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Title: Night Head Genesis Vol 1

Story by: George Iida

Manga by: You Higuri

Publisher: Del Rey

ISBN: 9780345516251

May Contain Spoilers

Naoto and Naoya are brothers with such powerful psychic powers that everyone, including their parents, are terrified of them.  Confined to a scientific research center from a young age, they never gave up their desire to be free.  After years of imprisonment, they finally escape from their prison, only to discover a frightening world where strangers want to see them dead.  When Naoya has a terrifying vision of a deadly plague that will wipe out mankind, Naoto and Naoya race against time to alter the horrifying future Naoya has foreseen.  Will they be able to save humanity, as well as themselves?

Night Head Genesis delivers an engrossing, satisfying read with plenty of suspense and a convincing atmosphere of mystery and danger.  Naoto and Naoya have escaped from a research lab after being held prisoner since childhood, and all they want is the freedom to live a normal life.  If there is one quibble I have with the story, it is the lack of background given during their confinement and subsequent dash to freedom. I am a little confused regarding this aspect of the plot, because there are no attempts to recapture them, and later on they do have contact with the head of the lab, which makes me believe that they were allowed to escape.  Hopefully this will be cleared up as the series progresses.

Naoya can read minds and has the ability to foresee the future, and Naoto can manipulate objects with his mind.  In addition to being the older of the two, he is also the most volatile, and since he can destroy things with just a thought, it isn’t surprising that people are afraid of him.  Tougher and stronger than his younger brother, Naoto has taken the role of Naoya’s protector, and that’s a good thing, because they are immediately targeted for death by the followers of a psychic who keeps having visions of the brothers being the catalyst for the destruction of mankind.  Matching wits with Kamiya and a beautiful research scientist, the brothers have their hands full trying to stay alive and save humanity at the same time.

The story moves along in rapid succession, never delving too deeply into the events shaping the plot.  The situations remain tense and compelling, and I couldn’t put the book down.  The action is driven forward by You Higuri’s attractive art.  Her page layouts are fluid, yet the panels are presented with an almost frantic urgency as Naoto and Naoya race to save the planet from a deadly virus. 

Night Head Genesis provides an entertaining and suspenseful story that builds up to a satisfying climax.  Though it appears that the brothers have saved mankind from the virus,  other threats are introduced near the end of the book to make me wonder what will happen next.  Add in You Higuri’s wonderful art, and I’m hooked on the series. 

Grade:  B+

Review copy provided by Del Rey