Title: Gyo

Author & Artist: Junji Itou

Chapters: 1-19 (Completed)

Summary

There’s something in the water… and it reeks. It doesn’t take Tadashi and his girlfriend Kaori long to realize the smell is coming from dead fish. But these fish don’t seem to stay dead for you see they are able to walk right out of the sea. A metal contraption is fused together with the dead fish giving it the ability to walk. But that isn’t the only thing Tadashi has to worry about. These dead creatures are infected with a disease that spreads throughout the cities of Japan. Tadashi looks for answers and, surprisingly, he gets more than he can hold.

The Good

Creepy Factor

Seeing as we are nearing Halloween, people tend to loosen up since they will be going into holiday mode pretty soon. And what a perfect way to celebrate the horrid day than with “scary” stuff. This is a good read for such an occasion. It has the elements of a horror flick in the making. Dead fish in killer zombie mode, mutation disease, apocalyptic setting, and a shark! Well you’re just going to have to read it to get what I just said.

Interesting Plot

Usually when watch or reading about the zombie apocalypses, we get the back story of how it came to be. More than not it is always the government’s fault. Here, it’s a little bit different and one I enjoyed thoroughly throughout the reading. I won’t spoil it, but it does involve a little bit of history that very well makes the plot seem realistic.

The Bad

The Girlfriend

I could not stand Kaori throughout the reading. All she did in the story was whine her ass off. I don’t know why Tadashi stuck with her so long. Though I did like a certain event that involved her, I can’t spoil the rest. Let’s just say it wasn’t a good event.

The Ending

I didn’t hate the ending, but I was disappointed. All I can say is certain events lead to a conflict with Tadashi and his girlfriend… and his uncle…and his uncle’s love interest. This conflict felt like it came out of nowhere seeing as I didn’t see this conflict before. Not only that, but the overall story isn’t exactly summed up either. A sequel to the manga hinted its existence. Though I don’t see anything wrong with that, I have liked a better conclusion to this story.

Overall

For a Halloween read, it’s worth looking at. That’s also probably why I’m going easy on it. Plus it’s short, so why not? I give Gyo a 4 out of 5.

Rating:****~ (4/5)

Title: Elfen Lied

Author & Artist: Lynn Okamoto

Chapters: 1 – 107 (Complete)

Summary

Diclonius are a mutant species with a human type body, but are distinguished by their two horns (which look like rabbit ears) and their “vector” ability, transparent telekinetic arms that manipulate and cut objects within their reach. Lucy is the main diclonius character who was rejected by humans as a child and takes her murderous vengeance upon them. But her double personality and relationship with Kohta, a teenage boy with repressed traumatic memories, eases the murderous rage. Though these two things don’t stop the vengeance completely. The diclonius researchers want Lucy for their purposes and are willing to use any means to get her.

The Good

Fight Scenes

The action and fighting is pretty good. If you force yourself to keep reading, it’s probably because of the action. It is easily the highlight of the manga with regards to artwork. But there is another highlight in the manga that doesn’t have to do with the artwork.

The Main Character

Lucy is quite a unique character. I especially like her drive to kill, which separates her from other characters I have read. She doesn’t care for morals or justice, she only cares about herself which is fine considering her harsh treatment as a child. She is made out to be a villain, but a sympathetic one who the reader wants to see win. Sadly, she is the only character I cared for throughout the manga.

The Bad

Everyone Else

Lucy is the unique and most interesting character of the manga, but everyone else isn’t. Kohta, Yuka, and the diclonius Nana are just some of the most annoying characters in the manga. Nana can’t get over her papa complex, showing that she never really grows throughout the manga. Yuka never gets over Kohta and his love for Lucy, which leads her into self loathing mode pretty much all the freakin’ time! And then there is Kohta. Not only is he the most wimpish character in the manga, he is the least interesting character that had the best setup to be something more.

His repressed memories are of him on a train with his sister and father. Both family members die in a murderous fashion by Lucy’s hands, leaving Kohta the only survivor on the train. But the manga does not use this memory as a setup to sympathize with Kohta. It’s used to sympathize with Lucy, and it works very well to its advantage. What’s funny is when he remembers the incident, to tries to say to Lucy that he’ll get revenge on their behalf. No, his sorry ass can’t do shit. That sudden urge to get revenge doesn’t change his character growth at all (damn wimp). So in the long run, Kohta is just a wimpy character who can’t do anything but be Lucy’s main conflicting love interest. That is all.

The Artwork

I won’t say the artwork was terrible, since I don’t usually mind it much, but here it was very obvious that it wasn’t the right type of style that fit an action/mature manga. It looked like the manga was trying to mixing some type of shoujo style artwork (an “okay” type of artwork) into a seinen manga. The problem is it just doesn’t work. If you don’t believe me just look at the cover of the manga. Does that look like a manga with murder, dismemberment, and boobs? Boobs maybe, but not the other two. Speaking of boobs…

Excess “Fanservice”

Now I defined “fanservice” as a part of a manga that is made to please the fans, but the common use of the word has come to be know as panty and nude shots. This is what’s used in the manga and it doesn’t add anything to it. There is a point where the nudity, underpants shots, and girl on girl action are pretty much all the manga has to offer. Really, just look at all the good things I said about the manga. It doesn’t have much going for it except Lucy, not Nyu (Lucy’s second personality) groping Yuka’s boobs.

The Ending

The ending…sucked. Instead of having an ending that ties things up, it made more confusion than sense.

Mayu is cleaning a beach in memory of her lover Bando, a douchbag solider that wanted to kill Lucy but “died” by her hands. Once she is done cleaning, Bando somehow magically comes back to life and greets her. She hugs him which means he is alive, but there isn’t an explanation of how. Nor is there an explanation of how Anna or that other guy (sorry, don’t know his name) survived, though it would have been better if they weren’t added in the last chapter. They were side characters after all. And then there is how Kohta and the others survived Lucy’s third personality’s rage. Illusions of consciousness of Lucy and Nyu saved them from being killed…WHAT THE HELL! Just how the hell do you explain that bullshit! Illusions saved me from being killed. You know what? SCREW IT ALL, I’m done with this crap!

Overall

Elfen Lied had potential, but gave it all up on panties, boobs, and useless characters that didn’t drive the manga anywhere. The artwork didn’t help it at all. But it wasn’t a complete waste of time. I did like Lucy’s character and the interesting power. I’ll go easy on it. I give it a 2 out of 5. YES I WENT EASY ON IT!

Rating:**~~~ (2/5)

Title: 07 Ghost

Author: Yuki Amemiya

Artist: Yukino Ichihara

Chapters: 1-50 (Ongoing)

Summary

Teito Klein is an orphan who is a promising student at an elite military academy. This academy trains their students to use a type of magical power called Zaiphon in order to be well-crafted soldiers of the Empire. Casted out by other students for his past life as a slave, though his real past is a mystery, his only friend Mikage helps his survive the day. However, all does not goes well for Teito once he learns of the Empire’s secret. He soon realizes there is a power to save or destroy the world and the Empire ruthlessly is after it. He journeys to find this source of power and his past with the help of three mysterious priests.

Sorry for the half-assed summary. Very busy this week.

Why You Should Read It

There is so much going on in the story it would be a spoiler if I said anything. Though the first chapter has some familiar elements like a child of prophecy, amnesia hiding a secret life, or homosexual undertones, there is something about the series that just engages me to read more (though not so much the homosexual part). And this engagement is the plotlines to the story. There is so much happening throughout the story (Empire on Teito’s tail, Teito trying to remember past, the 7 Ghost mythology, etc.) that keeps me on my feet the whole time reading. Some people may not like complex plotlines, but I think it’s a very special element in 07 Ghost which does a good job keeping everything together.

For those who like shounen manga, this is not so far from the actually thing. Though it is a joesi type manga, that does not mean it’s “watered down” to let female readers in on the action. On the contrary, it has just as much action as a regular shounen title. But there is a downside to this approach.

Downside

The main characters are all male. Is that bad? No, but I don’t know why many of the male characters have feminine characteristics. They are a little too caring if you ask me. This is probably not a big deal to others, but it just seems odd to me (especially with religious connections to the story). But then again, I have not read a lot of manga where the characters are the same gender (except for Claymore…somewhat). There are some female characters, but they are either stock characters or foils. For those who don’t know, a foil is a character that is only in the story to make another character look better. Kind of like the black material that surrounds diamond rings in those velvet box. There is one female character introduced in the manga, but she is buried in the later chapters.

The distinguishing features of characters is problematic. Hair and accessories are what separates one character from the other. I’m not good with names though I’m much better with appearances. But when two or more characters have a similar hair style, I can’t really tell who’s who. Bother bother.

Even though this is a male dominated manga title, 07 Ghost has some interesting plot lines going for it. The manga was well worth it. Just give the first chapter a read.

Title: Akuma Bengoshi Kukabara

Author: Youn In-Wan

Artist: Yang Kyung-Il

Chapter: 1 (One Shot)

Summary

When someone dies, their afterlife will be spent either in Heaven or Hell. But what happens when Hell awaits you in the afterlife? Jake Watson is the latest soul that will experience an eternity in Hell, unless he signs a contract to the devil advocate. The devil advocate will agree to defend Jake in exchange for the devil essence that surrounds his soul when he died. He now has a choice: to make a contract with the devil advocate D. Lorian Kukabara, or have his soul taken to the fiery depths of hell.

The Good

Story

There is something I find interesting when combining religion, or religious themes, with fiction. It’s probably because many people see it as taboo, but I think it should be used. Here, the concept of suicide as an ultimate sin is looked at. It questions where a child should be held accountable as a sinner for committing suicide. If this was the real world our view would be “no,” but this is another realm. A realm that is untouchable and ruled by one being. I guess I just spoiled my second “good” about the manga.

Setting

The story is set on God’s turf, but then again what isn’t God’s turf (unless your belief is different). It’s a helpless setting, something a mere human can’t overcome. I like stories about super-human beings, but I also like stories where unfamiliar places have a weakening effect on the “super” human race. God’s cruel like that.

The Bad

Short

The story could have been a great series to explore if it got serialized. There was enough of an interest built in the first chapter that could have taken it further than just a one shot. Sadly, it doesn’t seem like that will happen.

God Sucks (the Manga Version)

I couldn’t help but be baffled by this lousy God. There are a few reasons to this:

***Spoiler Alert***

God has a chick, known by as the death bringer, carry his orders. She follows his laws by the book. She tries to take Jake to hell and fails to carry out her orders. Afterwards Jake goes to heaven…

Doesn’t this make God a) an imperfect being and b) contradict the reason to why he/she/it made suicide a sin? There are multiple reasons as to why suicide is a sin, though from my point of view it is a sin because humans were meant to live in peace and suffering on Earth. Committing suicide meant the person wanted to a) join God in heaven on purpose or b) to ease their suffering or both. I maybe wrong, but I don’t think I’m wrong about the interpretation on the almighty in the manga. Then again, I may be thinking too much into it.

Overall

I should point out I’m not offended by the manga’s interpretation of God. I actually found it quite fascinating, but flawed through reasoning (sounds contradictory, don’t it). Though if the manga were serialized, I could have explored more into its notion of God and his/her/its mind set. It’s an interesting read, so check it out. I give it a four out of five.

Rating:****~ (4/5)

Note: There is a full series based on this one shot, though the name has changed to Defense Devil.

Title: Apple

Author & Artist: Naoshi Komi (First name, last)

Chapters: 1 (one-shot)

Summary:

Aramiya Satoshi has the ability to shapeshift into any living thing on earth, as well as some psychic abilities. Life is simple and swell in his junkyard home, except for the fact that the Government wants to capture him and use his abilities to control the outcome of the Earth. And all this trouble was due to a theory that the Earth created him in order to save itself. In other words, he is the key to saving the Earth. Hopefully the whole thing will blow over after dinner.

The Good

Story

The story is pretty interesting. A boy with a power is the one to either save or destroy the Earth. Doesn’t sound interesting, but on the other hand there isn’t many heroes that shapeshift with their own story. There also seems to be a green feel about the story. You’ll see what I mean when you read the ending.

Humor

It isn’t much, but there are funny parts to the manga. Certain humorous scenes stick out more than the manga itself.

Short Read

I know this is a one-shot, but this is good for those looking to pass the time.

The Bad

Nothing Memorable

Though I did like the story, there was nothing memorable about the manga once I was done reading. It was probably due to the fact the characters couldn’t be fully explored in one chapter.

Overall

For those looking for a short read, this is a good one-shot to start with. But it didn’t exactly leave a lasting impression afterwards. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t great. It was okay. A three out of five.

Rating:***~~ (3/5)

Title: Skyhigh

Author & Artist: Takahashi Tsutomu

Chapters: 1-10 (Complete)

Summary

You live, you die, and rest forever in either heaven or hell (or somewhere else that isn’t heaven or hell). But what happens to those whose lives have been wrongfully taken away? Welcome to the Gate of Grudges where your guide Izuko will give you three choices: go to heaven by passing through the Gate of Grudges to be reborn, refuse death and remain a ghost on earth, or proceed to hell by killing one person on earth. Each soul gets one choice, which will they pick?

The Good

Story

Each chapter presents a different circumstance for the dead characters. The craft of these different stories presents unique and interesting takes on the overall personalities of the characters. Will they kill someone or won’t they? The fact that they are given a choice with what to do is appealing enough. I love revenge stories, but this is much different. The victims are already dead and have to come to peace with themselves in one of those three choices.

The Artwork

I’m not picky. I think the artwork is great. The black ink controlling a majority of the pages drip grim comings, a foreshadowing effect for some chapters. Each character has a distinct feature; no two characters look-a-like. Not only that, but the emotions in the victims eyes. Readers can see pain in the dead eyes, and that helps fill in the readers’ thoughts of what choices will be picked.

The Bad

Not “Kid-Friendly”

This manga is not for the kids to read. Blood, brutality, nudity, and sex are in the manga and not exactly for a child’s eyes. In other words, adults or those matured only.

Not “Happy-Ending-Friendly” Either

If you don’t like sad endings, don’t read this. When it comes down to it, there is no “happy ending” in the manga — they are already dead! I didn’t mind this much, but I’m sure there are those that do.

Overall

I liked this manga very much. Mainly the story and the art kept me reading. May not be something I would recommend beginners, but it’s one hell of a read. A four out of five.

Rating:****~ (4/5)

Title: Tales of Innocence

Author & Artist: Kaidou Hiroyuki

Chapters 1-12 completed (since January at least)

Summary:

For many years the Kingdom of Regnum has been in control over the land.  After the many years of tumultuous war, Regnum has managed to have peace over the land.  But people who display supernatural powers (known as Inousha) start to appear. The people come to fear and hate them, causing a nationwide search to seize and capture them.  Around this time the main character Ruca, a simple merchants son, discovers that he also displays the same supernatural powers.

The Good

Pictures:

I love the artwork in this manga.  Sure it looks like it was all inked, but it makes the story.  This is the style that I would love to learn how to draw.  The proportions were spot on.  The heads weren’t too big and the arms too small.  It looked like an anime, but it comes off very realistic in the end.  I love it.

Story:

The plot was what made me want to read this.  I wanted to know what was going to happen and who was in it.  It sucked me in right at the get-go.  The flow of the pictures leads your eyes from one picture to the next.  In the beginning of the manga you get the background story right when you start reading.  It might seem confusing (because it is), but as you go along it gets more explained.

Characters:

At the beginning you get most of Ruca’s story instantly.  The other characters not so much.  All of the personalities were different.  Ruca was a nervous shy kid.  Iria the obnoxious gunslinger girl.  Spada the cool rogue.  I could go on and on.  I also really liked how they all changed towards the end.  It was mostly because of the background story.  But, their characters grew and became better.

The Bad

Pictures:

Nothing bad to say here.

Story:

As I mentioned earlier you get the background story as soon as you start reading.  But, it makes me ask why?  It was very confusing and hard to follow.  It can be very discouraging to read if it continued on like that (thankfully it didn’t).

Characters:

I loved how you knew where Ruca was coming from.  But, the background story for everyone else was non-existent.  It was like only picking one name out of a hat and throwing the rest away.  I wanted to know a lot more about all the characters, but oh well.  I also mentioned how I loved how they all changed.  Except for Iria.  She freaks out later and does the “feeling sorry for myself” bit.  I hate it when characters, especially girls, do that in manga/anime.

The General

After everything is said and done I really liked this manga.  It might be a bit more destructive and bloody for the beginner, but if you like that action/adventure stuff this is for you.  For beginners this is a bit violent, but I recommend this for you guys who can handle that.  I give this a four point five…out of five.

Rating:****½ (4.5/5)

Character Names:

Main: Ruca Milda

Side: Iria Animi

Koda of the Muse

Spada Belforma

Serena Ange(?)

Hermana Larmo

Thitose

Title: The One

Author & Artist: Nicky Lee

Chapters: 1-59 (Ongoing)

Summary:

The ordinary life Lele Cane has experienced for seventeen years is about to end. After looking at a photo of the popular American model Angus Lanson, she begins to see modeling as an art form. From that one photo, she decides to take a chance and go into modeling. Since her parents were models as well (until they died in a plane crash), her chances may not be so slim. But soon she learns modeling is more than taking pictures and looking pretty. Even so, she is determined to reach the dream her mother and father couldn’t.

The Good

Artwork

I’m not used to seeing manhua artwork, but that shouldn’t stop me from reviewing the comic. The photo shoots are the main highlight when it comes to the artwork. They are the most well detailed, which they should be seeing as this is a modeling story. The photos hold the most dramatic part of the manhua.

Story Concept

I like underdog stories. I enjoy seeing the main character overcome incredible odds and achieving a level of greatness. The concept behind this story is similar. A young girl trying her hand to become one of the best models in the industry. That is a big goal to achieve, even though Next Top Model makes it look so freakin’ easy.

Side Story

There is a side story involving two supporting characters that has gotten my interest. They are probably the only reason I’m still reading the series.

The Bad

Pacing

The manhua’s pacing is uneven (I couldn’t think of another word for it). It’s not that I didn’t understand what was going on, actually the beginning felt that way, but certain things about the manhua didn’t “sink in” when they should have. For example, Lele’s grandmother. Even though she played an important role in Lele’s life, she didn’t feel important. She just seem like another character added as a stepping stone for Lele.

Artwork

I know I said I liked the artwork in the good section, but I also dislike it. Since this manhua is a comedy, you would expect the artwork to contain cartoony elements to it. Well, you’d be right. The problem with this is that it overshadows everything. Even though the photos of the models are quite good, it doesn’t “sink in” very long. But the cartoony elements are almost everywhere in the manhua. The artwork here is a double-edged sword.

Lele

I dislike the fact that Lele falls into the female archetype seen in manga female characters, but that isn’t my only problem with her.

******Spoiler Alert*******

Her development is too damn confusing. First she is a naive, innocent girl looking to break in modeling. Then when grandma dies, she is a cool hearted (not cold, cool) woman who never complains about the hardship of model. It seems like she has grown from the death of a loved one. But once she goes to New York, she reverts back to naive, innocent girl. You see, she went from girl to woman to girl again. WHAT THE HELL!

I’m not tempted to read anymore chapters mainly because the bad outweigh the good. I do want to see the development with the side story, but that is probably it. Whether Lele gets her Prince Charming, I don’t care. I’d rather hear others opinion on The One.

Title: Catstreet

Artist & Author: Yoko Kamio

Chapters: 1-35 (completed)

Summary:

Cat Street is a story about a child star Keito who lost her voice on stage staring into the faces of the audience’s. She locked herself in her room for years never once going back to school, outside her room, or her house. When one day she decided to walk around her neighborhood to get out of her house, unexpectedly she ran into an old fan who recognized her as the child star who lost her voice. Who is this mysterious boy who remembers her from the past? Why did Keito lose her voice on stage? Was she that great of a child actor to be noticed many years later?

The Good

Pictures and story: Cat Street is a well drawn manga, you can really understand the precise bodily form of the characters  (what I mean is the shape of the bodies of every character).  The background is brilliant, like any other manga it’s well designed.   You can tell what is actually the background and not be confuzzled trying to figure it out.

How Well Drawn: By looking at the cover of the manga I thought the drawing was lacking a little (from my point of view).  As I read a couple pages I started to become enthralled with the well drawn pictures while the story progressed. I wanted to find out what exactly happened to this great child star actress that would make her so traumatized.  She couldn’t even leave her own room for years after it happened.  Taking just a simple walk around the block made her want to see  more of the world.

Dialogue: After reading just a bit of dialogue, I saw how the main character, Keito, was an optimist and a great actress that can handle any and every role given to her. At some points in the manga, you begin to wonder what exactly is going on.  You kind of lose what they are saying, until you get pulled back to the present by the drama.

The Bad

Pictures and Story: I have nothing to say about the drawings.   If you want to say something about them, please tell me what you think. The story in my opinion kind of seemed a bit emptied after a while, especially when the main character loses her love interest.

How Well Drawn: overall there’s nothing really bad about the pictures.

Dialogue: At some points I started to think that the dialogue was a bit empty and unimportant.

Overall

I thought it was an ok drama manga with the people acting terrible or acceptable in it [Jules & Windy confused].   Read it and find out what I mean.  It’s great for beginners in the drama manga department.  I rate this a three out of five

Rating:***~~ (3/5)

Title: Dear School Gang Leader

Author & Artist: Fujikata Mayu

Chapters: 1-10 (Ongoing)

Summary:

Due to family problems, Hirayama Hayaka transfers from a private high school to a public high school. But, as she enters her new school, she finds out that there are 850 boys enrolled, and she is the only girl around (no pressure there). She also finds out that gangsters still exist in this era (she has been living under a rock). When she begins school, a fight erupts between her classmate Katou Yuuni and some gangsters. And so begins Hayaka’s eventful life in public high school…

Special Note: I, Jules, apologize for Windy’s lazy rehashing summary.

The Good

Pictures:

I love this manga because it’s my kind of genre.  Comedic.  There were also some other good points that I would like to point out.  The artwork really reminded me of a similar manga I had read a while back.  It took five minutes before I realized that it looked similar to Fruits Basket. As I read on I realized that it wasn’t the exact same, but I gave it some credit.

Story:

The title and summary really had me intrigued from the get-go.  I would have to say that the plot is very interesting.  I don’t want to give any of the story away, but it is sort of like Fruits Basket in that there are a bunch of boys who revolve around this one girl.  She’s got nothing good going on for her in the beginning until she makes friends with the boys.  The flow of the manga was like a regular manga.  Your eyes was pulled to the right frames at the right times.  The dialogue was freaking hilarious.  “They’re gangsters so why do they still go to school on time?”  Hehehe.  If you don’t get it yet, you will.  When you read the first chapter of the manga you really get a sense of the background story.  You pretty much understand what she gets when she comes to school.  It just has that kind of rep.

Characters:

At the beginning it does explain some of the one of main characters background.  Hayaka’s family life is troubled and it makes her move to a different home with a different school.  The personality for Katou is really different.  He’s like a person who’s rough, but somehow you get some motherly kindness out of him.  It’s so. . . refreshing.  I do like how the characters change.  Realizing that the boys are girl crazy (there’s only one girl), I saw that they probably weren’t going to become different people.  But, the main characters Hayaka and Katou change the way they feel.  For Hayaka it’s the way she feels about the school.  Katou is the way he feels about Hayaka.

The Bad

Pictures:

The proportions were so off in this comic.  It looked like the artist had either been blind when he learned how to draw or this manga was done in the dark.  Either way they were awful.  I was disappointed in this manga because of how it looked.  I mean it didn’t have a touch of realism in it.  It looked like something I could have drawn (I am improving though).

Story:

Since this manga is not yet completed I expected to read some more of this.  But it seems to have ended at only chapter ten.  When I say that I mean that I haven’t seen a new chapter in two months.  It’s very vexing when you actually really like the manga, but you don’t get to read all of it. <_>

Characters:

I really did not like how long you had to wait to find out about Katou’s background.  He’s everywhere in the manga and you are kept in the dark for six chapters.  And there’s only ten.  When it comes to personality I have seen the one in Hayaka in almost every manga with a girl heroine.  She can’t do anything and she’s nervous around guys.  I want to see a strong girl for once.

The General

This is a pretty good manga for anyone not just those beginning to read it.  I’m really into it and I’ve been reading this kind of stuff for a while.  For the author I would like to say well done.  I rate this a four…out of five.

Rating:****~ (4/5)

Character Names:

Main: Hirayama Hayaka

Katou Yuuni

Side: Wata Seshun

Ebihararei Ichiro

Maeda Mirai