Shōshimin Series

December 2004 marked the arrival of a mystery series that refused to feature a genius detective. Honobu Yonezawa introduced Jougorou Kobato and Kazuma Osanai, two high school students desperate to remain invisible. They form a pact to live ordinary lives, avoiding any trouble or attention. When bizarre crimes occur around them, they do not call the police. Instead, they use logic and deduction to solve the cases from the shadows, navigating the moral gray areas of their actions.

The franchise launched through Tokyo Sogensha and grew into seven volumes by April 2026. Five main novels drive the narrative while two short story collections provide side adventures. The English title often used internationally is How to Become Ordinary. This structure allows the story to explore social alienation and the psychological toll of trying to stay unnoticed in a world full of anomalies. [edit]