Friday, January 25, 2008

Pick of the Week!

Pick of the Week!
The Kindaichi Case Files: Opera House Murders--Great Read!

Do you like mysteries, comedy, and great characters that just make you want more? Well, then you'll like the Kindaichi Case Files by Kanenari Yosaburoh with art by Satoh Fumiya, a series published in the United States by Tokyopop.

The main character is Hajime Kindaichi, the grandson of the famous Japanese detective, Kousuke Kindaich, a literary figure like our Sherlock Holmes. Of course, you wouldn't know it by looking at him. He's a slacker and joker and seems like a total waste of space, until a mystery appears, that is. Then he shows his true colors. He is a genius. He flunks out of his classes because he sees no point to them when he could be catching up on his sleep! He is aided in his mystery solving by his childhood friend, and general good-student, Miyuki Nanase. She's his side-kick. Perhaps she'll be his love interest, too?

This volume one, The Opera House Murders, is an exellent introduction to the Kindaichi Case Files. The murder mystery takes place on an island, a classic convention that is then put to good use. Kindaichi joins Miyuki's theater club to help out, mostly at her insistance. The troup is practicing for a competition and decided that this Opera House Theater was the best location. Then the murders start, patterned after the murders in the Phantom of the Opera, which the students are perfoming. Who is the murderer and why is he killing? Ah, it takes a brain like Kindaichi's to figure it out!

That is the key thing about these mysteries. I have read most of the mysteries multiple times, and I just can't get over how complicated and interesting they are. Even when I reread them and see the clues, I am amazed at how well hidden they are. But not too well-hidden. If you are really good at these, you might guess the answer to the mystery by yourself. I never can, but unlike some poorly written mysteries, everything you need to find the answer is right there in the story of the Opera House Murders.

The character development is phenomenal, as well. You start off with your doubts about Kindaichi. After all he is a slacker and acts kinda goofy, but he also shows rather early that he is very intelligent. The characters progress, as well. Kindaichi starts off as a goofy kid, but he turns into a leader. Miyuki starts off as a rather serious young lady, but she picks up a little of Kindaichi's goofyness. But, it is important to remember that this is a murder mystery. The story is the mystery and the characters generally start off as they came in. The real changes in these types of stories are with the murderers, who get to realize that they can't get away with murder. Still, the characters are charming, so you want to see what they do next.

Lastly, a few words on art. I have rarely seen art like this from a manga. The art isn't edged, like we are used to seeing from shounen manga. It is very rounded, actually, but not overly pretty, like in a shoujo. I actually find it refreshingly real. The art is another reason to read this. It is a unique, but highly attractive, style.

Okay, that's my Pick of the Week! I'll be back next week with another one. Until then!

Kate Davids
The Picker

No comments: