Manga-ka: Ryo Saenagi
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: May 2008

Synopsis: “On cases together, Shima and his supermodel pal Kaori have come to unconditionally trust one another. But suddenly, rival detective and sometimes friend Mai recalls a key piece of information about when she first met Kaori – and it was at the scene of Shima’s parents’ murder. Will searching for more information complete the puzzle, and if so, is the truth a picture they want to see?”

How did I not see this coming? Entire series based around building this unbreakable trust between two characters in light of their own trauma, turns out one is directly connected with the trauma of the other. At one point I remember telling myself that was too obvious. Turns out that’s not the case, it’s just about right!

All the major players return here, including rival detectives Mai and APP, as the truth behind the unsolved arson cases begins unravelling. A lot of foreshadowing for these events has been dropped in since volume one and I like how all of it ended up being relevant now. The depth, and birth, of Kaori’s dual-personality, Kyo begins to take form as well and it’s great finally getting some more insight into his past. I also liked how instead of tying everything together too tightly in a suffocating package of irony, Ryo Saenagi wasn’t afraid to toss in an entirely new character this late in the game to fill in major plot elements.

So for those who’ve followed the series up until now, this is one volume you can’t afford to miss. Everything is finally coming together (and crashing down) and there are still lots of questions that no one expected to need answering. This is the first time in a while I’ve been so eager for the next volume of Satisfaction Guaranteed and I can’t wait for the final conclusion of this newly exposed drama that’s been hidden under readers’ noses since the very beginning.

Review written July 5, 2008 by Lissa Pattillo
Book purchased in-store from Chapters

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About the Author: Lissa Pattillo

Lissa Pattillo is the owner and editor of Kuriousity.ca. Residing in Halifax, Nova Scotia she takes great joy in collecting all manners of manga genres, regretting that there's never enough time in the day to review or share them all. Along with reviews, Lissa is responsible for all the news postings to the website and works full time as a web and graphic designer.