A Horse with No Name

Serving as a prequel to the acclaimed series MARS, A Horse with No Name follows Rei and Tatsuya during their early days of high school. Tatsuya harbors a quiet crush on Kira, which fuels his immediate animosity toward Rei and leads him to constantly provoke fights. However, their tense rivalry transforms after a climactic motorcycle chase pits Rei against a reckless gang of bikers. Surviving the harrowing ordeal together forges an unexpected bond between the two boys, laying the foundation for a lasting friendship. Familiar faces from the main series, including Harumi, also make notable appearances throughout this foundational narrative. Beyond the primary story, the collection features two earlier, standalone works by the author that exist entirely outside the MARS universe. Sleeping Lion explores the peculiar dynamic between Isomu, a young man who feigns absolute fearlessness, and Ayame, a girl defined by her eccentric behavior. The final tale, 1 Karatto no Kajitsu, centers on Nina, a student navigating difficult family struggles, and her classmate Rui. While Rui initially appears captivated by one of Nina’s close friends, the story introduces a compelling twist as his true affections may actually be directed toward Nina herself.