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Dec 22, 2024
Possibly the weakest work I've read from Shuzo Oshimi. While it incorporates the very timely and important themes of self loathing, bodily alienation, and the experiences of adolescents who are confined by societal expectations on how they should conduct themselves and express their sexuality based on our sex and established genders, the way Okaeri Alice tackles and subsequently 'resolves' these themes is too hastily paced, and just way too in your face that it almost reads like an authorial fantasy of how his adolescence should've went. While there is plenty of adolescent anguish, the manga generally lacks the thematic nuance and thoughtful narrative pacing that
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Shuzo Oshimi's works are known for.
Other than that, what is largely lacking from this conversation is the interaction between the characters' inner conflict with the world and structures of our society. Okaeri Alice really places a much greater emphasis on the love triangle and sexual toxicity between the leads that it neglects to make interesting commentary on how people's gender and sexual identities are confined and restricted by the structures and spaces around us. A point that is very important when dealing with such a theme. This absence makes for a rather hollow conclusion that feels insular, lacking the emotional impact that the author seems to want to impress on readers.
Still, the manga does provide good and interesting insight about adolescent gender and sexuality. It also very competently depicts bodily self-loathing and poses interesting questions such as how one may be able to attain liberation from one's birth sex and become a happier individual content with themselves.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 5, 2024
Deserves this arbitrary 10 rating score simply for the author's courage to confront the horrors and trauma of her youth. It certainly helps that mangaka Fumi Fumiko very deftly materialises her sexual trauma, alienation, self-loathing and misanthropy into a story that is not just honest and real, but also compelling to read. The depths in which we are lured into the protagonist's inner darkness is harrowing and gripping. I felt like I was looking deep into the kind of hatred the human condition is able to produce. The stylistic choice to have the art style replicate the 'self-consciousness' of the protagonist is visually stunning and
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narratively intelligent. The manga utilises soft strokes and a hazy-impressionist style to replicate the innocence and ignorance of the protagonist as a child who barely has the awareness to comprehend the world around her, and slowly hardening the line strokes and deepening the blacks in the illustrations as the protagonist grows older and begins to become more aware of not just the twisted nature of her circumstance, but also the material world around her.
If there was anything I could critique about the work, it would be that the final act felt like it needed more time for readers to really understand the depth of what the protagonist is going through. The story at the end moved a little too fast, with story beats (mercifully) moving competently enough for readers to comprehend what was happening, but too quickly to fathom just how bad of a situation the protagonist had put herself and the people she cared about in.
I definitely recommend this work for anybody who has a keen interest in psychological works that deal with trauma and mental health. Particularly for readers who appreciate the works of Inio Asano and Shuzo Oshimi (whom the mangaka actually consulted when she worked on the manga). A word of warning though, the subject matter may be hard for some to stomach.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 1, 2024
Creature Girls at first presents itself as a slight deconstruction of Isekai cliches by having a detailed emphasis on the biology and culture of the many familiar fantasy characters that we know and love today. It is slight as the manga still plays out like your typical harem-power fantasy with a ton of sexual gratification. Early on, the manga may feel lightly reminiscent of Heterogenia Linguistico which intertwines fantasy monsters with linguistics and qualitative interrogation, attempting a more 'academic' take on fantasy creatures. However...
This manga's premise eventually unravels to reveal an explicitly ideological narrative, an attempt to discuss and endorse in my view, some
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rather distorted perceptions of male-female gender relations. Women, through the manga's study of feminine fantasy creatures is not only sexualised with the main character constantly bedding these women in the midst of his biological examinations, but they are also characterised into very gendered roles. Either as objects of sexual conquest, or domestic child-rearing mothers. While this at first appears to be a part of a very long lineage of very horny fan service in anime and manga, particularly in the ecchi/mature/hentai genre, this is not simply thoughtless usage of fan service imagery for reader gratification and enjoyment. Instead, the author appears to actively use its gendered depictions of women to preach what he thinks male-female relationships in society should ideally be like.
The author seems to persistently view women sexuality as a form of power over men, arguing that in contrast to conventional feminist lines of thinking where women are marginalised in society due to the prevalence of masculine societal structures, through feminine sexuality, gender equality is already present. He argues that women, with their female genitalia and charms are able to hold power over men by making them fall in love with them and subjugate them through their sexual wiles. Which, while yes, are possible relationship dynamics that may exist, this is not universal at all. This perception of feminine power completely restricts women to a romantic or sexualised role to men and does not consider the possibility that women may not want to be defined by their relationship to the other gender or to their sexuality. Also, why does this form of feminine power only apply to attractive women?
And while yes, I know its a fantasy world and fantasy cultures and all that... but the way this manga explicitly calls out modern day feminism in both the story and bonus pages, it begs comparison to our real world. And when you go into that... this depiction of a women's being as irrevocably tied to relationships with men also falls apart when you consider how people are relating to more open and non-binary forms of gender identities and sexuality. These funnily enough, do not exist in this manga.
In hindsight of all this preaching from chapter 20 onwards or so, the whole premise of looking at fantasy characters through a biological lens seems to take on an ideological premise - of defining women within domestic and sexual roles. The biological exploration is varied and interesting, but there is a consistent emphasis on genitalia characteristics and these creature women's role in procreation with the author imagining strange sexual characteristics like having more than 1 genital... that can be used solely for sexual pleasure with no risk of impregnation. This is further emphasised in the character writing which depicts these women characters as being especially horny. They not only desire to be bred by men and have their children, but also, as we can seen the B protagonist's plot around chapter 29, desire to be sexually subjugated by powerful men. While it is true the male and female sex are tied to the act of procreation, this over emphasis on sexuality and breeding and procreation seems to suggest that gendered bodies and relationships solely exist for sex. Which, is just... deeply restrictive.
I really enjoy the manga's attempts at depicting differing cultural developments for fantasy creature societies due to their vastly different biology and ways of living. This manga is at its best when it tries to decipher cultural elements of its fantasy world and characters in relation to biology like imagining how evolution of these creatures would have taken place, or the vast kinds of cultural artifacts that might exist in relation to these creature's physical bodies and societal norms such as armour or even towels. But this really takes on a whole different view once the author's perspectives on gendered relations come into play. Look, this is a fantasy world and I am willing to accept ideological and cultural developments that differ from our present day. But why does so much of this fantasy world culture seem to be predominantly about male-female relations and sexuality? It seems to suggest that there is a 'nature' to how we should behave and act toward each gender...
In the context of all the fantasy world shenanigans, I'm willing to accept an exceptionally sexist centaur society where members of the species doubtlessly embrace their gendered roles in the name of practicality and child rearing, or even how these creatures perceive rape as a 'dangerous' form of marriage. But in the author's assertion through a certain female centaur's voice that this is a 'rational,' and therefore positive portrayal of male-female relationships, and a superior form to whatever the author perceives as feminism and failed gender equality.... this is not even an interesting world building exercise anymore, but just an attempt at shoehorning the author's views on gendered relations to the reader. Look, if you critique one ideology, the opposite should be present so that its not just a one-sided exchange on the matter. But when such ideologies are put out there so explicitly and is portrayed as positive, ideal, good, etc. with all the other characters, including the MC agreeing that there is merit to this way of thinking, this just goes into rather propaganda-esque territory.
The manga's anti-anthropocentric perspective is interesting and very relevant in the face of our present day climate crisis, and especially so when we consider our relation to animals and the natural world. I think there is merit when the manga looks at embracing the differences between culture, biology, etc. between the different races and not just sees them as inferior or bad because they are different from human values and perceptions. But the resolution of the whole red cap religion conflict does not at all follow this idea. This conflict brings up a very interesting problem that brings up the question of what happens if another culture from a sentient group threatens your own. Do you still embrace the difference? Is it then immoral from the perspective of the other side that is being antagonised? Instead, these questions are pretty much sidelined so that the MC can have more sex. The MC later contradicts this ideology when he is made into a messiah figure in their religion and alters and manipulates the antagonistic aspect of this religious culture into co-existence with other species and beings.
At the same time, the manga asserts human anthropocentric ideology (people as the most important basically), as delusional and deeply misguided. But it appears that the manga's portrayal of this ideology does not derive within its universe but from real world perspectives. It is deeply reminiscent of colonialisation and racism and all that. But here's the thing... you can't just toss this into a fantasy world and call it a day. The context is completely different. Why do humans think themselves so morally superior when there are so many other physically superior and equally intelligent lifeforms everywhere? How does adventuring and monster curbing operate to begin with and how did certain creatures become dictated as inferior to humanity and therefore fine to exterminate? These underdeveloped pieces of world building really makes it like the author put up a straw man to criticise perspectives in the real world.
I mean... I think this is still an interesting read. It provides insight into the rationale of rather misogynistic gender ideologies and how they are conceived of operating in (a) world. I especially enjoyed the more 'academic' based take of the genre as seen in its deconstruction of fantasy characters biology and culture. I have been powering through this manga mostly for this aspect. While I kind of admire the attempt at openly weaving the author's ideology into this story, this perspective is way too biased. The author suggests that culture is irrevocably intertwined with sexuality and cannot be helped (especially the desire for sex), explicit power is the indisputable king, and relations between men and women are transactional plays of power and control. I clearly have a contempt for the author's preferred ideology and the fact that it remains entirely unchallenged despite the large amounts of criticism it throws onto the other side, reads too much like bad faith preaching to me. This makes it hard for me to recommend.
If you want a look into a fantasy world and monsters through a scientific lens, Heterogenia Linguistico is your read instead. It's done with... less explicit ideological bias and way more nuance.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Apr 19, 2024
Despite the ethical concerns that comes with student-teacher relationships (that are strangely normalised and highly employed in Japanese media) I quite enjoyed this manga's premise: the central mystery of what the main character's sister was doing in the concept maid cafe store and whether she was 'happy' despite sacrificing much of her youth for her younger brother's education. I especially think the interactions between the two main leads and their misunderstandings are quite fun to read and quite funny as well. I also really like the main character and his more melancholic backstory and how it ties in with the premise.
Still... the problem for
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me is that the manga actively does not seem to want to progress its own story! The main character keeps going back to the store, eating there, interacting with the characters there... and while the shenanigans of the female lead is fun to read, it is no excuse to not exert any agency to find out about his sister. I feel like this just drags the premise out way too long for its own good. While we are teased from time to time about developments in the central mystery of the premise, it really isn't enough to sustain my interest in the mystery that the manga was teasing in the beginning.
Look, I get that mainstream shounen mangas need to throw in story filter for the author to settle into their work flow and writing role, as well as to try to capture some longevity, but for some premises, you have to progress the story to a point of comfort first. For some reason, this manga is way to comfortable not going beyond that first step. Overall, I like the manga, I just want story progress.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Apr 13, 2024
This is a nice power-fantasy concept with a slight and fun twist to it. It entwines the reverse Isekai narrative along with an edgy assassin background to emphasise the fantasy of being a powerful gary-stu-esque character who not only has the capacity to brutally kick everyone's ass, he has a reason to show off his prowess to the rest of the world... well, since there are Isekai fantasy monsters invading and what-not.
With a premise (and title) like this, you for sure kind of know that the author is not aiming to reflect reality and comment on it. For what it is, this is a fun
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and engaging read. The action sequences are great, the premise is engaging and interesting, and the characters have some interesting personalities that you may be endeared to (honestly, character writing is not great but once you get past the transparent writing, there are some fun moments).
Yet, my main gripe with this is manga so far is that while the idea and premise is nice and fun, the writing and structure could really, really use some more work. A lot of narrative elements rely on a lot of exposition in order to deliver information to the reader, which is certainly not ideal for a visual medium. The character writing is really blatant and overly straight forward, thoroughly lacking subtext. It does not do a good job of capturing how people talk or interact with one another (the first few chapters for example, is really too blatant and there was not enough set-up to convince readers that this is how the main character interacts with others).
I also felt that the story structure was kind of lacking especially for a story with such high stakes like this one. It kind of meanders its plot for character building... which I honestly felt could use more work to let the characters and their personalities shine through. Because there are some nice character moments in this manga, it just takes time to push through the set-up to see.
Still, this was a fun read. The art is really nice, the action scenes are dynamic, and I like the overall premise.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 27, 2024
I love Mizukami Satoshi, but this does not really mantain the same consistency of quality as his other acclaimed works (Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammar and Spirit Circle). Still, Sengoku Youko clearly is a highly ambitious work that experiments greatly with the Shonen formula and adds very intriguing subversions to its many tropes. If Biscuit Hammar served up subversion of modern Shonen storytelling and tropes, Sengoku Youko plays as a serious attempt to integrate these subversions into the tradition of Shonen storytelling.
I think firstly, unlike Spirit Circle, or even World End Solte, this manga starts quite slow and really takes its time to get
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going, arguably longer than Biscuit Hammar. This is a series that really relies on its characters to drive its story, but it does take its sweet time getting to explain its character's core motivation and complexities. I really do not blame readers for dropping this early as the characters and setting can seem... quite generic in the beginning. I myself, tried to read this manga years ago, and dropped it early because it did not compel me much.
Sengoku Youko is also structurally messy. Plot points weave in and out of this long journey spanning 8 years and longer, and some scenarios are thrown into the mix without sufficient narrative planting. This can make certain plot points feel rather... convenient and sudden. Not to mention it did the whole thing of throwing in a whole new group of antagonists and a central conflict (that barely has anything to do with the inital conflict) about 30 chapters in, and the role they play is strangely significant and insignifcant at the same time. I really do admire the attempt to play with story structure - splitting the story into 2 parts and changing the central protagonist. But, while this was incredibly exciting to read in the beginning because it was difficult to predict what might happen next, I felt all this structure served to really do was to underdevelop some of its crucial characters and preceeding plot points (especially perceivable at the end) for the sake of developing its new main characters and their journey.
Still, Mizukami Satoshi's mind works in grand, mysterious ways and when this manga hits its highs, it really does hit highs. Shinsuke's character development was excellently constructed and he was consistently one of the best characters in the series. He had a very intriguing moral development, and though his role as 'mentor' later often sidetracked his own development as a character, it was still engaging and emotionally touching to see his whole journey. I also liked the spiritual themes that the manga tackled - interpreting mental state and the inner self in a very mature way. I also enjoyed its rather inventive ways of solving conflicts (though in the grand scheme, can feel a little unsatisfying).
Overall, I think that Sengoku Youko is an intriguing and fine manga that plays and experiments with new ideas and storytelling forms within the cliches of its demographic, but I think this is not an experiment that fully succeeded. For better or for worse, this story could read as a breath of fresh air with its many refreshing subversions to battle tropes, but also a lengthy mess that never really felt like it had a clear structure or a conclusive end goal. I would highly recommend checking our Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammar or Spirit Circle for projects that captures Mizukami Satoshi's eccentric writing and storytelling style within a more cohesive structure and story.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 21, 2024
With a title like: "My Instant Death Ability is Overpowered," you'd think you know what you are getting into. Yet, while this may seem like one of those 'trashy' Isekai narratives where viewers will be able to vicariously indulge in a power fantasy through its main character, the utter irreverence of the premise and story execution, prevents it from happening. That is because, for the most part, this series follows the footsteps of works like "One Punch Man," parodying and satirising the many tropes of its genre.
Certainly, "Instant Death" is not as endearing, well-written, well-paced, or as well illustrated and animated as "One Punch
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Man" but part of it is because it pushes the basic general idea of this premise - a main character so powerful, he renders all conflicts pointless with 1 action - to the utmost extreme.
While "One Punch Man," seems reluctant in completely following through with this premise by indulging in the battle Shonen tropes that it parodies and deconstructs such as building dramatic narratives about some of its villains and main characters, and providing Saitama with some cool action sequences and has enemies where he can duke out for a while (even if he is holding back), "Instant Death" is willing to go all out with this premise. Aside from its crucial main characters, most characters and antagonists have the depth of a puddle and they pretty much die the episode that they are introduced. The many Isekai tropes that the series randomly pulls in completely halts for Instant Death power shenanigans, pulling the brakes so that the story can't indulge in these tropes.
Yet, there is a reason why series like "One Punch Man" have not gone that far in their parody of the genre and that is because this can feel incredibly unsatisfying to watch! As "Instant Death" proves, the story can feel very inconsequential and rather pointless when all conflicts can literally end in the same episode that they are introduced, and end in the most visually boring way (he just says die!). Yet, what pulls this series together in my opinion is its characters and the somewhat philosophical dimension of death that is entwined with the story's premise. With Takatou being an all-powerful being that is literally the end to all things, the show kind of implicitly asks us to ponder about the meaning of death, to the ending of existence, and, with the flashbacks of his life before being Isekai-ed, to questions about what makes a human being. This makes Takatou quite an interesting character to follow, and maybe even think about. (Okay, maybe to say that these things are brought up in the show is a bit of a stretch, but there is inherently something quite interesting to the premise that this series dips into, but does not really embrace or even acknowledge much.)
I have been following "Instant Death's" manga for a while now and I genuinely think that it is pretty good entertainment. The jokes do land if you know trashy Isekai tropes, the main character is interesting, and some of the character interactions are quite fun to read. Yet, with this experience, I can say that I don't think this anime really does this series justice. For one, the pacing is off. It's wayyyy off. Particularly in the last few episodes where the conflict, characters, and interesting scenarios come and go like soap bubbles in the air. This makes it hard to even digest the events that are happening and its possible significance to the main characters and their journey. Simply put, the anime's story is quite poorly paced and it can make the sequence of events in the story seem very random without much intent (I mean, it is... random but just going off on the manga, it is all part of its intent to parody the Isekai genre).
Still, I do like this series and I do think it can be entertaining, especially if you don't go in expecting a dramatic story like Shield Hero, or a comedy that takes its stakes seriously like Tsukimichi, or even Konosuba. But it does have its glaring, very glaring flaws. I do recommend giving the manga a try though. It may be loud, chaotic, random, and a little too flat in how it develops and handles conflicts, but it is an entertaining and rather fun read.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 18, 2024
A nice, little gem of a manga. If you want something light and pleasant to read, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this a try. The protagonist is just an incredibly loveable and pleasant girl that I want to see how her little adventures play out. The art is also fully coloured and just rendered beautifully with pleasant use of colours and adorable character designs. This is the kind of manga you feel good reading.
Still, "I Picked Up This World's Strategy Guide!" won't win points for originality. It sort of serves up your standard Japanese light-fantasy type of affair with a little element of 'cheat' to have
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the main character distinguish itself from the rest. Yet, what separates this work from the others is its execution. It's in the beautiful coloured art. The languid, peaceful pace. It's loveable main protagonist.
While there are bouts of interesting scenarios that build onto each other to add a light sense of tension and suspense regarding the main narrative, this manga ultimately lacks a strong overarching conflict that adds meaning and purpose to its story. Although the story right now is a pleasant read, the sum of its whole doesn't feel like its leading up to something a little more meaningful.
Still, the manga is in its infancy and it is kicking off its story, so maybe more tension and interesting ideas will be presented at its later chapters.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 8, 2024
Season of Alabaster is one of those art about art kind of manga. Much has been said about these kinds of stories, but I will say it is always interesting and refreshing to reach about stories that the mangaka themselves have a genuine connection to. This one in particular I thought was well paced and well written enough to stand by giants of the genre like Blue Period. I liked the characters, I liked the pace and tone, and I liked the slight twist on the usual premise - a focus on nude art and youthful love.
I also felt it had a great grasp
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on drama and human dynamics. There's a particular scene where the protagonist 'grades' the work of his club members and he gets berated by the teacher for rendering other's creative work as numbers and scores, not encouraging the creative process. It's a good scene.
Season of Alabaster also stood out for its willingness to confront topics that are not as well discussed in mainstream mangas like prostitution and the complications of a teacher-student 'romance'. I was intrigued by the way it opened into these topics. It had an artful panache about it, with stylistic use of lighting and dark inks. I was always curious how it would confront or resolve these very serious issues but that is where Season of Alabaster dips in quality. It really sidesteps the social severity and psychological consequences of these very real problems and doesn't address them well at all.
Not to mention, the manga has a really rushed ending, and a very contrived reason to have the teacher and protagonist thrown into a romance. I always felt the manga had a more mature tonal quality that would look into the complications of relationships more... something like Natsu no Zenjitsu. I don't know if it got cancelled, but this one kind of dropped the ball.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 4, 2024
Incredibly, absurdly, deeply personal. For that, even if you might not fully relate, or find the manga's aesthetics or biographical narrative particularly gripping, it is worth the read. Nagata Kabi's book of deeply personal, depressing insights about her life and her entanglement with loneliness, communication problems, confusion about sexuality, alienation from society, is a gripping read. For one, she does not sugar coat her experiences, but bares even the worst of herself out to the world. For any creator, artist, writer, etc. out there, you know this is incredibly difficult to do well, and do so authentically.
Still, as a book, the overall loose structure
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and at times, overly lengthy personal ramblings about her life may serve to weaken the narrative grip she has on readers. I certainly did feel that the book dragged on a little in the middle and the conclusion here was overall not as insightful or conclusive as I would have liked it to be. But then again, if it were, or falsified to be so, then the story would not feel as authentic and 'real' as it is. This was truly like reading someone's diary. After reading this book, I felt like I kind of knew who Kabi is, was, and wants to be.
Overall, I really liked this and would like to read more of her autobiography series.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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