Shiawase Kanako no Koroshiya Seikatsu

Shiawase Kanako no Koroshiya Seikatsu, known in English as Kanako's Life as an Assassin, began as a web manga series created by Wakabayashi Toshiya. Originally serialized online starting in 2018, the work emerged from the digital-first manga boom, where concise, character-driven storytelling thrived on platforms like Twitter and pixiv. The series follows Kanako, an office worker who pivots to a career as a contract killer, finding the work surprisingly fulfilling compared to her previous corporate employment.

Wakabayashi Toshiya is best known for his ability to blend dry humor with unconventional character dynamics. In designing Kanako, he contrasts the high-stakes, violent nature of professional assassination with the mundane, relatable sensibilities of a woman simply seeking professional satisfaction. The series was well-received for its satirical look at workplace culture and its deadpan comedic timing, eventually being collected into print volumes by Kadokawa and spawning a live-action film adaptation.