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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If you like the author's earlier work of Death Note or you just want to find out about the manga industry this is the book for you. This book gives lots of insight into the drive it takes to full a dream.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Je suis très heureuse d'avoir découvert ce manga. Il traite de l'élaboration même des mangas au travers de deux adolescents passionnés. J'adore lire à propos de personnes passionnés, c'est tellement inspirant ! Par rapport aux mangas typiques, il y a beaucoup plus de dialogues expliquant les différentes étapes de la création d'un manga. L'amitié entre les deux personnages forgeait par leur passion commune est magnifique. J'ai hâte de découvrir la suite et de voir si leur rêve sera atteint.
A manga about manga. Bizarre middle school romance. Sexist ideas about gender roles.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
No
DNF 39% in and honestly wouldn’t have even gotten that far if a teen hasn’t asked me to read it.
The message about following your dreams, even if it seems like a gamble, is wholesome. However, the writing is really ham-fisted, and I’m shocked there’s so much telling and reliance on *explaining* character’s actions when it’s a visual medium. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the BS Insta-love between two characters who’ve never spoken, especially since he seems to like her because she’s an ideal girl for being graceful, polite, and not seeming overly smart. Gross.
I can see why this teen wanted me to read it—it’s great that it inspired him to draw more—but I can’t read this nonsense.
The message about following your dreams, even if it seems like a gamble, is wholesome. However, the writing is really ham-fisted, and I’m shocked there’s so much telling and reliance on *explaining* character’s actions when it’s a visual medium. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the BS Insta-love between two characters who’ve never spoken, especially since he seems to like her because she’s an ideal girl for being graceful, polite, and not seeming overly smart. Gross.
I can see why this teen wanted me to read it—it’s great that it inspired him to draw more—but I can’t read this nonsense.
This manga is a bit of an oddity. It’s about two teenage boys who decide to become great manga creators and go about it completely seriously. Quiet Moritaka is a good artist, but his uncle was a famous – and ultimately unsuccessful – manga artist so he is reluctant to take on the challenge. Outgoing Akito is a good writer but knows nothing about how manga is made, only that if he chooses the right artist that they be great together. He takes advantage of Moritaka’s crush on a girl in their school to persuade him that success in manga will make him worthy of the girl’s love. This was informative about how manga is made but hugely sexist. Both boys make sweeping statements about how girls should not try too hard at school, but instead perfect more “womanly” arts, which frankly made me pretty mad.
It was so sexist that I couldn't even stomach to keep reading it.
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like the insight into life and work as an aspiring mangaka. Love is at the heart of this story in the unlikely friendship between Takagi and Moritaka, and the desire to live out a difficult dream and to be with a beautiful girl. My favorite part of this volume was how much Moritaka admired his uncle, and his family's response to his dream. surprisingly they were very receptive.
Y'know, I knew the anime-animation industry was predatory with terrible wages and poor work-life balance, but I had no idea mangakas with hit series could be scrounging for money. Could you imagine if the creator of DBZ or Sailor Moon was broke??? Are they? Don't answer.
While I think this premise could be interesting, one character, in particular, is so overly bland. Azuki feels like this dangling carrot or prize for Moritaka to achieve. She's again bland, but maybe the manga might surprise me and develop her further. Hopefully...
In the same vein, there's this tangible, sexist tone that hits you full-blown. Azuki is "smart" because she knows better than to aspire to be anything more than someone's wife. Nothing's wrong with being a wife or a kept woman and finding someone who loves you, but the way it's phrased feels so condescending. It's like someone telling you to go to bed vs. you making the decision.
Somehow, I don't think the manga was trying to lampshade Takagi's ignorance either or point out the irony. Also, why do y'all hate ambitious women? There's a character (who might stuck up) who many guys in school don't like because she's smart, beautiful, and rich. But none of the guys in school like her because she's <i>too much.</i> I don't know, y'all might be <b>too little</b>.
Anyway, might read volume two later, but it's not high on my priority list. As an artist and someone who desires to create her own graphic novel or long-form comic, I always enjoy seeing others' creative processes.
Y'know, I knew the anime-animation industry was predatory with terrible wages and poor work-life balance, but I had no idea mangakas with hit series could be scrounging for money. Could you imagine if the creator of DBZ or Sailor Moon was broke??? Are they? Don't answer.
While I think this premise could be interesting, one character, in particular, is so overly bland. Azuki feels like this dangling carrot or prize for Moritaka to achieve. She's again bland, but maybe the manga might surprise me and develop her further. Hopefully...
In the same vein, there's this tangible, sexist tone that hits you full-blown. Azuki is "smart" because she knows better than to aspire to be anything more than someone's wife. Nothing's wrong with being a wife or a kept woman and finding someone who loves you, but the way it's phrased feels so condescending. It's like someone telling you to go to bed vs. you making the decision.
Somehow, I don't think the manga was trying to lampshade Takagi's ignorance either or point out the irony. Also, why do y'all hate ambitious women? There's a character (who might stuck up) who many guys in school don't like because she's smart, beautiful, and rich. But none of the guys in school like her because she's <i>too much.</i> I don't know, y'all might be <b>too little</b>.
Anyway, might read volume two later, but it's not high on my priority list. As an artist and someone who desires to create her own graphic novel or long-form comic, I always enjoy seeing others' creative processes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism