Remina (Japanese: 地獄星レミナ, Hepburn: Jigokusei Remina, lit. 'Hellstar Remina') is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Junji Ito. It was serialized in Big Comic Spirits Zōkan Casual from September 2004 to July 2005, and published in one volume.
Plot
Following the discovery of a mysterious rogue planet which is on a course towards the solar system, Remina Oguro, the daughter of the scientist who discovered it, finds herself the subject of fame and adoration after her father chooses to name the planet after her. However, as it becomes clear that Remina is on a collision course with Earth, and also appears to be destroying anything in its path, this adoration turns to fear, then to homicidal madness. Eventually, Planet Remina draws near to Earth, and the truth is revealed; rather than an inanimate planet, Remina is a planet-sized organism, intent on tormenting humanity before consuming the Earth whole. Staring down death at every turn with only an enigmatic homeless man as her ally, Remina must flee from the rest of humankind and fight for her survival after she escapes a crucifixion by the mob that kills her father, led by a malevolent cult who believe that sacrificing Remina will bring about an end to the cataclysm enacted by her namesake.
Publication
The series is written and illustrated by Junji Ito. It was serialized in Big Comic Spirits Zōkan Casual from September 16, 2004, to July 24, 2005.[3]Shogakukan published the series in a single tankōbon volume, which was released in Japan on June 22, 2015.[3]
In 2020, Viz Media announced they licensed the series for English publication.[2] They released the volume on December 15, 2020.[1]
Reception
Nick Smith from ICv2 praised the series, stating it was "handled well".[4] Helen Chazan from The Comics Journal also praised the series, calling it "immensely appealing" and "relatable".[5] Ian Wolf from Anime UK News also praised the series, stating that it felt like something new from Ito, while also giving the horror he is known for.[6] Michelle Smith from Manga Bookshelf was more critical, stating that she was intrigued by the premise, but found the series to be "unaffecting".[7] As part of Anime News Network's Fall 2020 manga guide, Rebecca Silverman and Caitlin Moore reviewed the series. Silverman praised the series, calling it a "good, chilling story", while criticizing it for being "too on the nose with its imagery". Moore stated that she also enjoyed the series, but was left confused by the plot.[8]