I thought it was good but not amazing.
I don’t read much of this genre but I'm into horror/psychological movies and things like that.I read something similar to this beforehand too. If my reading order had been reversed I'm sure I would have found this more fascinating.
It’s about two students who have an interest in death and murder. They take interest in several cases of serial killings in the general area. The story portrays the different reactions and interactions of the two main characters with each incident. It consists of four separate cases, one of them being related to Yoru's past. It’s full of gore, psychological theory, and a few twist.
I guess you can say the plot gives you three perspectives. Itsuki: the perspective of someone with the capability of being a killer, witnessing the work of another killer. The killer[s]: the perspective and inner thoughts of a killer, some even as they execute their work. And Yoru: the perspective of a naive, curious girl with a troubled past.
The main character, Itsuki, isn’t anything new for me at least. I've seen a few adaptations of the apathetic, dangerous, murder capable individual. Itsuki is never explained, has left completely vague. Nothing towards his past is really ever reveled, he is just a character born completely apathetic to emotion. He is able to appear as if he fits in to society, while consciously knowing he is different. He’s twisted, manipulative in some ways, and just downright creepy. Yoru's character is pretty original and interesting. Her past is defiantly an original story. I thought that that case was probably the closest thing to realism in the manga as a whole. Her character is explained and actually somewhat relatable, I can accept it to some understanding. I don’t think the cut on her wrist was ever explained though, maybe that was left for you to interpret indicating a dark past. I just thought since it was such a focus in the first case and Itsuki’s fascination with Yoru, it would be explained or at least used somewhere else in the story. I have some issues with the realism [I will explain further] but for Yoru, how often this girl gets kidnapped or watched, really now?
Yoru’s character being naive or just choosing to disregard the true danger that lies in Itsuki seems like a debated topic. I chose to believe she is just naive to Itsuki’s true capably. In the first case about the severed hands, Yoru seems more in control. As time progresses you can see Itsuki is truly the one in control, he enjoys keeping her close and toying with the idea of one day killing her. Yoru seems to view him more as a companion than a possible threat.
Now the realism, I guess the way the story is put together bothers me. It’s just not realistic in the least...how many serial killers exist in general first off, let alone around the same place, within the time span of a few years. On top of that how likely is it that the same people keep encountering them? They were interested in the cases but it’s not like they went out into society, actively looking to solve them. They would have some sort of run-in with the murderer and things would just fall into place. I get the whole idea the author was trying to display but I think it could have been pretty awesome if made into something that could actually happen.
I think the plot is an interesting idea, I haven’t read anything quite like it. I would have liked it if there was more left for you to figure out. The murders involved in these cases were unique in their own but I felt like I was just reading about murders, no real thought or problem solving involved, the story kind of does it for you.
Its a good read, I'd recommended it. Would I read it again? No. I would read the novel if i thought it would be any better depicting or creating suspense but I think I'll pass on it
Story: 7 [good]
Art: 8 [very good, considered a 9 for being graphically daring]
Character: 9 [great]
Enjoyment: 7 [good]
Overall: 7 [good]
