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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
The parts about making manga were cool and the art is good. The rest was so sexist I couldn't believe it. I'm very disappointed.
My girls love manga. I've never been too interested, but because this one is dealing with creating manga and a peek into the publishing world of a popular manga magazine, and because a friend enjoyed it, I'm trying the series. I like the art and the inside look - however fictional or non-fictional it may be - of manga publishing, but I don't like the author's attitude toward women - or at least his characters' observations about women (ie. girls know that it is better to be cute than smart and a really smart girls will not try to get too good of grades in school in order to be more cute). It's kind of interesting/funny, as I believe this is "shonen" manga (if I'm not mistaken) which is aimed at boys. So, while there is a romantic sub-plot, the romantic characters have decided not to speak to each other (or even get to KNOW each other) until they have each achieved their respective career dreams and then... they will get married. Riiiiiiggghhht. Perhaps this plot will mature as the 14 yo characters mature throughout the series (let's hope so), but at present, it seems to be a shy, adolescent boy's fantasy of ending up with the cutest girl in school wanting to marry him, but he doesn't actually have to talk to her...EVER. hahahaha!
I'm making my way through the 2nd and then 3rd books in this series, trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I must admit at this point, there is quite a bit of doubt. I know, perhaps, I need to suspend my disbelief a bit more to enjoy the story, but quite often I'm finding myself shaking my head.
I'm making my way through the 2nd and then 3rd books in this series, trying to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I must admit at this point, there is quite a bit of doubt. I know, perhaps, I need to suspend my disbelief a bit more to enjoy the story, but quite often I'm finding myself shaking my head.
Interesting start to the series, though the way the leads talk about female characters is kind of crappy.
Entertaining manga on how manga is made. My coworker, Betty, recommended it to me.
First of all, the art in this series is top notch. I am often in awe at the competence of Takeshi Obata. Secondly, the characters are engaging. The transition of the main character, Moritaka, from slacker to dedicated mangaka was handled convincingly by Tsugumi Ohba. The story may not appeal to everyone, however. This is a drama about two middle school boys who decide to become manga professionals. Sometimes the technical details of the craft can slow the narrative down. For a graphic artist such as myself, however, I found the story engrossing. Even informative.
The romance between Moritaka and his love is a bit twee for me. I can't relate to boys being unable to talk to girls, but I know they exist. I didn't feel the romance detracted from the story in any way. Also, there were two sections of the volume that I felt were culturally insensitive to women, but they served as character definition so I gave them a pass Overall, good read. Can't wait for volume two.
The romance between Moritaka and his love is a bit twee for me. I can't relate to boys being unable to talk to girls, but I know they exist. I didn't feel the romance detracted from the story in any way. Also, there were two sections of the volume that I felt were culturally insensitive to women, but they served as character definition so I gave them a pass Overall, good read. Can't wait for volume two.
I really enjoyed this first volume! I've read this before but I'm rereading the series because I want to write reviews for it and I didn't know there was twenty books in the series! The plot and the characters are off to a nice start, and I love the manga business. It makes me want to draw!
If you want to learn about how manga are created, how the industry works and read an excellent story, read this series. It’s the story of 2 boys in junior high who decide to create manga together. One is the artist, one is the writer. It tells of the ups and downs of their struggle to make it. Or as one of them’s uncle says, to not be gamblers but actually make a living creating manga. By the time I read this I had read quite a bit of manga and knew some about how it is created. However reading this series really taught me a lot. But it’s not just that. It is the story of friendship and partnership between the main characters and their relationship, both friendship and rivalry with other artists. It’s an incredibly well written story. Everyone thinks of Death Note when they think of these two mangaka and Death Note is another fantastic series, but don’t skip reading this one. It is very different from DN. It probably falls in the category “slice of life” whereas DN is a fantasy. I have reread this series at least 2, possibly 3 times. Just writing this review makes me want to go read it again. If you love manga this is definitely a series to put on your “to read” list...near the top!
I really enjoyed it! Finished it in one day! Great start to my Manga reading!