Home Archives for Features
5 October 2015 2 Comments

My Week in Manga: September 28-October 4, 2015

My News and Reviews

A few different things were posted at Experiments in Manga last week. First of all, it’s time for the most recent monthly giveaway. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, so you all still have a chance to enter to win the first volume of Madoka Takadono and Utako Yukihiro’s Devils and Realist. The honor of the first in-depth review for October goes to Jim Zub and Steve Cummings’ Wayward, Volume 2: Ties That Bind, which continues to successfully meld the history and legends surrounding yokai with a brand new story. The series, which I’m thoroughly enjoying, would probably make a great entry point for manga fans who would be interested in exploring American-style comics. Finally, over the weekend I posted September’s Bookshelf Overload.

As for some of the interesting things that caught my attention elsewhere online last week: Foreign Policy has a nice piece about evolving LGBT rights in Japan and the role that manga like Wandering Son and boys’ love has played in it; Otaku USA has an interview with the (in)famous mangaka and tentacle master Toshio Maeda; it looks as though Masahiko Matsumoto’s long-awaited Cigarette Girl is currently scheduled for release in 2016 by Top Shelf; and Digital Manga, despite the trouble it seems to be having actually publishing anything in print these days, has launched its newest Tezuka Kickstarter aiming to release Wonder 3 and, as a stretch goal, The Film Lives On.

Quick Takes

The DivineThe Divine by written by Boaz Lavie and illustrated by Asaf Hanuka and Tomer Hanuka. The striking color artwork of The Divine is what first caught my attention. (It looked vaguely familiar, and indeed, it turns out that Tomer created the cover art for Haikasoru’s recent Battle Royale releases.) The graphic novel follows Mark, an explosives expert, who travels to a remote Southeast Asian country on a military contract. The mission seems relatively straightforward—blowing up a mountain, supposedly to help the locals gain better access to its rich mineral resources—but Mark ends up caught up in the local civil war when he’s captured by a group of young rebels. Mixing mythology and modern warfare and the supernatural with man-made terrors, the comic is graphic in its blood and violence. The artwork is consistently great, but I found the narrative to be a little uneven and none of the characters are particularly likeable. The Divine was in part inspired by a photograph of the twelve-year-old Htoo twins from Burma, the leaders of the God’s Army guerrilla group in the 1990s. Although I did enjoy The Divine, I think I’d actually be even more interested in seeing a direct retelling of their story.

Inuyashiki, Volume 1Inuyashiki, Volume 1 by Hiroya Oku. It’s been a long while since I’ve read any of Gantz, the series that Oku is most well-known for, but I was still curious about Inuyashiki, his most recent series to be released in English. Almost unheard of in manga available in translation, which largely tends to be targeted at a younger audiences, one of lead characters, the titular Ichiro Inuyashiki, is nearly sixty years old. In fact, he looks even older than that. The first volume of Inuyashiki seems to mostly be a prologue for the rest of the series, establishing the premise of the manga and introducing the characters who will become the major players. Oku makes a point to emphasize just how sad and miserable Inuyashiki’s life is before killing him and another innocent bystander off in a freak accident. Granted, they are then both resurrected as extraordinarily powerful, weaponized cyborgs. In the case of Inuyashiki, he’s using his new-found abilities for good, and in spectacular fashion, too. As for the other victim, I don’t expect that he’ll be quite as magnanimous. Inuyashiki, as ridiculous as its setup is, has a promising start. I’m rather curious to see the direction Oku will be taking the series.

Suikoden III: The Successor of Fate, Volume 1Suikoden III: The Successor of Fate, Volumes 1-5 by Aki Shimizu. Although I am aware of the RPG series, I haven’t actually played any of the Suikoden video games. I was specifically interested in the Suikoden III manga adaptation for two reasons: the entire Suikoden series is loosely based on the Chinese classic Water Margin, and I generally enjoy Shimizu’s work (which also tends to have a Chinese influence). An overview of the previous two Suikoden stories is provided before the manga gets underway; it’s a nice, but largely unnecessary addition. The Successor of Fate seems to stand well on it own, so far. The manga doesn’t really feel like a video game adaptation, either, which I was happy to discover. References are made to past events (and past games, technically), but for the characters that history is shrouded in myth and legend. At this point The Successor of Fate hasn’t really made itself stand out from most other epic fantasy series, but its a solid beginning and, despite a few infodumps, there are plenty of things to like: a large cast of characters (including quite a few women in prominent roles), prophecies and magic, politics and intrigue, battles that rely on strategy as much as strength, and so on.

Filed Under: Features, My Week in Manga Tagged: , , , , , , , ,
30 September 2015 13 Comments

Manga Giveaway: Devils and Realist Giveaway

The end of September doesn’t just approach, it’s here! And because it’s the end of the month, it’s also time for another giveaway at Experiments in Manga. This month you all will have the chance to win a copy of Devils and Realist, Volume 1 written by Madoka Takadono, illustrated by Utako Yukihiro, and published in English by Seven Seas. And, as always, the giveaway is open worldwide!

Devils and Realist, Volume 1

I always find it interesting when manga incorporates Western settings, religions, and mythologies. In some cases they aren’t used as much more than an aesthetic (I’m looking at you X), but in other cases the mangaka have clearly done their research. Legends surrounding angels and demons seem to be a particularly rich source of inspiration. Series like Devils and Realist take that inspiration, but then spins the stories and their interpretations to create something entirely different. The results can often be entertaining.

So, you may be wondering, how can you win Devils and Realist, Volume 1?

1) In the comments below, tell me a little about your favorite manga featuring devils or demons. (Don’t have one? Simply mention that.)
2) If you’re on Twitter, you can earn a bonus entry by tweeting, or retweeting, about the contest. Make sure to include a link to this post and @PhoenixTerran (that’s me).

There it is! Everyone has one week to submit comments and can earn up to two entries for this giveaway. If needed or preferred, comments may also be sent to me directly at phoenixterran(at)gmail(dot)com. The comments will then be posted here in your name. The giveaway winner will be randomly selected and announced on October 7, 2015. Good luck!

VERY IMPORTANT: Include some way that I can contact you. This can be an e-mail address in the comment form, a link to your website, Twitter username, or whatever. If I can’t figure out how to get a hold of you and you win, I’ll just draw another name.

Contest winner announced–Manga Giveaway: Devils and Realist Giveaway Winner

Filed Under: Features, Giveaways Tagged: , , ,
28 September 2015 1 Comment

My Week in Manga: September 21-September 27, 2015

My News and Reviews

Apparently, considering the two in-depth reviews that I posted, Experiments in Manga was all about dynastic struggles and warfare last week. Ken Liu is an author that I’ve started to follow since reading one of his short stories in The Future is Japanese. His debut novel, Grace of Kings, was released this year and I absolutely loved it. It’s the first book in The Dandelion Dynasty, a fantasy epic which is inspired by and reimagines Chinese history and legends, such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms (which I really need to get around to finishing). I also reviewed Aya Kanno’s Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 2. So far, I’m really liking the series which takes its inspiration from William Shakespeare’s plays dealing with the Wars of the Roses. I think the second volume of Requiem of the Rose King improves on the first and is generally a little easier to follow as well. I continue to love the manga’s dark atmosphere and theatrical nature. Fortunately, the wait won’t be quite as long for the release of the next volume.

Quick Takes

Gangsta, Volume 4Gangsta, Volumes 4-6 by Kohske. I intentionally saved up a few volumes of Gangsta to read all at once, but somehow during that time I’d forgotten how much I enjoy the series. I love the diverse cast of characters, the gritty setting, and the action and intrigue of the story. In addition to an escalation in the conflicts between “normals” and Twilights, these particular volumes of Gangsta include significant plot developments as well as more character development. For one, Alex’s memories are slowly returning, revealing small fragments of her past which should have major implications as the series progresses. Her younger brother even enters the scene. While Gangsta can be an extremely violent, brutal, and cruel manga, Kohske remembers to include quieter and more lighthearted moments to provide a contrast to the series’ intensity. Granted, they also serve to emphasize the manga’s tragic turns. Kohske isn’t afraid of killing off characters, either. With all of the battles going on between exceptionally skilled and powerful fighters, it’s probably not too surprising that there will be death, severe injury, and tremendous suffering involved.

Hard RockHard Rock by Akane Abe. Because of my interest in and love of music, I have a tendency to seek out related manga (no matter how tangential), which is how I initially came across the boys’ love one shot Hard Rock. The manga follows four young men who started a band together. However, the volume actually begins with the band’s breakup and not much time is spent on music at all. Instead, Hard Rock focuses on the former bandmates’ changing friendships and relationships. There’s an underlying tangle of crushes, angst, and unrequited love, but relatively little romance, most of the major developments occurring off panel between chapters. With the exception of one page in the epilogue manga, close physical intimacy in Hard Rock is almost nonexistent beyond an occasional kiss or even rarer groping. The young men are just as likely to punch one another as they are to hug. Thus, readers looking for steamy bedroom scenes will probably be disappointed. Personally, I actually liked and appreciated the understated romance; Abe makes it work. Although Hard Rock ended up having very little to do with music, I still enjoyed it quite a bit.

Ultraman, Volume 1Ultraman, Volume 1 by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi. I’ve watched and enjoyed a little over a dozen episodes of the live-action Ultraman series from the 1960s and so was curious about Shimizu and Tomohiro’s addition to the incredibly successful franchise. Readers who aren’t familiar with the original needn’t fear—the first chapter of the sequel has a tremendous amount of exposition crammed into it. While this does quickly establish the premise of the manga, it’s not the most effective or enjoyable introduction. However, the narrative of the following chapters quickly improves and the volume ends with a great hook. The manga takes place a generation after the end of the Ultraman television series and focuses on Shinjiro Hayata who, as the son of the original Ultraman, has inherited superhuman powers. He becomes the target of an alien attack which leads him to accept the role of the new Ultraman. However, instead of transforming into a powerful giant, Shinjiro uses an exo-suit to enhance his abilities. So far, the Ultraman manga is shaping up to be more serious and a fair amount darker than the original series.

Filed Under: Features, My Week in Manga Tagged: , , , , , ,
21 September 2015 4 Comments

My Week in Manga: September 14-September 20, 2015

My News and Reviews

Two in-depth manga reviews were posted last week! As part of my monthly horror manga review project, I took a look at Yuki Urushibara’s Mushishi, Volume 5. I still love this series tremendously and wish it wasn’t out-of-print, but at least it’s available digitally from Kodansha Comics now. The second review last week was of Masayuki Ishikawa’s Maria the Virgin Witch: Exhibition, which is a collection of side stories, both prequels and sequels, focusing on the characters of Maria the Virgin Witch. For fans of the original series, it’s a very nice addition. The volume probably won’t appeal to or make much sense to anyone who hasn’t read the main manga, though.

There were a ton of interesting articles, reviews, and news announcements that I saw last week. Deb Aoki has been busy at Anime News Network with a two part interview with various Kodansha folk, mostly focusing on the Kodansha Advanced Media digital manga efforts, as well as an interview with those involved with the new Ultraman manga series, including the creators Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi and Mike Montesa from Viz Media and Ai Shimizu from Hero’s Magazine. Over at Publishers Weekly, she takes a closer look at Tokyopop’s most recent efforts. Elsewhere, Kristin of Comic Attack interviewed Arina Tanemura at Anime Fest; AM Cosmos writes about the different perspectives of bullying found in A Silent Voice and Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto; and Organization Anti-Social Geniuses concludes its Advice on Manga series with advice on manga editing from manga editors.

In licensing news, the fine folk of MASSIVE will be working with Koyama Press to translate What Is Obscenity?, the comic memoir of sculptor and mangaka Megumi Igarashi (aka Rokudenashiko). In addition to the three original short manga, the English-language edition will have additional content, such as a new introduction by the artist and an interview between Rokudenashiko and Sion Sono. Yaoi Con was held over the weekend and there were some other licensing announcements made. SuBLime Manga picked up Rihito Takarai’s Ten Count, Bohra Naono’s Midnight Stranger, and Yonezou Nekota’s Don’t Be Cruel. (I’m especially looking forward to Ten Count, but am always happy to see more of Naono’s work translated.) As for Digital Manga, the Juné imprint is adding twenty-four new titles… except that they’re all digital, no print. (Interestingly, Project H’s recent license announcements were all digital-only as well, which really makes me wonder about DMP, especially as it’s starting to gear up for its next Tezuka Kickstarter.) And speaking of yaoi and BL, Kathryn Hemmann’s academic article “Queering the Media Mix: The Female Gaze in Japanese Fan Comics” takes a look at BL doujinshi based on CLAMP’s works.

Quick Takes

Devils and Realist, Volume 3Devils and Realist, Volumes 3-4 written by Madoka Takadono and illustrated by Utako Yukihiro. Sometimes the two major aspects of Devils and Realist (it’s humor and it’s drama) mesh well and sometimes they make the manga seem like it’s trying to be two entirely different series. Despite the demons that have become students in order to be closer to him, William’s school life remains fairly mundane, though humorous. That part of the story isn’t so different from any other school-based manga. What makes the series more interesting is the drama, politics, and intrigue surrounding the selection of the next ruler of hell. Heaven is getting involved now, too. Not only does William have to deal with demons vying for his attention, and in some cases his life, angels are beginning to make their presence known, causing even more problems for him. Also, angels can be just as big of jerks as their fallen brethren. Although I’m not in a rush to find out what happens next, I am still enjoying Devils and Realist; the art and character designs are pretty and I generally find the series to be entertaining.

King CityKing City by Brandon Graham. The first half of King City was initially published by Tokyopop but the series, like so many of the publisher’s other original English comics, was left unfinished. However, unlike all but a very select few of the series that met that particular fate, King City found a new home and was able to be completed, in this case thanks to Image Comics. Although there are some dramatic battles and rescues in King City, there really isn’t much in the way of a plot. What there is a bizarre futuristic city filled with some very strange residents. The comic focuses on Joe, his friends and acquaintances, and Earthling, his extremely intelligent and multi-talented cat. Joe is a Catmaster—with a little help from an injection, Earthling can turn into or do anything. What I love most about King City, besides Earthling and the rest of the cats, is that it is absolutely crammed with wordplay and visual puns. It’s worth taking time to thoroughly examine every page because Graham has incorporated so much humor in the small, seemingly inconsequential details. King City is very strange, but it’s the kind of strange that I tend to enjoy.

Pandora Hearts, Volume 1Pandora Hearts, Volumes 1-3 by Jun Mochizuki. I know so many people who absolutely adore Pandora Hearts that I’ve been meaning to try the series for a while now. To be honest, After reading the first volume, I wasn’t so sure about the manga—I found it to be extremely chaotic and confusing, and almost nonsensical (maybe I just wasn’t reading closely enough)—but after the second volume it started to click for me and by the third I was completely hooked on the series. Mochizuki’s artwork is pretty great, too. I definitely plan on reading more of Pandora Hearts. I’ll admit, I’m still not entirely sure what’s going on yet, but that mystery is part of the point. Most of the characters don’t understand everything, either, and those who do know at least part of the truth aren’t necessarily sharing that information anyone else unless it serves their own purpose. Tragedy and psychological trauma are major components of Pandora Hearts. There is violence and horror, betrayals and lies, but also obsessive loyalty and kindness. The characters are struggling with loneliness and the intense desire and need to belong and feel wanted.

Filed Under: Features, My Week in Manga Tagged: , , , , , , , ,
14 September 2015 4 Comments

My Week in Manga: September 7-September 13, 2015

My News and Reviews

I was on a much-needed vacation last week; the family spent a fair amount of time in northern Michigan enjoying nature and good food and drink. I got some extra sleep and caught up on some of my reading and writing, too. All in all, a lovely time was had. I wasn’t online much at all except to post a couple of reviews, so I’m sure that I’ve missed out on all sorts of things. (If you would, please do fill me in on anything that was particularly interesting!) The first review I posted was of the rather clever debut mystery novel The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji (who also happens to be the creator of the horror mystery Another and the husband of Fuyumi Ono). I also reviewed Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 1: Phantom Blood, Volume 1 which continues to be marvelously strange and over-the-top.

Quick Takes

The Ancient Magus' Bride, Volume 2The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Volume 2 by Kore Yamazaki. The first volume of The Ancient Magus’ Bride was one of my favorite debuts of 2015 and I continue to thoroughly enjoy the series with the second volume. Although overall there is a disconcerting, dark, ominous, and creepy atmosphere to the manga, but there are also moments light; the horror and mystery are accompanied by touches of humor and hope that help keep the series from becoming too oppressive. Yamazaki also captures the capricious nature of the fae perfectly. I was rather pleased to see Titania and Oberon, the queen and king of the fairies, introduced in this volume as well. Although more is hinted about Elias’ past—he has connections to the fae, mages, and alchemists, but isn’t really accepted by any of them—he’s still reluctant to open up and talk about it. He largely remains shrouded in mystery, but it seems as though he may have more in common with Chise than would initially appear. Their relationship has a peculiar dynamic to it in addition to a significant imbalance of power, but I’m very curious to see how it develops; there may be healing involved for both of them.

Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto, Volume 1Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto, Volume 1 by Nami Sano. The exceedingly odd Sakamoto doesn’t seem to care at all about what other people might think of him, making him immune to bullying and giving him the reputation of being the coolest student in school despite his weirdness. Somehow, he is able to take control of any situation and use it to his advantage; he always ends up looking good. The girls all love him and the guys, though they would like to hate him, can’t help but admire and respect him. And that’s what makes the manga so funny. So far, Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto is fairly episodic although there are some recurring characters and running jokes. Both the series and Sakamoto are admittedly strange, but the comedy is played seriously with an incredibly straight face. At the same time, Sano’s artwork highlights the drama and humor of the various situations. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto is kind of absurd and yet highly entertaining. I’m not sure for how long Sano will be able to keep the gags fresh, but I’m looking forward to reading more of the series and finding out.

UQ Holder!, Volume 5UQ Holder!, Volume 5 by Ken Akamatsu. Up until this point, my feelings toward UQ Holder! have been fairly lukewarm. I’ve enjoyed the wide variety of immortals and some of the action sequences can be highly entertaining, but the story and characters more often than not are frustratingly directionless and shallow. That being said, I was surprised by how much I actually liked the fifth volume of UQ Holder!. I didn’t have much hope for it at first as the opening battle ends up being extremely anticlimactic. I’m sure this was meant to be an amusing development, but Akamatsu’s sense of humor in the series doesn’t always work for me. But then four of the UQ Holder members are sent undercover as high school students to investigate a string of serial murders in which an immortal may be involved. Not unexpectedly, some silliness ensues alongside the seriousness of the killings. The murder case is interesting, though, even if its solution ultimately feels forced. And while I liked some of the newly-introduced characters, the lead’s oblivious optimism and aggressive friendliness continues to be both an asset and a detriment to the series.

Save

Filed Under: Features, My Week in Manga Tagged: , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »