by Nick F., contributor, Inside AX- Anime Expo
Are you a fan of detective fiction? How about murder mysteries? Were you intrigued by the concept of L.A. Noire, but would have preferred to observe the action rather than participate? Or, would you maybe have preferred the story take place in post-war Japan instead of post-war Los Angeles? If you answered yes to any of these, then Kara no Shoujo might be right up your alley.
Like stories in its genre, Kara no Shoujo follows an inward-thinking man in the private investigation business, some years after he’s experienced a personal tragedy. A friend on the police force has asked his help on a serial killer case, following the discovery of several gruesome, mutilated bodies.
From here, the tale diverges from the norm: our protagonist eschews the typical “tough guy” persona in favor of an outwardly sensitive and friendly one. He’s a much kinder individual than many private investigators commonly seen in games or comics, not to mention optimistic, despite having fought several bouts with depression.
Kara no Shoujo draws elements from several different genres and while it doesn’t result in a unique blend, it is a familiar story told well. Despite occasional hiccups in the translation, the characters and events unfolded in a logical-but-not-too-predictable fashion.
The visual novel successfully approaches its more objectionable subjects with due respect, even some of the more outlandish ones commonly depicted in the medium. While I rolled my eyes at the idea of a male detective undercover in an all-girls school, the events are underplayed to a degree that makes it feel normal.
Overall, I was impressed by the narrative strength Kara no Shoujo had to offer. I was also pleasantly surprised by the maturity and grace with which the story handled its adult themes, a trait rarely found in any medium in which they appear.
Pros
- Excellent use of setting in storytelling
- Compelling mystery, strong narrative
- Smooth, effective use of graphics and sound
- Handy notebook tracks cast and details
Cons
- Characterization limited for the comparatively large cast
For more information about the game, please direct your browser to MangaGamer’s official Kara no Shoujo website (18+).
------Tags: Kara no Shoujo, MangaGamer, review
