Review: HELENA AND MR. BIG BAD WOLF, Vol. 1 delivers an emotional gut punch with heartfelt storytelling

Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf, Vol. 1

Writer: BliSS
Artist: BliSS
Publisher: YenPress
Localization: Yen Press
Genre: Drama

Spoilers: This review contains spoilers for BliSS‘s Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf. I received a free copy from Yen Press in exchange for a review.

Helena has always found her strength through stories. When her father left and didn’t come home one night, and when Arthur, her only brother, got into an accident…reading and creating stories was what kept Helena going. By a stroke of luck, she attends an autograph signing of her favorite author, Mr. Big Bad Wolf, and the two grow closer, bonding over their shared love for storybooks. The cold, reserved man with a wolf head is shrouded in mystery, but perhaps he has a gentler side only Helena can see…

BliSS’s Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf is an emotionally charged manhua about trauma, loss, and the power of storytelling to heal. With breathtaking art and an engaging narrative, this story tugs at the heartstrings while offering a message of resilience and hope.

The story begins with young Helena setting a duck free in a river, perhaps unaware that it belongs to her younger brother, Alfred. Upset, Alfred confronts her, and their mother scolds her for acting without permission. In an effort to make amends, Helena tries to gift Alfred a fox plush and later draws him a picture of a family of ducks. Their bond remains strong, but Alfred’s innocent question—”Wouldn’t you be sad if something you liked disappeared?”—hints at the heartache to come.

One day, while exploring, the siblings spot a fox with its mother. This moment leads them to wonder if their father will return or if he will “be like their mom.” The tragic answer unfolds as their mother’s passing is revealed, and their father mysteriously vanishes. As hunger sets in and their attempts to seek help fail, the police arrive, strongly implying that their father may have died—possibly by suicide, though later speculation suggests an accident. With no family left, the children are taken to an orphanage.

On Alfred’s birthday, he wishes for their family to be reunited, and Helena vows to become a picture book author so they can have a home of their own. However, tragedy strikes when Alfred and his adoptive family are in a car accident. With his condition dire, Helena copes by escaping into stories, particularly The Scientist and the Giant by her favorite author, the elusive Mr. Big Bad Wolf.

Helena’s passion for literature leads her to win a contest to meet Mr. Big Bad Wolf. Due to his reclusive nature, Mr. Big Bad Wolf struggles to connect with the audience. However, Helena’s enthusiasm charms his editor, who believes she might be just what Mr. Big Bad Wolf needs to overcome his slump. When Helena later runs away from the orphanage, she encounters the editor again, who takes her to the author’s home. Though initially reluctant, Mr. Big Bad Wolf softens after learning she is an orphan.

A pivotal moment occurs when Helena’s teacher, Melrose, recognizes Mr. Big Bad Wolf as Landen, her childhood friend who vanished years ago. Landen reluctantly agrees to volunteer at the orphanage, where he encourages the children to express their feelings through art. Inspired by the theme of “wishes,” Helena recalls the painful past with her family and breaks down, realizing her love for storytelling stems from wanting to bring happiness to Alfred.

The story also delves into Landen’s painful past, revealing an abusive childhood where art was his only escape. As an adult, he struggles with social interaction and self-worth. Encouraged by his editor, he attends a literary event, where praise from fellow authors overwhelms him. Wrestling with his fears, he resolves to keep creating, believing his work will ultimately save him.

Meanwhile, Helena learns a devastating truth—Alfred has been dead for some time. Overcome with grief, she runs away once more. The volume ends on this emotional cliffhanger, leaving readers eager for what comes next.

Beyond its gripping narrative, Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf excels in its visual storytelling. BliSS masterfully shifts between art styles. Every scene flows seamlessly, making for an immersive reading experience.

As someone who typically reads isekai, villainess, and BL stories, this manhua was a refreshing change. The depth of its storytelling and the emotional weight of its themes left a lasting impression. I was moved to tears multiple times and found myself reflecting on its messages of perseverance, grief, and the healing power of stories.

Surprisingly, Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf originated in Taiwan, yet it hasn’t been widely promoted as a manhua. Regardless, its universal themes make it a must-read for anyone who enjoys emotionally compelling narratives and found family tropes.

In short, this is a story I’ll be recommending—and gifting—to friends. If you love heartfelt, beautifully illustrated stories, don’t miss Helena and Mr. Big Bad Wolf.