Science Fiction in manga never disappoints. These 3 short stories masterfully build in a few 50 pages each, a slightly different world, complex characters, and a narrative scheme that includes a dramatic change in perspective. The author, most know for Houseki no Kuni, develop short stories with their absolutely personal way to combine storyline, character development, mystery and powerful visuals. No one else could have created it. This is what fascinates me about art: something absolutely personnal. But I digress. The thing I will admire more than anything, is the way that the author leads the story. First, the characters are established. Nothing is simple aboutthem, we perceive that there are things we do not know. Then, as we get to a conversation that delves deeper, a dramatic element is shown. The mood stays contemplative and introspective, but the tension developed and the visuals create a shock. Once, I could feel the violence of the situation, of the conflicting feelings.

The science fiction is good too. It focuses on one specific element, and develops it well. Above all, the element is not just thrown to the reader for exoticism, but is perfectly integrated into the character development.

The art has to be mentioned. After all, without art, manga loses its most powerful medium. Here, the way the drawing has simple shapes and plays well with the balances of black and white delivers very well the feeling of the characters. For instance, the last page of the first story, 25-ji no Vacances.

For those reasons, it is a solid 9 for me.