Switch (manga)

Switch (stylized as switch) is a Japanese manga series written by Otoh Saki and illustrated by Tomomi Nakamura. It was serialized in Square Enix's "GFantasy" from 2002 to October 2008. The individual chapters were collected and published in 13 "tankōbon" volumes by Square Enix, with the first volume released on June 21, 2002, and the final volume released on December 27, 2008. The manga focuses on the lives of two Japanese undercover narcotic police, Eto Kai and Kurabayashi Hal.
"Switch" was animated as 2 OVAs by Actas. Square Enix released a series of 4 vocal CDs for "Switch".
Plot.
Story.
Two new investigators at the Narcotics Control Department in Japan, Kurabayashi Hal and Eto Kai, struggle against drug dealers, gangs, murderers, psychopaths, and mysterious organizations, in particular the notorious drug ring known as Ryuugen. But the gentle and caring one of the group, Kai, has problems of his own: he can become a cold-blooded, killing machine under certain scenarios. As the NCD works toward bringing down Ryuugen, however, answers began to arise, threatening to reveal the truth behind Kai's alter ego and exactly who the young criminal investigator is.
Media.
OVAs.
It was announced in June 2008 that an animated adaptation of the manga series would be produced. The first original animated video, directed by Oohira Naoki, was released by Actas on October 24, 2008, and the second due to be released on February 25, 2009.
The opening theme is "Find Out" and the ending theme is "Your Hand". Both are performed by MIRANOSAND.
The casts in the OVA is the following:
Character songs.
Square Enix released a series of four vocal CDs for "Switch". The first CD, character song for , "Come up smiling", was released on October 22, 2004. The second CD, character song for , "Believe in Love", was released on November 25, 2004. The third CD, character song for , "Wild beast", was released on December 22, 2004. The final CD, character song for , "Somewhere", was released on January 26, 2005.
Reception.
Anime News Network's Carlo Santos praised "Switch Volume 1" for "occasional wordless scenes help to create some strong emotional moments" but he criticized the manga for having "awkward plotting and confusing action scenes". Anime News Network's Casey Brienza criticized "Switch Volume 2" for having "confusing, poorly considered artwork and mediocre story lines". IGN's A.E. Sparrow commends the manga for its "clean linework".