Inside Mari Explained (2025)

is a Japanese existentialist manga series written and illustrated by Shūzō Oshimi. It was serialized in Futabasha's Manga Action from March 2012 to September 2016, and published in nine volumes. An eight-episode television drama adaptation from Fuji TV was released in March 2017.

The manga and television drama received a universally positive critical reception, praising its deconstruction of the body swap genre and depiction of identity and gender dysphoria.

Plot

An existential deconstruction of the body swap and yuri genres, the basic premise is initially presented as college dropout Isao Komori waking up in the body of high-school girl Mari Yoshizaki, only to find his college self still exists.^[1] As the story unfolds, as Komori bonds with fellow student Yori Kakiguchi (who is in love with Mari), it is revealed that Komori is in-fact an alter of Mari's, who has dissociative identity disorder, who created the alter based on the real Komori while depressed.

Media

Manga

The series is written and illustrated by Shūzō Oshimi. It started serialization in Manga Action on March 6, 2012.^[2] The series ended in Manga Action on September 6, 2016.^[3] The series was published in nine tankōbon volumes.

In January 2014, Crunchyroll announced they would release chapters of the series simultaneously with the Japanese release on their Crunchyroll Manga service.^[4] In August 2018, Denpa announced they licensed the series for digital and print releases.^[5]

Volumes

TV drama

A live-action television drama adaptation was announced by Fuji TV in March 2017. It was eight episodes in length and was released on Fuji TV's streaming service on March 31, 2017.^[6] The series was directed by Sumisu, Hatsuki Yokoo, and Hiroto Totsuka, with Yūko Shimoda writing the scripts, and Shiggy Jr. performing the main theme.^[6] Elaiza Ikeda and Ryo Yoshizawa performed the lead roles.^[6]

Reception

Jeannette Ng from All the Anime praised the series' deconstruction of the body swap genre where "instead of silly misunderstandings and even sillier shenanigans that that premise implies [it] swiftly unfolds into body horror and bluntly uncomfortable examinations of sexuality [while using] this now classic set-up to explore and embody issues of identity and gender dysphoria".^[7] Ross Locksley from UK Anime Network praised the first volume for the story and art, calling it a "pretty fine read",^[8] with Cy Catwell from But Why Tho? calling it "a deeply discomforting story that’s very well-written [in exploring] what probably would [really] happen if people switched bodies. That is to say, it explores the horror of body-swapping, and how distressing it would be if you woke up in a body that doesn’t align with who you are [which] is a twisty first, setting up a curious story about bodies and literal out of body experiences [that are] haunting, discomforting, and curious all the same".^[9] Nicholas Dupree from Anime News Network also offered praise to the story as an "intense journey through thorny, provocative topics".^[10]

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Crunchyroll Manga Adds "Inside Mari", "Silver Nina", and "Love Theory" Simulpubs. Crunchyroll. Macias. Patrick. January 6, 2014. January 6, 2014.
2. Web site: Drifiting Net Cafe/Flowers of Evil's Oshimi Starts New Manga. Anime News Network. First. Joseph. March 11, 2012. July 5, 2021.
3. Web site: Inside Mari Manga by Flowers of Evil's Shūzō Oshimi Ends in September. Anime News Network. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. August 15, 2016. July 5, 2021.
4. Web site: Crunchyroll Adds Inside Mari, Silver Nina, Love Theory Manga. Anime News Network. Loo. Egan. January 6, 2014. July 5, 2021.
5. Web site: New Manga Publishing Company Denpa Launches, Licenses Kaiji, Inside Mari, More. Anime News Network. Ressler. Karen. August 13, 2018. July 5, 2021.
6. Web site: Shūzō Oshimi's Inside Mari Manga Gets Live-Action Series. Anime News Network. Sherman. Jennifer. March 20, 2017. July 5, 2021.
7. Web site: Manga: ‘Inside Mari’'. All the Anime. Ng. Jeannette. November 14, 2022. November 14, 2022.
8. Web site: Inside Mari Vol. 1. UK Anime Network. Locksley. Ross. July 26, 2020. July 5, 2021.
9. Web site: Review: ‘Inside Mari’ Volume 1. But Why Tho?. Catwell. Cy. January 22, 2021. January 22, 2021.
10. Web site: Inside Mari GN 1 Review. Anime News Network. Dupree. Nicholas. December 3, 2020. July 5, 2021.