"The Grand Guignol Orchestra" is our newest manga released by Kaori Yuki, who is famous for her amazing works such as "Angel Sanctuary" and "GodChild". This manga, like her last few (we won't mention Fairy Cube....) is just as dark, bloody, and horrifying as her last set.

The manga has us follow a small orchestra band, lead by a man named Lucille, who travels the land playing their beautiful music. The kicker however is their audience are a large number of carnivorous zombie dolls, those who were once human who become these flesh eating monsters. Their music and songs are able to bring these people back into momentary consciousness, but for only a small matter of time, and for a certain price, whether that be for good or bad.

We have a small variety of characters to go around this time. I wont go into detail about those who arrive later, but our main characters consist of Lucille, the beautiful male singer of long hair who can tame these beasts, often mistaken for a woman. His outer demeanor is filled with mystery, and it seems he has "imprisoned" these other players within his orchestra for reasons not explained in our first volume.

Out second is that of the pianist, Eles, of whom joins in the first volume. A young child who after their village was taken over by these zombie dolls decides to join the orchestra and play. Eles's piano skills could possible rival that of Lucille's singing.

Our violin player, Kohaku, is your over aggressive angry young man who have no qualms with killing anyone or anything, man, woman or child. The variety of weaponry he has within his clothes is infinite, and he seems to take a high pleasure in killing the beasts.

Finally the cellist, Gwin, who says very little, but violently protects his pet hedgehog. He seems to have pure brute strength, but his words are little.

The manga, like other works by Kaori Yuki, are violent and bloody. The use of sexual terms, violence, and gore is all included, and yet it does not go overboard. If you have read her previous work Angel Sanctuary it is close to that. With zombies comes some flesh eating, so don't assume it's going to be tame.

The work is well written, the dialogue intelligent, and there is of course some humor thrown in. The art is of course BEAUTIFUL, as is always. Her tones are fantastic, and the characters are well detailed as well as the backgrounds. The plot doesn't clutter and it's perfectly timed. You don't feel rushed.

The first volume is available now in America I believe.

I would rate this one so far a 10 out of 10. I have nothing to complain about. :3

Just bought it recently on a whim (a few weeks ago) because I LOVE Kaori Yuki's works, and I must say, I wasn't disappointed.
All I had to see was 'zombie dolls' and I was hooked XD

I really can't wait for the next one, I can see this having a lot of potential.

100 out of 10, if possible.