What do you think?
Rate this book
闇の末裔 [Yami no Matsuei] #3
Descendants of Darkness, Volume 3
The business of Death is never done. Asato Tsuzuki works as a Shinigami, or "Guardian o Death," in the Ministry of Hades. It's his duty to make sure that the souls of the dead reach the afterlife, but contrary ghosts and humanity's evils keep getting in the way of a job well done. With all these problem assignments, will he ever get a bonus...or will he be stuck paying back damages for all eternity?
The business of death is never simple. Booked on a cruise ship headed for Hong Kong, Asato Tsuzuki finds himself entangled in yet another one of Dr. Muraki's nefarious schemes.
There's a killer on the loose and corpses are piling up at an alarming rate. Tsuzuki immediately suspects his old nemesis is somehow involved. But his theory falls apart when Muraki unexpectedly becomes one of the murderer's victims.
The business of death is never simple. Booked on a cruise ship headed for Hong Kong, Asato Tsuzuki finds himself entangled in yet another one of Dr. Muraki's nefarious schemes.
There's a killer on the loose and corpses are piling up at an alarming rate. Tsuzuki immediately suspects his old nemesis is somehow involved. But his theory falls apart when Muraki unexpectedly becomes one of the murderer's victims.
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Yoko Matsushita
17 books43 followersYoko Matsushita (松下 容子) is a mangaka best known for the supernatural series Yami no Matsuei (published in English as Descendants of Darkness).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 7, 2018
I don't feel that this installment made a ton of sense. Last time Dr Muraki was a powerful supernatural creature, but he is also somehow this family's long-term doctor (where did he find the time?) and also a "normal" villain engaged in for-profit illegal but also a vampire? Tsuzuki seems inadequately hostile to him given his past actions, especially him being the person who , which is shown more graphically this time. <-- read if you want a trigger warning
And why the half-ass unnecessary inclusion of the Tarot? Who interrupted the communication? Did Hisoka actually care for Tsubaki?
But I still like the main characters and sometimes it is funny.
And why the half-ass unnecessary inclusion of the Tarot? Who interrupted the communication? Did Hisoka actually care for Tsubaki?
But I still like the main characters and sometimes it is funny.
April 30, 2025
Oddly enough, this was the volume that reminded me of the series and had me reading it again after 15+ years, yet it was my least favorite of the bunch. Maybe it's because I just don't like the doctor. Not because he's "evil" or anything, there's just nothing really likable about him in any aspect. This is coming from a professional villain lover haha
June 7, 2018
People are going missing from Hong Kong. They’re not dying when they’re supposed to. These discrepencies are connected with a cruise line which travels between Japan and Tokyo, the Queen Camellia. Shinigami Asato Tsuzuki and Hisoka Kurosaki are sent on board to investigate, undercover.
The situation becames more complex when a series of murders begins, involving Tarot cards and messages addressed to a young girl, Tsubaki, daughter of the cruise ship’s owner. To make matters even more complicated, her personal doctor is none other than Tsuzuki and Hisoka’s old nemesis, Kazutaka Muraki. Reawakening Hisoka’s nightmarish memories of him and doing all he can to crawl into Tsuzuki’s bed by fair means or foul, Muraki seems capable of anything. More than capable of committing the murders on the ship. Only he adds to the mystery by dying in a bed of roses, left with a Tarot card himself.
What is going on the Queen Camellia? Which one of the elite passengers is the killer? How can Hisoka keep himself detached when his own dark intimacy with Muraki mingles with Tsubaki’s love for her doctor, binding the two of them closer together? What can Tsuzuki do for his partner when he’s in such emotional turmoil?
Artwork, plot, and character development all reached a new level in this volume. Hisoka’s strength, vulnerability, and his curse at Muraki’s hands were all beautifully depicted. The meld of his memories and emotions with Tsubaki’s, their feelings about Muraki showed the tragic side effects of Hisoka’s powers in action, deepening the bond between them. Hisoka’s own response to Muraki, how he first sensed Muraki on board the ship, and the power of Muraki’s curse were some of the most darkly sensuous panels shown in this series yet. Equally dark and sensual were the moments between Tsuzuki and Muraki, where Muraki reveals just how much he desires Tsuzuki’s body and life force. The angelic/demonic elements of Muraki, even when lying dead, his relationships with certain characters symbolized by flowers (roses for Tsuzuki, sakura blossoms for Hisoka, and camellias for Tsubaki) added an additional level of depth to the artwork. The murders were gruesomely aesthetic, providing a menacing background against which Tsuzuki and Hisoka could shine, Muraki presiding over all like an angel, a demon, a ghost, a vampire, and a master sorcerer all at once. Throughout the plot, Tsuzuki and Hisoka’s bond grew, becoming more tender until the last panels, which left the impression of the ultimate love story of the entire sequence was between the two of them.
For beautiful, complex artwork, playing out a symbolic storyline in time with a tight, main plot, developing and deepening the characters in the process, this gets four stars.
The situation becames more complex when a series of murders begins, involving Tarot cards and messages addressed to a young girl, Tsubaki, daughter of the cruise ship’s owner. To make matters even more complicated, her personal doctor is none other than Tsuzuki and Hisoka’s old nemesis, Kazutaka Muraki. Reawakening Hisoka’s nightmarish memories of him and doing all he can to crawl into Tsuzuki’s bed by fair means or foul, Muraki seems capable of anything. More than capable of committing the murders on the ship. Only he adds to the mystery by dying in a bed of roses, left with a Tarot card himself.
What is going on the Queen Camellia? Which one of the elite passengers is the killer? How can Hisoka keep himself detached when his own dark intimacy with Muraki mingles with Tsubaki’s love for her doctor, binding the two of them closer together? What can Tsuzuki do for his partner when he’s in such emotional turmoil?
Artwork, plot, and character development all reached a new level in this volume. Hisoka’s strength, vulnerability, and his curse at Muraki’s hands were all beautifully depicted. The meld of his memories and emotions with Tsubaki’s, their feelings about Muraki showed the tragic side effects of Hisoka’s powers in action, deepening the bond between them. Hisoka’s own response to Muraki, how he first sensed Muraki on board the ship, and the power of Muraki’s curse were some of the most darkly sensuous panels shown in this series yet. Equally dark and sensual were the moments between Tsuzuki and Muraki, where Muraki reveals just how much he desires Tsuzuki’s body and life force. The angelic/demonic elements of Muraki, even when lying dead, his relationships with certain characters symbolized by flowers (roses for Tsuzuki, sakura blossoms for Hisoka, and camellias for Tsubaki) added an additional level of depth to the artwork. The murders were gruesomely aesthetic, providing a menacing background against which Tsuzuki and Hisoka could shine, Muraki presiding over all like an angel, a demon, a ghost, a vampire, and a master sorcerer all at once. Throughout the plot, Tsuzuki and Hisoka’s bond grew, becoming more tender until the last panels, which left the impression of the ultimate love story of the entire sequence was between the two of them.
For beautiful, complex artwork, playing out a symbolic storyline in time with a tight, main plot, developing and deepening the characters in the process, this gets four stars.
April 23, 2016
I really dislike the fact they don't fight Muraki when they see him. Cover be damned. If I couldn't kill him I would still try. I guess they aren't exactly ghost cops but it just seemed too calm and silly when they saw him.
September 29, 2017
This volume is great, but also tough to read, mostly for Hisoka's sake.
I find his backstory moving, and compelling, but it hurts, and it sucks, and I feel for the poor kid. But on the same note, I'm really glad that he has Tsuzuki now and that there's someone he can trust, because he needs it, he definitely needs someone who can fight for him, and make him feel safe, and hey, in the last volume, he was there for Tsuzuki, so good on them.
The creepy Dr. Muraki makes his return, and that guy is just downright evil and sociopathic. Although I will say he's well written, because I love to hate him.
This volume ought to have a trigger warning for sexual assault though, and while it doesn't take up a HUGE part of the story, the creepy subtext is there as long as Muraki is, which is the whole time basically, and with the tarot murders it makes for a rather macabre feeling plot this time around.
I will say also, that towards the end, I really like the direction that Hisoka and Tsuzuki's relationship is heading (I ship them), because I think Hisoka needs someone to rely on, to trust who can help him heal and get over the pretty recent trauma of his human death and the circumstances thereof, and Tsuzuki needs someone to protect and care for who can help him forgive himself for HIS past shit. So I think together, they can make each other better, and I'd like to see that.
I find his backstory moving, and compelling, but it hurts, and it sucks, and I feel for the poor kid. But on the same note, I'm really glad that he has Tsuzuki now and that there's someone he can trust, because he needs it, he definitely needs someone who can fight for him, and make him feel safe, and hey, in the last volume, he was there for Tsuzuki, so good on them.
The creepy Dr. Muraki makes his return, and that guy is just downright evil and sociopathic. Although I will say he's well written, because I love to hate him.
This volume ought to have a trigger warning for sexual assault though, and while it doesn't take up a HUGE part of the story, the creepy subtext is there as long as Muraki is, which is the whole time basically, and with the tarot murders it makes for a rather macabre feeling plot this time around.
I will say also, that towards the end, I really like the direction that Hisoka and Tsuzuki's relationship is heading (I ship them), because I think Hisoka needs someone to rely on, to trust who can help him heal and get over the pretty recent trauma of his human death and the circumstances thereof, and Tsuzuki needs someone to protect and care for who can help him forgive himself for HIS past shit. So I think together, they can make each other better, and I'd like to see that.
June 29, 2018
The 3rd volume only have one main arc. This time, the story takes our favorite pair (plus the Gushoshin) on board of the Queen Camellia, a luxury cruising ship. Hisoka is pretending to be the son of a rich C.E.O, while Tsuzuki is a card dealer in the boat casino. It also the return of Dr.Muraki (who is up to no good).
Murders start the happen and the victim if left with a tarot card. Tsubaki, the daughter of the ship owner also starts to receive cryptic letters from an admirer.
Muraki is still a creep and totally obsess with Tsuzuki. It is a good thing that Hisoka is there to the rescue.
The young Shinigami is much more emotional here. I like the fact that we him in a vulnerable state. The prove that the boy is not always harsh and cold.
The finale was beautiful. The partnership between Hisoka & Tsuzuki is slowly growing and the two finally start to realize that they need each other.
Murders start the happen and the victim if left with a tarot card. Tsubaki, the daughter of the ship owner also starts to receive cryptic letters from an admirer.
Muraki is still a creep and totally obsess with Tsuzuki. It is a good thing that Hisoka is there to the rescue.
The young Shinigami is much more emotional here. I like the fact that we him in a vulnerable state. The prove that the boy is not always harsh and cold.
The finale was beautiful. The partnership between Hisoka & Tsuzuki is slowly growing and the two finally start to realize that they need each other.
December 28, 2018
This volume features one story called the Sword of K, and with it comes the return of Muraki from the dead, much to Tsuzuki’s dismay and Hisoka’s disgust.
The duo have been sent to investigate why people from Hong King have been going missing on a luxury cruise liner. Once on board, however, murders start taking place, which along with Muraki showing up, distract them from their objective.
I liked the last few chapters the most out of this story, as you start to see the affection Tsuzuki and Hisoka have for each other. However, I really don’t like Muraki’s sexual harassment of Hisoka and Tsuzuki, it makes me feel very uncomfortable so I can’t give 5 stars. 4 stars
The duo have been sent to investigate why people from Hong King have been going missing on a luxury cruise liner. Once on board, however, murders start taking place, which along with Muraki showing up, distract them from their objective.
I liked the last few chapters the most out of this story, as you start to see the affection Tsuzuki and Hisoka have for each other. However, I really don’t like Muraki’s sexual harassment of Hisoka and Tsuzuki, it makes me feel very uncomfortable so I can’t give 5 stars. 4 stars
February 11, 2020
Cruise liner that is also a floating illegal organ harvesting operation is the next stop for our two investigators. Dr Muraki is in the middle of it all again.
When the VIP passengers all start showing up murdered, Tsuzuki and Hisoka investigate while also trying to solve the mystery of why there is an extra name on the manifest as well as why peole are not dying when they are supposed to. Things get more complicated when they can't contact the Bureau...
Well, is was alright. This volume had a tiny bit more detail in it in the way of interaction between Tsuzuki and Muraki then the anime, but not much was different.
When the VIP passengers all start showing up murdered, Tsuzuki and Hisoka investigate while also trying to solve the mystery of why there is an extra name on the manifest as well as why peole are not dying when they are supposed to. Things get more complicated when they can't contact the Bureau...
Well, is was alright. This volume had a tiny bit more detail in it in the way of interaction between Tsuzuki and Muraki then the anime, but not much was different.
July 28, 2019
Another reread. I ended up giving this "only" four stars mostly because sometimes I was really confused about the story (might be just my fault for not paying enough attention) and characters (who is who). I notice in these mangas that I'm having hard time choosing what text bubble I should read next but I'm not letting that to lessen my enjoyment. I still love Tsuzuki, like Hisoka and think that Muraki is one creepy f****er...
June 11, 2024
Look, all I remember is that 13 year old me was OBSESSED with this book despite having never touched the other volumes of the story. And I mean
OBSESSED
. I should really reread it honestly; it's been so long, my copy mysteriously disappeared, and I think I eventually did read some of the volumes but in my pirating days (to which I don't remember a lot of manga I read or where I ended them at).
October 11, 2025
3.75/5⭐️
Love a classic murder mystery in an isolated space.
Not as good as the previous volumes imo because it wasn’t as gory and gruesome. And Muraki coming back was kinda weak writing. But he does make a good villain.
Love a classic murder mystery in an isolated space.
Not as good as the previous volumes imo because it wasn’t as gory and gruesome. And Muraki coming back was kinda weak writing. But he does make a good villain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2017
AMAZING!!
May 10, 2018
This has my second favorite story arc so far!
July 27, 2021
In the anime adaptation, this volume was the episode that defined the series for me.
December 27, 2021
Another beautiful dark story.
June 3, 2022
Rating: 3.5
Still has some layout issues that make it sort of hard to follow, but the murder mystery was a lot of fun!
Still has some layout issues that make it sort of hard to follow, but the murder mystery was a lot of fun!
September 4, 2025
Ciąg dalszy perypetii, z tym że tym razem na statku. Aż się chce zawyć Statek miłości~~ proszę, wsiadajcie~~ Ale... nie. (A raczej nie do końca).
Mały romansik Tsuzukiego z Murakim przeobraża się w większy romansik, ale bez ekscesów, buziaków jeszcze ni ma. Za to jest dość odważna (jak na mangę dla dziewczynek) scenka Doktorka z Hisoką. I o ile Doktor wydawał się dla mnie sadystą, mordercą i biseksualistą, tak do tego zbioru dopisuję "pedofil" i mój pokrzywiony szacunek dla tej postaci rozbija się o podłogę.
Ktoś miał nie lada poczucie humoru, skoro postać główna w tej opowiastce nazwana została tak samo, jak pani Gautier. Swoją drogą prowadzi to do domysłów, czy panienka prowadzi równie wszeteczne życie, jednak w mandze jest tylko jedna scena, kiedy siedzi w koszulinie z mocnym dekoltem (i! i nawet nie ma blizny po transplantacji serca... ).
Ostatecznie i tak mordercą okazuje się... morderca. No kuźwa odkrywcze, przecież wiadomo było, że to wszystko ukartował on.
Mały romansik Tsuzukiego z Murakim przeobraża się w większy romansik, ale bez ekscesów, buziaków jeszcze ni ma. Za to jest dość odważna (jak na mangę dla dziewczynek) scenka Doktorka z Hisoką. I o ile Doktor wydawał się dla mnie sadystą, mordercą i biseksualistą, tak do tego zbioru dopisuję "pedofil" i mój pokrzywiony szacunek dla tej postaci rozbija się o podłogę.
Ktoś miał nie lada poczucie humoru, skoro postać główna w tej opowiastce nazwana została tak samo, jak pani Gautier. Swoją drogą prowadzi to do domysłów, czy panienka prowadzi równie wszeteczne życie, jednak w mandze jest tylko jedna scena, kiedy siedzi w koszulinie z mocnym dekoltem (i! i nawet nie ma blizny po transplantacji serca... ).
Ostatecznie i tak mordercą okazuje się... morderca. No kuźwa odkrywcze, przecież wiadomo było, że to wszystko ukartował on.
August 5, 2013
Wow this is a seriously dark and twisted volume. Tsuzuki and Hisoka are sent onto a casino cruise-ship bound for Hong Kong to investigate the high volume of humans dying before their time in HK. Evil Dr. Muraki (yes the guy who murdered and raped Hisoka) is onboard, but what is his involvement?
Not quite as good as the previous volume in terms of both art and story there's still a lot to enjoy. Muraki is a creepy sadistic villain and really steals the show. His pervy obsession with Tsuzuki is disturbing as is his bloody relationship with Hisoka. One of the best and most interesting villains I've come across in a manga for ages. Some nice slashable (though not blatant) relationship moments with our two heroes towards the end.
Serial murder, torture, rape, black market organ legging - it's all here. If you like your supernatural dark check this out.
Not quite as good as the previous volume in terms of both art and story there's still a lot to enjoy. Muraki is a creepy sadistic villain and really steals the show. His pervy obsession with Tsuzuki is disturbing as is his bloody relationship with Hisoka. One of the best and most interesting villains I've come across in a manga for ages. Some nice slashable (though not blatant) relationship moments with our two heroes towards the end.
Serial murder, torture, rape, black market organ legging - it's all here. If you like your supernatural dark check this out.
July 4, 2012
Warning for sexual assault and attempted sexual assault apply heavily on this one.
The base story is a good one - a mysterious ghost, questions of class and rank privilege, the way different people can view the same person differently based on their history and how that can cause conflict, all aboard the claustrophobic setting of an ocean liner at sea.
It's not that well played, however. The mangaka still seems to have some problems winding things down and whatever some of the side notes earlier might have said, this is a very yaoi book, and it serves that aspect of itself over a non-awkward resolution to a gory and sometimes really interesting crime story.
The base story is a good one - a mysterious ghost, questions of class and rank privilege, the way different people can view the same person differently based on their history and how that can cause conflict, all aboard the claustrophobic setting of an ocean liner at sea.
It's not that well played, however. The mangaka still seems to have some problems winding things down and whatever some of the side notes earlier might have said, this is a very yaoi book, and it serves that aspect of itself over a non-awkward resolution to a gory and sometimes really interesting crime story.
September 13, 2008
The whole manga consists of one story only, King of Swords, and it all takes place on a fancy liner. Until now, I always put YnM in the "non-yaoi" shelf but this one really crossed the line into BL and the subtext between Muraki and the boys became text, even though not overly graphic. Though it surprised me a bit how casually the mangaka treats sexual assaults...
September 14, 2012
Not as good as the first to, the art is just very jumbled I have a hard time distinguishing the characters especially in the action frames. Also there are some odd over done elements to the nemesis Muraki story line I think I prefer one shot stories about Tsuzuki and Hisoki than the bigger plot line.
June 1, 2015
Suspenseful, funny thrilling, sexy and beautifully drawn! My favorite volume yet - Muraki is so evil, but I think he's got to be my favorite at this point; he's so compelling! I'm really looking forward to reading more!
June 26, 2019
Volume con una classica serie di omicidi in un luogo chiuso, una nave in questo caso. Si viene a sapere di più sul passato di Hisoka, ci sono delle battute compromettenti tra Muraki e Tsuzuki e ci sono le bellissime scene finali tra Tsuzuki e Hisoka. E il capo Konoe arrabbiato fa sempre ridere!
July 22, 2013
#Program BUBU
January 15, 2016
pretty good.
March 28, 2016
Love love LOVE this volume! This series is so funny and has a really good plot. Volume FOUR!!!
December 22, 2016
This is the volume where the author used the term "depraved bisexual" to justify having a "sexy" rapist villain.
regrets, regrets
regrets, regrets
February 4, 2019
OK, so one more volume of this and I think I'm hitting my limits. This volume finds us on a cruise ship with mysterious missing persons & death / not deaths. I guess they are dead but not showing up in the underworld? Well whatever, our duo of Tsuzuki and Hisoka are sent to investigate. There they run into their nemisis Dr. Muraki, who I might have remembered from Volume 1 if I had been able to read it. Hisoka has a very strong negative reaction to seeing him, while Tsuzuki is more just flirted with. Anyhow, he's taking care of Tsubaki, the daughter of the CEO of the company running the cruise line. She has a weak heart, and he did a transplant for her. Surely that has no connection to the missing persons...
Anyhow there's a series of murders on board and our duo is caught between investigation of the murders and the missing people. Are they connected or not? I found that I wasn't really into this mystery, crime fighing storyline, and Tsubaki and Hisoka aren't really doing it for me either. There seems to be some back story of abuse between Hisoka and Dr. Muraki and Tsuzuki is trying to be there for him as he heals.
I finished this up a bit disappointed, and I'm not sure that I'll read the next even though it is sitting right here waiting.
Anyhow there's a series of murders on board and our duo is caught between investigation of the murders and the missing people. Are they connected or not? I found that I wasn't really into this mystery, crime fighing storyline, and Tsubaki and Hisoka aren't really doing it for me either. There seems to be some back story of abuse between Hisoka and Dr. Muraki and Tsuzuki is trying to be there for him as he heals.
I finished this up a bit disappointed, and I'm not sure that I'll read the next even though it is sitting right here waiting.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews