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Manga I'm currently reading:
[no spoilers]
In amidst the insomnia last night I finished reading the first 7 books of Vampire Game (art and story by Judal) last night. The main protagonist, Vampire King Duzell, was killed 100 years ago by a spell cast by King Phelios (who also died). He's now been reincarnated with the intention of tracking down his late enemy's current incarnation and carving his guts up with a blunt spoon. But it isn't that easy. His first misfortunate is to be reborn as a shape-changing pet cat to Phelios' granddaughter, Queen Ishtar. As Phelio's reincarnation was prophesied to be one of his descendants, Duzell is now running around the countryside trying to taste their blood to determine who it is. Add Ishtar, a helpful troublemagnet, her stuffy but devoted Guard Captain Darres, the ambiguous Court Wizard, lots of male cousins keen to marry Ishtar and become King, various other family members keen to kill Ishtar and become ruler, and the situations he lands in are frequently dangerous or undignified - sometimes both.
This is laugh out loud funny in places, with excellent artwork in the traditional manga style, i.e. big eyes, pretty girls & boys, wierd cutesy animals, etc. There is a more complex story line being woven under the shorter story arcs, which last about 10 chapters (3 books) each. The main protagonist, Duzell, is actually my favorite character (something which only happens rarely), and the general characterisation is extremely good. Despite a large cast the personalities differ enough that it is easy to see them as unique people. A certain amount of stereotyping creeps in, but then that is part of appeal of manga, I believe. It's the same with fairy stories - the ability to encompass a character in a few lines, without losing any affection for them.
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In xxxHolic Book 1, highschool senior Watanuki Kimiharo can see and hear spirits, something which causes him no end of torment. He is unwillingly drawn into the shop of a beautiful witch, Yuko. A shop which sells wishes. And in return for removing his 'gift', Watanuki becomes Yuko's servant until he has worked enough to earn his wish.
Xxxholic seems to be a cross between Matsuri Akino's Pet Shop of Horrors, and mainstream Clamp manga. Not as cutesy as Card Captor Sakura, but definitely not as dark and tragic as X/1999. The humor in this is quirky, often rude in a naughty schoolyard kind of way, and leavens the more serious side of Xxxholic. And a serious side there is, one designed to make you reflect. Yuko, in between bouts of enjoying tormenting poor Watanuki (and anyone who thinks there isn't a thread of sexual tension running throughout the book is obviously not reading the same one I am!), supplies a shrewd and philosophical commentary on addiction, self-deception and life. And that's just Book 1. The other big draw of this manga is the artwork. It's exquisite. The style and atmosphere is gothic, dark and elegant. There's a fluidity of line and movement that just shrieks of Art Nouveau and Aubrey Beardsley, married to the traditional Clamp manga style. It's subtle yet dramatic, and I'm very impressed.
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I also picked up books 1 - 3 of Eerie Queerie (or "Ghost"), a story about another highschool senior, Mitsuo Shiozu, who can see and hear spirits (I swear the manga industry has fashions for their storylines!). Unfortunately Mitsuo can also be taken over by these spirits, who oust his own soul and use his body as they like. And as the first couple of spirits are women this leads to some very embarassing situations with two of his fellow students, Hasunuma and Ichi.
This manga is gay, gay, gay! And I found it totally adorable. Mitsuo may be sweet and clueless but he's also thoughtful and brave. Hasunuma and Ichi are a good tagteam of 'cool, devotedslightly lechy boyfriend best friend' and 'determined, supportive in denial boyfriend best friend'. There is a lot of use of the 'chibi' (cutesy) style of manga, but the serious artwork has a clear, linear style that I like. The story is a little confusing in parts, but I think that's the fault of the translation unfortunately. Aside from that, there is a strong moral or personal growth lesson behind each story arc that stops Eerie Queerie from sliding into romantic fluff. It's also very, very funny in the dialogue, situations and personalities. The secondary characters are particularly entertaining.
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Reading next: Demon Diary, FAKE, Saiyuki and Wish; all good shoujo (written for girls) manga.
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[no spoilers]
In amidst the insomnia last night I finished reading the first 7 books of Vampire Game (art and story by Judal) last night. The main protagonist, Vampire King Duzell, was killed 100 years ago by a spell cast by King Phelios (who also died). He's now been reincarnated with the intention of tracking down his late enemy's current incarnation and carving his guts up with a blunt spoon. But it isn't that easy. His first misfortunate is to be reborn as a shape-changing pet cat to Phelios' granddaughter, Queen Ishtar. As Phelio's reincarnation was prophesied to be one of his descendants, Duzell is now running around the countryside trying to taste their blood to determine who it is. Add Ishtar, a helpful troublemagnet, her stuffy but devoted Guard Captain Darres, the ambiguous Court Wizard, lots of male cousins keen to marry Ishtar and become King, various other family members keen to kill Ishtar and become ruler, and the situations he lands in are frequently dangerous or undignified - sometimes both.
This is laugh out loud funny in places, with excellent artwork in the traditional manga style, i.e. big eyes, pretty girls & boys, wierd cutesy animals, etc. There is a more complex story line being woven under the shorter story arcs, which last about 10 chapters (3 books) each. The main protagonist, Duzell, is actually my favorite character (something which only happens rarely), and the general characterisation is extremely good. Despite a large cast the personalities differ enough that it is easy to see them as unique people. A certain amount of stereotyping creeps in, but then that is part of appeal of manga, I believe. It's the same with fairy stories - the ability to encompass a character in a few lines, without losing any affection for them.
+
In xxxHolic Book 1, highschool senior Watanuki Kimiharo can see and hear spirits, something which causes him no end of torment. He is unwillingly drawn into the shop of a beautiful witch, Yuko. A shop which sells wishes. And in return for removing his 'gift', Watanuki becomes Yuko's servant until he has worked enough to earn his wish.
Xxxholic seems to be a cross between Matsuri Akino's Pet Shop of Horrors, and mainstream Clamp manga. Not as cutesy as Card Captor Sakura, but definitely not as dark and tragic as X/1999. The humor in this is quirky, often rude in a naughty schoolyard kind of way, and leavens the more serious side of Xxxholic. And a serious side there is, one designed to make you reflect. Yuko, in between bouts of enjoying tormenting poor Watanuki (and anyone who thinks there isn't a thread of sexual tension running throughout the book is obviously not reading the same one I am!), supplies a shrewd and philosophical commentary on addiction, self-deception and life. And that's just Book 1. The other big draw of this manga is the artwork. It's exquisite. The style and atmosphere is gothic, dark and elegant. There's a fluidity of line and movement that just shrieks of Art Nouveau and Aubrey Beardsley, married to the traditional Clamp manga style. It's subtle yet dramatic, and I'm very impressed.
+
I also picked up books 1 - 3 of Eerie Queerie (or "Ghost"), a story about another highschool senior, Mitsuo Shiozu, who can see and hear spirits (I swear the manga industry has fashions for their storylines!). Unfortunately Mitsuo can also be taken over by these spirits, who oust his own soul and use his body as they like. And as the first couple of spirits are women this leads to some very embarassing situations with two of his fellow students, Hasunuma and Ichi.
This manga is gay, gay, gay! And I found it totally adorable. Mitsuo may be sweet and clueless but he's also thoughtful and brave. Hasunuma and Ichi are a good tagteam of 'cool, devoted
+
Reading next: Demon Diary, FAKE, Saiyuki and Wish; all good shoujo (written for girls) manga.
+
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mayatawi