Even though I've only read the first chapter, I can tell that this manga has some amazing potential. The art is gorgeous (kinda like Air Gear without the ecchiness), and the pacing and atmosphere overall is as suspenseful as it can get. It helps that the scanslating group does a damned good job too (check out pages 3 and 4 from the first chapter from Strays - that must have been a b!tch to edit...).
I wonder if it will turn out to be, storywise, similar to mangas like Mushishi, which is basically a bunch of short stories revolving around one or a couple of main characters. (I'm just speculating here)
Definitely a manga to look out for.

... Last updated on April 29th, 2007, 7:01pm

Introduction of characters are pretty good, and obvious from the get-go who is important and who isn't. I think this short read became even more effective based on the pacing (the "years" the flew by without realizing it) and how Mako deals with it in order to stay in her current position. The overall plot is well-put together and the idea of a companion is brief but, somehow, with the limited knowledge of it is actually satisfying. There was no information overload about it which keeps the idea of "companion" very straightforward (going overboard with explanation of an idea can get boring REALLY fast). The idea of "companion" is kept to a minimum to maintain its mystery by having us go though with Mako and small experience just a tiny sliver of it.

The artistic value is okay, it's really nothing to brag about but it's fine along with the simplicity of the plot. The means of it's simplicity keeps the plot grounded, mysterious, yet the general reader knows there's more to depth.

Would recommend for a short read for something that strays a little from the usual "life after death" feel.