This ethereal story is not only aesthetically pleasing, it's also filled with heart-wrenching moments, surreal tales & philosophical lessons.
Combining horror, mysticism and wisdom into a stirring tale of love, dreams and hope. Petshop of horrors is a spellbinding & thought-provoking episodic story. The concept itself is intriguing; a peculiar petshop in the uncanny alleys of Chinatown owned by a mystical & unfathomable young man, the aesthetic is captivating ; the graceful beauty of Chinatown, the magical designs of the characters & the compelling gothic atmosphere.
Akino Matsuri's masterpiece delves into the very depths of the tormented soul, portraying the anguish of a devastated heart. The story is thematically rich & plentiful. It explores a variety of interesting topics, from loneliness, to grief to obsession. Moreover, it deals with many sensitive issues such as depression & suicide.
Along side the varied and sensitive topics, the story as a whole is heavily influenced by environmental themes. The environmental matter is manifested through animal figures & natural elements. Although the story doesn't emphasis the environmental commentary directly , it's evident & clearly observable in each story.
The art is enchanting, the characters are profound & complex despite the episodic structure of the story. Count D, Selectively, is a rather interesting & mysterious person, and as you thoroughly tackle the everlasting beauty & ambiguity of the petshop of horrors, the vague & enigmatic persona of D slowly and steadily comes to light.
I am deeply saddened by the unpopularity of this manga despite its distinct art, good story & rich themes. In conclusion, it's a very touching and clever story with good horror aspects.
