Cipher 6
Posted: May 1, 2010 Filed under: Cipher 3 Comments »Minako Narita – CMX – 2007 – 11 volumes
Wow. And I thought I would be treated to the rough story of Cipher’s drug addiction in this volume. I was, and it was very good. Even better, I didn’t really think about it, but the story was told from Siva’s point of view, and judging by the author margins, there will be a retelling soon from Cipher’s point of view. It was an interesting version of events, because while it was Siva doing all the looking after, Cipher was the one that was having all the problems, and Siva mostly glossed over that in favor of highlighting his behavior problems. I liked how it eventually got to the part where they shared one identity, too.
But that was… hm. The second half blew that away. I don’t want to spoil it, because I didn’t see it coming, but something happens that completely blows apart everything that is happening in the story. The characters are scattering, and I’m guessing all the dynamics are changing next volume. I’ve also never seen such an event handled so well in a manga, too. The characters explain what happens, and you are left to draw your own conclusions about how they feel, for the most part, although they also speak through their actions. You are never told what any of them are thinking. I loved that, and it lent a lot more gravity to the situation. The situation was made even worse by having all sorts of regrets hanging around it, too.
Sad stuff. Unbelievably good, too. I’m out of volumes for the time being, but am definitely getting the rest of the series sometime very soon.
Also, I loved the side bars where the author talks about how obsessed she is with the Thompson Twins. She liked them. A lot. She talks about how (very) frequently she dreams about them, among other things. I was very amused.
Oh My Goddess 13
Posted: May 1, 2010 Filed under: Oh My Goddess! 4 Comments »Kosuke Fujishima – Dark Horse – 2009 – 40+ volumes
I’m very close to lapping myself on this site. Actually, looking back at material I’ve already covered, yes, this will be the last review I write for these old volumes, since the first one I posted was the original volume 14, and the new volume 14 has a lot of (or most of) the same material. Hm. And I was all ready to write up volume 14, too. I read that one first, as soon as I got it, and realized I still had 13 laying around somewhere when I went to put 14 away. Both are good, but 13 has some of the best stories in the series.
There are three stories. The middle story features Sayoko, who’s fallen victim to some sort of Urd parasite that makes her doubt everything, and the plot is that Belldandy has to convince her that she’s really a goddess. Sayoko was never my favorite character, but this story was pretty entertaining, and I loved the lengths that Belldandy and Urd go to in order to convince her. Seeing Belldandy’s goddess transformation, and having her call Holy Bell (was this the first time?) were also treats for me. But even so, this story is the “dud” of the volume. The other two are fantastic and character-driven.
The first one of the volume goes back to Skuld, who is still trying to master her powers. She meets Sentaro, a neighborhood kid, and the two develop a mutual adorable crush. Skuld learns about her powers, love, Sentaro and she get closer, blah blah blah. It sounds sappy, and it is, and in any other series it would probably be boring. But in Oh My Goddess, it’s magical, and it makes me like Skuld, one of my least favorite characters.
It’s also worth pointing out that this volume came out at the same time as 34, which goes back to Sentaro for the first time since this story. To have both of them at once in English is nice, and I’m secretly wishing that the series re-launch was planned specifically for this event.
The last story in the volume introduces a new character, Chihiro, a strong female character who was the founder of the NIT Motorcycle Club. From her, it passed to Tamiya and Otaki, and from them, to Keiichi (and from Keiichi to Sora, but that’s later). Her introduction features a weird bike race between she and Keiichi, which was enjoyable and very much in the spirit of the series, even if I’m not into the motorcycle bits. The last chapter in the volume is still one of my favorites of all time though, and re-reading it is an absolute joy. Chihiro sends Keiichi and the others on a treasure hunt around the campus to find something that Tamiya and Otaki hid years ago. The hunt itself is great, but what they find, and Belldandy’s little talk at the end, is another one of those things that make this series magical. And the fact that such a great chapter is dedicated to a brand-new character also says something about the strength of the writing. It’s weird saying that about Oh My Goddess, but it’s very true. It’s a great series.
For the record, I like the old name of that Chihiro chapter, which I know without even checking was called “Forever Grrls.” There’s a reason that sticks in my memory, but even so, it’s more memorable than… and this one I did have to look up, “Let’s Go Feminine.”
Keep reading the old stuff, for sure, because these teen volumes have some of the best stories. But again, I’m only going to talk about 35+ from here on out. A shame.
Also, don’t look at my old reviews. They’re… old. And terrible. I just did, and I regret it immensely. It’s like a different person, possibly in their teens, wrote them.
Gentlemen’s Alliance † 5
Posted: May 1, 2010 Filed under: Gentlemen's Alliance † Leave a comment »Arina Tanemura – Viz – 2008 – 11 volumes
The chapters started to dip a little into “too many characters with not enough to do” territory when Haine needed rescuing and the entire student council showed up, then stuck around to bum around Ushio’s house. I do like them all, and it’s not like having five people (plus two) around is a real problem since they all serve their purpose, but why did Maora and Maguri come, aside from the fact they were worried about Haine? Why did Shizumasa’s sidekick come along? The teacher/nurse character? He seems to only show up to send Ushio into a cryptic shower of tears.
I wish Ushio was a little less creepy. I was hoping she’d come back into the story, since her love for Haine is an interesting relationship dynamic for a series like this, but she’s got all this… other stuff with her. It’s implied that she’s kind of… well, loose, or as loose as characters in Ribon series can be. And the whole thing with the teacher is a little… weird. It doesn’t quite make sense, since she only loves Haine. She’s clearly got a dark backstory, and I’m waiting for that to be revealed, but I hope she doesn’t… find love elsewhere, as Haine implies she will eventually, because I really do like the fact she’s a love interest of sorts.
But most everything I was expecting to happen transpired in this volume. Of course we would get an update on Haine’s Platinum status, of course there would be some business with her family, and of course stuff surrounding the two Shizumasa boys would be revealed. It looks like the story will continue with the Shizumasa story next volume, since the main storyline leaves off on a great cliffhanger, and the book finishes out with a cute story about Haine’s sister and step-brother.
I’m still enjoying it. It’s a cute romance, though it has yet to do anything incredible. Again, though, Tanemura’s series usually have a pretty consistent quality, and her art is so good and so classically shoujo that it’s really hard not to enjoy them.
One Piece 47
Posted: May 1, 2010 Filed under: One Piece 3 Comments »Eiichiro Oda – Viz – 2010 – 57+ volumes
Lots and lots and lots of zombie fights in this volume, which is fine by me. We are also introduced to Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and his powers. His devil fruit abilities don’t seem terribly useful until you pair him with Dr. Hogback, which is what makes this story arc so interesting. It’s similar to the situation with Crocodile, where Crocodile found a place where he could flourish and exploit his power, but Gecko Moria’s powers are a little more… exotic and sinister. Gecko Moria also has a much more grand plan than Crocodile did. Also, Geko Moria is huge. Not a giant, but still quite big.
Anyway, we find out exactly what Dr. Hogback and Gecko Moria are doing on the Thriller Bark, where all the Straw Hats are disappearing to, and what the deal with the disappearing shadows and zombie army is. One of the more unlikely things, that all the strongest members of the Straw Hats got taken while Nami, Usopp, and Chopper remain at large, is also explained. Surprisingly, by an enormous zombie spider that Franky and Robin fight. Those two make for a surprisingly good team since Franky is so over-the-top and Robin is so straight.
We also find out the deal with Brook, what happened when he got his shadow taken on the island, and what his “dream” is. Brook’s story is super-sad, and it gets even sadder later. I mean… he died, and so did all his friends. But Brook’s dream was one of the things that made me really snap to attention and take a close look at One Piece and all its loose plot threads. Eiichiro Oda really does plan on coming back to all that stuff later, and I can’t believe he had the plans for Brook in place as early as… volume 10 or 12? Usually manga series that have gone on this long build on themselves and (I suspect) make up a lot of stuff as they go based on what’s popular. It pleases me immensely that One Piece is so tightly scripted.
I’ve got one more volume before I have to wait for the next batch of five. I’m devastated that Thriller Bark is interrupted in the middle, but I’m willing to wait for more Brook. Always. I know he will reward my patience with a cute song and a terrible, terrible pun. I mean, seriously. Not only is he a skeleton, he’s a skeleton that tells the absolute worst jokes. About being a skeleton. And enjoys telling said bad jokes immensely. Even when he’s serious, he interrupts his narratives with frequent “skull jokes.”
He’s the best manga character ever. I’m sorry, Monkey D. Luffy, you’re just not as novel as Brook is.
