Akira Nikaido is a laidback and rather cynical high-school kid. So much so that when a mysterious man named Shirogane shows up in front of him claiming to be a shadow, Akira naturally assumes the man's a total nutcase (then again, who wouldn't?). Big mistake, as Akira soon finds himself caught up in the affairs of a mirror world he never knew existed when he is ambushed by Kokuchi - creatures of darkness from the Shadow Realm. On the verge of death, Shirogane revives him as a Shin, and Akira learns that the Shadow Realm is slowly encroaching upon the human domain! Now literally trapped as a 'shadow' of his former shelf, Akira must seek to restore balance between the two worlds, while struggling with his new powers as a Shin and staying 'human' in front of his friends... But will being entangled in both worlds blur the difference between the world of light and the realm of darkness? Why was Akira chosen to fight the Kokuchi? Just who is Shirogane, and what other secrets has he to hide? Monochrome Factor may seem like any other straightforward 'kid attains superpowers to battle creatures from parallel world' manga genre on the surface, but things are not always so black and white. Delve deeper into the story and uncover the subtle hints... there is still a world that has yet to unravel...