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漫画 虚構推理 / In/Spectre #2
In/Spectre, Vol. 2
EX FACTOR Kotoko investigates the mysterious death of former idol Karin Nanase, who now terrorizes the sleepy town of Makurazaka as "Steel Lady Nanase." But with Kurō missing and the threat of the Steel Lady potentially causing harm to the Makurazaka’s citizens, Kotoko is left with no choice but to team-up with Kurō’s ex-girlfriend, Saki. And later, as the Steel Lady strikes again, the origins of Kuro’s bizarre powers are revealed.
175 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2015
269 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 3, 2021
3.5
"A being whose form is reduced to a single eye and a single leg. It is said that from time to time such a being is sacrified to the Gods.."
Vale. Aquí la historia para mí ha dado un giro de 180 grados. Tampoco es el manga del año, pero me ha cogido con sorpresa y lo acepto.
No voy a mentir al decir que estoy aún más interesada en saber como sigue y como no tengo ningún autocontrol con los mangas-libros me veo poniéndome al día en seguida.
En fin, podría ser peor. Probablemente mi yo del futuro estará odiándome... nada nuevo, la verdad.
(cito a Bojack Horseman para representar a la Elena del futuro) :
"Well, that was another in a long series of regrettable life choices"
Allá vamos.
"A being whose form is reduced to a single eye and a single leg. It is said that from time to time such a being is sacrified to the Gods.."
Vale. Aquí la historia para mí ha dado un giro de 180 grados. Tampoco es el manga del año, pero me ha cogido con sorpresa y lo acepto.
No voy a mentir al decir que estoy aún más interesada en saber como sigue y como no tengo ningún autocontrol con los mangas-libros me veo poniéndome al día en seguida.
En fin, podría ser peor. Probablemente mi yo del futuro estará odiándome... nada nuevo, la verdad.
(cito a Bojack Horseman para representar a la Elena del futuro) :
"Well, that was another in a long series of regrettable life choices"
Allá vamos.
June 9, 2021
This is A LOT of talking. Some of it cut would help the pacing. BUT at the same time the art is wonderful and the cute dialogue helps.
Now we get to see the girlfriend and the ex work as a team. This one is A LOT more detective like manga. I actually like that side of it. I realized besides a few manga like Monster we don't really get much detective manga. Which is a shame, we need more. Anyway with Saki focus on hunting down the Steel Lady she has to work with Kotoko to try and find out what the fuck is happening. At the same time Kuro tries his hand against the spirit.
It's overall a lot of interesting lore thrown in with some funny dialogue and human moments. I like the main three characters which helps. Sometimes the padding and excesses amount of dialogue, explanation is a lot but overall I'm still invested.
I'll read more. 3.5 I'll round to a 4.
Now we get to see the girlfriend and the ex work as a team. This one is A LOT more detective like manga. I actually like that side of it. I realized besides a few manga like Monster we don't really get much detective manga. Which is a shame, we need more. Anyway with Saki focus on hunting down the Steel Lady she has to work with Kotoko to try and find out what the fuck is happening. At the same time Kuro tries his hand against the spirit.
It's overall a lot of interesting lore thrown in with some funny dialogue and human moments. I like the main three characters which helps. Sometimes the padding and excesses amount of dialogue, explanation is a lot but overall I'm still invested.
I'll read more. 3.5 I'll round to a 4.
January 14, 2018
Full points for great art, a disabled lead and a great paranormal storyline. Minus several points for catty immature girl fighting over a man.
May 12, 2020
overall I'm still enjoying this story, but there is a LOT of exposition in this one.
January 26, 2021
The story's really doing some progressing as Kotoko and Kuro's ex-lover cop Saki are awkwardly brought together into the chaos of the roaming Steel Lady Nanase, while also learning about her past life as a huge cosplay idol and met a tragic end. They also discover more about Kuro's yokai powers and how he was made by his family to be a product of immortality. A (100%/Outstanding)
July 7, 2022
Reread on 7/6/22:
A really solid second volume. Something that I picked up on this reread is the differences between how Saki and Kotoko view Kuro's yokai abilities. Saki was scared when she considered what her children would be like if they had any on top of how calm Kuro always was about his injuries, while Kotoko sees his abilities as a positive because he will never get sick or ill (as far as we know) and his body is "sturdy". In both cases, both women are thinking about how his abilities affect them, but Saki is more concerned about their potential offspring while Kotoko is more concerned about Kuro himself. Just an interesting glimpse at how two people can have wildly different perspectives on one scenario based off of what means most to them.
Also, as I said in my initial review, I LOVE how flawed Kotoko is. But what I will add is I love that she's flawed because if she wasn't she'd be a Mary Sue. She's got a lot of money, connections, intelligence, and relatively good combat skills. If she wasn't so massively flawed personality-wise, she would be so boring and borderline unlikable. The creator definitely knew what they were doing when making her character and I applaud them.
Not much else to add, great volume.
Original review on 5/11/2020
The pacing definitely picked up in this volume and we got some awesome yokai lore! AND we got Kotoko being a little shit and I LOVE IT!!
So I promised I'd discuss why Kotoko is one of my fave female character in anime, and to start off (cuz I'm going to discuss bits and pieces in most of the volumes) one thing that I love about her is she's unabashedly manipulative and spiteful. Now, you're rightfully thinking, "Jenny, just, WHY??" and the reason is that unlike a LOT of female characters, Kotoko wears her flawed traits proudly and never tries to justify her behavior, which I find refreshing. We all have negative qualities that we either deny or try to justify and it's nice to see a character, specifically a female character, show most of her negative qualities for the world to see and let people see her for who she is. It's refreshingly honest and I love it!
Anyway, looks we're going to be getting more into the lore surrounding Steel Lady Nanase and hopefully more yokai lore in general in the next volume. I can't wait!
A really solid second volume. Something that I picked up on this reread is the differences between how Saki and Kotoko view Kuro's yokai abilities. Saki was scared when she considered what her children would be like if they had any on top of how calm Kuro always was about his injuries, while Kotoko sees his abilities as a positive because he will never get sick or ill (as far as we know) and his body is "sturdy". In both cases, both women are thinking about how his abilities affect them, but Saki is more concerned about their potential offspring while Kotoko is more concerned about Kuro himself. Just an interesting glimpse at how two people can have wildly different perspectives on one scenario based off of what means most to them.
Also, as I said in my initial review, I LOVE how flawed Kotoko is. But what I will add is I love that she's flawed because if she wasn't she'd be a Mary Sue. She's got a lot of money, connections, intelligence, and relatively good combat skills. If she wasn't so massively flawed personality-wise, she would be so boring and borderline unlikable. The creator definitely knew what they were doing when making her character and I applaud them.
Not much else to add, great volume.
Original review on 5/11/2020
The pacing definitely picked up in this volume and we got some awesome yokai lore! AND we got Kotoko being a little shit and I LOVE IT!!
So I promised I'd discuss why Kotoko is one of my fave female character in anime, and to start off (cuz I'm going to discuss bits and pieces in most of the volumes) one thing that I love about her is she's unabashedly manipulative and spiteful. Now, you're rightfully thinking, "Jenny, just, WHY??" and the reason is that unlike a LOT of female characters, Kotoko wears her flawed traits proudly and never tries to justify her behavior, which I find refreshing. We all have negative qualities that we either deny or try to justify and it's nice to see a character, specifically a female character, show most of her negative qualities for the world to see and let people see her for who she is. It's refreshingly honest and I love it!
Anyway, looks we're going to be getting more into the lore surrounding Steel Lady Nanase and hopefully more yokai lore in general in the next volume. I can't wait!
July 27, 2020
The monster art for this series really stand out for me.
In this volume, the ex and the would be girlfriend and predictably get in each other's faces because Kotoko really enjoys provoking her rival. The pace of the story has turned out to be slow crawl, the second volume ended without any resolution to the second monster case. This could be attributed to the time dedicated to explore the backstory of the ill-fated idol and the horrible secret of the Sakuragawa family.
The plodding pace certainly dampens the promise of the first volume but it is still good enough to get 3 stars.
In this volume, the ex and the would be girlfriend and predictably get in each other's faces because Kotoko really enjoys provoking her rival. The pace of the story has turned out to be slow crawl, the second volume ended without any resolution to the second monster case. This could be attributed to the time dedicated to explore the backstory of the ill-fated idol and the horrible secret of the Sakuragawa family.
The plodding pace certainly dampens the promise of the first volume but it is still good enough to get 3 stars.
February 25, 2024
The detective and the guy are interesting characters, and the case they're working on is interesting. I also like the relationship the protagonist has with the Yokai. But she's very pushy and jealous over the guy. I want to keep reading this series but I'm not sure how long I'll last if this character doesn't grow quickly.
January 19, 2019
The consequences of seeking fatal prophetic powers along with unlimited regeneration.
June 18, 2019
has potential.
March 22, 2020
This just keeps getting better and better. This steel lady nanase story arc is so compelling and atmospheric.
April 8, 2020
2020 Read #335
This manga is very gripping with its story and mystery, but the girl-on-girl hate between two of the key characters was really unnecessary.
This manga is very gripping with its story and mystery, but the girl-on-girl hate between two of the key characters was really unnecessary.
May 9, 2023
I am intrigued and annoyed at the same time.
January 13, 2018
I hope this isn't a harbinger of things to come because Right Stuf had bundle sales over the holidays and I ended up with about 7 volumes of this. To be fair, the mission side of this was excellent but the personal side was abysmal so the rating averaged out to about 3.5 in my mind.
Let's start with the good. Kotoko has gone to the small city of Makurazaka (end of last volume) to try to stop the 'ghost' of Steel Lady Nanase who is a faceless, ridiculously big bosomed spirit who wields a steel girder. She's thought to be the ghost of a popular idol, Karin Nanase who was killed nearby with a girder.
Unfortunately for Kotoko, she's not even sure this is a ghost and Saki, Kuro's ex, is helping out the police detective in charge of figuring out what's going on. Naturally Kotoko already has a full on dislike of Saki because she was the one Kuro had loved but Saki ran away a few years ago unable to handle what she saw of the spirit world when she was with Kuro. The parts where they are investigating Karin's death was very good and interesting. Both are intelligent women, dedicated to their jobs. Kuro shows up to duel the Steel Lady (as he can't be killed because of the yokai flesh he consumed). In the process we get even more of his tragic history.
If the manga had concentrated only on that, I'd have loved it but instead with have the personal side of it, the side where Kotoko and Saki are insanely catty, jealous and downright mean. I might be a little more forgiving of Kotoko because she's only nineteen and teens are still pretty catty and mean sometimes. Saki is in her twenties and both of them are acting like they're thirteen. Saki can't believe Kuro is dating a girl 'so not his type' and it's not helped by the fact that in spite of the fact Kotoko is nineteen she looks twelve (and dresses like a Loli delight). Kotoko is far more catty constantly flinging the relationship in Saki's face and scheming (unsuccessful to keep Saki from seeing Kuro).
Saki is more convinced that Kuro isn't dating Kotoko when shown pictures (and in fact, it does seem this relationship is mostly in Kotoko's head which gives it a creepy stalker vibe). Worse, and in all honesty if I hadn't bought all those volumes, this might have stopped me reading: Kotoko sends one of the yokai to harass Saki, knowing she's terrified of them and worse, she instructs him to grab the woman by her breasts and butt. No, just no, please, let's not go there again.
I love the art. I love the magical side of the storyline so I'm crossing my fingers about this personal side of the story. I hope it gets toned WAY down or it's going to be a long seven volumes....
Let's start with the good. Kotoko has gone to the small city of Makurazaka (end of last volume) to try to stop the 'ghost' of Steel Lady Nanase who is a faceless, ridiculously big bosomed spirit who wields a steel girder. She's thought to be the ghost of a popular idol, Karin Nanase who was killed nearby with a girder.
Unfortunately for Kotoko, she's not even sure this is a ghost and Saki, Kuro's ex, is helping out the police detective in charge of figuring out what's going on. Naturally Kotoko already has a full on dislike of Saki because she was the one Kuro had loved but Saki ran away a few years ago unable to handle what she saw of the spirit world when she was with Kuro. The parts where they are investigating Karin's death was very good and interesting. Both are intelligent women, dedicated to their jobs. Kuro shows up to duel the Steel Lady (as he can't be killed because of the yokai flesh he consumed). In the process we get even more of his tragic history.
If the manga had concentrated only on that, I'd have loved it but instead with have the personal side of it, the side where Kotoko and Saki are insanely catty, jealous and downright mean. I might be a little more forgiving of Kotoko because she's only nineteen and teens are still pretty catty and mean sometimes. Saki is in her twenties and both of them are acting like they're thirteen. Saki can't believe Kuro is dating a girl 'so not his type' and it's not helped by the fact that in spite of the fact Kotoko is nineteen she looks twelve (and dresses like a Loli delight). Kotoko is far more catty constantly flinging the relationship in Saki's face and scheming (unsuccessful to keep Saki from seeing Kuro).
Saki is more convinced that Kuro isn't dating Kotoko when shown pictures (and in fact, it does seem this relationship is mostly in Kotoko's head which gives it a creepy stalker vibe). Worse, and in all honesty if I hadn't bought all those volumes, this might have stopped me reading: Kotoko sends one of the yokai to harass Saki, knowing she's terrified of them and worse, she instructs him to grab the woman by her breasts and butt. No, just no, please, let's not go there again.
I love the art. I love the magical side of the storyline so I'm crossing my fingers about this personal side of the story. I hope it gets toned WAY down or it's going to be a long seven volumes....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2017
I'm continuing to be very impressed by this series. Volume 2 and the story is still highly intriguing. The characters and conflict continue to be developed at a pace that is extremely interesting and intelligent. It's smart, oh my god, this series is so smart. I especially love the reveals that were made on the monster the cast continues to combat in this volume, the back story is just so non-cliche or trope-y that it does my heart good. Definitely adding this series to my collection! I can't wait for volume 3!
December 11, 2018
j'adore cette série
January 26, 2020
I love how Kuro is aware of Kotoko and her feelings when he has any interaction with Saki.
I LOVE THEIR CUTE MOMENTS SO MUCH! I need more romance from these two.
I LOVE THEIR CUTE MOMENTS SO MUCH! I need more romance from these two.
April 26, 2021
Steel Lady Nanase's past is revealed but what is fact and fiction in the world of idols?
After meeting Saki Yumihara for the first time in a while, Kotoko Iwanaga returns to the officer's apartment after their attempt at subduing the ghostly creature known as Steel Lady Nanase in the first volume. Now mind you, as a yokai enthusiast I am in this story for the strange creatures of Japanese lore that show up here and their as I find modern interpretations of classic monsters to be interesting. However I am not super thrilled about the back and forth banter between Saki and Kotoko as Saki fixes her up after the fight (and possibly her own punch at the end of volume 1) as it feels kind of like filler. Sure I can see it is character building showing the differences of both of the women in Kuro Sakuragawa's life but this jealousy bit right at the beginning of the book kind of dragged on taking up the first 15% of the volume pretty much when it could have had the same impact without jokes about maiden purity and Kuro pushing himself onto Kotoko (even though he never did.) Thankfully after the banter of former lover and present (sorta) girlfriend The story continues and we can finally start investigating at last.
Now separated Saki and Kotoko use their own research methods to look into the mysteries of the ghostly woman Saki was unable to punch in volume one. As such we are given facts about the past of the woman believed to be Steel Lady Nanase but the more famous a person is the easier falsehood can pop up in a world of constant updates and trolls. Plus we get to see Kotoko using her knowledge of yokai to consider something strange about the spectre and to discover what the second yokai Kuro consumed was as he takes Steel Lady Nanase on himself. Now if you want to see how all of these unique characters pull the story together or just want to see fun yokai art like me then pick up volume 2 (after reading 1 of course.)
Be sure to stick around for the fight commentary as Kuro takes on Lady Nanase in a short comic about the fight between them in the main story. :)
After meeting Saki Yumihara for the first time in a while, Kotoko Iwanaga returns to the officer's apartment after their attempt at subduing the ghostly creature known as Steel Lady Nanase in the first volume. Now mind you, as a yokai enthusiast I am in this story for the strange creatures of Japanese lore that show up here and their as I find modern interpretations of classic monsters to be interesting. However I am not super thrilled about the back and forth banter between Saki and Kotoko as Saki fixes her up after the fight (and possibly her own punch at the end of volume 1) as it feels kind of like filler. Sure I can see it is character building showing the differences of both of the women in Kuro Sakuragawa's life but this jealousy bit right at the beginning of the book kind of dragged on taking up the first 15% of the volume pretty much when it could have had the same impact without jokes about maiden purity and Kuro pushing himself onto Kotoko (even though he never did.) Thankfully after the banter of former lover and present (sorta) girlfriend The story continues and we can finally start investigating at last.
Now separated Saki and Kotoko use their own research methods to look into the mysteries of the ghostly woman Saki was unable to punch in volume one. As such we are given facts about the past of the woman believed to be Steel Lady Nanase but the more famous a person is the easier falsehood can pop up in a world of constant updates and trolls. Plus we get to see Kotoko using her knowledge of yokai to consider something strange about the spectre and to discover what the second yokai Kuro consumed was as he takes Steel Lady Nanase on himself. Now if you want to see how all of these unique characters pull the story together or just want to see fun yokai art like me then pick up volume 2 (after reading 1 of course.)
Be sure to stick around for the fight commentary as Kuro takes on Lady Nanase in a short comic about the fight between them in the main story. :)
January 12, 2020
This volume ended up following Saki and Kotoko and the story of "Steel Lady Nanase", a monsterous ghost which doesn't follow any sort of rules of either Ghosts nor Monsters.
There was a lot of stuff with just Saki or Saki and Kotoko. Them talking about the Steel Lady or who they believe the ghost to be, them talking about Kuro's past and why Saki and him broke up... It feels like Saki is the main character, despite the cover of the volume since both main characters take a back seat in this volume. Kuro was barely in this volume at all. And overall, nothing really important happened. Kind of disappointed. I was hoping for some sort of direction or point but it just felt like this was filler with them repeating the same information over and nothing really progressing. Except maybe Kuro and Kotoko's "relationship" which was only mentioned randomly and can best be described as "Kotoko holding Kuro hostage". The timeskip did nothing to convince me why these two are in a relationship at all or even if they actually are or if that's just Kotoko's imagination.
There was a lot of stuff with just Saki or Saki and Kotoko. Them talking about the Steel Lady or who they believe the ghost to be, them talking about Kuro's past and why Saki and him broke up... It feels like Saki is the main character, despite the cover of the volume since both main characters take a back seat in this volume. Kuro was barely in this volume at all. And overall, nothing really important happened. Kind of disappointed. I was hoping for some sort of direction or point but it just felt like this was filler with them repeating the same information over and nothing really progressing. Except maybe Kuro and Kotoko's "relationship" which was only mentioned randomly and can best be described as "Kotoko holding Kuro hostage". The timeskip did nothing to convince me why these two are in a relationship at all or even if they actually are or if that's just Kotoko's imagination.
May 7, 2018
3.5 stars out of 5
We delve in deeper into the current mystery, and get a bit of back story on Kuro. The time skip has me interested in seeing how Kotoko and Kuro became partners officially, since the manga has skipped that for now. Also, I love how the mangaka has a main character who is not only disabled, but can kick ass despite her handicap, so bravo to that.
I will say I am a bit annoyed with Kotoko and Saki, and their bickering over a guy. Especially since Saki dumped Kuro, because she couldn't handle the fact that he was different. This girl needs to move on, because if this continues, I'm going to get annoyed fast.
We delve in deeper into the current mystery, and get a bit of back story on Kuro. The time skip has me interested in seeing how Kotoko and Kuro became partners officially, since the manga has skipped that for now. Also, I love how the mangaka has a main character who is not only disabled, but can kick ass despite her handicap, so bravo to that.
I will say I am a bit annoyed with Kotoko and Saki, and their bickering over a guy. Especially since Saki dumped Kuro, because she couldn't handle the fact that he was different. This girl needs to move on, because if this continues, I'm going to get annoyed fast.
July 26, 2020
FULL REVIEW COMING SOON!
👹 In/Spectre Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, death of a parent, violence, graphic injuries, graphic human experimenting
Read for The Reading Rush
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👹 In/Spectre Vol. 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, death of a parent, violence, graphic injuries, graphic human experimenting
Read for The Reading Rush
|Blog|Instagram|Twitter|YouTube|
April 19, 2022
I was really hesitant to read this because of the semi-love triangle, but after weeks of hesitation I finally picked it up.
Kotoko messing with Saki was pretty funny, but more the fight and narration during the fight of Kuro Sakuragawa and The Steel Lady was really good. Getting backstory on the family and reason behind it was really compelling.
Saki being concerned for Kuro, shows that she still cares for him, but she just could not marry him after finding out the secret. I am curious to see what happens with all three teaming up for this.
Kotoko messing with Saki was pretty funny, but more the fight and narration during the fight of Kuro Sakuragawa and The Steel Lady was really good. Getting backstory on the family and reason behind it was really compelling.
Saki being concerned for Kuro, shows that she still cares for him, but she just could not marry him after finding out the secret. I am curious to see what happens with all three teaming up for this.
February 26, 2024
I was really interested in Steel Lady Nanase's backstory in this; I love her character design. I really like the art style of this manga series and the plot itself, and I like seeing all the different yokai.
The relationship drama really ruins it and makes the protagonist Kotoko really unlikable, plus I disliked all the unnecessary talk about breasts.
There was a note from the original author Kyo Shirodaira at the end which I found interesting, and a few extra pages with a more humorous take on the battle scene.
The relationship drama really ruins it and makes the protagonist Kotoko really unlikable, plus I disliked all the unnecessary talk about breasts.
There was a note from the original author Kyo Shirodaira at the end which I found interesting, and a few extra pages with a more humorous take on the battle scene.
October 25, 2023
Volume 2 continues the mystery of the Steel Lady Nanase and the many deaths caused by this entity. Saki, Kuro's ex and police officer, is pulled deeper into the case and the weird relationship between Kuro and Kotoko. I loved reading about Kuro's past, and I'm sure we will be seeing more of it soon. The humor is good, and the action is exciting. I do hope Kotoko and Kuro's relationship gets better or maybe develops more.
September 9, 2024
Whoops, read this manga in the wrong order, part 1 after part 2. It was confusing, but also quite exiting to be thrown into the case so "in media res". This is really where the action starts. I also like the female police character, who doesn't handle her encounter with the supernatural well, better than the two main characters (so far).
But exciting enough that I want to continue to volume three
But exciting enough that I want to continue to volume three
May 26, 2020
Lo que más me gustó de este segundo tomo es que la historia agarra mejor ritmo y conocemos más sobre Kuro. El caso a resolver está difícil y me intriga saber cómo van a salir adelante, ademas de saber cómo se llegó a eso. En general estuvo bueno y le hubiese puesto 4 estrellas pero la estúpida pelea entre mujeres por un hombre me saca de quicio, así que una estrellita menos por eso.
November 17, 2021
I can't not believe
May 20, 2022
Still rating in part due to optimism for this series. I’m interested and willing enough to see where this goes. We get more into Kuro’s background, and lots of details on the Steel Lady case, and our trio meets face to face. I feel like Saki is better off without any of this, maybe Kuro isn’t so indifferent, Kotoko is still obsessed… I don’t love or hate this love triangle yet.
January 25, 2020
Both adorable and terrifying
The writer's ability to balance light hearted story telling and comedy with an otherwise horrifying premise is actually pretty amazing. I'd like to see more about the relationship of the main characters, so far it feels pretty one sided.
The writer's ability to balance light hearted story telling and comedy with an otherwise horrifying premise is actually pretty amazing. I'd like to see more about the relationship of the main characters, so far it feels pretty one sided.
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