Stigma

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This is not a manga that you read for your fix of quick paced, hot blooded action. This is a manga that you read for it's outstanding artistic, and literary merit. This manga is stunning. But that is to be expected having been drawn and written by Minikura Kazuya the artist and author of such popular manga as "Saiyuki", "Wild Adapter" and "Bus Game".

Stigma is illistrated in beautiful full color on each and every page. It is exciting and refreshing in a world that is domintated by black and white manga. The subtle details in each pannel make it a real delite to read.

Stigma is ... the time of manga that you -really- need to -read- and not just look at. The story is veague and complex. It is truley a psychological masterpiece. You really fall in-love with "Stork" and Tito. You feel for them and and experiance each emotion as they do. You are angry when they are and you want to cry when they do. Dispite being a short manga, with only one volume and eleven chapters, you get the pleasure of seeing these characters learn an grow in ways that wouldn't seem posible for such a short story. There are some small implacations of a sexual relationship between "Stork" and another character but nothing that should run off any male readers. It can barely be called Shounen Ai.

Some people may have a hard time with this manga as there is little actual diologe between the characters and is largely dependant on the interpratations of the reader. But I would really suggest this manga to any fans of Minikura Kazuya and her work as well as anyone who wants a short break from the world of quick paced and in your face manga. This manga is a true delite. A ten out of ten in my book.

Stigma was yet another example of how narration can make or break a manga. The combination of literature and art made a unique canvas that both the author and the reader can expand on.
I don't recommend it to people who are squirmish about blood or violence, or who are looking for one of those "go-lucky-happy-ending-storys". Overall, this manga had good art, a decent storyline and genius narration, I recommend it to anyone who is more about the "story" then the "ending"

If you're ever in the mood to try something new and different, I'd dare you to try this. The reason? Stigma is an art book. With a story. It's like a midday dream or river of thoughts. It's also a quick read.

*A spoiler free review*

All you need to know about Stigma is that it's an extremely beautiful short story in full color and with techniques not so often seen in manga. It's narrated by the main character in a way resembling a mix of memoir and film noir style which gives it a certain, apathetic and distant feeling. However, the story is told mainly through ... the art.

If you are not familiar with Minekura-Sensei's other works, I can tell you that she's a master of artwork and composition which manifests itself in Stigma. The story wouldn't work half as well if the panels weren't so thought out, every angle of view telling us something important. We're not spoon-fed anything but instead have to make our own conclusions about what has happened. And the colors. Just gotta love full color stories.

Stigma is almost like a poem in a manga form. What's the most important is not the characters or the plot but the feeling. It's also pure Minekura with it's themes. I have always loved her chapter covers for Saiyuki with their musings about life and Stigma is like having a full set of those covers in front of you.

Give it a shot for the great art. Give it a shot for the way it tells the story. If you're a Minekura fan, this is a must read and if you've never heard of her before, this is a good one to get a little taste.