The story goes that Naoki Urasawa toyed with penning a manga set in the medical field early in his career, but met resistance from his editor. Now, almost two decades since Monster concluded, it’s clear to see it was not only – against his editor’s predictions – a landmark work for Urasawa in terms ofContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Monster (Naoki Urasawa)”
Tag Archives: comic
Manga Review: Kanai-kun (Matsumoto x Tanikawa)
In 2014, mangaka Taiyo Matsumoto released a 48 page picture book, exploring attitudes towards death. It was a collaboration with famed poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, and the artwork and manuscripts were also presented as an exhibition at the Parco Museum in Shibuya, Tokyo. Recent events in my own life have led me to rediscover this heartfeltContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Kanai-kun (Matsumoto x Tanikawa)”
Manga Talk: I Am a Hero
Kengo Hanazawa’s manga I Am a Hero ended just the other day, after eight years of publication. The ending has divided readers—understandably so—as it leaves many questions unanswered, but I don’t believe it’s as open as it seems. Warning! Spoilers below. After the showdown atop the Sunrise building in Tokyo, a group of survivors manageContinueContinue reading “Manga Talk: I Am a Hero”
Manga Review: Gintama (Hideaki Sorachi)
“At its heart Gintama is a science fiction human pseudo-historical comedy. The bottom line is that this is a nonsense manga. But I don’t believe in telling readers what to think, so read it any way you like.” – Hideaki Sorachi Set during the 19th century in an alternate-reality Edo that has been conquered byContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Gintama (Hideaki Sorachi)”
Manga Review: Billy Bat (Naoki Urasawa)
Billy Bat is an intricately woven mystery-thriller; it’s a manga where twists and turns are around every corner and one which you will have to invest quite a bit of time into before any kind of revelation or payoff, but my is it gripping. We begin with Kevin Yamagata; a Japanese-American cartoonist whose series BillyContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Billy Bat (Naoki Urasawa)”
Manga Review: Peace Maker (Nanae Chrono)
Nanae Chrono’s Peace Maker was released at a time where Shinsengumi fiction was confined mostly to television shows and films – in fact, the same year saw the release of Nagisa Oshima’s Gohatto – despite them being a staple of Japanese history and culture. Rurouni Kenshin and Kaze Hikaru were really the only other establishedContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Peace Maker (Nanae Chrono)”
Manga Review: Coin Laundry no Onna (Hiro Kiyohara)
Coin Laundry no Onna – otherwise known as The Laundromat Woman – is a humorous, gag-based series that follows the life and times of Maoko, a Sadako-like girl who receives much pleasure in scaring the customers of her laundromat. The manga is presented in an episodic fashion, with each chapter following Maoko and the supportingContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Coin Laundry no Onna (Hiro Kiyohara)”
Manga Talk: Battle Angel Alita
When I read manga, I pay very close attention to panel placement and the fluidity of the artwork, in that is the action easy to follow. Manga can – at times – appear rather erratic, with large jumps between panels and characters who move very suddenly, which is understandable considering authors are very page-limited. PaceContinueContinue reading “Manga Talk: Battle Angel Alita”
Manga Talk: Platinum End
Death Note and Bakuman authors Takeshi Obata and Tsugumi Ohba started their new series back in November, 2015. The manga – titled Platinum End and published monthly in Shueisha’s Jump Square magazine – introduces us to Mirai; a dejected youth who attempts suicide in the opening pages. Moments before his death, Mirai is saved byContinueContinue reading “Manga Talk: Platinum End”
Manga Review: Ping Pong (Taiyo Matsumoto)
Like much of Taiyo Matsumoto’s work, Ping Pong includes the same level of energy and surprising depth that outshines its basis to the point of sheer brilliance. Ping Pong – contrary to the title – is less a story about table tennis and more about the coming of age of two polar opposite individuals. TheContinueContinue reading “Manga Review: Ping Pong (Taiyo Matsumoto)”
Morning, Roo 