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tresdem's review
3.0
The story continues and gets a little bit darker as it goes. It's not yet Ayashi no Ceres dark, but knowing Watase-sensei it could very well go that way.
First the bad... well and kind of gross. I really hate the 'molestation is funny until it's not' moments complete with a bit of gay panic. Watase-sensei is not the only one who did this and does this but it makes me B| every time. It also sort of makes me wonder what her contemporary manga or like.
That aside, I do like the continuation, though slightly hesitant about where it's going because well it is a bit too close to what we've seen before. Still the concept is interesting and I enjoy how it's not just about defeating the bad guys but 'purifying the darkness'. And that it doesn't really change the nature of someone's character but makes them a little bit better? Though they are still as much of a jerkass as they were (so it seems). I also feel that this speaks to high schoolers and in general about standing up for yourself and others but I'm not sure I like how 'courage' is always applied.
First the bad... well and kind of gross. I really hate the 'molestation is funny until it's not' moments complete with a bit of gay panic. Watase-sensei is not the only one who did this and does this but it makes me B| every time. It also sort of makes me wonder what her contemporary manga or like.
That aside, I do like the continuation, though slightly hesitant about where it's going because well it is a bit too close to what we've seen before. Still the concept is interesting and I enjoy how it's not just about defeating the bad guys but 'purifying the darkness'. And that it doesn't really change the nature of someone's character but makes them a little bit better? Though they are still as much of a jerkass as they were (so it seems). I also feel that this speaks to high schoolers and in general about standing up for yourself and others but I'm not sure I like how 'courage' is always applied.
cyanide_latte's review
4.0
First rating: 3 stars
Second rating: 4 stars
I feel like it's a struggle sometimes to make myself go through any volumes of Watase's work, but at least that's less of an issue with this series. If you weren't aware or didn't read my review for the first volume in this series, I am a bit harsh and critical when it comes to Yuu Watase's books. And while I do love this series, it does not get an automatic reprieve from my criticisms. That said, I do feel like I appreciate this volume more this time around.
Going off the ending of volume 1, we're introduced to our first experienced Lotis Master, Frey (whom I may end up griping about the most this time around,) and though he has arrived in Japan seeking a bride, he ends up hanging around and assisting Alice and Kyo in their efforts to find Mayura. There's some implication he's doing this out of duty, but there's about equal implication he has the ulterior motive of trying to impress Alice enough that she'll agree to marry him. We get a couple more excursions into the inner heart and build-up to what will become a long and ugly conflict with the missing Mayura,as Kyo in this volume is starting to realize his feelings for Alice while she's struggling to still express her feelings to him.
A lot of the nuggets of wisdom in this volume are pretty solid, regarding how the people closest to you are the ones whose words will impact you the most; how an expression of kindness or gratitude can save a person; how people who live in horrible circumstances and face hatred all their lives need to be shown kindness, and a couple of other things besides. These are all handled pretty well and while at times the way they get stated in the narrative are pretty on-the-nose, every single one is important.
Minor quibble on that cover art, ignoring the fact Kyo's like...vampire-white, the perspective and foreshortening on his arms looks off. And it bugs me.
On to the major annoyance of this volume: Frey.
Don't misunderstand, I actually do enjoy Frey's character...when he's focused and doing what he's supposed to. I've always been very meh on him otherwise, even when I was a teenager. But I do need to address something here, regarding the way in which he expresses his womanizing habits. I'm aware of the age on this series as well as the fact that Frey's perverted nature is played up solely for the effect of comic relief and giggles. I don't expect older manga to be perfect, but I do wish we'd talk more with younger audiences (read: teens and pre-teens) about the content in manga before they just go right into it. See the thing is, pretty much all of Frey's sexual harassment in the series goes rather unchallenged, unaddressed and ignored. Sure, Alice tends to punch or smack him if he does something to her, or Kyo will attempt to likewise physically punish Frey for womanizing or touching someone without their consent, but it's always done For The Lolz. Nobody ever tries to seriously talk to Frey about how his behavior is inappropriate (not even just on a he's-not-from-Japan-and-doesn't-understand-the-cultural-differences level, his behavior is just inappropriate, full stop.) Nobody ever truly addresses the issue of his casual sexual harassment and lays down a boundary line and consequences, and makes him understand that he should not do this. And again, a lot of this sort of thing happens in older series, and this is especially not uncommon in Yuu Watase's work; it's part-and-parcel of her series, even, because it's how she tries to express humor.
The problem is that a lot of it subconsciously gets excused or overlooked by Western audiences on account of the way Frey is drawn. Watase made him a bishonen, and I can't help but wonder if this was done purposefully in order to subvert an outraged reaction at his behavior. Of course people aren't going to have the same reaction to Frey sexually harassing Alice if he looked average or even conventionally unattractive; people would probably find his behavior gross (which it is anyway) and label him a creep. But he's a smiling bishie who gets the hormonal reaction and confusion from Alice to suggest a potential not-quite-Love-Triangle, so it goes unchallenged. And I feel like that is not exactly the safest thing for teenagers to read, not without being talked to about that behavior first. I hate to think there are girls out there who could pick up this or anything with a similar character and get to thinking that being sexually harassed by a guy is mildly excusable if he's good-looking enough in spite of how uncomfortable they might feel.
Again, I don't hate Frey, but his character's a pretty good example (especially in a series coming out of the late 90s, early 2000s) of things that shouldn't be allowed or excused just because he was created to be attractive or swoon-worthy.
Second rating: 4 stars
I feel like it's a struggle sometimes to make myself go through any volumes of Watase's work, but at least that's less of an issue with this series. If you weren't aware or didn't read my review for the first volume in this series, I am a bit harsh and critical when it comes to Yuu Watase's books. And while I do love this series, it does not get an automatic reprieve from my criticisms. That said, I do feel like I appreciate this volume more this time around.
Going off the ending of volume 1, we're introduced to our first experienced Lotis Master, Frey (whom I may end up griping about the most this time around,) and though he has arrived in Japan seeking a bride, he ends up hanging around and assisting Alice and Kyo in their efforts to find Mayura. There's some implication he's doing this out of duty, but there's about equal implication he has the ulterior motive of trying to impress Alice enough that she'll agree to marry him. We get a couple more excursions into the inner heart and build-up to what will become a long and ugly conflict with the missing Mayura,
A lot of the nuggets of wisdom in this volume are pretty solid, regarding how the people closest to you are the ones whose words will impact you the most; how an expression of kindness or gratitude can save a person; how people who live in horrible circumstances and face hatred all their lives need to be shown kindness, and a couple of other things besides. These are all handled pretty well and while at times the way they get stated in the narrative are pretty on-the-nose, every single one is important.
Minor quibble on that cover art, ignoring the fact Kyo's like...vampire-white, the perspective and foreshortening on his arms looks off. And it bugs me.
On to the major annoyance of this volume: Frey.
Don't misunderstand, I actually do enjoy Frey's character...when he's focused and doing what he's supposed to. I've always been very meh on him otherwise, even when I was a teenager. But I do need to address something here, regarding the way in which he expresses his womanizing habits. I'm aware of the age on this series as well as the fact that Frey's perverted nature is played up solely for the effect of comic relief and giggles. I don't expect older manga to be perfect, but I do wish we'd talk more with younger audiences (read: teens and pre-teens) about the content in manga before they just go right into it. See the thing is, pretty much all of Frey's sexual harassment in the series goes rather unchallenged, unaddressed and ignored. Sure, Alice tends to punch or smack him if he does something to her, or Kyo will attempt to likewise physically punish Frey for womanizing or touching someone without their consent, but it's always done For The Lolz. Nobody ever tries to seriously talk to Frey about how his behavior is inappropriate (not even just on a he's-not-from-Japan-and-doesn't-understand-the-cultural-differences level, his behavior is just inappropriate, full stop.) Nobody ever truly addresses the issue of his casual sexual harassment and lays down a boundary line and consequences, and makes him understand that he should not do this. And again, a lot of this sort of thing happens in older series, and this is especially not uncommon in Yuu Watase's work; it's part-and-parcel of her series, even, because it's how she tries to express humor.
The problem is that a lot of it subconsciously gets excused or overlooked by Western audiences on account of the way Frey is drawn. Watase made him a bishonen, and I can't help but wonder if this was done purposefully in order to subvert an outraged reaction at his behavior. Of course people aren't going to have the same reaction to Frey sexually harassing Alice if he looked average or even conventionally unattractive; people would probably find his behavior gross (which it is anyway) and label him a creep. But he's a smiling bishie who gets the hormonal reaction and confusion from Alice to suggest a potential not-quite-Love-Triangle, so it goes unchallenged. And I feel like that is not exactly the safest thing for teenagers to read, not without being talked to about that behavior first. I hate to think there are girls out there who could pick up this or anything with a similar character and get to thinking that being sexually harassed by a guy is mildly excusable if he's good-looking enough in spite of how uncomfortable they might feel.
Again, I don't hate Frey, but his character's a pretty good example (especially in a series coming out of the late 90s, early 2000s) of things that shouldn't be allowed or excused just because he was created to be attractive or swoon-worthy.
gloomyglow's review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3/5
We get much more explanation of what a Lotus Master is in this second volume, along with a whole bunch of typical shoujo silliness.
The addition of a new male character was unexpected, but pretty funny. He seems like he will be a foil to Kyo's character.
This series is reminding me of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles because of its characters and tone, and also QQ Sweeper because of its plot.
check out more from me here:
http://nerdificationreviews.com/
We get much more explanation of what a Lotus Master is in this second volume, along with a whole bunch of typical shoujo silliness.
The addition of a new male character was unexpected, but pretty funny. He seems like he will be a foil to Kyo's character.
This series is reminding me of Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles because of its characters and tone, and also QQ Sweeper because of its plot.
check out more from me here:
http://nerdificationreviews.com/
amythebookbat's review against another edition
4.0
Aw man, now I have to wait for the next manga from the library... hopefully it won't take too long.
tresdem's review against another edition
3.0
The story continues and gets a little bit darker as it goes. It's not yet Ayashi no Ceres dark, but knowing Watase-sensei it could very well go that way.
First the bad... well and kind of gross. I really hate the 'molestation is funny until it's not' moments complete with a bit of gay panic. Watase-sensei is not the only one who did this and does this but it makes me B| every time. It also sort of makes me wonder what her contemporary manga or like.
That aside, I do like the continuation, though slightly hesitant about where it's going because well it is a bit too close to what we've seen before. Still the concept is interesting and I enjoy how it's not just about defeating the bad guys but 'purifying the darkness'. And that it doesn't really change the nature of someone's character but makes them a little bit better? Though they are still as much of a jerkass as they were (so it seems). I also feel that this speaks to high schoolers and in general about standing up for yourself and others but I'm not sure I like how 'courage' is always applied.
First the bad... well and kind of gross. I really hate the 'molestation is funny until it's not' moments complete with a bit of gay panic. Watase-sensei is not the only one who did this and does this but it makes me B| every time. It also sort of makes me wonder what her contemporary manga or like.
That aside, I do like the continuation, though slightly hesitant about where it's going because well it is a bit too close to what we've seen before. Still the concept is interesting and I enjoy how it's not just about defeating the bad guys but 'purifying the darkness'. And that it doesn't really change the nature of someone's character but makes them a little bit better? Though they are still as much of a jerkass as they were (so it seems). I also feel that this speaks to high schoolers and in general about standing up for yourself and others but I'm not sure I like how 'courage' is always applied.
persephone_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the story, it has many shojo-manga tropes, but it is entertaining. I feel that Alice has grown as a character a little (hopefully she'll continue doing it), and I liked how Kyo seems more like another main character instead of just "the love interest" (he has his deep and funny moments too). The other boy is more like 'meh', but I'll see if he changes in the next volumes. The bunny is cute, but it lacks a certain sidekick spirit (can't help compare her to Kero from Sakura Card Captor).
greymalkin's review against another edition
3.0
First book didn't really catch me but the plot started picking up in this book and I started getting a bit invested in the characters. That trend continued through the other books and I quickly finished the 7 book series. Nothing staggering but enjoyable and well done.
savvyliterate's review against another edition
(Originally written for Anime on DVD.com)
A man named Frey, who is originally from Northern Europe, comes and claims Alice as his fiancé - and also her first kiss. (There's also a very funny second kiss that involves Kyo and Frey that just made me die laughing.) This causes Alice to be completely exaggerated as she's not interested in Frey at all. The interactions between them remind me of the Miroku/Sango encounters in the early Inuyasha volumes, especially whenever Miroku acts like a pervert.
Meanwhile, they all discover that not only is Frey a somewhat experienced Lotis Master, but Kyo is a Lotis Master as well. He's on the same level as Alice is and they seem to grow at approximately the same rate.
This book delves into the darkness that is in people's hearts, as well as a dark secret in Kyo's past. It takes the premise laid out in the first book and expands on it, explaining the history of the Lotus Master somewhat and also what exactly happened to Mayura. You can definitely tell that the series is aiming toward a Alice/Kyo vs. Mayura conflict as the group consisting of Alice, Kyo, Frey and Nyozuka encounter her on several occasions as they explore the darkness of several people's hearts. There's also small hints that Frey could eventually wind up liking Mayura as well.
This series has introduced several typical anime and Watase plot threads into the series. But these elements play out differently for me in this series and it's a large part due to the characters. I am completely enamored with the main cast and find all of them - Alice, Kyo, Frey and Nyozuka - very likeable and human. I keep liking Alice more and more. She is a mixture of Sakura from Card Captor Sakura and Kagome from Inuyasha with a dash of Miaka thrown in. In other words, she's human. And those human qualities shine through again on this volume. She makes mistakes and she learns from them. She's trying her best to be true to herself, but she stumbles and falls along the way. That's very human. You can see her struggling with daily life, dealing with the realistic grief that comes with having a missing family member and her own new duties. If a manga series deserves an anime, this one is it. I'm looking forward to volume 3.
A man named Frey, who is originally from Northern Europe, comes and claims Alice as his fiancé - and also her first kiss. (There's also a very funny second kiss that involves Kyo and Frey that just made me die laughing.) This causes Alice to be completely exaggerated as she's not interested in Frey at all. The interactions between them remind me of the Miroku/Sango encounters in the early Inuyasha volumes, especially whenever Miroku acts like a pervert.
Meanwhile, they all discover that not only is Frey a somewhat experienced Lotis Master, but Kyo is a Lotis Master as well. He's on the same level as Alice is and they seem to grow at approximately the same rate.
This book delves into the darkness that is in people's hearts, as well as a dark secret in Kyo's past. It takes the premise laid out in the first book and expands on it, explaining the history of the Lotus Master somewhat and also what exactly happened to Mayura. You can definitely tell that the series is aiming toward a Alice/Kyo vs. Mayura conflict as the group consisting of Alice, Kyo, Frey and Nyozuka encounter her on several occasions as they explore the darkness of several people's hearts. There's also small hints that Frey could eventually wind up liking Mayura as well.
This series has introduced several typical anime and Watase plot threads into the series. But these elements play out differently for me in this series and it's a large part due to the characters. I am completely enamored with the main cast and find all of them - Alice, Kyo, Frey and Nyozuka - very likeable and human. I keep liking Alice more and more. She is a mixture of Sakura from Card Captor Sakura and Kagome from Inuyasha with a dash of Miaka thrown in. In other words, she's human. And those human qualities shine through again on this volume. She makes mistakes and she learns from them. She's trying her best to be true to herself, but she stumbles and falls along the way. That's very human. You can see her struggling with daily life, dealing with the realistic grief that comes with having a missing family member and her own new duties. If a manga series deserves an anime, this one is it. I'm looking forward to volume 3.