Take a photo of a barcode or cover
michaelclorah 's review for:
One Pound Gospel, Volume 1
by Rumiko Takahashi
Ever since finishing Maison Ikkoku, which I love, I've been itching to read more of Takahashi's work; alas, she's mostly known for the impossibly long Inu-Yasha and the equally impossibly long Ranma 1/2. I just can't commit to that sort of unending series, so the decades-in-the-making conclusion to the four-volume One Pound Gospel series seemed the perfect chance to read more of her work.
I kind of see why it took so long to finish - it probably didn't hold her attention very well. Kosaku's a young boxer who loves eating and has trouble maintaining his training regimen. Sister Angela's a young nun-in-training. They like one another, but she's a nun; Kosaku has a fight, but keeps sneaking away to eat food. Repeat for two books with little variation except for opponents for Kosaku who are more interesting than either he or Angela.
By volume three, Takahashi starts to finally explore Sister Angela, and Kosaku starts to develop a little depth beyond his typical food/training dichotomy. The characters are likable enough, and by the end of vol. 4, you're happy to see them achieve what they hope for - but it could've been stronger. Takahashi never explores Angela's faith - outside of occasional prayers for strength for herself or Kosaku, we NEVER see any indication that her faith is central to her life, nor does she EVER speak of God/Jesus - so the ending is obvious from the get-go. You never feel that unseen, unfelt, barely mentioned God is any competition for Angela's heart.
Still, it has some moments - though half or more of those belong to Kosaku's rival boxers! - and the art's nice.
I kind of see why it took so long to finish - it probably didn't hold her attention very well. Kosaku's a young boxer who loves eating and has trouble maintaining his training regimen. Sister Angela's a young nun-in-training. They like one another, but she's a nun; Kosaku has a fight, but keeps sneaking away to eat food. Repeat for two books with little variation except for opponents for Kosaku who are more interesting than either he or Angela.
By volume three, Takahashi starts to finally explore Sister Angela, and Kosaku starts to develop a little depth beyond his typical food/training dichotomy. The characters are likable enough, and by the end of vol. 4, you're happy to see them achieve what they hope for - but it could've been stronger. Takahashi never explores Angela's faith - outside of occasional prayers for strength for herself or Kosaku, we NEVER see any indication that her faith is central to her life, nor does she EVER speak of God/Jesus - so the ending is obvious from the get-go. You never feel that unseen, unfelt, barely mentioned God is any competition for Angela's heart.
Still, it has some moments - though half or more of those belong to Kosaku's rival boxers! - and the art's nice.