Whoever Steals This Book Vol. 1 is a fascinating literary fantasy that mixes magical realism with a deep reverence for storytelling itself. At the heart of the tale is Mifuyu Mikura, a high school student born into a prestigious family of book collectors. Her great-grandfather established Mikura Hall, a grand library housing rare and powerful tomes. While her family legacy revolves around preserving books, Mifuyu herself harbors an unexpected aversion to them—a disdain rooted in personal trauma that is gradually revealed as the volume progresses.
The story begins in earnest when a mysterious theft occurs at Mikura Hall. A rare book goes missing, and in its place is left a chilling message: “Whoever steals this book shall be pursued by the flag of magical realism.” This cryptic threat isn’t just poetic—it’s a literal curse. Soon after, Mifuyu’s world begins to unravel. Fictional realities invade her sleepy town, blending the mundane with the surreal. With the boundaries between fact and fiction collapsing, Mifuyu is thrust into the role of reluctant heroine.
Together with Mashiro, a pale and enigmatic boy who seems oddly familiar with the supernatural phenomena plaguing her town, Mifuyu begins retrieving the stolen books—by entering their stories. Each world within the books is a realm unto itself, filled with distinct characters, settings, and emotional stakes. These adventures are where Mifuyu confronts both the external chaos and her own internal resistance to the written word. There’s something beautiful about the way each narrative chips away at her armor.
The town becomes a dreamscape of literary elements run amok. Sidewalks crack into paper paths, lampposts flicker like punctuation marks, and buildings shift based on the whims of forgotten plots. It’s a surreal delight, but never loses its emotional footing. Through these shifting backdrops, Mifuyu’s evolution as a character is highlighted. Her sarcasm and cynicism slowly give way to wonder, and with every book she reclaims, she regains a bit of herself as well.
Mashiro is one of the biggest mysteries in the volume. His calm demeanor and cryptic hints suggest he knows far more about the curse and the Mikura legacy than he’s letting on. While his relationship with Mifuyu isn’t romantic—yet—there’s definite emotional gravity between them. He becomes a steady presence in her rapidly changing world, offering quiet support and nudging her to face truths she’d rather avoid.
Artistically, the manga is stunning. The visual representation of stories bleeding into reality is masterfully executed. From swirling bookscapes to eerie dreamlike panels, the art elevates the story’s tone. Character designs are expressive, and panel layouts flow smoothly, making the transitions between reality and fiction all the more immersive. It’s the kind of manga where you pause just to admire the craft behind a single page.
Narratively, the volume balances standalone episodic tales with a growing overarching mystery. Every chapter offers a self-contained adventure that ties back to Mifuyu’s personal growth and the central puzzle: who stole the book and why? As these threads weave tighter, the reader becomes just as eager to uncover the answers as Mifuyu is. There’s a real momentum to the storytelling, one that teases a rich and layered series ahead.
I absolutely loved this volume and can’t wait to see how the series continues. Whoever Steals This Book Vol. 1 is clever, imaginative, and emotionally resonant. It’s a story about the power of narrative, the weight of family legacies, and the strange comfort that fiction can bring. With an engaging heroine, layered mysteries, and lush visuals, this is one series I’ll be keeping a close eye on.
