Back to Nyan_chann's Profile Nyan_chann's Profile

There comes a point in life when you've just.. had enough. The modern world is full of exciting and fun things, but it can also get quite suffocating; and when you start contemplating your life and questioning your choices, something has to change. But, above all, you want comfort and reassurance.

Story:

This story is very warm and easily pulls at your heart's strings, making you reminisce about a wide variety of things, like school, love, family and friends. The daily life of a young woman is the focus of it; although episodic in a way, there is continuity and coherence, with a nicely executed, although ... slow build-up towards the end. A somewhat familiar premise is explored through the viewpoints of not only the MC, but also those that surround her. There are inner monologues and retrospection, providing the reader with additional information and helping with creating the bigger picture. With a few tropes here and there, the story pulls you in and keeps you there. The ending might have been an expected one, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. There isn't a single thing that feels 'overdone' or 'unnecessary'.

Art:

The art is very pleasant and a bit on the cute side, adding to the overall atmosphere of the story and the characters' personalities. Close-up panels and focus points are all justified as in you know why it's there at that specific moment, which allows for a better grasp of the situation and a sense of closeness to the characters. Everything looks clean, and some very rare doodles are sure to make you chuckle.

Characters:

Now, the characters feel so familiar, and it's so easy to relate to them and their lives/motives/reasoning. They are so well-written, giving you just enough to get the gist of what kind of person they are, without burdening you with too much detail that doesn't contribute to the plot. Both main and side characters feel realistic, there is depth to them, and they're not there just to fill up the space, but rather to contribute to the story's progress and overall quality. You understand what drives them, what has shaped them, and what they're trying to do. It would be so easy to find yourself in their shoes, because life is just like that, unpredictable. All with their own problems, small secrets and feelings of guilt, self-doubt and insecurities, they change and grow as they try to live as their true selves, to the best of their ability.

Enjoyment:

I did not expect I'll enjoy this story as much as I did. It's super nice and fun, I've read it in one sitting. If you wish to escape for a bit, get warm and cozy, or just read a feel-good story about people finding happiness in unexpected places and small things, then give this manga a try, it will not disappoint you. This story feels comforting, it makes you ponder about the things we rarely have any time to think about in our busy lives, and gives you hope that maybe, just maybe, a different approach to life is all you need to start feeling happy again. 'The road less traveled' and what might come out of it really fits the story to a tee.

"If I were a woman, loving you wouldn't be a sin."


Story:
This manga tackles some highly controversial and heavy topics, such as religion, abuse, neglect, vices and evil. But what's absolutely amazing about it is how much it manages to cover without feeling rushed in just a few chapters.
The story is well thought through and executed in such a way that it will make you a part of it; an onlooker unable to do anything, but exposed to every single emotion shown in it.
If I had to pick one, I'd say 'love' is the main theme; however, it takes on different shapes and directions, ... and gets mixed with sadness, grief, self-loathing, joy and freedom.
This is, in a way, a critique of the society as it is, pushed to the extreme, with all these double standards, injustice, selfishness, wickedness and darkness it incorporates. In a world that rejects your very existence, a fight for freedom and love is as hard as they come; and while you're gasping for air amidst all that tragedy, the guilt lingers.
This is a story about finding oneself, breaking the chains of trauma and hatred, escaping toxicity, healing and selflessness.

Art:
The art is stunning, absolutely beautiful and powerful. It fits extremely well with the story and further elevates the severity of it all. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then some of these panels speak volumes about the mindset, torment, dedication and salvation.

Characters:
The MCs in this particular manga have such a deep understanding of one another that, at times, it can make them seem a bit too alike, but that is only if you were to look at this story superficially. Should you try to dig deeper, you'll realize soon enough that they are totally different individuals with very compatible souls.
They don't feel one-dimensional at all, and both have a lot of personality and layers to them. It might be hard to relate to their individual stories, but it is extremely easy to relate to their rawness, especially during monologues.
The focus is purely on the main couple, with the rest simply being extras present to further emphasize their motives or help us understand where their feeling are coming from, what has shaped them and in what way.

Enjoyment:
If your life has been, in any way sad, or if you have felt alone and betrayed, this will resonate with you.
Anyone thinking about reading this, I suggest approaching it with no biases and no prejudice. Just because one does not want to admit something, it doesn't stop it from happening to someone, somewhere in this wide world. This being a 'boys love' story shouldn't define it's reality as impossible outside of the genre. This is fundamentally a slice-of-life, that could very well have been described through a shoujo, seinen or any other demographic.
Personally, I found this story rather sad, but beautiful at the same time. The message it carries is as important as it is a grim reminder to us of how unjust the world we have created has become.
This story is a very human one, and a very painful one. It goes to show just how much one person can hurt or break another, how much suffering one can cause and just how long-lasting the consequences are; but also how one person can become another one's salvation; a home, a safe place, a new world, freedom.

Anger is not always the only reason we decide to walk away from someone or something, and oftentimes love itself isn't enough to make us stay. Be that as it may, what makes us decide whether to try and fight for it or not is the strength of the bond and memories that bind us together.

Story:
Dealing with sad moments or tough situations in life can prove to be extremely tricky, depending on our personalities and overall circumstances we find ourselves in. This holds particularly true when it comes to relationships we built ourselves, and this is what this manga is all about. Although this ... is a BL, make no mistake that the accent is on the relationship itself, or the end of it, and how heart-wrenching it can be to try and let go, all the while dealing with your mind being so full of memories, blame, regrets and unanswered questions. This story progresses nicely, with no unnecessary complications or overused tropes, which really helps the reader get a better overall picture and a better grasp of what's going on.

Art:
The art is really sweet, and the design of the characters somehow really goes well with their personalities. Occasional panels with seemingly unrelated background stuff actually contribute a lot to what's being said at that specific time, be it during a monologue or a dialogue. Facial expressions are also nicely done and it's easy to feel the emotions of the characters.

Characters:
The characters have some depth to them, which can really be felt during introspection moments. There's character development, and there is relatable-ness to them. They portray youth, passion and hastiness, pain, regret and bittersweet 'goodbyes' and 'hellos'. The main focus is on the main couple, with little to no attention to supporting characters, which is really not a minus in this case, since the whole point is to understand the two of them and their bond. They are very different personality-wise, and it's interesting to see the same story from 2 different perspectives; it's interesting to see two people desperately trying to hold on, giving it their all, each in their own way.

Enjoyment:
For those who like well-written short stories, this is just the thing. You get a ride down the memory lane, nicely incorporated into the progress of the current narrative. It makes you root for them and wish for a happy ending. It's leaves a bittersweet aftertaste due to how realistic it sometimes feels and how it can make you remember your own experiences, but it's a lovely story overall.
Regardless of the gender, this manga can resonate with pretty much anyone who's ever been in love.

Is a person really in any position to rightfully judge another person, being as flawed as all humans are?

Story:

The world of Jigokuraku is mind-boggling, be it visually or morally. The story is very interesting, and keeps the reader involved at all times. Once you start reading it, you just don’t want to stop. The pacing doesn’t seem rushed, nor is it too slow. Essentially, it’s a ‘good’ vs ‘evil’ shounen-type story, packed with good action, interesting characters and a lot of plot-twists. However, it goes beyond that, in a sense that it portrays lives of the individuals pretty ‘realistically’; although half of the cast ... is consisted of humans deemed criminals deserving of the capital punishment, we get to see the all too well-known human traits and emotions pouring out of them. This manga does not simply paint its world in black and white, rather, it serves to show how nothing really is just one or the other. Throughout the story, we get to see ‘the beautiful’, ‘the ugly’, ‘the perfect’, the ‘abominal’, ‘strength’, ‘weakness’, ‘the good’ and the ‘evil’, explored in such a way that it makes us wonder if anything is as it seems and whether we are worthy of judging the nature of things or not. It also touches upon topics of personal goals and to what extent is someone willing to go in order to achieve them, self-doubt and rebuilding oneself, finding new strength, loss, hate and forgiveness. The story also relies heavily on the principles of Tao, and such a religious motive gives it a whole new level of complexity.
I do, however, feel like the love is the biggest motive of all, in it’s many shapes and forms.
Really, if you’ve ever loved any shounen manga, chances are you’re gonna like this, since you will be reminded of a lot of good characters and lessons from them.

Art:

Beautiful. No matter the scene type, the mangaka manages to preserve art’s dominant beauty and a degree of consistency. However, when circumstances call for it, it goes very, very well with the overall vibe of the moment, adapting to the point it’s trying to make. Character’s outer appearances go pretty well with their personalities for the most part, and when it comes to panels that really focus on something or someone, the details are absolutely on point and done with a lot of care.
It interesting how even in those panels where the reader’s supposed to get shocked or feel goosebumps, the art maintains its high level, in spite of the repulsive, eerie or gory nature of the scene.

Characters:

It is a rarity to find such a fine mix of seemingly similar characters and their motives, but so utterly different at the fundamental level. It becomes pretty obvious early on that we can crudely divide the characters into two groups by many standards: social standing, status, gender, good and evil, intelligence, species. However, it is with the progression of the story that we see the tiny bits and pieces of their personalities and personal history that truly make it impossible to simply deem any one of them as purely ‘good’ or ‘evil’.
Absolutely every character of any importance for the story gets character development, and most of the plot twists are character induced – be it due to their intelligence, resourcefulness or adapting power.
A person might be a villain in the eyes of the world, but the biggest hero to have ever lived in the eyes of a single person. Due to this, a lot of characters in this manga hold the MC potential, as well as the main villain potential. However, everything is well balanced, and in the end the respectful roles they end up having is story-wise justified one way or the other.
One thing that separates Jigokuraku’s characters from others is how beautifully and tragically human they all are: be it a high-class samurai, a murderer or a god-like creature, all of them will show some type of imperfection at some point, being reminded in the process of just how nothing is ever carved in stone, nor is it forever.
You might find it hard to actually hate any character; you get their motives, stories, hearts and souls displayed in front of you, and as you follow them through their battles, getting attached to at least some of them is pretty much inevitable.

Enjoyment:

This is a highly thought-provoking piece of art, there’s just no other way for me to sum it up. Other than that, the battles are portrayed very well and little is left for discussion considering the outcomes. Character interactions and bonds are also very interesting to observe and follow, as well as their inner monologues and memories. Every time a comic relief scene is used, it is well thought-through and just in time to make the most of it.
I must say, this manga really is not for everyone, since most of the fight scenes are pretty gory and graphic to an extent, while the surroundings or the story’s setting fits the words eerie and creepy perfectly, as well as nauseating at times.
All in all, be it deep philosophical thoughts and ideas, or just sheer bloodshed and chaos, there is enjoyment in every layer of this manga, depending on your personal preference.

Where do we draw the line between realities - our own, those around us and, eventually, the reality of the world as a whole? Can they ever be really separated or are they all connected by some intangible threads, each pulling the other one as it moves?

Story:

This is an extraordinarily deep story found in the most unlikely of places. Despite it's length, nothing is ever rushed or not explained enough. The narrative seems divided into stories, each relating to a certain character and/or event, through which we are given the backstories and flashbacks that gradually come together neatly. The progression is fluid enough, it peaks ... the interest of the reader so well, that you may find yourself drawn into this amazing world, trying to find some answers, hand in hand with the characters. It touches upon some topics generally ignored by the public, and presents them in such a way that it makes it hard not to give them a second thought. There is a nice closure, which does leave some room for thinking, as it makes us question ourselves to a certain degree. All in all, it leaves a good aftertaste and is one of those stories that will stick with you for a long time.

Art:

The art is pretty avant-garde, which allows for wide variety of emotions, ambience and the overall feel of the story. It goes really well with the story and it's setting, as well as characters' personalities and experiences. It creates this impression of the museum itself being alive and quite literally being intertwined with everything and everyone inside of it, making you think how everything in life is related as well. It is thanks to this art that we get to experience not only the emotions of one character, but of every single one inside the panel, as well as the overall emotion that the situation evokes in us, making some of the moments that more relatable.

Characters:

This is where the manga really shines. The characters are so well done and thought through that they make the brightest stars painted on this canvas. Whether it's the world of cats or the human world, personalities clash, and we act driven by our past experiences. Interactions between the characters give us the insight into some of the inner struggles and demons, harsh reality and cruelties some of them went through, but also remind us of kindness and sacrifice, and how someone can change for the sake of someone else. They are all relatable, all too relatable, and it is hard not to find a little bit of yourself in the characters.

Enjoyment:

Reading this manga superficially is such a shame, since its depth is something we rarely come upon these days. It has its fair share of harsh reality moments, but also the heartwarming ones and, despite it being surreal with it's multi-reality nature, it is very realistic, relatable and all too human. It reminds us of our nature, but also how we should all be more understanding and tolerant, because we do not know what kind of sorrows and burdens others may be carrying and how some things that we find easy might be hard and painful for others.

The ability to touch on so many topics while keeping them unified is quite extraordinary in itself, but when that is done in a seemingly effortless way and without any unnecessary additions, you know you're in for a treat.

Story:

The story is quite continuous, with a few flashbacks neatly incorporated in the flow of the story, preceded by just the right amount of build-up before any major points take place. In itself, the story and its themes are nothing new, but rather approached in a refreshing way, allowing the reader to get more immersed in the world this manga has to offer, without having to worry ... about overly-done tropes or too many cliché moments. The ending was very good, didn't leave much to speculate about, and it offered a really nice closure.

Art:

I have to say the art goes really well with the story and it kept its high quality throughout the chapters. Overall, it's more on the realistic-to-cute side, pleasant and clean. Same as the story, panels are quite fluid, with certain moments depicting plot points gaining more attention when needed. Character design and their personalities mesh well together for the most part, but throughout the story we are reminded not to judge based on appearance only.

Characters:

Big strength of this manga lies in relatability, be it the lovable characters or situations they find themselves in. Variety of different, well-rounded characters guarantees you'll find at least one you can relate to on a personal level, and many more you'll recognize as realistic. The character development is slow-paced, especially for the protagonist, but it's definitely there for any major character. Overcoming one's past, fears, traumas and learning to love and appreciate oneself all over again should do it for most people. Third person perspective is skillfully intertwined with inner monologues and thoughts, giving the reader a better insight and understanding of character's reasoning and, ultimately, decisions.

Enjoyment:

This is the type of manga that leaves you with a warm feeling and a big smile. It reminds us how we're quick to take for granted seemingly normal things that we're blessed with, while others might struggle with them all alone, but also how kindness can be such a powerful weapon and how everyone deserves it. You live, laugh and learn together with the characters, and you're able to appreciate every panel. This manga is kind. Very humane and down-to-earth, soul-felt story of a person with no prejudice and a big heart.

Absolutely beautiful art was the thing that drew my attention towards this candy of a manga.

Story:

Yaoi is nothing new, but the idea in this one is interesting. The story flows at a steady pace, with chapters transitioning smoothly. From the perspective of complexity, it is not too deep, but not shallow either, with the type of ending that lives up to the expectations related to this genre. However, that does not make it boring at all, because the right amount of comedy, thrill or romance at just the right moment, and a very interesting idea makes it pretty hard to stop reading this once you've ... started.

Characters:

One thing about characters in this manga is that they feel very, very real, which in return makes them so relatable. You get the feeling that it's pretty realistic and that draws you into the story even more. Being given the monologue and insight into the thoughts and motives of the characters adds up to the story, since in this particular manga, personalities and interests of the characters, whose growth is evident as the manga progresses, are tightly related to absolutely everything that happens. Being passionate about your interests and giving it your all and being prepared to see it through to the very end no matter how hard it might get is another great trait that characters possess. Side characters are also given a fair amount of "screen time", and they fill up the small details, give explanations and answer questions about the past of the main characters.

Art:

As stated above, the art is absolutely beautiful. Mangaka did a great job of using different angles and close-ups to further enhance the mood of the moment, or put an accent on something. Facial expressions add to the situations greatly; if you had no text, you'd still be able to guess pretty accurately what the character is feeling or saying. Details are very well done and some of the background elements give you additional insight into the lives of the characters. That being said, there is no art deterioration when it comes to side characters compared to main ones, which is another great plus. This is an eye-candy.

Enjoyment:

If you want to enjoy pretty characters and laugh with and at them, while feeling second-hand embarrassment to a certain degree due to the realistic element of it all, by all means give this manga a try. The honesty and innocence of the characters from time to time leaves you with a very warm feeling, while those bonding moments between them will make you cheer them on and get you all fired up. It definitely left a good impression because it was different. As a character, Kishima will be staying with me, and I'll be ordering this raw, simply because I'm sure I missed out on a few details due to my being immersed in the story so much, and I want to enjoy this work in Japanese as well.