Yan Volume 1 – Review
By Nolan P. Smith
Editor | Pastrami Nation
I love a good manga—one that keeps you guessing with every page turn. With Yan Volume 1 from Titan Manga, I got just that… and so much more.
At the heart of this tale is Yan Tieh Hua, a former Peking opera performer whose life is turned into a nightmare. Accused of murdering her entire family, Yan was arrested and supposedly died in custody. Fast forward ten years, and the world is shocked when a livestreamed execution surfaces—led by none other than someone claiming to be Yan. But how could it be her?
What follows is a tense, layered mystery that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. From creator Chang Sheng comes a breath of fresh air in the manga world—a story that’s bold, stylish, and unrelentingly unpredictable. As the world reels from Yan’s sudden return, retired Detective Lei Ming Chih—the very man who arrested Yan a decade ago—is pulled back into the case, desperate for answers.
Add in a genius teenager who can see five minutes into the future, and the narrative explodes with intrigue and possibility. This isn’t just a revenge tale—it’s a psychological thriller, a sci-fi mystery, and a martial arts epic all rolled into one.
The artwork is stunning, with a cinematic flair that heightens every emotional beat and action sequence. Yan’s haunting expressions linger in your mind long after you’ve closed the book. Her calm, vengeful presence, contrasted by moments of raw, kinetic violence, creates a captivating duality that defines the series.
As the plot unfolds, questions only multiply: Why was Yan framed? How did she survive her death? Why hasn’t she aged a day in ten years? These mysteries add layers to an already fast-paced, gripping narrative. And yes, the fight scenes absolutely deliver—fluid, visceral, and stylish, they are among the best I’ve seen this year.
Yan took me completely by surprise—and it never let go. This first volume is a brilliant debut for the English release of the international hit, and it’s a must-read for any fan of manga who loves a story that challenges expectations while thrilling you with every twist and turn.
Rating: FIVE Pastrami Nations out of FIVE.
Add Yan to your reading list—you won’t regret it.