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Book Club - by Suhaili

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Book Club - June 2009

Gokinjo Monogatari manga review

June 28th 2009 09:59

Gokinjo Monogatari (also known as Neighborhood Story in English) is another manga created by Yazawa Ai. This manga is also adapted into anime.

Genres: Romance

Synopsis: Mikako dreams of being a fashion designer, so she sets her eyes on attending Yazawa Arts with her childhood friend Tsutomu. But, he looks like a famous rock star and attracts more attention than she'd like, especially from a popular upperclassman. Incapable of dealing with her own feelings towards Tsutomu, Mikako devotes all of her time to a new 'flea market' club she's created with her friends on campus. But, it seems to bring her more into contact with Tsutomu than ever before.

Source: Anime News Network

Comment:

If you have read Paradise Kiss, the name Yazawa Arts must be very familiar with you. Nope, you're not wrong. It's the same Yazawa Arts in Paradise Kiss. You must be thinking that it must be a coincidence and no, this is not a coincidence. Paradise Kiss is also created by Yazawa Ai so it's no surprising that Gokinjo Monogatari is also related with Paradise Kiss (just to let you know that Paradise Kiss is released later after Gokinjo Monogatari by the way). Okay, I hope I have answered some of your curiosities about this manga so let me just tell you straightaway whether you should read or ditch this manga for good.

I read Gokinjo Monogatari later after I was done with Paradise Kiss. Honestly, Gokinjo Monogatari is a lot better than Paradise Kiss. Comparing Paradise Kiss with Gokinjo Monogatari, the romance part isn't as lovey dovey as Paradise Kiss. Even though the main focus of this manga is romance, the romance part is considered mild. This manga focused more on Mikako's dream to become a fashion designer so you can see all kinds of her creation. So the fashion theme is very visible compared to the one in Paradise Kiss. As the manga storyline is concerned, I can say that the storyline is better and less frustrating than Paradise Kiss. You can read this manga as individual without relating back to Paradise Kiss, but wouldn't it great to see how Miwako and Arashi looks like when they were little? I love this couple so it's a great thing to see how they look like when they were little and yeah, you will know who is Arashi's parents.

As far as the artwork is concerned, it doesn't change much or never at all because it looks the same to me. So, if you have read NANA before, Gokinjo Monogatari artwork will not be so bizarre to you. Take a look at yourself here:

Overall, I think this manga is way better than Paradise Kiss. If you don't like the idea of making career as the main storyline, then this manga may not fancy you and probably Paradise Kiss is a lot better. This manga is perfect if you're looking for a manga which focus less on romantic stuff.

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NANA manga review

June 27th 2009 08:29

NANA is a manga created by Yazawa Ai. This manga is also adapted into live action movie and anime. You can read my review about the anime here.

Genres: comedy, drama, romance, slice of life

Theme: music

Synopsis: Two young women, both with the name Nana, one with a punk backround and another with the naive upper middle class mindset, find each other in Tokyo as they pursue love and careers. Their transition to the adult phase is not without drama.

Source: Anime News Network

Comment:

I decided to read the manga when the anime version just stopped half way (again). Because of this, I read the manga from the beginning. The anime version really follows the manga storyline as far as I remember except Takumi and Hachi's first fling. Other than that, the rest follows exactly like the manga. If you have read Paradise Kiss, you must be thinking that Yazawa Ai didn't focus much on the music aspect but I'm happy to tell you that NANA really does focus on music, in the aspect of band. Though I know some the hardship of forming a band, what Yazawa Ai portrayed in NANA is similar with what I know so I can say that what she portrayed really makes sense. She did a very good job in portraying this band-forming and fame stuff, making this manga an interesting read. Besides talking about music, this manga is also focused on romance because this is the typical Yazawa Ai's storyline (what kind of shoujo manga is that if romance doesn't exist in the manga? lol). The romance part can be very lovey dovey sometimes but it is still a realistic romantic story unlike other manga. The best part about this manga is she portrayed the typical Japanese girls thought when it comes to love. I don't mean that the Japanese girls are bad, it's just that it's the truth about them. What I refer to is the typical modern Japanese girls so please forgive me if I sound like I don't respect them at all. Moreover, as the plot expanded a little further, I find that the storyline has gone somehow downhill. I do find the storyline is kinda crap sometimes but initially, it has amazing plot so I really love the beginning of the story because it's so laid-back and not many dramas occurred.

As for the artwork, I'm not just amazed with NANA's artwork but also other Yazawa Ai's manga. I'll cover other Yazawa Ai's manga that I've read tomorrow. Her artwork is not the typical shoujo manga artwork. Her artwork looks childish at first glance but I really like it despite of its childish appearance. Her drawing is indeed very nice and neat and the manga panel is readable. All I can say that it's very pleasant to the eyes and easy to read. Rather than saying it, it's better for you to have a look at it yourself here:

Overall, this manga is a good read because it's not the typical shoujo manga. The storyline is explained very well and there are jokes in between making it a perfect read not just for girls, but also guys.

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Midori no Hibi manga review

June 26th 2009 05:23

Midori no Hibi (also known as Midori Days in English) is a manga created by Kazurou Inoue. This manga is also adapted into anime. You can read my anime review here.

Genres: action, comedy, romance

Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)

Synopsis: High school delinquent Seiji Sawamura is desperate to have a girlfriend, especially after being rejected by 20 girls as of late. He's afraid that he will end his life with his right hand as his only companion. Apparently, that doesn't change when one day he wakes up and discovers that his right hand has become a girl named Midori Kasugano, who confesses that she has had a crush on him for the last three years.

Source: Anime News Network

Comment:

As far as I love the anime, I love the manga even more. Storyline-wise, it is the same with the manga but there are some parts of the manga is not available for the anime version. However, it does not affect the whole plot which is a wonderful thing. All related characters are shown in the anime version but somehow, they didn't include Nao, the genius girl in Seiji's class. I don't know what they actually had in mind for not including her in the anime version, but Nao's presence puts a lot more spice to the whole storyline. I love Nao because she has an unexpected expression and her crazy, mad scientist dad really makes me laugh so hard with his silly ideas and inventions. If you have watched the anime version, you may not be able to see Nao so if you read the manga version, you will know who is Nao. The anime storyline is sufficient but if you read the manga, you'll find more of Seiji and Midori's moments together. The anime version is the shorter version of the manga, so if you can't get enough of the anime version, then the manga version will cover you up with your craving.

As for the artwork, the manga is drawn pretty neat and clear so it's easy for you to read it. The manga panels are also divided nicely so it's another charm point for this manga. I have nothing much to say about the artwork because I think that the artwork itself is good. Have a look at it yourself here:

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Skip Beat! manga review

June 25th 2009 06:26

Skip Beat! is a manga created by Yoshiki Nakamura. Skip Beat! is also adapted into anime. You can read my review about Skip Beat! anime here.

Genres: comedy, drama, psychological, romance

Themes: idols, inner demons, stardom

Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)

Synopsis: Kyoko has devoted her life to Shotaro. When Shotaro came to Tokyo to debut as a singer, she followed him and worked to provide for him. But one day, Kyoko overhears Shota telling his manager that Kyoko means nothing to him. She's just convenient, a housekeeper. This makes Kyoko furious, and she vows revenge on Shotaro. But Shotaro just laughs at her, saying she won't be able to touch him because he's now a popular singer and she's a nobody. So Kyoko decides to get into showbiz and become even more popular than Shotaro to humiliate him. Unfortunately, Shotaro has destroyed Kyoko's ability to love, and she discovers that it is a prerequisite for her to debut from her chosen company, LME. The president of LME puts her into a new section made for those who caught his eye but have something missing. It's name... Section Love Me.

Source: Anime News Network

Comment:

The reason why I'm reading the manga version because I really want to know the continuation where the anime is left off. Yes, if you read my Skip Beat! anime review here, I didn't mention anything about the ending because I haven't finished watching this anime when I was writing the review. Okay, forgive me for this so I tell you the reason why you need to read the manga version and screw the anime version. Other than the ending is left without any explanation, the anime version skipped other details such as Kotonami's background and Kyoko's new high school life where she met Mimori. I know that these details is only just an extra and didn't relate much with the main storyline but it is a shame not to include this for those who didn't read the manga doesn't know anything about Kotonami's background and Kyoko's relationship with Mimori before Sho's pv shooting. If you prefer unmodified storyline and more excitement, the manga serves you better than the anime version.

Speaking of the storyline in terms of the manga version, this manga elaborates the storyline very clearly. It may not be that clear at first but as the story progress, you will be able to relate the individual plot with the main plot. Somehow, I find that the storyline is easy to predict. I don't know about you but I feel like I can somehow able to predict what will happen next. I'm not a psychic so I assume that's the flow of the shoujo manga where it can be very predictable most of the time. Compared with any other shoujo manga I've encountered, this manga has a realistic storyline where you will learn it's not easy to create your own name in the industry and you will be known if you have beauty and talent. This manga portray these elements a lot and presents with understandable storyline and humors along the way.

As for the artwork, the manga cover is somehow pretty typical for a shoujo manga where the artwork will be represent in the soft stroke. Since I'm not a huge fan of shoujo manga, I wouldn't even consider reading this manga if I don't know the storyline of the manga because it looks so typical. But when you take a look inside, the drawing is pretty neat because I expect the drawing will be sketchy. I enjoy looking at this drawing because it's pleasant to the eyes of the reader. Some people may find that the drawing is not so good but for me, it's already good enough because I can see the drawing clearly. Somehow, the manga panel is a bit confusing but not most of the time. Even the character design has a little bit of fashion influence making me feel so attracted with the fashion presented in this manga.

Don't believe me? Take a look at yourself here:

Overall, I love reading this manga because the storyline is nicely elaborated and even though the stortyline can be a bit tense sometimes, but it doesn't piss you off. This manga is perfect for people who expect realistic storyline and related with life. Also, it can be a good read for people who reads shonen manga too (just like me).

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