō gives Natsumi an opportunity to showcase pure adaptation skills (converting prose into sequential art) rather than expanding an existing franchise universe.

What Fans Should Look For

When the first chapters arrive, readers should pay attention to:

• How closely the adaptation follows the novel’s tone and plot beats.
• Art direction—use of shadow, panel rhythm, and visual metaphors.
• Character portrayals—whether emotional subtleties from the prose are captured in expressions and pacing.
• Any expansion or reinterpretation: adaptations sometimes add or alter scenes to better suit the medium.

Where to Follow Updates

Announcements about serialization, chapter previews, and compiled volume releases will typically appear through the magazine’s official channels and the creators’ social media. Keep an eye on Young Ace’s issue listings and the creators’ official feeds for preview pages and release notices.

Final thoughts

Shikkoku no Bojō’s move from web novel to print to manga adaptation is an exciting progression for fans of psychological horror and suspense. With Kei Natsumi handling the art, the series has strong potential to become a standout serialized title—especially for readers who appreciate atmosphere-driven storytelling and carefully paced dread. Mark March 4 on your calendar and check magazine updates for the debut chapter; this adaptation could be one of the notable dark-genre launches of the year.

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