Book Club - by Suhaili

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Book Club - August 2009

MAR manga review

August 28th 2009 07:45

Another manga created by Nobuyuki Anzai. MAR stands for Marchen Awaken Romance.

Genres: action, adventure, comedy, fantasy

Synopsis: Ginta is an ordiary 14-year old boy, but he keeps constantly getting a weird dream that turns into reality when he gets sucked into an alternate world. Upon entering the world, he aquires the dangerous ARM - Babbo, in which killed many people until it was sealed years ago. Upon acquiring it, Ginta faces many test, which will eventually leads him to the truth about his father, and will strengthen him for the last test, to fight against the evil Flag Army

Source: Anime News Network

Comment:

If you have read my previous review about Flame of Recca, I have a feeling that you might expect the hentai element is present in this manga. I don't know it's a good news to you or not but apparently there are no such things in this manga. Since the story revolves around a middle school kid, you shouldn't expect those kind of element exist in this manga.

Okay, I'll stop blabbering with hentai (mind you, I NEVER OBSESSED WITH HENTAI!!!!). The storyline is pretty easy to understand even though there are some part of the storyline reveals each past. But still, it's fairly straightforward storyline which I like it. Obviously, this manga also has many battles just like Flame of Recca but the only difference is the battle scene is mild compared to Flame of Recca. If you don't like violence, this manga is perfect for you.

One of the thing I really love with this manga is it has a lot of ARM with unique design and functions and some of the ARM resembles silver accessories that I used to see in Silver Accessories magazine. This is the thing that I would like to ask Anzai-sensei whether he got his inspirations for ARM design from silver accessories magazine or not. I don't like silver accessories but I think the design for ARM is cool. I wish silver accessories can be just like ARM. Otherwise, I don't mind spending as long as I have a weapon in my disposal, lol.

Anyway, the artwork is a lot better than the one in Flame of Recca. I can say that the artwork looks neater and child-like compared to Flame of Recca so looking at those artwork makes it easier for me to read the manga. Not just that, the manga panel is also nicely done. Take a look at yourself here:

Well, this manga is different than Flame of Recca but it's still a great manga. I personally love this manga as much as I like Flame of Recca. This manga is a must read whether you are a fan of Nobuyuki Anzai or not.

You can read my Flame of Recca manga review here

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Posted By: Suhaili - Category: Adventure & Historical

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Flame of Recca manga review

August 7th 2009 07:40

Flame of Recca is a manga created by Nobuyuki Anzai. This manga is also adapted into anime by Fuji TV and Studio Pierrot.

Genres: action, adventure, comedy, fantasy

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

Synopsis: Recca is a ninja. At least in his own mind. When he one day meets and saves the young girl Yanagi he pledges to be her ninja, defending her with his life. She shows him that she has the power of healing and in return he shows her his secret power of creating fire with his hands. But soon evil powers start reaching for them. Some wanting Recca’s ability to use fire and others wanting eternal life through experiments with Yanagi’s body, something that Recca and his friends definitely can’t allow.

Source: Anime News Network

Comment:

Yes, I have to admit that Flame of Recca is an old manga but this is the first manga by Nobuyuki Anzai that I've read besides his other famous manga such as MAR (I shall write this review sooner or later). Well then, let's move on with the review.

The storyline is rather easy to understand but as usual, there are always mysteries such as Recca and Kurei's past, who is Kagerou and the reason behind the fights they're involved. However, the mysteries will be solved as the story progressed, so at the mean time just follow the flow of the storyline. The manga itself is similar like Rave where people who used to be Recca's enemies (Fuko, Domon and Mikagami) will fight alongside Recca. I'm not against with this kind of pattern but I have a feeling that the reason behind this is because Anzai-sensei may not want to make Recca and Yanagi the only main attraction. Otherwise, this manga will become shoujo manga. At first, the storyline focused more on Recca's stepbrother, Kurei but later, the story is shifted to Kurei's stepfather. But, for me, I find that the storyline is a lot more intense when both of them (Recca and Kurei) are fighting Kurei's father to get Yanagi back. In case you're wondering the intensity of the storyline, the storyline has become really serious yet intense when they started fighting Kurei.

As we can see here, this kind of manga will definitely have lots of fighting. I'm not against violence but I find that the battle scene is very violent. But still, blood spilling everywhere is somehow better than what you've seen in Kurozuka (watch out for my anime review tomorrow about Kurozuka). Watching Kurozuka makes me feel like seeing this kind of scene in Flame of Recca looks very normal to me. Oh, and if you're looking for something that will freshen your eyes, there is a little bit of nudity here and of course it's blending nicely with humor. This is something new in any other manga I've read because the nudity isn't as visible as the one in Flame of Recca. So yeah, you have a little bit of porn and action rolled into one XD.

Now, you already know the storyline and what to expect in the storyline, let's take a look at the artwork. Anzai-sensei artwork may not be the best artwork especially if you have read his other manga such as MAR but I find that the artwork is considerably okay. Well, it's the typical shonen manga artwork so I find it okay. You can take a look at yourself here:

Overall, this is an interesting manga to read especially if you really love a manga related with ninja stuff. This manga can be a bit violent for some people but the violence is a bit tolerable, trust me, folks~