30 Mar 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Death Note]
It’s been a while since I sat down to read any Death Note, which might explain why the seventh volume didn’t leave me as gripped as the earlier ones did. Maybe it could also be down to the fact that we lose a major character at this stage of the story which leaves me sceptical about how the quality can be maintained from here on. As always the plot twists and turns with Light and L trying to outguess one another; for me at least, the seemingly endless repetition of reasoning and counter-reasoning is beginning to lose its edge, and I ended up feeling a little lost and detached from the proceedings. Which is a shame, because one of the main reasons I enjoyed Death Note was because it draws the reader into its tense and morally ambiguous world.
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Reading stats: 395 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:35 mins
[1 Comment]
17 Mar 2007
Posted by Martin [Tags: Monster]
I know it’s been a while since I’ve done a manga review so I thought I’d kick things off with the fourth outing of Naoki Urasawa’s Monster. This is the first Frankfurt-set arc and features a rug thief, neo-nazis, an evil-minded midget and Nina brandishing a gun. Surprisingly, it also continues to be the most true-to-life and believable graphic novel I’ve read to date.
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Reading stats: 527 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 2:06 mins
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03 Oct 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
The optimism that Chizuna and Kazuna felt upon their return to school and relative normality is, perhaps inevitably, short-lived. Chizuna’s flashbacks finally reveal to her the terrible secret she has carried all these years, while Kazuna’s bloodlust attacks return with a vengeance. It’s dark, it’s depressing, and there are some surprising twists and revelations before the story draws to a close. We find out the truth behind the majority of the main issues raised, as the characters finally confront the problems they’ve faced all along.
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Reading stats: 721 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 2:53 mins
[6 Comments]
20 Sep 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
The penultimate instalment sees the entrance of Shinobu Kazami, a nurse who worked for the father of Chizuna and Kazuna, and is now looking for answers concerning his tragic death. She crosses paths with not only his two children but the Edas and Minase; at every turn she is greeted with suspicion as her search for answers makes slow progress.
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Reading stats: 362 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:27 mins
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17 Sep 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle]
A story that runs parallel to xxxHolic, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle is both a new story from acclaimed manga-ka team CLAMP and the ultimate in manga ‘crossovers’. A number of characters from Cardcaptor Sakura join familiar faces from numerous other CLAMP series as we follow Cardcaptor’s Syaoran in a magical quest to save the life of childhood friend Sakura.
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Reading stats: 442 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:46 mins
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03 Aug 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
Lament of the Lamb is proving to be a bit of a slow-burner and as a result fans of more action-packed vampire fare will probably have already decided that it’s not for them. This volume mostly concerns itself with highlighting existing situations while adding some minor developments.
The recurring theme of Kazuna withdrawing from his old life and the anguish that results is reiterated, as both aunt Haruka and would-be romantic interest Yaegashi try to talk him into returning to his old life. This time he’s not as abrupt with Haruka and although she doesn’t change his mind in the slightest, they part on better terms. Yaegashi on the other hand is still desparate to be by his side despite knowing full well what the consequences may be.
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Reading stats: 404 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:37 mins
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31 Jul 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Death Note]
The third Kira continues to cause problems for L and the investigation team as they disagree on how to deal with this new threat. One thing is clear though: the Kira of the Yotsuba corporation must be stopped at all costs.
I now find myself repeating what I’ve already said about how gripping and intelligent this series is. The artwork, the plotting, the characters…all this makes Death Note one of the finest pieces of manga on the market today. So, what can I say about this volume that doesn’t spoil anything?
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Reading stats: 428 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:43 mins
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18 Jul 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Monster]
Tenma’s journey enters its third instalment as the trail left by Johan takes him to Verden, the old East Berlin and idyllic villages in the German countryside. More fascinating supporting characters are added and a few details surrounding Johan’s past are revealed. The most chilling clue of all is that of the orphanage where he was raised: 511 Kinderheim.
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Reading stats: 314 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:15 mins
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07 Jul 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Lament of the Lamb]
Kazuna’s life becomes progressively more miserable as the focus of the story shifts a little towards the situation of his sister Chizuna. The slightly, well, unsettling vibes that were lurking below the surface are much more obvious now: Chizuna is one troubled lass and no mistake.
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Reading stats: 451 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:48 mins
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01 Jul 2006
Posted by Martin [Tags: Monster]
The second volume of Monster introduces more of the series’ immensely varied supporting cast, most notably Johan’s twin sister.The story shifts to the town of Heidelberg, where Tenma is convinced that Johan is trying to contact her. She turns out to be a bright young law student who has grown up as Nina Fortner, living with adoptive parents and unaware of her past.
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Reading stats: 364 words & 1 image; estimated reading time 1:27 mins
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