Indra’s Net is a request quickly making this site a spotlight hub for atypical manga. No crypto with this one, but like in/habitants it has an international creative team. The dedication here is in the passion to manga’s narrative art form and going beyond inspirations. Because if you’re in danger of ever being compared to what will be competition, you have to go where others won’t.
Shonen Sleuths
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: a teenage criminology prodigy solves cases that stump pro detectives. Often the teen sleuths are so dedicated to their field that they don’t put much effort into anything else. That ranges from their school work to their social skills. But they tend to have helpers in people who actually connect with them; usually to be the social buffer. Sometimes the detective’s curiosity drives them into danger or into situations that are over their heads.
That’s basically the outline of mysteries aimed at young boys between ages 9 to 18. Of course older audiences like this stuff too. Examples include Case Closed/Detective Conan, Kindaichi Case Files, and Q.E.D.. But unlike Indra’s Net, they’re mostly episodic cases that have an overarching B-Plot as a framing device.
Indra’s Net: Challenging the Paradigm
The creators pull out all of the stops to getting people into their series.
The first pages of the debut issue get everybody into a mindset on what to expect. A corrupt yet celebrated police captain revels in being above the law, a prime target to get his comeuppance in a bigger victory. Especially when compared to our two leads, Lynn Lan and Annie Greenfield, who despite their eccentrics you want to see succeed against the stuck-ups around them. They even inspire confidence in someone against her trauma. Only for that simple plot to come undone when something more sinister creeps its way in.
That doesn’t mean the bad guys have won mind you. The captain was taken off the board when he saw something he shouldn’t. By some of his friends in high places no less and even they’re panicking. Because it all revolves around a wicked force.
Ergo no stand-alone cases or shifting to the background, but a mystery that could unravel everything.
Mystery Becomes Conspiracy
Indra’s Net has an atmosphere of indifference that gets more intense with each chapter. At its most casual, the death of the student council president barely phases the student body. The only ones who seem to care are our heroes, her boyfriend, and the only police detective with a conscience. Worse, the only leads to some kind of truth and justice point to some big conspiracy.
Everything revolves around a party called Indra, who scares the highly influential mayor.
The same mayor who’s part of a family who put their lineage on a pedestal. Who in turn have their hands in every major power: politics, social and civil services, and education.
Then there’s the Rojas cartel family who are peddling drugs and are practically untouchable by law enforcement.
Everyone’s wild card informant Seven who is the closest to Indra.
Probably not as much as Indra’s scarred, super strong, agent.
Finally we have Mr. Carlos who no one knows is friend or foe.
Now imagine everything I just said with yarn and spokes in a link analysis. The only thing that anyone else would ever see is some sad sack looking for an easy answer onto why they’re miserable. Besides will uncovering everything really make it all better? Or is disillusionment all that’s left.
Indra’s Net: Keep Your Eyes Wide Open
Back on Octagone, in addition to the characters with unique outlines that the cast can see, his perspective panels instill various emotions. Looking up at a building from a warped angle gives the impression that something is wrong. As for the blank panels, they focus on the moment where everything disappears and dialogue has more weight. Which in juxtaposition with some anticipated changes in expression gives a huge payoff.
Are You Caught In The Net?
As of now, Indra’s Net gets 9.5/10 as an accessible if unpredictable mystery thriller. Even for people who have no idea what this series is trying to tribute, the characters and plot have an intelligent structure to them. This allows it to stand apart from it influences while deconstructing them. All while having a dedicated art team that shows off everybody’s enthusiasm and passions.
If anybody wants to read this manga it’s available on both Shueisha’s Manga Plus Creators and Webtoon.