Zigoku’s Foreman Volume 1 Review (Spoiler‑Free)

Welcome to Hell (and Punch In by 9AM!)

When you think of hell, maybe you picture rivers of lava and eternal torment. Or maybe you just think of your job. Zigoku’s Foreman says: why not both?

Set in a bizarre, bureaucratic afterlife called Zigoku, where construction crews clock in like it’s just another day of the week, Zigoku’s Foreman by 9banta blends action, slapstick, and slice-of-life comedy. 

Mizuchi, our dead-but-still-employed, once-human-but-now-demon protagonist, spends his days fighting monsters and his nights drinking at the local bar. One minute he’s slashing with a sword, the next he’s picking his nose. And, regardless of the time of day, he’s still grouchy about being a virgin.

The humor here is absurd in the best way, and the worldbuilding leans into that playfulness. Zigoku itself, for example, doesn’t feel like hell. It’s more like supernatural shift work with coworkers who drive you up the wall, but who you love anyway. (Not that you’d ever tell them that!)

Mixed Media, Max Chaos 

A cool premise would be enough to catch my attention, but Zigoku’s Foreman truly stands out for how it plays with form. It’s part manga, part light novel, with added illustrations and guidebook-style extras. It’s like the author smashed together every form of bonus content someone might normally have to dig around for, and said, “Okay, but what if we just put it all together here?”

When I first picked up this title, I expected a straightforward manga, and I was surprised to scroll and find prose. Honestly, though, it’s a refreshing change of pace. Zigoku’s Foreman is perfect for readers who finish a season of anime and immediately search for the original light novel, author’s blog, and drama CD. Here, you get the full spread in one package by design. Huge props to both 9banta, for curating it this way, and to Manga Mavericks for bringing it to English readers.  

The format of Zigoku’s Foreman isn’t just unique; it’s purposeful and thoughtful. The prose chapters are well-placed and strike a satisfying balance with the manga sections. It’s clear 9banta thought carefully about which moments belong where. Prose gives us access to Mizuchi’s inner thoughts, while the manga leans hard into visual comedy. Switching reading modes takes some adjusting, but the payoff is a layered, unexpectedly immersive experience.

Hell’s Hottest Cast & Coolest Panels

9banta deserves praise not just for their creative formatting but also for their stellar illustrations. The artwork is distinct, sharp, and expressive from the jump. Bold lines, elongated character designs, fluid motion, gnarly expressions. Mizuchi, created using prompts from 9banta’s Twitter followers, is a total scene-stealer. Even his sentient sword, Gaitsu, looks and feels alive. (An eyepatch sheath? Iconic.)

At times, it felt like I was looking at stills from an animated movie. 9banta is great at using layered compositions to create depth and momentum in their panels. Some illustrations even spill beyond the borders of a panel, creating a semi-3D effect. 

The combination of paneling, SFX, text, and intense textures creates an almost sensorial experience. It can be overwhelming at times, but in a way that feels intentional. It’s a loud manga! (I know, that sounds bizarre.)

Clocking Out, Coming Back for More

Each chapter of Zigoku’s Foreman can stand alone, lending itself to casual, bite-sized reading. Since this first volume is under 100 pages, though, it’s just as easy to read in one go. 

That flexibility is a strength, but also, maybe, a slight drawback. While the earlier chapters set the stage up for worldbuilding, it’s the final prose chapter, the final chapter for volume 1, that elevates the story. Mizuchi’s actual work comes into focus for what is easily the most engaging part of the book. It’s a great hook for volume 2, but I wish we had more of that momentum earlier.

Final Punchcard: Worth the Overtime

All in all, Zigoku’s Foreman is a wildly inventive debut that brings something fresh to both manga and light novel markets. (Seriously, if you know other manga that incorporate chapters of prose, let me know!) 

It’s the kind of project that reminds you how many different ways there are to tell a story and how much joy there is in experimenting and remixing.  This story is funny. It’s strange. It’s sharp, chaotic, and full of soul. I can’t wait to clock back in for volume 2.

If you liked Zigoku’s Foreman, you might also like

• Seaside Beta by ohuton (Suggested by my editor)
• Heaven’s Design Team by Hebi-zou and Tsuta Suzuki 
• Hozuki’s Coolheadedness by Natsumi Eguchi

Credits

Translation: Ethan Cook
Lettering: Victoria Esnard
Editing: Victoria Esnard
Cover & Logo Design: 9banta
Licensing Director & Publisher: Varun Gupta
Licensing Coordinator & Marketing Director: Michael Jokoh
Operations Director: Siddharth Gupta
Localization Director: Victoria Esnard (Red String)
Accounting & Sales Manager: Nicholas Hodges
US Marketing Coordinator: Michael “Marion” Peña
International Marketing Coordinator: Ole Oldenburg
Multimedia Marketing Coordinator: Colton Solem

Thank you to Manga Mavericks Books for providing a review copy. Receiving this did not affect the reviewer’s opinions as expressed here.

Article edited by: Adam Wescott