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A review by absentminded_reader
Strobe Edge, Vol. 1 by Io Sakisaka
4.0
Now that I've read as much of Sakisaka's early work as I can find, I'm giving this series, my first introduction to her work, a second reading.
I have been struck by her skillful use of moment to moment transitions with aspect transitions added for emphasis. She specializes in close-ups, giving each moment intense intimacy, but she doesn't overdo it. She uses collages within one panel a great deal to mingle setting details with emotional close-ups. She'll fill a page with facial close-ups during an intense scene, but bookend the scene with aspect transitions that also serve to establish setting.
Ninako's character grew in this volume as well, but is perhaps the only weak point of this manga. She's profoundly naive in the beginning, unbelievably so, but meeting the love of her dreams changes her. By the end of the volume she becomes less passive and more likable, but the transition was a bit abrupt.
When I become intimidated by Sakisaka's skill, I remind myself now of the long journey she has traveled to get to this point of excellence, and how many one shots she experimented with to develop her current style. Not all of them were winners. In fact, many were full, but they all served to train her. This much talent takes years to develop.
I have been struck by her skillful use of moment to moment transitions with aspect transitions added for emphasis. She specializes in close-ups, giving each moment intense intimacy, but she doesn't overdo it. She uses collages within one panel a great deal to mingle setting details with emotional close-ups. She'll fill a page with facial close-ups during an intense scene, but bookend the scene with aspect transitions that also serve to establish setting.
Ninako's character grew in this volume as well, but is perhaps the only weak point of this manga. She's profoundly naive in the beginning, unbelievably so, but meeting the love of her dreams changes her. By the end of the volume she becomes less passive and more likable, but the transition was a bit abrupt.
When I become intimidated by Sakisaka's skill, I remind myself now of the long journey she has traveled to get to this point of excellence, and how many one shots she experimented with to develop her current style. Not all of them were winners. In fact, many were full, but they all served to train her. This much talent takes years to develop.