The Spring 2025 Manga Guide

Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan

What's It About? 

It's been years since Chi, a mysterious outcast and borderline dropout, and her childhood friend Yua last spoke. One day, Chi shows up to school with a handful of dead bugs and starts a commotion that gives Yua's classmate, golden boy Kodai, an idea: he's going to bring Chi back into the fold, and he needs Yua's help to do it. But good intentions can lead to bad places, and the darkness in Chi may be more dangerous than they ever imagined.

Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan has a story and art by Shūzō Oshimi, with English translation by Daniel Komen. Published by Vertical Comics (April 22, 2025). Rated 16+.

Content Warning: Child sexual assault.

Is It Worth Reading?

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Rating:

This manga was written by Shūzō Oshimi, the person who wrote the Flowers of Evil. I specify this cause knowing that prepared me to get into a certain mindset. Don't get me wrong, the creators' works are brilliant in the way that they delve into the blatant hypocrisy and overall messed-up nature of humanity, especially when we look at it from the perspective of impressionable adolescence. But man, their stories make me feel like garbage, and this one is no different. Be forewarned, I don't think the story prepares you for some of the darker stuff that it throws at you with literally no warning in the last twenty pages of the volume. The shift is so sudden that I'm still debating whether or not it works.

This is a prequel to an established live-action film that came out last year. I have not seen that film and barely even heard of it before being handed this volume. As a prequel story, it's clear it's trying to set up a specific status quo for a specific character who I imagine gets more development and insight in that movie. However, the best prequels are ones that also function as a standalone story as you can argue every phase of a person's life can act as a standalone story when looked at a certain way. I don't think Toxic Daughter does a good job of that, and a lot of it has to do with how the story ends. There is a very strong setup here that takes the smart approach of observing a deranged and neglected girl from the perspective of a friend who feels guilty for creating distance between them. The story is very much a commentary on how impressionable kids are from both their parents and their fellow students. What's the point of being normal or established if it just ends up making you feel miserable? This contrasts with our character Chi-chan, who is weird and neglected, but seems to be content with her existence…for the most part.

The problem with the story is that it feels like it stops just as it's starting to get somewhere. A horrific thing happens at the end, but there's no resolution or follow-up. I would say give it a read if you're interested in the film, or if you already saw it and want a little extra material. As a standalone story to pick up and read from a bookshelf, it leaves a lot to be desired.