Manga Review: In/Spectre, Volume 4, by Kyo Shirodaira and Chashiba Katase

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: May 2017

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The new mystery thriller with a romantic edge from the creator of Blast of Tempest, and The Record of a Fallen Vampire!
Both touched by spirits called yokai, Kotoko and Kuro have gained unique superhuman powers. But to gain her powers Kotoko has given up an eye and a leg, and Kuro's personal life is in shambles. So when Kotoko suggests they team up to deal with renegades from the spirit world, Kuro doesn't have many other choices, but Kotoko might just have a few ulterior motives..."

Review:

The murder sets this case on a much higher level, both for the coverage it gets, the theories around it, and the power it gives the ghost. It's a very bad outcome so far.

As Kotoko is trying to figure out how to spin this story and create their own conclusion and reason to decrease the current popular theory, we get some flashbacks. Because Kuro's cousin is apparently directly involved—the cousin that was in the hospital, who Kuro clearly had a history of some kind with. This leads to some revelations for Saki regarding her relationship with Kuro and his relationship with Kotoko.

It clears up some questions from the beginning of the series, and possibly some between their relationships.

I really like the ideology behind this series. The idea of a fandom online creating a ghost much like yokai is quite thought-provoking, and I like the use of modern methods being put to old-time theories. All of the explanations are really interesting to me, smart and well-thought out.

I'm excited to see where this goes next. I'm enjoying all of the text-heavy explanations and theories more than I thought I would, plus I like seeing the humor and reprieve between it all.