Pet Shop of Horrors 8

Matsuri Akino – Tokyopop – 2004 – 10 volumes

I am writing this in haste, because compulsion dictates I write it up before moving on to the next volume, and I kind of want to finish the series tonight.

The first story in this volume involves a mermaid and the legends surrounding her. On an island vacation (that, inexplicably, both D and Leon take together, along with Chris), the characters encounter an old sailor with one eye that insists he gained his numerous scars due to a vengeful mermaid and the storm she kicked up. Of course, D gets caught in her clutches and winds up losing all his memories. There’s a misunderstanding, a big heroic finish, some romance, and some comedy and mystery thrown in for good measure. The explanation of how D lost his memories is completely out of left field, but within the realms of believability for D. What isn’t as believable is that none of the characters called him out on it… while he was explaining. I know why they didn’t call him out on it later.

The next story is about a family that can’t agree on a pet, so D gives them one that each member sees as whatever it is they want to have. Only one quiet young girl knows its special human form and can talk to it. This has a pretty predictable twist towards the end, but I have to admit that I did not see the special Pet Shop of Horrors twist at the very end coming at all.

Mmm. Then a story about a romance writer that has everything that she could possibly want, and now wants the most rare and expensive pet that D can provide. This is less about animals and more about a convoluted personal history. I didn’t like this one as much, though I did appreciate that it provided a reason for Leon to get suspicious once again. That never lasts, but I do enjoy watching him switch so quickly between lounging at teatime with D and suspecting him of illegal activities.

There are actually lots of weird goings-on with D and Leon. At one point in a past volume, it’s implied that Chris may just live with D, since D references putting him to bed in the pet shop. Also, Chris is always over there. I thought he stayed with Leon? I know Leon still has his apartment and doesn’t just live with D, inexplicably. The vacation here is strange, and kind of funny since it’s mostly taken in stride. There is no subtext whatsoever for a romantic relationship between the two, and its absence is rather conspicuous. Perhaps I’m just biased, though, and have turned into two much of a fangirl over the years. But… come on.

Crammed in at the end is an extra “Flowers, The Detective, and the Detective’s Little Brother” where D and Leon follow Chris, teamed with T-chan and a badger, as he gets ingredients for a moon viewing celebration. T-chan is pretty funny as a side character, and I’m sad we don’t see a little more of him. And on the subject I was just discussing, D wears a real dress and masquerades as a lady with Leon as they tail Chris. For no real reason. Although perhaps the real reason was that we never see him in Western male attire, and the easiest way around that when he needed to be inconspicuous would be to dress him like a lady.

I love it dearly. On to volume 9!