Genre: Horror | Writer: Dai Satou | Artist: Naoki Serizawa | Release Date: 2015
During a reality show filming on a tropical island, contestants are hunted by a mysterious killer. Claire Redfield investigates with TerraSave while secrets unfold, revealing hidden agents, deadly bioweapons, and a gruesome threat beneath paradise’s surface.
Writing
Biohazard: Heavenly Island, Vol. 1 begins with a bang—literally. The opening sequence wastes no time establishing the tone of the series with a brutal murder by a masked figure, setting up an atmosphere of danger and dread fitting for the Resident Evil universe. The tension is high, and the horror elements are immediate, offering long-time fans that visceral, violent entry point into this new arc.
Unfortunately, despite the strong start, the writing falters when it comes to its character ensemble. The book struggles with memorable personalities beyond a few standouts. Claire Redfield is the biggest name in the volume and offers a reassuring link to the mainline series, but her presence is oddly limited considering her importance. Inez Diaco also has potential as a TerraSave agent but doesn’t receive enough development to leave a lasting impression.
AD Tominaga brings some charm and levity as the quintessential Japanese nerd trope, offering a nice contrast to the bloodshed, while Mayu is serviceable but forgettable. Other characters like Mike and Zi Li are used for a mid-tier twist that doesn't carry much weight because the story telegraphs it early on, and their significance is glossed over after the reveal.
Dai Satou’s writing in Biohazard: Heavenly Island, Vol. 1 captures the pulpy, high-stakes energy expected from a Resident Evil spinoff, blending fast-paced horror with action-thriller beats. Satou wastes no time plunging readers into chaos, opening with a vicious murder and sustaining the momentum through bloodshed and suspense. While the overarching plot is intriguing, especially with the inclusion of TerraSave and Claire Redfield, Satou doesn’t fully develop the key characters, which weakens the narrative’s emotional pull. His direction leans heavily into franchise familiarity, relying on recognizable tropes and surface-level twists that fans can spot early. Still, the pacing is tight, and he maintains a compelling tension throughout. The inclusion of a reality show backdrop is a fresh twist, though Satou could have pushed further into its thematic potential.
Pacing-wise, the story moves briskly, which works in its favor, maintaining a good sense of urgency. However, the writing is weighed down by predictable plot turns and an overreliance on fanservice, which sometimes distracts from the suspense and survival themes that define the franchise. The violence, however, is authentically raw and brutal, aligning well with the series’ core appeal.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Art Style
Visually, Biohazard: Heavenly Island excels. The art style is one of the volume’s strongest assets. It's detailed, polished, and cinematic, capturing both the gore and beauty of its tropical horror setting. The action sequences are crisp and intense, with great use of motion lines and panel transitions that sell the brutality of each kill and combat moment. The masked killer is especially well-designed, oozing menace and dread with each appearance.
Creature and gore design remain faithful to the grotesque standards set by the Resident Evil franchise. There’s a palpable sense of terror in the transformation sequences and mutilated corpses—an absolute visual treat for fans who enjoy the franchise's more gruesome entries.
The character designs are attractive and clean, though the focus on sexualized imagery is a double-edged sword. While eye candy has long been part of certain horror manga aesthetics, the overemphasis on nudity and idealized bodies feels gratuitous at times, especially when it overshadows the narrative or interrupts otherwise tense scenes. The female characters, in particular, are frequently posed or framed in ways that diminish their gravitas.
Naoki Serizawa’s artwork is visually gripping, marked by sharp detailing, dynamic action, and a gritty aesthetic that suits the Resident Evil universe. His ability to render gory violence is a clear strength, and the alien, grotesque quality of the infected fits seamlessly with the franchise’s legacy of body horror. The killer’s design and the alien transformations are striking and memorably grotesque. However, Serizawa’s direction often undermines itself with gratuitous fanservice—overt sexualization and unnecessary nudity frequently distract from the suspense and horror, shifting the tone toward exploitation. Despite that, his panel layouts are clear and effective, and his environments—from island jungles to crumbling ruins—are immersive and atmospheric, helping ground the chaos in a believable setting.
The backgrounds and settings are richly illustrated, giving the tropical island an eerie and deceptively serene beauty. Lighting and shading are used effectively to heighten both mood and action, especially during nighttime or underground scenes where visibility and fear of the unknown play a role.
Overall, the artwork delivers the horror and action expected of a Biohazard title, even if the fanservice occasionally undercuts the tension.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Verdict
In the end, Biohazard: Heavenly Island, Volume 1 starts strong with high-stakes violence and beautifully detailed art but lacks compelling character depth. Claire Redfield’s minimal role is disappointing, and the rest of the cast struggles to leave a mark. While the gore and horror are on point, predictable twists and gratuitous fanservice weaken the narrative. Biohazard: Heavenly Island, Volume 1 gets 3 out of 5.
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