Manga Launch: That Girl I Picked Up in a Back Alley Was the Heroine of an Otome Game After the Bad Ending
Fans of unique isekai stories have something fresh to look forward to. Volume 1 of Ena Hino's manga, titled "That Girl I Picked Up in a Back Alley Was the Heroine of an Otome Game After the Bad Ending", has officially been released today, March 9th. This new series is brought to us by KADOKAWA's Dragon Comics Age imprint. It is actually a comic adaptation of the popular Pumpkin Mask novel, and looking at the premise, it is going to be quite an emotional ride for the readers.
The Dark Reality of Kizuna no Mahou to Sacred Night Party
The story is set within the world of a classic otome game known as "Kizuna no Mahou to Sacred Night Party", or "Kizuyor" for short. While many such games are filled with romance and sparkles, this one became quite famous in the gaming community as a "depressing game." The reason for this reputation is the sheer brutality of its bad endings. It is not just a simple game over; it puts the characters through real misery. Many fans often discuss why That Girl I Picked Up in a Back Alley is the next must read because it explores what happens after the screen usually fades to black.
Our main protagonist gets reincarnated into this gloomy world as Ash Leben. Now, Ash is not some powerful hero or a main lead; he is just the second son of a lowly aristocrat who doesn't even have a role in the original game. He has the knowledge of the game, but there is one big problem—he simply cannot remember the face of the heroine. This memory gap makes his situation quite tricky as he tries to navigate his new life in the academy.
A Fateful Meeting in the Rain
Everything changes for him on a rainy day while heading home from school. He spots a female student crouching alone in the rain in a back alley. It doesn't take long for him to realize that this girl is actually Fine, the heroine of the game. Seeing her in such a pathetic state, Ash is convinced that the story has already reached its dreaded bad ending. Fine has been cast aside and is living in a very harsh environment, far from the glory a heroine usually gets.
The manga highlights some very interesting plot points:
- Ash Leben's Decision: Unlike a typical bystander, Ash decides to stand up and help Fine, even if it means going against the "script" of the world.
- The Aftermath of a Bad End: We get to see the psychological toll on Fine after being rejected by the game's main capture targets.
- Isekai Twist: The story feels different because it starts where most games usually end, giving us a "save file" that is already corrupted.
It is quite heart-wrenching to see a character like Fine suffer, and that is exactly why That Girl I Picked Up in a Back Alley is the next must read for those who love stories about redemption and kindness. Ash might not be a high-ranking noble, but his determination to protect Fine from her cruel fate is what makes this manga so engaging. If you are looking for an otome isekai that is a bit more grounded and emotional, you should definitely check this one out.
