Kemono Jihen

Name: Kemono Jihen
Rating: 3.8 (89 reviews)
Author: Sho Aimoto

3.8

Author: Sho Aimoto

Publisher: Shueisha

Magazine: Jump Square

Volumes: 23

Release Date: 2017-03-03

Age Rating: All Ages

Kemono Jihen Synopsis

Thirteen-year-old Kabane lives with his uncle’s family, who run a rural inn, but has been shunned by those around him since childhood and called “Dorotabou.” One day, a series of mysterious livestock deaths occur in the village, prompting detective Inugami, a specialist in supernatural phenomena, to visit from Tokyo to investigate. Inugami quickly realizes that Kabane is a half-human, half-ghoul (Kūler) hybrid, and rescues him, taking him to his detective agency in Tokyo. At Inugami’s agency, Kabane meets other half-monster youths, including Shiki, who has spider blood, and Akira, a snow boy (yuki-onoko). Together, they become embroiled in a conflict over the “Kesshiki,” a stone created to maintain the balance of the monster world. As they face powerful monsters and clash with Inari’s faction of fox spirits, who seek the Kesshiki, Kabane and his friends confront mysteries surrounding their pasts and families, overcoming various supernatural incidents while searching for their own identities and purpose. Eventually, a large-scale battle involving monsters and a world-shaking conspiracy unfolds. With their own hopes in their hearts, Kabane and his friends fight for a future where monsters and humans can coexist.

Kemono Jihen Rating Metrics

Story

4.2

Characters

3.9

Artwork

3.7

World Building

3.4

Themes

3.5

Pacing

4.2

Kemono Jihen Editorial Reviews

Simple Yet Thoroughly Enjoyable

Kemono Jihen is a manga revolving around supernatural incidents caused by monsters (kemono) across Japan. A group of monsters working as investigators and problem-solvers step in to handle these strange occurrences. The protagonist is Kabane—a name meaning "corpse" in Japanese—a young half-ghoul with incredible physical strength and immortality. Initially abandoned by his parents, Kabane is rescued by Inugami, who assures him that he was never truly unwanted. Under Inugami's guidance, Kabane joins the detective agency, hoping to uncover the truth behind his parents’ disappearance. At its core, the manga’s theme—fighting yokai (supernatural beings) while searching for lost parents—is nothing new. Yet, Kemono Jihen never feels cliché. Kabane’s endearing innocence and straightforward personality create a freshness that makes the series consistently charming and entertaining. The story moves swiftly, making each chapter a smooth, enjoyable read. Though the premise and world-building are distinctively different, the satisfying storytelling and pacing evoke a similar feeling to that of My Hero Academia. Combat scenes are engaging, creatively showcasing each monster’s unique abilities. For example, tanuki (Japanese raccoon-dogs, famous for their legendary shape-shifting skills) manifest versatile powers, while Kabane’s undead nature gives him invincibility, providing exciting twists to every confrontation. While Kemono Jihen might not currently top the charts in popularity, it unquestionably offers steady entertainment and heartfelt storytelling—making it a reliably enjoyable read worth exploring.

May 29, 2025