Hal

Admit it: you've reached the boiling point before. Question is; what now?

With only a chapter translated so far, ‘Hal’ addresses the atrocities of human nature and the extent of negative feelings. The story starts when a young girl succumbs to her negative feelings which have prompted the arrival of a certain shinigami named Hal. The girl is promised three death wishes of whomever the existence she wants gone and in the meantime, Hal shall stick around.

There's no doubt ‘Hal’ is a manga written by Aoi Makino whose past works include ‘Rec’ and ‘Sekai no Hate’. And if there is anything to be known about Aoi's work, it's her trademark angst. She starts off with a wonderfully ordinary situation anyone can relate which will eventually spiral into something tragic. It's refreshing in a way that she can be so bold in her storytelling without holding back but consequently, both characters and the story suffer as her manga progresses. This is evidenced in her previous works and Hal is sadly no exception. But as a series of (sort of) one-shots, it makes it somewhat excusable since the main focus is not to be attached to the characters who unwittingly surrender to ‘Hal’ but to recognize there's a bit of darkness in us all. It's impossible to be completely freed of negative emotions such as jealousy, envy, hatred, etc and the beauty of ‘Hal’ is how it says, "So what?" Whether we abhor or adore does that make us any less human? It is how we move on and projects the best of our emotions towards each other that matters the most, a lesson today's people lose sight on but ‘Hal’ touches spot on.

As far as characters goes, with only one translated chapter, little can be said. The character of the first chapter is a high school girl with a superiority complex, excelling in school both academically and physically. Her world crashes when someone who's suitable as her equal and even superior comes along which is the reason for the visit of shinigami Hal. She is by far an exaggerated version of any students in school. After all, who can’t remember a time when they've felt resentment towards the person who scores higher than you on a test? But that is as far as her character can be said since though he makes less appearances than her, what's most interesting is Hal. Hal is a shinigami who whimsically manifests humans' hatred or negative feelings and grants three erase wishes as compensation. These erase wishes makes the targets existence completely nonexistent, enforcing the shinigami's purpose of feeding off of human emotions. Despite being nonhuman, many of Hal's insights are spot on.

Art work is clean and beautiful, having that Shoujo touch. Although this appearance works well with Aoi's other works, it does not bode well for this manga. Her drawings work well as a tragic beauty irony, the fact that everything and everyone drawn so pretty and cute has to mean everything goes well, right? But this isn't the kind of aim Aoi has for this one since right off the bat the manga tries to be philosophical with its profound messages. However, how seriously are we supposed to take them when everything looks so flowery even during the tragedy parts? It's like writing a funeral scene but having the characters all wonderfully dressed and damping elegantly with a hanky for each tear that falls.

Whatever it may be, ‘Hal’ attempts to convey a message about human nature and for the most part it succeeds. However, because we are unable to fully adjust to the character's changes in emotions, the quick paced story line, and finally the art which is inappropriate of the story it's based on, HAL remains nothing more than a poorly done mimicry of what may have been philosophical.

-a review written for 'Reviews from the unreviewed'

This is an absolutely great collection of the mangaka's one-shots. Each of them contains a lot of thinking of the author.

The info for HAL (the 1st story) is already given, and The Blue Wings (the 4th story) is prequel to the 4-chapter series Rec: Kimi ga Naita ni. Here I would strongly recommend the other two as well.

7-nengo no Niji:
About a girl who falls in love with a boy that she bullied seven years ago. It explores psychological aspects of the bully and the bullied. A very heartwarming story with some romance.

Sayonara Tenshi:
About a school where psychological bullying is very serious. It explores how these happen and how should people react to it. A very thought provoking story.

The Blue Wings:
Rather than a prequel to Rec, it is rather like a different story using one same character. The theme is completely different, and the female MC never showed up in the following; nevertheless, it is another heartwarming story.

I saw there were no reviews for this, so I decided to write one for this one-shot manga!

This is only a 4 chapter story with a short movie to follow. This might be a shorter story than what one would expect. But Let me tell you something, it hits home and being relate-able. I first heard about the movie, so I wanted to read the manga first so I could compare and contrast. I haven't watched the 50 minute film yet, but I will!

Story: 10/10- What if your lover died, you lost your will to live, and a robot was sent to you that looked like your lost lover? Might sound cliche since the whole robot thing has been done before. But don't let that fool you! Anyone that has lost a love one, not even just the love of your life, but any relative that you were close to. You must be able to feel the pain, the loss, and the heart-aching feeling.

This story is simple, but that is what makes it so great. They don't try to overdo it and make the entire plot complicated. Its simplicity is what makes this cut deep. Robots aren't meant to feel emotion, but what if they did, and they saved you from yourself? What if they helped you, like really helped you? This story is beautiful.

Art: 9/10- What is colored in certain parts of the manga is truly stunning. I love color ^^ And the art designs for the characters might not be unique, but it's not like it's drawn awfully. It's nice and simple. They don't do anything over-the-top, but they also don't leave anything out!

Character: 9/10- You think you know the characters and who they are, but then at the very last second, they do a 360 and make you think on a totally different level. That's what makes this so great. Emotions are real in this. And if you pay close attention, you'll feel the pain. You'll sense the distress. But then in the very end, you'll smile.

You'll fall in love with the characters, even if things might seem a little confusing at first. Later on you'll understand.

Enjoyment: 9/10- I gave it a nine because this is something that can happen to anyone. And I don't mean a robot coming out of no where to try and solve your problems. I mean the real pain of losing someone and not being able to let go of the past and move on.

It's a relate-able story that deserves to be recognized more in little stories like this one. :3

Overall: 9/10- This is only 4 chapters. it's something you can read in less than an hour. So if you don't like it, than at least you know it didn't waste too much of your time. But I do suggest anyone to read this if you already haven't ^^

This for the Hal! :'D

"In the not too distant future, people coexist in harmony with humanoid robberies. The young Kurumi became isolated after losing her boyfriend in a plane crash and his grandfather resorted to using a robot to help her. And then, Q-01 takes the form of Hal and begins interacting with the girl so that she returns to normal... This is the story of two lovers who cared for each other"

~ Contains spoiler ~

"He's aware that he's a robot"

The story takes place in Tokyo, in a future in which for humans, it is totally narutal the conviviality with humanoid robots. These robots may have several trades, however, in the work only it is shown that, it serves as consolation for Kurumi, who is a young, in the pre-adult stage, who lost her boyfriend in a plane crash. In the unfolding of the plot, it is noticed that, Kurumi was in depression, did not leave more of house, did not eat, nor talked with anyone else. And because of this behavior, his grandfather makes contact with a doctor, who would bring Hal, his ex-boyfriend, who died back to life. But this time, it would be in robot form. At the outset, we are presented with the robot's view of the accident, implying us to understand what could have caused Hal's death.

In the unfolding of the plot, it is noticed that, Kurumi was in depression, did not leave more of house, did not eat, nor talked with anyone else. And because of this behavior, his grandfather makes contact with a doctor, who would bring Hal, his ex-boyfriend, who died back to life. But this time, it would be in robot form. At the outset, we are presented with the robot's view of the accident, implying us to understand what could have caused Hal's death. And for him to understand, he does everything for Kurumi to open with him, through a magic cube. (Idea, rather cool). Every time Hal, or anyone else mounts the cube, a wish of Kurumi appears. He gradually realizes, and the same, opens with him. Until then, they go out on a festival, where everything is revealed. There, Hal talks naturally with Kurumi about their lives, about why Hal had sold his things without her wanting to. And it is discovered that Hal had heart problems and because of this, his parents had to give him a new heart, but they could not remove that debt, finally, the option that seemed more viable, was to abandon him. The question is: What usually happens when parents abandon their children, leaving them without having something to eat and drink? Of course, they work for bad guys. What's not different, Hal works with thieves stealing things to sell.

"You don't know what it's like, you don't have money in your pocket"

That explains why he sold Kurumi's things without his permission. They decided that they would live together, but none of them worked hard. Soon, to make money, Hal sold the things from the Kurumi shop. Normally, there would be no problem in that, since they are objects of the shop of the same, however, Kurumi wanted people to come to his store by free will, and this caused the relationship between them to enter into a conflict. They argued, and Kurumi decided she would leave, leaving Hal behind, but Hal follows her to the airport, where he tries to persuade her, but Kurumi is determined to leave Hal behind. And then, the plane explodes as soon as the flight starts. That's when the story begins.

It was not Hal who died, but Kurumi. There was an airplane crash, and it was she who was on the plane. Hal was alive, but depressed. The blades were reversed. Hal had gone to seek help from a doctor to make a robot identical to Kurumi, but his psychological state was so shaken that he believed it was the robot.

Story: (7/10) It's a cliché story, though, with a great premise. I believe that the part of science fiction could have been worked out better. Even if not in the movie, at least in the manga. But the dispassion of both is almost imperceptible. He left many questions to be desired, one being the disparity between humans and robots. Although it is said that robots can learn the human form, both in the way of being, how to act and think, this is not said how. It was just thrown in there, to say it is, but not like.

Art: (9/10) Impeccable. It was Io Sakisaka's expected. Both the characters and the landscapes are very well done. It's just beautiful. There is nothing to contextualize.

Character: Story (7/10) The main ones, of course. Kurumi and Hal. A couple, who met when Kurumi was sitting on a bench. She said she had seen him several times passing by while she read. Sometimes worried, sometimes smiling, but mostly, with a sad look. We know that in the synopsis, the indication is that Kurumi is in the worst, but in this novel, Hal is the character who suffers the most. He is also the highlight, the character that is most developed within the story. We found out that he had a family that left him after having surgery, which was necessary for him, who had cardiac problems. Shortly thereafter, he joined a group of children who served for bandits, and suffered at their hands, often being treated poorly. And when he meets Kurumi, he decides to live with her, but they both do not have a salary income, which makes Hal worried and nervous. And there is more, the death of Kurumi, which is something that shakes him mentally and physically. This makes you depressed. Basically, his time stopped shortly after his girlfriend's death.
And good, the Kurumi is a character who was shown as "cheerful" and "gentle" secondary characters would refer to her so, so that it made her look like a sea of ​​flowers, when in fact, she also had trouble with her parents , So she lived alone. Hal was its point of stability and vice versa. They believed they could live in love... But when they fought, everything collapsed. It's sad.

Enjoyment: (8/10) I particularly enjoyed myself while watching. It was fun to see Hal trying to fulfill Kurumi's wishes, such as when he tries to buy the giraffe. It's hilarious. It's not a "funny" humor, although simple, it's more subtle. Hal is like a mix of feelings... Inexplicable. I was very moved.

"Always think what you say, what you do, live, but think about tomorrow."

I think this is the lesson that the work wanted to pass. It's a great lesson and you have conviction with reality.

Overall: (8/10) It's worth watching. It's a short, tasty movie to pass the time. I believe it could have been better, but also, I don't believe that he has totally sinned. Watch uncompromising, without expecting big explanations and why. There's a surprising plot at the end.