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A review by mcglat
Cigarette Girl by Masahiko Matsumoto
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Fun little collection of romantic vignettes seen through a heavy blanket of urban ennui. The characters in these one-off stories find themselves in romantic entanglements for awkward/funny/nonstandard reasons and we just get little slices of each situation. Each story is 10-20 pages except for a 6-part arc that follows one character in the middle of the collection.
I have to say I didn’t find the art very compelling at first - flat, unexpressive? - but it grew on me a bit as the collection went on. I ended up feeling that Matsumoto’s style served the collection’s narrative aims pretty well, depicting the little worlds its characters were drifting through, with lots of stories taking place between tiny apartments.
Overall a fun read and a cool glimpse into manga history, as I understand Matsumoto’s techniques were quite influential. While it took a bit to get used to the tone and pacing, the stories in this collection provide a nice portrait of unsure, fumbling young people figuring out their lives in the city.
I have to say I didn’t find the art very compelling at first - flat, unexpressive? - but it grew on me a bit as the collection went on. I ended up feeling that Matsumoto’s style served the collection’s narrative aims pretty well, depicting the little worlds its characters were drifting through, with lots of stories taking place between tiny apartments.
Overall a fun read and a cool glimpse into manga history, as I understand Matsumoto’s techniques were quite influential. While it took a bit to get used to the tone and pacing, the stories in this collection provide a nice portrait of unsure, fumbling young people figuring out their lives in the city.