# Blood on the Tracks (manga)

Blood on the Tracks (Japanese: 血の轍, Hepburn: Chi no Wadachi) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Shūzō Oshimi. It was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Superior from February 2017 to September 2023, with its chapters collected into 17 tankōbon volumes. The story follows a middle school student, Seiichi Osabe, and his relationship with his overprotective mother, who after a certain event, begins to show a darker and horrifying side towards her son.
The series is licensed in English in North America by Vertical, who started releasing the volumes in print in February 2020; it is also digitally published by Kodansha USA since August of the same year.
By May 2023, Blood on the Tracks had over 2.3 million copies in circulation.

## Plot

Seiichi Osabe is a shy middle school student living a relatively ordinary life. His mother, Seiko, is considered overprotective of him by others, although Seiichi is comfortable with the love and care from his mother and does not feel anything strange about her behavior. One day, Seiichi goes on a family hiking trip with his parents and paternal family. At one point, Seiichi's cousin, Shigeru, jokingly pushes Seiichi near a cliff edge, leading Seiko to quickly grab hold of Seiichi, protecting him from falling. The rest of the family starts laughing at Seiko over her "overprotective" act. A while later, Seiichi and Shigeru go to a higher cliff edge, and when Shigeru is on the cliff edge, Seiko, who was following them, approaches her nephew and pushes him off the cliff, giving a brief smile to her son. After the incident, where Shigeru is left in a comatose state and Seiichi was the only witness of what happened, he begins to discover how dangerous his mother's affection can become, and what follows is a series of events in which Seiichi's everyday life becomes a horror living under the disturbing protection of his own mother.

## Characters
### Seiichi Osabe (長部 静一, Osabe Seiichi)

    Seiichi is a shy middle school student with few friends and susceptible to manipulation and abuse. Seiichi is ridiculed due to the overprotective care that his mother, Seiko, has over him. However, after Seiko pushes Seiichi's cousin, Shigeru, off a cliff, his life is turned upside down, and Seiko begins to manipulate him more and more heavily. As a result of the psychological trauma his mother inflicts upon him, he develops linguistic problems.

### Seiko Osabe (長部 静子, Osabe Seiko)

    Seiko is Seiichi's mother. Seiko has psychiatric disorders and has an obsessive relationship with her son that pushes the boundaries of overprotectivity. She does not care about anything but her son and she is afraid that someone will take him away. Although, it is later revealed that she tried to kill him when he was smaller, throwing him off a hill slope. Seiko manages to disguise her true personality and manipulate Seiichi's memories of the past.

### Yuiko Fukiishi (吹石 由衣子, Fukiishi Yuiko)

    Yuiko is Seiichi's classmate. She lives alone with her alcoholic and abusive father, with whom she has a bad relationship after her mother abandoned them when she was younger. Seiichi and Yuiko fall in love, and she is the first to make him start doubting his mother's actions and their manipulative relationship.

### Ichirō Osabe (長部 一郎, Osabe Ichirō)

    Ichirō is Seiichi's father and Seiko's husband. He is a salaryman who works hard to keep the family together after the cliff incident. Ichirō has a caring and kind demeanor and a calm disposition. However, although he loves his family, he is not conscious about their problematic situation until Seiko tells Shigeru's parents that she pushed him off the cliff, and even then, Ichirō does not demonstrate a willingness to divorce when his wife suggests it.

### Shigeru Mitsuishi (三石 しげる, Mitsuishi Shigeru)

    Shigeru is Seiichi's cousin. He enjoys messing with Seiichi and is rude to say what he thinks, teasing Seiichi over his relationship with his mother. During a family hiking trip, Seiko pushes him off a cliff. Although Shigeru survives, he is left in a comatose state. Later, thanks to rehabilitation and the care of his mother, Seiichi's aunt, Shigeru partially regains consciousness and is terrified when he recognizes his aunt Seiko.

## Publication

Blood on the Tracks, written and illustrated by Shūzō Oshimi, was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Superior from February 24, 2017, to September 8, 2023. According to Oshimi, the Bob Dylan album of the same name inspired the title for the series, but was not a major influence on the story. Shogakukan collected its chapters in 17 tankōbon volumes, released from September 8, 2017, to September 28, 2023.
In July 2019, Vertical announced that they have licensed the manga for an English language release in North America. The first volume was published on February 25, 2020. In July 2020, Kodansha USA announced the digital release of the manga, which started in August of the same year.

### Volumes

| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
| 1 | September 8, 2017 | 978-4-09-189623-0 | February 25, 2020 | 978-1-949980-13-4 |
| 1. "Blood on the Tracks" (血の轍, Chi no Wadachi) 2. "Visitors" (来訪者, Raihōsha) 3. "The First Day of Summer" (夏の入り口, Natsu no Irikuchi) 4. "Perfect Weather" (行楽日和, Kōrakubiyori) 5. "A Beautiful Place" (きれいな場所, Kirei na Basho) 6. "With a Smile" (微笑, Bishō) 7. "Made Manifest" (顕現, Kengen) |||||
| 2 | December 27, 2017 | 978-4-09-189706-0 | September 29, 2020 | 978-1-949980-39-4 |
| 8. "A Mother's Back" (母の背中, Haha no Senaka) 9. "Eye Contact" (眼差し, Manazashi) 10. "Pressure" (脳圧, Nōatsu) 11. "Cross to Bear" (十字架, Jūjika) 12. "Another Visitor" (来訪者２, Raihōsha Tsū) 13. "Rendezvous in the Shadows" (日陰の密会, Hikage no Mikkai) 14. "Nice to Meet You" (はじめましてえ, Hajimemashitē) 15. "Salvation" (救済, Kyūsai) |||||
| 3 | April 27, 2018 | 978-4-09-189863-0 | November 17, 2020 | 978-1-949980-78-3 |
| 16. "Transfer" (乗り換え, Norikae) 17. "Tryst" (逢い引き, Aibiki) 18. "Long Day" (長い一日, Nagai Ichinichi) 19. "Answer" (返事, Henji) 20. "Membrane" (皮膜, Himaku) 21. "Confrontation" (対面, Taimen) 22. "Nightfall" (夜の始まり, Yoru no Hajimari) 23. "Fingers" (指, Yubi) 24. "Face" (顔, Kao) |||||
| 4 | September 28, 2018 | 978-4-09-860081-6 | January 19, 2021 | 978-1-949980-79-0 |
| 25. "Limit" (臨界, Rinkai) 26. "Bench" (ベンチ, Benchi) 27. "Door" (とびら, Tobira) 28. "Step" (一歩, Ippo) 29. "Springtime of the Afternoon" (放課後の青春, Hōkago no Seishun) 30. "Soliloquy" (独白, Dokuhaku) 31. "Aroma" (芳香, Hōkō) 32. "Voices in the Grass" (草叢の声, Kusamura no Koe) 33. "I Don't Need You" (いらない, Iranai) |||||
| 5 | February 28, 2019 | 978-4-09-860229-2 | March 30, 2021 | 978-1-64729-000-9 |
| 34. "Ditch" (捨てる, Suteru) 35. "Her Room" (彼女の部屋, Kanojo no Heya) 36. "Pledge" (契約, Keiyaku) 37. "Wakening" (目覚め, Mezame) 38. "Rain" (雨, Ame) 39. "Sodden Sounds" (濡れる声, Nureru Koe) 40. "Sin" (罪悪, Zaiaku) 41. "Eyes Inside" (内なる目, Uchinaru Me) |||||
| 6 | August 30, 2019 | 978-4-09-860386-2 | June 22, 2021 | 978-1-64729-044-3 |
| 42. "Between the Banks" (両岸, Ryōgan) 43. "Homing" (帰巣, Kisō) 44. "Let's Talk" (お話をしよう, Ohanashi o Shiyō) 45. "What Really Happened" (本当のこと, Hontō no Koto) 46. "Busted" (発覚, Hakkaku) 47. "When Did It Come Out?" (いつ出た？, Itsu Deta?) 48. "Blood Oath" (血の誓約, Chi no Seiyaku) 49. "News" (報せ, Shirase) 50. "Reunion" (再会, Saikai) |||||
| 7 | December 26, 2019 | 978-4-09-860535-4 | December 7, 2021 | 978-1-64729-070-2 |
| 51. "Kin" (親族, Shinzoku) 52. "Udon" (うどん, Udon) 53. "Promise I" (やくそくI, Yakusoku I) 54. "Promise II" (やくそくII, Yakusoku II) 55. "Mommy's Heartbeat" (ママの鼓動, Mama no Kodō) 56. "Afterwards" (その後, Sonogo) 57. "Paying a Call" (訪問, Hōmon) 58. "Seiko" (静子さん, Seiko-san) 59. "To the Quick" (核心, Kakushin) |||||
| 8 | April 27, 2020 | 978-4-09-860601-6 | February 22, 2022 | 978-1-64729-071-9 |
| 60. "My Seiichi" (私の静一, Watashi no Seiichi) 61. "Runny" (半熟, Hanjuku) 62. "Expression" (発現, Hatsugen) 63. "Apologia" (釈明, Shakumei) 64. "High Ground" (高台, Takadai) 65. "Yuiko" (由衣子) 66. "Drive" (ドライブ, Doraibu) 67. "Murderers" (ひとごろし, Hitogoroshi) 68. "Burst" (決壊, Kekkai) |||||
| 9 | August 28, 2020 | 978-4-09-860701-3 | July 12, 2022 | 978-1-64729-060-3 |
| 69. "All Hell Breaks Loose" (修羅場, Shuraba) 70. "Parting" (別れ, Wakare) 71. "Empty" (空, Kara) 72. "Desire" (欲求, Yokkyū) 73. "Interview (pt. 1)" (聴取１, Chōshu Wan) 74. "Interview (pt. 2)" (聴取２, Chōshu Tsū) 75. "I Belong to Me" (僕は僕のもの, Boku wa Boku no Mono) 76. "Revisiting" (再訪, Saihō) 77. "Sei" (せいちゃん, Sei-chan) 78. "Blood on the Tracks" (血の轍, Chi no Wadachi) |||||
| 10 | January 29, 2021 | 978-4-09-860791-4 | August 16, 2022 | 978-1-64729-099-3 |
| 79. "Self-Awareness" (自覚, Jikaku) 80. "Together" (一緒, Issho) 81. "Ah Ha Ha" (あはは, Ahaha) 82. "Back to Life" (生き返る, Ikikaeru) 83. "Way Out" (出口, Deguchi) 84. "Come Out and Play" (呼び声, Yobikoe) 85. "Mountain" (山, Yama) 86. "Who Am I?" (僕は誰？, Boku wa Dare?) 87. "Coming" (来る, Kuru) 88. "What the Hell?" (なんなん？, Nannan?) |||||
| 11 | June 30, 2021 | 978-4-09-861053-2 | September 6, 2022 | 978-1-64729-146-4 |
| 89. "Alll" (ぜぇんぶ, Zēnbu) 90. "Through Mommy's Eyes" (ママから見る, Mama kara Miru) 91. "All My Fault" (ぜんぶ僕, Zenbu Boku) 92. "Thanks" (ありがとう, Arigatō) 93. "Nightmare" (悪夢, Akumu) 94. "That Face" (あの顔, Ano Kao) 95. "In the Snow" (雪の現場, Yuki no Genba) 96. "Confirmation" (確認, Kakunin) 97. "Gaze" (視線, Shisen) 98. "Gnawing" (疑問, Gimon) |||||
| 12 | November 30, 2021 | 978-4-09-861148-5 | December 27, 2022 | 978-1-64729-169-3 |
| 99. "Visitation" (面会, Menkai) 100. "Mommy" (ママ, Mama) 101. "Imagination" (さっかく, Sakkaku) 102. "Good News" (いい知らせ, Ii Shirase) 103. "Waiting In Vain" (待ちぼうけ, Machibōke) 104. "Judgement" (審判, Shinpan) 105. "Pointless" (ムダ, Muda) 106. "Announcement" (宣言, Sengen) 107. "Rancor" (怨讐, Onshū) 108. "Disposition" (処分, Shobun) |||||
| 13 | April 28, 2022 | 978-4-09-861302-1 | May 2, 2023 | 978-1-64729-223-2 |
| 109. "Gone" (不帰, Fuki) 110. "Labor" (労働, Rōdō) 111. "Dad's Visit" (父の来る日, Chichi no Kuru Hi) 112. "Shadow" (面影, Omokage) 113. "Recollection" (追憶, Tsuioku) 114. "Hand" (手, Te) 115. "Body" (遺体, Itai) 116. "Place" (居場所, Ibasho) 117. "Homecoming" (帰郷, Kikyō) |||||
| 14 | September 30, 2022 | 978-4-09-861418-9 | August 22, 2023 | 978-1-64729-299-7 |
| 118. "Just Like Her" (そっくり, Sokkuri) 119. "Finally" (やっと, Yatto) 120. "Phone Call" (電話, Denwa) 121. "Custody" (保護, Hogo) 122. "The Tracks" (轍, Wadachi) 123. "Seiko Tamiya" (田宮静子, Tamiya Seiko) 124. "Home" (家, Ie) 125. "Tea" (お茶, Ocha) 126. "Fist" (拳, Kobushi) 127. "Lid" (蓋, Futa) |||||
| 15 | January 30, 2023 | 978-4-09-861570-4 | December 5, 2023 | 978-1-64729-301-7 |
| 128. "Typhoon" (台風, Taifū) 129. "Cat" (猫, Neko) 130. "Night Together" (ふたりの夜, Futari no Yoru) 131. "That House" (あのおうち, Ano O-uchi) 132. "The Other Side" (向こう側, Mukōgawa) 133. "Naked" (脱ぐ, Nugu) 134. "Blessing" (祝福, Shukufuku) 135. "Far Away" (遠い, Tōi) 136. "That Place" (あの場所, Ano Basho) |||||
| 16 | May 30, 2023 | 978-4-09-861713-5 | April 23, 2024 | 978-1-64729-339-0 |
| 137. "Remember" (思い出して, Omoidashite) 138. "Once More" (もういちど, Mōichido) 139. "After the Storm" (嵐が過ぎて, Arashi ga Sugite) 140. "Come Around" (巡る, Meguru) 141. "Injuries" (傷, Kizu) 142. "Back Home" (帰宅, Kitaku) 143. "Stink" (くさい, Kusai) 144. "Flesh" (肉体, Nikutai) 145. "Eyes Meet" (まなざし, Manazashi) |||||
| 17 | September 28, 2023 | 978-4-09-862525-3 | September 17, 2024 | 978-1-64729-367-3 |
| 146. "Life Together" (二人暮らし, Futarigurashi) 147. "Waking Dream" (夢現, Yumeutsutsu) 148. "Talking" (話す, Hanasu) 149. "Welcome Rain" (慈雨, Jiu) 150. "Peeling Off" (剥離, Hakuri) 151. "Mist" (霞, Kasumi) 152. "Empty Lot" (空き地, Akichi) 153. "Quiet Sky" (静かな空, Shizukana Sora) |||||

## Reception

By May 2020, the manga had over 1 million copies in circulation; over 1.5 million copies in circulation by June 2021; over 2 million copies in circulation by September 2022; and over 2.3 million copies in circulation by May 2023.
The series ranked ninth on Kono Manga ga Sugoi!'s top 20 manga for male readers 2018. It was nominated for a Harvey Award in the Best Manga category in 2022. The series was nominated for the 68th Shogakukan Manga Award in the general category in 2022. It won the 50th Angoulême International Comics Festival's Prize for a Series in 2023. The series ranked sixteenth on the 2023 "Book of the Year" list by Da Vinci magazine. The series has been nominated for the 28th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2024. It has been nominated for the Japan Society and Anime NYC's first American Manga Awards in the Best Continuing Manga Series category in 2024.
Ian Wolf from Anime UK News praised the series' storytelling and Oshimi's artwork, highlighting the "detailed and sometimes disturbing close-ups" and "great views of the wilderness". Regarding the series' title, Wolf commented that something from Pink Floyd's The Wall, in which "the narrator has issues with his domineering mother", would have been more fitting. Wolf concluded: "Blood on the Tracks has been thrilling reading so far, and it will be interesting to see where Oshimi takes the story".