Nov 20, 2024
This is most definitely an underrated gem of a manga. It is a shame it is not rated higher. Very solid entry in the mystery/psychological genre while somehow being a romance. It manages to pull it off, making it a very refreshing read.
Beautifully strange, messed up, and engrossing all at the same time.
If you are hesitant, I insist you give this a try—it’s well worth it.
I am including a more detailed synopsis & review below.
SYNOPSIS
Arata Natsume (ML), a former delinquent, is a proud bachelor & government worker who helps troubled youth. One of his wards, Takuta, had his father murdered by Shinju Shinagawa (FL), the
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infamous "Shinagawa Pierrot.” Rumored to be a fat, ill-dentured serial killer, she was caught by police while dismembering a body. For two years, only mystery surrounded the details of her crimes and corpses. With the severed head of Takuta's father still missing, Arata goes to visit this detained murderer for information, only for her to brush him off. Desperate to get answers, Arata exclaims that he wants to marry her.
REVIEW
Story [8/10]: At its core, it's a crime drama. The latter half functions as a drama/romance with some weird twists. You start reading to learn more about the FL’s past, but along the way, you get swept and carried by the romantic tension between the ML/FL. The story is equally capable of both intense scenes and touching moments that get to you. Near the end, it gets muddled, but it sticks the landing.
Characters [8/10]: Much of the focus is on the ML/FL, who are the most fleshed-out. The ML is an archetypal delinquent with righteous, strong convictions. But, it works as great foil with the FL’s completely unhinged, unpredictable personality. You aren't exactly sure what she will do or what anything will come out of her mouth. Their dynamic starts as a shallow game of deception & manipulation, but it develops into something much deeper. There is some fault with the side characters where some backstories / questions kind of left up in the air; but, each of them play an important role in the main story.
Art [10/10]: The covers on this thing are beautiful. A lot of the faces are extremely well-detailed and expressive. What is interesting is that some character moments are intentionally drawn to be off-putting but it is done to express the candidness of emotion. There are a few panels/2-page spreads that are damn glorious. I will quickly point out there is slightly suggestive artwork, especially in the extra covers/omake; however, the explicit moments in the main story are done tastefully.
Enjoyment [10/10]: I am an absolute sucker for twisted, dark, or perverted drama. A lot of stories in this genre have poorly disguised fetishism or shallow plots. But, I found each chapter of this thing enjoyable. A lot of things were unexpected, but satisfying and well set up. I was NEVER bored, even when it was just dialogue.
The biggest letdown of the manga is that the English translation isn't completed.
TLDR: Natsume the goat 8.5/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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