If you’ve spent any time in the darker corners of the seinen manga world, you’ve probably seen the cover. It’s striking. A man with a chillingly calm face, dressed in the sharp suit of a high-ranking official, looking back at you with eyes that have seen way too much. That’s Hiroki Dan. He’s the "hero" of Brutal: Satsujin Kansatsukan no Kokuhaku, and honestly, he’s probably one of the most terrifying characters ever penned.
Most detective stories follow a simple rhythm. A crime happens, the detective finds the clues, and the bad guy goes to jail. Simple. Clean. But Brutal: Satsujin Kansatsukan no Kokuhaku—which translates roughly to Brutal: Confessions of a Homicide Investigator—refuses to play by those rules. It’s a spinoff of the popular series Trace: Kasouken Houi Kenkyuujo no Tsuigeki by Kei Koga, but you don't really need to know Trace to feel the gut-punch of this story. This is a standalone beast that explores what happens when the legal system fails so spectacularly that a monster is required to fix it.
The Double Life of Hiroki Dan
Hiroki Dan isn't your average vigilante. He isn't Batman. He doesn't have a code against killing; in fact, killing is his entire "thing." By day, he is a brilliant, rising star in the police force. He’s the son of a former superintendent general. He’s handsome, eloquent, and seemingly perfect. People look up to him.
But when the sun goes down, or when he finds a criminal who managed to slip through the cracks of the Japanese judicial system, the mask slips.
The manga, written by Koga and illustrated with haunting detail by Ryou Izawa, focuses on the "confessions" of these kills. Dan targets the absolute worst of society. We're talking about serial rapists, scammers who drive the elderly to suicide, and murderers who laugh in the faces of their victims' families because they know they'll get off on a technicality.
It's gruesome. Really.
The series leans heavily into the "torture porn" genre, but it attempts to ground it in a very real social frustration. There is a deep-seated anger in the writing. It taps into that universal human desire to see "eye for an eye" justice when the courts offer nothing but a slap on the wrist. You find yourself rooting for a psychopath. That’s the trick Koga plays on the reader. You know Dan is evil. You see him take pleasure in the most horrific acts of violence imaginable. And yet, because his victims are so irredeemable, you kind of want to see what he does to them next. It's a deeply uncomfortable psychological space to inhabit.
📖 Related: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
Why the Art Style Changes the Entire Vibe
Ryou Izawa’s art is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. If this were drawn in a gritty, messy style, it might feel like just another underground gore-fest. Instead, the art is clean. Clinical.
Dan’s expressions are often serene, even while he’s performing "surgery" on a captive. The contrast between his beautiful, composed face and the carnage happening just off-panel (or sometimes right on-panel) is what makes Brutal: Satsujin Kansatsukan no Kokuhaku so effective. It highlights the duality of his character. One minute he's drinking tea and discussing police procedure, and the next, he's using a power tool for something it was definitely not designed for.
The Problem with "Justice" in Seinen Manga
A lot of people compare this to Death Note, but that's a bit of a lazy comparison. Light Yagami wanted to be a god. He wanted to change the world. Hiroki Dan? He just seems to enjoy the work. There’s no grand manifesto here. He isn't trying to lower the crime rate through fear. He’s just a predator who has decided to prey on other predators.
This brings up the big question the manga refuses to answer: is Dan a hero?
Japanese fans have been divided on this since the series began. Some see it as a cathartic release—a way to vent frustration at a legal system that often prioritizes order over actual victim restitution. Others see it as a dangerous glorification of nihilism.
What's fascinating is how the manga handles the "investigation" side. Since Dan is a high-ranking investigator himself, he knows exactly how to hide his tracks. He uses his knowledge of forensic science—the very stuff we see in Trace—to ensure that his extracurricular activities remain a secret. It turns the "police procedural" genre on its head. Instead of watching a detective catch a killer, we are watching a killer use detective skills to avoid being caught.
👉 See also: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Breaking Down the "Cases" (Without Giving Too Much Away)
Each arc usually follows a similar pattern, but it never feels repetitive because the "villains of the week" are so uniquely loathsome.
- The Crime: We see a perpetrator commit an act of extreme cruelty. Usually, it's something that doesn't quite meet the threshold for a life sentence or the death penalty in Japan.
- The Failure: The police or the courts fail to provide closure. The victim's family is left shattered.
- The Intervention: Dan takes an interest.
- The Confession: This is where the title comes in. Dan forces his targets to confront what they’ve done before he disposes of them.
It's a formula that works because it's built on a foundation of pure, unadulterated spite. You aren't reading for the plot twists; you're reading to see the bully get bullied by a bigger, smarter, more dangerous monster.
Honestly, it’s a lot. If you have a weak stomach, stay away. But if you’re interested in the psychology of justice and the thin line between a "good" cop and a serial killer, this is essential reading. It's currently serialized in Monthly Comic Zenon (via the Comic Tatan web brand), and while it hasn't seen a massive English physical release like Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man, its digital presence is huge.
The Cultural Impact of the Series
In Japan, Brutal: Satsujin Kansatsukan no Kokuhaku has carved out a massive niche. It’s part of a growing trend of "revenge" manga. People are tired. They’re tired of seeing headlines about people getting away with things. Dan represents a dark fantasy.
He is the personification of the "red tape" being cut by a chainsaw.
The series also succeeds because it doesn't try to make Dan relatable. He doesn't have a tragic backstory that "made" him this way (at least, not in the way you'd expect). He isn't a broken man seeking redemption. He's just... Dan. He’s a guy who likes his job and has a very specific hobby. That lack of forced sentimentality makes the horror feel much more grounded. It’s not a supernatural thriller. There are no demons or shinigami. It’s just a man with a badge and a basement.
✨ Don't miss: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
What Readers Get Wrong About the Manga
Many critics dismiss the series as "edge-lord" bait. They see the gore and the dark themes and assume it’s just for shock value.
While there is definitely an element of shock, the series is smarter than that. It’s a critique of the "Elite" class in Japan. Dan can do what he does because he is part of the upper echelon. His status protects him. The manga subtly points out that the same system that allows criminals to go free is the same system that allows a killer like Dan to thrive within the police department. It’s a snake eating its own tail.
Final Thoughts on Hiroki Dan’s World
If you're going to dive into Brutal: Satsujin Kansatsukan no Kokuhaku, go in with your eyes open. It is heavy. It is violent. It is cynical.
But it’s also one of the most compelling character studies in modern manga. It forces you to look at your own moral compass and ask: "How much cruelty am I willing to tolerate if it's directed at someone who deserves it?"
There are no easy answers here. Just a man in a suit, a set of sharp tools, and a confession that will never make it to a courtroom.
Actionable Next Steps for Manga Fans
- Check the Prequel/Parent Story: If you want a more traditional (but still excellent) forensic mystery, read Trace: Kasouken Houi Kenkyuujo no Tsuigeki. It gives you a broader look at the world Dan inhabits.
- Verify Digital Platforms: Look for the series on official digital platforms like Mangamo or the Comic Zenon website to support the creators directly.
- Mind the Content Warnings: Seriously. This manga covers sexual assault, extreme torture, and child abuse. If those are hard "no" triggers for you, skip this one.
- Follow the Artist: Ryou Izawa’s social media often features process shots that show just how much detail goes into the "clinical" look of the series. It's worth a look if you appreciate the craft behind the horror.