Believers is a very frightening manga when it needs to be. Not that anything scary ever happens, but watching our characters suffer for the sake of an uncaring and manipulative source is both frustrating and heartbreaking. The manga is often graphic, but in the situations depicted so is its counterpart in reality. The premise of the piece is three members of the “Happy Smile” cult are placed on a deserted island for a purification program, attempting to reach a heightened state of existence. The members are to essential eat, sleep and meditate for their entire journey. What seems like a uplifting challenge for the members is altered drastically as their utopia begins conflicting with the realty.

Believers is a very good manga, both in terms of quality and residual feeling it leaves with the reader. Certain inconsistencies may prevent this manga from being considered “a great”, but this psychological drama is very underrated, and at only 22 chapters is definitely worth a read (even if only to see what the fuss is about)."