Shou Shibamoto's beautiful, intricate and completely singular artstyle should be reason enough to give Pandemonium a read, but if it isn't, it's far from the only thing that makes it a masterpiece in my eyes. The post-apocalyptic setting is bleak, bizarre and hauntingly beautiful, and every single character's personality and design ("variant" or otherwise) is equally unique and compelling even down to the dozens of background variant villagers that make the world feel real and alive. But more than that, Pandemonium tells a timeless love story of two complex characters in complex situations gradually becoming drawn together despite the societal barriers, distrust and ulterior motivesstanding in their way. Domika and Zipher's relationship builds so gradually and so tentatively, as both are hesitant to make first contact for their own reasons, that you can't help but be drawn in yourself.

The only real complaint I can make is that I wish there were more of it, as there are only two volumes, but that's not an issue of pacing-- I just enjoyed it so much that I'm sad I'm done with it.