Paradise Kiss vol.1

Paradise Kiss vol. 1 story & Art by Ai Yazawa
Yukari lived an average life until the day she entered Paradise Kiss. That day, her life would change forever, as she delves into the world of fashion. For Yukari, a new journey is about to unfold and along the way she meets several quirky individuals most notably bad boy George. What awaits for Yukari in the world of fashion that is Paradise Kiss?
Serialized in the Josei (women’s) comic anthology Zipper in Japan, Paradise Kiss explores Yukari’s journey through the world of fashion. The entire cast is interesting and well developed featuring memorable characters and countless memorable moments. It is a title really anyone could enjoy and relate too. The protagonist Yukari comes across as a flawed yet relatable person as do all the characters.
The title also sports a gorgeous artwork which is to be expected from Yazawa. The pacing is perfect: not a panel is wasted. The series strikes the perfect balance between gut-busting humour and coming-of-age drama.  All-in-all Paradise Kiss is an excellent title which remains with the reader well after the final page.
Rating: 10/10
Paradise Kiss is available in North America in print from Vertical.

Biomega vol. 1-6

Biomega vol. 1-6 story and art by Tsutomu Nihei

When the N5S virus, which effectively turns humans into zombies, begins to spread synthetic human Zoichi must enter an infected area. Alongside his artificial intelligence companion Fuyu, Zoichi must embark on a journey. A science fiction epic begins!

Serialized in the seinen (young men) Ultra Jump comic anthology in Japan, Biomega is filled with gorgeously elaborate artwork from beginning to end. It Is clear Nihei spent much time and effort into  creating this series. The imagery is incredible as well; this series is truly a visual spectacle. However, the series suffers in several other regards.

First the character designs often appear very similar for the human characters. This was one of several aspects which made Biomega difficult to follow. With an incredibly elaborate world filled with abstract imagery and a plot which moves so quickly there were points in Biomega that even the characters themselves expressed confusion for what was going on. I found that as the series progressed I was receiving more questions than answers. There were large expanses of time where I had zero idea what was even occurring.

In conclusion Biomega is nice to look at but suffers from being far too complicated. Admittedly, the world itself is fascinating and I sincerely hope a book is released explaining the Biomega universe. Recommended for those who enjoy science fiction but for those whose interests lie elsewhere you may want to skip this one.

Rating 7/10

Biomega is available in print and digitally from Viz Media.

Higurashi When They Cry Beyond Midnight Arc Vol. 1 & 2

Higurashi When They Cry Beyond Midnight Arc Vol. 1 & 2 Story by Ryukishi 07 Art by Mimori

Hinamizawa: a long abandoned, remote village shrouded in mystery. When Otobe awakens in a forest near he soon comes across sword-wielding Mion. Things continue spiral outward into the bizarre and it will be up to Otobe and his new companions to piece it all together.

Based on the Higurashi visual novel (text driven video games) franchise and serialized in Monthly G Fantasy. Higurashi When They Cry Beyond Midnight Arc is part of a much larger series of comics yet prior familiarity with the franchise is certainly not necessary. The work does well on its own.

The artwork is eye-pleasing as well as distinct and the story flows well. The title is impossible to put down once started being filled with constant twists and turns yet never to the point of excess. The cast is well developed. In conclusion the title is well-crafted and the perfect blend of mystery and horror.

Rating: 8/10

Higurashi When They Cry Beyond Midnight Arc is available in North America in print from Yen Press and digitally from Square Enix.

Takagamahara Chapters 1-8

Takagamahara Chapters 1-8, Story and Art by Jyuuzou Kawai

Yamato Yamada has a dream: to become a published comic artist. His ambitions will have to bare are placed on hold, however, one day  when he beats the local gang leader with his previously non-existent super strength. What is the source of Yamato’s newly awakened powers?

Serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump comic anthology in Japan and in North America in Viz Media’s Weekly Shonen Jump Alpha Takagamahara is simultaneously campy fun and largely unspectacular. The series seems to be a homage to American superhero comics which in itself is at least worth trying the series out. On the other hand the series is not without it’s issues.

The protagonist is generic incarnate both visually and personality wise and the cast in general is largely uninteresting. There is also an incredibly bizarre Hulk imitation as the antagonist in one story arc. Yet all-in-all the series is fun. The concept is original though I don’t see much in the way of a plot developing but the fight scenes are blood-pumping and the art quickly started to grow on me. In the end, I suppose, Takagamahara is a guilty pleasure type of series. It may not be a masterpiece but it sure is a heck of a lot of fun!

Takagamahara is presently only available through Viz Media’s digital only Weekly Shonen Jump anthology in North America. 

Big Windup! Season 1

Big Windup! Season 1 Directed by Tsutomu Mizushima, Produced by A-1 Pictures

Having transferred schools, Mihashi promptly sets out to become part of his new school’s newly formed baseball team. Quickly, he catches the eye of the team’s catcher Abe. However, while Abe feels Mihashi has potential to become a great pitcherhe must first deal with Mihashi’s personality and mysterious past. Will he succeed or fail?

This show lives and dies with the viewer’s passion for baseball. It you’re passionate about it and love the idea of it being combined with the medium of animation you might enjoy this show. If, however, you are like me and are completely disinterested in baseball this show will do little to change that. Big Windup! adapts Asa Higuchi’s sports comic of the same name which ran in Kodansha’s Afternoon comic anthology in Japan.

To the show’s credit it has a very organic feel to it from the ways the characters think and act to the colour palette used. That being said the baseball games themselves drag on for ungodly long periods of time. The second (and final) game is the worst offender spanning eleven episodes of the 26 episode first season. Even the first game feels slightly too dragged out at five episodes. The amount of detail the series goes into for both games is nigh maddening. In the second game it goes so far as to practically give the thoughts behind all the involved players of a certain action at any point in time.

The series main problem however is its own protagonist. Mihashi is grating on the nerves (and the ears) of those around him and the viewer. While he makes for an interesting character his introverted personality results in his many, many inner monologues grating on the viewer. It is also difficult to identify oneself with a character  whose so erratic.

If the series had been edited to roughly half its run time and the viewer was allowed to infer more this rather than each detail being so thoroughly explained this may have been a truly great show. However, while the title succeeded well enough in Japan to warrant a second season in North America Funimation (the company which dubbed and distributed the title in the United States and Canada) publicly announced it sold poorly for them that they would not release anymore of the series or any other titles in its genre.

Big Windup! is available digitally and on home video in North America from Funimation.

Jormungand vol. 2 & 3

Jormungand vol. 2 & 3, Story and Art by Keitaro Takahashi

Jonah, Koko, and the rest of the crew’s exploits continue. Get ready for one bullet crazy adventure! One question remains however: Will our heroes survive?

It speaks volumes about a series when one of the most memorable things in a book is the one character’s-lack-of-underwear subplot which is played straight. The only other notable area in these books is Jonah’s long overdue backstory which appears in the third volume. Jormungand remains by-and-large a forgettable title.

Those in search of adrenaline filled titles will be satisfied but anyone looking for substance of any kind really will be sorely disappointed. Even the adrenaline moments feel meaningless because there is practically zero emotional attachment to the characters. One point in this series favour, though,  is how stylish it is but even that will not be enough to keep readers interested.

Jormungand is available in print format from Viz Media.

Oreimo episodes 1-12

Oreimo episodes 1-12 Directed by Hiroyuki Kanbe, Produced by AIC Build

Kyousuke was living a relatively ordinary life. That is until the day he discovers one of his sister’s, Kirino’s, deepest secrets… Will Kyousuke be able to keep Kirino’s secret double life as an otaku from others?

An adaptation of a light novel (the closest western equivalent I can think of to light novels is YA Novels) by Tsukasa Fushimi. Oreimo is easily one of the most accessible titles I’ve seen when it comes to animation geared towards Otaku. The fan service is kept to a minimum and the characters are on some level relatable.

The title also has a much more organic feel than most titles in the genre which typically trend towards being ludicrously over the top. The title is also gorgeous visually as well complete with visually appeasing character designs and fluid animation. The more I watched the more apparent it became that much care and attention went into creating this title.

Oreimo is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Crackle, the title is available on home video from Aniplex USA