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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
Art style: ★★★★☆
Story: ★★★½☆
Characters: ★★★☆☆
I'm pretty beat today, and a bit under the weather, so I'm not sure how well this review will go, but I'll do my best.
I caught a few episodes of the anime of Noragami on Crunchyroll and thought I'd read the original source. At this point I am leaning towards liking the anime better, but this may be because the animation team has more experience than the original artist/author. The story is about Yato, a would be god, who is hiring out his services to mortals in order to build enough devotees and funds that he can get his own shrine. It's a clever concept that plays off of traditional Japanese concepts of gods, but with a modern twist. Unfortunately, the story takes a while to get going.
The art was mediocre at first. It wasn't bad per se, but it wasn't inspired. Then the calibre of the drawing increased a notch around the middle of the volume. From then on there was a creativity to the panels and action that I found pleasant. The artist/author, Adachitoka illustrated a section in the back of the volume that gives some insight into his skill level and competence. It seems that Noragami was his first solo project.
I'm wondering if the first half of the volume represents a false start because not only did the artwork improve halfway through, but the story did as well. Yato isn't a very interesting or likable character. None of the characters were at first. Then Adachitoka introduced Hiyori, the human turned spirit warrior. She is so much more well rounded than Yato. In many ways she is a typical high schooler, but she has a secret love for wrestling, and is just enough out of step with the world around her to enable her to see Yato. Saving him from getting hit from a bus changed her when she was hit instead. She now resides in both the physical and spiritual world. Her spirit has a tendency to leave her body accidentally, giving people the impression that she has narcolepsy.
Her character is so delightful that I can only assume that Adachitoka finally became engaged with the story once she was introduced. Yato needs work, but as long as Hiyomi is along for the ride the story should be entertaining.
Story: ★★★½☆
Characters: ★★★☆☆
I'm pretty beat today, and a bit under the weather, so I'm not sure how well this review will go, but I'll do my best.
I caught a few episodes of the anime of Noragami on Crunchyroll and thought I'd read the original source. At this point I am leaning towards liking the anime better, but this may be because the animation team has more experience than the original artist/author. The story is about Yato, a would be god, who is hiring out his services to mortals in order to build enough devotees and funds that he can get his own shrine. It's a clever concept that plays off of traditional Japanese concepts of gods, but with a modern twist. Unfortunately, the story takes a while to get going.
The art was mediocre at first. It wasn't bad per se, but it wasn't inspired. Then the calibre of the drawing increased a notch around the middle of the volume. From then on there was a creativity to the panels and action that I found pleasant. The artist/author, Adachitoka illustrated a section in the back of the volume that gives some insight into his skill level and competence. It seems that Noragami was his first solo project.
I'm wondering if the first half of the volume represents a false start because not only did the artwork improve halfway through, but the story did as well. Yato isn't a very interesting or likable character. None of the characters were at first. Then Adachitoka introduced Hiyori, the human turned spirit warrior. She is so much more well rounded than Yato. In many ways she is a typical high schooler, but she has a secret love for wrestling, and is just enough out of step with the world around her to enable her to see Yato. Saving him from getting hit from a bus changed her when she was hit instead. She now resides in both the physical and spiritual world. Her spirit has a tendency to leave her body accidentally, giving people the impression that she has narcolepsy.
Her character is so delightful that I can only assume that Adachitoka finally became engaged with the story once she was introduced. Yato needs work, but as long as Hiyomi is along for the ride the story should be entertaining.
*read up to vol.18
It has already been a pain to add them all, so I'll probably use vol.1's rating as an overall rating for the whole manga so far.
I probably will never keep up with all of these...and I won't add all the volumes either, but still, Yato <3
It has already been a pain to add them all, so I'll probably use vol.1's rating as an overall rating for the whole manga so far.
I probably will never keep up with all of these...and I won't add all the volumes either, but still, Yato <3
Love the art style, yato looks so handsome. Wish you could tell he had blue eyes tho... I guess that's one reason why manga being in black and white is a bit sad.
As a huge fan of the anime, I finally picked up the manga, after too many years waiting for the sequel. And this volume delivered just the way I thought it would ! It feels so good to get back to my comfort characters, I didn't realise just how much I missed them. The artstyle is incredible beyond words. I'm so happy I'm back in this universe, I especially loved the urban fantasy aspect deeply linked with elements of japanese culture. I can't wait to read the rest of it !
This one was, by far, the best volume since the beginning. It was so intense that, the moment I started it, I literally could not put it down. The resolution of this arc was incredible, the action scenes not giving me enough time to even take a breath. I absolutely adored the parallels between Yato and Bishamon fighting for their lives in the Underworld vs Hiyori, Yukine & co doing everything they could to bring them back. Until smart, badass Hiyori saved the day by pulling the most beautiful Spirited Away-like moment, which had me literally sobbing over my phone.
On to the topic of me sobbing... I cried during the entirety of the chapter with Yato interacting with reincarnated!Ebisu. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I wasn't even attached to Ebisu at all, but the author managed Yato's heartbreak so well, it was perfectly done and I don't think I will ever recover from this exact chapter.
Once again, I can only rant about how well written Yato's character is. We finally, finally know more about him through his backstory. The complexity of his character is just incredible, and I fell in love with him so bad. I'm in awe of his development, and, not to get spoilery, but I admire his strength so much. He truly became my absolute favorite character, way more than I thought would be possible.
Our three main characters will grow so much from everything happening in this arc. I cannot wait to read more about what they will show us next. I'm just terrified about what's going to happen with the very mysterious Father.
On to the topic of me sobbing... I cried during the entirety of the chapter with Yato interacting with reincarnated!Ebisu. It was both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I wasn't even attached to Ebisu at all, but the author managed Yato's heartbreak so well, it was perfectly done and I don't think I will ever recover from this exact chapter.
Once again, I can only rant about how well written Yato's character is. We finally, finally know more about him through his backstory. The complexity of his character is just incredible, and I fell in love with him so bad. I'm in awe of his development, and, not to get spoilery, but I admire his strength so much. He truly became my absolute favorite character, way more than I thought would be possible.
Our three main characters will grow so much from everything happening in this arc. I cannot wait to read more about what they will show us next. I'm just terrified about what's going to happen with the very mysterious Father.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My thoughts so far: like a much darker Bleach, less humour (and dark humour at that) and a bit weird. i liked it and i look forward to seeing where it goes