Otakuism

So here I am starting another column thing, this time to review some of the manga that I bought this month. As you can see I like my Shounen. Beware spoilers.

Neon Genesis Evangelion Angelic Days v.1: The first of three books I’ve already read online, this one courtesy of the scanlations that used to be on evamonkey. However, seeing as how that was awhile ago I forgot everything and was able to read this volume with a clear head. The premise of Angelic Days is writing a story based around the dream world in ep.26 of the series (which made perfect sense to me). It accomplish’s it’s goal perfectly, there not even being an image of a robot through the whole book. Instead we focus on the love triangle of Shinji, Asuka, and Rei, with Asuka and Rei both vying for Shinji’s attention. I’m also happy to say Shinji isn’t a crybaby wuss here, so that’s rather nice. I love the clean artwork and new character designs, all having a wonderfully shoujo feel to it. Definate a pick up for any Eva fan.

Monster v.4 Ayse’s Friend: Monster continues it’s unique brand of criminal thrills in this fourth volume. The bulk of the story is focused on Tenma’s and Nina’s discovery of a neo-nazi group who wishes to make Johan their leader, believing his ‘charisma ‘ makes him greater than Hitler. This is interwoven in a nazi plot to burn down the turkish section of a german town. While this is still a great read I found the whole nazi plot to be a little outlandish and just a ploy to introduce the real meat of the story here, the exposition that Johan might have split personality. I love the philosophical bits that are interwoven into the narrative, particularly the idea that both Tenma and Nina both believe they have to kill Johan while everyone else thinks their to important to kill someone. I’m wondering how all this can continue for fourteen more volumes…

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist v.15: Yes I read yugioh and I enjoy it. The manga has the perfect mix of shounen over-the-topness and nice characters. It’s odd how enjoyable it is hearing people talk about honor and death over a card game. This volume concludes Yugi’s and Kaiba’s double duel and starts Yugi’s duel against the brainwashed Jonouchi. Particularly amusing is Kaiba’s musing on how Yugi’s philosophy of teamwork will stand up when the only way to win is to kill his friend. Great stuff all around.

Death Note v.7 Zero: The second volume I’ve read online before and the volume that marks the end of the first half with the beginning second part. Also famously marks the death of L and Light’s rise to power. Personally I thought the manga went downhill after L’s death, as Near and Mello weren’t nearly as interesting as him. I alway’s had visions of a final face off between Light and L, both armed with a notebook to see who could right eachother’s name faster. Man that would’ve been cool. My only complaint against this volume is that it bogs down in it’s own speculation of character motives too much, especially when we the audience already knows what is going on.

Bleach v.14 White Tower Rocks: And so continues the invariable long Bleach saga. I must be a masochist for keeping up with so many long running series. In this volume Ichigo makes his first rescue attempt on Rukia only to be stopped by the always exotically hot Yoruichi. The volume rounds out with Ishida’s fight against the insanely sadistic Mayuri and his Hawt assistant Nemu. I’ve also already read this volume online but had forgot most of it anyway’s so it’s alright. I realize now that bleach really doesn’t work all that well in volume format as it’s always breaking up in a cliffhanger. Very annoying. Also I must say Mayuri’s a bastard with how he treats Nemu, and then the creepy are regrowth thing. Man I hate the guy. Can’t wait to see him get his ass almost beat next volume (cause you know no one dies in Bleach).

Black Cat v.4 One-Day Darling: I love the Black Cat anime, even if I’ve heard some people say it’s a bastardization of the manga. But seeing how I’ve never read the manga I loved it’s stylish fights and campy shounen action. I like any show where every badguy has a unique weapon or power with some wierd name. This is the volume that ep. 17 was derived from I think, where the gang hunts down a runaway T-rex. Black Cat has to be the most surreal manga I’ve ever seen to be hunting T-rex’s. The manga is a bit different, with Train and Rins sneaking into a fancy party and Train finding the assassin Lugart Won there and Eve fighting the dinosaur. There’s some great Eve character development here, with her trying to become reliable and learning how to grow wings to fly. Train and Rins interaction is priceless, it seems like Train can’t stand women at all. Next volume we begin the meat of the story with the introduction of the apostle’s of the stars. More insane Creed is alway’s a good thing.