Spoiler Alert!
A very deep entry with many layers of meaning, some making more sense thematically than others. On some levels it adds but some it takes. Let’s frame ‘Sand’ as addiction (to anything really), for most of the plot it was about trying to resist the ‘Sand’ and MC slowly giving in. But then out of nowhere there’s just Owl that uses ‘Sand’ seemingly normal while Cam still bears the consequences? Changing/Projecting emotions is also another thing that (imo) clashes with this concept. Sidenote, is that long scene of the wolf necessary because maybe you could’ve gotten the point across with the same impact in less words.
It felt like the base concept is one thing and then the world was add on as you progress through the story, without fully sorting the conflict in functions between new plot points with each other.
Presentation wise, I fell in love with the artstyle. It’s just so peak. The representation of the emotions is also a cool concept, and sometimes without words you can still see what can be communicated (this happens a few times where the color flashes without clear narrative of what the emotion is).
For the theme, the ‘light’ should either be the fire beetle or the wolf, or a broader, more twisted interpretation of the ‘Sand’s addiction granting pleasure. ‘dark’ is probably the despair in the people waiting to be saved. Overall, I love this idea, works really well!
P.S I need a man like Goat Monk. Would, so would.
Rating: 4455
Edit: Rebalancing of rating to 5455