Reviews with content warning for Violence - Akira, Vol. 1

This is another case of the movie altering my feelings about the book. Other volumes may erase the pacing issues I found within this volume but I am not compelled to seek them out and read them. This volume raised many questions but I don't feel it raised enough intrigue for most of them to feel important.

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robinks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Wanted to see if this classic still holds up. Definitely has some problematic elements, and there are so many questions I want answered!

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ignescentsky's review

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Lots of showing not telling. Very action packed. The plot was interesting but pacing felt off.

Flat characters. An important relationship is not built up enough in the beginning for the end to have much emotional impact.

The main character (and most of his friends) are unsympathetic and absolute jerks. He harasses/assaults the only major female character (who also happens to be one of the few likable characters) as a “joke.” It is implied that he gets another girl pregnant, and when she tries to tell him he basically ignores her. This behavior fits his character archetype I guess, but is not in any way condemned, and actually seems to be rewarded. It seems like we are supposed to like and root for this character which is a huge turnoff.

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