This is not a manga that you read for your fix of quick paced, hot blooded action. This is a manga that you read for it's outstanding artistic, and literary merit. This manga is stunning. But that is to be expected having been drawn and written by Minikura Kazuya the artist and author of such popular manga as "Saiyuki", "Wild Adapter" and "Bus Game". Stigma is illistrated in beautiful full color on each and every page. It is exciting and refreshing in a world that is domintated by black and white manga. The subtle details in each pannel make it a real delite to read. Stigma isthe time of manga that you -really- need to -read- and not just look at. The story is veague and complex. It is truley a psychological masterpiece. You really fall in-love with "Stork" and Tito. You feel for them and and experiance each emotion as they do. You are angry when they are and you want to cry when they do. Dispite being a short manga, with only one volume and eleven chapters, you get the pleasure of seeing these characters learn an grow in ways that wouldn't seem posible for such a short story. There are some small implacations of a sexual relationship between "Stork" and another character but nothing that should run off any male readers. It can barely be called Shounen Ai.

Some people may have a hard time with this manga as there is little actual diologe between the characters and is largely dependant on the interpratations of the reader. But I would really suggest this manga to any fans of Minikura Kazuya and her work as well as anyone who wants a short break from the world of quick paced and in your face manga. This manga is a true delite. A ten out of ten in my book.