Author: Walgi Wanai
Artist: Shinobu Shinotsuki
Publisher: Yen Press (Print & Digital)
Translation: John Neal
Lettering: Alexis Eckerman
Publication date: August 26, 2025
Rating: Older teen
Genre: Manga (JPN), Horror, Drama, LGBTQ+, Yuri
Common Sense Monster by Warugi Wanai and Shinobu Shinotsuki is a three-volume Horror Girls Love manga available now from Yen Press. Although the other series Wanai has not yet appeared in the English market, Shinobu is known as the illustrator for the light novel Tanyaza Tanya’s Saga. The two join forces in a strange horror story centered around a socially concerned young woman in high school, and become friends with classmates who easily blend into the crowd.
©Yen Press, 2025
“I’m not a bad girl. Apparently I’m a bit of a monster.”
The more difficult it is, the more you try to become friends with your classmates, the more backfire it will. She is a socially troublesome and lonely high school girl who wants to fit, but the socialization plot avoids her. She doesn’t want to excel in sports or academics, nor does she expect to become a favorite.
Ito You think Takahashi will hit the “sweet spot.” There she becomes friends with everyone. So when Itto happens to a terrifying, towering monster coming out of Takahashi’s body, he crushes the skull of the teacher, Nihara, shatters him into a circle, and is not only shocked, but also charming to be charming as he is wrapped in a fabric wrapped in a normal monster. That means there is still hope to learn about socializing from her new monster friends.
“Queer Horror Summer! Horror, especially the body horror, has always been an important genre for exploring strangeness. In anime/manga spheres, the death of Summer Hikaru in the past was already attracting attention and popular after the release of Yen Press. And now, with anime adaptations taking over the internet in the storm, debates about strange identity, conservatism, oppressed desires and longings have also emerged. Though the death of Summer Hikaru has reached much wider, it is certainly not the only job to focus on the theme of “queer as a monster.” Minamoto’s Zauju is a gay who has become a monster, a full solar eclipse of Shindai’s eternal mind, and it’s an example that comes to mind immediately that this monster from Nakawa wants to eat me.
©Yen Press, 2025
Following the thread, the common sense monster takes two young women. One is a human who can’t fit, and the other is a monster who is excellent at imitating. And from the early stages of the first volume, the friendship that emerged from such situations is clear, whether it is intended or not.
Takahashi is essentially not “like the rest.” The first moment we get a glimpse into her character is when she devours the teacher sexually harassing her, and, as itou adds, he does it for other girls too. Ever since the monster took over Takahashi’s body, she has been experiencing movements despite seeing others, paying attention, reading between the lines and having zero cues as to why these young girls do what they do. She doesn’t have to do anyway. All she has to do is play the role that others expect from her.
©Yen Press, 2025
Meanwhile, itou may seem like he’s too welcoming to the bone-shattered monster in front of her like hard candy, but she’s a true fan of terror. As we remember from her early years of being glued to television, in horror films we are all equal in the face of otherworldly predators. No matter how beautiful, rich, and evil you may be, the same sounds echo when your body reaches the ground in the mass between the teeth of the beast. That vulnerability fascinates Itto, and in her loneliness she finds comfort in the “other” nesting of the monster.
It is inevitable that she will worship the monster Takahashi. In her, she finds a friend who can confidently learn what she has longed for. It’s safe to say that Monster Takahashi has her own agenda. So the two begin to eat lunch together, go to Ito’s grandmother’s house, incinerating the remaining bones from the abusive teacher and exchanging tips on how to become one of the girls. It’s a normal feature of young women.
©Yen Press, 2025
They live their lives, spend time together, connect as two young women, or two monsters, and depending on your perspective, the real monsters in the room become clear that we all are more or less common sense. Itou is actually right to point out that this monster continues to crush us into dust without discrimination. There is one memorable moment in Common Sense Monster as the two girls enjoy a hot bath together and Takahashi talks about the length and importance of suppressing the body odor the other girls go to to maintain a physical appearance. She believes she is bathing “essential” for her survival, adding:
Only monsters exposed and killed for a small mistake would think so. That doesn’t happen to others.
For strange people, their identities are part of them worth celebrating loudly. But that same pride can literally or figuratively cost their lives. They can simply be expelled from their families and communities, denied the necessary medical care, denying their right to protection or education, or being subjected to violence. A bit of a slip-up or indication that you are “secretly refusing to the role you are supposed to play” may have a serious impact depending on the socio-political climate and community you live in.
©Yen Press, 2025
The eccentricity and edge this story has brought visually to its artistic style. The hatching and grainy screen tone give it a subtle, rough feel, and the monster design seen in this volume is so interesting that you’re looking forward to discovering others. Yuri, or Girl Love cartoons usually portray their characters cutely. However, in general monsters, the new star lines are more strict and the form is sharp while maintaining a lovable look overall. If you’re looking for a repurpose of this genre from a hilarious and cute high school girl, I think the charming monsters are attractive to you.
Continuing with the strange summer horror “atmosphere,” Common-Sense Monster is the next contender for the TBR line! This first volume is quirky, funny and creepy, so I’m hoping for the next volume as soon as possible! Furthermore, this series was completed in Japan, with a total of three volumes, making it a relatively short vehicle. My reading experience was smooth sailing thanks to John Neal, the translator and the untrusted editor. Alexis Eckerman’s lettering coincided with Itou’s energy. Highly recommended!
Common Sense Monster Volume 1 by Wargi Wanai and Shinotsuki is digitally and printed on the Yen Press website and other retailers.
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