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: Safe Again Today

Author: Yoo Jinsu

Artist: Park Suhlah

Chapters: 1-14 (Complete)

Summary:

Illegal aliens are a hot-button issue in this country, but what about real aliens? If there are aliens (non-believer), then it would go something like this short read. The main character Choi Sera is a caretaker for illegal aliens and she has got her hands full. In her care is Hyunwood, the last of a royal lineage, the “twins,” whom are actually clones, Seunghyun and Seungmin (one part why it’s a mystery). Other alien characters such as Jaemin (I call him the smart one) and Uohmjee (the “?” of the group) help Sera with her daily care. But Sera will need more than that to help out these outsiders fit in. Creating individual identities for the twins, making Earth another home for Hyunwoo, all the while concealing their alien heritage from the public. A difficult process, especially while “hunters” are hot on their trail.

The Good

The Characters:

What continues to be the interesting part of the manhwa is how well developed some of the characters are, mainly the alien characters. Each character possess their own troubling back-story that adds to the mystery of whence they came from. Not only that but it’s fun to watch foreigners interacting with foreign items. The twins became my favorite characters in the entire manhwa, mainly because they are the only comic relief.

Artwork:

Not only are the characters interesting, but also how each one is completely distinctive from the other (besides the twins). I’ve read a few mangas where a change in the hair is the only distinction of a certain character. Luckily this is not one of those. The features of the characters are very good. The overall artwork is good too, but seeing as most of the “screen time” will be on the characters, that is the main attraction of the manhwa. It’s nice to actually see the differences in the characters rather than assume.

The First Chapter:

The beginning of the manwha is very well done.The beginning completely hooked me in. We get to see the perspective of a little boy accusing his neighbor Sera of hiding aliens. The little boy must find proof of his alien residents before the time of his moving out. The little boy was another favorite character of mine, even though he only appeared in the first character. Starting the introduction chapter with a mystery is a good start for a beginning manga (it worked for Watchmen).

Short Read:

The reading is short time-wise. Good for those wanting to get into manga or those looking for a short read.

The Bad

Change In Perspective:

As much as I liked the first chapter, the change in perspective from the first to second chapter threw me off a little. I wanted to see more of the little boy knowing full well he wasn’t one of the main characters. Not only that, but by the end of chapter one, I felt Choi Sera was the villian from then on (though that viewing has changed in later chapters).

Character Archetype:

Speaking of Choi Sera, her character seemed to be the weakest of the bunch. She can be used as an example of the common female archetype in manga, which is also the most annoying of the sort. The female manga archetype I am using usually is a girl (though in this case a woman) whom has the certain characteristics such of innocent, motherly, naive, dense, defenseless… I can’t go on. Sera is, by my estimate, somewhere in her early twenties, but somehow hasn’t been striped of her innocence. Sure, there could be women like Sera, but I find that hard to believe.

Story Incomplete:

Though I liked how short the read was, it interrupted the storyline. The ending did not conclude anything, only that the story is incomplete. I didn’t mark off points for the ending, but wished somethings could have been tied up.

Overall

Safe Again Today is a great read for beginners. Interesting characters keep the story moving even though the ending does not tie up all the loose ends. Although the main character inherits the common female manga archetype, it didn’t stop me from reading about the other interesting characters. I give Safe Again Today a 4 out of 5.

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