Came the Mirror & Other Tales

Came the Mirror & Other Tales presents five intimate, magical-realist stories crafted by manga legend Rumiko Takahashi. In the opening tale, a teenager discovers a supernatural mirror that compels him to draw out and destroy the hidden evil lurking within other people. As he shoulders this dark responsibility, he faces a harrowing dilemma: will fulfilling his duty ultimately consume and destroy him? Another story follows a washed-up manga creator who unexpectedly acquires the power to curse his professional rivals, forcing him to question whether such success is truly worth the moral cost. The collection continues to explore bizarre supernatural encounters, including a narrative where a pet cat manages to possess its human owner—a situation that comes with alarming side effects, such as partial physical transmogrification. Beyond these fictional narratives, the volume also features a rare, behind-the-scenes autobiographical piece. This personal essay offers readers an intimate glimpse into Takahashi’s lifelong devotion to the art of manga and highlights her enduring friendship with fellow acclaimed creator Mitsuru Adachi. Together, these diverse tales showcase a master storyteller seamlessly blending the ordinary with the extraordinary.