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: 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: FLCL (Furi Curi or Fooly Cooly)

Author & Artist: Ueda Hajime

Chapters: 1-15 (Complete)

Summary

Naota has a lot going on for a boy in 6th grade. His older brother goes to play baseball in America while leaving his ex-girlfriend Mamimi behind. Mamimi’s mixed signals towards Naota leaves him confused on what to do with her. Everything changes when a mysterious woman runs Naota over with her Vespa. The woman then hits him on the head with her guitar causing a horn to grow out of his forehead. She says her name is Haruko, but the kids at school know her by a different title. Life for Naota just starts to get weirder from then on.

The Good

The Artwork

Don’t get the wrong idea. The artwork is unique, but nothing too fancy. It does look like a kid drew the artwork, but that is what makes it unique. Like White Clouds, the art works with the storyline. Confusing, blotchy, and somehow cool. May be a pain to others, but for those who can endure it just read.

Characters

The characters were the main highlights to the manga. From Naota’s cynical remarks to Haruko’s crazy antics, each character possess a specialness that adds to the fun of FLCL.

The Bad

May Have To Watch Anime First

The story, if you really can call it that, is confusing and takes awhile to understand. The best way to comprehend the story is to watch the anime first. But even then, I can’t guarantee you’ll fully understand the story.

Comparing with the Anime

I am not sure which came first, but the anime may dissuade potential readers. There is an obvious difference in both the anime and the manga. The story and character interaction is somewhat changed in both mediums. Ninamoro is more likable and Naota’s father and grandfather’s personality differs in the manga than the anime. The most obvious change would have to be the artwork. I can see why people would be reluctant to read the manga version when the art isn’t as clean cut as the anime.

Overall

I like FLCL mainly for its crazy antics and lack of story explanation. I would not recommend this for beginners though. As great as the characters are, the style and storytelling is the dividing factor to its greatness. Only read if you liked the anime and don’t mind artwork. I give it a 4 out of 5.

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

Title: Dolls

Author & Artist: Naked Ape (group)

Chapters: 1-15 (scanlation)

Summary:

In a seemingly apocalyptic future, the crime rate in third Toutoh empire has gone out of control. A law was established to help expedite trials and relieve the pressure on the overcrowded prisons. The law states trials could be held without the presence of the accused criminals and sentence them to death, even if they haven’t been captured. To capture or kill such criminals, the Special Execution Police Force was created by the military to uphold that special law. These are their stories (Law & Order joke).

Why you should read it

Did you not read the summary (ignore last sentence)? That alone got my attention.

The story plays much like a cop show, though more like Criminal Intent. The beginning of each chapter usually is in the perspective of the killer, and then turns to the perspective of the special police force. Of course in the end, unlike those cop shows, the killer is killed instead. It’s that bitter type of Justice people prefer over lawyers.

Downside

There is always a flaw in Justice. In the case of Dolls, it’s the comedy. Yes, there is comedy in this manga. The only problem is it isn’t funny and feels out of place. In the story, the Special Execution Police Force (also known as Tokkei) are nicknamed Dolls by society for their lack of emotion when executing a criminal. Comedy is used to show they are human, but from a reader’s point of view it doesn’t work. It’s more like silly antics than comedic.

However, one downside shouldn’t stop you from reading an interesting story. Read at least the first chapter of Dolls. A great read.