Satisfaction Guaranteed 1

Satisfaction Guaranteed #1

by Ryo Saenagi

Shima and Kaori are teenage detectives with their own odd-jobs agency, Anything Inc.

Genres: Manga, Mystery

216 pages, Paperback

First published July 11, 2006

Reviews

[Audiophile · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one just wasn't for me. I found most of the characters to be kind of obnoxious, there were a few just offhand comments that I really did not agree with morally, and I also think there might have been something just a little bit wonky with the English translation? Every now and then stuff was said that just didn't make sense. Also, it was an awful lot less gay than I thought it was going to be so... that was disappointing.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun.

[anenko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shima is a jack-of-all-trades working for his own company, the Anything Agency. In practice, this means that Shima acts as a detective, solving problems both small and large. Kaori is a successful male model with a split-personality called Kyo. He contacts Shima because he is receiving disturbing "fan" letters. By the time Shima solves the case, the two young men have become fast friends, and partners in Anything, Inc.: "We won't need to run away if we watch each other's backs."

Volume one was solid, but unremarkable. Each mystery is wrapped up within a single chapter, so the weight of the series rests on Shima and Kaori's relationship. As the first chapter of volume one already carried them from strangers to best friends, the author plays with subtext as an extra hook to keep readers engaged in their relationship: "I can't stand the thought of losing you. [ . . .] Sorry. Was that too gay for you?"

Shima reads as a stereotype. While older than Kaori, he is smaller and cuter, with large, round eyes. In the first volume alone, Shima has reason to dress as a girl twice. While Shima is the "brains" of Anything Inc., and the more experienced partner when it comes to solving cases, he is often overcome by emotion, and driven to tears--be it because of the memories of his tragic past, or because Kaori depended on his alter-ego in a life-threatening situation rather than on Shima: "I'm just bummed you turned into Kyo. . . You said you didn't need him now that you have me."

While not bad, I was not overly impressed with this volume. Until an overarching story arc develops, I would most likely not bother picking up another volume of this series.

[Emilie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was quite predictable, and I didn't find anything about the story, art, or characters to be particularly original or engaging. It had some cute and funny moments, but it was ultimately very forgettable. I'd say it's fine for a light, entertaining read, if you're in the mood for that, but I would stick to borrowing it and not waste the money to buy it.

[Skye (Skye's Scribblings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two cute boys (one a model with a split personality) solving the mysterious problems of those who hire the Anything Inc. agency. Some comedy with lots of action. Nothing special, but an entertaining enough read. May continue the series.

[Annchan Maulana · Rating 3 out of 5]

forget the story :p but its quite entertaining ^^