Maruko Kohinata's New Psychological Drama "Watashi wa Obake" Begins Serialization
Maruko Kohinata, one of the names known for the emotional depth of the manga world, invites her readers to a story that will touch their hearts once again. The artist's new series, Watashi wa Obake (I Am a Ghost), officially began on May 12, 2026, in the June issue of KADOKAWA's prestigious magazine Monthly Comic Beam. This new production, which features original concept support from mito, attracted great attention with its first chapter both visually and thematically.
At the center of the story is Iori, a successful animator. Although Iori is quite talented in her job and appreciated by those around her, and seems to have a perfect life from the outside, she carries the heavy burdens of the past in her inner world. Struggling with a traumatic past that shattered her heart and soul, the young woman begins to be swallowed by this "darkness" one day. The concept of the "ghost," which is the title of the series, appears as a striking metaphor symbolizing the gradual erasure of the character's own self and her remaining in the shadow of the past.
Maruko Kohinata is known for telling the finest details of the human soul and the healing processes with a poetic language in her previous works such as Akari and The Depth of the Sky. The artist's unique soft lines and emotional expression evolve into a darker and more psychological dimension in Watashi wa Obake. Its publication in a magazine like Monthly Comic Beam, which opens its doors to experimental and artistic works, signals that the series will not only be a drama but also a deep character analysis.
This new series is a must-read for readers who enjoy manga that deals with heavy subjects such as post-traumatic growth and loss of identity.
