This fantastic manga was my best find for 2024, and two years later, I'm still so glad I started reading it. The most fitting word for this series is "ethereal". The gorgeous art, the retro setting, the eclectic and slightly eerie cast of characters, the whole mood - everything ties together into something mystical. I love the episodic nature of the chapters, which initially seem to be scattered, and eventually consolidate into a common narrative. There aren't many manga series I'd tag as "close to literary fiction" in terms of storytelling, format, and just general feeling. "Kaika Apartment" is one such example. It reminds me of someof the Japanese literary classics from the first half of the 20th century. I can totally imagine Kawabata writing something like this, for example.

This one's a must for those of you who are into mysteries, a trip back in time in terms of story backdrop, and mature storytelling.