One More Step, Come Stand by My Side by Toryumon Takeda offers readers a diverse collection of seven short stories, ranging from romantic to comedic, tragic, and even shocking. This manga stands out by twisting conventional themes of love and mixing them with dark humor, tragedy, and unusual circumstances. Let’s explore this compelling collection.
A Mix of Love, Tragedy, and the Unexpected
The first and longest story, When the Time Comes, follows Lijah, a kidnapped princess from a distant exotic land. Her captor, a silent caretaker with a missing finger, evokes a strange sense of attachment from Lijah. Over time, she develops affection for this mysterious man who never speaks. The theme of Stockholm syndrome becomes central here, setting the tone for the unconventional nature of love in this collection.
The second story, Ten Minutes Later, The Cops Showed Up, takes an entirely different approach, focusing on a woman who captures a stalker. After subduing him with a stun gun, she ties him up and calmly converses with him, attempting to understand his motivations before the police arrive. Their unusual dialogue offers a blend of tension and humor.
In A Tranquil First Night, we return to royalty, where a princess prepares to consummate a marriage with a foreign emperor missing three limbs. What begins as an intimate encounter quickly turns into a dangerous game of political and romantic intrigue, with both characters threatening each other in a tense standoff.
How long is this story is ?
The shortest story in the collection, Ain’t That Nice?, delivers dark humor in just six pages. An old woman who enjoys shaking fizzy drinks in vending machines provides the setup for a humorous yet bleak conclusion. On the other hand, Paradise takes a darker turn, as two explorers in a foreign land discover that a seemingly welcoming feast harbors a sinister twist.
Nothing Wrong with That presents Wada, a teenager caring for a wheelchair-bound boy named Take. Their relationship takes a tense turn when Wada discovers that Take discarded a gift he gave him, adding depth to their complex friendship. Finally, The Wife Whom I Loved Dearly tells the tragic story of Takahashi, who watches his wife Chika struggle with cancer. As she grows meaner, he begins to question whether her death might be a relief, despite his deep love for her.
A ‘Twisted’ Collection of Unconventional Love Stories
While love is a recurring theme in this collection, none of these stories follow conventional romance tropes. Whether it’s Lijah’s developing feelings for her captor in When the Time Comes or the dark humor in Ain’t That Nice?, every tale offers an unexpected twist on the concept of love. Even The Wife Whom I Loved Dearly portrays a deeply emotional journey, where a husband grapples with his wife’s illness and her attempts to make her death easier on him by pushing him away.
Each of these tales grabs the reader’s attention, offering unexpected perspectives on human connections and emotions.
Themes of Disability and Darkness
Disability plays a significant role in several of the stories. In When the Time Comes, the caretaker’s physical impairments affect his relationship with Lijah. Meanwhile, in Nothing Wrong with That, wheelchair-bound Take comes across as an ungrateful character, adding complexity to his bond with Wada. Similarly, in A Tranquil First Night, the emperor’s manipulative nature contrasts with his severe physical disabilities, creating a fascinating character dynamic.
Darkness also permeates the collection, particularly in Paradise, where the explorers’ greed leads them to a grim fate. Takeda deftly contrasts the characters’ motivations with the backdrop of unfamiliar cultures, making the stories both engrossing and unsettling.
Artistic Style and Production Quality
Takeda’s ability to mix disturbing artwork with engaging narratives shines throughout this collection. His unique style amplifies the tension and emotion in each story. The dark humor and shocking moments are well-complemented by the visuals, making this an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
The translation, done by Jason Moses, maintains the subtle nuances of the original text, ensuring the characters’ voices remain distinct and authentic. Chi Bui’s lettering further enhances the experience, especially in stories like Paradise, where understanding the native people’s language adds an extra layer of depth.
Conclusion: A Dark and Gripping Collection
One More Step, Come Stand by My Side is an intriguing collection of short stories that will captivate readers who enjoy unconventional tales. The mix of romance, tragedy, and dark humor, along with themes of disability and human connection, makes this book a unique read. If you’re looking for something that deviates from the norm and explores love in unexpected ways, this collection is well worth dipping into.
