Story & Art: Mitsuya Otosu
Publisher: One Peace Books (Print & Digital)
Publication Date: June 17, 2025
Rating: Teen
Genre: Manga, Fantasy, Action-Adventure
Normal college student Kazuki Hirasawa finds himself inside the body of Harold Stokes, an evil character in the world of Kazuki’s favorite game, Brave Hearts. The problem is, if the game’s events go as they should, he’ll one day find himself defeated by the hero’s party. Will he be able to find a path to survival and avoid his many death flags using the incredible power of Harold Stokes’s body and his own knowledge of the game? Join Harold in this magnificent manga adaptation of the work that won the 3rd Shosetsuka ni Naro Contest.
This review contains spoilers for My Death Flags Show No Signs of Ending. I received a free copy from One Peace Books in exchange for a review.
My Death Flags Show No Signs of Ending, based on the story by Izumi, adapted by Mitsuya Otosu with character designs by Atiki, is now available in English. One Peace Books published Volume 1 on June 17, 2025.
The series follows Kazuki Hirasawa, a gamer who wakes up in the body of Harold Stokes, a notorious villain from his favorite game, Brave Hearts. Stranded in a tragic flashback scene with no control over his actions, Kazuki must find a way to survive a fate sealed by countless “death flags.” Although he wants to speak and act differently, Harold’s body betrays him—his sharp tongue keeps earning him “hate points.” Kazuki wonders if he should give up and accept death, and whether he’ll ever return to his own world.
Norman, the family butler, notices Harold’s behavior changing. Despite his harsh words and actions, Harold now shows a glimmer of care for his people, igniting Norman’s hope that the young heir might reform the Stokes family.
Harold practices magic, the same magic he once used to convince his parents to imprison their maid instead of executing her immediately. On the day of her “execution,” Harold instead offers her a choice: death or escape. She flees, and Norman quietly celebrates the spared life, though Harold can’t take pride in it—his pre-possession cruelty caused her plight in the first place.
After deceiving his parents into thinking he committed the execution, Harold turns his attention to improving the territory’s agriculture. He develops a “life” potion to boost crop growth and convinces a skeptical agricultural inspector to join his cause.
Then comes the arranged marriage plot: Harold’s father announces that he will wed Erika for her prestigious lineage—a value an elitist like him prizes above all. Kazuki seizes this chance to aid the main party from the shadows. He slips Erika an envelope with a solution to the miasma problem plaguing her people, but she refuses, still offended by his earlier remarks. Whether her family accepts his help remains unclear, and the volume closes with Erika visiting him.
Despite receiving a free review copy from One Peace Books, My Death Flags Show No Signs of Ending is exactly the kind of manga I’d pick up in a store. The red, striking cover drew me in, and the art kept me hooked.
I love “villainess” death flag stories, so even though this one stars a male villain, the trope still works for me. My only small critique is that people seem to accept Harold’s personality shift a bit too easily. Given his history of cruelty, some skepticism from others would feel more realistic, but I like believing people can recognize and trust positive change.
The storytelling is strong, the art is excellent, and the comedic side-character faces (see above) had me laughing out loud. It’s recommended for teens, but I’d say it’s enjoyable for anyone from upper elementary to age 100 because a good story has no age limit. Volume 2 arrives December 9, 2025, and I can’t wait.
My Death Flags Show No Sign of Ending retails for $12.95 and is available to purchase on Amazon.
