For the kid i saw in my dreams vol 1 by kei sanbe

High school student Senri Nakajou hasn't fully grappled with what happened the night his parents were murdered. Senri's twin brother, Kazuto, told him to hide - said he'd take Dad's abuse that night - but Senri would still feel it. Their special bond as twins visited all the pains the other felt, as well as flashes of what the other was seeing as it happened. But Dad didn't hit anyone. Instead, a man broke into the house, murdered Mom and Dad, and kidnapped Kazuto. Now, as a teenager, Senri caught a glimpse of the man who may have ultimately murdered his brother too - a scar on his arm in the shape of the Kanji for Fire. Senri sets off across the country to track down this Fire Man and, hopefully, find out what happened to his brother.

---

Sanbe likes to have a supernatural element in his stories (like the revival power in Erased), and this story is no different. The bond Senri and Kazuto have elevates this from a normal murder-mystery and gives it that supernatural flare. For those looking for another home run like Erased, this might be a little disappointing. The characters are designed almost exactly like a few characters in Erased, so this might feel like another adventure in that story when it's completely different. Also, Senri is a tormented hero with his backstory and his actions as the book opens (he's engaging in some questionable means of acquiring money), so he might have mixed reception with readers. Some might not connect to him enough to care about him finding the killer, while others might enjoy his dark and twisty parts and become enthralled in his story.

As this is about murder and revenge, with violence and bloodshed shown on the page, this title would be better suited for older teens.

Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12

Publisher: Yen Press
Publication Date: January 29, 2019
ISBN: 9781975328863 (Hardcover)

​Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: High School, Manga, Family, Mystery