Now that's a seinen - straight to the point, zero filler, emotionally turbulent. 'Nora to Zassou' doesn't skirt around uncomfortable societal issues: underage prostitution, child abuse, understaffed child service institutions, and police corruption. At the same time, the series doesn't explore these lines too deeply to drag on. It gives us a brief view of these facets and yet paints a comprehensive picture of what it is to be a 'lost' child...or the person who wants to help it. The story is packed with emotions too. Slipping through the societal cracks, Shiori is self-destructive, angry, and prickly reactive. Her only salvation is a grieving, haunted byhis past man who shouldn't be involved in this due to procedural/institutional rules.

It's easy to sugarcoat such a story in sweet optimism or send it into the deep abyss of despair. 'Nora to Zassou' does neither. It's realistic and bittersweet from start to finish. Some readers will be disappointed, but to me, this was the right approach.

All in all, 'Nora to Zassou' is a series that speaks volumes in only 26 chapters. It's an absolute must for anyone who's into well-grounded drama and manga focused on socio-economic issues. My only nitpicky sentiment is that towards the middle there were several two abrupt jumps in the story. Two to three extra chapters would have made the plot transition smoother.

Definitely give this a read. I'm still torn whether the manga is 8/10 or 8.5/10. In any case, it's one of the better seinen series I've read recently.