by Eleanor Walker, Staff Writer

Today I’ll be talking about Pulse, Volume 3 and Volume 4, by Ratana Satis. I reviewed volumes 1-2 a while ago, so let’s see how the story has progressed. 

Content warning: Volume 3 contains scenes of violence and homophobic slurs. 

Lynn has now moved herself into Mel’s apartment, and domestic bliss/lots of sex ensues. Mel’s feelings for Lynn both in a physical and a romantic way are growing, but the dark cloud of Lynn’s heart condition continues to loom over the relationship. The porn to plot ratio is more skewed towards the porn side than it was in the first two volumes and most of the story in these volumes actually takes place away from the hospital, with Mel getting tangled up in an old police officer friend’s investigation of a violent thug who targets women.

This arc didn’t really last long and I felt it was all a bit conveniently wrapped up, but a fresh Big Bad in the form of a new hospital director does appear at the end of volume 4. From what happens when she appears and the flashbacks in the chapters when she’s introduced, things are going to get very interesting for Mel indeed. I’m looking forward to the story getting back to the hospital and seeing what will actually happen to Lynn because of her condition. 

Ratings:

Art: 8. It’s still attractive and some of the chibi facial expressions are a delight. The erotic scenes are also very well crafted.

Story: 6. Despite this review covering 2 volumes, I don’t feel like a lot actually happened in the story. As with the last review, don’t think too hard about how implausible the situation is. Why is practically every female staff member at this hospital a lesbian? 

Characters: 8.5. Still by far and away the best part of the series. Mel and Lynn are incredibly cute together and the side characters are well written too. 

Service (level of salaciousness): 10. This series is rated ‘Mature’ and shrink wrapped for a reason. The erotic scenes are even more plentiful in these volumes and there is very little left to the imagination. 

Yuri: 9. It’s lovely to watch them growing closer and the walls around Mel’s heart gradually coming down. 

Overall: 7.5

Still an enjoyable series, just the story felt a bit weaker in these two volumes than the first two.

Volume 5 is already out, Volume 6 has just come out in English, with Volume 7 the final volume, due to hit this summer. 

Eleanor can be found lurking around the internet @st_owly.