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Pet Shop of Horrors [ペットショップ オブ ホラーズ] #4
Pet Shop of Horrors, Vol. 4
Each volume collects four stories of terror and wonder centering around Count D's Pet Shop, where the mysterious count sells magical creatures who come with a contract whose terms must not be broken.
216 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2012
About the author
Matsuri Akino
206 books161 followersMatsuri Akino (秋乃 茉莉 Akino Matsuri), is a Japanese manga artist from Mitaka, Tokyo, now a resident of Yokohama. Her work is a mix of the fantasy, mystery, and horror genres. Her self portrait is usually a kappa, sometimes with braids or an odango hairstyle.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 6, 2017
Yep....I LOVE COUNT D AND HIS PET SHOP!!!! This volume had horses in it!!! Awwwww sweet perfection!:D
June 17, 2025
Will we ever know what Count D is?
March 31, 2024
Puntuación exclusivamente por los capítulos 13 y 15 que me han enamorado. Eso sí, la calidad del dibujo no decae ni en una sola página.
February 19, 2025
Leon Orcot shows just how much Count D has him thinking outside the box in a murder involving fish, while the Count displays how much he can think within the box when he helps Leon solve the murder. Leon actually ends up bringing home a pet of his own, or a plant in a rather sweet story where the Count gives him flowers. Plus Leon ends up making the same mistake everyone does about the denizens with the pet shop when he finds what appears to be a beautiful woman within the store walls. The pets at Count D’s aren’t the only creatures who challenge what Leon Orcot considers reality when he meets a couple of old acquaintances of D’s family, acquaintances who’ve been around for a long time and may have sinister intentions towards the Count.
Leon grows a bit as a character in this volume, although I find myself wanting to slap him at times, completely sympathetic towards the Count’s irritation at his behaviour. The Count continues to be a fascinating individual, showing more of his acquisitive greed for exotic animals, his sympathy for the humans that love them, and his increasing interesting/concern for Leon Orcot, which manifests in providing assistance in solving a murder and the gift of flowers. The one-shot characters become a lot more interesting in this volume, too; Mellow, Jody, Betty, Norma, and Alexander were all quite intriguing in different ways, even apart from their interaction with the Count and Leon, taking part in independent stories, linked to those two characters. For accomplishing all of that in this on-going unique plot centered around the pet store in a distinctive, attractive art style, I give this four stars.
Leon grows a bit as a character in this volume, although I find myself wanting to slap him at times, completely sympathetic towards the Count’s irritation at his behaviour. The Count continues to be a fascinating individual, showing more of his acquisitive greed for exotic animals, his sympathy for the humans that love them, and his increasing interesting/concern for Leon Orcot, which manifests in providing assistance in solving a murder and the gift of flowers. The one-shot characters become a lot more interesting in this volume, too; Mellow, Jody, Betty, Norma, and Alexander were all quite intriguing in different ways, even apart from their interaction with the Count and Leon, taking part in independent stories, linked to those two characters. For accomplishing all of that in this on-going unique plot centered around the pet store in a distinctive, attractive art style, I give this four stars.
December 1, 2018
4.5 stars
I’m so sad it’s over, I would have read many more chapters about adventures of my favorite pet shop owner Count D, his frenemy detective Leon and Leon’s younger brother Chris.
The ending is bittersweet and I think mangaka made the final conflict more complicated than necessary.
I appreciate how the manga is actively pro-environment, how its focus is on preserving flora & fauna and shining light on destructive nature of humans.
The art is simply gorgeous, I’m in love with every page, it was an absolute pleasure to read.
I’m so sad it’s over, I would have read many more chapters about adventures of my favorite pet shop owner Count D, his frenemy detective Leon and Leon’s younger brother Chris.
The ending is bittersweet and I think mangaka made the final conflict more complicated than necessary.
I appreciate how the manga is actively pro-environment, how its focus is on preserving flora & fauna and shining light on destructive nature of humans.
The art is simply gorgeous, I’m in love with every page, it was an absolute pleasure to read.
July 16, 2018
Ah, our first installment of Flowers and the Detective comes in this particular volume, but more on that in a little bit.
In this volume, we start off with a story about a fish. And Leon's first thought being whether or not D can help get information out of the fish. This is important for a few reasons: first, in the previous three volumes, Leon's sole purpose has been to try to bring D down (and, let's be clear here: he hasn't given up this ambition of his); second, he's spent a good chunk of the stories scoffing at D for being able to talk to/understand animals, but this is an indicator that, while he may not be fully there yet, he's getting to a point where the idea isn't preposterous to him, which is a subtle way of showing the deepening of D's and Leon's acquaintanceship; third, you see that his relationship with D isn't something he's keeping quiet by the fact that both the chief and Jill make mention of talking to D. It can, of course, be argued that D is a pet shop owner and can take care of the myriad of fish, and that Leon's obsession with putting D behind bars isn't exactly secret, but they both treat it as just a fact that Leon and D are linked.
Of course, in a reread in 2018, I'd be remiss to not point out that there are some things in this volume (and in previous and future volumes) that are dated and socially unacceptable. This volume, for example, showcases transphobia. All of the volumes, to an extent, rely on Leon's crude attitude towards women and very overt sexism.
But, onto Flowers and the Detective. D gives Leon a plant — a gattolotto. The plant seems to have a calming effect on Leon, who starts to prefer going home to hang out with the plant rather than going out drinking, which his co-workers comment on, mistakenly thinking maybe he got a girlfriend. In the end, though, the plant saves his life when he's shot in the line of duty. The plant, which Leon had been looking forward to seeing bloom, blooms and loses its flowers in order to keep Leon alive.
Now, it's important because D doesn't do anything with reason, but he has no real reason to want to keep Leon alive. After all, Leon makes his life more difficult, and his gut is right that D is responsible, however tangentially, for a lot of the weird shit going down in town. But, he gives him this plant, knowing what it could do. The only reason for this is an inexplicable fondness he's begun to have for Leon.
Of course, in the second installment of Flowers and the Detective, D simply uses Leon's disgusting attitude towards women and horniness in order to cross pollinate some flowers that appear as human to Leon.
Also of note in this volume is Dracula. A suicidal vampire who made a pact with D's grandfather (who is mentioned throughout the series, but hasn't really had much of a role until last volume's Pappy episode and this volume's Dracula, although he's still very much absent) that once he's grieved for 20 years, he'd end his misery. The police case is following a so-called vampire who is murdering Asian men, and D fits the victim profile, so Leon is assigned to protect him as well as being directed to work with the FBI liaison, Norma. In the end, Norma is the murderer, the actual vampire hasn't killed anyone, and the vampire gets his wish, albeit not purposefully from a stunned D.
In this volume, we start off with a story about a fish. And Leon's first thought being whether or not D can help get information out of the fish. This is important for a few reasons: first, in the previous three volumes, Leon's sole purpose has been to try to bring D down (and, let's be clear here: he hasn't given up this ambition of his); second, he's spent a good chunk of the stories scoffing at D for being able to talk to/understand animals, but this is an indicator that, while he may not be fully there yet, he's getting to a point where the idea isn't preposterous to him, which is a subtle way of showing the deepening of D's and Leon's acquaintanceship; third, you see that his relationship with D isn't something he's keeping quiet by the fact that both the chief and Jill make mention of talking to D. It can, of course, be argued that D is a pet shop owner and can take care of the myriad of fish, and that Leon's obsession with putting D behind bars isn't exactly secret, but they both treat it as just a fact that Leon and D are linked.
Of course, in a reread in 2018, I'd be remiss to not point out that there are some things in this volume (and in previous and future volumes) that are dated and socially unacceptable. This volume, for example, showcases transphobia. All of the volumes, to an extent, rely on Leon's crude attitude towards women and very overt sexism.
But, onto Flowers and the Detective. D gives Leon a plant — a gattolotto. The plant seems to have a calming effect on Leon, who starts to prefer going home to hang out with the plant rather than going out drinking, which his co-workers comment on, mistakenly thinking maybe he got a girlfriend. In the end, though, the plant saves his life when he's shot in the line of duty. The plant, which Leon had been looking forward to seeing bloom, blooms and loses its flowers in order to keep Leon alive.
Now, it's important because D doesn't do anything with reason, but he has no real reason to want to keep Leon alive. After all, Leon makes his life more difficult, and his gut is right that D is responsible, however tangentially, for a lot of the weird shit going down in town. But, he gives him this plant, knowing what it could do. The only reason for this is an inexplicable fondness he's begun to have for Leon.
Of course, in the second installment of Flowers and the Detective, D simply uses Leon's disgusting attitude towards women and horniness in order to cross pollinate some flowers that appear as human to Leon.
Also of note in this volume is Dracula. A suicidal vampire who made a pact with D's grandfather (who is mentioned throughout the series, but hasn't really had much of a role until last volume's Pappy episode and this volume's Dracula, although he's still very much absent) that once he's grieved for 20 years, he'd end his misery. The police case is following a so-called vampire who is murdering Asian men, and D fits the victim profile, so Leon is assigned to protect him as well as being directed to work with the FBI liaison, Norma. In the end, Norma is the murderer, the actual vampire hasn't killed anyone, and the vampire gets his wish, albeit not purposefully from a stunned D.
Read
June 1, 2015As if man-eating mythical beasts and mind-bending hallucinogenic incense were not enough, now it's horny plants and suicidal vampires... Count D is apparently a jack of all trades. I expect nothing less by now, and am never disappointed! Great book! The relationship between Leon and Count D has taken on some interesting shades! That Leon lets D get away with rigging a horse race (even if he was technically an accomplice) is nothing short of astonishing in light of the fact that he's pretty much made it his life's ambition to put Count D in jail. I laughed so hard when D escaped Alexander's advances by cuddling up to Leon; I think D has become quite fond of Leon, his actions and attitudes towards the good detective have all been quite telling. Most telling of all, I think, is the fact that he gave Leon that plant which ended up saving his life. It is a rare thing that one of Count D's pets actually ends up improving the life of its owner - more often it is a death sentence; that Count D gave Leon a 'pet' that saved his life is like a flashing neon sign! I enjoy not only the characters, but the way this series is set up, so that each chapter is its own self-contained story arc, each with its own unique twist and theme, it ensures that the story will never get dull - not that it could with characters like Leon and D to liven things up! I'm really enjoying this series, I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
October 19, 2021
WillThe Flowers and the Detective chapter have many parts? Unconditionally waiting for it.
The author noting her inspirations in the end of each volume is always an aspect that makes the manga even more compelling (besides the magnificent artwork and mystery).
The author noting her inspirations in the end of each volume is always an aspect that makes the manga even more compelling (besides the magnificent artwork and mystery).
July 25, 2019
I am a bit iffy about this specific volume. I sort of agree with other reviewers that the quality dropped a notch from the first 3. It isn't that this volume is bad per se, because the artwork is still stellar. More like the stories seem to be all over the place. It is only saved by one really good chapter in a sea of meh chapters.
Chapter 1: Digital: A socially awkward guy is found deceased in his apartment and Leon is forced to ask Count D to babysit his myriad of abandoned tropical fish while the LAPD discards foul play and locates his next of kin. A lead into the existence of a girlfriend who might prove a motive to his death awkwardly has the exact same name as a pet the fish have ushered Count D to rescue. It is up to Leon to forego his suspicions of D and for them to team up to solve both mysteries. This episode is kinda weird, and I am not fully convinced I understood the moral of the plot, but it was okay I guess.
Chapter 2: Flower and Detective (Part 1): Count D gives a weird plant to Leon as a gift. Suspicious of the plant, he soon discovers he has grown attached to it... literally? Another weird episode. Not terrible, but you are not missing anything if you skip it.
Chapter 3: Dark Horse: Leon and D befriend a stuntwoman/horse lover with money problems. She wishes to race her family's thoroughbred race horse for the money and excitement but the animal was born deaf. Will she accept Count D's offer? This chapter had a lot of promise. I really, really loved the artwork of the page where D's body takes on a ghostly shape when he barters a deal with the aspiring jockey. Sadly, we never know what the deal was, and if it affected the conclusion of the story in any way. Bummer.
Chapter 4: Flower and Detective (Part 2): Oh wow, wow, wow! This is the one and sole story that made this volume worth reading. I don't wish to spoil it, but it was thrilling to read!
I believe this volume deserved 3 stars, but the final chapter is great, and it compelled me to award it 3 1/2 stars.
Chapter 1: Digital: A socially awkward guy is found deceased in his apartment and Leon is forced to ask Count D to babysit his myriad of abandoned tropical fish while the LAPD discards foul play and locates his next of kin. A lead into the existence of a girlfriend who might prove a motive to his death awkwardly has the exact same name as a pet the fish have ushered Count D to rescue. It is up to Leon to forego his suspicions of D and for them to team up to solve both mysteries. This episode is kinda weird, and I am not fully convinced I understood the moral of the plot, but it was okay I guess.
Chapter 2: Flower and Detective (Part 1): Count D gives a weird plant to Leon as a gift. Suspicious of the plant, he soon discovers he has grown attached to it... literally? Another weird episode. Not terrible, but you are not missing anything if you skip it.
Chapter 3: Dark Horse: Leon and D befriend a stuntwoman/horse lover with money problems. She wishes to race her family's thoroughbred race horse for the money and excitement but the animal was born deaf. Will she accept Count D's offer? This chapter had a lot of promise. I really, really loved the artwork of the page where D's body takes on a ghostly shape when he barters a deal with the aspiring jockey. Sadly, we never know what the deal was, and if it affected the conclusion of the story in any way. Bummer.
Chapter 4: Flower and Detective (Part 2): Oh wow, wow, wow! This is the one and sole story that made this volume worth reading. I don't wish to spoil it, but it was thrilling to read!
I believe this volume deserved 3 stars, but the final chapter is great, and it compelled me to award it 3 1/2 stars.
January 19, 2025
После долгого перерыва наконец вернулась к зоомагазину графа Ди. Судя по прошлой рецензии, достаточно удобно писать мнение по каждой истории в отдельности, так что я продолжу писать в такой манере.
"Программист"
Очень любопытная история о том, какими разными могут быть две стороны одной и той же личности и до чего может довести человека одиночество. Кстати, как вы считаете, сможет ли человечество добиться, чтобы у искусственного интеллекта появились чувства? Лично я никогда не задумывалась об этом, но, думаю, это все же невозможно. Ведь чувства хоть и можно предугадать, но тогда это будет алгоритм, а поведение человека и его эмоции от тех или иных событий довольно часто невозможно предположить.
"Цветы и детектив"
Довольно забавно наб��юдать, как детектива показывают то нежным и милым лепесточком, который печется и заботится о цветке в горшке, а буквально через пару глав - как повесу и безумного бабника, готового переспать с первой встреченной девушкой.
"Темная лошадка"
Отличная история о том, что такое верность другу, даже если этот друг - домашнее животное. Меня поразило то, насколько сильна связь между Бетти и 1000 смертей. Настолько сильна, что даже полное отсутствие денег не вынудило ее продать лошадь. И в очередной раз подтвердилось, насколько добрым является наш граф - он помог девушке и ее семье, хотя та и не смогла выполнить его желание.
"Дракула"
"Ты уже столько лет прожила на земле, но так ничего и не поняла" - хорошая мысль, которую граф произносит в этой главе. Больше мне и сказать-то нечего.
В целом же хочу сказать, что меня слегка напрягает, что истории с животными встречаются все реже и большая часть сюжета сосредотачивается на взаимоотношениях графа и Оркота, в частности "кто кого ревнует". Надеюсь дальше автор хоть немного будет разбавлять повествование новыми животными и посторонними историями.
"Программист"
Очень любопытная история о том, какими разными могут быть две стороны одной и той же личности и до чего может довести человека одиночество. Кстати, как вы считаете, сможет ли человечество добиться, чтобы у искусственного интеллекта появились чувства? Лично я никогда не задумывалась об этом, но, думаю, это все же невозможно. Ведь чувства хоть и можно предугадать, но тогда это будет алгоритм, а поведение человека и его эмоции от тех или иных событий довольно часто невозможно предположить.
"Цветы и детектив"
Довольно забавно наб��юдать, как детектива показывают то нежным и милым лепесточком, который печется и заботится о цветке в горшке, а буквально через пару глав - как повесу и безумного бабника, готового переспать с первой встреченной девушкой.
"Темная лошадка"
Отличная история о том, что такое верность другу, даже если этот друг - домашнее животное. Меня поразило то, насколько сильна связь между Бетти и 1000 смертей. Настолько сильна, что даже полное отсутствие денег не вынудило ее продать лошадь. И в очередной раз подтвердилось, насколько добрым является наш граф - он помог девушке и ее семье, хотя та и не смогла выполнить его желание.
"Дракула"
"Ты уже столько лет прожила на земле, но так ничего и не поняла" - хорошая мысль, которую граф произносит в этой главе. Больше мне и сказать-то нечего.
В целом же хочу сказать, что меня слегка напрягает, что истории с животными встречаются все реже и большая часть сюжета сосредотачивается на взаимоотношениях графа и Оркота, в частности "кто кого ревнует". Надеюсь дальше автор хоть немного будет разбавлять повествование новыми животными и посторонними историями.
August 21, 2019
Это первый том, где акцент заметно сместился на блондинчика-детектива. В предыдущих безусловно будоражил граф Ди, о котором было известно скандально мало. Но теперь, когда завеса тайны приоткрыта, и граф уже не кажется непознаваемым существом, можно и по сторонам поглядеть. Не то чтобы детектив вызывал интерес сам по себе (все-таки «топорный» и «напролом» в его случае – слова ключевые), скорее привлекает его взаимодействие с миром, в котором живет граф. Вместо восклицаний о невозможности происходящего, блондинчик начинает прокручивать возможные сценарии с участием мистических сил и уже не отрекается от нестандартных интерпретаций.
Истории в этом томе не самые впечатляющие, к сожалению. Больше всего понравились интерлюдии (Flowers and the Detective). Еще отличное в этой книге – это одна из последних сцен, где граф размышляет о том, что блондинчик до сих пор не видит очевидного :D Магазинчик in a nutshell, ну :D
hisashiburi
Истории в этом томе не самые впечатляющие, к сожалению. Больше всего понравились интерлюдии (Flowers and the Detective). Еще отличное в этой книге – это одна из последних сцен, где граф размышляет о том, что блондинчик до сих пор не видит очевидного :D Магазинчик in a nutshell, ну :D
hisashiburi
April 5, 2026
It went from being absolutely ridiculous to extremely serious so fast.
Pet Shop of Horrors Review
5/5 stars
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
I'm so glad that the library I work at started ordering the new collector’s editions of this series. This is a new favorite manga for me. I had so much fun with it.
This is sort of a supernatural mystery series following two characters. The first is the detective Leon. He's from LA. He’s your typical American cop. And then there’s this gay Chinese pet shop owner who may or may not be involved with the mysteries.
The pet shop owner sells both regular pets as well as exotic pets, and sometimes the owners of the exotic pets don't follow their specific instructions and end up hurt by the pets. The exotic pets are all mythical beings from various parts of the world.
Leon thinks this guy might be involved or responsible for things that keep happening, so he follows this guy around and keeps hanging out at his pet shop.
The best way I can explain this series is that it's basically one of those series where it explores a different theme each chapter. These themes are sometimes a bit heavy, so watch out for some heavier themes at times. For example, there’s one chapter where a trans woman is killed and Leon has to figure out why, and surprisingly literally no one, it has something to do with her being trans. The blatant transphobia that led to the murder is handled with so much respect and love to her and her identity, which I really appreciated seeing, since so few stories take the time to do that.
And this is just one example of how a mystery might go. There are a lot of sensitive topics in this, none of which I felt were trivialized or glossed over. What I really liked about this series is the way it handled talking about all these nuanced themes, and how it balanced that against the character work the mangaka did with Leon and the pet shop owner. There is actually a reason I mentioned that he’s gay earlier besides just being a random fact about him. Leon has to unlearn a lot of unconscious bias in this series, and I really enjoyed seeing that journey. It's not explicitly stated to us what's happening with his character development, which I think is brilliant. It does a lot of showing vs telling, and wow was it done so well.
Partway through the series, Leon ends up having to raise his kid brother due to something that happens in his brother’s life that makes it hard for his parents to take care of him. The pet shop owner immediately steps up to help him raise his brother when he's busy with his work as a detective. I thought Leon and the pet shop owner just had a funny quirky dynamic together before this, but as soon as they were raising a kid together, I immediately knew I think we’re supposed to ship them. And ship them I did. I just wish Leon was less of an oblivious idiot lol
I can’t say anything else cause spoilers. But I want to. I wish I knew someone else who has read this. I have so much I need to word vomit about this series. I'm trying to get one of my friends into it. Help. I am obsessed with these two idiots.
So this series is actually a couple different series. The main series is just called Pet Shop of Horrors. Then there are two other series connected to it as well. I recommend reading the Tokyo series second, and then the Ark Adrift series last. That’s how they were written chronologically, and I think that works best. The Tokyo series is still following the same pet shop owner, after the events of the main series. And then Ark Adrift is about someone related to him, set before the main series. I'm unsure if Ark Adrift is still ongoing. The last volume I could find came out in June of 2025, so maybe there will be more? I hope so. It kind of ended weird after volume 3, so I hope there’s more on the way and that’s not the official end of the series.
Once again, I want to reiterate how much I have to say about this that I can't cause spoilers. I need someone else who has read this to word vomit at. I need someone to talk about this with. Someone, anyone, please.
If you haven't read this, do it. I need more people to talk to about this. I literally can't talk about it without spoiling whoever I'm talking to. People please go read this then talk to me. Help. I am obsessed.
I wish they would make a proper anime for this. There was a four episode OVA that got made, but honestly it sucks. The first episode opens with a scene not in the manga at all, in which this random guy we never meet again calls the pet shop owner to complain about something that never comes up again, and proceeds to call him the f slur for seemingly no reason. Why was that necessary to include? It’s rude, it’s not in the manga, and it’s literally a slur. Just no. I sat through the four episodes just to see what an anime might have looked like for this if they’d continued making it, and honestly, I wouldn’t want whoever made the OVA to make the anime. Absolutely the heck not. Slur aside, it kind of sucked.
If in 20 years there is no anime, I will get a bunch of my art friends together to make our own homemade show of it, because I will not stand 20 years of this series not being adapted. Also, I want Keston John to play the pet shop owner. His voice read every line in my head when I read the manga, because I think he would just be perfect to play him. YOU SEE NOW WHY I NEED SOMEONE TO WORD VOMIT ABOUT THIS SERIES AT? help me
Have a nice day/night everyone!
Pet Shop of Horrors Review
5/5 stars
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
I'm so glad that the library I work at started ordering the new collector’s editions of this series. This is a new favorite manga for me. I had so much fun with it.
This is sort of a supernatural mystery series following two characters. The first is the detective Leon. He's from LA. He’s your typical American cop. And then there’s this gay Chinese pet shop owner who may or may not be involved with the mysteries.
The pet shop owner sells both regular pets as well as exotic pets, and sometimes the owners of the exotic pets don't follow their specific instructions and end up hurt by the pets. The exotic pets are all mythical beings from various parts of the world.
Leon thinks this guy might be involved or responsible for things that keep happening, so he follows this guy around and keeps hanging out at his pet shop.
The best way I can explain this series is that it's basically one of those series where it explores a different theme each chapter. These themes are sometimes a bit heavy, so watch out for some heavier themes at times. For example, there’s one chapter where a trans woman is killed and Leon has to figure out why, and surprisingly literally no one, it has something to do with her being trans. The blatant transphobia that led to the murder is handled with so much respect and love to her and her identity, which I really appreciated seeing, since so few stories take the time to do that.
And this is just one example of how a mystery might go. There are a lot of sensitive topics in this, none of which I felt were trivialized or glossed over. What I really liked about this series is the way it handled talking about all these nuanced themes, and how it balanced that against the character work the mangaka did with Leon and the pet shop owner. There is actually a reason I mentioned that he’s gay earlier besides just being a random fact about him. Leon has to unlearn a lot of unconscious bias in this series, and I really enjoyed seeing that journey. It's not explicitly stated to us what's happening with his character development, which I think is brilliant. It does a lot of showing vs telling, and wow was it done so well.
Partway through the series, Leon ends up having to raise his kid brother due to something that happens in his brother’s life that makes it hard for his parents to take care of him. The pet shop owner immediately steps up to help him raise his brother when he's busy with his work as a detective. I thought Leon and the pet shop owner just had a funny quirky dynamic together before this, but as soon as they were raising a kid together, I immediately knew I think we’re supposed to ship them. And ship them I did. I just wish Leon was less of an oblivious idiot lol
I can’t say anything else cause spoilers. But I want to. I wish I knew someone else who has read this. I have so much I need to word vomit about this series. I'm trying to get one of my friends into it. Help. I am obsessed with these two idiots.
So this series is actually a couple different series. The main series is just called Pet Shop of Horrors. Then there are two other series connected to it as well. I recommend reading the Tokyo series second, and then the Ark Adrift series last. That’s how they were written chronologically, and I think that works best. The Tokyo series is still following the same pet shop owner, after the events of the main series. And then Ark Adrift is about someone related to him, set before the main series. I'm unsure if Ark Adrift is still ongoing. The last volume I could find came out in June of 2025, so maybe there will be more? I hope so. It kind of ended weird after volume 3, so I hope there’s more on the way and that’s not the official end of the series.
Once again, I want to reiterate how much I have to say about this that I can't cause spoilers. I need someone else who has read this to word vomit at. I need someone to talk about this with. Someone, anyone, please.
If you haven't read this, do it. I need more people to talk to about this. I literally can't talk about it without spoiling whoever I'm talking to. People please go read this then talk to me. Help. I am obsessed.
I wish they would make a proper anime for this. There was a four episode OVA that got made, but honestly it sucks. The first episode opens with a scene not in the manga at all, in which this random guy we never meet again calls the pet shop owner to complain about something that never comes up again, and proceeds to call him the f slur for seemingly no reason. Why was that necessary to include? It’s rude, it’s not in the manga, and it’s literally a slur. Just no. I sat through the four episodes just to see what an anime might have looked like for this if they’d continued making it, and honestly, I wouldn’t want whoever made the OVA to make the anime. Absolutely the heck not. Slur aside, it kind of sucked.
If in 20 years there is no anime, I will get a bunch of my art friends together to make our own homemade show of it, because I will not stand 20 years of this series not being adapted. Also, I want Keston John to play the pet shop owner. His voice read every line in my head when I read the manga, because I think he would just be perfect to play him. YOU SEE NOW WHY I NEED SOMEONE TO WORD VOMIT ABOUT THIS SERIES AT? help me
Have a nice day/night everyone!
September 7, 2025
3.5* for this one.
I enjoyed the short deviation into plants, instead of animals. But otherwise, much like book 2 in feel and content. Not as gory or horrifying as books 1 and 3, it was more fantastical than anything else.
Chapter 1, with the fish, was interesting but the plot twist was easy to spot. I did enjoy Count D pretending that he and Leon were an item in the last chapter. Leon's reaction was exactly as expected, but it made me chuckle.
I enjoyed the short deviation into plants, instead of animals. But otherwise, much like book 2 in feel and content. Not as gory or horrifying as books 1 and 3, it was more fantastical than anything else.
Chapter 1, with the fish, was interesting but the plot twist was easy to spot. I did enjoy Count D pretending that he and Leon were an item in the last chapter. Leon's reaction was exactly as expected, but it made me chuckle.
April 19, 2018
Rating - 3.5
An easy manga to read in a day. This one wasn’t quite up to the same standard as the previous volumes but it was still enjoyable and I love the banter between Leon & Count D!
I honestly didn’t really understand a couple of these stories but in the end I got the general gist and the art is cool like always.
An easy manga to read in a day. This one wasn’t quite up to the same standard as the previous volumes but it was still enjoyable and I love the banter between Leon & Count D!
I honestly didn’t really understand a couple of these stories but in the end I got the general gist and the art is cool like always.
March 2, 2018
LOVE this series!
August 20, 2018
This was the worst volume so far in the series. None of the stories stuck out to me and I was confused 98% of the time.
January 15, 2024
Una de las estrellas es por Gertrudis, la planta.
February 21, 2024
Flowers and the Detective =❤️💐
July 13, 2025
I could take or leave some of the stories in this volume. My favorite was the second story with the plant, though it was rather short.
January 21, 2026
he is so clooooooose
May 14, 2023
This is crazy silly hijinks and then maybe D backstory or maybe complete red herring.
June 18, 2016
Pet Shop of Horror revolves around a magical pet shop in Chinatown that just happens to sell pet’s that aren’t like your everyday pet. Each volume is divided into a chapters and each chapter tells a single story of an encounter with this pet shop. Some end up happy while others not so much.
In the 4th installment we are given a little more insight into who our Detective is because one of the cases requires him to get help from Count D when they find a house full of fish. With Count D’s help they are able to solve the case. They also have a vampire working it’s way across the country that is searching for something. I found the Dark Horse story interesting because it’s all about horse racing. We also had a chance to see Count D’s collection of horses that are inside of the pet shop. As well as a magical encounter with our detective.
I’m hooked on Pet Shop of Horrors it’s written as a series of short stories which have a larger story surrounding them. It’s this creepy concept of a pet shop that happens to not sell traditional pets. Each of the pets really fits into the owner life giving them exactly what they needed at that point in their life and some may not end happy ever after. I have to admit I enjoyed the concept it’s unique and fascinating I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to know what would happen next. I’m anxious to read the next book so we can learn more about the pet shop but to see what comes out it’s door next. While it may not be a super popular one it’s worth checking out the chapters are perfect for a quick little way to break up the day or just binge reading.
In the 4th installment we are given a little more insight into who our Detective is because one of the cases requires him to get help from Count D when they find a house full of fish. With Count D’s help they are able to solve the case. They also have a vampire working it’s way across the country that is searching for something. I found the Dark Horse story interesting because it’s all about horse racing. We also had a chance to see Count D’s collection of horses that are inside of the pet shop. As well as a magical encounter with our detective.
I’m hooked on Pet Shop of Horrors it’s written as a series of short stories which have a larger story surrounding them. It’s this creepy concept of a pet shop that happens to not sell traditional pets. Each of the pets really fits into the owner life giving them exactly what they needed at that point in their life and some may not end happy ever after. I have to admit I enjoyed the concept it’s unique and fascinating I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to know what would happen next. I’m anxious to read the next book so we can learn more about the pet shop but to see what comes out it’s door next. While it may not be a super popular one it’s worth checking out the chapters are perfect for a quick little way to break up the day or just binge reading.
January 12, 2016
Pet Shop of Horrors is a manga by Matsuri Akino. It is set in the heart of Chinatown. Enter Count D's pet shop, a place where you can find a multitude of pets. These pets can range from cats and dogs to the most exotic, but they often will take a form to match a person's deepest desires. The mysterious man running the shop will be willing to sell you these animals, but under contract. These contracts often have three terms, varying with each individual pet. If any of these circumstances are broken, the pet shop is in no way, shape, or form, responsible for the consequences that would result.
This series is certainly a unique read. Each chapter often focuses on a different customer, so the series has an episode like feel to it. In each of these chapters, however, there is a sub plot that always occurs. This subplot is actually part of the main story, so it's suggested that you pay attention to it. Most of these stories can turn out somewhat messy, but are they happy or sad endings? No one can even tell. This story is about human nature itself, with a good amount of environmentalism hidden in there too.
This series is certainly a unique read. Each chapter often focuses on a different customer, so the series has an episode like feel to it. In each of these chapters, however, there is a sub plot that always occurs. This subplot is actually part of the main story, so it's suggested that you pay attention to it. Most of these stories can turn out somewhat messy, but are they happy or sad endings? No one can even tell. This story is about human nature itself, with a good amount of environmentalism hidden in there too.
May 1, 2025
Este tomo ya arranca muy, pero muy bien. Me encanta lo inclusivo que es este manga. Primer capitulo y la tematica del hermafroditismo de ciertas especies llevada a los humanos es genial. Conde D, es todo lo que esta bien.
Pasaron muchas cosas en este tomo, personajes que aparecian de foto antes, simplemente hicieron su aparicion y yo ocasi lloro con eso. No se por que este tomo lo lei tan rapido, incluso el capitulo corto donde nuestro detective hacia el papel de una abeja polinizadora jajaja pero en serio, necesito que baje un poco con su actitud de querer meterlo preso siempre al Conde, entiendo que ese es su papel pero si tan solo se diera cuenta o mejor dicho, aceptara las cosas raras que ocurren a su alrededor como la realidad entonces muchas de sus sospechas estarian fuera
el ultimo capitulo tiene un algo muy lindo y un poco turbio al mismo tiempo... el amor eterno, todo apuntaba a una cosa y termino siendo otra completamente diferente. Me encantó.
Pasaron muchas cosas en este tomo, personajes que aparecian de foto antes, simplemente hicieron su aparicion y yo ocasi lloro con eso. No se por que este tomo lo lei tan rapido, incluso el capitulo corto donde nuestro detective hacia el papel de una abeja polinizadora jajaja pero en serio, necesito que baje un poco con su actitud de querer meterlo preso siempre al Conde, entiendo que ese es su papel pero si tan solo se diera cuenta o mejor dicho, aceptara las cosas raras que ocurren a su alrededor como la realidad entonces muchas de sus sospechas estarian fuera
el ultimo capitulo tiene un algo muy lindo y un poco turbio al mismo tiempo... el amor eterno, todo apuntaba a una cosa y termino siendo otra completamente diferente. Me encantó.
December 20, 2009
My favorite story in this volume was the first part of "Flowers and the Detective". Though even the other stories were interesting, now that the manga started focusing much more on Count D and Leon and not so much on the "guest stars" of each "episode". Also, the manga is getting much slashier than before. I like that a lot!
But! I'm really disappointed in the English version. Page after page all the apostrophes were replaced with Ö and the list of chapters was all wrong too. Too bad that the German version wasn't available anymore.
But! I'm really disappointed in the English version. Page after page all the apostrophes were replaced with Ö and the list of chapters was all wrong too. Too bad that the German version wasn't available anymore.
August 22, 2018
Probably one of the best parts of this series is how Leon's been suspicious of Count D of murder from the very first volume (with some justification) but this has yet to stop him from having tea with him every day or from going on the odd adventure with him. Truly a classic duo.
TokyoPop's translation is a little too loose for my liking but it gets the job done. If only we would get a re-release similar to other TokyoPop series such as Cardcaptor Sakura. Alas...
TokyoPop's translation is a little too loose for my liking but it gets the job done. If only we would get a re-release similar to other TokyoPop series such as Cardcaptor Sakura. Alas...
December 31, 2020
I love this series far too much to rate any of the volumes with less than five stars. But in my opinion volume 4 is the weakest of them all because none of the stories have as much emotional impact on me as the ones in the other volumes.
It's still a very enjoyable read.
It's still a very enjoyable read.
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