Petshop of Horrors

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Not counting this manga, I've written 77 reviews. Of those 77 reviews, I've only given 6 of them a 10/10 score. The reason being that for a show to be a masterpiece, in my eyes, it has to have a satisfying ending that wraps up the themes of the work. Petshop of Horrors does that.

The premise is simple. Some random guy owns a pet shop in Chinatown that's linked to a lot of murders. No one has proof that his shop is responsible for the murders, only that a lot of the people who were killed were patrons of that ... shop. Leon is a detective that's determined to prove that the owner of the shop is a criminal, and he wants to arrest him.

Though the summary is definitely not the story. The story is about the nature of humans. Humans are destructive, they're cruel, they're greedy, they're jealous, they're prideful, etc. People want to know everything, that's represented by the detective. They want to solve every mystery. If they don't understand something, then they call it evil. It's why there's racism, xenophobia, discrimination against different religions, etc. However, don't assume that this is just something that trashes humans. Within this work is the great actions of humans. Their selfless nature, need to make things right, their love, their devotion, etc. All of these traits are shown in different stories and play off of each other. The ending wraps up these themes and ends in a beautiful way that shows that the cycle is never broken. The next generation will fall into those same patterns, because that's the very nature of humanity. It juxtaposes this theme by even bringing in religion. Comparing reincarnation to generational patterns. Once again, people repeat the same patterns of their family, a generational curse. The curse that will be passed down from grandmother to mother to daughter.

"After the child [learned to talk again] he left paradise. Never to return again." That line, right there was the reason I rated this a 10/10 masterpiece, along with the ending. It's once again the talk of religion, a metaphor with the garden of Eden. Once you open up Pandora's Box or eat the Fruit of Knowledge, you can never return to paradise again.

I seriously can't recommend this series enough. If you're into horror, there will be a few stories up your alley. Stories of ghosts, vampires, killings, etc. Though even if you aren't a fan of horror, there's still a lot to enjoy in this story. It's a story that can be enjoyed by everyone. It's a 10/10 masterpiece with gorgeous art and it's easy for everyone to enjoy. So what are you waiting for?! Read the story and buy the volumes!

Step inside and feel welcome as you enter Count D's were the pet of your dreams await, just be sure to follow the contract carefully, otherwise, you'll face an unpleasant surprise. This describes Petshop of Horrors in a nutshell, it's a simple premise that may not seem for much at first, but never fails to surprise you, as soon as it starts getting repetitive, it may pull something you didn't expect to the point it's starts getting hard to even call this a horror Manga after a while, as stories range from tragic romances to political crime thrillers, and morals delivered in a crude way ... to genuinely learning things about other cultures, all wrapped in a nuanced insight on human nature full of plot twists you'll never see coming.

The characters do a great job growing on you too, Count D has a great air of mystery surrounding him, you never quite know what he is or where he's come from until the final arc., Leon has a great chemistry with him too, they truly feel like friends near the end even if they won't admit it, true Tsundere vibes. Halfway through they introduce Leon's brother, Chris, he's one of the best child characters and the Manga only gets better after his introduction.

The artwork is great too, ir's very detailed and sets the atmosphere perfectly, although I noticed that it tends to reuse the same art for establishing shots a lot, not only trought the same chapter, but throught the entire series, especially in the latter half.

Overall I recommend this series, not every story is great, I admit it can get a little boring sometimes, but I guarantee that each 50 pages will feel like 25 when you read it. Your experience at Count D's shop is one you'll never forget.

A fantastic horror manga with mystery elements, supernatural creatures & a comedic tone?
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.