Back to the12banch's Profile the12banch's Profile

I was told I'd cry when I read this book. I cry...all the time. I'm probably crying right now as I write this.

I felt very little when reading this. The character motivations were so thin. I didn't understand why I'd like or dislike anyone in particular. The two main characters are main characters because...they are. I didn't dislike it. I was just let down because of the high expectations.

I did really enjoy the epilogue thing? Volume 3? Whatever that was. That was good times.

I wouldn't say skip it - but maybe if you're into a heart wrenching fantasy teen romance, this isn't as strong ... as I was lead to believe. Just read it with a grain of salt.

Book feels very self important. The Deluxe edition has a lot of annotations which highlight the author's adoration of himself. The climax of the book is emotionless. It's a pedantic speech for pages that yields a decision without any emotion or reason. I like the anime better. I like the live action better than that. I'm probably too stupid - but I like emotion. This is more about speculation of the future and a flex of the author's own understanding of...weird...sci fi future stuff and guns?

That being said - it's neat. Maybe just not my cup of tea. But this is a pretty neat perspective ... if you can transport yourself back to a time pre-internet. Prophetic in a way and I get that - but the enjoyment of this book, to me, can't hinge on a neat idea from decades past.

Like...Akira isn't good because they called the Tokyo Olympics. Check out Akira. and if you liked Ghost in the Shell I'd love to chat. I want to like it. I just need some help I think. I've been stalled on the second book for a while. a long while..

I'm glad I read it. And they are beautiful on the shelf! I'll break this review into pieces.

The kids are kids...he's pretty true to that. a lot of crying and trying to be tough. It's a thing.

The adults are maniacs. Actually some kids too. When people get an idea about (spoiler free) eating someone's face off you are about a page turn away from seeing it happen.

The art is good. Scary. It's not a book of "why" but "how will we survive". Be ok with that if you're going to read it.

My FAVORITE part...is the resource management. I'm not sure if that's a ... part of comics or manga but man...this and TWD? I'm like "yes, daddy! Tell me about the corn reserves!!!"

I don't know why. But it was neat seeing what inspired so many books I've read in the last decade without realizing this was the grand pappy of them all.

I am reading the hardcover editions so my review stops after the War in the Baltic. I don't know for how much longer I can say "I'm new to manga" but...I'm new to manga.

I've come to learn that my frustration with what I call "the turn" is something with which I need to come to grips or...give up on manga. For those of you unfamiliar, as I am - the turn (to me...a me term) is when manga seem to AAALWAYS introduce you to characters and a premise and get you way into it. Then they turn..hard. And the story completely changes. Either the direction ... or the character focus. Tokyo Ghoul is a perfect example of this. Vol 1..dope. Super into the ghouls and learning all about their world. Then the turn happens and it was entirely about police infrastructure and sting operation minutia. It was brutal.

Anyway...this book survives the turn. I prefer the first part for sure. maybe most people call it a prologue since the book is clearly titled according to the "turn". Anyway. I dug it. I like the characters. As brutal as it is it's cute and charming at times. The art is boss. The action is quite good. I'm glad they are being written again!

If you like historical fiction, check out this Makoto Yukimura work. He really REALLY seems to care about the details of this book. Which is part of the enjoyment for sure. The broad panel scenes are something to behold too. Excellent details.

This story, much like the first one, is mired in overcomplicated plot, unclear time/scene transitions, unclear characters, and unclear actions.

I read the last volume ending like 3 times and still couldn't tell what happened. I never knew who was who.

I am probably too dumb for the series since everyone likes it so much but it's lost in it's own complexity and for me that was no good. Finished them all. Art is beautiful! Especially when we get more into the scene work or splash pages. Re picks up towards the last half of the series but I was still confused a lot. 80+ characters? Some ... of them with two or three names. Hair changes. Mask changes. Very difficult to discern between them in a black and white book with dynamic art.