hymnsofdeath's Profile - Reviews

Last OnlineOct 21, 2019 10:56 AM
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BirthdayFeb 5, 1997
JoinedJan 29, 2014

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Nov 19, 2017

After Hours (Manga) add

Recommended

Preliminary (5/17 chp)

(this review includes my first impression of the viz media paperback print of volume one)

After Hours is a Slice of life/yuri that follows Emi Ashiana as she learns the exciting world that is night clubs. The emphasis on music and night club lifestyle is more of a contextual element to give our characters a purpose of meeting each other. The first volume includes 5 chapters where we are introduced to our main cast and take a nice walk through Emi's eyes as she "learns to walk" before she can run into her new lifestyle as a VJ.

Story wise, this manga is fast paced enough ... for someone to pick up just the first volume and pretty much have an understanding of where this series is going to go, with that being said there are some generic portions within the more 1 on 1 moments with our main characters. Lack of drama (within the first volume) is really nice to have when setting up a story about discovery and self understanding. After Hours truly shines in their musical department including references to popular EDM songs, and giving us vocabulary to use in the world of Disc Jockeying and Video Jockeying.

Visually After Hours takes on a more modern approach to the shoujo genre with a style comparable to k-on! which is interesting considering both series include female protaganists learning from scratch (no pun intended) about their newly founded musical interest. Kawaii and Bubbly with a dash of glowing aura to some of the characters and scenery at times, the atmosphere of each place in different panels really feels like it could be a real place in shibuya tokyo.

Focusing on our 2 main characters Emi and Kei, it seems that despite the 6 year age difference both characters really want to be invested in each other and want to grow together; while they also help their friends to help place themselves within the music industry. Emi is a timid character who wears that timidiness in her clothes and hairstyle which is a really nice contrast to Kei who leads Emi into this new found world. Kei is a go getter and someone who is willing to make things happen. Kei's character really does a good job at explaining the world of Dj/VJ to the audiance and Emi herself while also providing the energy and pacing this manga need inorder for it to take off so sucessfully.

(within the first volume however we are only given context to Kei and just a few jabs at Emi's backstory and thats OK really gives the later chapters more of an anticipating feel considering the next volume will not be out for a while in america for those who purchase manga physically)

Overall, the series is nice print by Viz and enjoyable story/art by Yuhta Nishio and i am looking forward to the next volume in the series. For 10 USD this really was worth it. Chapterwise though 5 in 1 volume compared to 9 or 10 kinda sucks but it is a first volume so there are alot of introduction that needs to be told; the chapters however do not drag on. Pacing wise the story establishes Kei into the music industry telling us the story is about Emi and shes just as new to this as we are as readers so it feels like im not alone when discovering more about this series. As for it being paperback, the spine doesnt crease poorly and shows less sign of wear. The cover is beautiful and i personally enjoy seeing the vinyl in the name of the manga and on the spine.

(I would personally recommend this to anyone who is interested in picking up a fairly cheap manga that isn't so taboo to read in public and to anyone who enjoys the Indy feel for those times we're in Kei's record collection)

Anything is subject to change with more reading but my reviews are always focused on the physical releases and considering this series has only 1 other review i figured it would be necessary if anyone wanted to gift this manga to someone or even buy it for themselves without going into it blindly (however it wasnt a bad choice personally).

Thank you Viz its always a pleasure reading what you provide.

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Sep 23, 2017

Oyasumi Punpun (Manga) add

Recommended

*This review will follow the american viz media reprint omnibus forms of "Oyasumi Punpun" Note: i have not read the series prior to the release of the vizmedia releases and i would like to personally thank Viz Media for not only presenting me and other fans of this medium with such a wonderful series but also giving it to us in the form of a "Viz Signature" release.*

Punpun is a story that really takes you for a ride through the life of someone who isnt sure about what path to take when entering society as an adult. as the years go by the normal tragedy ... of human life starts and begins taking its toll on punpun as a human. the story being filled with moments of both sad and happiness blending together to making the experience for this manga really hard for some and really too close to home for others. This however DOES NOT effect the story or how anyone can take in the series.

Following the release through vizmedia picking up each volume each month it was released is honestly IN MY OPINION how the story should be digested; in order to truly understand what each chapter means to the reader. Although there is no reason to not want to purchase this series and read it all in one day i do suggest you take your time when reading punpun. Prior to reading the manga i had only known of its name and was very happy to have purchased it when it came out being filled with anticipation. For the low enjoyment score it was mainly because of how "close to home" the manga can be at times and really turns on your cognitive thinking. Without punpun bringing up depression, sadism and even sexual frustration how can one reader who engulfs themselves into this medium actually relate? Thoughts of suicide, and the harshness of the real world beyond the manga for the reader this manga is a troublesome read on a personal level but nothing in terms of presentation.

This manga may be popular among the MAL community but it is NOT for everyone.

Beautiful art by Inio Asano, prior to reading this series i had picked up a girl on the shore and the art is comparably breathtaking. Really captures the emotion of each character within each page, really making for an impactful series to be printed as a Viz Signature. Good quality on physical medium, the text is never an issue to read, and it seems like no corners are cut.

*This last paragraph is about the final volume quality of the viz media release*

The last volume however is a white volume, my problem with that is if your hands become sweaty you may notice alot more damage in terms of physical condition on the cover. the size of the "omnibus" here too is also kinda strange since it might not really fit on a shelf like the other books do. however it will not take away from the fact that it is presented beautifully and therefore deserving a price reduction because of lack of pages. Spine damage is also something anyone who purchases the volumes should be aware of, the larger volumes tend to flex well into place but the smaller volume manages to feel easier to destroy so becareful with your manga!

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Mar 29, 2015

Hanza Sky (Manga) add

Recommended

Preliminary (30/115 chp)

Don't be quick to decide this manga is not good because it is about fighting/sports. Both genres are very interesting and hold more to them then just their label.

Hanza sky is a recommendation you can find if you like hajime no ippo.

Hanza sky is about karate unlike ippo which is about boxing. hanza is a strikingly well series about the art of karate.

this manga follows a boy who is known as a "delinquent" and has always gotten in fights during his middle school years. he tries to find love and creates a new image in highschool; from there hanza gets into a fight and ...

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