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[switch]
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Description
From VIZ:
Eto Kai may look like a squeaky clean kid, but the Greater Kanto Narcotics Control Division's new investigator hides a violent alter ego and a dangerous past. With his stoic partner Hal Kurabayashi, Kai is assigned to track down and stop the distribution of Dragon Speed, a dangerous new drug. But Ryugen, the syndicate trafficking the drug, is almost impossible to infiltrate. Add street violence and a jurisdiction war with the Meguro Police, and poor Kai is in for some very long days at the office.
Note-
This manga does not contain any noticeable shounen-ai content.
Type
Manga
Related Series
N/A
Associated Names
缉毒特搜班
ｓｗｉｔｃｈ
Switch
[ スイッチ ]
Groups Scanlating
Latest Release(s)
Status in Country of Origin
13 Volumes (Complete)
Completely Scanlated?
No
Anime Start/End Chapter
N/A
User Reviews
User Rating
Average: 8.7 / 10.0 (129 votes) Bayesian Average: 8.46 / 10.0
| 10 |
43% (55 votes) |
| 9+ |
19% (24 votes) |
| 8+ |
18% (23 votes) |
| 7+ |
12% (15 votes) |
| 6+ |
4% (5 votes) |
| 5+ |
2% (3 votes) |
| 4+ |
1% (1 votes) |
| 3+ |
1% (1 votes) |
| 2+ |
1% (1 votes) |
| 1+ |
1% (1 votes) |
Last Updated
June 24th 2010, 1:59am PST
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Genre
Categories
Recommendations
Forum
Author(s)
Artist(s)
Year
2002
Original Publisher
Serialized In (magazine)
Licensed (in English)
Yes
English Publisher
Activity Stats (vs. other series)
Weekly Pos # 719  (+124) Monthly Pos # 1255  (-28) 3 Month Pos # 852 (+244) 6 Month Pos # 1164 (-487)
List Stats
On 560 reading lists On 417 wish lists On 64 completed lists On 35 unfinished lists On 82 custom lists
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| User Comments [ Order by usefulness ] | | |
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| It was okay by strawberriceream on July 23rd, 2010, 1:17pm |
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Note: "Switch" is the first original series that Naked Apple did (according to their author notes).
Since "Switch" is their first original, I already knew that the series was going to be a bit bland and the plot predictable. The Kai that changes when pushed to his limits is used a lot in several series, but it's always enjoyable to read
Compared to other criminal/police/detectives/mystery manga, "Switch" isn't as great, and the agents use a lot of outdated technology, but then again it's Naked Apple's first original, so it's to be expected. There are rushed parts and some situations are a bit unrealistic, but overall "Switch" is an okay read. I'd recommend it to people just starting manga, shonen-ai/yaoi genre, or just to pass time. (I read "Switch" because I found it when I had absoultely to manga to read)
There are times when the manga gets very deep--such as the scenes where it shows the reason why the criminals turn to drugs--but then it gets right back to having a very light atmosphere. There were times when I just felt so sad for the criminals, but Naked Apple could have made the story have more angst, drama, and action if they spent more time for each arc. It was just too short.
Now, on to my Ratings:
Art: I give the art a 7.4/10. I liked the style after I got used to it, but the proportions get WAY off sometimes (ex: the hands). Also, one of the covers (I think for vol3?) with only Hal on it looked like he went to a bad tanning booth.
Plot: 6/10. The plot's pretty average, and there's nothing special about it, but I give it a 6 for the arcs where actual character development and the angst-y past of the criminals showed. (I love the MP arc although some parts were a bit unrealistic)
Overall: 6.7/10. It's not a bad rating for a first original series 
Rating: 6.7 / 10.0 |
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| Great! by dezin19 on March 9th, 2010, 11:43pm |
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I love this manga. It made me a fan of naked ape's works. I just finished reading the english version of the series. I'm kinda gonna miss it. Maybe they'll continue! haha
Art- 10 <----it changes a little from the beginning
Plot- 10 <---- drama, mystery, action. If you like crime dramas, then you'll like this.
Characters- 10 <----- loved ALL the characters. The only thing I was a little disappointed about was the fact that they kinda left some of the characters in the dust towards the end (like Mari lol). But it wasn't that big a deal. The manga was still great.
Rating: 10 / 10.0 |
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| Great by qiqi92sg on March 6th, 2010, 11:35am |
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Edit: After finishing it... uggh, you really shouldn't expect too much
It's a great manga! U shouldn't judge it from the first volume, things only just start to really heat up in volume 6! It's not so much a manga about drugs and investigators than a suspense thriller about the mystery behind the protagonists. The relationships are all really good. Only thing is with the art I sometimes have problems distinguishing certain characters... the faces dun really vary that much. But it's great nonetheless, and the relationships and characters are pretty well done. The best part abt it is the story!!! Just so exciting!!!!!!
Rating: 6.5 / 10.0
... Last updated on March 30th, 2010, 1:22am |
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| Okay for a quick read, but not revolutionary in any way. by calstine on October 31st, 2009, 2:41am |
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The thing is, the story doesn't offer you anything new or controversial about society- but I guess that, considering the theme is drug usage and the underworld, that should be expected. However, it provides quite an accurate insight in to the world of drugs and the circumstances under which people become addicts- and how impossible it is to control your mind and body after you become dependent.
However, there is something that I don't like about this manga- and that is, the impulsive behaviour shown by some of the characters. They prefer to jeopardize the mission in order to 'save' people and honour their own principles. I don't think that in real life, they'd be able to keep their jobs for long if they openly disobeyed a direct order from their more experienced superiors, and ended up putting the success of the investigation as well as their companions' lives in danger. Law enforcement officials are not supposed to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
But then again, to keep a story going, you need emotion- no matter how unrealistic it may be...so I guess you can't really blame Saki Otoh for creating these emo characters- after all, she needs to appeal to her (I believe mostly female?) audience.
The one thing I don't get is the 'shounen-ai' tag. At no point of the story have I seen anything to suggest that.(And definitely not the 'truckloads of homoerotic tension' that a certain reviewer in another website seems to have noticed!) Sure, none of the guys have girlfriends, but that in itself proves nothing. There have been just two instances so far where teenage male drug-dealers seduced older men in order to make their job easier, but I don't think that technically counts as shounen-ai. I may not be the best judge, since I'm not a fan of BL; but still, I think it's wrong to dismiss Switch as just another shounen-ai manga- because it's not.
This is, of course, meant for a more mature audience, since it deals with substance addiction; and, as the rating indicates, suitable only for over-sixteens.
Also, it isn't for everyone- it will appeal mostly to fans of noir art-style and action/police-life manga.
Another warning to would-be readers is that this is by no means a masterpiece- the character development is lame (bordering on awkward and messed-up) and the plots are largely predictable. It's all being done before- so read only if you're a die-hard fan of the cops genre- or conversely, if you're new to the field and are looking for a 'stylish' introduction in to the workings of the underworld and cop-life.
The art has it's unique style- it's quite confusing at times, but once you get used to it, it isn't so bad.
Overall, I still think it's barely worth a 6.8
EDIT -
I just finished the series. The ending was rather rushed, with everything about 'Switch' revealed in Volumes 12 and 13; so the pacing of the last couple of books was grossly out of par with the laid-back pace of Volumes 1- 11. However, the conclusion was fairly satisfying- and there were, for the most part, no loose ends.
I thought I might up the rating to a 7, but because of the unevenness and general confusion of the final volume, the 6.8 is going to stay.
Rating: 6.8 / 10.0
... Last updated on June 4th, 2010, 1:21pm |
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| Love it! by FickleWings on November 9th, 2008, 6:38pm |
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The only thing I'm disappointed with, is the fact that there isn't more. I wish someone would hurry up and pick up 'Switch' because I've been waiting for a heck of a long time. There are nine raw volumes floating around the interwebs, and it's almost...heartbreaking LOL.
Awesome storyline, even if it's a sort of villain of the chapter type, with villains you can relate to, a main character with a secret, and amazing art. What more could you ask for?
Also, note that there is an OVA for Switch. |
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| Really Great! by mizu_iru on February 10th, 2008, 3:21pm |
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I really love this manga! It's a bit confusing the first time you read, but I reread the first fourteen chapters, and picked up on litttle hints that I didn't before, making it 500x better. And it was good the first time, too!
Rating: 10 / 10.0 |
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| Look before you leap. by Aria34 on October 2nd, 2007, 7:47pm |
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I'm getting really annoyed with those who comment 'this seiries became shounen-ai' Before you read a manga look at the Manga-ka. Naked ape's other pen name is Acute girls. Acute girls creates shounen-ai doujinshi. But now it's time to give Naked ape the proper praise they deserve; I love the dynamic characters throughout the plot. It was a big problem for me to find manga that I really liked because I was really tired of all the two dimensional characters who were evil for no reason or the characters whose author makes them change attitudes and personalities through out the story. Even in their doujinshi they manage to keep the personalties even more perfect than the real authors can. Personally I really like the monochrome art. Well truthfully I like it thanks to them. And I have alway been interested in criminology and medical science so this series was just so perfect. I have been in love with their work ever since I read Dolls and the obsession is not going to end anytime soon.
Rating: 10 / 10.0 |
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| It feels like... by Merlerna on September 19th, 2007, 8:22am |
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I'm readin yaoi or something. The guys are really hot but they're creepy looking too. The story was a bit confusng at first before I actally get it. it's far more interesting now that the story is a bit more developed.
Rating: 7 / 10.0 |
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| like it by faraway on August 3rd, 2007, 6:50pm |
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| i actually really like this one. It's rare to come across a narcotics beat manga lol...i think it's creative and the art is very pretty. |
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| Hmmmm by ares6 on December 29th, 2006, 3:59pm |
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Well.....It's really hard to comment. The first half is inconsistent with the second half. Meaning the genre changes... it's a little Shounen Ai after a few chapters....which can be obviously inferred from the cover......
Rating: 9 / 10.0
... Last updated on January 15th, 2007, 8:35am |
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