This is, at least up to the latest chapter I read (28), a great lesson in how to create suspense by merging horror with good pacing, mystery, comedy and not a small measure of good writing. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece yet (as any series can go straight to hell if not handled properly) but I am giving it a 10 for being a light read which manages to blend levity and tension, comedy and creepiness, drama and lightheartedness all without any of it feeling out of place.
The author knows how to use horror, humor and heart to keep one on the edge of their seats. A chapter that starts with what looks like a horrifying situation might end with a sincerely heartwarming conclusion or what looks like a comedic situation can, through prolonged exposure to the absurdity of it all in a mundane setting, start taking a creepy or downright frightening turn as realization starts to dawn on both the protagonist and the reader.
The intrusion of the supernatural on the normal and mundane recognizable world and the constant threat of the balance between the two being broken by a stray stare or a misplaced word makes the act of merely going to school, enjoying a meal, taking a bus or attending class seem like the most tense activities one can undergo.
The real accomplishment, however, is that never do any of the mood changes feel whiplash-inducing. As the series started, the gap between the premise and the protagonist, Miko's reactions was amusing in its own but as it goes on it started being rather uncomfortable to consider the never-ending anxiety Miko is constantly subjected to. To its credit it never gets overbearing and the unpredictability of what road any particular story is headed down makes it fun to follow along.
Character work is good as well, with the main 3 girls being pretty likable in their own ways with Miko being a pretty classic hero (kind, self-sacrificing and with a will of steel while still understandably frightened of her current situation), Hana being a beacon of light (for both the spirits roaming around and feeding on her energy as well as poor Miko) and Julia being adorkable when it comes to making friends while also woefully under-equipped for and underestimating the danger she's in on a daily basis.
By chapter 28 we've gone through the basic characterization and world building phase and the story is starting to open up a bit. I have great hopes that this will be a good read but for anyone drawn to either the comedy or horror tags on their own, know that this work seems to be leading more toward the mystery and supernatural. It's not a screwball comedy nor is it a Junji Ito work so don't expect a lot of laughs nor a lot of frights but it's still worth a shot if a fan of either genre.
All in all, it's a light read that entertains but doesn't go to the extremes of killing off characters (as far as we can see at least) or torture its leads (and readers) with constant anguish. I'm eagerly awaiting to see where it goes from here.