In/Spectre, Vol. 5

漫画 虚構推理 / In/Spectre #5

by Chashiba Katase (Illustrator), Kyo Shirodaira

The new mystery thriller with a romantic edge from the creator of Blast of Tempest, and The Record of a Fallen Vampire!
Both touched by spirits called yokai, Kotoko and Kuro have gained unique superhuman powers. But to gain her powers Kotoko has given up an eye and a leg, and Kuro's personal life is in shambles. So when Kotoko suggests they team up to deal with renegades from the spirit world, Kuro doesn't have many other choices, but Kotoko might just have a few ulterior motives...

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Comics, Graphic Novels

200 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2016

Reviews

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

"What an incredible girl. She's able to exhaust every possible idea, expertly wielding her blade in one hand...while injecting poison with the other".

Este capítulo no se centra en los personajes sino en la investigación y el climax de ella. La verdad es que el autor me ha vuelto a sorprender para bien. Esta parte se nota que se ha tomado su tiempo para reflexionar y encontrar la manera de encajar todo y que tenga "sentido".
Sin embargo, creo que el manga se corta en medio y te deja a medias. Eso es algo que me molesta un poco, aunque como estoy tan interesada en la historia voy a seguir.

Nota: No subestimen a Kotoko Iwanaga.

"She wields lies as a weapon to solve her problems...but I had no idea she could be this diabolical."

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

I understand that this series' origin is from a light novel but good lord can we get through this Steel Lady Nanase storyline already? Could this be the longest story arc for a manga series ever? I honestly don't even care how it's going to end at this point, I just want it over.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the long run, this story doesn't seem like ideal adaptation material--there are an awful lot of long scenes where people are sitting in a room together having in-depth conversations, or Kotoko is typing theories about Steel Beam Nanase onto a laptop while seated in Saki's car. Recent chapters have had a too-indoorsy, claustrophobic feeling.

The thought experiment that forms the basis of the story was interesting, but I "got it" a number of volumes ago, and the reiteration and repetition is making it overstay its welcome. (The Serial Experiments Lain anime from over 20 years ago having dealt with very similar concepts in a more striking and stylish way doesn't help its case.)

This is decent middle-of-the-road entertainment: not terrible, but also not something that is worth going out of my way to read more of.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The case of Steel Lady Nanase only gets more intertwining as Kotoko and anonymous internet sleuths dig further into her death and begin to believe that her suicide was connected to her resentful father that has devious plans that would make her return as a haunting ghost. A- (91%/Excellent)

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 2 out of 5]

Last time I said it was getting boring, now it's right on into tedious. As I said in my last review, I got this as a bundle from Right Stuf so I have couple more to get through but this Steel Lady Nanase has gotten ridiculous.

The most exciting thing to happen in the last two volumes is the revelation about who is to blame for this vengeful ghost of Nanase. There are a few panels of fighting between Kuro and Nanase but the rest is Kotoko trying to discredit the theory of Nanase to rob the spirit of power. SHe has four stories to tell to split off enough people from believing in the spirit.

And we're going to see each and every one in complete detail. There is nothing more boring than to listen to a theory and watching her type it into forums and Saki sitting there adding commentary.

And it's STILL not done. It's really taking a manga with an interesting premise and unique characters and burying it under the largest pile of boredom ever. The editor really should have put their foot down and cut this storyline in half. Then it would have been interesting.

The art is lovely but it's not going to save this dragging storyline.

[Nicolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume has become more interesting as this arc is set to conclude soon. It has some action with immortal Kuro taking on Steel Lady Nanase, and Kotoko brandishing her blades of fiction. I want more! I hope the next volume is much more filling.

[Kelly⁷ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I live for the little moments where Kuro shows affection towards Kotoko.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows how easy it is to change a narrative and how fast it goes back to the original premise. A book of competing legends or ideologies.

[Rereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread on 7/7/22:
Yeah, I don't have much else to add. This was a fantastic start to the showdown with Steel Lady Nanase. I absolutely love how Kotoko is delivering her solutions in cyberspace and how Katase creates the digital effects in the avatars and when Kotoko is showing something. The details are just so good and really enhance the storytelling. Not much else to say, really loved this volume. Looking forward to rereading the conclusion to the case.

Original review on 5/12/2020:
THANK YOU! Thank you for delivering such an awesome start to the actual trial! Holy shit, everything was spot on in this volume! The artwork, the paneling, Kotoko, the pacing, the exposition, all of it was incredible! The next volume's the longest so far, but if it keeps up this level of quality, I'm totes okay with that! Looking forward to the exciting conclusion of this arc!

[The Langles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that this is based on a novel that is heavy on exposition. The author admits as much at the back of the manga. However, I think that the mangaka and the editors, who were responsible for adapting the novel to a manga, could have drastically cut down the exposition and repetition.

As I’ve said in other reviews, the characters and art and world are great. And I think the series has great potential. It’s cool and creepy and fun. But some serious changes need to be made for the next arc. And I think the responsibility rests predominantly on those adapting the story.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Note: See Volume One for series review. These are notes specific to Volume Five.

The Steel Lady Nanase case is drawing to a close. As with volumes two through four, volume five was text and information heavy, although the intricacy of the case is interesting, it hits me as a bit sluggish.

[Yuiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

Getting really bored with this case just finish it already why drag it out over so many vols

[Nani · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lot of iwanaga just aura farming and Rikka is abusing her power a bit too much, I feel like maybe I missed it but does she really even have a motive for creating Steel Lady Nanase at this point? Also what good did explaining the powers Kurô got from the kudan do if we can watch Rikka just slit her throat over and over again with no real actions to sway the future into her favor. I understand the power works as the user being able to pick an ideal future based on the likelyhood of it occurring and since people already believe the Steel Lady story she doesn’t have to do much, but to say she doesn’t have to do anything but die? That’s where I feel a bit iffy about it.

[Snail · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to see nearly everyone who reviewed the book here complaining about the same thing. (Long exposition, dragging on into tedium, etc.) I read it pretty fast and didn't mind that it was an "in between" volume. Instead, I admire the artist for making the art so compelling; drawn by a different person whose art was less engaging may have given me the same negative reaction as many others.

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bom xịt.

Đã rất hứa hẹn. Mở đầu đã rất ổn. Nhân vật chính đã rất thú vị, nhưng

Ngoài bạn chính ra chẳng ai thú vị. Vì chẳng ai thú vị nên phát triển nhân vật hem nổi. Các bạn hem đẩy nhau đến giới hạn nên thấy mù mờ tâm sinh lí quá khứ hiện tại dễ sợ.

Đã vậy, một vụ án thôi mà lôi nhau mất mấy tập.

Nên thôi bạn drop.

[Rebo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was one of the most interesting, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that this really shouldn’t have been made into a manga because it’s not very visual and gdi going on 6 volumes for ONE pseudo ghost?! Come on. I’m pretty disappointed with this series’ squandered potential. I know it’s based off a novel, but it’s obviously TOO closely based on it imo.

[Rebecca]

This is an interesting concept, but I'm just not enjoying this series enough to finish it. The first arc has been drawn out too long, and there is too much focus on the idea of physical intimacy with the main character rather than an emotional connection. It feels too shallow and disjointed even 5 books in.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly story time in this volume as Kotoko types out 2 possible fiction to stop Steel Lady Nanase while Kuro distracts Nanase (dying multiple times and using his power of predicting the future), and Rikka I guess is hiding out somewhere stabbing herself to death repeatedly to also use her power of prediction.

I’m going to see this through …

[♡ Alisa Doe ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting more actual fighting instead of alot of talking... I hope the other two explanations don't take up the third book. They explanations to the Ghost were quite interesting it just got a bit boring when the whole book is two out of four explanations

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things seem to be wrapping up in the Steel Lady Nanase case, but I could be wrong. A good volume, but is basically just the continuation of the battle that began in the last volume.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good volume.

[Hana Eka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Masih kasus Nanase dan 3 jilid belum kelar...

[Iris Nevers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steel Lady Nanasae is stilllll going

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 Read #381

This manga is losing its entertainment factor a bit for me, probably because it keeps circling the same story over so many volumes. We need some variety!!

[Emmanuel Nevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steel Lady Nanase!!...almost concluded! Still great intrigue!

[Jessica]

review on 1st volume

[Tsuki-chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mais comment on peut faire un tel suspense?! Et puis, je trouve que Kotoko et Kûro sont trop chou! D'après mois, ils vont très bien ensemble~

[Maggie Goldwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feeling like DBZ with it's unending storyline for 1 arc. It's been 4.5 books so far and we're still on the same arc.

[Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mkay I don’t think I’m big brain enough to follow the logic

[Rachel Harton · Rating 2 out of 5]

First one isn't too bad but then they get way too slow and drawn out.