Welcome to the Mysterious World of Chinatown#
If you are looking for a series that blends the eerie with the ethical, Pet Shop of Horrors is a compelling choice. Set in the vague and mysterious corridors of Chinatown, the story revolves around Count D, a petshop owner who sells more than just animals; he sells “love and dreams.” However, these transactions often come with a price. The plot follows Officer Orcot, an American policeman investigating a series of unexplainable deaths where the only common link is a pet purchased from Count D. Each story serves as a gothic moral tale, exploring the desires and failings of the humans who enter the shop.
If you’re ready to experience this supernatural mystery, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
When asking “Is the anime finished?”, the answer depends on how much of the story you want to uncover. The anime is an adaptation of the original manga that ran from 1994 to 1998. While the anime provides a concentrated dose of Count D’s mysterious world, it is not the end of the road for the characters.
If you only watch the anime, you will experience the core premise, but you will miss out on further developments. Specifically, there is a sequel manga titled Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo released in 2005. Therefore, to get the complete narrative conclusion and explore the expanded universe, transitioning to the source material is necessary. You can buy the manga to ensure you don’t miss any of the gothic twists.
Who Should Watch This Series?#
Pet Shop of Horrors is best suited for audiences who enjoy the following:
- Gothic Aesthetics: The series leans heavily into a gothic atmosphere, perfect for those who love dark, moody settings.
- Supernatural Mysteries: If you enjoy stories where the unexplained meets the macabre, this is for you.
- Moral Dilemmas: Every encounter in the pet shop holds a moral, making it a great fit for viewers who like psychological depth and cautionary tales.
- Horror and Fantasy: The blend of supernatural creatures and horror elements provides a unique thrill.
If you enjoy this kind of atmospheric storytelling, you might also be interested in picking up some Pet Shop of Horrors merchandise to bring a piece of Chinatown home.
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Depending on your goals, there are different ways to approach this series. For a detailed breakdown of how the titles connect, please refer to the relationship tree located below this article.
The Release Order#
If you prefer to experience the series as it was released to the general public, start with the anime (1999).
The Completionist Order#
For those who want every single detail and the full story arc, the best path is:
- The original Pet Shop of Horrors manga (1994-1998).
- The Pet Shop of Horrors anime adaptation (1999).
- The sequel manga, Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (2005).
The “Source Material” Path#
If you don’t mind reading and want the most comprehensive experience without redundancy, we recommend reading the original manga first and then proceeding directly to the sequel manga, Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo.
Latest Updates#
For fans in North America, there has been significant activity recently. Seven Seas has licensed Pet Shop of Horrors, and there have been multiple North American anime and manga release windows throughout 2025 and into 2026, making it an excellent time to start your collection.
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Pet Shop of Horrors • manga • 1994-02 to 1998-05 (serialized in Apple Mystery, Apr 1994 - Jul 1998)
└─(adaptation)→ Pet Shop of Horrors • anime • 1999-03-01 to 1999-03-22
└─(sequel)→ Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo • manga • 2005-01
