Danica Davidson
May 31, 2024 
Fool Night is a manga with a fascinating premise that looks really promising, judging by the first volume. It takes place in the future, and the sun has been blotted out from earth by clouds that never leave, plunging the world into constant winter and night. Most plants are gone, so in order to keep life sustained on the planet, some people near death’s door now volunteer to be turned into plants. It’s called “transfloration.”
Kamiya, who had big dreams as a kid, is slogging through adulthood, taking care of his sick mother and barely scraping by. People who agree to be turned into plants are given a lot of money beforehand, which they can enjoy as they slowly transform over the years. Desperate for money, he seeks out being transflorated, but because he’s not dying, he’s not a candidate. He tries making stuff up, but after this doesn’t work, either. Then something remarkable becomes evident: Kamiya is able to hear what the humans turned plants are saying, even though no one else can. People aren’t even sure what it feels like to be turned into a plant.
Kamiya’s talent intrigues other people, including a girl who wants to find her father after he transformed. Fool Night’s dystopian world raises real fears about climate change and the future, and being turned into plants brings up ethical issues for characters to struggle with. There’s clearly something going on between Kamiya and his mother, as well as with Kamiya and a childhood friend of his who now works in the medical field, turning people into plants. Kamiya is a sympathetic character in that he tries hard and aims to please, but he still struggles. The first volume, while barely getting into the many aspects it could with this premise, is already powerful, emotional and fascinating. This looks like a series to watch.
Story & Art: Kasumi Yasuda
Publisher: VIZ Media
Translator: Casey Loe
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
