The were-idols mate

This book is AMAZING!!! There were a few spelling and grammatical errors but the story was so good it didn’t even matter! Can not wait for the second book!

Wonderful exciting heartwarming amazing storyline special characters so worth the read

Some of you may have noticed that a number of my recent reviews have centered on the works of Arakawa Hiromu, the creator behind Full Metal Alchemist and Jyuushin Enbu: Hero Tales. Beyond these renowned series, she has also crafted several successful one-shots. Among them, Shanghai Yomakikai (Demons of Shanghai) stands out as the manga that built upon the success of her debut work, Stray Dog. Despite being only a short series of four chapters, it effectively highlights her creative prowess in ways Stray Dog couldn't, laying a solid foundation for the creation of Full Metal Alchemist and her subsequent works.

Set in the year 2050, the world has undergone significant scientific and technological advancements, yet Shanghai remains known as the "Demon Capital" due to its large population of supernatural beings, some of which are not particularly friendly towards humans. Since regular police forces are incapable of handling these creatures, the task falls to the Demon Taoists Corporation, a small group of individuals serving as the final line of defense against these monsters.

At first glance, the premise seems dark and foreboding, but like much of Arakawa's work, appearances can be deceiving. Shanghai Yomakikai is far from serious. The plot follows a fairly standard template, but what makes the story original and inventive is how it reinterprets old ideas and characters. The pacing is generally good, with the narrative flowing smoothly from one panel to the next.

The first two chapters function as standalone stories, with the first chapter also providing a decent introduction to the main characters. The last two chapters are consecutive, and although the ending is more open-ended than most readers might prefer, I find it fitting. It gives the impression that life continues as usual for the Demon Taoists Corporation.

Fans of Arakawa's other works will recognize her penchant for drawing simple, clean, yet slightly "cartoony" characters, and Shanghai Yomakikai is no exception. Even the monsters have a somewhat surreal appearance and don't appear genuinely frightening.

Arakawa also exhibits her tendency to either omit backgrounds or include just enough detail to establish a sense of place. Visual effects like speed lines are used more frequently here to enhance the action and humor, and they are employed effectively.

The one drawback is that occasionally it seems Arakawa's love for the absurd takes over. Thankfully, these instances are rare, but given the high levels of action and humor in the manga, it can sometimes be challenging to discern.

Shanghai Yomakikai features a cast of characters who recur throughout its four chapters. Each member of the Demon Taoist Corporation is distinct, with unique personalities. Jack, one of the corporation's field agents, is the star of the show, and his interactions with his colleagues and surroundings often elicit laughter. Despite his tough-guy demeanor, he still fears his female boss, Director Nynetales, who "disciplined him and taught him proper manners" (Jack's polite description since she was standing right behind him).

Other members of the Demon Taoist Corporation, including Yan (Jack's field partner), Su-An (a child), and Holy Emperor Guan Yun-Chang (Jack's temporary replacement and part-time office junior), are all eccentric and hilarious at times. Su-An's attempts to assist in the last two chapters were a stroke of creative genius, and this isn't the only instance where seemingly irrelevant details become amusing.

This is a well-written and choreographed piece of manga comedy that I hesitate to categorize as horror, despite featuring supernatural entities like vampires. Following the success of Stray Dog, Arakawa expressed a desire to create light-hearted comedy, and she has infused this manga with nearly everything she enjoys, yielding surprisingly excellent results. From the opening page, the series captures the reader's attention with its "serious" introduction, and this seriousness scattered throughout the manga provides much of the comedy with an ironic (and slightly cynical) twist that would otherwise be absent.

If you're a fan of Arakawa's work or simply seeking something that can make you laugh, this is definitely worth reading. The blend of action and comedy is expertly presented, and the humor is of a caliber that will likely appeal to most people.

I just hope some studio decides to adapt this into an animated series in the future, as it's a story that could thrive in that medium.

please update

Is this completed..? If not please tell me when this completes...

Oh boy! What a stupid "didn't hide anything to each other"...it made me feel frustrated...!