Angels of Death Review: A Girl with No Memory and a Scythe-Wielding Killer Form an Unlikely Pact
by Makoto Sanada (story) / Kudan Naduka (art)
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Quick Take
- A horror manga adapted from an indie RPG that maintains the game's atmosphere and expands its character development
- The Rachel and Zack dynamic — a girl who wants to die and a killer who makes her a promise — is the series' emotional engine
- 8 volumes complete; satisfying horror-drama for fans of the game or the genre
Who Is This Manga For?
- Horror readers who want character-driven horror with unusual protagonist dynamics
- Fans of the original Angels of Death RPG who want expanded content
- Anyone interested in horror manga with psychological depth
- Readers looking for complete horror series with genuine emotional investment
Content Warnings & Age Rating
Age Rating: T+ (Older Teen) Content Warnings: Horror violence; character with explicit death wish; killer as protagonist; psychological horror elements; game-adapted content
T+ rating — older teen readers; horror content without excessive graphic violence.
Yu's Rating
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Story Depth | ★★★★☆ |
| Art Style | ★★★★☆ |
| Character Development | ★★★★☆ |
| Accessibility for Non-Japanese Readers | ★★★★☆ |
| Reread Value | ★★★☆☆ |
Story Overview
Rachel Gardner wakes up in a building she doesn't recognize. She has no memory of how she arrived. The building has multiple floors, and each floor has a different inhabitant — each one a killer, each one with their own domain and their own methods.
Isaac Foster lives in the basement. He wears bandages, carries a scythe, and is the most dangerous of the building's inhabitants. Rachel makes him a deal: help her escape the building and reach a killer who can give her a "god's eye" she needs, and he will kill her once it's done.
The series follows their unlikely cooperation through the building's floors and the gradual revelation of what the building is and why they're both in it.
Characters
Rachel Gardner — A protagonist whose death wish is not melodrama but the series' central character question; what she discovers about herself across eight volumes changes the terms of her original deal.
Isaac "Zack" Foster — A killer whose simplicity — he kills because he enjoys it — is complicated by his relationship with Rachel; he made a promise and he will keep it, and this consistency becomes something more.
Art Style
Naduka's art adapts the visual language of the original RPG into manga form effectively — the horror atmosphere is maintained and the character designs are consistent with their game counterparts.
Cultural Context
Angels of Death was originally developed by Makoto Sanada as an RPG using RPG Maker software, released episodically. Its horror atmosphere and unusual character dynamic attracted attention online, leading to the manga adaptation. The game's success demonstrates how indie horror games and manga can cross-pollinate in contemporary Japanese pop culture.
What I Love About It
Zack's promise. He is a killer. He made a promise to kill Rachel when they reach their destination. He does not break this promise, does not hedge it, does not treat it as a joke. His absolute consistency on this specific commitment — in a building full of people who betray each other — is the series' most interesting character trait.
What English-Speaking Fans Say
Western readers describe Angels of Death as a satisfying horror manga adaptation that improves on the source game's character development — specifically noted for the Rachel-Zack dynamic being emotionally engaging despite its unusual basis, for the building-floor structure creating effective episodic horror, and for the 8-volume run providing a complete story. Recommended for both game fans and horror manga readers.
Memorable Scene ⚠️ Spoiler Warning
The revelation of Rachel's background — what happened before the building — recontextualizes her death wish and gives it specific shape rather than generic darkness.
Similar Manga
- Deadman Wonderland — Unusual location-based horror with similar character pairing
- Gleipnir — Supernatural fusion with similarly unusual protagonist dynamic
- Happy Sugar Life — Psychological horror with similar character obsession
- Magical Girl Site — Horror manga with similar dark female protagonist
Reading Order / Where to Start
Volume 1 — Rachel wakes up in the building; the situation is established immediately.
Official English Translation Status
Yen Press published the complete English series. All 8 volumes available.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Rachel-Zack dynamic is emotionally engaging
- Building-floor structure provides effective episodic horror
- Complete at 8 volumes
- Expands game's character development
Cons
- Death wish character premise not for all readers
- Game familiarity may create expectations
- Some floors more engaging than others
Format Comparison
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| Individual Volumes | Yen Press; complete series |
| Digital | Available |
Where to Buy
Get Angels of Death Vol. 1 on Amazon →
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*Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Written by
Yu
Manga Enthusiast from Japan
I grew up in Japan and manga literally saved me during a tough time in elementary school. My English isn't perfect, but my love for manga is real — and I want to share it with you.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.