Orange

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This is one of the most honest, relevant, and beautiful graphic novels I have ever read. While the story is by no means a happy one and may not resonate as strongly with everyone, there is no shortage of situations and thoughts to which readers can relate (and probably have related, at some point in their life). What this manga might lack in storyline is easily forgiven in light of Zhang Bin's amazing full-color artwork, painterly and often brilliantly vibrant in contrast to the tone of the story. The combination is both dichotomous and truly delightful at once - bright colors to balance out some ... the dark themes.

Bottom line: this is a quick and easy read that will dazzle your eyes and leave your brain full of ponderings, long after you've turned the last page.

The art in this graphic novel is outstanding. I first read this because a fellow staff member confiscated it during a summer camp for mature content. I spent a lot of time flipping through it, just looking at the art-- not even observing the story line. It doesn't matter that the main character Orange is hard to connect to because she's whiney and selfish, the art itself makes this manga worth reading at least once.
I had a very hard time liking the main character of this graphic novel. She was whiney and self entitled-- a condition which she never recovered from during the plot ... line.
Even though the characters lack redeeming qualities and the story line was just okay, I would consider this a must read.

According to the author note, this was never planned to be a comic. This was a series of drawings they strung together afterwards with narration to resemble a character study. They didn’t know what was drawn. Just that it was sad.

No wonder, because despite decent standalone pictures it DOES NOT translate well to graphic novel storytelling. All we get is a series of semi-photorealistic portraits with repetitive angsty narration. No character arcs are ever explored. It’s just one wreck of a lost girl in a world of constantly blurry pictures screaming. Quite frankly, this was one of the whiniest comics I’ve read and I regret ... paying to read this. Selling my copy as soon as possible.

If you’re interested in this type of story, go watch Anno’s Love and Pop.