Archive for the English Manga Category


K-ON! Manga, Volume 2 (English)

April 13th, 2011

K-ON!, Vol. 2Slices-of-life, like reactions, and opinions, are subjective.

Slice of whose life? If it’s not yours, then there has to be a hook for you, otherwise you will stare at the antics of a bunch of high school girls and think, puh-leeze….no one does that. Or you will turn page after page as a humanoid android watches tall grasses blow in the wind in a post-apocalyptic world and think, god, this is boring. Or you will watch as a bunch of girls are amazed as a new incarnation of Venice continues to be wonderful day after day and….

I read a review this week by someone I like personally, but have never once agreed with a review they wrote. Our reading tastes are just that different. Their review of K-ON!, Volume 2 was something to the effect of “who is this for?!?” Well…it appears to be “for” me. ^_^

Last night friends and I were discussing our linchpin books and how awful it is when you lend someone you consider to be a close friend a book you consider to be one of the best you’ve ever read – and they hate it. Or can’t read it at all. This is basically what happens 99.9% of the time when people ask me to read book that they love. I’m not them, and I don’t love it. Often I hate it. And, as a result I don’t ask people too often to read a book. Whether it’s GUNJO or Sailor Moon, I presume my connection to it was personal and, as they are not me, they will not have that connection.

As an example, I loathe with every fiber of my being, Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Wedding. It is largely considered to be a work of genius.  It offends my every sensibility. There is quite literally nothing about that painting I like. If I were not sane, I would gladly render it to shreds with a boxcutter.  My wife loves it. We’re both “right.” My tremendous dislike for Maria+Holic is the same – I understand it perfectly fine…I just hated it. That’s okay in the real world of grown-ups, where we can disagree without having to prove the other person wrong. Opinions and reactions are, like slices-of-life, in the eye of the beholder.

So I sympathize with this reviewer. I would not, under any circumstances, try to educate them or tell them that they didn’t “understand” it (which is the most common unbalanced fan comment we bloggers get.) Of course this person understood the book – they just didn’t LIKE it! They are allowed. If we’re not insane, we shrug and pick a different topic to discuss.

When a fellow blogger pans K-ON! my reaction is, “oh, gee, I guess I’d better blog about it, because I liked it.” And here we are. See – no reeducation or ‘splaining needed. We all “understand” it just fine, whatever our reactions to it. ^_^

In K-ON!, Volume 2, Yui and her friends slack around instead of practicing. Yui is an idiot savant about music, which in many other manga is enough to make me stabby, but the songs were so much fun in the K-ON! anime that I forgive it in the manga. Yui hugs and pokes and cuddles the new first-year Azusa because she’s cute and the kind of people who interpret that as Yuri interpret that as Yuri. I like Mugi best, even though she has about 6 lines in the whole book. Mio is more interesting to me as a lyricist than as a creature of fanservice and Ritsu…is Ritsu.

For whatever reason, this manga is close enough to a slice of *my* life that I find it appealing. Yes, I’d gladly lose the fanservice because not only is it unrealistic, it’s just boring, but apparently there is a swatch of the audience who cannot tolerate fun slice-of-life stories without getting glimpses of girl’s underwear. Don’t you feel bad for them? I do. I don’t think they “understand” girls much…maybe they need it all explained to them better.

In any case, nothing happens and most of that nothing is stupid beyond belief, but I like it and there’s basically nothing that will change that. Even when Yen, who had ample room in the notes inexplicably does not include a note that “Japanese cats say ‘nya’ so Azusa’s nickname Azu-nyan comes from that,” and instead creates the awkward “Azu-meow.” Even that doesn’t make me like K-ON! any less. Because I’ve decided I like it. It’s my kind of slice-of-life.

Ratings:

Art – 6
Story – There is none, but I’m still giving it an 8
Characters – 10, this is a completely character driven series
Yuri – 0
Service – 5

Overall – 8





Yuri Manga: Strawberry Panic Omnibus (English)

March 3rd, 2011

91Bt+QH8+zL It’s been practically an eon since I first encountered Strawberry Panic! in the pages of Dengeki G’s magazine as stand-alone scenarios of Yuri couples. Since then, both I and the series itself have changed a few times. The series underwent an adaptation to manga, in which the initial pairs were expanded to an entire cast, and adapted into an anime, which reached deep into Yuri memes and roots and pulled out a love story with a satisfactory ending. The Light Novels, with their melodramatic stylings, served to complete the unfinished manga in an over-the-top way.

For my part, I began with pretty much nothing but loathing for the series which wallowed and pandered in a way that completely turned me off. There was nothing in the original stories that was created with me in mind and the manga was decidedly shaped for the lowest common denominator. As the anime shifted from “stolen meme of the week, which we present with a straight face and no real desire to tell a story” to “stolen meme of the week, which we present with a wink and a nod and –  we can’t help ourselves –  a bit of character development and plot, too” my opinion began to change. (I consider this a positive quality in myself, even if fans have a somewhat difficult time accepting that. I still get angry letters about reviews I wrote 7 years ago.)  And then I read the novels.

I have to say, very frankly, anyone who cannot “hear” the overt campiness of the novels, the hyper-melodramatic tone in which they were written, is really, honestly missing the point. In my review of the first LN in English, I tried to illustrate this with a few of the quoted passages. My comments were not me being snarky, but me commenting on the snark embedded within the lines of the novel. Of these, this passage really stood out as a tell:

Of course, most of the young ladies used their judgment when they heard those legends. But there were some who really believed them. …And yet those same young ladies grew into fine women.

Really read that, please, and note the subtext which (for those of you who cannot see the flashing lights,) says, “DO NOT TAKE THIS STORY SERIOUSLY.”

At the moment I read that line in the Japanese edition of the Light Novel, I ceased to take any of Strawberry Panic seriously and was, at last, able to find affection for it in my heart.

This week I found myself re-reading the manga as the Strawberry Panic Omnibus, put out recently by Seven Seas (who are now more active on Twitter. Go say hello.). My primary emotion upon completing it was that I was a little sad that it ended so soon. There were so many good bits yet to come and at least one helicopter would surely have been included! But no, this story was terminated at the equivalent of the end of the first novel.

Technically, the omnibus looks good. The translation is as it was; the translation notes are short, but enough. I like the size of the book, which is A5 – this gives it the feel of a typical seinen manga. It feels good in my hand and isn’t going to break a foot if I drop it, as Cardcaptor Sakura might. The one thing I will continue to say about Seven Seas is that they really do a great job of giving us, the readers, an authentic manga reading experience.

The story is very Yuri. There is nothing else to be said about that – there are multiple pairings in this manga but, of them, there are two entirely romantic romances (which almost no fans cared about, instead focusing on the hopeless losers in the rivalries…which has got to be some kind of commentary on something, don’t you think?)

This we can say about Strawberry Panic in all its iterations: Shizuma is queen-like, a veritable goddess on earth who is inexplicably (even to herself) attracted to a humble, down-to-earth energetic, cheerful girl, Nagisa. And Amane is a Prince-like being who is inexplicably (especially to herself) attracted to humble, angelic, cry-baby Hikari. And those two romances fill the pages of this collection with melodrama, tears and kisses.

Love it or hate it, Strawberry Panic was a gateway Yuri series for a generation of fans last decade. If you have not already picked up a copy of this omnibus, please do. And get an extra for your library, to spread the love of Yuri love to the next generation.

Ratings:

Art – 6
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Yuri – 9
Service – 10

Overall – 8

Foreshadowing: I have had the opportunity to see the Strawberry Panic Light Novel Omnibus and it is also quite good. More than it being good, though, you need to read it to get the end of the story! If you liked/loved/tolerated the manga and 1) want to know what happened or 2) really, really want to read about the helicopters, get it! I have to say, I laughed through the novels all over again as I read them. The language is breathtakingly campy in places.

Postscript: Today we have the genuine pleasure of thanking our own candidate for Etoile, Okazu Superhero Eric P., for his sponsorship of today’s review! As always, Eric, thank you kindly for your generosity. If you’d like to become an Okazu Hero, just click on the Yuri Wish List links on Amazon and Amazon JP on the right-hand sidebar and purchase something for review and you’ll be a Hero to Okazu readers world-wide!





Aria Manga, Volume 6 (English)

February 17th, 2011

Aria Volume 6 (Aria (Tokyopop))Among the many lessons in the Aria manga, there is one that is quiet, softly tucked in among the all the others. But of all the lessons within Aria, it is quite possibly at the very core of this manga’s value system.

In Volume 6, we learn what kind of adult Alicia wants to become, what a Master means to a student, what kind of person Athena is, what Alice doesn’t want anyone else knowing about her and what the secret behind the late night train whistle that runs through town is.

But more importantly – most importantly – we learn once again that everyone is good at…something. And in that simple fact, we’re reminded to appreciate the people around us for that thing, and by extension, appreciate our time with them, and our time in the world. In fact, if we learn anything from Aria, it should be to *appreciate* the life we have, because for each of us, it is unique and wonderful.

You could, of course, be reading Aria for whatever Yuri you may have made up in your head. And that too will be valid – as long as you appreciate it.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 8
Yuri – 0
Service – 1

Overall – 8

I am absolutely thrilled to say “Thank you, I appreciate it!” to brand-new Okazu Hero, Kayden L! Thank you for the sponsorship of today’s post – and for the lovely note that came with the book. I truly appreciate the kind words. Please email me  to receive your Okazu Hero badge, suitable for use on websites, social media profiles and other flat surfaces!

I would also like to express sincere appreciation to Tokyopop for continuing to put this series out, despite the fact that it will never have the hordes of fans it deserves.

I very much appreciate Amano-sensei for writing this series. I’m able to appreciate it anew with every volume.

And while I’m at it, I just want to say once more how much I appreciate you for reading this review.





Jormungand Manga, Volume 6 (English)

February 14th, 2011

There are days, like today, when the idea of being a professional killer holds great appeal. On days like this, I never read manga like Jormungand, for the same reason I won’t have a drink on days I’m depressed. It would be a very, very bad habit to get into.

Jormungand continues along its merry way, leaving piles of corpses in its wake, while the main characters become even more sympathetic and human so that we root for them to kill even more *really* bad guys. Our guys aren’t bad, you see…they are really honorable, decent professional soldiers who were screwed over by their dishonorable leaders. Hey! we say. We’re really honorable people who have been screwed over by THE MAN. We would love to take revenge in a visceral way. But we’re also not entirely delusional and, in my case at least, a pretty bad shot, so we watch Koko and her team do it for us.

In Volume 6, Valmet finds that her former life as Major Sophia Valmer has some unfinished business that needs to be wrapped up and she sets off to finish it. She is joined in this by Jonah, who is clearly the other piece of Koko’s soul. They wrap it up neatly while Koko and the rest of the team deal with baddies who try to pay with drugs rather than good, clean, dirty money and piss Koko off. The body count rises.

Of note, Koko discusses how she feels about Valmet, admitting she sees her as an important part of her life. The actual description is left open-ended, so we can fill in what blanks we feel are appropriate.

Valmet’s feelings for Koko are, as ever, on the surface for all to see. In this book, emboldened by affectionate kindness from Koko and proximity to her, Valmet sneaks in a quick peck on the cheek. Happy Valentine’s Day, Valmet. That’s probably all you’re ever going to get, but if you’re happy, then I’m happy.

Jormungand remains a cheerful little ditty about cheerful professional killers killing cheerfully. I feel better already.

Ratings:

Art – 5 (It’s steadied up a bit from last volume)
Story – 5
Characters – 8
Yuri – 5
Service –  2

Overall – 8

For a manga equivalent of a shooter game, you really just can’t beat Jormungand. It’s morally reprehensible, but extremely enjoyable.





MMF: Karakuri Odette Manga (English)

January 21st, 2011

Karakuri Odette Volume 1This month, the Manga Movable Feast is taking on a series that I personally consider to be one of the most enjoyable shoujo series I’ve read in the past few years. Along with the recent The Secret Notes of Lady Kanoko, I consider Karakuri Odette a do-not-miss series for fans of shoujo manga who nevertheless crave something a little different from energetic, clueless girl is in love with jerky, but noble, guy.

Odette is a perfectly normal girl. She wants to make friends, she wants the people she cares about to be happy. She wants to be cute. She wants her battery pack to have a cute cover. The only difference between Odette and any other girl her age is that she was not created as an act of love between a man and a woman in bed, she was created as an act of research by a man in a lab. Odette is a robot, or android, if you prefer.

Odette’s story is not Pinocchio’s, however. While she definitely seeks to better understand the human experience, she does not desire to “become a real girl.” It would be a redundant wish because, as we see time and time again, she is already a real girl and the fact that she is an artificial/created intelligence changes nothing about that.

Karakuri Odette is not just a story about a robot girl being more human that the humans around her. (And even if it was, it would be delightful anyway.) By being so *real*, Odette actually does turn someone around her into a real person. Not Chris, her foster-cousin, another robot brought into the story as a weapon, but integrated into the family circle. Not Shirayuki, a self-ostracized girl who has never been able to relate to other people on account of the fact that she can hear their thoughts. No, the person Odette has the most profound effect upon and humanizes the most is her father, Yoshizawa-hakase.

To illustrate this, let me sum up a number of their conversations from various chapters into one whole conversation.

“Professor, I want to go to school.”

“Okay.”

“Professor, I want to be able to eat.”

“Okay.”

“Professor, I want to go to go shopping for cute clothes.”

“Okay.”

“Professor, I want a cell phone.”

“Absolutely not. You don’t need one.”

Can I get some raised hands from people who had that conversation with their fathers? Anyone? I thought so.

In Volume 5, it all comes to a moment in which, after asking for a cell phone again, Odette says something viciously and the Professor responds with “how dare you say that to your father!” (I’m working from the Japanese version, so my apologies if this differs from the Tokyopop translation. I haven’t gotten that yet.)

While fellow androids, the emotionally stunted Grace and haughty Travis call their creator “Papa,” it is Professor Yoshizawa who declares loudly that he loves every last screw in Odette.

Odette is just a perfectly normal girl, who is fundamentally different from everyone else, but is allowed, encouraged and supported by the people around her to be exactly who she is.

In honor of this month’s MMF theme, and the inspiration Odette is to me and hopefully to a lot of “different” people, I declare today “Odette Day.” For today, we won’t care if there are jellybeans in our eggs. For today, we will treat everyone as if they don’t have bad intentions. For today, we will be okay with being not like the other kids. For today, we’ll cover our insulin pumps and asthma inhalers with a cute fleece cover. For today, it’ll be okay to be different.

Happy Odette day to you all.