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(Cross-posted on my blog)

(Started and finished: 2024/08/22)

(I really have no idea what to title this review.)

First of all, volume 20 is indeed a milestone. I can't believe this series has been going on for so long, even receiving 2 seasons of anime adaptation. Who would've thought such a story full of dialogs, expositions, and weird mysteries can go on for so long? But I'm glad it did - it's been a thoroughly delightful journey for me. Sometimes I wonder, how can Kyo Shirodaira keep coming up with new mysteries and stories for so long? I wish I know their ways.

Speaking of mysteries, as the author also noted, this volume sure has plenty of tropes/elements of the mystery genre, such as locked room mystery, certain twists, and incidents in a well-off family, making the vibe of the volume closer to "mystery" (perhaps more than the other volumes). That is not a bad thing, as it reminds readers (once again) that this story is, in fact, a mystery. As the author even said, "this story appears to be a mystery while not quite fitting into that category, but ultimately best described as mystery" - it really sums up this series as a whole. I personally like to call it "unorthodox mystery", as I mentioned in my review of volume 19.

In contrast to volume 19, which was dominated by one-off stories, this volume returned (?) to multi-chapter arc, while keeping the tone relatively light. It feels so short yet so long at the same time. A case that began in volume 19 was closed here, while another came up and ended in a cliffhanger. Classic. As always, I can't wait for the continuation.

I said multi-chapter arc, but they're still side stories, just like volume 19. 20 volumes in and I still can't see the end of the road. I hope it'll continue for quite some time, though - I've been with this series for so long, I can't imagine seeing it end soon. It's amazing how even the side stories are enjoyable, with intriguing mysteries and charming character moments. These might as well be the series' charm.

P.S. While this wasn't mentioned by the author, I found it interesting that 2 mystery genre elements of 2 arcs here are related. When you think of "a murder that is impossible to be done", one thing that came to mind is locked room murder, right? But there are other ways to have "an impossible murder".

P.P.S. Kuro barely appears in this volume, so that's a bit disappointing. That said, he and Kotoko still has their moments. I love how it's confirmed (by the ghosts/monsters) how much Kuro cares about her when she isn't around. How sweet!

P.P.P.S. Interestingly enough, perhaps this volume is the most blatant in showing how the ghosts actually fear Kotoko and how less "human" she is compared to the actual human-monsters (Rikka and Kuro). While it is played for laughs here, I can see how it can be used for a serious moment. Though I believe this was touched upon in the previous volumes. I really need to re-read this series (perhaps from the very beginning), it's been way too long.

(2023/04/07?-2023/04/09, late post)

This volume is pretty packed with plenty of things. Then again, so does volume 1, but I feel this volume is even more jam-packed somehow, even though it doesn't actually progress a lot in the main plot. This volume finally further explored the once-sidelined characters in the main group, especially Pete and Chela, and the strengthening of their bonds as they have an adventure together. They're all very endearing. I especially love Katie's and Guy's rivalry in cooking, out of all things. It also introduced fun and quirky new characters. Some of them have depths already, and although they can be cliché, I enjoyed their moments. My personal favorite is Rossi and I hope to see more of him. You can't just make someone so handsome only to throw him away later! Chela's father also finally appeared and he's hilarious as hell.

On the other side, there is a bit more exposition about the the magical society. Very focused on the pursuit of magic, being a reversi - a genderfluid mage - is seen as a great thing, and having romantic relationships with people regardless of their gender is also allowed, so that's pretty progressive of them. I'm a bit surprised by how straightforward and matter-of-factly the story mentions sexual organs as a part of mages, but it's a welcome sight. On the other hand, noble mage families can be pretty harsh or even scary. Although volume 1 touched upon the madness of mages, this volume hammered down the point once again. Mages can be as insane as they are because they're hard to kill, for better or worse.

In the end, things really get dire and intense. I can't wait to read the next volume!

My only complaint for the book is how it keeps repeating nicknames/descriptions of characters. This is something writers (such as fanfic writers) also struggled with, so I understand the plight, but it gets bothersome at some point. Please use synonyms or call them by name.

(2023/03/25-2023/03/29, late post)

I've read the manga adaptation so I already knew the plot, but even so, it's been a while since I last read the manga so my memory needs a refresher and the light novel has so much more content.

At first glance, it's like a "Harry Potter" magic school knock-off with the addition of swords, but the it's soon revealed that the magical world of this story, and by extension the magic academy, isn't full of rainbows or sunshine. Far from it, it's full of madness and death always looms nearby. There's even a political turmoil about civil rights for demi-humans/magical beasts. The world is solid and well-built. There is a sinister, dark tone all over the book, and I dig it.

Even with all the exposition about the world and magic, I don't feel like it's too much or feels like a drag, I find them all very fascinating (as you might be able to tell by how long I wrote about the excellent world-building), save for Nanao's extended backstory. Although I like the slow pace of the first half as I get to learn about the world, the latter half being fast-paced and action-packed is also very exciting and fun.

Of course, no story is complete without characters to move the plot and explore the world. The 6 main characters feel tropey but done well, especially Oliver (a nice guy and jack of all trades, but hiding something dark - as the point of view character, he has enough inconsistencies for the reveal to work and not feel out of the blue) and Nanao. With 6 main characters, there isn't enough time to fully flesh out all of them, but we can already see their main personalities and quirks. They're a lovable bunch already, I love their fun interactions.

(2023/11/03-2023/11/07, late post)

It was another amazing volume with brand new mysteries to solve. I once again learned new things about Japanese myth and folklore. Japanese ghost stories about bathrooms are especially nostalgic for me, as I realized I mostly know them from an old manga series. The theories and concepts Akira spoke of about "the ordinary and extraordinary", why ghost stories mostly circulate in schools, and "hayarigami" are fascinating. "Hayarigami" especially seems to be something that can only happen in Japan due to its polytheistic belief.

This volume deals with more emotional matters than the previous volume, especially concerning the 2 main characters. The cases are used to develop their personalities and propel his relationship with Akira even further. Naoya in particular had a rough awakening about his ability and finally accepted Akira into his heart.

Despite all the touching things Akira said (that made fangirls like me scream), he still kept Naoya at a distance...until the last chapter of the volume. He showed another side of him we have never seen before and we learned more about his past and circumstances. Perhaps, just as Naoya finally let Akira inside his well-protected heart, he finally started to let Naoya into his heart, too.

At this point, I don't know if I ship them platonically or romantically. I think their bond can be even deeper than that. They're walking side-by-side on a path between reality and another world (the world of the supernatural), bearing pasts and burdens nobody but each other can understand. Either way, I'm invested in them and their relationship and I want them to be happy. Also, I really like the concept of "staying connected to reality through other people and things you love".

I sure talked a lot about their relationship lol. It is central to this series, especially in this volume, after all. That said, the cases are no slouch, either! There's an even bigger indication that perhaps, supernatural phenomenon is actually real. And perhaps, a trouble for the duo is brewing...

(Read and finished: 2024/02/21)

After a long arc last time, it's quite nice to go back to fun, standalone stories. It's still very much in line with the series, dialog-heavy, that sometimes I wonder how it can work as a manga. But as always, Chashiba Katase managed to not make the conversations look dull with the imagery (not that I'd mind even if it looks dull, anyway). I especially love the cute cats in place of humans in the first chapter, despite the grim story.

I found it a bit funny that "humans fear what they don't know" is mentioned, when the same topic is a core in "Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki's Conjecture" light novel/manga, with volume 3 of its light novel releasing on the same day. Perhaps it's fate - both series have similarities in which they tell mysteries relating to youkai/ghosts and I love them both.

I'm always amazed by how Kyo Shirodaira pursues unorthodox mysteries, twisting the usual tropes into something else. This can be seen in many of their works - "Spiral: Bonds of Reason", "Blast of Tempest", "She is More Ordinary Than I Thought" (lighter than the everything else in this list), and of course, this one. I think "In/Spectre" is the very definition of an unorthodox mystery story, probably the most mystery-oriented yet also unorthodox of the bunch. I must say, chapter 62 reminds me of "Kindaichi" for some reason. Despite how the grim this volume started and the subject matter, it doesn't feel too cold or heavy, and even got lighter halfway through, and I don't think that's a bad thing. I enjoyed these lighter pieces. My favorite might be the rakugo chapter, simply because I love rakugo. Of course it ended with the first chapter of a new arc that continued in the next volume...I can't wait to see what happens!

P.S. In the previous volumes, we finally started to see how Kuro actually feels about Kotoko. He returned to be pretty cold here, which is a bit too bad, but they still have their moments (I swear, Kuro and knowing Kotoko's little details and quirks...he might not want to admit it, but he's attentive). I love their banter and relationship so much! It's been going on for so long at this point, but I don't ever get tired of it...maybe partly because the volume releases are spaced out and I forgot many details by then lol, who knows. I should binge re-read this series from volume 1 someday since it's been so long, but I doubt my feelings would change. On another note, it's also fun to see Rikka and Kotoko having a banter again.