Much like the game it is based on, there is an in-depth exploration of the androids’ role within society and their own acceptance of their place in the social pecking order. Of course, here we also learn more about the struggles of the idols themselves; androids like Reina are generally preferred over human stars, due to their programmatic behavior leading to fewer career-ending scandals.

The story is narrated by Hanazawa, a former talented child turned manager who treats Reina and her adopted daughter Suzune with contempt. As the plot moves back in time for the story of medical android Seiji, we tease aspects of Hanazawa’s past that give him more depth and hopefully bring the story full circle.

While it lacks the deft touch of something like Oshi no Ko, the broad strokes here are interesting, especially if you liked the main game’s themes. The artwork is inconsistent, with the empty environments of the dance halls and a characterless office particularly disappointing, but there are some nice close-ups of the characters. We also really liked how one scene, showing Reina stepping outside the confines of her programming, was depicted.

The pacing of the book is unusual, however, with Reina’s storyline taking up more than two-thirds of it, and then an abrupt tease of Seiji’s plot at the end. Of course, this will continue in the second volume, but at only 144 pages it feels clunky and incomplete. Maybe this would have worked better as a more premium single story?

Nevertheless, structurally we like the idea of ​​two intertwined storylines, and we think that was also a real strength of the game. If you are attracted to the idea of ​​androids living among humans in an ordinary society and to the trials and tribulations of idols, then it’s worth a quick read. This doesn’t really require any prior knowledge of the game, but we think you’ll get more out of the story if you enjoyed the PS4 adventure.

Do you have any interest in reading the Detroit: Become Human a manga adaptation? Would you like to see more PlayStation games benefit from spin-off comics like this? Prove you’re human in the comments section below.