Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Moriarty the Patriot, Vol. 1 by Ryōsuke Takeuchi

9 reviews

jennifermreads's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

For a few months, I had been eyeing this manga on my library’s “new books” shelf. I mean, Moriarty?! My curiosity was high when I thought of how on earth this devious villain from the Sherlock stories would spin-off in his own adventures.

I did enjoy this first volume. While “short” in that there are only three chapters, each chapter is quite meaty and detailed. The first story, <i>The Scarlet Eyes</i>, gives readers the background for how young Moriarty came to be. The origin story is unique and I really enjoyed the glimpse of the eldest Moriarty, Albert, wanting to work with two orphans to change the caste system of England. The second and third stories move forward thirteen years and we get to witness William Moriarty begin to use his wit and knowledge to take down members of the noble class. 

I’m not exactly sure why I am not gushing about this manga. I like the premise, I was intrigued by the created backstory, and the stories do have the feel of a Conan Doyle “deduction” at the end. But something is not clicking with me to raise it from “it was good” to “this is amazing!” Maybe I just need another volume to get comfortable with the characters and fully immersed in their world? 
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rhi_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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nevermoregothic's review

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dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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cecinamo's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Very good manga! The story can get a bit dark and gory though o~O Still very exciting!
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cookiemonsterrr's review

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I think it's alright... I haven't gotten that "OH SHIT, I'M HOOKED" feeling yet but it seems good so far! Maybe it'll pick up in the later volumes. I don't usually get into manga on the first volume anyways.

Things I'm curious about:
  • How they're going to progress with William's character. 
  • Will Albert eventually regret
    killing his family
    after some time? 
  • Will Albert's values change?
  • Why the heck do people ship William with Sebastian???
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wanderingtones's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

For the Uninitiated:
This manga introduces readers to a different version of Sherlock’s old nemesis, William James Moriarty. This version has more depth than the original for his motivation is based on class discrimination and bringing justice to those who uphold the system that causes it. As the author said, 

…as I grew up and understood more about how irrational the world is, I started to actually empathize with the villain. …What motivated them to want to take over the world. I think it’s fun to imagine all these things when a villain’s motivations aren’t explained in a story. Professor Moriarty is one of those villains.

This Moriarty is more sympathetic, but he is not a clean-cut hero. The ways he brings his justice are not under the law, and the outcomes are justified but dark. Some may say Moriarty’s treatment toward the perpetrator is inhumane despite their misdeeds toward the lower class (though, I love it. Karma is a bitch *cue evil laughter* 😈). Readers don't need to know the original stories of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes but I believe it’s still enjoyable for those who have. It provides a good jump-off point for those who have not read or watched anything of Sherlock Holmes and provides fans of the original works something new. 

Tl;dr: This series gives readers a more relatable Moriarty whose motivations are “eat the rich” but still a villain. It provided familiar elements to those who experienced the original work or know previous adaptations of Sherlock Holmes. But it is different enough from the source that you can enjoy it without prior knowledge.

For Anime-watchers:
As someone who has watched the anime first before picking this book up, anime watchers may not get the same enjoyment compared to watching the first episodes of the anime. It’s not shocking since the series is one of a kind. I think the anime had the benefit of music and additional scenes that allow the medium to be an improvement compared to its original counterpart (at least for the early three chapters and Ep 2 through 5 of the anime). Also, the mysteries for each case hit familiar beats if you have watched the anime. I will give credit to the manga for its darker morality of Moriarty’s justice. Both mediums show the gray mortality of his justice, but for some reason, the manga’s mortality seems darker.
I felt more sympathy for the perpetrators than I did in the anime. They deserved their deaths for the hurt they caused to the lower class, but the causes of their death seem crueler. I don’t know why I feel that way, but I want to make note of this feeling for anyone who may feel the same after reading.
I believe it is a good thing because you, the reader, are more likely to question the methods of Moriarty’s justice and decided if he is truly making progress on achieving his ideal or if his “justice” is based on a more selfish desire. 

Tl;dr: The manga is still worth a read, but it hits familiar beats for readers who have watched the anime. Your interest may not peak until volume 2 (or until where the anime ends).
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livelaughomo's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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vekenega's review

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adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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shmarr's review

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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