Bug Ego: Manga Review

ONE’s new manga, Bug Ego, follows a similar formula to his previous works: a silly, weak-looking main character, a rather absurd way to obtain powers, and fighting for their lives against weird opponents.

Two friends, the new kid Hitsujiya and the quiet loner Kokudo, begin using ‘hacks’ found in a mysterious book.

At first, these ‘hacks’ aren’t anything that improves their lives or gives them any kind of advantage, they’re simply triggers of random events. For example, if you add exactly 60 yen to a vending machine and then press the numbers in a specific order, bird poop will splat next to a lamppost on the street. What they don’t know is that using these hacks doesn’t come without consequence. They actually have very little understanding of how they work.

Subsequently, they begin to make mistakes, which they don’t even know are mistakes. As they enter a dream world and begin to break the rules, their little game becomes a life or death situation.

Like any ONE story, Bug Ego‘s tone is very irreverent and the story unpredictable.

It is mostly a comedy layered over some dark storytelling, and with a rather strange power system. We only really interact with Kokudo and Hitsujiya, who have vastly different personalities. But towards the end of the volume we are introduced to other people. The artstyle, by Kiyoto Shitara, reminds me a little of Goodnight Punpun. Featuring distinct designs with intense expressions and a realistic vibe. It is definitely my favorite part of this manga so far.

Even though I don’t think Bug Ego is my cup of tea, it has an interesting enough story to make me want to keep reading (if I have nothing better to do). I wouldn’t call myself an ONE fan, but I definitely enjoy his work. I will continue to give Bug Ego a chance.

VIZ Media released Bug Ego Volume 1 on May 21st, 2026. Volume 2 is set to release on August 27th, 2026.

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