Neuro: Supernatural Detective

Neuro: Supernatural Detective

Japanese cover of Neuro: Supernatural Detective volume 1 published by Shueisha on July 4, 2005
魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ
Genre Occult detective, horror
Manga
Written by Yūsei Matsui
Published by Shueisha
Demographic Shōnen
Imprint Jump Comics
Magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump
Original run February 21, 2005 – April 20, 2009
Volumes 23
Anime television series
Directed by Hiroshi Kōjina
Music by Tomoki Hasegawa
Studio Madhouse
Licensed by
Original network Nippon Television
Original run October 2, 2007 – March 25, 2008
Episodes 25

Neuro: Supernatural Detective, known in Japan as Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro (Japanese: 魔人探偵 脳噛ネウロ, lit. "Demon Detective Neuro Nōgami"), is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yūsei Matsui. The series follows Neuro Nōgami, a demon who depends on mysteries for sustenance. Having consumed all the mysteries in the demon world, Neuro travels to the human world in search of more. There, Neuro recruits high school student Yako Katsuragi as a facade for a detective agency. The supernatural-themed manga was created because Matsui considered himself unable to draw humans.

The manga was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 2005 to April 2009. The individual chapters were collected and released in 23 tankōbon (collected volumes) by Shueisha. A 25-episode anime series directed by Hiroshi Kōjina and animated by Madhouse was originally aired between 2007 and 2008 on Nippon Television. In 2011, the anime series was licensed by Viz Media and uploaded to the company's website. Neuro: Supernatural Detective has spawned a light novel, two audio albums, two video games, and other merchandise.

Neuro: Supernatural Detective's manga has been popular in Japan, frequently ranking in the weekly Top Ten list of best-selling manga. It has sold over four million volumes as of April 2009 in Japan. The anime, however, has been criticized by fans because it deviates from Matsui's work, and received a low viewership. Critics of anime often compared it to Case Closed, noting supernatural themes as the only difference between them.

Plot

The series' central character is Neuro Nōgami (脳噛 ネウロ, Nōgami Neuro), a demon who eats mysteries. Because he has eaten every mystery in the demon world, he comes to the human world to feast on the mysteries offered by humans. Because he is a demon, he does not want to make his presence in the human world widely known. He makes an arrangement with a 16-year-old high school girl Yako Katsuragi (桂木 弥子, Katsuragi Yako)—who wants to solve the mystery of her father's murder, which was declared a suicide by the police. They establish a detective agency and, together with former criminal Shinobu Godai (吾代 忍, Godai Shinobu) and a sentient braid of hair called Akane (あかねちゃん, Akane-chan), solve crimes to feed Neuro's appetite.

Production

Before the series' regular serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump, Yūsei Matsui published two one-shots. The first one was published in the summer issue of Akamaru Jump; it won the Jump Jūni Ketsu Shinjin Manga Award in the horror mystery category.[1] After the first was "extremely well received" according to Shueisha, the second one-shot was released on September 6, 2004, in issue 41 of Weekly Shōnen Jump.[2]

Prior to the start of the series, he was not sure whether it would be a detective manga or a romantic one.[3] Although he does not like detective stories, Matsui nevertheless chose to write one because it was a genre that was not covered in the magazine that time.[4] However, Matsui considers Neuro the antithesis to "orthodox detective manga" like Case Closed or Kindaichi Case Files because of Neuro's supernatural powers.[4] Furthermore, he did not want to create a detective's reasoning manga because he does not like to read or draw it. He said that reasoning scenes are superfluous, so he placed some jokes in these scenes.[3]

Matsui was not good at drawing humans or real life things, and he was about to lose his self-confidence when he "threw things in at random" to create the series.[3] Matsui mixed his creation with real things to make his style original. To create the atmosphere of the series, Matsui used as reference paintings by Rei Kamoi, a Japanese artist he saw on television, and Gōjin Ishihara, the illustrator of Edogawa Ranpo's Shōnen Tantei Dan. Matsui's creative process of art is to begin drawing erotic and grotesque images, and at the same time humorous and cute scenes. Matsui did not wish to create "terrifying characters" but "funny-terrifying" and "terrifying-cute". He also tried to avoid men's idealized image of heroines and women's idealized images of heroes. Matsui decided to create characters that could exist in the real world and to make their acts and reactions realistic.[3] As such, elaborating on "why people would create such complex tricks in order to murder someone, [he] wanted to convey the extent to which humans will go in pursuit of a goal".[4]

Publication

Written and illustrated by Yūsei Matsui, the manga was originally serialized by Shueisha in the Japanese magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 21, 2005, to April 20, 2009.[5][6] Shueisha compiled the 202 chapters into 23 tankōbon (collected volumes) released from July 4, 2005, to August 4, 2009.[7][8] It has also been published as part of the Shueisha Jump Remix series of magazine-style books. Five volumes were released between January 7, 2011, and March 7, 2011.[9][10][11][12][13] Between October 12, 2012, and October 16, 2012, the 23 volumes of Neuro: Supernatural Detective were re-published in Amazon Kindle format under the Jump Comics Digital line.[14][15] The series started to be released on bunkoban format by Shueisha on January 18, 2013, and it lasted twelve volumes, the last of which was published on June 18, 2013.[16][17] Volumes 11 and 12 of the bunkoban edition included the two one-shots that preceded its serialization.[17][18] Outside Japan, it has been licensed in some countries such as in France by Glénat,[19] in Hong Kong by Culturecom,[20] in Italy and Spain by Planeta DeAgostini,[21][22] in South Korea by Seoul Media Group,[23] and in Taiwan by Tong Li Publishing.[24]

Anime adaptation

The production of an anime series was announced in 33rd issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump released on July 14, 2007.[25] The Neuro: Supernatural Detective anime adaptation was directed by Hiroshi Kōjina and co-produced by Madhouse, Nippon Television (NTV), Shueisha, D.N. Dream Partners and VAP.[26] The series, consisting of 25 television episodes, originally aired from October 2, 2007 to March 25, 2008 on NTV in Japan;[27][28] it was later broadcast by four NTV's affiliated stations.[29] VAP distributed the anime in DVD format; nine volumes were released between December 21, 2007, and August 27, 2008,[30][31] and a DVD box set was released on September 30, 2008.[32] The series was acquired by Viz Media, which renamed it Neuro: Supernatural Detective and streamed it from February 18, 2011, to July 1, 2011 on its website VizAnime.com, and on Hulu.[33][34] An official soundtrack composed by Tomoki Hasegawa was released in December 21, 2007 by VAP.[26][35]

Two audio dramas were released on November 6, 2006, and April 25, 2007, by Shueisha.[36][37] A light novel titled Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Sekai no Hate ni wa Chō ga Mau[Jp 1] was written by Akira Higashiyama and published by Shueisha on July 20, 2007.[38] On November 21, 2007, Data House released a book written by the Neuro Study Group titled Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro no Himitsu.[Jp 2][39] On March 6, 2008, Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Kanzen Shinri Kaiseki-sho[Jp 3] written by Kōichi Mizuide was released by Kazan.[40] In Japan, action figures, bags, chawan, T-shirts, mouse pads, fridge magnets, and other products were sold as merchandise for the series.[41]

Video games

A Nintendo DS game titled Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Neuro to Yako no Bishoku Sanmai Suiritsuki Gourmet and Mystery[Jp 4] was produced by Audio and released by Marvelous Entertainment on June 12, 2008.[41] Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro: Battle Da Yo! Hannin Shūgō![Jp 5], a PlayStation 2 game, was also released in August 28, 2008.[41] Neuro Nōgami appeared in the Nintendo DS game Jump Ultimate Stars as a battle character, using Yako for some of his attacks. Akane, X and Sasazuka appeared as help characters.[42] Neuro appears as a support character in the crossover fighting game J-Stars Victory VS.[43]

Reception

The manga has sold 4.4 million units in Japan as of April 2009;[44] individual volumes frequently appeared on the lists of best-selling manga there.[45][46][47] Fans of the manga series responded negatively to its anime adaptation, criticizing the alterations made to the characterizations and stories. Japanese website New Akiba, hosted a petition intended to show fans' dissatisfaction and to ask Madhouse and Nippon Television to be more faithful to the original work.[48] In North America, it was also not well received, according to Viz Media's representative Amy Mar who said the show is of low priority since it has not been among the most-watched on VizAnime.[49]

Manga Sanctuary praised the protagonist for being original and unique. It criticized the fact that the reader does not have access to some facts that could help to solve the mysteries. The reviewer said it is unfortunate because the readers feels passive, which is not desirable in a crime series.[50] However, Manga News said that this impassivity is good because it is what differentiates Neuro from Case Closed. Its design, setting, the "interesting and well-constructed characters", and the development of the relationship between Neuro and Yako were also praised. The reviewer said the series is "completely apart in the world of manga, Neuro is a genre unto itself which is between several styles and therefore appeal to a wider audience."[51] Animeland's critic also compared it to Case Closed, but said its black humor, cruel and deadpan laughs were "quite caustic."[52]

Anime News Network's Carlo Santos said that the series walks "the line between serious sleuth drama and supernatural spell-fest", "balancing all that with the occasional joke". He said the graphic violence is the best part of the series, praised the Madhouse animation and described it as "Case Closed with spirit powers".[53] Serdar Yegulalp from About.com said it has "[a]n interesting concept", is "competent enough", and "has a few fun twists", but that apart from the supernatural elements it does not bring anything that has not already been done in Case Closed.[54] Writing for Mania.com, Chris Beveridge said the anime operates principally around the two main characters; he said that it is "more interesting to watch how Neuro and Yako operate, to understand methods and personalities, more than the actual event. And that weakens the episode because it never feels like we're really drawn into the mystery itself." Beveridge added it "has some good production values", but criticized Neuro's appearance, "which is bordering on comical" as it makes it difficult for the series "to go a darker route".[55]

Notes

Japanese
  1. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 世界の果てには蝶が舞う, lit. "Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: The Butterfly that Dances at the End of the World"
  2. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロの秘密, lit. "Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Secrets"
  3. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ完全心理解析書, lit. "Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Full Psychological Analysis Document"
  4. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ ネウロと弥子の美食三昧 推理つき グルメ＆ミステリー Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Neuro to Yako no Bishoku Sanmai Suiritsuki Gurume to Misuterī
  5. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ　バトルだヨ！ 犯人集合! Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro Batoru Da Yo! Hannin Shūgō!

References

  1. ↑ Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Bunkoban, Volume 11. Shueisha. June 18, 2013.
  2. ↑ "週刊少年ジャンプ 2004年 Vol. 41" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 9, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Matsui's interview". Weekly Shōnen Jump (18): 203–208. March 31, 2008. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Ciolek, Todd (October 18, 2016). "Interview: Assassination Classroom's Yusei Matsui". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  5. ↑ "週刊少年ジャンプ 2005年 Vol. 12" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Manga Ends in Japan on Monday (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  7. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 1 (ジャンプコミックス) [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro 1 (Jump Comics)] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  8. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 23 [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro 23] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  9. ↑ 【廉価版】魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ　魔人と女子校生(1) (in Japanese). BookOffOnline. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  10. ↑ "【廉価版】魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ　怪物強盗X(1)" (in Japanese). BookOffOnline. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  11. ↑ 【廉価版】魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ　死の「赤い箱」ふたたび(3) (in Japanese). BookOffOnline. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  12. ↑ 【廉価版】魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ(4) 天才・春川英輔の実験 (in Japanese). BookOffOnline. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  13. ↑ 【廉価版】魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ(5) (in Japanese). BookOffOnline. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  14. ↑ "魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ モノクロ版 1 (ジャンプコミックスDIGITAL)" [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Monochrome version 1 (Jump Comics Digital) (Kindle version)] (in Japanese). Amazon. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  15. ↑ "魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ モノクロ版 23 (ジャンプコミックスDIGITAL) (Kindle版)" [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Monochrome version 23 (Jump Comics Digital) (Kindle version)] (in Japanese). Amazon. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  16. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 1 (集英社文庫) [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro 1 (Shueisha Bunko)] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  17. 1 2 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 12 [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro 12] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  18. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 11 [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro 11] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Neuro - Tome 23" (in French). Glénat. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  20. ↑ 文化傳信　日本漫畫香港中文版書目(20/9/2012更新) (in Chinese). Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Nogami Neuro, Investigatore Demoniaco" (in Italian). Planeta DeAgostini. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Nôgami Neuro nº 01" (in Spanish). Planeta de Libros. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  23. ↑ 마인탐정 네우로(20권) (in Korean). Seoul Media Group. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  24. ↑ 魔人偵探 腦嚙涅羅 (第23集) (in Chinese). Tong Li Publishing. Archived from the original on May 18, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Shonen Jump's Neuro to be Animated on Japanese TV". Anime News Network. July 20, 2007. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  26. 1 2 キャスト/スタッフ (in Japanese). VAP. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Episode 1" (in Japanese). VAP. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Episode 25" (in Japanese). VAP. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  29. ↑ 放送地域のお知らせ (in Japanese). Nippon Television. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  30. ↑ "魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ DVD 1" [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro DVD 1] (in Japanese). VAP. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  31. ↑ "魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ DVD 9" [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro DVD 9] (in Japanese). VAP. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  32. ↑ "『魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ』DVD全巻収納ケース" [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro DVD box set] (in Japanese). VAP. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Viz Media Debuts Neuro: Supernatural Detective on VizAnime and Hulu". Anime News Network. February 18, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Viz Media announces the cliffhanger series finale of Neuro: Supernatural Detective anime series". Viz Media. June 30, 2011. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2014.
  35. ↑ 魔人探偵 脳噛ネウロ オリジナル・サウンドトラック [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Original Soundtrack] (in Japanese). VAP. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
  36. ↑ "魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ　ドラマCD" [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Drama CD] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  37. ↑ "魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ　ドラマCD2" [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Drama CD 2] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 9, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  38. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 世界の果てには蝶が舞う [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: The Butterfly that Dances at the End of the World] (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  39. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロの秘密 [Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro Secrets] (in Japanese). Data House. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  40. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ完全心理解析書 (in Japanese). Yodobashi. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  41. 1 2 3 "Goods" (in Japanese). Nippon Television. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  42. ↑ ジャンプアルティメットスターズ ファーストアルティガイド [Jump Ultimate Stars First Ultiguide]. Tokyo: Shueisha. 2006. pp. 57; 203–204. ISBN 978-4-08-779392-5.
  43. ↑ "J-Stars Victory Vs. Game's 5-Minute Video Reveals Assassination Classroom, Neuro". Anime News Network. December 17, 2013. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
  44. ↑ 魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ：ついに完結　ヒロイン弥子が名探偵に. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  45. ↑ "Japanese Comic Ranking, February 5–11". Anime News Network. February 13, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  46. ↑ "Japanese Comic Ranking, July 1–7". Anime News Network. July 16, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  47. ↑ "Japanese Comic Ranking, August 3–9". Anime News Network. December 8, 2009. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  48. ↑ "Japanese Fans Unhappy With Nogami Neuro Anime Adaptation". Anime Nation. December 13, 2007. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2013.
  49. ↑ Manry, Gia (July 31, 2011). "Viz Media Industry Panel". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  50. ↑ "Critiques du staff, Neuro - le mange mystères" (in French). Manga Sanctuary. June 19, 2008. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  51. ↑ "Neuro - le mange mystères critique" (in French). Manga News. Archived from the original on July 5, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  52. ↑ Bahu-Leyser, Emmanuel. "Neur Vol.1 - La BD - Critiques". Animeland (in French). Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  53. ↑ "The Fall 2007 Anime Season Guide". Anime News Network. October 21, 2007. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  54. ↑ "Streaming Anime from Viz and Crunchyroll: 'Tiger & Bunny', 'Sket Dance'". About.com. IAC. April 11, 2011. Archived from the original on May 25, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  55. ↑ Beveridge, Chris (March 28, 2011). "Neuro Episode #01". Mania. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
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