I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day Vol. 1 plunges readers into a haunting dystopian world where children are raised not with love or hope, but as tools for war. The story follows 14-year-old Sheena Totsuki, a girl who doesn’t quite fit into this brutal environment. Unlike her peers who have honed their magical abilities for battle, Sheena is quieter, more thoughtful, and, most notably, opposed to violence. Her unique position in the story allows us to experience the harsh world of the orphanage through a lens of innocence and empathy—a rarity in a place designed to erase both.
Everything changes after a devastating battlefield loss: Sheena’s roommate is killed in combat, leaving her even more disillusioned and isolated. That night, she meets Mimi Kagari—soaked in blood, smiling brightly, and completely unfazed by the horrors she’s clearly seen. Mimi is no ordinary girl. Rumored to be the orphanage’s “immortal secret weapon,” she’s assigned as Sheena’s new roommate, and from that moment on, the story pivots from grim resignation to strange fascination.
Mimi’s unsettling cheerfulness contrasts sharply with Sheena’s weary pacifism. While Sheena recoils from violence and questions the morality of their mission, Mimi embraces it with a grin. Yet as we get to know them both, it becomes clear that Mimi’s upbeat exterior masks something far more complex. There’s a lingering mystery about how she views life and death, and her emotional armor is just as thick as Sheena’s reluctance to engage with the war. The emotional dynamic between the two is subtle, poetic, and increasingly powerful.
The orphanage itself plays a huge role in setting the tone for this volume. It’s not a safe haven—it’s a factory for creating child soldiers, dressed up as an educational institution. Cold, institutional, and ruthless, the setting strips away any illusions about the world these girls live in. Childhood is a luxury no one here can afford, and every interaction is tinged with the knowledge that tomorrow might be your last. That ever-present sense of loss and dread is felt deeply through Sheena’s inner monologue and every fleeting moment of calm.
Artist Aono Nachi deserves immense credit for bringing this brutal world to life with stunning illustrations. Character designs are expressive and soft, which creates a painful contrast against the bleak environments and violent themes. Facial expressions do a lot of heavy lifting—every moment of confusion, fear, and connection between Sheena and Mimi is masterfully drawn. The artwork makes the emotional beats hit harder and immerses readers in the fragility of this world.
What elevates this story beyond a typical war-time fantasy is its focus on emotional trauma, identity, and survival. Through Sheena, we see how war breaks down the individual, especially when you’re too young to fully understand it. Through Mimi, we see what it means to live with a smile despite unspeakable scars. Their interactions hint at the beginnings of a relationship built on curiosity, comfort, and maybe even love. It’s subtle, never forced, and that makes it all the more beautiful.
The volume ends on a note that’s both tender and ominous. The bond between Sheena and Mimi is deepening, but the world around them remains dangerous and unpredictable. It’s clear that their journey will be one of resistance—not just against the physical threats they face, but against the system that raised them to fight instead of feel. That kind of rebellion, emotional as well as literal, is what gives this story its soul.
I absolutely loved this volume and can’t wait to see how the series continues. I Want to Love You Till Your Dying Day Vol. 1 is a dark, beautifully drawn tale of trauma, connection, and the flickers of hope that survive even in the worst conditions. If the series continues to build on the emotional groundwork laid here, it could become one of the most emotionally resonant stories in its genre.
