Publisher Summary
After an illicit affair at her promising first job fell through, office worker Ushiro Akechi has slid down to rock bottom. All the world has in store for her now are temporary gigs, a lonely, run run-down apartment, and plain rice for dinner. With a life like that, would death be any worse…? What she really needs is an older-sister type to talk her back from the edge! Luckily, she is about to meet one—from the other side! Alleged Guardian Spirit and self self-proclaimed Big Sis Masako is here to take Ushiro under a ghostly wing! Together, can they turn a brush with death into the start of a gloriously funny new partnership?! Oh, honey— Thy grudge shall be avenged!
Mangaka: Miyako Hiruzuka
Translator: Minna Lin
Letterer: Alexis Eckerman
I purchased volume 1 of GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST! personally with my own funds.
Background
Created by Miyako Hiruzuka, Gogogogo-Go-Ghost is a Josei manga series that ran in Kadokawa's Comic Bridge magazine from August 2021 to April 2023. The series completed with a 5 volume run.
In January 2024, Yen Press announced the series for an English release.
Review
Story opens up with Ushiro Akechi having the worst time of her life. She had to leave a great job to become a contractor for a smaller, scummy company who strings contractors along and never promoting them to full time employees, even though that's part of the contract. She also has to pay large sums of money to the man she had an affair with at her old company. Taking a bunch of stomach medicine, she hit her head while passing out, causing her to die. That's when she meets this long black haired man who tells her she's on the brink of death...
Ushiro is a good lead. I like how flawed she is. She's made mistakes that have impacted her as the story begins. She's been beaten down by the world but is vocal about her situation. She's incredibly petty and flips off the thought of taking the high road. She's fun to follow!
I enjoy Ushiro's guardian spirit Masako. The Mangaka does a great job contrasting the guardian spirit's humor and exuberant mannerisms to his serious turned horror appearance when the need calls for it. He's usually sarcastic, cynical, and funny, so you forget that he can be serious until he pulls out the horror appearance like something out of Mieruko-chan.
The humor is top notch. Some of the things they do remind me of single camera sitcoms. The jokes don't overstay their welcome either. What had me lose it was when Ushiro decides to curse someone. This is after she was debating whether she should even curse someone or not. She goes on to say, "Thy grudge shall be avenged!" Which had me laughing. Every time she says that, it makes me laugh.
There's another scene later in the volume where she curses this woman who hates dogs. That has my rolling in the floor laughing.
The latter parts of the volume seem to be setting up reoccurring characters. Those who might disrupt the daily life of Ushiro. I'm very curious to see how the story will handle more overarching plots.
Final Thoughts
Overall, if you want a supernatural dark comedy, GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST! is right up your alley! The comedy hits and the lead characters are enjoyable. I'm excited to see where the story goes!
Verdict: Buy It
GOGOGOGO-GO-GHOST! volume 1 from Yen Press is available at all retailers
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