Bullet Train is a kinetic crime caper that reads like a Tarantino film set on Japanese public transportation. Isaka weaves together multiple assassins—including the philosophical Kimura seeking revenge for his son, the superstitious Nanao who believes he's cursed with bad luck, and the deadly duo Tangerine and Lemon—all trapped on a bullet train from Tokyo to Morioka.

The book excels at dark humor and intricate plotting, with each character's story threading through the others in increasingly complex ways. Isaka's writing style is breezy and accessible, favoring snappy dialogue and pop culture references over dense prose. The confined setting creates genuine tension as these killers navigate around ordinary passengers while pursuing their conflicting missions.

However, the book's greatest strength—its juggling of multiple perspectives—can also be its weakness. Some readers may find the constant character switching disorienting, and certain plot threads feel more developed than others.

The tone walks a fine line between comedy and violence that won't work for everyone; moments of brutal action are immediately followed by absurdist humor about Thomas the Tank Engine or philosophical musings about luck. The pacing is relentless, which keeps pages turning but sometimes at the expense of character depth.

Kimura's emotional journey feels the most grounded, while others like Nanao can feel more like clever constructs than fully realized people. This book is perfect for readers who enjoy ensemble crime fiction with a comedic edge—think fans of Guy Ritchie films or Elmore Leonard novels. It's also ideal for those who appreciate Japanese pop culture references and don't mind morally ambiguous protagonists. Skip this if you prefer realistic crime fiction, dislike frequent perspective shifts, or are uncomfortable with violence presented in a darkly comic context. The book's blend of humor and brutality, while expertly handled, creates a specific tone that's either captivating or off-putting depending on your taste.