Knight Run’s rough art and text-heavy nature make it a hard series to get into, but I’m extremely glad I gave this one a chance and followed through. It’s a powerful story with some excellent central characters, and the author’s use of visual symbolism in key panels is second to none. The setting is incredibly dark, and the series unflinchingly examines many difficult topics while also asking the question of how human beings can survive and persevere in a world that seems hell-bent on breaking them down. Everyone suffers, and hardly anyone ever gets a happy ending, but the grim atmosphere makes key moments ofkindness and courage resonate all the more.

Currently, only the first two arcs have received an official translation. Fan translations cover arcs three through five, and will hopefully catch up to the original story someday.