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Jul 20, 2011
I just read a review of this oneshot and decided to read it. To my pleasant surprise, it's a good one. So, of course, here's a short review in return to add a little input.
Unlike the premise of most stereotypical shoujo, this story starts out with the girl and the guy (of course there's a girl and a guy, that's shoujo) already being girlfriend and boyfriend. Instead, the "challenge" in this manga (or source of titillation, if you please) is that the guy treats the girl inferior and takes her for granted--he's an "S," and she's the "M" in their S&M relationship. Hold your horses,
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this is fluff shoujo, so this is about innocuous teasing, NOT sex. :P
Already official dating status notwithstanding, these sort of cool "S" characters can turn a shoujo story into crap easily given an undiscerning manga-ka (we've all seen them, you know, the bishounen with the aggressive but completely gratuitous attitudes, embarrassing readers everywhere--think Stray Love Hearts) but it was apparent to me within the first few pages that Hanbun wa Ai wouldn't be one of those shoujos, and I thanked my lucky stars. The reason why Hanbun avoids that is because the male lead is a well-built character. He fits the bill of the alpha-male, but MORE IMPORTANTLY his demeanor actually matches the demeanor of a person with superior intellect. He keeps distance but has a (dark) sense of humor, he's not a drama queen full of bullshit, and his S attitude is actually part of a believable personality. Passable cool guy? Check.
Accordingly, the characters are the strength of this manga and are the main force which carries the story. Though the guy is the most crucial element (to chronic sufferers of lame S characters), the girl is also genuinely cute and not just some lame, insecure nice girl with a pretty face. Add in the strong art, which is not /completely/ polished but really quite consumer-pleasing and expressive, and the good pacing and you get a very pleasing read.
The only flaws I would point out would be 1) the weird manufacturing of the "S" and "M" concept to describe the girl and guy's relationship, which may be difficult for readers to pick up and 2) the slightly hasty ending. The first is only a minor deal to me, and the second is really common in one-shots, so overall I'm exceedingly satisfied.
The premise for Hanbun wa Ai may have you shivering of "POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS," but trust me! No fears! The characters are likeable, the story is titillating and cheery, and none of it is untasteful! Give it a go, and if you're like me, you'll be pleased. It's a well-executed love story!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 24, 2011
Hanakage is a pretty decent love story as far as yaoi goes. There's not a whole lot of smut; rather, it focuses on the development of the relationship between their characters as they deal with their emotions and societal repercussions.
It's not that long and it isn't mindblowing, but it's about love and sacrifice and the complexity of emotions. Set in an older time and using a plot device of the gap between nobility and servants, the drama seems more sincere and less theatrical than in a lot of modern-day yaoi angst you see often. I say it's decent.
The art is very pretty, as well. Nice,
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clean lines.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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May 24, 2011
I wouldn't say this is your typical yaoi. Yes, it has themes of abuse and violence in it like the larger part of yaoi, but it's different in that it's not smutty in origin. Mature, yes, but not just constructed to arouse the audience.
This manga deals with the issues of power, abuse and resultant human emotion, although it only just barely exposes anything about it because it's a oneshot. The art uses a lot of blacks and whites to create a dark setting, maybe also for symbolism. The characters, which are used to depict a little of the dark of human life, have some dimension.
I
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can't say this manga accomplishes anything significant because it's just a oneshot and all it does is show a sad premise, but I have a feeling the author felt that it was enough to put a dark reality into painting. If it were taken a little farther, he might have been able to communicate some message about life.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 28, 2010
~short review~
Teen Spirit is a story that centers around the members of a start-up group who are trainees in an entertainment label. Since the focal point is the interaction among the characters, the main features of the manwha lie in the dynamicism of the cast and the development of the team's project. Not too shabbily done; the characters are decent: relatively realistic and yet entertaining enough to keep the manwha going. It's moderate drama and humor arising, once again, from the interaction of the characters. The art is typical high-quality manwha art, which serves well for the concept.
It's surprising that no one else (that I
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know of) has taken this approach towards the idol group topic yet instead of dramatizing romance or performance tests; but since no one has, it's refreshing. I look forward to seeing how Teen Spirit is developed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 13, 2010
I haven't read too far into the story, so I don't feel like I can write a full review--I'm still gathering my impressions and trying to see where the manwha will go.
But, I'm writing this because I really recommend trying Birdcage Manor out regardless!
The first thing that will strike you is the clean, gorgeous art. It's not like typical manwha art, which exaggerates aestheticism, but it's drawn with the same appreciation for beauty and detail. The result is very refreshing and devourable art.
The other thing that will draw you into Birdcage Manor is the story. You get a particular feel from the story; it's different.
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I can tell that the author had intention going into this, although I'm not sure how'll she do in maintaining it.
The manwha treats its subjects (the residents of a run-down apartment complex) specially, giving them subtle but significant attention even if they're just side characters. It does the same with the main characters: the focal point of the manwha is the stories behind the characters. But unlike other works with this focal point, it tries to incorporate these stories with the action of normal flow of life rather than examining backstories through arcs or other devices. The approach gives the manwha a sort of sleepy feel, like how you might feel when you ponder about the various lives of the people residing in your apartment building.
This interesting effect is counterbalanced by the romantic action that develops between Kizuna and Asai and sort of Yuki. I really think the approach the author takes with examining her characters has the ability to work well with the romance, and she seems to be tacking towards that as well, using Asai's past to affect his relationship development. However, it's a matter of balance, which takes art and skill. I feel like the manwha has a predisposition to get absorbed in the progressing action and botch up the pacing, leaving the potential of the focal point not fully developed.
The characters, though, will have you smiling even if the romantic progression seems to get a little weird. Kizuna has a real personality and Asai's apathetic charisma actually has some depth to it, unlike the normal deadpan character. Yuki adds dynamism to the interaction between the three characters. And really, it's just those three characters; the rest are side characters. I like this, and I hope that their personalities are well-developed before or if any other characters emerge.
Overall, Birdcage Manor seems a really interesting, unique manwha. Regardless of whether or not it's executed as ideally as I like to envision, the premise is different and generates an enjoyable read. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 10, 2010
Reading the summary, I didn't know what to expect. It could be a mediocre gender bender, or a cheesy dramatic manwha. And I think it surpassed my limited expectations. :)
For one, I'm really happy that the author makes the gender bender concept work. Although it's not like the premise is realistic, you won't be thinking it's unrealistic because the story and character behavior is well-executed. You're not working hard to suspend your disbelief; the artful execution of the manwha suspends it for you. That's really a key indicator of success for me!
To describe it, well, the feel is a little hard to describe. It's suspense
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and character emotion. I don't want to say it's dark, because the mood is not as heavy as the word might construe, but drama and reliance on characters' stories creates a tinge of emotion. And it's dramatic; you'll be pulled in and wondering what happens next and how the pieces of the backstory fits together.
There is a lot of romance tension and triangles, and if were any less well-executed, it would seem scoffable or too heavy. But it's not, so the romance pulls you along. It's good.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 10, 2010
It's only five chapters, but the author pulls it off nicely and it will work for some.
For some, their sense of realism may bring them to object to the development of the story; they will think that the behavior/emotions/thoughts of the characters, how they seem to fall in love so quickly (you'll see what I'm referring to when you read), is absurd. But I really don't see this as an issue because it works really well with the character of the protagonist and her love interest: they choose to communicate with art rather than words because their emotions are intense and it's difficult for
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them to express themselves.
Sometimes I feel like this too! Maybe that's why I can empathize with the manga, and wholeheartedly agree with the way it's carried out. It actually inspires me a little; I feel like I should approach art a little similarly now. By the way, I'm a high school senior who decided to go into media production and design rather impromptu-ly, having never taken art seriously until I thought rather belatedly about where my true likes lie. :3
Anyway! Irrelevant information aside, I don't feel like the story is weird or hard to accept. If you can empathize with what the characters are feeling, if you're a little like them, then you'll understand that their actions and thoughts are natural and the five chapters drawn are perfect to convey that. They (the chapters) pour out a lot of the feeling of the characters so that the manga really generates that intense emotion and it washes over you. ^A^ You'll feel a little like them and maybe be inspired a little.
And I think you'll understand that even if others don't really get it, the manga-ka actually did a pretty nice job!
But if not.. well, I'm afraid it wasn't a success, the manga wasn't written for you. ^3^ You'll have to read to find out whether it works for you or not.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jul 25, 2010
Cappuccino is an enjoyable light josei read.
The story is based on a realistic premise and develops with realistic action. Despite that, girls will feel enough empathy for the protagonist to feel suspense and read the next chapter for developments in the relationship.
The characters seem realistic as well, but the manga does not explore the emotions deeply enough to compensate for their realistically limited transformations. On one hand, this makes the characters (especially the protagonist's lover) seem slightly flatter than they might be ideally, but at least it's a change from the heavy dramatic tone of a lot of other josei manga.
As it is only
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7 chapters, the pacing seemed a little quick for a story that spans 5 years. The author does a good job of limiting the choppiness, though, and if it had more chapters, the story would seem drawn out.
Overall, it's decent. You won't connect deeply with the characters, but you will be drawn in. Cappuccino will leave you with a tinge of bittersweet, like the faint smell of coffee beans. :)
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jun 28, 2009
I don't really agree with the other reviews. Beauty is the Beast is a sweet short story, though not incredibly complex and developed. At a few moments it did seem like nothing was really happening, and I don't get why the author included some arcs/focus on things that she didn't really use later, but most of it flows together with the author's direction. I particularly like Beauty is the Beast for not being as ridiculous and overwrought as other shojo. No excessive drama traps. The ending does sort of slow down, and I wouldn't call the author's "climax" a real climax, but it's was pretty
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clever. The finishing touch did confuse me for a while, but I attribute that to my slowness.
Art's average, characters are good. I just wish there was more development on the characters other than the main 3--the author does some small development for a few characters in the beginning, but seems to drop them as time goes on.
Overall, I found Beauty is the Beast most enjoyable for the direction the author took and the good humor.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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