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Pet Shop of Horrors [ペットショップ オブ ホラーズ] #3
Pet Shop of Horrors, Vol. 3
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.
200 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 25, 2017
I'm just liking these more and more! And we are getting to know Count D more! I LOVE IT!
October 19, 2021
The art seems more and more beautiful as the volumes progress; Count D's weakness of desserts makes him adorable. And yes the "Dessert" chapter was intriguing in many aspects, especially seeing how far the Count will go for something he wants.
October 26, 2019
Four tales of horror and wonder at Count D’s pet shop are told in this volume. The first has an unusual twist with Count D being forced to finish his father and grandfather’s unfinished business when something more important than the continued life of a special breed confronts him. An abused dog and the cruel child that own her finds sanctuary, punishment and redemption within Count D’s walls in the second. In the third, Count D is caught between desire and peril when he becomes the intended prey of an exotic, alluring predator. Lastly an old woman’s collection of teddy bears hides a painful, tragic secret, revealing that sometimes stuffed animals find homes along with live ones in the D family store.
The Count developed a little more in this book, revealing more background, letting a hint of vulnerability show, only to regain all of his menacing mystique in a single panel with a finger posed in front of a smile. Leon Orcot continues to suspect and pursue Count D, even as his feelings are challenged and he comes to his quarry’s rescue. Despite Leon’s continued stalking of D and D’s enigmatic games with the detective, the two of them continue to develop a bond, almost like friendship amidst the eerie ambience of the pet shop and its wares. For depicting all of this in a unique, striking art style, which brings the series to life, I give this four stars.
The Count developed a little more in this book, revealing more background, letting a hint of vulnerability show, only to regain all of his menacing mystique in a single panel with a finger posed in front of a smile. Leon Orcot continues to suspect and pursue Count D, even as his feelings are challenged and he comes to his quarry’s rescue. Despite Leon’s continued stalking of D and D’s enigmatic games with the detective, the two of them continue to develop a bond, almost like friendship amidst the eerie ambience of the pet shop and its wares. For depicting all of this in a unique, striking art style, which brings the series to life, I give this four stars.
July 10, 2025
daisy is such a good girl 😔
June 17, 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 3rd installment we are given a little more into who Count D is and his relationship with the officer who is determined to catch him. We have 4 new stories for this installment but my favorite would have to be either the story about Daisy the dog who was unwanted by her owner or the story of Pappy the teddy bear that was given to a little girl to protect her. each story is unique with just little hints of what is really going on with Count D like the one about the rich young people who are disappearing and found murdered. We find that Count D is connected to the killer.
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 3rd installment we are given a little more into who Count D is and his relationship with the officer who is determined to catch him. We have 4 new stories for this installment but my favorite would have to be either the story about Daisy the dog who was unwanted by her owner or the story of Pappy the teddy bear that was given to a little girl to protect her. each story is unique with just little hints of what is really going on with Count D like the one about the rich young people who are disappearing and found murdered. We find that Count D is connected to the killer.
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.
February 6, 2017
This Manga is great! I think I might go vegetarian after finishing the serie :))
I loved all the stories! I don't know how in the world does Matsuri Akino come up with these ideas! They are so fascinating and unique and, at the end of the chapter, you realise these are just problems and concepts from day to day life put in a simplist context! It's mind-blowing!
But there are many other things I like about this Manga, especially Count D. His poise in delicate situations is really admirable, the same goes for his wisdom and grace and the power to calm animals down, but most of all, his addiction to sweets (I can actually relate to that pretty well :)))
I loved all the stories! I don't know how in the world does Matsuri Akino come up with these ideas! They are so fascinating and unique and, at the end of the chapter, you realise these are just problems and concepts from day to day life put in a simplist context! It's mind-blowing!
But there are many other things I like about this Manga, especially Count D. His poise in delicate situations is really admirable, the same goes for his wisdom and grace and the power to calm animals down, but most of all, his addiction to sweets (I can actually relate to that pretty well :)))
July 14, 2019
Этот том позволяет узнать чуть больше о семье графа, а также развеять миф о его бессмертии. Даже круче – у него, оказывается, есть как минимум два родственника по разные стороны неведомых баррикад. Вброс информации о семейных связях заставляет думать, что на каком-то этапе подробнее расскажут о том, откуда взялся сам магазинчик, мистические питомцы, странные договоры и наркотические благовония. Но лучше бы какие-то тайны оставили на откуп воображению читателей, ведь догадки составляют часть очарования всей серии.
Каждая из четырех историй этого тома – это отдельная новелла. Часть заставляет сомневаться в собственной способности к интерпретации (уже не в первый раз). Стоически пытаюсь выстроить в голове сюжетную линию, чтобы в конце граф сделал реверанс и сказал, что это все приснилось. Присутствует поучительная история про девочку и ее собачку, вызывающая интересную реакцию. Скажу честно, я не ожидала от себя такой черствости, когда граф взял ее за руку. Заставляет задуматься не столько о том, как реагируют герои, но и как реагируешь ты сам в ответ на историю.Я всеми руками за то, чтобы неблагодарным девчонкам прилетал ответный удар без возможности скорейшего отката, иначе вся суть урока теряется.
И еще пара слов о неоднозначном контенте в истории с мастером деликатесов. По моим ощущениям, тут дело исключительно в притягательности уникального существа, и намеки на интерес другого толка являются несостоятельными. Это взаимодействие позволяет лишний раз проникнуться отношением графа к своим питомцам, и не более того.
hisashiburi
Каждая из четырех историй этого тома – это отдельная новелла. Часть заставляет сомневаться в собственной способности к интерпретации (уже не в первый раз). Стоически пытаюсь выстроить в голове сюжетную линию, чтобы в конце граф сделал реверанс и сказал, что это все приснилось. Присутствует поучительная история про девочку и ее собачку, вызывающая интересную реакцию. Скажу честно, я не ожидала от себя такой черствости, когда граф взял ее за руку. Заставляет задуматься не столько о том, как реагируют герои, но и как реагируешь ты сам в ответ на историю.
И еще пара слов о неоднозначном контенте в истории с мастером деликатесов. По моим ощущениям, тут дело исключительно в притягательности уникального существа, и намеки на интерес другого толка являются несостоятельными. Это взаимодействие позволяет лишний раз проникнуться отношением графа к своим питомцам, и не более того.
hisashiburi
July 25, 2019
Our story continues with more grisly horror stories of doomed pet owners... and a budding romance that may be forming between the adorable D and his opposite: LAPD cop Leon.
Chapter 1: Diamonde: The king of a miniature SE Asia nation has just passed away without leaving any heirs... except a woman has inseminated herself with his frozen sperm and is pregnant. Facing a backlash, the woman is under a protection program in Los Angeles while she awaits asylum. Count D meanwhile has received a worrying petition that may be tied to this woman. I will let you decide for yourself. The plot is kinda weird, but I enjoyed the scenes featuring Leon and D hanging around.
Chapter 2: Desire: A spoiled girl has abandoned her puppy for no apparent reason. Leon is too busy chasing the real bad guys, but that doesn't stop him from asking Count D to issue a suitable punishment to teach this naughty girl a very valuable lesson. I found this story to be great!
Chapter 3: Dessert: Count D might be a drug dealer after all! Just that it seems like he offers stuff that is still technically legal so Leon can't do anything about him. While our friendly cop is busy with a missing person case, Count D has fallen infatuated with a Chinese chef that is a newcomer to Chinatown... with a series of recipes that will drive him madly in love... much to Leon's amusement. Another great episode.
Chapter 4: Devil: This episode is kinda weird. It stars an elderly woman with severe dementia who recalls her tragic past when she recognizes Count D.
All in all, I liked chapters 2 and 3 a lot, still a great manga!
Chapter 1: Diamonde: The king of a miniature SE Asia nation has just passed away without leaving any heirs... except a woman has inseminated herself with his frozen sperm and is pregnant. Facing a backlash, the woman is under a protection program in Los Angeles while she awaits asylum. Count D meanwhile has received a worrying petition that may be tied to this woman. I will let you decide for yourself. The plot is kinda weird, but I enjoyed the scenes featuring Leon and D hanging around.
Chapter 2: Desire: A spoiled girl has abandoned her puppy for no apparent reason. Leon is too busy chasing the real bad guys, but that doesn't stop him from asking Count D to issue a suitable punishment to teach this naughty girl a very valuable lesson. I found this story to be great!
Chapter 3: Dessert: Count D might be a drug dealer after all! Just that it seems like he offers stuff that is still technically legal so Leon can't do anything about him. While our friendly cop is busy with a missing person case, Count D has fallen infatuated with a Chinese chef that is a newcomer to Chinatown... with a series of recipes that will drive him madly in love... much to Leon's amusement. Another great episode.
Chapter 4: Devil: This episode is kinda weird. It stars an elderly woman with severe dementia who recalls her tragic past when she recognizes Count D.
All in all, I liked chapters 2 and 3 a lot, still a great manga!
August 16, 2018
Most of these stories were meh. I liked the one about the girl and the dog the best. I know it’s just a manga, but the entire opening situation was super upsetting to me. Like seriously, I freaking hated that little girl. She embodied everything I can’t stand about how people treat their pets. You can’t get a puppy and then decide to mistreat/try to dump it once it’s no longer that cute little puppy. They were beating up on this dog and every time she tried to abandon it, the poor thing would still follow her home.
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t even feel bad for her when the parent’s decided to switch her out for the new ‘daughter’. There was all this talk about the girl having to go to the dark room where she picked out the other ‘little girl’ and maybe becoming a test subject if no one chose her. I kind of felt like it was karma for how she’d acted.
The petty vengeful side of me wanted the first possibility to happen over what actually did. Not to get too deep, but I guess that’s the difference between humans and animals. The fact that the dog was still willing to give the girl a second chance and save her from a terrible fate really hit me.
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t even feel bad for her when the parent’s decided to switch her out for the new ‘daughter’. There was all this talk about the girl having to go to the dark room where she picked out the other ‘little girl’ and maybe becoming a test subject if no one chose her. I kind of felt like it was karma for how she’d acted.
The petty vengeful side of me wanted the first possibility to happen over what actually did. Not to get too deep, but I guess that’s the difference between humans and animals. The fact that the dog was still willing to give the girl a second chance and save her from a terrible fate really hit me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2018
In this installment, we're given little glimpses into who D is. While we know he's a proponent of animals are better than people (and who can really blame him?), we discover just how far he's willing to go to secure them — in one story, he says he'd have gladly lost an arm to obtain a totetsu. In that same story, he feeds two would-be muggers that he has occasionally supplied with 'incense' to animals, and he helps to free a murderer (said totetsu in human form) simply because it was acting in its nature.
We also see Leon get irrationally jealous that D is spending time with another man and turning down his sweets in favor of said other guy.
But, it's not just this one story where we see a clear reversion to his old ways. In another story about an abused puppy, we see him nearly turn the girl who was allowing it to be and helping abuse it into a dog and willingly abandoned by her family until the dog shows a stronger sense of loyalty and refuses to let her go.
It's interesting, especially after the last volume where you saw more help than harm.
We also see Leon get irrationally jealous that D is spending time with another man and turning down his sweets in favor of said other guy.
But, it's not just this one story where we see a clear reversion to his old ways. In another story about an abused puppy, we see him nearly turn the girl who was allowing it to be and helping abuse it into a dog and willingly abandoned by her family until the dog shows a stronger sense of loyalty and refuses to let her go.
It's interesting, especially after the last volume where you saw more help than harm.
January 19, 2025
Читала с перерывами, и так как обычно я пишу рецензию на весь томик разом, как-то не додумалась записывать свои мысли по ходу чтения, чтобы потом собрать воедино в итоге.
Таким образом, мои свежие эмоции по первой главе канули в лету. Помню, что не до конца мною было понято все в ней происходящее, так что история показалась вполне проходной..
Насчет второй главы: вот она меня тронула до глубины души. Как же грустно стало от того, что в нашем мире так часто люди заводят животное, а потом выбрасывают его, когда надоело. Наложив сверху собачью верность, да представив историю в виде жизненного урока для главной героини, автор просто разбил мое сердечко в щепки.
"Десерт" или третья глава сделала любопытный твист в сюжете: я уж наивно полагала, что у нашего графа, кроме друга в лице детектива, появится ещё и любовь. Конечно, не угадала. Но вот вопрос после прочтения остался: чем же Ди собирается кормить нового жителя своего магазина? И не боится ли он, что тот съест его самого?
Четвертая глава тоже показалась мне очень сильной. Страх потери близкого человека, что он может забыть тебя и свою жизнь, не сможет продолжать жить дальше, а будет жить в иллюзии реальности . А так же теория о том, что любимая игрушка может защищать ребенка, дарить ему тепло - мне очень близка, ведь я всегда верила, что мои игрушки защитят меня от ночных монстров.
Подводя итог, автор уверенно держит повествование на протяжении всей манги. Да, бывают проходные сюжетные линии, но большая часть все же становится гораздо крепче и глубже по смыслу, чем в предыдущих томах.
Таким образом, мои свежие эмоции по первой главе канули в лету. Помню, что не до конца мною было понято все в ней происходящее, так что история показалась вполне проходной..
Насчет второй главы: вот она меня тронула до глубины души. Как же грустно стало от того, что в нашем мире так часто люди заводят животное, а потом выбрасывают его, когда надоело. Наложив сверху собачью верность, да представив историю в виде жизненного урока для главной героини, автор просто разбил мое сердечко в щепки.
"Десерт" или третья глава сделала любопытный твист в сюжете: я уж наивно полагала, что у нашего графа, кроме друга в лице детектива, появится ещё и любовь. Конечно, не угадала. Но вот вопрос после прочтения остался: чем же Ди собирается кормить нового жителя своего магазина? И не боится ли он, что тот съест его самого?
Четвертая глава тоже показалась мне очень сильной. Страх потери близкого человека, что он может забыть тебя и свою жизнь, не сможет продолжать жить дальше, а будет жить в иллюзии реальности . А так же теория о том, что любимая игрушка может защищать ребенка, дарить ему тепло - мне очень близка, ведь я всегда верила, что мои игрушки защитят меня от ночных монстров.
Подводя итог, автор уверенно держит повествование на протяжении всей манги. Да, бывают проходные сюжетные линии, но большая часть все же становится гораздо крепче и глубже по смыслу, чем в предыдущих томах.
October 3, 2024
Capítulos/historias: "Diamonde", "Desire", "Dessert" y "Devil".
Al ser un manga del segmento mercadológico "Yousei" (mujeres de más de 20 años) y de la década de los noventas del siglo pasado, no puede evitar mostrar ciertos clichés "necesarios" para cumplir los requisitos demográficos: el Conde D es una persona más femenina que andrógina aunque se supone que es del sexo masculino; el pretexto para presentar las historias son las investigaciones policiacas de su supuesto antagonista, un detective de policía guapo y supuestamente muy macho; y la ambigüedad sexual del Conde y la masculinidad del detective se usarán en incontables "gags" para introducir momentos de alivio y de humor entre las historias y para hacer más humano y afable al Conde.
Al ser un manga del segmento mercadológico "Yousei" (mujeres de más de 20 años) y de la década de los noventas del siglo pasado, no puede evitar mostrar ciertos clichés "necesarios" para cumplir los requisitos demográficos: el Conde D es una persona más femenina que andrógina aunque se supone que es del sexo masculino; el pretexto para presentar las historias son las investigaciones policiacas de su supuesto antagonista, un detective de policía guapo y supuestamente muy macho; y la ambigüedad sexual del Conde y la masculinidad del detective se usarán en incontables "gags" para introducir momentos de alivio y de humor entre las historias y para hacer más humano y afable al Conde.
October 18, 2017
I went through a lot of trouble to find this volume. The spin-off manga series Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo, seems to be super easy to find- but I struggle to find this series.
I thought I was reading this volume yesterday, but it turned out I was actually reading Vol. 3 of Tokyo (the spin-off) that was confusing, but owell I ended up finding this one anyway!
Volume 3 was extremely creepy but super thrilling. I read it in one sitting and can’t wait to get to Volume 4! I’m not a big horror fan- but these are incredibly intriguing with interesting sub plots to the main story of Count D’s Pet Shop.
I thought I was reading this volume yesterday, but it turned out I was actually reading Vol. 3 of Tokyo (the spin-off) that was confusing, but owell I ended up finding this one anyway!
Volume 3 was extremely creepy but super thrilling. I read it in one sitting and can’t wait to get to Volume 4! I’m not a big horror fan- but these are incredibly intriguing with interesting sub plots to the main story of Count D’s Pet Shop.
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September 1, 2022The first two chapters are some of THE craziest I have ever read and I'm not sure I'll ever fully recover from them. From the third chapter and on comes the gay which I had been waiting for, which came on much less ambiguously than I had thought, with several mentions of Leon being jealous and even being called "loverboy," specifically towards Count, and actually a full-on
September 5, 2025
4.5*
The best in the series, so far, in my opinion. The story and the characters are as interesting as ever, but I feel it reached a good combination of horror, gore, and storytelling. It reached a morally grey balance that is a bit like Goldilocks and the three bears: not too much to be off-putting, but just enough to disturb and intrigue.
Whilst the third chapter is unsettling in parts, I loved Wong as a character, and the queer-coding to the chapter made it especially fun to read.
The best in the series, so far, in my opinion. The story and the characters are as interesting as ever, but I feel it reached a good combination of horror, gore, and storytelling. It reached a morally grey balance that is a bit like Goldilocks and the three bears: not too much to be off-putting, but just enough to disturb and intrigue.
Whilst the third chapter is unsettling in parts, I loved Wong as a character, and the queer-coding to the chapter made it especially fun to read.
April 5, 2026
WHAT???
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!
March 20, 2019
These stories were sad, not scary. I actually cried during one of the stories. The myth and lore that this manga uses is amazing, all the creatures are well drawn. But it is hard to start another volume after finishing one.
July 14, 2019
Eu queria entender plenamente que tipo de figura é o Count D. Fico mais curiosa sobre ele a capa página que eu passo desse mangá. Não sinto maldade nem bondade dele. Ele faz o que é certo? Não sei também. Só sei que eu tô amando
January 23, 2021
Cried like a baby because of chapter 3: Desire 😭
July 7, 2023
Slightly better.
January 13, 2024
¿Por qué las historias de perritos son tan tristes?
February 21, 2024
Tetsu-chaaaaaaaan
December 6, 2024
Man I'm so happy I picked these up for a long overdue re read.
So good, so yaoi. How did I miss that lol.
So good, so yaoi. How did I miss that lol.
July 12, 2025
Another great volume! My favorite story was the little girl and her dog.
Read
June 1, 2015Wonderful, as usual! Really enjoyed this book! I love how the story with the king and queen birds was set up - the reader really believes that the people involved in Orcot's case and the people Count D is dealing with are the same right up to the end, it is pulled off flawlessly. The story about the spoiled little girl who mistreated her puppy was excellent; she was a little bitch, but I like the way she learned the lesson in the end. I wonder what Count D would have done with her if he'd actually taken her back to the shop - would she have been turned into a dog herself? I wonder! The teddy bear story was very sweet, I love how the teddy bear's soul went with Rosmary's (Elizabeth's?) when she died, it was so sad and poetic. My very story was the chapter featuring the man-eating Totetsu, Mr. Wong. I have a major soft spot for BL - I know Count D was only in love with the sweets, and only wanted to acquire the Totetsu for his shop, but first of all, the boy/boy kissing was mighty fine in my book (♥) and second, though there was overt sensual themes, there was also a more subtle second layer of subtext - Mr. Wong's overlay of sex and eating, for instance - he was going to devour Count D's body. And then Count D intending to use his body to ensnare Mr. Wong - whether sexually or as a tasty snack - also has that companion double meaning. Thus what was essentially a scene of murder and potential cannibalism became something quite erotic between the lines. I approve! This manga is really impressive to me, it's so layered and cryptic, it could never get dull!
October 17, 2008
Oh, Petshop of Horrors, HOW DO I LOVE THEE. I love it LOTS. Anyway, I was reading this to try and get my groove back for writing fic, and it has lots of the stuff I like about this series! Contracts going badly wrong, Leon being a detective/trying to buy D with sweets/saving D's life/completely failing at any of the above, Count D being smug and creepy and beating the moral into the customers and making out with someone who's trying to kill him WHY HAVE MORE PEOPLE NOT READ THIS?! I do love this series, and I think this is the volume with the abused dog (which is sad and logical and I feel so sorry for the dog!), the cannibal chef (... I love Wong, and I think I've actually written fic about this story so uh. My love of it does not need to be restated), and the old lady who escaped Nazi germany (which is another one that's sad and sweet, if slightly less logical than I'd like. ;___; ) There IS another one somewhere, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is - REST ASSURED THOUGH, I do indeed reccomend this series! If only so I have more people who'll capslock about it with me.
(Reaction shot originally posted here: http://community.livejournal.com/book... )
(Reaction shot originally posted here: http://community.livejournal.com/book... )
May 1, 2025
En este tomo siguen pasando cosas misteriosas una y otra vez, el Conde D siempre involucrado, mientras que nuestro detective va y viene dentro de la historia.
Hay un capitulo en particular donde pretenden darnos mas pistas sobre el pasado del Conde, familiares mencionados que nos dejan con dudas sobre cuales son los objetivos y como se relacionan sus acciones escondidas con todo lo que esta ocurriendo en el fondo.
Me duele que sigan extinguiéndose especies tan mágicas y maravillosas, en especial por egoísmo de las propias especies... al menos asi es como yo lo veo.
Hubo un capitulo en particular que me gustaría que vean todas las personas que maltratan a sus mascotas, por lo menos mientas son niños, asi podrían experimentar en carne propia algunos de los sentimientos de soledad, miedo, etc que sus mascotas tienen en esas circunstancias de abandono y maltrato.
Por otro lado, el capitulo del osito de peluche fue sublime. Hasta te llega un poco de emoción al terminar de leerlo, esa sensación de algo en el pecho, muy recomendado. Solo para que se sepa que no todo siempre es de terror, sino que a veces lo malo esta un poco oculto dentro de lo bueno... o viceversa en este caso
Hay un capitulo en particular donde pretenden darnos mas pistas sobre el pasado del Conde, familiares mencionados que nos dejan con dudas sobre cuales son los objetivos y como se relacionan sus acciones escondidas con todo lo que esta ocurriendo en el fondo.
Me duele que sigan extinguiéndose especies tan mágicas y maravillosas, en especial por egoísmo de las propias especies... al menos asi es como yo lo veo.
Hubo un capitulo en particular que me gustaría que vean todas las personas que maltratan a sus mascotas, por lo menos mientas son niños, asi podrían experimentar en carne propia algunos de los sentimientos de soledad, miedo, etc que sus mascotas tienen en esas circunstancias de abandono y maltrato.
Por otro lado, el capitulo del osito de peluche fue sublime. Hasta te llega un poco de emoción al terminar de leerlo, esa sensación de algo en el pecho, muy recomendado. Solo para que se sepa que no todo siempre es de terror, sino que a veces lo malo esta un poco oculto dentro de lo bueno... o viceversa en este caso
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