Confession (manga)

Confession (告白) is a Japanese manga series written by Nobuyuki Fukumoto and illustrated by Kaiji Kawaguchi. It was serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Young Magazine Uppers in 1998, with its chapters collected in a single  volume. A live-action film adaptation premiered in May 2024.

Plot
The story follows two friends from the J University's mountaineering club, Asai (浅井) and Ishikura (石倉), who are out hiking the 3,200-meter peak of Mount Obari when they get lost in a storm and Ishikura falls and injures his leg. Believing that he is about to die, Ishikura confesses to Asai that five years ago he murdered a fellow woman from the mountain club called Sayuri Nishida (西田さゆり), whose death was reported by media as an accident. Opportunely, Asai realizes that a lodge is right in front of them and carries Ishikura to the place, managing to survive, while waiting for help to arrive. However, Ishikura begins to regret his confession, and Asai, who senses this, begins to panic and fears that he will be killed too as he is aware of Ishikura's crime.

Manga
Written by Nobuyuki Fukumoto and illustrated by Kaiji Kawaguchi, Confession was serialized in Kodansha's manga magazine Young Magazine Uppers in 1998. Kodansha collected its chapters in a single volume, released on July 9, 1999; a  edition was released on January 23, 2001; and a  edition was released on December 12, 2007.

In March 2024, Kodansha USA announced that they had licensed the manga for print release, with the volume set to be published on December 17 of the same year.

Live-action film
In January 2024, it was announced that the manga would receive a live-action film adaptation, which premiered on May 31 of the same year. The film was produced by Gaga Corporation, directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita, with scripts by Shūji Yuki and Ryō Takada. The film stars Toma Ikuta and Yang Ik-june. It was screened at the 28th Fantasia International Film Festival on July 19, 2024.

Reception
Shuichi Oguro of Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Web wrote that the series "exquisitely matches the extreme situation and abnormal psychology", praising the psychological depiction in the story crafted by Fukumoto. Ettore Gabrielli from Lo Spazio Bianco praised the series for its atmosphere and the tension between the main characters, commending as well Kawaguchi's artwork, recommending it to thriller fans.