Neuro: Supernatural Detective

Manga

Written and illustrated by Yusei Matsui, the manga was originally serialized by Shueisha in the Japanese magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 21, 2005,[8] to April 20, 2009.[9][10] Shueisha compiled the 202 chapters into 23 (collected volumes) released from July 4, 2005, to August 4, 2009.[11][12] It has also been published as part of the Shueisha Jump Remix series of magazine-style books. Five volumes were released between January 7 and March 7, 2011.[13][14][15][16][17] Between October 12 and 16, 2012, the 23 volumes were re-published digitally under the Jump Comics Digital line.[18][19] The series started to be released on format by Shueisha on January 18, 2013, and it lasted twelve volumes, the last of which was published on June 18 of that same year.[20][21] Volumes 11 and 12 of the edition included the two one-shots that preceded its serialization.[21][22]

Outside Japan, it has been licensed in some countries such as in France by Glénat,[23] in Hong Kong by Culturecom,[24] in Italy and Spain by Planeta DeAgostini,[25][26] in South Korea by Seoul Media Group,[27] and in Taiwan by Tong Li Publishing.[28]

Anime

The production of an anime series was announced in 33rd issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump released on July 14, 2007.[29] The Neuro: Supernatural Detective anime adaptation was produced by Madhouse, Nippon Television, Shueisha, D.N. Dream Partners and VAP and directed by Hiroshi Kōjina, with Satoshi Suzuki handling series composition, Mika Takahashi designing the characters and Tomoki Hasegawa composing the music.[30] The series, consisting of 25 television episodes, originally aired from October 3, 2007, to March 26, 2008, on Nippon TV;[31][32] it was later broadcast by four of Nippon TV's affiliated stations.[34] VAP distributed the anime in DVD format; nine volumes were released between December 21, 2007, and August 27, 2008,[35][36] and a DVD box set was released on September 30, 2008.[37] 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.[38][39] An official soundtrack composed by Tomoki Hasegawa was released on December 21, 2007, by VAP.[30][40]

Related media

Two audio dramas were released on November 6, 2006, and April 25, 2007, by Shueisha.[41][42] A light novel titled Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Sekai no Hate ni wa Chō ga Mau (魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ 世界の果てには蝶が舞う) was written by Akira Higashiyama and published by Shueisha on July 20, 2007.[43] On November 21, 2007, Data House released a book written by the Neuro Study Group titled Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro no Himitsu. (魔人探偵脳噛ネウロの秘密)[44] On March 6, 2008, Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Kanzen Shinri Kaiseki-sho (魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ完全心理解析書) written by Kōichi Mizuide was released by Kazan.[45] In Japan, action figures, bags, chawan, T-shirts, mouse pads, fridge magnets, and other products were sold as merchandise for the series.

Video games

A Nintendo DS game titled Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro: Neuro and Yako no Bishoku Sanmai Suiritsuki Gourmet and Mystery (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) was produced by Audio and released by Marvelous Entertainment on June 12, 2008.[46] Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro: Battle Da Yo! Hannin Shūgō!, (魔人探偵脳噛ネウロ　バトルだヨ！ 犯人集合!) a PlayStation 2 game, was also released on August 28, 2008.[46] 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.[47] Neuro appears as a support character in the crossover fighting game J-Stars Victory VS.[48]

Public response

The manga had sold 4.4 million in Japan;[49] individual volumes frequently appeared on the lists of best-selling manga there.[50][51][52] 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.[53] 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.[54]

Critical response

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.[55] 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."[56] Animeland's critic also compared it to Case Closed, but said its black humor, cruel and deadpan laughs were "quite caustic."[57]

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".[58] 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.[59] 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".[60]