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Jul 4, 2024
"Since that day, I've lived a lie. The lie of living. My name, too, was a lie. My personal history, a lie. Nothing but lies."
I finished watching Code Geass at least 3 weeks ago, and I've always wanted to write something about it. I had heard a lot about this anime, and it was often compared when discussing the ending of Attack on Titan, which piqued my curiosity even more, as the latter is one of my favorite manga/anime.
The story is about Japan, colonized by the Britannian Empire and now known as Area 11. The Japanese are called Elevens and are stripped of their rights
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and treated as an inferior race by the colonizers. Only a few, through merits acquired or by serving in the Britannian military, can attain the status of honorary Britannian citizens. The events start at an elite high school for Britannian citizens, where Lelouch spends his days bored and unmotivated, hiding the resentment he has accumulated over the years towards the Britannian royal family for conspiring in his mother's assassination and depriving his sister of her sight and ability to walk. One day, Lelouch gets involved in a terrorist act by the Elevens, and when cornered and accused of being involved with the Elevens, a mysterious girl grants him the power to command anyone who looks directly into his eyes to obey his will. After this incident, Lelouch finds a purpose in his life: to become the leader of the rebel faction, Zero, and start his fight against the entire Britannian nation to avenge his family.
The series is a mix of genres, including geopolitical, mecha, military, and school, which allowed me to appreciate the series from many different angles that were already among my interests. The only downside, I must say, is that the romantic aspect is treated very superficially, especially in R2. The characters are used for fan service, obviously to please everyone without taking a firm stance, which honestly disappointed me quite a bit.
R1: The story captured me from the beginning; the geopolitical aspect was the key to fully engaging me. The balance between Lelouch's school life and Zero's political life was handled very well. I liked the contrast shown between the carefree and joyful environment inside the school walls and the constant discontent and tension outside the borders of Tokyo.
Analyzing the Mecha aspect, the Knightmares used by the Britannian and Rebel military forces didn't impress me much initially due to their very basic and unimpressive design. However, as the story progressed, the Mechas also received noteworthy upgrades, making their battles even more exciting and frenetic. Thanks to their particular attention, robot enthusiasts like me will appreciate how gradually the Mecha technologies and armaments are updated in step with the story's developments. The Knightmares I liked the most are the Guren Seten, Lancelot SIN, Mahoraba Type-01, and Zangetsu. In fact, I won't hide my desire to buy one of these models as a Gunpla to display in my collection.
Characters: There are really many characters. This feature allows the series to have continuous mini subplots that do not weigh down the viewing but rather enrich the content, giving us more information about the world and the relationships between the various characters and factions. There is continuous development, and it feels like every single character is involved in the war's events and driven by a personal motivation.
Lelouch is a complicated character. He is an extremist who tries to fulfill his duty but at the same time, often questions whether it is the right thing to do. However, it is known that any form of extremism leads the subject to have a one-sided view of reality and to think they are fighting for the right cause, regardless of the means and methods used.
Suzaku, his childhood best friend, will play a crucial role, and the anime heavily emphasizes this aspect. The story is based on a frenemy relationship, somewhat like Disney's Red & Toby. If Lelouch is the thesis, Suzaku is the antithesis. There will be many times when you can't stand this character, at least that's how I experienced it. Because he will be the person who most thwarts Zero's plans. He is also a complicated character, with the same goal as Lelouch but intending to achieve it through different methods that he considers correct, leading to strong contrasts between the two characters.
There are many other characters I would like to talk about, like Nina, who, despite being a secondary character, plays a very important role in both the first and second seasons. But I won't dwell too much because otherwise, we would never finish.
Artstyle The Character Design was done by CLAMP, a group of manga authors who made a hit with titles like "X," "Magic Knight Rayearth," and "xxxHOLiC." Their target audience is mainly Shōjo, evident from the extremely attractive characters with strong sex appeal, reminiscent of the 90s shojo style. Initially, I was not very convinced and indeed had strong prejudices about this anime, but once I started, much like with Attack on Titan, I was immediately drawn into the story, making me quickly forget this particular aspect. Ironically, this later became one of the anime's characteristic aspects that I now appreciate and praise the most.
The soundtrack is very enjoyable and, depending on the situation, it manages to create and blend very well with the atmosphere. Moreover, at certain points, it perfectly captures the regal air of the Britannian Empire. The intro "COLORS" by Flow quickly became one of my favorites, and I loved how they managed, through the animations, to show how the characters and factions within the world of Code Geass are divided and interconnected at the same time.
In conclusion, it was a viewing experience that happened randomly, spoiling the series' ending through a reel. It was a bit of a shame and somewhat disappointing to start it knowing how it would end, but I must say that the important thing was seeing the journey and how the events unfolded. Code Geass is an anime from 2006 that, in my opinion, finds it hard to fit into 2024 for those not used to watching anime with this 90s style. Moreover, for those who have already seen titles like Death Note, Attack on Titan, and Evangelion, this might be an anime with a plot formula that doesn't offer something new to the viewer. Nonetheless, I would recommend it to anyone because it managed to convey something to me and left me with truly memorable characters.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jul 2, 2024
The first work created without going through serialization in Japanese magazines, as is usually the case in the homeland. "GoGo Monster" was the sensei’s first attempt to create a one-volume work (1998-2000).
Deprived of the feedback from readers that would normally come with a serialized publication, the author found himself writing this work with a completely different approach he was not used to.
The story is about Yuki Tachibana, a very peculiar child with a sensitivity to reality different from that of other children. It could be said to be more developed, as he often finds himself in situations where he cannot distinguish between the two worlds,
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confusing what is and what is not. This peculiarity makes him an outcast at his school because the other children are either frightened by the unsettling things he says or simply consider him strange and tease him. Not everything is bad, though. The school janitor spends a lot of time with him, keeping him company and acting as a point of reference. He also makes friends with a new student, Makoto, who transferred from another school, and with IQ, an older student who constantly goes around covered by a box.
There are 5 chapters in total, divided into seasons. In this story, Matsumoto does not intend to tell us precisely what is real and what is imaginary. He leaves it up to the reader to interpret the meaning of Yuki's words. Indeed, there will be many occasions where you will wonder if what he says is true or if the child has a form of autism that causes him to have visions and say certain things.
However, the story does not only dwell on Yuki's vision of the world but also addresses how scary and cruel elementary school children can be, despite their age. We are shown how they can bring adults to their knees with their cruelty and how younger children are easily influenced by their seniors. Moreover, we also see the indifference of adults towards children and their inability to understand them, often making superficial judgments about their behavior. Of course, not all adults are painted with the same brush, as there will be teachers who, despite the difficulties, make the effort to understand their behavior, even if they ultimately fail to do so. What makes all this frightening is how accurately it represents reality, with situations that happen daily in schools.
Artistically speaking, compared to the first work I read by Matsumoto, "Sunny," it has a very nervous style that I find in line with the overall atmosphere within Yuki's school walls. Strong contrasts and some pages that are almost entirely black.
I would not recommend this manga as a first approach to Taiyo Matsumoto's work. It is deliberately a work that leaves interpretation open, at times forcing the reader to question what they are reading without ever having a clear answer. A very dreamlike and at times unsettling read, not as the joyful and innocent cover of the manga might suggest.
Personally, it was not a read that conveyed much to me, but I appreciated that it managed to stimulate in me the desire to understand what lies beyond the real world, as Yuki says, and what it means to him to rot, even though I associated it with becoming an adult and losing the innocence of childhood.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jun 28, 2024
One beautiful thing that Sunny has opened my eyes to is the importance of certain details and habits my mom has always had with me, which I found in the book.
[Personale take]
I know exactly the unmistakable smell of the Nivea cream that Haruo always sniffs. Its greasy consistency and white color that leaves a residue on your skin if you don't spread it well. My mom has always put it on me since I can remember, and even now she wants me to use it if she sees that my skin is irritated for any reason. Especially during the winter period, when the corners of
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my mouth were dry and wounds would form, I remember she would put it on me so generously that I always had some cream left in my mouth. I couldn't stand it, and that's probably why, even now as an adult, I still can't stand putting creams on my hands or anywhere else. That Nivea cream from that blue tin has marked me since I was a child.
But it's funny, because now as I read Sunny, if I think about it, I find that my mom's way of doing this is an unforgettable love language, given that I'm still talking about it now. Through Sunny, Taiyo Matsumoto has managed to make me understand the sense of gratitude I should have for the maternal and paternal affection I received when I was a child and how we should be more aware of what we have.
[Review]
"Sunny," serialized by IKKI magazine from 2010 to 2015, is a Seinen manga written and illustrated by Taiyo Matsumoto. Acclaimed for his unconventional style, outside the typical stylistic canons, Matsumoto focuses on storytelling and conveying emotions rather than pleasing people. It is published by Jpop in Italy and divided into 6 volumes in total.
In "Sunny," the sensei tells the stories and daily lives of some kids living in an institution/orphanage called "Hoshinoko." The manga shows how this will influence their perception of life and how they, in turn, are perceived by society. The Sunny, an out-of-use car parked in the institution, serves as a safe place for the kids. A place where adults are not allowed and where their dreams and worries can be expressed.
There are a total of 37 chapters, each self-contained yet connected by a unique sense of time and progression.
The story does not have a main character; instead, every presence within Hoshinoko gets to tell their own story and essence. This allows us to empathize with all the characters, whether they are those we like the least because of their personality or our favorite characters. It is thanks to this mode of narration that I was able to grow fond of some children whom I initially found insufferable but later understood why they have certain ways of behaving that could be mistaken for mere whims or absurdities. It is known that children always have unique ways of communicating.
Most of the characters are developed equally, except for two or three who had only one chapter dedicated specifically to them. The characters that impressed me the most are Adachi, for his paternal sense towards all the children in the institution, especially Haruo, who until the last chapters demanded to be the one Haruo needed to stay on the right path; Sei, for his unwavering hope of seeing his mother again, his calm and gentle demeanor that captured me from the beginning when he had to take care of a new boy in the institution; and finally Haruo, for the development he underwent throughout the manga.
From an artistic standpoint, this is my first time delving into Taiyo Matsumoto's style. Initially, I was skeptical, but I learned to appreciate his art more and more thanks to his wonderful way of storytelling.
You don't have to be an orphan to understand these children's feelings. A little empathy is enough to grasp the pain or happiness within the pages being told. This work managed to take me back to being a child but with the awareness and perception of the world through adult eyes. It was a narrative as delicate as it was harsh, like the reality of life, leaving a bittersweet taste in the mouth. There were several points in the manga where the master made me close the book and think, "Wow, that hurt."
I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone because it's a story that deserves to be read.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 28, 2024
What are we even talking about? I just finished reading the last two volumes of Dandadan (Vol. 11 & 12 - from chapter 86 to 102) and I was literally blown away.
Story: The story revolves around Momo Ayase, a high school student who is convinced that spirits exist and are not just products of popular folklore, and her classmate Ken Takakura, who believes in the existence of aliens. Both will try to provide tangible proof that one or the other exists, and in doing so, they will encounter sci-fi and supernatural adventures. The premises of the story are truly interesting, as seeing these two worlds
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fused together is quite unusual.
About the manga:
Let's start with the premise that Yukinobu Tatsu has been spoiling us with a very high artistic level since the manga's inception. Setting aside the character designs, which can sometimes feel repetitive like a CTRL+C, CTRL+V, let's talk about the constant presence of double spread panels in every chapter. It's not just their presence that's satisfying, but the fact that they are always highly detailed and that there's never a drop in quality.
Not to mention the excellent writing. For example, Momo is injured but needs to heal ASAP to resume training and save the world. What's the solution? An alien device that heals you instantly in less than 6 hours. How does it work? 'I don't know either, but it works' - Alien Ally. These solutions are genius precisely because of their simplicity and lack of logical foundation. Who needs technical/theoretical explanations? We're dealing with alien and spiritual entities. If it works, it works!
In short, the sensei doesn’t hold back at all in efficiently using his resources in terms of alien technologies to facilitate certain plot points.
Jokes aside, if you think the art style is what makes this title stand out, you're greatly mistaken because it's actually the writing that holds everything together. Chapters 100-102 feature Bamora's backstory. It left me stunned because it's incredible how the sensei managed to give so much depth to a character who previously had almost none in such a short time. Sure, I've only seen the backstory and haven't yet seen any character development (which will surely happen in the upcoming chapters), but I have no doubt it will make me appreciate her character and the bond with the entire party even more.
The fights are spectacular. They are clear and dynamic, and despite the chaotic nature of the situations, the drawings manage to be easily understood. Each movement is drawn to be followed by the subsequent ones, as if all the key frames of an animation were laid out before us. From this perspective, I can’t even imagine the popularity and quality level that the animations will reach when the anime adaptation is released by the studio ‘Science SARU’ (the same studio that worked on titles like ‘Devilman Crybaby,’ ‘Scott Pilgrim Takes Off,’ and Taiyo Matsumoto’s ‘Ping Pong’).
The best part is that the above-mentioned points are just a small part of what there is to appreciate in Dandadan. If I had to make a list, there are:
-The funny facial expressions that manage to engage the reader and bring a smile.
- The references to real worlds paranormal phenomena used for the plot.
- Easter eggs in some panels that clearly reference other well-known titles.
- The romance aspect present in the manga.
- Historical reconstructions of the B.C. period, remodeled based on their world's plot.
- The creativity and the way conversation bubbles interact with the characters themselves, even facilitating reading.
In short, you can see there's true love for the themes addressed. The esoteric and aliens. It's no wonder that many people are now jumping on the Dandadan train, and I don't blame them. In fact, the hype is well-deserved after a particularly slow start since its publication in 2021.
If i would recommend it? Definitely!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 16, 2024
I'd like to say few words about my reading of "Under Ninja." Currently ongoing with 120 chapters, serialized by Young Magazine, and published in Italy by JPOP.
The plot is simple. It revolves around Kudo, a hikikomori who belongs to a ninja organization formed after World War II, dealing with violent and terrorist acts in the country. Initially, this organization, called 「NIN」, handled only domestic affairs, but over time it developed and expanded internationally, boasting a military force of at least 20,000 operational ninjas.
The covers of the tankobon are very beautiful and meaningful from a graphic perspective. With the first printing of “I am a Hero,”
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Kengo Hanazawa made quite an impression, and here he does no less.
One thing I really like about Kengo Hanazawa's narrative style is that the story is told from all angles. The reader gets to see both points of view of the different factions in the series, whether it's 「UN」 (Under Ninja) or 「NIN」(National Intelligence of NINJA). What's intriguing is that there's no clear “good” or “bad” side; we just see two factions with different ideals in conflict. Sure, the reading will lead you to think that the 「NIN」 are in the right, being the main faction for which our protagonist works, but as you continue reading, you start to question and doubt this conviction more and more.
The description of ninja techniques and strategies is nothing short of genius. Techniques that at first seem outlandish and nonsensical, but after a detailed explanation, acquire unimaginable utility. Take, for example, the "Water technique," used multiple times in the series, which, depending on the context, can prove to be the only means of salvation. Hanazawa has a style as bizarre as his characters, but of incomparable brilliance.
One thing I appreciate and am positively crazy about in the manga is the constantly present sense of humor. Interactions with Kuro are often hilarious but also provide very important information for the reader to understand the overall situation. Then there are times when it seems like he's making a stupid and senseless comment when he's actually already applying a ninja technique to confuse those around him. Again, the genius of Kengo Hanazawa in this manga is palpable.
SPOILERS
Up to chapter 67, the sensei spoiled us with Kuro's presence, only to completely turn everything around with his death. Of course, not everything is lost because he left behind his legacy, his family, who will now take the lead of the story. It was truly interesting and bold of him to take this direction. It was definitely something the reader would not have expected. I would dare say it was more shocking than seeing Gojo die (and resurrect in all forms by now) at Sukuna's hand. I’ve read many negative reviews saying this was a wrong decision that ruined the manga, but I found it an added incentive to continue reading and to delve deeper into all the other characters surrounding our protagonist. By the way, I wanted to mention the brilliance of the tankobon covers where this event occurs and how there’s a clear reference to it. Kuro high-fives his brother, symbolizing the changing of the guard. (Check out manga cover no. 8 & 9)
Having reached chapter 120, the mysteries deepen even more, but you can definitely feel a change in the author's pace. Yes, it’s still relatively slow, but each faction is moving towards something big. The tension and carefreeness present in the first 50 chapters are gone. I wouldn't be surprised if everything exploded in a few chapters, as happened with the high school incident/mission.
From an artistic standpoint, not much has changed from his previous works. The double spread panels are always beautiful to look at, and the details are never lacking. His drawing style is clearly unique, and it’s really hard not to recognize his touch. I think the artwork is another main reason why I decided to dive into this reading.
I can’t say if it’s underrated or not because, to be honest, it seems more like a manga for a niche audience. But one thing is certain: after watching "Ninja Kamui" this was exactly what I needed to forget that poorly executed ninja story. And if I’m honest, this work seems better executed than “I am a Hero,” so if you didn’t enjoy that read, I’d still give Hanazawa a chance with this series.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jun 13, 2024
Can we really define "Zero One" as a complete failure of sensei Hiroya Oku, despite it being considered the origin of what would become his legacy?
First of all, what is this story about?
In 2028, in the futuristic city of New Koshigaya, lives Isurugu Neru, a young boy living in a poor family. His father forces him to work and drop out of middle school to help with the household finances. Neru's father, besides wanting to improve the family's financial situation, also forces Neru to find his talent in life.
However, Neru is haunted by a single thought: revenge against Yagami, an extraordinarily talented schoolmate in every
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field. Yagami not only humiliated Neru on numerous occasions but also hurt his sister, inflicting pain and anger that Neru cannot forget.
Meanwhile, a virtual reality game called MBZ is gaining immense popularity. Despite the economic difficulties, Neru finds a way to frequent the arcades, where he makes new friends and discovers he has an innate talent for this video game. Through MBZ, Neru sees an opportunity to redeem himself and a way to his revenge against Yagami.
The story follows Neru's journey as he delves deeper into the world of MBZ, improving his skills and trying to surpass Yagami in the game, creating new friendships, and attempting to overcome the barriers between him and his father.
The manga has a very low rating, 5.94 on MAL, but I want to evaluate this work not only based on what I've read but also on the context and reality it gave us following its publication. A work that, in my opinion, if published in another period and with a different budget, would have had more potential and hopes of continuing.
The story is very simple and linear, following the growth of Neru, our main character, with very humble characteristics, in which one could easily identify. Unfortunately, the side characters presented to us are not developedmore than one chapter each, and indeed, they are not that memorable.
The artwork, in my opinion, is what makes the work stand out. The unmistakable style of Hiroya Oku is noticeable as always and makes the reading very enjoyable. A very important note is that this was the first work in which he experimented, along with his team, with the technique of 3D rendering using computer software. But we'll get back to this later, explaining its fundamental importance. I would also like to add how nice and nostalgic it is to see in 2024 the way he portrayed the characters of the game MBZ through 3D renderings, because they very much recall the old school style of the characters from "Soul Calibur" from 1999.
Regarding the ending, it is inevitable to notice that something is off. Indeed, "Future" chapter 41 of the third volume, is the most painful point of the series, because it concludes right at the climax, where Neru will face his enemy Yagami in an MBZ tournament.
The reason for this conclusion is revealed to us in an interview by Tokyo Otaku Mode, where the interviewer asks our artist about his decision to create 3D computer images, Oku tells us:
"The work we did there was actually quite fun. Still, after two years of paying assistant salaries, and investing in costly computers and printers for 3D rendering, I used up most of my money. Most of the money I had saved from “Hen” was gone, and I thought I was done for when the “01 ZERO ONE” series started to get published but didn’t do well. I was headed for bankruptcy, so I went and asked my managing editor to let me quit the “01 ZERO ONE” series. But I was not going to let all that technology go to waste, so I implemented 3D in “GANTZ”. In the end, all the investments I had made for “01 ZERO ONE” were for a good cause. That flop has enabled my studio to create images that no one else could."
And it is thanks to this interview that we understand why this manga is more significant and important than we think. If we look at the overall picture objectively, works like "Gantz," "Inuyashiki," and "Gigant" would not have existed if he hadn't axed the series or invested in all that equipment for the creation of "Zero One." And this is why I consider this work of inestimable importance.
From a technical standpoint, it gets a solid 6, but on the other hand, I can't give a number to define how important this work is. However, I can't deny that now I dream of nothing more than seeing a continuation of the series and seeing Yagami's face being stomped by Neru. I would recommend this manga to anyone who enjoys Oku's work and wants to delve deeper into the origins of his artistic style. It doesn't prove to be a challenging read at all, and in my opinion, one could easily finish it in a single evening of full immersion.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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May 29, 2024
I read "A Girl on the Shore," and based on how I had imagined it, after reading and seeing other opinions around, claiming that this manga is one of the most controversial and would make you feel more uncomfortable than the author's other works, I must say that they are a bit exaggerated, cause this is not the case.
It is not a story like "Goodnight Punpun" that completely overturns you. However, I must admit that from the first chapters, the manga manages to immerse you in the lives of these two teenagers, and that probably certain readers could easily see themselves in them, which I
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will discuss shortly.
But before I start with my opinions, what exactly are we reading? This is the story of Isobe and Koume, both in their teenage phase, living in a small town. It tells of their relationship with benefits and how they explore everything related to the world of sexuality. What makes this story "controversial" is the way it is meticulously told even in the smallest details, showing us all their intimate moments. Their relationship is not based on emotional ties but on curiosity and the desire to escape from their own life problems. Koume has just been dumped by the boy she really liked while Isobe is a boy who suffers a lot from loneliness and suicidal instincts due to a strong sense of guilt, the reason for which I will not reveal.
Overall, it is a difficult story to digest. But the real reason why it is, is the fact that the story we are told is closer and more real than we can imagine.
One of the most heartbreaking parts in this manga, in my opinion, is how both are in love with each other but due to the influences of friends and the prejudices that could arise, this has caused a state of emotional confusion for both. In this case, we talk about Koume, how due to the negative comments of her friends towards Isobe, she never managed to admit to herself that she really liked him. All this for fear of being judged or made fun of, only towards the end when it is too late she will realize her true feelings and try to establish a more serious relationship with him. On the other hand, we see Isobe, who, suffering greatly from loneliness, was looking for someone to give him love, or someone to share his concerns with, given the burden he carries. In fact, we see him insistently asking Koume from the beginning if she liked him or not or things like "Can you give me a kiss?" trying to have confirmation that there was more than physical attraction between them but that there was feeling.
One thing that made me reflect a lot on the ending is not to take for granted the relationships we have experienced during our teenage ages because as much as they were more significant one than the other, in the end they led us to be the people we are now. I also went through those days when I skipped school to stay home alone with the girl I liked and have sex. Summer days procrastinating in bed and continuously copulating. I saw myself in Isobe who performed sexual acts with Koume in public places. It is not something to be scandalized by because it is in the nature of a teenager to do stupid things, with the aim of trying something new and experiencing new emotions. These are embarrassing things to talk about but in my opinion, the manga succeeds very well without being vulgar. I read comments saying that the sex scenes were unnecessary and that this is just pornography. But in my opinion, Inio Asano managed to tell in the purest and rawest form the reality surrounding teenage life. There was no malice in all this. This manga has the problem of not being understood by everyone. It could be judged as a manga with too many sex scenes that do not lead to the end of the plot, but in my opinion, they are wrong. Based on the experiences a person has had, it is easy to feel represented in one of the two characters. For example, from the point of view of discovery, I felt very much like them, having done 2/3 of what they did, and in fact, I could understand their emotions, feeling very close to them. It is not a manga that has great meanings behind it, but I want to congratulate with Inio Asano for being able to tell a story as simple as it is complicated.
It is definitely a manga that I would not recommend to everyone, but if I have to be honest, like many of his works, this one has also left its mark in its own way and has found a small corner in my heart. Oh yeah, and for those who are complaining about the sex scenes, it's an R rated manga whose target is for adults. So I don't understand why you should be so surprised or scandalized from it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 25, 2024
Ever since I read “The Climber” by Shin'ichi Sakamoto, I haven’t hesitated to call him my new favorite mangaka.
His hyper-realistic drawing style, the choice to not use sound effects in his panels, the use of metaphors and symbolism to express concepts, and the detailed illustrations that are meaningful rather than just filler – all of this was a revelation to me. I immediately thought he would be the mangaka to revolutionize this new generation. I still believe in this to some extent, but I’ve also stopped putting him on a pedestal and started critiquing his works that came after “The Climber,” especially Innocent.
Innocent is a
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manga set in France during the 18th century, specifically in the famous period of the French Revolution. It’s based on a real person, Charles-Henri Sanson, who belonged to a family of executioners working directly under the royal family. They enjoyed quite a bit of popularity, but this was a double-edged sword: while it provided work and a comfortable life, they were also seen as bringers of death by the French people, leading to social ostracism.
The story is pretty straightforward, following the growth and maturation of the main character, Charles. In his youth, he is tormented by the idea of succeeding his father as an executioner because his nature makes him dislike violence. However, as events unfold and due to family and social circumstances, he gradually comes to terms with the idea and accepts his role without losing his humanity. He becomes an executioner with the dream of making France a better place by turning executions into a painless release rather than torture.
His development is surrounded by secondary characters, mostly his family members. Here, I think one character, in particular, takes up more space than others, and that’s Marie-Josèphe Sanson, his younger sister. Unlike her brother, she is more inclined towards the role of an executioner, showing an interest in the anatomy of animals she killed for fun at a young age. Her main problem compared to her brother is being a woman, which, for various reasons, hinders her from becoming what she has wanted to be from the start – an executioner.
It’s no accident I said she takes up too much space in the story, because from the middle of the series onwards, the focus shifts almost entirely to her growth and development, while Charles’s character is largely neglected and even demonized to highlight women’s rights and Marie’s dreams.
From a historical and contextual point of view, I didn’t like the choice to introduce LGBTQ+ themes in this manga. Without any apparent reason, we encounter many LGBTQ characters and scenes filled with diverse sexualities. At first, I wondered if my issue was with seeing these themes in this particular manga, but after reading another of his works, “DRCL Midnight Children,” where the same themes are handled equally if not more prominently, I didn’t feel the same sense of incongruity. This is because DRCL is set in a time when sexuality was being questioned and women’s rights were increasingly coming to the fore. However, in Innocent, it felt like a forced woke campaign to attract a specific audience, something I didn’t find in his previous works like The Climber, Masurao, or Kiomaru.
Artistically, Sakamoto is still impressive, but this time I feel like his tendency to make everything excessively beautiful is becoming a bit too gaudy for my taste. Where there used to be variety in character design, now everyone looks too similar, with almost identical facial features, making it hard to distinguish some characters. The panels are always rich with symbolism, but sometimes they’re so packed that they feel too chaotic, even though they’re well-crafted.
I enjoyed reading it up to volume 4-5, but as I mentioned before, the focus then shifted almost entirely to Marie. The rest of the story felt like a long prelude to what would become the sequel, Innocent Rogue. I struggled to finish this manga because of too many plot holes and senseless elements, like Charles’s sudden character change. If he initially despised his father’s behavior towards him, he suddenly becomes a carbon copy of him. In the last five chapters, a new character, never mentioned before, appears, who supposedly was always significant in Marie’s childhood and life, only to die in the last chapter. It all seemed thrown together without proper development, just to add fuel to Marie’s character.
I thought reviewing this work a month later would change my thoughts because maybe, in the heat of the moment, I couldn’t see things objectively. Yet, I find myself thinking the same things, if not more strongly, about what didn’t convince me about the work.
I would recommend it, but only to those who are really into Shin'ichi Sakamoto and his works because it’s interesting to see how his amazing style evolves.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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May 25, 2024
I start by saying that I couldn't resist not writing a review of DDDD because in a way it managed to represent, for me, my anxieties and also gave me a sense of tranquility and peace.
I won't compare DDDD to the author's previous works because it differs greatly from his usual style. This new work emphasizes much of what he had introduced, for example, in "Goodnight Punpun" the political aspect and the group of fanatics.
DDDD talks about a pre-apocalyptic scenery where people have to live under the constant anxiety of an uncertain world, where the future is no longer as stable and taken for granted
...
as it once was. On one hand, ironically, this anxiety is represented with a certain nonchalance towards an alien invader who "threatens" them. The Japanese population, in fact, is more anxious about minor concerns rather than the overall situation, and this is what characterizes the manga.
The manga blends three different genres very well: comedy, slice of life, sci-fi, and drama. At no point did I feel one of these genres overshadowing the others. In fact, in my opinion, it managed to give them a lot of value depending on the situation. One of the moments that struck me the most was when the possibility of time travel was revealed, not in the literal sense, but only from one consciousness to another. It reminded me a lot, in some ways, of "Interstellar," when at the end of the movie the father manages to enter the wormhole and then enter the fifth dimension. I'm not saying that the manga was directly inspired by the film, but, since it reminded me of it and gave me the same dramatic intensity when Ouran entered the time capsule, it makes it even more a work that resonates with me.
The characters are all well characterized, both sides of the coin. Each single individual is a piece that serves its purpose, and there is no one out of place. An honorable mention goes to Ouran's brother, Hiroshi, who, no matter which timeline he is in, his brotherly love always prevails. The reader is never ceases to be amazed at how open-minded he can be despite his quirky characteristics and hikikomori personality. The relationship between Ouran and Kadode is platonic; they have been through various difficult and carefree experiences since they were young. And even though Ouran witnessed Kadode's fanaticism for justice that led her to madness and violence, she did not hesitate to forgive her and try to save her in another timeline.
From an artistic point of view, I was amazed. Initially, the style didn't convince me, but as I read the chapters, it weighed on me less and convinced me more and more that it was the most suitable choice for the title. The photorealistic backgrounds blend well with the characters, and hats off to Sensei Inio Asano for dedicating an entire chapter just to the explosion of the invaders' Mothership from different perspectives, without losing a single detail or dramatic intensity in the panels.
I don't want to dwell on other technicalities or details; rather, I would like to talk about the work from a more personal point of view now:
If, as I watched in an interview, it is true that Inio Asano wanted to draw in this manga what causes him the most anxiety in life because it lightens the weight of the fear he carries in his heart, then this comforts me.
He dealt with themes such as life after death, and when I read it, it made me feel calm. Calm in knowing that I am not the only one afraid, calm because I could fantasize about a sweet death and not a terrible one as we imagine in our world. A reunion with peace and our beloved ones. Perhaps you won't understand this very well, but given my circumstances, death is something that weighs heavily on me, and honestly, this part is what struck me most in the entire series.
As you may have noticed, this is not a review, but more of a sharing of thoughts. The manga, regardless, I would recommend to anyone who has already read something by Inio Asano and wants to try something different. I think it can easily fit among my best reads of 2024, hoping to read many more in the years to come.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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