Title: Shoot Juliet Down, Vol. 1
Author/Artist: Komachi Katsura
Genre: Drama, Romance
Ages: Adult
Publisher: Kodansha & Vertical Comics
Volume: 1/?
Release: Nov. 4th, 2025
Order: Amazon | Bookshop.org
Love is a brutal battle between vanity and yearning.
Amidst the dark glamor of host club Velvet Kiss, Juri—also called Juliet—commands a vice-like grip on the number one position. Impressed by this poker-faced beauty’s supreme reign, newbie and number-two host Akatsuki decides he must learn Juliet’s secrets—and shoot him down from the top of the pack. But Akatsuki’s first up-close taste of Juliet’s intoxicating charm leaves him craving more than he’d expected. And as he may soon learn, some secrets are better left in their bottles, and the bullet that shoots through one heart might take out more than it bargained for…
The Basics:
Art: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
We’ve got the #1 host, Juri (aka Juliet), and the #2 host, Akatsuki. Juri takes his job seriously and aims to provide the best experience for his clients, while Akatsuki is more hot-headed and a bit of a noob, but still comes off as a decent guy. No overly red flags… definitely some yellow. It’s complicated.
I did like the characters! and Juri seems to have an especially tough past (that we don’t know much about yet), but the relationship between the two kinda came off as insta-lusty. Their closeness did feel a bit unearned.
Still, I really liked Juri’s personality. He gives off those cool, untouchable vibes but deep down seems like an actual sweetheart?
Story/Plot: 3/5
I’m giving this a 3 mostly because it just wasn’t it for me. I know it’s only volume one, but it really felt like it ended right when things were finally starting to get interesting.
The story takes place in Velvet Kiss host club. Mind your TWs… this isn’t a fluffy read and is more on the angsty side (especially since Juri’s backstory clearly isn’t a happy one). I think this is going to get more into the harsh realities of working nightlife/sex work etc.
Host two wants lessons from host one, who surprisingly readily agrees. But how can a relationship work between two hosts, especially when one of them has ties to the nightlife he can’t easily escape?
Writing/Dialouge: 5/5
Well done.. no complaints here
Extras:
Giggles & Sweetness: 0/5
Spice: 3/5
more story focused
Second-hand Embarrassment: 0/5
Shoot Juliet Down, Vol. 1:
📌host club (host x host)
📌complex characters
📌drama & angsty reads
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