jasper_a's reviews
204 reviews

Dandadan, Vol. 6 by Yukinobu Tatsu

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

amazing 🤩 absurd 🥴 dark 👿 funny 😈
the action was turned up to 11 and was very entertained. given the chaotic nature of the story, i'm surprised this arc went for more than a volume. so much was going on that i completely forgot about Aira until she showed up right at the end of the book. this manga is so good 😊 

Dandadan, Vol. 5 by Yukinobu Tatsu

dark funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

even though some scenes gave me the ick, i really enjoyed this volume.
perhaps the darkest volume yet.. on the one hand, i wonder how (appropriate) the subject matter is for teens but on the other hand i think these are real, tough, complicated issues that people go through on a daily basis.. you want to protect the children but maybe having an open dialogue about these topics can be very illuminating as well.
Dandadan continues to impress.

Gachiakuta, Vol. 02 by Kei Urana

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

pretty  good volume. i'm still interested in the series..
a few new characters introduced. a lot of exposition. story felt a bit slow. the art was kinda sloppy in places..
i thought it was good! not great! but that's okay! 👍🏼 

Gachiakuta, Vol. 01 by Kei Urana

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

volume 1 was a strong start to the series. the art isn't my favorite but it's not terrible -- perhaps it's maybe to do with the world (building) that everything is kinda dingy/trashy, and also devoid of colors. all this to say that the art style might be on brand, which is a good thing and might very well grow on me. the concept is good. i'm interested to keep reading for now.

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 2 by Mokumokuren

dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

this volume was much more 'enjoyable' than the first. no question. but! i don't think i'll be continuing the series... there simply isn't enough for me to latch on to i'm these two volumes. the art is good but not my favorite. there's just so little character growth and the crazy thing is within two volumes, apparently, six months have gone by and yet very little has happened..
i like a slow burn as much as the next person -- i actually prefer a slow burn to a chaotic/fast-paced story -- but i need answers to some of my initial questions, and i don't feel as if i got any answers at all.

The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1 by Mokumokuren

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

i really don't have a strong opinion about this first volume.. which might be a detriment..
an entire volume went by and all i can say is: Hikaru died and (something) is pretending to be him; there are queer undertones but the way the writing is utilizing this is perhaps in a derogatory manner? hard to say; and apparently the rest of the town is being affected by this (something) having come down from the mountains.... 🤷🏼‍♂️
the MC is one dimensional. the setting is school, bc it is the default manga setting.. idk. it was fine? perhaps i hyped myself up and bought 2x volumes right away but i was disappointed by this.

Dandadan, Vol. 4 by Yukinobu Tatsu

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

the start  of this volume was GAS but the rest of the chapters have calmed down a bit (some exposition, a few new characters). still great.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

this book was not for me... but book club is today so my feelings may be swayed after discussing~
i just thought it was rather dry. and it didn't sit well with me that there was a giant, mustache-twirly,   exposition for the epilogue. furthermore, i didn't care for any of the characters. period. they meant nothing to me. and here's the kicker: even after the epilogue, i didn't care to even go back and see if the 'confession' truly lined up properly.
was it well-written? maybe? was it clever? i don't particularly think so. the 10 little soldiers poem was gimmicky and didn't help in my enjoyment of the novel.
2.5/5 because i finished the book. i don't recommend. BUT i'm not adverse to trying another Agatha Christie novel in the future.

Dandadan, Vol. 3 by Yukinobu Tatsu

dark funny sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

this manga has no business being this entertaining C:

Dandadan, Vol. 2 by Yukinobu Tatsu

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

really enjoyable!!