Konnichiwa Hivers, it's me, your ridgette again! For today, I'm going to share an anime about a shop that sold animals—but this isn't like the usual pet shops. Managed by a seemingly friendly owner, this shop doesn't only sell ordinary pets; it also accommodates the special needs of its customers. Needing a pet to accommodate your personal desires? Then come with me as we sneak a peek into this unusual shop, Pet Shop of Horrors.
About the Anime
Pet Shop of Horrors is a josei anime that premiered in the winter of 1999. It aired from March 2, 1999, to March 23, 1999. It was animated by Madhouse, and its genres are horror and mystery. Its theme mainly revolves around the supernatural, and it has only 4 episodes. This anime is an adaptation of a manga written and illustrated by Matsuri Akino.
Situated in a place called Chinatown, a mysterious place with many rare and valuable commodities, this pet shop was managed by Count D, an interesting yet mysterious man. His shop has everything from dogs to cats to birds to insects to reptiles—but what this shop offers doesn't limit itself to normal animals. This shop also caters human desires that can be fulfilled by the animal that one will buy, but unlike ordinary transactions, these transactions involve a sales contract. The contract contains three terms that, if not abided by the customer(s), the shop won't be held liable.
With a string of unusual deaths surfacing, Leon Orcot, a Washington homicide detective, decided to pay a visit to the pet shop. He had been investigating those deaths, and the only common thing that he had noticed in the victims' information is that all of them were once customers of Count D's pet shop. Intending to pin down the count on his alleged illegal transactions, Leon investigates further on the pet shop as well as the recent customers. Sensing another murder to come, he rushed into the action—only that he's quite late. But was he? Well, watch it if you want to know.
So I was searching for an unusual anime with mythological creatures because I've been fond of those stuffs since then. I'm really a myth fanatic, and wherever that myth came from, it really doesn't fail to interest me. That's why, when I came across this anime, I was really filled with excitement and anticipation. But my excitement somehow dissipated when I discovered that it only had four episodes. Anyway, I watched and finished it, and I really want an anime sequel!
It doesn't have a detailed plot or a definite mc. Pet Shop of Horrors is kinda a collection of stories about what happened to the unfortunate customers who bought something from there. Given that it's only a collection of the stories of unfortunate customers, it's obviously episodic. The stories range from tragic to hopeful—depending on how you interpret a tragic or hopeful ending. I was really hooked and entertained throughout my whole watching experience because it contains mysteries, but unlike the usual anime that I've watched—in which mysteries last for several episodes—the mysteries in this anime get solved before the certain episode ends. That's why I don't have time to deduce because I'm really absorbed with its story.
As for its visuals, I like how nostalgic it felt for me, though I didn't grow up watching that art style. It was released at a time when I still didn't exist, so supposedly there's no way I feel familiar and nostalgic for its art style. But somehow I felt some nostalgia, especially when it's paired with its background music. It's the usual old art style, but it's really beautiful. I like how they didn't censor some scenes, both the sensual ones and some gore.
Overall, my personal rating for this anime is 8/10. I really like how those mysteries led to deeper issues—intriguing ones that present some philosophical ideas. As for its horror premise, honestly, I was quite spooked at the first episode, but later on I got used to it. Compared to other horror anime, this one isn't that scary because for me, it's on the borderline between melancholic and tragic. It's really a brief yet entertaining anime, and although it's an old one, for me the art style was pretty good. Count D is really gorgeous (hehehe), and I liked how mysterious he was until the anime ended.
It's really a short anime series, so I couldn't help but wonder what will happen next, and I'm also curious about who is really Count D. Although I'm somehow reluctant that it ended, in retrospect, for me, it had a satisfying end for its last episode. So if you're looking for a brief yet somehow satisfying and really interesting horror anime, then you must really try watching the Pet Shop of Horrors.
Before I end this review, I gladly share with you its trailer, so—
That's all for now, Hivers. I hope you enjoyed reading my anime review. See you on my next blog!
Arigatou and tanoshinde ne minna-san~
The pictures that didn't have a source were screenshots from the anime's episode, while the first and last picture were edited in Canva.