The first volume of Bind, a supernatural saga, opens its pages with tales of those who are simultaneously endangered and empowered by an age where the fluctuation of emotion determines everything. Young men and women, unfettered by finality and untempered by lived experience. At the advent of a new evolutionary epoch, their adolescent possibility may very well spell glorious salvation—or grisly demise. “I’m so scared, Mom. Scared of what’s happening to you, scared of what I’m becoming. Please, tell me you don’t hate me. Tell me there’s still hope for me to make things right.” Eighteen-year-old Kichiro Takahashi lives a life of placid passivity in Tokyo, scraping by and supporting his mother with middling means. He fears the variance of change—the instability it brings, the same instability wreaked by an absent father and a taboo name—but becomes victim to it nonetheless. When faced with loss at the hands of forces mortal and supernatural he must evolve: he must learn to master and embody his fate. “It’s alright, Maya. You don’t need to apologize. You’re our leader, so I respect your decision. Just tell me what’s going on.” Raven is a criminal organization a hundred men strong, operating within a sliver of Kabukicho. What it lacks in numbers, it makes up for with fierce, tooth-and-nail grit. But when Raven’s wings of jurisdiction are overshadowed by a greater and more sinister bird of prey, its young leader Maya is tasked with an impossible mission: to snuff out the brilliant beacon which illuminates all of Japan. “Whether you’re telling a joke or saving a life, always be the one who brings light to others. Promise me you’ll never let anyone get hurt when you’re around. Be the hero I know you are…ignite, my grandson.” Equal parts university student, Craves employee, and self-proclaimed superhero, Ryoko Ryunosuke burns hotter and brighter than any average flame. Yet there is more to his fiery compassion than his grandfather’s brushes with death as a metropolitan firefighter. Driven to the brink of extinguishment by the promises he must fulfill, he must learn what truly fuels him—a spark from his very soul—and set it ablaze in incandescent triumph. “There will be times when you feel utterly helpless, overwhelmed by fear and negativity, as if the world has turned its back on you. In those dark times, just hope you aren’t among the unfortunate souls who lose their very sense of self, their grip on reality slipping away entirely.” In an age plagued with senseless depravity and disillusionment, modern-day Japan suffers unprecedented levels of violence and theft. But petty crimes are far from civilization’s greatest threat; the true danger comes from within. Umbrals.

Requirements & Requests

Looking for beta readers who enjoy dark fantasy, action-heavy narratives, and psychological depth. "Bind" is a story with a strong emphasis on character development, an intricate power system, and layered foreshadowing. Readers should be willing to provide detailed feedback on pacing, worldbuilding, dialogue, and overall engagement. I want to ensure the story flows naturally without feeling dragged out, that the stakes remain high, and that the character arcs feel meaningful. Feedback on reread value, narrative cohesion, and how well the power system integrates with the world is also appreciated. If the story leaves a lasting impact, I’d love to hear why. Genre classification from the reader’s perspective is also welcome—whether it leans more toward dark fantasy, supernatural thriller, horror, or something else.

Comparable Stories:

Bind blends the intense supernatural combat and dark themes of Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man, and Tokyo Ghoul with the psychological depth and character-driven storytelling of Attack on Titan and Berserk. Its intricate power system and high-stakes battles echo the strategic intensity of Hunter x Hunter, while its exploration of morality, trauma, and existential dread aligns with works like The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie and The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. Fans of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn will appreciate its well-structured world-building and unique abilities, while its relentless pacing and visceral action call to mind The Broken Empire series by Mark Lawrence. If you enjoy stories that balance brutal conflict, layered characters, and deep philosophical undertones, Bind delivers an experience akin to these greats across anime, manga, and literature.

Trigger Warnings:

This story contains violence, intense combat, death, psychological trauma, body horror, and themes of loss, revenge, and existential struggle. Some scenes may be emotionally heavy, depicting mental breakdowns and moral dilemmas. Reader discretion is advised.