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arian_dragonelf's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
izz_mh's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
georginam's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dianabrito's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
reader_fictions's review
4.0
Usually, I give manga versions of classics a wide berth. Though I love classics and manga, I find that the combination does not generally flatter either. However, Twelfth Night is my favorite play and the cover art looked promising, so I decided to give it a go. I am so glad I did! It is completely silly and entirely delightful.
This version of the play has a steampunk feel to it, which just takes something awesome and makes it better. Orsino has a car, Antonio wears a pirate's eye-patch and the clothing is completely wild. Most of the men go about either shirtless (with an open coat of course) or with tufts of chest hair coming out the top of their low cut tops. Malvolio, when cross-gartered, looks like some sort of crazy S&M guy. Olivia wears a dress that goes down only to her knees.
So yeah, it's kind of ridiculous, but so is the play really. I mean, there is crossdressing, cases of mistaken identity, absurd sword fights, tempests and sudden declarations of love (despite supposedly having been deeply in love with others). Actually, all of these ridiculous, but hugely delightful plots, are what make this play such perfect fodder for manga. If you've ever read manga, you know what I'm talking about.
Nana Li did a great job with the illustrations. I especially loved Orsino with his emo haircut. Too perfect! Maria, one of my favorites, has been drawn in such a manner that her spunk is entirely evident. Shakespeare fans, this is incredibly nerdy and hugely amusing!
This version of the play has a steampunk feel to it, which just takes something awesome and makes it better. Orsino has a car, Antonio wears a pirate's eye-patch and the clothing is completely wild. Most of the men go about either shirtless (with an open coat of course) or with tufts of chest hair coming out the top of their low cut tops. Malvolio, when cross-gartered, looks like some sort of crazy S&M guy. Olivia wears a dress that goes down only to her knees.
So yeah, it's kind of ridiculous, but so is the play really. I mean, there is crossdressing, cases of mistaken identity, absurd sword fights, tempests and sudden declarations of love (despite supposedly having been deeply in love with others). Actually, all of these ridiculous, but hugely delightful plots, are what make this play such perfect fodder for manga. If you've ever read manga, you know what I'm talking about.
Nana Li did a great job with the illustrations. I especially loved Orsino with his emo haircut. Too perfect! Maria, one of my favorites, has been drawn in such a manner that her spunk is entirely evident. Shakespeare fans, this is incredibly nerdy and hugely amusing!
booknaut's review
4.0
It's Shakespeare, of course I liked it!
I don't read manga (or comics) as much, but I'm going to try and read more this year, and this was a great place to start. I have never read any 'Manga Shakespeare' before, just because I thought it could never capture the true essence of the themes and nature of the original plays. However, this one was not only very fun to read, but I also think did a fairly good job of showing the complexities in the relationships that make up this epic play. (This has also got to be the first time, that I enjoyed reading love triangles, but that credit obviously goes to Shakespeare.) I also really, really enjoyed the fact that even though the setting seemed to be in a bit more modern times than I think would have been in the original play, the language is still "Shakespearean" and that is always fun to read and decipher the meaning of.
Overall, a manga with great character designs and lots of humor to make the perfect light read to start the year off with! :)
I don't read manga (or comics) as much, but I'm going to try and read more this year, and this was a great place to start. I have never read any 'Manga Shakespeare' before, just because I thought it could never capture the true essence of the themes and nature of the original plays. However, this one was not only very fun to read, but I also think did a fairly good job of showing the complexities in the relationships that make up this epic play. (This has also got to be the first time, that I enjoyed reading love triangles, but that credit obviously goes to Shakespeare.) I also really, really enjoyed the fact that even though the setting seemed to be in a bit more modern times than I think would have been in the original play, the language is still "Shakespearean" and that is always fun to read and decipher the meaning of.
Overall, a manga with great character designs and lots of humor to make the perfect light read to start the year off with! :)
djblock99's review
3.0
Romantic comedy about mistaken identity. Twins Viola and Sebastian survive a shipwreck near a strange country. Neither knows that the other is alive. Viola disguises herself as a pageboy and promptly falls in love with the Count who employs her. Sebastian falls for the woman who the Count is trying to woo. Appealing artwork helps to make the dialog more accessible.
kaylynn's review
3.0
This is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, but I had hoped for more from the art.
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