I feel bad about how often I do this, but I write better reviews when using someone else's comments as a starting point, so I'm going to tackle some of the issues Meins has with Toxic.

The art is simplistic, yes, and in any other setting the heavy shadowing and minimalistic backgrounds with excessive focus on the characters' expressionless features and soulless eyes would have been unsuitable, but in a military setting with such obvious Nazi overtones I found it strangely fitting. The only person in the series whose eyes/face weren't drawn in an odd, frozen way is also the only truly emotional character there, so I felt the mangaka didn't do as bad a job on the art as Meins' comment claims.

As for his accusation of a "deus ex machina ending"... Where? It was pretty obvious from the beginning how/why/by whom the main villain would be killed, and it wasn't difficult to guess who else would become involved in it. It was too rushed of a conclusion, definitely, but I quite appreciated how it was acknowledged - through the words and actions of Loius' father - that just because the Big Bad was killed, all the evils in the world wouldn't magically be righted... Something even much better-plotted works of fiction (and not only manga) have failed to recognise.

That being said, Takahashi Ryo should definitely have used another volume or two to elaborate on the decadence of the Führer's "perfect world," before and after the events of the story. A lot of the emotional oomph was lost due to that deficiency, and unless you're ready - and able - to use your imagination, what could have been a story brimming with feeling comes off as stiff and robotic.

I've noticed some other people comment on the 'gayness,' and feel the need to clarify: there's nothing romantic (at all) or sexual (on-page) between the men in this manga, and if anything, the only ones who give off homosexual vibes are the antagonists (the rapist squad commander, the guy who's apparently head-over-heels for his own brother, the Führer himself), and even in those cases it's strictly plot-relevant. Whether that's a turn-off or not is up to you, but if you dislike shounen-ai and yaoi, there's no real reason to avoid reading Toxic.

Overall: not bad, especially considering its length and the tricky themes it tries to tackle. Not a waste of time, imo, but there's squandered potential galore and it's definitely no masterpiece.

... Last updated on January 24th, 2015, 10:13am

This manga feels veeeery gay. While reading this manga, I was a little surprised that there wasn't a shounen ai tag on it. The art is very nice and there are plenty of bishies to be found. The plot is pretty dramatic and may not be for everyone. It's a nice read though.

... Last updated on August 14th, 2014, 12:45am

The art is good but sometimes much over the top. Inserting "dramatic" shadows everywhere, even if it does nothing to the atmosphere of the strip and makes you only wounder why, make the art not better. And most of the drawings are very static, i found it very disappointing if some one try to draw realistic and the people are drawn static (no moving parts, like hair). The last is, the mangaka draw extremely a lot of close-ups to some faces, maybe to draw as few as possible backgrounds. Witch are few in the manga.

The story: The setting is interesting and even some parts are really good, like the very dark, dystopian atmosphere (I like it). But there are in important parts some serve logic flaws and some "magic coincidences", like people who appears out of nowhere (mostly behind some character) and the like. Yes, the last one is quite normal for the most mangas, but I still don't like it very much. The whole story has the feeling of being rushed. Well, 15 chapters are not many to introduce a difficult and new scenario and have some action. And the ending sucks. It's a pure "deus ex machina" ending. I suppose the mangaka didn't get more chapters to make a better ending.

Conclusion: If you have too much time read it. But the story has no punch and the art has no punch. It's a mediocre and dark manga with many bishies.

The art is just stunning and with all the bishies and their uniforms... gah! nosebleed through the entire thing
The plot is quite dark but fascinating and I only wish that it was longer

No, seriously, I'm surprised this hasn't been tagged as "slash" yet because there's definitely a lot of it, and it's not subtle, either. Of course, this isn't a blatant shounen-ai, nor is it a romance, so the slash does come into play significantly in the plot. Definitely an interesting concept in this manga, and it's handled pretty well. The pacing is good, the art is gorgeous, and the characters are compelling. So far, so good. I can't wait to see where this rather dark manga will end up.

I'm liking it so far.
The background story is not explained so far (I'm on chapter 7), but I'm getting the jist of it from what's been given.
I agree with naomi (comment below) that this manga has a the same feel as Ilegenes.
Luka Ogami, the protagonist, infiltrated the Black Rose, the guard of the Fuhrer (think Adolf Hitler "leader"), in order to assassinate the Fuhrer, as per order of his adopted father. He thinks he is saving the world by killing the Fuhrer, which I wholeheartedly agree.
There are many instances in the story in which I wonder how the heck did the world portrayed in the manga become so prejudiced.
The plot is very interesting.
There's some blood, torture, but nothing gory. No romance thus far (bro-mance is present though).

As a lover of yaoi manga, I'm dying for this to be yaoi, but it probably won't be one.

The art is beautiful.

So many that I don't know where to look first ;D Like tartufo said, definitely has the same feel as Ilegenes. The first three chapters sets up the world fairly neatly and quick. Not too much history and not too much text about it either, which is good as it does make boring read sometimes. It also throws many mysteries at you already, mysteries leaving you really eager for the next chapter, even for a smidgen more info to shed some light behind them.

All the characters have their own interesting personalities, but generally the twisted own the majority. Maybe that's the reason why I'm rooting for Louis as my favourite. He's the only one that seems... normal.

Art is superb. Clean, detailed. Action a little messy and confusing, but you can see the bigger picture. Beware, nosebleeds may ensue, as there are naked showings for the fangirls. Not anything too revealing, as this isn't BL (I have to keep reminding myself this).

Should be warned for those who aren't comfortable, that there are several hints that go beyond slash. Basically, the first page or so where it says "Homosexual relationships are forbidden" is a major give away. However, DO NOT let that put you off. It's not a major part of the plot (well, from the few chapters I've read), and I doubt it will be.



And military uniforms! Gah! I think I just died <3

At first, this might appear to be yet another dystopian future filled with bishies, along the lines of Ilegenes (which is also brilliant), but it's even darker and more complex - and, um, more gay - than that. Needless to say, I am enthralled.

... Last updated on January 27th, 2011, 3:28am

A good story, and the art is very nice,
but there is a mystery about the plot and characters .
Perhaps it will be Clear with the coming chapters
I wish to read the first volume soon to judge properly.