Despite any contrivance in the plot progression, it's impossible to say that the start of the series here isn't compelling at the very least. When it comes to these series though, it's typically a coin flip on whether or not they can maintain that same level of intrigue throughout and get me compelled enough to keep reading, or fizzle out after a good start and get dropped. Ichi the Killer comes to mind for the former. Here's hoping this one's good