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daniem's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
libscote's review against another edition
2.0
Not really enjoying this so far. Was recommended to me because it had a kick-ass female heroine, but it's a sci-fi book where you jump right in the middle of things, and I'm having a really hard time figuring the world out.
ETA: A few chapters in, it goes through an explanation of cyborgs, and after that it was easier to get into. I still had a really hard time keeping track of the characters.
ETA: A few chapters in, it goes through an explanation of cyborgs, and after that it was easier to get into. I still had a really hard time keeping track of the characters.
abigail369's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
This book explores a lot of interesting concepts in a well thought out cyberpunk future. It is very obvious why this is an important landmark in science fiction history. The art and character design were both excellent as well. However, the plot is fully incomprehensible. Any time I started to get a handle on what was happening, the story would take a sharp left into complete nonsense. This was frustrating and made it hard to finish. I don’t think this was worth the time and brain cells I lost trying to understand it.
litpages3's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 rating for me
This was the first time reading a manga and I can honestly say it was a bit confusing.
1st I had to get used to reading backwards-reading the pages left to right. Once I got the hang of that I then learned that the novel itself had to be read left to right which I didn't figure out until I was about 5 pages into it.
The story overall was a bit confusing. My husband suggested this manga to me after watching the anime series and the latest movie with Scarlett Johannson. If it wasn't for the movie I would have probably put this down only because it's written in such a style that Shirow assumes that everyone understands what's happening which was not the case. There were things happening that had no meaning or took it for granted that the reader already knew about it.
I took my time with this one and read it as individual stories per chapter and that seemed to help a bit as well as asking my husband for help when I was unsure. Overall it wasn't a bad story and by the end I was wanting to know what happened and where things go from there so I will be reading the other 2 books.
I probably should have started with something simpler to get me into the reading pattern and something that I may favor. Also take into account that it was 344 pages and I read it in one day was probably not the best idea since it was all new to me.
This was the first time reading a manga and I can honestly say it was a bit confusing.
1st I had to get used to reading backwards-reading the pages left to right. Once I got the hang of that I then learned that the novel itself had to be read left to right which I didn't figure out until I was about 5 pages into it.
The story overall was a bit confusing. My husband suggested this manga to me after watching the anime series and the latest movie with Scarlett Johannson. If it wasn't for the movie I would have probably put this down only because it's written in such a style that Shirow assumes that everyone understands what's happening which was not the case. There were things happening that had no meaning or took it for granted that the reader already knew about it.
I took my time with this one and read it as individual stories per chapter and that seemed to help a bit as well as asking my husband for help when I was unsure. Overall it wasn't a bad story and by the end I was wanting to know what happened and where things go from there so I will be reading the other 2 books.
I probably should have started with something simpler to get me into the reading pattern and something that I may favor. Also take into account that it was 344 pages and I read it in one day was probably not the best idea since it was all new to me.
gswizzel's review against another edition
4.0
First experience reading manga.
I thank God I was interested in the premise, because it was a pretty hard format to adapt to.
I love this world (though I can't fully understand it yet). I love these characters ESPECIALLY The Major and Batou! The action sequences were awesome! If you enjoyed the movie, I do recommend you read the manga for more. It doesn't look like there will be a sequel movie due to box office bombing with the first anyway, so if the movie left you wanting more, here you go - read this!
I did find the stories choppy at times, but I liked it for the most part!
I thank God I was interested in the premise, because it was a pretty hard format to adapt to.
I love this world (though I can't fully understand it yet). I love these characters ESPECIALLY The Major and Batou! The action sequences were awesome! If you enjoyed the movie, I do recommend you read the manga for more. It doesn't look like there will be a sequel movie due to box office bombing with the first anyway, so if the movie left you wanting more, here you go - read this!
I did find the stories choppy at times, but I liked it for the most part!
waterfear's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this, after watching the live action version, plus the cult classic 1995 version. So many of the panels are poorly drawn, like the artist was in a rush. The story isn't cohesive, not just because of how they were originally released, but because the plot line was hurried. The drawings suddenly turn to trashy porn AI women after presenting Major, especially, as a strong, tough, tomboyish figure. Then we're back to clothes and mech suits with muscle tone for the same characters. Make up your mind already. Took me several tries to get back to finishing this. Disappointing.
noelleamk's review against another edition
1.0
Its insane to think of of the best, beautiful, and most thought provoking anime's had this as the source material. Almost 400 pages of bloated insanity that is so overwhelming yet says nothing. Vain attempts at trying to be funny that don't work and boring plot threads and disposable characters.You could removed 70% of this story and nothing would change. Contributions to this insanely overdone yet totally empty narrative are dense technical notes from the author in every white space. Because holy shit this narrative is so hard to understand and awfully paced. Yet instead of clarifying, these notes only serve to bored and further confuse
Also super male-gaze oriented. Besides the major all female characters are background ones with no words, no development, huge boobs and are framed in sexy Sapphic poses with one another. Not in a subversive or meaningful way, in a incel maturation way. Yawn.
Also super male-gaze oriented. Besides the major all female characters are background ones with no words, no development, huge boobs and are framed in sexy Sapphic poses with one another. Not in a subversive or meaningful way, in a incel maturation way. Yawn.