In/Spectre, Vol. 4

漫画 虚構推理 / In/Spectre #4

by Chashiba Katase (Artist), Kyo Shirodaira

STRANGER THAN FICTION Whether or not the spectre of a dead idol is real, the urban legend of "Steel Lady Nanase" feeds people’s imaginations and results in a murder that hits close to home for Saki. This brutal death causes the legend to further balloon out of control, and Kotoko and Kurô must devise a lie that can counteract the belief that such a dangerous ghost even exists. But matters become complicated when the group discovers that the person behind the myth may be someone Kurô has known all along…What powers can bring a ghost to life, and what motivated this trickery?

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

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 17, 2016

Reviews

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The case will go unsolved. The only ones who can bring justice to that monster...are those who know the truth and have the power to deal with it."

El tomo ha sido más llevadero que los anteriores en cuanto a su argumento, por así decirlo. Sin embargo, a pesar que el anterior tomo me pareciese una maravilla , este se me ha quedado un poco corto. Además, me gustaría ver más desarollo de los personajes y sus relaciones tanto intrapersonales como con el resto de los personajes. Solo espero que no sigan siendo estos personajes cliché que llevo viendo desde el inicio.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I'm really sick of Steel Lady Nanase. It's quite frustrating and disappointing that this has been the main story for the last three volumes. With these characters and this world/magic there is so much potential for a really great story, but somehow they've wasted most of that. The next volume is hopefully the conclusion, because this subplot has really taken away any enjoyment I felt when I first started reading this series. 😪

[Kimberlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I keep thinking this manga has great potential. The art is amazing. The premise is interesting. However, I'm not sure how much longer I can take a manga that's 90% exposition and logical dialogue. The mangaka makes a point and then beats it absolutely to death. Here's hoping volume 5 actually has some action in it.

[V.ya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this became more boring with every installment.

[Nicolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This may be the most literary manga that I've read, in both plot and execution. Plot-wise, for several chapters, it's all about weaponizing rumors and the internet to create phantom called Steel Lady Nanase.

The problem with this adaptation is that it's structured like a novel, which is no surprise because that is the source material. But it makes for a plodding pace as the current story arc is parked to move several subplots integral to the entire novel.

However, I am now more confident that there is a payoff worth my patience and support for the story so far. The art is stellar, and I've started to become invested with the main characters. As this volume ends, I could finally see a spark of a sign that all this is going somewhere. Fingers crossed.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steel Lady Nanase has now claimed a victim who was also one of Saki’s police peers, and now she, Kurô and Kotoko must figure out a possible plan. They believe that a girl from Kurô’s past may have some knowledge about the yokai and it will lead them to finally meet their killer face to face. A- (91%/Excellent)

[♡ Alisa Doe ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is getting interesting!!

[Nikkie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An improvement over the last volume, which dragged due to extensive info dumping, but still not an improvement that pushes it to the level of excellence of the first two volumes. We get more exposition which is evenly proportionate to character development, and the plot is finally about to get back to the action, but you don't see much of it this volume. We get some more development in the issue of fighting Steel Beam Nanase, and more information on our characters backgrounds and how it intertwines, but that's the extent of the developments. However next volume I think has the potential to get back to the standards the first two volumes set, as we're about to actually get to the combat of fighting the specter!

[The Langles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has so much potential, but volume 4 is definitely the low point for me. The characters spent the whole volume having the same conversation over and over. Not even exaggerating. I was amazed at how many ways the author cake up with to repeat the same questions and concepts. The whole volume could have taken a single chapter. That said, it gets better and I enjoyed the conclusion in volume 6.

[Alexis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like they're just really dragging out this Steel Lady Nanase story. I expected it to be done by now and it's not really holding my interest that much. I'd rather a bunch of short adventures rather than one long mystery where they give you one new clue per volume. Maybe it's supposed to be suspenseful but it's just boring me at this point.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know those movies where hackers do amazing things but watching them do them is so boring. This volume reminds me of that. It's getting bogged down in being clever. Nothing at all happens except for one very important piece of back story about Kuro's cousin (who we saw in the hospital). Eighty percent of this was the three of them trying to figure out how to leak a fake news story that people will believe to prove Steel Lady Nanase isn't real (which she is now thanks to the belief of the people. Yeah we could have accomplished that in about three panels, not more than two thirds of a volume. So like many other reviewers I've seen, I'm hoping this is wrapping up soon because it's draining my desire to read this.

What I did like was the art. It's lovely. Also there is a nice scene with Kotoko in her room, leg off, eye out and very at home with Kuro seeing her that way (but not Saki).

I would have liked more grief or something out of Saki over the death of her fellow police officer and friend. That felt rushed.

What I could get along without ever seeing again is what the little review snippets called a 'charming romance.' For me, it comes across as creepy with Kotoko constantly trying to prove to Saki she's having sex with with Kuro (and it isn't helped by the fact she's tiny and looks thirteen). I've yet to get a romantic vibe from Kuro and Kotoko (more like she's bribed him to be with her in far too many ways). At least there wasn't too much of it this time but I really hope we move past that soon. I wanted to like this more than I did especially since we have a disabled heroine (But I'm not sure how hopeful I am that there will be more action after reading the note by the author of the novel this is adapted from).

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 stars for the series so far. I’m still interested in the lore and supernatural aspects, but there’s still a lot of talking and narrating, and I’m noticing some of the repetitiveness mentioned by other reviews.

I think I’ll keep reading because I’m REALLY interested in the characters. Like how the heck did Kotoko and Kuro finally start dating, what is the resolution of this love triangle, and what more is there to know about Rikka (she’s older than Kuro but I thought he was the first to be able to handle the yokai meat)??

[Meakuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich bin mir mittlerweile sicher, dass ich die Reihe nicht durchziehen will. Die Protagonistin ist quasi eine obsessive eifersüchtige Stalkerin. Der Protagonist scheint mittlerweile drei Frauen zu lieben und ja, Nanase, die Stahlfrau zieht sich mittlerweile wirklich zu sehr in die Länge. Ich werd Band 5 noch lesen, in der Hoffnung, der Stahlfrauen-Arc ist damit abgeschlossen. Ich kann immer nur sehr schwer etwas abbrechen, mit dem Ende dieses Falls sollte es mir aber gelingen.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite thus far. Not because it is continuing the Steel Lady Nanase arc, but because of where the arc went with this one. I liked the idea of the Imagination of all the people giving her an existence, but the reveal of the person who created the site and who it actually is was a let down for me. I'd much rather it have been a total stranger. Ah well, this is all my library system has so I may not get to the next ones for a while.

[Jewels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huh, so that's what's going on behind the scenes? Well, there wasn't much action, but the ending was the opening to some great stuff I need to get my hands on. Hoping for the best in the near future!
(Also, the author left a letter leaving references about the word "esprit", but I still don't know what it means!)

[Rebo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume is slightly more interesting with the addition of an antagonist, but overall I’m disappointed that the series has spent 4 (going on 5) volumes on a story that isn’t terribly interesting in the first place...

[Moriah Venable · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is still a lot of explanation and we learn more about Kuro and his cousin, Rikka.

I guess he does have a type. I am curious how Kotoko and Kuro got together within the two and half years that passed.

[J-Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gets better with each volume, but things feel like they move so slowly since it’s only two chapters per volume. We finally know the real villain but we don’t know why they are doing the thing!!! Just gotta continue reading….

[Nani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rikka is sickening but the relationship between her and Kurô is odd and a little off putting. I’m curious to know her motives behind creating Steel Lady Nanase. Overall, Kotoko deserves better than a loser who’s lowkey in love with his cousin

[Yuiko · Rating 2 out of 5]

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

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

Good volume.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot took a bit of a twist. The antagonist has the same powers as one of the protagonists as well as a head start. I don't really like how the girl is too pushy with the guy.

[Hana Eka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yokainya sedikit, drama manusianya banyak...

[Kelly⁷ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a masochist, really.

Give me more romance!

[Iris Nevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im not feeling this whole Rikka stuff.

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

2020 Read #380

As I’ve said for prior volumes, this is a dense read, but I think I enjoy it more as a manga than I would in its original novel form.

[Emmanuel Nevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Battle against Steel Lady Nanase has begun! As well as discovering who is behind her existence in the first place!

[Jessica]

review on 1st volume

[Princessadivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Очень зацепил сначала сериал, а потом и эта манга

[Alexandre · Rating 1 out of 5]

dropping this title, so much talking and nothing going on like 2 full volumes of talking and wall to wall explanation .