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“It’s his fault… for listening…!”

A confession might be the greatest relief to the burden and remorse of a sin, especially when you’re on the verge of death. However, one single confession is also capable of tearing apart the masks of pretense and fragile trust between two friends.

On a particular mountain climbing trip at Mt. Owari, two friends, Asai and Ishikura, find themselves caught in a blizzard. To make matters worse, Ishikura has also sustained a terrible leg injury during their climb. Ishikura resigned himself to his impending death and confessed the murder he committed in the past to Asai, hoping for forgiveness and that Asai ... can escape without him. However, Asai did not give up on him. He eventually found an abandoned lodge nearby and carried Ishikura there to seek shelter and call for aid. Rescue is on its way but therein lies one problem. Will Asai give Ishikura up to the police when help arrives? If Ishikura wants to prevent his secret from leaking out, he has to do something and time is running out. With the two of them isolated in the lodge 3,200 meters up in the mountain, the stage is set for the greatest battle of their lives.

Nobuyuki Fukumoto (known for his popular works such as Akagi and Kaiji) demonstrates his deep psychological analysis of the characters as always. The story largely follows the perspective of Asai, as he begins to doubt Ishikura and comes to the revelation that he might be silenced. The two friends begin an intriguing battle where they start to question and guess each other’s intentions behind every move they make. When the game of pretense finally draws to a close, the battle switches into full gear and it becomes a desperate struggle for survival. One would expect Asai to hold the advantage over Ishikura due to the latter’s leg injury, but the tables turn when you’d least expect.

Overall, the story is very compact and well-paced. While there are certain things you might find to be a bit too convenient to happen, I think it is quite excusable for a one volume manga in order to keep the plot going. A 300 page volume is already a lot by normal standards mind you. The entire setup here works perfectly and makes a lot of sense. I like the fact that the battle between the two characters is both psychological and emotional. We have the usual thrills and spills, and the ending itself also provides yet another twist.

In my opinion, both Asai and Ishikura didn’t show a lot of personality, despite being the only two characters here. While the backstory to the “confession” is explained, there isn’t much development to both characters, other than their gradual mental breakdown. They aren’t shown to be particularly smart and their course of action is understandable. Realistic characters are always a plus in my book but they are simply too plain to my liking.

The artwork here by Kaiji Kawaguchi (who also collaborated with Fukumoto on Seizon -LifE-) is pretty good. Generally, the drawing is very detailed and polished. The backgrounds with all the snow and mountainous terrain are especially well done. In any case, at least we are spared the “unique” large nosed characters by Fukumoto. :P

Confession has all the ingredients required for a great story. It’s simple, down to earth, and effective. While it may not be a masterpiece, I don’t have any gripes with it other than the slightly weak characters. Well, if I really want to point out a weakness to the story, it would be the tension. If Fukumoto can bring it to the level of Kaiji, Confession does have the potential to be a near masterpiece. Nonetheless, I find it to be a very entertaining and satisfying read. Anyone who likes a short psychological thriller should definitely give it a try.

The first thing that should strike you is the unusual title: Denpa teki na Kanojo. It can be translated as “Electromagnetic Girlfriend”, but that can be a little misleading. This is not another sci-fi show like Cyborg She where a guy hooks up with a cyborg girlfriend. While the term “Denpa” means electric waves, it is also an urban slang used to describe people who look like they have a screw loose in their head. The title can be better explained as "Psychotic Girlfriend". Now that’s more appropriate for a psychological thriller.

Story – 7
As the title suggests, the story is about crazy girls. The protagonist, ... Juuzawa Juu, is a high school delinquent who gets involved in the strange happenings around him after being approached by a bizarre girl named Ochibana Ame. According to Ame, Juu was a king in his previous life and Ame, being his knight, swears her loyalty to him. Together, they attempt to find out the serial killer behind a spate of murders, which also claimed their friend’s life.

Overall, the story is pretty well-paced. There weren't any moments which I found boring or rushed. I wouldn't say the premise is very novel or creative, but the execution is good. A few twists in-between makes it more than a linear story. While it is not a really shocking development (in my opinion), it’s still a decent attempt nonetheless. Ame’s ability to correctly deduce the “criteria” of the killer did raise my eyebrow.

The second episode left a bigger impression on me than the first. After the murder case has been solved, the pair discovers a string of pranks that were happening around them. Ame, the super detective, again realizes that these pranks are more than meets the eye. The main topic in this episode is the way to obtain happiness. Does one obtain happiness by taking it away from others? This is not really a philosophical inquest but the events that follow leave you something to think about.

I like the fact that most loose ends are tied, though they never quite explain the reason behind Ame’s telepathic thoughts towards Juu. Is it really just a delusion or is it really their bonds from their previous lives as she claims? If they ever release more episodes, I hope more light can be shed on this.

Character – 8
I often grumble about the lack of meaningful development in the characters, especially for OVAs and movies due to their length. In Denpa, they did a reasonably good job in fleshing out the characters.

Juu is just your average punk who dyes his hair blond, gets into fights regularly, and acts like a bastard. He lives on his own and is bound by loneliness, as surmised by Ame. He seems to close himself off from other people, which is why he treats others rather badly and rejects the intrusion by Ame into his life violently. He does show a little sense of justice as he sets out to find the killer and slowly begin to accept Ame. A bit more emotional depth would have made him a better character though.

Ame is probably the most fascinating (and quirky) character here. She looks quite creepy most of the time with bangs covering her eyes completely. Her unwavering loyalty despite being rejected and suspected by Juu is truly remarkable. However, her dedication to her master makes her go beyond common sense. She’s like a bullet that charges straight towards her target without reservation, such as stalking Juu. To go to such great lengths based on a delusion makes her a “Denpa” girl without a doubt. Ame usually adopts a subservient attitude to Juu, but that’s not all to her. There are times where she sheds her bizarre self and behave like a normal girl. Whether she has a split personality remains a mystery to me. An unpredictable yet strangely interesting character.

I won’t comment too much about the supporting characters so as not to give out major spoilers. From girls who are sexually abused to people with twisted logic, there is no shortage of “Denpa” characters here. The character development is well-paced and the circumstances of the supporting characters are also properly explained. The characters are also realistic enough for you to empathize with them. Thumbs up for that.

Animation – 7
The animation is decent but I can’t say that I’m impressed. The backgrounds are generally well done and the subtle style provides a suitably gloomy and depressing atmosphere. The poster showing Ame holding an umbrella in the rain should give you a rough idea on what to expect. However, the designs of some characters (especially Juu) look a bit weird to me. Their motion and expressions lack a little fluidity to my liking. In some instances, the voices sound more agitated than the looks of the characters. I blame that on the art since the voice acting is pretty solid.

Sound – 8
First of all, I think the voice actors did a good job here as they are able to bring out the personalities of the characters really well. The background music is great as it complements the atmosphere perfectly. However, the instrumental pieces can get a little boring and are not really memorable.

Enjoyment – 9
Denpa is not a really ambitious attempt. Despite it being a thriller, I don’t find it intense or shocking enough. Perhaps my overexposure to this genre made my expectations a little too high. However, this doesn’t work against it as it doesn’t try to do too much. It doesn’t rely on the usual bloody, gory, or disturbing images. The characters are fairly realistic and not overblown maniacs. Denpa simply delivers what it sets out to do. Kudos to the overall direction.

Overall - 9
As you may have noticed, the scores I gave for each individual category are pretty modest even though I gave it an overall 9. While none of the story, characters, animation or art is particularly outstanding, they somehow seem to fit extremely well together in a neat package. This is probably a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. I think this would be a good introductory piece for those who are fairly new to this genre. Denpa teki na Kanojo is definitely worth checking out.

"Don't think; feel. It's like a finger pointing away to the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all the heavenly glory." Bruce Lee in Enter The Dragon (1974)


Nihei Tsutomu is quite simply the Bruce Lee of the cyberpunk genre. Unlike other cyberpunk titles that often centers around the philosophies of existentialism or nihilism, Nihei carves out his own path in BLAME!. There is no thought-provoking or multi-layered story plot. There is very little dialogue and narration. What you get here is just stunning visuals which act as the principal mechanism for story progression, and Nihei accomplishes it with aplomb. To ... be able to transcend the boundaries of normal storytelling is nothing short of a masterpiece. It is an extremely satisfying read that made me finish it in just two marathon sessions.

The BLAME! universe is a post-apocalyptic dystopia. Whatever little that’s left of the human population is scattered into small communities across the vast and seemingly unending darkness of the mega landscape. We join our protagonist, Killy, in his quest to search the gigantic labyrinth for the Net Terminal Genes. I won’t spoil too much but the Genes are the key to save the world which has spun out of control. He wanders around aimlessly for (amazingly) long periods of time, hoping to find clues to his goal. Equipped with his trusty SFG (little brother to the Big Fucking Gun), Killy is a force of nature. Well, I jest. It is actually called the Gravitational Beam Emitter. (Cool name huh?) In any case, this incredibly powerful little gun can blow a hole that extends for miles in anything that stands in its way. On his journey, Killy’s encounters with other strange creatures (cyborgs, machines and the like) usually explode into high octane battles. Surprisingly, there is no lack of action scenes despite the passive nature of the manga. The fighting is straight to the point. The characters do not make any cool poses for the sake of it, and we are also spared the annoying in-battle blabbering found in most shonen mangas. Yes, it’s pure, unadulterated, actual fighting. Absolutely fantastic.

Another highlight is the glorious artwork. Nihei’s experience in architecture really shows in the manga. Never before have I seen colossal structures being drawn is such detail and cool angles. It may take a while to get used to his style, but be prepared for a barrage of eye orgasm. You’ll have to see it to believe it.

As I’ve described earlier, the artwork replaces the role of narration. The characters seldom talk, unless absolutely necessary. The resultant slow pace of the story might be a turn off for some people. However, it accentuates the gloomy atmosphere very well. The delivery also adds a different dimension to the reading experience. Little details are revealed as the story progresses. It may seem confusing to some due to the lack of explanations and spoon feeding by the author, but it allows the reader to interpret the events in their own way. While the plot may not be particularly remarkable, it is very engaging. It fits Nihei’s style perfectly as it lends it a mysterious touch. The reader is constantly left wondering about the history of the events, backgrounds and motives of the characters. It certainly tickled my curiosity. As we follow Killy’s exploits, we watch as the world of BLAME! slowly unfolds before our eyes. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself (spiritually) living in it!

This is not a thinking manga. To truly enjoy it, you must heed the words of the grandmaster. Activate your sensory perceptions and immerse yourself into the world of BLAME!. Don’t just think. FEEL.

Well, instead of writing a few more paragraphs, let me try to summarize the whole thing using a few descriptors and keywords:

Atmospheric; Dark Ambience; Vast Universe; Colossal Structures; Explorative; Passive; Surreal; Explosive Action; Magnificent Artwork, Grotesque Character Designs; MASTERPIECE

How I wish I could do a review using drawings instead.

LOST+BRAIN is really amazing. Amazingly mediocre.

If that didn’t convince you, then read on.

I started this manga because I’m a massive Death Note fan and I wouldn’t pass up on something that’s similar. However, despite not having too much expectation in the first place, it still turned out to be a huge disappointment.

The story is about a genius high schooler who is good at everything, but also bored with all the things and people around him. At a school event, he discovers the powers of hypnotism and attempts to change the world using hypnotism. Up to this point, it’s almost like a Death Note clone. ... Heck, even the protagonist, Hiyama Ren, gives off similar vibes as Yagami Light.

I like the idea actually, especially as the manga explains further on several hypnosis techniques and explores a few psychological viewpoints. However, as the story progresses, you find yourself watching an unimaginative police investigation drama with a plot as linear as it gets, without the action. There are no thrills and no plot twists. Everything is so predictable and boring. Hiyama basically gets his way 99% of the time without anyone posing as much as a challenge. Even the Japanese police and the government readily bow down to him at the slightest urging. Of course, the brilliant plan thought up by Hiyama is to control everyone through mass hypnotism (yawns).

The story could have been much better if there was stronger opposition, and if hypnotism was used to manipulate people as pieces in a chess game, rather than dropping an atomic bomb (mass hypnotism).

As for the characters, they are all pretty one dimensional. Hiyama is capable inducing the deepest of hypnosis stages in people effortlessly. (This guy doesn’t even need to try.) Other than that, he’s just a deluded egoist. His ideals of a better world are also convoluted and laughable. Itsuki Kuonji, the (supposed) rival of Hiyama, busies himself with pointless investigations (I call it pointless because he is investigating just for the sake of it) throughout the story and makes little contribution. The rest of the characters are simply roadside pebbles.

Artwork: It is decent.

I was going to rate LOST+BRAIN a 5, or even 6 if I’m feeling kind. But alas, the ending was also extremely craptastic. Even at the very end, Itsuki just had to show up and watch Hiyama trip over his own shoelaces. The only reaction I can give is FACEPALM.

Well, enough of my ranting. I can assure you that I’m judging this manga based on its merits. If I were biased enough to bring out my Death Note scale, it would have gotten a 1 for sure. For those who have read Death Note and have nothing better to do, I recommend giving this a try. It can definitely let you appreciate the former better. For others, don’t bother. You’re not missing out on anything.

A good piece of literature can be food for the soul. Or so they say.

For one particular schoolgirl, this has a whole new meaning to it. Amano Touko, a self-proclaimed “Literature Girl”, loves her stories. Not just reading them, she also eats them. This is not done on a whim as Touko practically depends on literary pieces as her main source of sustenance.

What a novel idea! Or so I thought.

Well, this newly discovered diet has little to do with the real story here. There’s also no explanation given as to why eating books are sufficient nourishment for the body. But that doesn’t matter anyway. ... Enough procrastination and let’s get on with the real story.

Inoue Konoha is just another normal schoolboy. However, little do people know, he actually used to be a popular romance author. Konoha even won a competition when he was 14, but that was also when the tragedy began. His childhood sweetheart, Asakura Miu, was also an aspiring writer. After discovering that Konoha had dashed her hopes of becoming a professional writer in the same competition, she attempted suicide. Bungaku Shoujo is about how this pair of lovers overcome the rift between them and get back on the same track in their lives.

Even though I’m not a romanticist, I find it a simple, yet beautifully crafted story. The conflict to the resolution was well panned out. It stirs your curiosity by leading you bit by bit to the truth behind the two lovers. The manner in which their fates are tied to a novel is simply poetic. However, the promise of a wonderful story was totally let down by poor characters. The side characters hold practically no importance to the story, and the relationship among the all the characters was underdeveloped. This made the struggles of the main characters, especially Konoha, seemed superficial. Miu is also a very annoying and unlikable character. You simply do not care about them.

The animation and soundtrack are very well done, as one would expect from Production I.G. The background music provides a very good ambience, which is necessary for a romance story. Overall, this has very good production values.

If you can look past the disappointment that the story-eating “Literature Girl” is nothing more than a convenient plot device, this is actually a nice story to be savored. With better execution and handling of the characters, it could have become a memorable piece of work.

One of the easiest ways to set up an interesting premise is to thrust an out of place character into a bizarre situation. Here we have a normal white-collar Japanese salaryman, Okajima Rokuro, unknowingly embroiled in a corporate scandal and ends up being held hostage by a band of seasoned mercenaries. Abandoned by his company and forced into a dead end along with his kidnappers, he faces a seemingly hopeless predicament.

What does he do? He joins forces with his kidnappers of course!

Rokuro is no more. In comes the new Rock (new nickname anyway) who saves the day using his quick wit and newfound bravado (though ... he is still useless in combat). The story might be simple but it works surprisingly well. It is refreshing to see how a normal guy like you and me can fit into a team of battle-hardened veterans.

Set in a cul-de-sac city of vice called Roanapur, mobs rule the day and gunfights are everyday business. It is a place where outlaws of all nationalities come to party. Black Lagoon is one big package of thrilling action, fun, and a hell lot of fireworks that even John Woo would be proud of. It has the flair of Cowboy Bebop and the badassery of Hellsing. Quite a combination I daresay.

The greatest appeal of Black Lagoon lies in the characters. From the Russian ex-militants, Hong Kong triads, South-American drug-dealers, fanatical housemaids to trigger-happy nuns, there is a constant clash of cultures, ideals, and personalities. Watching them interact through witty dialogue is quite entertaining, though it can get a bit philosophical (or call it sophistry, depending on how you see it) at times.

Then we have the Lagoon Company, the main players in the story. Revy is arguably the star of the crew. Much like Haruhi (from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), Revy has attained sort of a cult status among fans. Nicknamed “Two Hands”, she wields dual guns and is extremely skilled, with a bad attitude to boot. This American-Chinese girl simply oozes charisma and you can’t help but love this little devil.

Rock, the new member, is caught in the grey zone between light and dark. As much as he wants to throw away his old lifestyle, he still clings to his civil values. His refusal to drop his businessman attire demonstrates this. Rock probably shows the most character development here as he struggles to find his place in the cesspool of crime and violence.

The rest of the crew receives less attention compared to Revy and Rock. Dutch is the boss of the team. He calls the shots and manages the business side of things. When called into action, he is a good fighter (also because of his muscular build) and teams up well with Revy. Benny is the technical expert who deals with the IT stuff and maintenance of hardware.

To sum it up, there is a great deal of chemistry among the characters and that is what I love most about this manga.

Story-wise, there isn’t really much of a plot as it goes by an episodic formula. This isn’t much of a problem for an action genre. The scenarios are believable and most of them are engaging, with the purpose of either introducing new characters or building up the existing ones, even if by a little.

The manga boasts pretty artwork and the character designs are great. Well, it’s good enough to let you drool at the smexiness of Revy, and possibly the nun, Eda. (Okay, I admit I’m one of them.) I have no problems with the paneling and the action is easy to follow.

Black Lagoon is a blend of highly entertaining action sequences, fun characters and a badass attitude. This is a must-read for action fans. Get yourself ready for a wild ride!

Welcome to World War III… Mahjong style!

When the political world revolves around Mahjong and the fate of humanity rests on it, you know Mahjong is serious business… in a funny way.

In a nutshell, Mudazumo is a silly manga that parodies the cutthroat nature of global politics. Famous figures such as George W. Bush (and his Papa!), Kim Jong Il, Vladimir Putin, Junichiro Koizumi, Adolf Hitler, and even the Pope battle it out in a game of high stakes Mahjong where they can wager anything from cash to F-15 fighter jets!

Don’t be fooled by the seinen label. Other than the subject matter, this is extremely shounen-esque. ... The premise is hilarious but there is very little background story. The plot is your usual "save the world from the evil powers" that you can find in most shounen titles. What we get are pointless battles after pointless battles. Mudazumo also doesn’t delve into the intricacies of Mahjong strategy. The battles are fairly simple as they are decided by the special skills or finishing moves each character possesses. You don’t need to know how to play the game to enjoy this. If you like outrageous and over-the-top fights, this should be your cup of tea. In the later half, the manga transforms into an outright parody on Dragon Ball. There's crazy power-ups like Super Aryans (parodying Super Saiyans) and also special equipment to measure one's Mahjong power (much like the scouters in Dragon Ball to measure battle power).

Although the parodies are well designed and the humor is generally good, I find it lacking the punch to really make one burst into tears of laughter and roll on the floor laughing. It does have some epic moments such as the Pope recreating the Genesis on the Mahjong table. Nonetheless, it's still a pretty enjoyable read.

The artwork is fabulous and the color pages are especially gorgeous. All the characters have the distinctive features of the actual political figures, which provide more realism to the setting. The effects are amazingly well done, backgrounds are very detailed and the overall drawing is smooth and polished. I haven’t seen other works from this mangaka but I’m very impressed. The art gets full marks from me.

All the characters are well-known figures, so it is not necessary to explain the nitty gritty details about them. Koizumi (as the protagonist of the story), is portrayed as a man of strict values and justice. Hitler is of course, the major villain. The mangaka did throw in a few cute chicks as a little fanservice, which I admit is a nice addition.

Other than that, Mudazumo is overflowing with machismo. Yes, I mean manly men. Make no mistake as these are world leaders we are talking about here. They are tough, macho guys, and the alphas of the pack. If you want sissy bishonens, look elsewhere.

If you’re looking for a light-hearted comedy, Mudazumo is definitely worth a try.

“What does it mean to be a winner, the last one standing? It means to climb over a mountain of corpses to get to the top. By no means is it a glorious sight to behold, and in fact, it is extremely cruel. Even so, if you still wish to seek victory... then you must become a devil.”

Tokuchi Toua’s words reverberate through Kojima Hiromichi’s mind as he steps up in the decisive showdown against their biggest opponents, the all-star Chiba Mariners team. Kojima is the cleanup batter of the struggling baseball team, Saikyou Saitama Lycaons. Even though he is regarded as a local hero, he ... has never won the championship. At the age of 43, this season might be his very last chance. It has only been a year since he first encountered this extraordinary young man in an underground baseball gamble called “One Outs”. After convincing him to join Lycaons, Tokuchi has slowly and miraculously transformed one of the weakest team around into a title contender. Will Kojima finally be able to fulfill his lifelong wish and lead his team to glory?

One Outs is not your typical sports manga. Created by Kaitani Shinobu (author of Liar Game), One Outs doesn’t gloss itself with pompous values such as teamwork, sportsmanship, hard work, determination or friendship. Tossing all naivety aside, it portrays the baseball game as a place where the victor walks over the fallen and the winner takes all. To win, you must deceive, cheat, and manipulate your adversaries, even your very own team mates. What makes One Outs truly unique is that it is all about trickery and mind games… in baseball.

The centerpiece of this manga is undoubtedly Tokuchi Toua. He is probably one of the slickest and most badass characters in town. He is a 134-kmph pitcher who can only throw straight balls. Laughable in professional baseball’s standard. However, Tokuchi is the ultimate trickster. Behind his arrogant and nonchalant demeanor, lies the ability to read everyone like a book. He deceives and manipulates everyone to dance around at his whim. Once Tokuchi catches hold of his opponent’s weaknesses, he will exploit them ruthlessly and utterly destroy the very core of their spirit, all the while mocking at their foolishness. Whatever you throw at him, be it true skill, cheating or foul play, he will always be able to counter it with an ingenious strategy. All is fair game and only the winner defines what justice is.

The other characters are pretty much forgettable and have little role to play. Seriously. One Outs is a one-man showpiece, letting you gush at the awesomeness of the protagonist. But that isn’t necessarily such a bad thing. Once you get into the story, Tokuchi works his charm and keeps you guessing his next move. The biggest disappointment is probably Kojima, since he is supposedly the heart and soul of the Lycaons team. Excusing the injury he suffered at the start of the story, he hardly makes any impact on the outcome of the matches.

The story itself is full of intrigue. The One Outs contract that Tokuchi signed with Lycaons sets the stage for the high stakes gamble between him and the owner. The owner, being the despicable money-grubbing bad guy, will resort to any means possible to destroy Tokuchi and win the bet. Throughout the Lycaon’s quest for the championship, Tokuchi is pitted against all kinds of opponents: from the fastest base runner, a genius batter with unrivalled in-motion vision, a master tactician, an expert cheating team and even sabotage by his own team mates. This is where the story draws you in. Cliffhangers and suspense are aplenty. You know Tokuchi is gonna kick everyone’s butt but you just have no idea how. And he’s never going to reveal it until the very end. The strategies and schemes used are brilliant, and the execution by Tokuchi is near flawless. Be it the weather, the pitch, the people, or the game rules. He will find a way to bend them to his advantage.

Some people who watched the anime might complain that the story only revolves around the One Outs contract, making the matches pointless. However, Tokuchi has planned far ahead and everything he does has a far-reaching influence. The anime only covers the first half of the manga. Without spoiling too much, I can tell you that the third quarter is about a revised One Outs contract and the rest deviates from the contract completely. There is much more character development at the later stages, when Tokuchi tries to change the loser mentality of the Lycaons team and improve the team in his own unique way.

I do find the final stages of the story slightly lackluster. Even though it is nice to see another side of Tokuchi, trying to honor his promise with Kojima, it fails to build up the tension and reach a really climatic ending. I suppose it’s the result of the epic battles that were crafted out earlier, that the final showdown pales in comparison. In my opinion, this is what keeps One Outs from being a true masterpiece.

The artwork is nothing spectacular, but does its job and is fairly decent. I especially like how the mangaka draws the expressions of the characters. The drawing is believable and makes the comedic moments hit the mark perfectly when they occur, albeit occasionally. I have no complaints.

One Outs is a really fun read, especially if you like baseball and something intelligent. I never watch baseball games and barely know any rules. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it immensely. I don’t think I need to remind you again but Tokuchi really kicks ass!

“Nobody wins, but I!”