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"It's a sports manga, why would I enjoy it?" This is probably the first question that enters your mind if you know nothing about Eyeshield 21 except that it's based on American football. The fact that it's based on American football may drive you away from the series.
One thing I can tell you is, you are right. But it's more than American football, and I guarantee that you will be sucked into this series just like I was. Not only will you be thoroughly entertained, but you will find yourself picking up on the rules of American football throughout the entire series.

This rather entertaining story ... focuses on the weak-willed protagonist, Sena, who has an uncanny ability to run. This catches the eye of the quarterback of Deimon High's football team, Hiruma, who forces Sena onto the team. Little does Sena know that his speed will eventually bring together a formidable football team that becomes somewhat of a rather dysfunctional family. Together, they endure brutal training and seemingly impossible games against various notable teams, which each bring an experience like no other.

A hilarious story requires hilarious characters, and Eyeshield 21 provides some extremely well developed characters that won't be like any other. From the maniacal mastermind Hiruma, whose strategic ways will leave you jaw dropping or laughing, to the overeager teddy bear Kurita (known for his large structure as well as having a chestnut-shaped head), each character brings something unique into the story that ultimately circle around our main protagonist and their football team.

The artwork is just unbelievable. Artist or not, you'll take notice of the over exaggerated perspective when the characters are out on the field, from their stances to their sprints. Despite these over exaggerations, they do nothing but complement the series. Prepare to be in awe of Yuusuke Murata's detail in characters, scenery, anatomy, and games.

Enjoyment can really go in different directions. I find myself developing an interest in American football, making the story all the more enjoyable. However, if the sports didn't attract your attention, then comedy will, as the manga is chock full of it. Either way, I find it almost hard to believe that you wouldn't enjoy this unless you were absolutely against laughing and American football... which in that case, I'm going to ask, why are you reading this?

Overall, Eyeshield 21 is what it portrays: American football. However, don't dismiss it as merely just that. There's more to it than meets the eye, and such an underrated series deserves more attention for an outstanding job in story, art, and characters.

Just a couple warnings: First of all, there is yaoi. So if you're not big on intense BL, I suggest you pick up a shounen-ai that's a little light, ahaha. Second of all, this is incest. I repeat: incest.

The story itself doesn't really have much development. Long story short, two brothers have a thing for each other, and there's incest. For two chapters, it's just incest running about the pages, so the story in general is rather dull. However, if you're not really looking for a plot, but meaningless yaoi and whatnot, then you'll enjoy this.

The artwork however, is nice. The details are nicely drawn, ... characters, sex scene, and all. To some extent, the artwork can probably be enough to distract the reader from wondering about the plot and whatnot.

There's very poor character development, if there even is any. The character personality is shown, such as that the younger brother is clearly uke, his older brother being seme, and each has distinct traits of your usual uke and seme.

I wouldn't say this doujinshi is particularly enjoyable. There's not much development, but it's just... mindless incest and yaoi throughout the entire story, and as one who prefers to see development, I didn't see much. Despite this being a short series, it's still longer than a one shot, and yet I've seen better one shots.

Three things could be drawn from this. If you're a fan of yaoi and incest, and you don't care about plot or anything, then yes, I will say that you will greatly enjoy this. If you want plot, then my recommendation for you is to search for a different manga. It's just one of those series where you either like it or don't, and for me, it just so happened to head more towards the negative.

This is an immediate (and rather obvious) heads up for those who are curious about this series. This is meant for those who are either fans of shoujo or greatly enjoys spin offs of Alice in Wonderland.

The story is what it is: a spin off of Alice in Wonderland. Except for the fact that it's VERY loosely based off the actual novel. However, the plot itself is rather fun with slight twists of violence and romance thrown in. Another thing to bear in mind about the plot is the fact that the story does actually tend to get a little confusing, though slow reading and ... stopping of the drools (bishie warning. I repeat, bishie warning) may help delay that confusion.

The artwork is definitely lovely. However, the background standing alone, is rather simplistic and dull, and thus, when the focus is not on the characters, you rarely get the chance to see a well drawn background. Thankfully, the mangaka seems to realize this, as she seems to continuously draw simplistic backgrounds, BUT creates extremely attractive characters. If you're one not to pay much attention to detail unless it is the character, then this manga will be extremely appealing, as the character designs are wonderful.

I absolutely love the characters. Like mentioned before, the characters are extremely well drawn, and you will find yourself looking at MANY bishies (so there's your warning yet again, ahaha). However, one thing I really enjoyed about the characters is none other than the main character, Alice, who instead of being our typical clueless heroine from Wonderland, is a cynical and straightforward thinker. Though not much character development is added from what I see, you do see the relationships with other characters grow and see their interactions very clearly.

Enjoyment honestly could go either way. You either love it, due to the bishies and story, or you hate it because it seems stupid and well... so typical of a shoujo. But one thing that could be derived from this manga is the twist it puts on Alice in Wonderland, and it's probably what makes this series so enjoyable. Of course, for those fan girls out there, you'll definitely enjoy the artwork.

Overall, I would probably give this series a nine. It's not perfect or anything, but it's definitely not mediocre. Little parts and pieces of the series makes it a nine, but many things make it such a high rate, and I will have to say, the art and characters are probably what makes this such a good series. The story itself is also good, however, I don't think there's anything of THAT interest. Either way, I definitely recommend it to any fan of Alice or shoujo.

[Comments? Feedback? Always appreciated! Constructive criticism as well. Flaming is well... you'll see what happens if you even try.]

Mod Note: This review was initially posted for the one-shot, Hoshi ni Negai wo, and was subsequently merged into Yuri Hime Selection.

Well, I don't particularly see the "shoujo ai" of this one shot, but I do certainly see a strong friendship.

This one-shot's a short one (around twenty pages I'd say) that focuses on two friends that are trying to help each other get over a death. The story itself is brief, so there's not much you can get, but the simplicity of it is sweet, and perfectly straightforward.

The characters, like the story, have a small development, but not enough to really get a deep sense ... of who each character is. But the characters are shown as children to the present time so that you could get a sense to briefly understand what each personality's like and their reactions.

I personally think the art is lovely in that simplistic sense. The mangaka is very good at showing the emotions of the characters, and the artwork itself is clear and easy to see.

Enjoyment totally depends on the person, but I'm one of those people who enjoy reading stories about a good friendship, may it have tragedy or adventure. But Wishing on a Star has that relationship that kind of gives you that bittersweet smile. Like I said in the beginning, I honestly don't see the shoujo ai (unless you really want to interpret a friendship like that), but quite frankly, I feel as though more girls would enjoy this than guys.

Overall, the one-shot's probably deserving of a seven or eight, as I'm not too big on the shortness of it, but the story itself was simplistic and straightforward to understand what's going on.

Well, it's not very surprising to see a one shot that has no review, so why not give a little change to that?

STORY: 8/10
It wasn't that there was some intense plot, but it was just that light plot that gave you that sense that it was heading somewhere, but at the same time, it wasn't anything that really drew you in.
Why I give it an eight is because it's just a heartwarming story. The fact that it's based on a true story gives it an even more realistic sense.
Of course, the story was very short and sweet to the point, with its light plot.

ART: 7/10
There ... wasn't anything particularly drawing about the art, but rather that it's simple. There isn't any intense detail that you may find in other manga, but it's enough to probably pass even the nit picky (hopefully).

CHARACTER: 7/10
The characters are actually based on real people, the Japanese duo, Teppei Koike and Eiji Wentz. There isn't much character development or anything, but the characters' simplicities and their single goal to reach the top could all be seen within us.

ENJOYMENT: 9/10
Personally, I really enjoyed the story, due to the fact that it had slice-of-life written all over it. But the story in itself was something someone could easily read through without having to get frustrated over any art details or any plot holes. It's just a story about how two guys chasing after their dream to be a performer. It's the simplicity behind it that makes this one shot enjoyable.

OVERALL: 8/10
Technically for me, it teeters to be around a 7.5, but seeing how we can't give specific grades like that, it rounds up to an 8. The story in itself just radiates a heartwarming feeling. It's a very short one shot, and I didn't think it was a waste of time to read. The artwork is simple, yet good enough. The characters are actual people, as well as the plot itself, and personally, that's a real winner to me, as the anime/manga community is surrounded by so much fantasy... sometimes that real sense of reality is needed.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my second (overall) review, and my first manga review! Feel free to leave any feedback, critique, or suggestions, and I'll be happy to respond! I'm always looking for ways to improve :)

STORY: 7/10
In my opinion, I thought the story plot was the weakest part of Karas. It took me until two episodes or so to understand what even went on, although once you get the hang of the characters and such, the plot does come together. Perhaps one of the reasons why the plot is so difficult to understand is that the series has been condensed to a mere six episodes. If it were spread out like other anime (13 or 26 episodes), if anything, I think the plot would have been amazing. If you really do pull all the story lines that weaved Karas, they're ... very intense, with the idea of what's good and evil, and the obvious supernatural.

ART: 10/10
For those that hate complex story plots, but still have the curiosity of watching Karas, I really do recommend that you do, because the art is beautiful. The combination of 2D and 3D animation really makes Karas more than a series, but a beautiful piece of work. The way they fused many Asian cultures together (I swear, I had moments where I thought I was looking at Korean signs instead of a Japanese city, ahaha) for the setting, and the characters are beautifully created. The details are just unbelievable. If you REALLY don't like the plot, then really... just turn the sound off, turn some intense music on, and just watch it. It's just that good.

SOUND: 8/10
The music for Karas was beautiful, and fit very well together. I found the ending song for the first half fitting so well, sung by RURUTIA, who puts on a very mysterious and ambient air in her song "Selenite". The background music for the series also was well produced, as it really helped add to the intensity.
The seiyuus were also very well chosen. They really helped bring out some of the personality of the characters that they voiced.

CHARACTER 7/10
The characters suffered as well as the plot. Due to the whole six episodes only situation, it was hard to really see what they were like, especially since they all have an extremely complex personality and background. It took me forever to understand the situation of Nue and Otoha, two main characters of Karas, and it could just be me, but I found that it was really difficult to follow the characters, and at the same time, follow a very complex plot. It just added to the confusion. But the seiyuus did, like I mentioned before, help bring out some of their personality, but if anything, it was difficult to understand the characters until the very end.

ENJOYMENT 7/10
I kind of see Karas as one of those anime where you either enjoy it, or you don't. Personally, I loved it. It was probably due to the fact that the art really captured my attention, as well as the sound. But if anything, it's going to be the graphics that will capture you. The fusion of 2D and 3D is something you don't see, and as someone who has a deep interest for art, it truly was a wonder to see this. The plot on the other hand, I struggled immensely with, due to the confusion, and that took away some of the enjoyment of Karas.

OVERALL 8/10
So, I guess you could say that I advise you to watch this, knowing that the plot IS confusing. I don't care how brilliant you are, it will throw you off a bit, because it's one of those "in media res" moments.
I advise those that really don't care much for the graphics, but really the plot and characters to NOT watch this... unless you have some odd love for abnormally complex stories, then in that case, go for it.
But if you're someone who really appreciates computer graphics and art, as well as sound, then I do recommend watching it, but caution the fact that the plot is hard to follow.
Those who don't really like blood and gore may want to be a bit cautious to starting this anime, as umm... they definitely took Karas above and beyond with the blood and gore, ahaha, and it may cause some distress for others who aren't very good at handling graphic violence.


[Just so you know: This is my first review on MAL, so any critique, feedback, suggestions, etc. are greatly appreciated and accepted. Feel free to message me, or leave a comment on my profile. I will be more than happy to hear what you have to say!]