Emi Ishikawa, the manga artist known for her work on Zekkyō Gakkyū and the manga adaptation of Poppy’s Playtime, is set to create a manga adaptation of the paranormal mystery game Urban Myth Dissolution Center. The new manga will launch in the May issue of Shueisha’s Ribon magazine.
Emi Ishikawa to Adapt Urban Myth Dissolution Center
Emi Ishikawa announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, March 3, 2025, that she will be adapting Hakababunko and Shueisha Game’s Urban Myth Dissolution Center into a manga series. The manga will be serialized in Shueisha’s Ribon magazine, starting with the May issue.
- Emi Ishikawa: Known for her horror manga and adaptations of popular games.
- Urban Myth Dissolution Center: A paranormal mystery game developed by Hakababunko and published by Shueisha Games.
- Ribon Magazine: A Shueisha publication known for its shojo manga.
About Emi Ishikawa
Emi Ishikawa is a Japanese manga artist born on July 26, 1985, in Saitama Prefecture. She graduated from the Nippon Design Institute in 2006 and debuted as a manga artist in 2005 in Ribon Original. Ishikawa is known for her work in the shojo genre, often incorporating elements of horror, romance, and the supernatural.
Notable Works by Emi Ishikawa
- Zekkyō Gakkyū (Scary Lessons): A horror manga series that ran from 2008 to 2015. It follows a ghost girl named Yomi as she tells scary stories. The manga inspired anime shorts and a live-action film.
- Poppy Playtime Forever ~Shinobi Yoru Ashioto~: A manga adaptation of the Poppy’s Playtime game.
- Jisatsu Helper (Suicide Helper): A supernatural shojo manga.
- Liar: Uso no Hakoniwa: A romance shojo manga.
Urban Myth Dissolution Center: Game Overview
Urban Myth Dissolution Center is a single-player psycho-detective mystery adventure game developed by Hakababunko and published by Shueisha Games. It was released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on February 12, 2025.
Story and Gameplay
In Urban Myth Dissolution Center, players take on the role of Azami Fukurai, who works at the titular Dissolution Center, which specializes in dealing with cursed relics, monstrous oddities, and dimensional anomalies. Azami possesses the ability to see the memories of places through her glasses, which she uses to solve cases involving urban myths.
Key Features of the Game
- Psycho-Detective Mystery: Players unravel mysteries by investigating paranormal activity and urban legends.
- Unique Protagonist: Azami Fukurai has the special ability to see memories of places.
- Thematic Focus: The game explores themes of urban myths, conspiracy theories, and the occult.
- Available on Multiple Platforms: The game can be played on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.
Reception
Reviews for Urban Myth Dissolution Center have been mixed to positive. Critics have praised the game’s unique premise, creepy atmosphere, and interesting characters. However, some have criticized the gameplay, citing sluggish investigation segments and questionable case quality.
- TheGamer: Called it a fantastic game for those who appreciate short story collections that encompass all things weird and creepy.
- Six One Indie: Noted that while the game looks and sounds fantastic, the gameplay brings it down quite a lot.
- Nintendo World Report: Mentioned the perfect level of tension and creepiness.
- Metacritic: The game stands out despite some questionable case quality. Its creativity, premise, and excellent final twist make it a title worth recommending.
Manga Adaptation Details
The manga adaptation by Emi Ishikawa will likely follow the same premise as the game, with Azami Fukurai solving paranormal cases related to urban myths. Ishikawa’s experience in horror manga makes her a fitting choice to adapt the game’s creepy atmosphere and supernatural themes.
Release Details
The Urban Myth Dissolution Center manga is set to launch in the May issue of Shueisha’s Ribon magazine.
Potential Story Arcs
The manga may adapt existing cases from the game or introduce new, original stories based on Japanese urban legends and paranormal phenomena.
