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plagued_by_visions's reviews
209 reviews
Goodnight Punpun, Vol. 2 by Inio Asano
4.0
The first volume felt a bit disjointed in terms of what the story would become, or what it was attempting to do, but in this volume, the themes and overall tone have begun to gel, and the form the story is taking is equal times monstrous as it is touching. This is a dissonant set of moods and experimental storytelling that somehow works cohesively, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Goodnight Punpun, Vol. 3 by Inio Asano
3.0
The story at this point, although containing those poignant moments which make it easy to see why it has been relegated to the status of a classic, nonetheless starts to feel like a one-trick pony. There’s A LOT that’s visually dazzling, compelling, and of course, that signature Inio Asano mix of endearing and disturbing. Yet, the story here starts to feel a bit taxing, just a constant, angry indictment on humanity, which seems to lack anything particularly new to say except constant, garrulous wails (however entertaining and gripping they might be).
Yet, I will keep reading, because there’s something strangely intriguing and gripping about the entire thing, and because it promises to hit unprecedented highs (or in this case, lows) in its future installments. To me, it is morbid curiosity, above all else, really, that this story devotes itself to keep stimulating.
Yet, I will keep reading, because there’s something strangely intriguing and gripping about the entire thing, and because it promises to hit unprecedented highs (or in this case, lows) in its future installments. To me, it is morbid curiosity, above all else, really, that this story devotes itself to keep stimulating.
Goodnight Punpun, Vol. 4 by Inio Asano
3.0
Although this volume can’t help but feel like the preamble of something truly sinister about to come, nonetheless I enjoyed the ephemeral feel of this particular section of the story: the delicateness with which it is told, moments so fragile they can break at any second, and yet, even if darkness looms ahead, there’s a genuine beauty and tenderness here that the author never loses track of. Definitely the least dark installment thus far, but there is still plenty here that unsettles. This was a much more introspective section of the story, in which we see Punpun’s interiority, his own struggles with identity and behavioral issues. I predict there are terrible things in store, and yet this was a nice “breather” that really showcased a lot more of Asano’s visual and storytelling creativity than previous volumes.
Goodnight Punpun, Vol. 5 by Inio Asano
4.0
This, for me, is where the story has truly hit a balance of darkness and meaningful introspection. The characters here feel vibrant, monstrous, vulnerable, all at once. The tone has really reached a cacophony of brilliant humor and satire, and a scathing but also humanistic assessment of Japanese social conceits. The story at this point is more gripping than ever, and it promises to shock, upset, and awe even more in the future.
Goodnight Punpun, Vol. 6 by Inio Asano
3.0
The story here has taken its most sinister turns, to varying degrees of effectiveness. It reaches astonishing and unprecedented levels of nihilism and monstrosity, and yet so much of how the story began feels abandoned, even willfully ignored. Understanding that at this point, Goodnight Punpun had been serialized for years, and knowing full well that the story Inio Asano is telling here is probably largely different from the one he set out to tell years ago, nonetheless, the overall project seems uneven, and hits just as much as it misses, sadly. But the best quality that this story can boast of, is its surprising readability, and a visual style that never, ever falters.