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The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service #4-6
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Omnibus, Book 2
It’s weird-enough work, just trying every day to turn corpses into cash when they’re connected to mysterious UFO crashes, modern-day mummies, and stiffs turned to soap. But the secrets of the Kurosagi crew’s past continue to haunt them as well as they meet the exorcist Reiji Akira from Mail, who photographs the familiar spirit haunting Karatsu, and a flashback story takes us to early twentieth-century Japan to meet the ancestors of our cast. Collects The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Volumes 4–6.
664 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2015
12 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Eiji Otsuka
358 books141 followers大塚英志
Social anthropologist and novelist. Graduated from college with degree in anthropology, women's folklore, human sacrifice and post-war manga. In addition to his work with manga he is a critic, essayist, and author of several successful non-fiction books on Japanese popular and “otaku” sub-cultures. One of his first animation script works was Maho no Rouge Lipstick, an adult lolicon OVA. Otsuka was the editor for the bishojo lolicon manga series Petit Apple Pie.
In the 80s, Otsuka was editor-in-chief of Manga Burikko, a leading women's manga magazine where he pioneered research on the “otaku” sub-culture in modern Japan. In 1988 he published "Manga no Koro" (The Structure of Comics), a serious study of Japanese comics and their social significance. Also as critic, Otsuka Eiji, summarized the case of the Japanese red army's 1972 murders as a conflict between the masculine and the feminine principles as they were both embodied by women and against women (Otsuka,1994).
Social anthropologist and novelist. Graduated from college with degree in anthropology, women's folklore, human sacrifice and post-war manga. In addition to his work with manga he is a critic, essayist, and author of several successful non-fiction books on Japanese popular and “otaku” sub-cultures. One of his first animation script works was Maho no Rouge Lipstick, an adult lolicon OVA. Otsuka was the editor for the bishojo lolicon manga series Petit Apple Pie.
In the 80s, Otsuka was editor-in-chief of Manga Burikko, a leading women's manga magazine where he pioneered research on the “otaku” sub-culture in modern Japan. In 1988 he published "Manga no Koro" (The Structure of Comics), a serious study of Japanese comics and their social significance. Also as critic, Otsuka Eiji, summarized the case of the Japanese red army's 1972 murders as a conflict between the masculine and the feminine principles as they were both embodied by women and against women (Otsuka,1994).
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 5, 2019
Ok…..so…..read this disclaimer first.
DISCLAIMER: This is a is a review of The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Omnibus 2. If you haven’t read Omnibus 1 or caught up on individual volumes of the series, then you need to start here -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
That will give you some of the basic background of what the series is about. This review is going to pick up pretty much where that one left off…...so without further ado……
The basic cast of players has expanded a bit from the first few volumes. There has also been a decent level of character development for a few of our regulars.
Kuro Karatsu: Our bald monk with the power to speak to the dead is still one of the main focal points of the manga, for obvious reasons. His ability is the glue that holds the group together. He is by turns portrayed as a little bit more serious and introspective in some of the adventures, though he has also fallen even more into a role as a comic foil for Numata, with whom he is often paired as their powers compliment each other. It’s becoming more and more obvious that Kuro was not exactly paying much attention in his classes at the Buddhist College, though…..
Ao Sasaki - Still the sharpest member of the crew, she continues to guide the team through their adventures. She seems to be more of a background character in most of the stories in Omnibus 2, though. She had a big story arc back in Volume 2, so maybe Eiji Otsuka decided to give her a little bit of space in some of these later story arcs. She is still an integral part of the Service, though.
Makoto Numata - The big dude with the “dowsing for dead” ability is still the muscle of the band. No big surprises for him, but he continues to show a softer and mellower side from time to time.
Yuji Yata - Yuji continues to prove his worth in many ways, and he continues to apply his intellect to various components of the group’s cases. He’s still stuck with his alien possessed hand puppet, though……
Kere Ellis - Still as foul-mouthed as ever, the little hand puppet and annoying alien presence occasionally steps out of the shadows to play a role in one of the stories. Not much character to develop here, but that’s okay……
Keiko Makino - The cheerful embalmer holds her place as one of the more stable of the group. She stays cool under fire and pops out to help in unexpected ways.
Tooru Sasayama - Sasayama is a crossover character from "MPD Psyco," another manga written by Eiji Otsuka. He is much older and much balder in The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, though, and walks with a limp. This suggests that the events in KCDS take place many years after the plotline of MPD Psycho. Sasayama appeared in many of the group's first adventures, but his presence in Omnibus 2 seems to be more apparent. He functions almost as an extended member of the company, even though he is employed as a social worker. He’s funny and eccentric, and I enjoy his interplay with the other characters.
Yaichi - Yaichi appears to be Kuro’s spirit companion, although there are times when it appears that he may possess Kuro outright when the need arises. He is a scarred and vaguely frightening presence, but he is obviously heavily invested and connected to Kuro and his well being. Kuro has only a peripheral knowledge of his presence, though it’s clear that he serves an integral part in the ongoing story.
The Volume 2 Omnibus consists of volumes four through six of the series, plus a two-part side-story that takes place during the Meiji era and stars an ancestor of Tooru Sayama.
Volume 4 consists of four stories:
“Thank You, Dear” - The service is broke, so they take a job in a rural town under the supervision of Sasayama’s cousin, who bears an uncanny likeness to him, complete with baldness and pegleg. The boys spend their time faking crop circles and Makino busies herself restoring the body of an “alien” that supposedly crashed near the town years ago. The township would like to become a sort of Japanese Roswell and develop a UFO-themed tourist base. The tale takes a turn, of course, when the supposedly fake corpse turns out to be a real dead…..something.
“If You Should Die” - A museum show that displays sections of musculature and anatomy is the background for a tale of abduction and deceit. The episode notably references a real WWII event that revolved around the “invading Japanese Army unit 731.” You can Google that for additional information and there is at least one book published about the incident. This episode is also notable for the first glance of Makino fanservice.
“The Look I Had ‘Til Yesterday” - Numata finds a public locker at a picnic, and the team discovers a dead baby inside the locker. It’s a sordid tale of an affair gone wrong with murderous consequences.
“Humble Desires” - A creepy and gross episode that really encourages you to watch what you eat, especially escargot. This episode introduces American-born summer student of etymology Reina Gorn. This is definitely one of the strangest of all of the KCDS stories, and the “ick” factor is pretty high here.
Volume 5 has four more stand-alone tales:
“Stand Still” - A death in a nursing home leads the team into Japanese urban legend territory, where a scarred wartime veteran wipes an entire town from the map.
“Password To Tomorrow” - The KCDS once again encounters the mysterious Mr. Nire, who now seems to have an enterprise in Egyptian mummification. The group first makes the acquaintance of Nile’s “associate,” the enigmatic Mr. Shinuhe, in this episode. Be wary of university professors who might not be as scholarly as they initially seem.
“Please Give Me A Little Love” - The cash-strapped group decides to take work as professional mourners, a real-life profession in tradition-bound Japan. A strange old woman helps to lead the gang into an odd tale of a get-rich-quick scheme gone totally bad.
“Preparing For A Journey” -Sasayama hires the boys of the KCDS to a summer job searching for hidden treasure. Mr. Nire, now utilizing a business model based on cryogenics, makes another appearance. Chances are, heads will roll in this installment.
Volume 5 gives us 2 more tales, plus the demon hunting side story to finish things off:
“A Letter For You” - The Japanese Postal Service turns out to be a most unusual competitor for the KCDS, as they unravel an odd mystery that starts once more in Aokigahara Forest. The horrible goods get delivered in this creepy and violent story.
“If You’re With Me” - The first part of a three-part story arc that introduces us to the Shirosagi Corpse Cleaning Service, a sinister counterpart to the KCDS that seems to have an unsavory interest in Yaichi, and may or may not be actively engaged in trying to “steal” him from Kuro. The backstory involves a corpse found in the apartment that Numata has just rented.
“The Two Of Us” - Corpse psychoanalysis is a thing in this episode. Who knew the dead have neuroses?
“For Whose Good?” - The story arc comes to a fiery conclusion and leaves us with a cliffhanger as Kuro lies unconscious and in distress at the end…….obviously to be continued.
Kunio Matsuoka Demon Hunting Side Story Part One - “Like A Child” - Taking place during Japan’s Meiji Period (1868-1912), it’s classic story of serial murder, as Jack the Ripper takes his spirited game to Japan.
Kunio Matsuoka Demon Hunting Side Story Part Two - “Too Long A Spring” - The tale concludes with the help of a young and very alive Yaichi. This arc is a fun backstory and prologue to the modern setting of the KCDS. I enjoy how they are fleshing out the Yaichi and Sasayama backstory.
I’m enjoying the deepening mystery surrounding Kuro’s spirit muse, Yaichi. This adds complexity and depth to each chapter even if it’s not a central theme to any one particular installment. I’m also enjoying the series bringing in more outside characters that I find interesting and amusing. I particularly like the presumably mummified Mr. Shinuhe, as I think he will continue to play more of a role in upcoming chapters. An American studying abroad for the summer also makes an appearance, and I’m wondering if we will see the blonde and bouncy-in-a-fanservice way Reina Gorn again. I am also impressed with the fact that although our heroes deal with a number of dead people who met their fates in various ways….murders, accidents, suicides….they never fails to treat their clientele with respect and compassion and a distinct lack of judgement. The subject of death is always handled with dignity, and I think that really sets the correct tone for a horror manga where the business model is carrying out the final wishes of the departed. I’m totally caught up in the story thus far and I’m looking forward to moving into Omnibus 3.
DISCLAIMER: This is a is a review of The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Omnibus 2. If you haven’t read Omnibus 1 or caught up on individual volumes of the series, then you need to start here -
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
That will give you some of the basic background of what the series is about. This review is going to pick up pretty much where that one left off…...so without further ado……
The basic cast of players has expanded a bit from the first few volumes. There has also been a decent level of character development for a few of our regulars.
Kuro Karatsu: Our bald monk with the power to speak to the dead is still one of the main focal points of the manga, for obvious reasons. His ability is the glue that holds the group together. He is by turns portrayed as a little bit more serious and introspective in some of the adventures, though he has also fallen even more into a role as a comic foil for Numata, with whom he is often paired as their powers compliment each other. It’s becoming more and more obvious that Kuro was not exactly paying much attention in his classes at the Buddhist College, though…..
Ao Sasaki - Still the sharpest member of the crew, she continues to guide the team through their adventures. She seems to be more of a background character in most of the stories in Omnibus 2, though. She had a big story arc back in Volume 2, so maybe Eiji Otsuka decided to give her a little bit of space in some of these later story arcs. She is still an integral part of the Service, though.
Makoto Numata - The big dude with the “dowsing for dead” ability is still the muscle of the band. No big surprises for him, but he continues to show a softer and mellower side from time to time.
Yuji Yata - Yuji continues to prove his worth in many ways, and he continues to apply his intellect to various components of the group’s cases. He’s still stuck with his alien possessed hand puppet, though……
Kere Ellis - Still as foul-mouthed as ever, the little hand puppet and annoying alien presence occasionally steps out of the shadows to play a role in one of the stories. Not much character to develop here, but that’s okay……
Keiko Makino - The cheerful embalmer holds her place as one of the more stable of the group. She stays cool under fire and pops out to help in unexpected ways.
Tooru Sasayama - Sasayama is a crossover character from "MPD Psyco," another manga written by Eiji Otsuka. He is much older and much balder in The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, though, and walks with a limp. This suggests that the events in KCDS take place many years after the plotline of MPD Psycho. Sasayama appeared in many of the group's first adventures, but his presence in Omnibus 2 seems to be more apparent. He functions almost as an extended member of the company, even though he is employed as a social worker. He’s funny and eccentric, and I enjoy his interplay with the other characters.
Yaichi - Yaichi appears to be Kuro’s spirit companion, although there are times when it appears that he may possess Kuro outright when the need arises. He is a scarred and vaguely frightening presence, but he is obviously heavily invested and connected to Kuro and his well being. Kuro has only a peripheral knowledge of his presence, though it’s clear that he serves an integral part in the ongoing story.
The Volume 2 Omnibus consists of volumes four through six of the series, plus a two-part side-story that takes place during the Meiji era and stars an ancestor of Tooru Sayama.
Volume 4 consists of four stories:
“Thank You, Dear” - The service is broke, so they take a job in a rural town under the supervision of Sasayama’s cousin, who bears an uncanny likeness to him, complete with baldness and pegleg. The boys spend their time faking crop circles and Makino busies herself restoring the body of an “alien” that supposedly crashed near the town years ago. The township would like to become a sort of Japanese Roswell and develop a UFO-themed tourist base. The tale takes a turn, of course, when the supposedly fake corpse turns out to be a real dead…..something.
“If You Should Die” - A museum show that displays sections of musculature and anatomy is the background for a tale of abduction and deceit. The episode notably references a real WWII event that revolved around the “invading Japanese Army unit 731.” You can Google that for additional information and there is at least one book published about the incident. This episode is also notable for the first glance of Makino fanservice.
“The Look I Had ‘Til Yesterday” - Numata finds a public locker at a picnic, and the team discovers a dead baby inside the locker. It’s a sordid tale of an affair gone wrong with murderous consequences.
“Humble Desires” - A creepy and gross episode that really encourages you to watch what you eat, especially escargot. This episode introduces American-born summer student of etymology Reina Gorn. This is definitely one of the strangest of all of the KCDS stories, and the “ick” factor is pretty high here.
Volume 5 has four more stand-alone tales:
“Stand Still” - A death in a nursing home leads the team into Japanese urban legend territory, where a scarred wartime veteran wipes an entire town from the map.
“Password To Tomorrow” - The KCDS once again encounters the mysterious Mr. Nire, who now seems to have an enterprise in Egyptian mummification. The group first makes the acquaintance of Nile’s “associate,” the enigmatic Mr. Shinuhe, in this episode. Be wary of university professors who might not be as scholarly as they initially seem.
“Please Give Me A Little Love” - The cash-strapped group decides to take work as professional mourners, a real-life profession in tradition-bound Japan. A strange old woman helps to lead the gang into an odd tale of a get-rich-quick scheme gone totally bad.
“Preparing For A Journey” -Sasayama hires the boys of the KCDS to a summer job searching for hidden treasure. Mr. Nire, now utilizing a business model based on cryogenics, makes another appearance. Chances are, heads will roll in this installment.
Volume 5 gives us 2 more tales, plus the demon hunting side story to finish things off:
“A Letter For You” - The Japanese Postal Service turns out to be a most unusual competitor for the KCDS, as they unravel an odd mystery that starts once more in Aokigahara Forest. The horrible goods get delivered in this creepy and violent story.
“If You’re With Me” - The first part of a three-part story arc that introduces us to the Shirosagi Corpse Cleaning Service, a sinister counterpart to the KCDS that seems to have an unsavory interest in Yaichi, and may or may not be actively engaged in trying to “steal” him from Kuro. The backstory involves a corpse found in the apartment that Numata has just rented.
“The Two Of Us” - Corpse psychoanalysis is a thing in this episode. Who knew the dead have neuroses?
“For Whose Good?” - The story arc comes to a fiery conclusion and leaves us with a cliffhanger as Kuro lies unconscious and in distress at the end…….obviously to be continued.
Kunio Matsuoka Demon Hunting Side Story Part One - “Like A Child” - Taking place during Japan’s Meiji Period (1868-1912), it’s classic story of serial murder, as Jack the Ripper takes his spirited game to Japan.
Kunio Matsuoka Demon Hunting Side Story Part Two - “Too Long A Spring” - The tale concludes with the help of a young and very alive Yaichi. This arc is a fun backstory and prologue to the modern setting of the KCDS. I enjoy how they are fleshing out the Yaichi and Sasayama backstory.
I’m enjoying the deepening mystery surrounding Kuro’s spirit muse, Yaichi. This adds complexity and depth to each chapter even if it’s not a central theme to any one particular installment. I’m also enjoying the series bringing in more outside characters that I find interesting and amusing. I particularly like the presumably mummified Mr. Shinuhe, as I think he will continue to play more of a role in upcoming chapters. An American studying abroad for the summer also makes an appearance, and I’m wondering if we will see the blonde and bouncy-in-a-fanservice way Reina Gorn again. I am also impressed with the fact that although our heroes deal with a number of dead people who met their fates in various ways….murders, accidents, suicides….they never fails to treat their clientele with respect and compassion and a distinct lack of judgement. The subject of death is always handled with dignity, and I think that really sets the correct tone for a horror manga where the business model is carrying out the final wishes of the departed. I’m totally caught up in the story thus far and I’m looking forward to moving into Omnibus 3.
August 19, 2023
It's another fun outing with the Kurosagi Scooby gang, with some one-off stories of the macabre about mummies, cryonics, Jack the Ripper, and plastination as well as increasing details about the mythology behind the spirit who haunts and assists the group. (Hmm, maybe this is less Scooby-Doo then, and more Funky Phantom?!?!)
Thanks to the extensive notes after each volume in this collection, I found out this time that one of the recurring side characters, Toru Sasayama, has also been a side character in two other series by the same author: MPD Psycho, Vol. 1 and Detective Ritual - Tantei Gishiki 01. So this is the Sasayamaverse?
I have another one of these thick bricks already checked out from the library, so onward!
Thanks to the extensive notes after each volume in this collection, I found out this time that one of the recurring side characters, Toru Sasayama, has also been a side character in two other series by the same author: MPD Psycho, Vol. 1 and Detective Ritual - Tantei Gishiki 01. So this is the Sasayamaverse?
I have another one of these thick bricks already checked out from the library, so onward!
September 24, 2024
Took me a minute to get through but still love the art and storylines
May 10, 2021
This is a step up from the last volume, with slightly less gratuitous sexual/violent content and some more interesting plots. The art is still very strong, with the characters seemingly jumping off the page during action sequences. The gaiden story toward the end of the book was pretty cool, too.
August 25, 2024
3.25 - points were mainly deducted for the added chapters at the end from the spinoff historical series. I truly hate just about every Jack the Ripper media so him being involved turned me off immediately, as well as the general misogyny present in those chapters. I was really engaged in the current plot so those being tacked on was really annoying! otherwise there were some fun chapters in here, and it's been nice revisiting this series as I catch up with the omnibuses.
January 5, 2025
I continue to love these little cases the delivery service completes and am excited to develop more of the main plot particularly Karatsu's familiar.
February 4, 2024
4.5* This is very quickly shaping up to be one of my favourite series at the moment
May 18, 2019
Volume 4
Urban legends that turn out to have a shred of truth to them...with plenty of bodies to go along with them. But that last chapter shudder that one is pure nightmare fuel for me. I was fine right up until page 198, then NOPE!
Volume 5
This part gives a lot of hints about that weird ghost hanging around Karatsu and also a lot of glimpses into the many ways people think they can cheat death. Cryo...mummies...fake mourners... The joke at the end about the 'primitive' corpse frozen in ice was hilarious.
Volume 6
The gist of this volume: Kurosagi is broke because of business competition. It happens twice. But that ending leaves you on a huge cliffhanger. They've gotta explain the ghost in the next volume!
Also, there's a weird side story/extra couple chapters at the end that feels like a Sherlock story mixed with Scooby Doo with at dash of flavoring from this series. No clue if it actually has anything to do with the original plot or not.
This omnibus contains volumes 4 - 6.
Urban legends that turn out to have a shred of truth to them...with plenty of bodies to go along with them. But that last chapter shudder that one is pure nightmare fuel for me. I was fine right up until page 198, then NOPE!
Volume 5
This part gives a lot of hints about that weird ghost hanging around Karatsu and also a lot of glimpses into the many ways people think they can cheat death. Cryo...mummies...fake mourners... The joke at the end about the 'primitive' corpse frozen in ice was hilarious.
Volume 6
The gist of this volume: Kurosagi is broke because of business competition. It happens twice. But that ending leaves you on a huge cliffhanger. They've gotta explain the ghost in the next volume!
Also, there's a weird side story/extra couple chapters at the end that feels like a Sherlock story mixed with Scooby Doo with at dash of flavoring from this series. No clue if it actually has anything to do with the original plot or not.
This omnibus contains volumes 4 - 6.
September 12, 2023
Strong three.
We're meeting characters that have every potential to be recurring, but other than the connection our main cast has to each other, this mid-aughties manga is very standaloneable. I just wanna meet my friends again in omnibus vol. 3.
I think I feel there's not enough tying me down to this corpse delivery world. I'm gonna keep reading, but it's not the greatest.
A strong three I guess means I at least really enjoy these individual dead persons cases. But if a previous character actually came back and was relevant to our plot?!? Grl that's a four.
There's the rival embalmer, I suppose. With the mummy, who we've also seen twice now. Thrice, even, possibly. Is the guy I'm thinking of even an embalmer? I don't know, man.
Look, I'm almost having a good time. Already ordered the next volume.
We're meeting characters that have every potential to be recurring, but other than the connection our main cast has to each other, this mid-aughties manga is very standaloneable. I just wanna meet my friends again in omnibus vol. 3.
I think I feel there's not enough tying me down to this corpse delivery world. I'm gonna keep reading, but it's not the greatest.
A strong three I guess means I at least really enjoy these individual dead persons cases. But if a previous character actually came back and was relevant to our plot?!? Grl that's a four.
There's the rival embalmer, I suppose. With the mummy, who we've also seen twice now. Thrice, even, possibly. Is the guy I'm thinking of even an embalmer? I don't know, man.
Look, I'm almost having a good time. Already ordered the next volume.
January 25, 2018
My biggest problem with this comic is that it just feels like more of the same. There doesn’t seem to be an overarching plot and the characters don’t seem to be experiencing any kind of serious conflict, meaning that this book is little more than a series of meaningless adventures. These adventures aren’t bad, and are often entertaining and pretty funny, but because they don’t seem to be leading up to anything greater, I don’t feel like this series is worth my time any longer. Part of my problem with this book is that there are a long of crazy things you could do with a group of people who can talk to the dead, but much like the X-Files, the stories are focused on mostly mundane, earthly affairs.
October 4, 2018
4.5 stars
A great continuation of the series. For how dark and deeply disturbing the stories are, I found that this volume upped the comedic relief compared to the first one. I audibly chuckled throughout my reading experience, which is weird to say about a gory horror series. Each mystery is compelling and the banter between the main group of characters is enjoyable. I'll definitely continue if I see the next volume floating around my library.
A great continuation of the series. For how dark and deeply disturbing the stories are, I found that this volume upped the comedic relief compared to the first one. I audibly chuckled throughout my reading experience, which is weird to say about a gory horror series. Each mystery is compelling and the banter between the main group of characters is enjoyable. I'll definitely continue if I see the next volume floating around my library.
December 21, 2023
4⭐️
We start to see more of the spirit behind Karatsu and his power. But the author is such a tease, he leaves us crumbs of information but no clear answer yet. For all that the cases are not really related, he sure has given us a connection in the form of Yaichi the spirit.
Plus I am loving the flashback stories OF Kunio here. I was not a huge fan of the one prequel volume I could read, but I did in this book.
We start to see more of the spirit behind Karatsu and his power. But the author is such a tease, he leaves us crumbs of information but no clear answer yet. For all that the cases are not really related, he sure has given us a connection in the form of Yaichi the spirit.
Plus I am loving the flashback stories OF Kunio here. I was not a huge fan of the one prequel volume I could read, but I did in this book.
February 18, 2018
This one felt really choppy and ridiculous. Seems like it was trying to hint towards a major backstory reveal, but the characters are developed so shallowly that it's hard to bring myself to care much. I like the action parts of the story, with the gore and supernatural elements, but the characters are getting more annoying with no payoff.
September 3, 2021
I've since learned about the parasites that infect snails in order to reproduce inside birds (thanks to an episode of 'Strange Evidence'), which takes this story from a little creepy and gross to OMFG NO THANK YOU!!!
I do hope we'll see more of Shinuhe in the future. I found his 'story' interesting, given the weird, supernatural happenings that we've seen in previous volumes of Kurosagi.
I do hope we'll see more of Shinuhe in the future. I found his 'story' interesting, given the weird, supernatural happenings that we've seen in previous volumes of Kurosagi.
May 15, 2017
As informative as it is entertaining, as sweet as it is horrifying, as spiritual as it is visceral; this is more than a manga.
February 12, 2019
I love this manga so much!! The art is amazing and I love their cases.
August 24, 2019
I say, old chap, best volume yet, eh what?
May 30, 2024
the slug story was my worst fucking nightmare THE ICK I GOT
October 28, 2024
The ghost of Jack the Ripper needs to stop haunting my reading choices
April 10, 2025
The end was quite good but overall the series doesn’t appeal that much to me anymore, stoping it for now
May 2, 2018
Horror manga is a genre I have long loved, starting with Junji Ito’s work. More recently I discovered The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service by Eiji Otsuka. Funnily, once I was finished with the first volume of the omnibus and ready to purchase the second volume it was out of stock on nearly every website I usual frequent for manga purchases. Thankfully, my brother works at a bookstore and was able to snag a copy! The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Omnibus Book 2 is a great horror manga that more people should read.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Omnibus Book 2 continues the story of Kuro Karatsu and his friends at the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service. While this service masquerades as a delivery service, their actual purpose is finding corpses and carrying out any last wishes they might have. And, hopefully, get paid for their services. But their wishes of making money are often foiled and the last wishes of the dead often prove difficult to carry out.
The first volume of this series was very episodic in nature, and this extends to the second volume as well. Despite this, the overarching plot did get a lot more advancement in this volume. The nature of the ghostly figure who follows around our main character are explored further. Hints are dropped, more pieces to the puzzle reveal themselves, and we even get a flashback chapter. There are no answers, per se, but Karatsu’s ghostly follower is much more prevalent in the second omnibus than the first. He plays much more of a role, his influence in events much more obvious than in volume 1.
Certain characters are featured more prominently within this volume. Yata does feature more prominently within at least one of the stories. While usually relegated to more of an almost comedic relief role, it was nice to see him at the forefront of the story. Sasayama also played a larger role in many of the cases the Kurosagi Corpse Deliver Service takes on in volume 2.
Something I greatly respect about this series is the respect the characters have for the deceased. While they are looking to get paid for their services in whatever manner a corpse could manage, they clearly care about the deceased’s wishes. Victims of violence are given sympathy, but so are the perpetrators. All wishes are granted, no matter how far the characters must travel or what crazy schemes they must unravel. Despite the more gruesome scenes, the chilling aspects of certain stories, or the joking between characters this respect always remains.
There are a few places where the art is simply not up to par. They aren’t many, but they are very noticeable. The perspective feels extremely off in several panels, particularly when the characters are bent over and looking at something on the ground. Yet the most noticeable is towards the end of the volume when one eye was simply never drawn on the character. Though this is the sort of manga which would and does use missing body parts as part of the storytelling or horror elements, it was clear this was simply a mistake. The character had two eyes before and after, so it seems to have simply been left out.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is still graphic in nature. They are a service for the dead, and most who require their services have not died in pleasant ways. If you do not do well with horror or other graphic content do be warned going into this.
I am most certainly continuing with this series. In fact, the third volume is already on my nightstand. I would definitely recommend checking out The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service by Eiji Otsuka, Housui Yamazaki and Bunpei Yorifugi.
This review was originally found on Looking Glass Reads.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Omnibus Book 2 continues the story of Kuro Karatsu and his friends at the Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service. While this service masquerades as a delivery service, their actual purpose is finding corpses and carrying out any last wishes they might have. And, hopefully, get paid for their services. But their wishes of making money are often foiled and the last wishes of the dead often prove difficult to carry out.
The first volume of this series was very episodic in nature, and this extends to the second volume as well. Despite this, the overarching plot did get a lot more advancement in this volume. The nature of the ghostly figure who follows around our main character are explored further. Hints are dropped, more pieces to the puzzle reveal themselves, and we even get a flashback chapter. There are no answers, per se, but Karatsu’s ghostly follower is much more prevalent in the second omnibus than the first. He plays much more of a role, his influence in events much more obvious than in volume 1.
Certain characters are featured more prominently within this volume. Yata does feature more prominently within at least one of the stories. While usually relegated to more of an almost comedic relief role, it was nice to see him at the forefront of the story. Sasayama also played a larger role in many of the cases the Kurosagi Corpse Deliver Service takes on in volume 2.
Something I greatly respect about this series is the respect the characters have for the deceased. While they are looking to get paid for their services in whatever manner a corpse could manage, they clearly care about the deceased’s wishes. Victims of violence are given sympathy, but so are the perpetrators. All wishes are granted, no matter how far the characters must travel or what crazy schemes they must unravel. Despite the more gruesome scenes, the chilling aspects of certain stories, or the joking between characters this respect always remains.
There are a few places where the art is simply not up to par. They aren’t many, but they are very noticeable. The perspective feels extremely off in several panels, particularly when the characters are bent over and looking at something on the ground. Yet the most noticeable is towards the end of the volume when one eye was simply never drawn on the character. Though this is the sort of manga which would and does use missing body parts as part of the storytelling or horror elements, it was clear this was simply a mistake. The character had two eyes before and after, so it seems to have simply been left out.
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is still graphic in nature. They are a service for the dead, and most who require their services have not died in pleasant ways. If you do not do well with horror or other graphic content do be warned going into this.
I am most certainly continuing with this series. In fact, the third volume is already on my nightstand. I would definitely recommend checking out The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service by Eiji Otsuka, Housui Yamazaki and Bunpei Yorifugi.
This review was originally found on Looking Glass Reads.
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March 6, 2018I liked it. I felt that the deaths they investigated were introduced a little to frequently as urban legends that turned out to have truth in them. A little too obvious, and a device used a little too often (or perhaps it only seemed that way). But overall it was still good, even though I still don't understand how they seem to evade the attention of any authorities, but hey-ho.
The thing I liked most about this omnibus, is that Karatsu's familiar spirit is getting more page presence. Precious little about the spirit is revealed, but it only serves to raise in the reader questions, which helps to give a sense of a developing theme across the manga as a whole. I also enjoyed the side story towards the end of the book which I'm sure must have relevance later.
The thing I liked most about this omnibus, is that Karatsu's familiar spirit is getting more page presence. Precious little about the spirit is revealed, but it only serves to raise in the reader questions, which helps to give a sense of a developing theme across the manga as a whole. I also enjoyed the side story towards the end of the book which I'm sure must have relevance later.
June 22, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this one - it made me laugh several times. The authors' have a dark, twisted wit, but are able to pull off making the stories and characters enduring.
"You're probably going to kill me for saying this... But it looks like they're working themselves into a lather."
"You're probably going to kill me for saying this... But it looks like they're working themselves into a lather."
May 1, 2017
This is the second Omnibus edition of "The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service" that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed both. These books combine spirituality, comedy, horror, mystery, and adventure into one mind-bending genre. There are strange characters who speak with the dead, assist an alien to communicate through a hand puppet, have inexhaustible tech knowledge, dowse for corpses, and practice the science of preserving dead bodies. And those are just the members of the Kurosagi team. Add in the strange, brutal, disturbing, and sad murders, deaths, and suicides, and you have a graphic novel that is truly graphic. I love this series because it is so original and it doesn't flinch from delving into deeper philosophical issues about life (and death). I would highly recommend this for anyone who doesn't mind graphic depictions of adult themes and who likes work that is outside the box.
NOT suitable for kids!!
NOT suitable for kids!!
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