Otherside Picnic (Volume 1) - Where Urban Legends Roam!

While exploring an abandoned building, Sorawo found a strange world on the other side of a door. After being attacked by something from an urban legend, Sorawo was saved by a beautiful blonde girl called Toriko.

Otherside Picnic (Volume 1) – Where Urban Legends Roam!

What happened?

As Sorawo lay in the shallow pool of water unable to move, she wondered how her disappearance would be reported. Would anyone be that concerned? She tried to focus on keeping her head up, but after seeing the Wiggler she was unable to move. There was something about just seeing it that messed with your head. Then, when she was almost ready to accept her fate, she heard a voice. It was a girl. Sorawo called for help and was stunned by just how beautiful the girl was.

Toriko pulled Sorawo from the water and tried to see what the Wiggler was. Then, she threw a piece of rock salt at it and the Wiggler vanished, leaving behind a strange mirrored cube that wouldn’t reflect any humans. Toriko and Sorawo returned to the normal world and discussed their experiences of the other side. Then, something tried to follow them through, something blue. But it vanished as quickly as it came, taking the doorway with it.

Toriko told Sorawo that she could take her there through another gateway, but Sorawo was a little unsure. Well, Toriko wasn’t going to take no for an answer and showed up at Sorawo’s university. She told her that she had a contact who would pay for artefacts from the other side, and she would pay well. Somehow, she convinced Sorawo to go hunt another Wiggler together, but would it be as easy as the first time?

Otherside Picnic Volume 1 Toriko and Sorawo arrive at the other side

What did you think?

Firstly, let me just say that I loved the anime (even with the mismatched order of the episodes) and went on to read the first light novel. I love how it takes something as brilliantly creepy as urban legends and internet spooky stories and makes them even creepier. This volume gave me shivers when we saw Lady Hasshaku, the eight-foot lady. They absolutely nailed the level of crazy going on between Sorawo, Toriko, and Abarato.

One of my favourite things about this series is that the gates can appear anywhere provided the right criteria are met. It adds another level of terror to things, especially as you can get stuck there if you don’t know how you got there. On top of that, I love the dynamic between Toriko and Sorawo. They certainly are an odd couple and the books do a great job of showing you more of what Sorawo is thinking. Basically, I love everything about this series and the first volume of the manga was a great addition to things.