Eclipsa12

Often, I wonder why I sift through disappointing and mediocre comics, why I read things I'm nearly certain I won't like, and why I don't just stick to what I'm familiar with. And then I read something like Steel Ball Run, which fuels my search all over again.

Steel Ball Run is the best part of Jojo. I've always liked the series, but I had problems with previous entries. Flat characters, filler fights, and plot holes/contrivances has kept Jojo from being its best. No one part could solve jump these three hurdles completely, only part 4 got close. Characters in particular were never too complex. We begin to see better characters in part 6, but part 7 has the best characters in the series.

Our two protagonists, Johnny and Gyro, have their own lives, stories, and motivations. It's incredible that a minor villain in this part has more character than half the main characters of part 3. The major villain, Funny Valentine, is also great, and sometimes feels more just than our protagonist. Diego is cool, I think Hot Pants was interesting but could've been better, etc etc... What really makes these characters great is their motivations and morals. We understand each character because we get to know them, and what they lose in eccentricity compared to other Jojo parts they gain in depth.

The battles here aren't quite as good as in part 5, but it's close. Johnny has a cool stand that actually get's more powerful like Echoes from part 4. Spin is a really cool power (Although it feels a bit broad and OP), and pretty much all the stands in the series are really cool. Sometimes stands similar to ones from previous parts are brought back, which can sometimes feel like a retread, but usually feels like a fresh take. I only wish there were more racing elements, as I felt that was usually secondary to stand battles.

The plot is actually really involved. A cross-country race with a hidden agenda, filled with battles, espionage, and powers is a great idea that is executed excellently. There's no filler, and a decent amount of variety in fights and arcs. The ending is a bit too rushed in my opinion (And by ending I just mean the last chapter). This is the best plot in Jojo.

Araki's artwork has reached a brand new level. He has perfected his style, with both expressive and detailed art. His backgrounds are also excellent, which is great because it brings the alt/universe America this takes place in to life.

Jojo Part 7: Steel Ball Run is one of those rare pieces of art that manages to be both entertaining and compelling. It's a unique story that only Araki could make, and I doubt there will be anything quite like this masterpiece ever again. You could skip straight to part 7. I don't recommend it, but you could.

This is a really difficult manga for me to discuss because I feel I'm not eloquent enough to properly discuss something like this the way it deserved to be. Still, the best way I can describe it is as incredibly intelligent and well written. By incredibly intelligent, I mean that the plot has a lot of depth to it. There aren't really many deep points about society or such being pushed, but it still engrosses you in the story that makes you truly think about what's occurring. The story is both grounded, in that it doesn't involve any supernatural elements or such, but at the same time it's also incredibly extreme, and in a way, that draws the reader further in.

The plot has numerous layers, but even with that it's very character oriented. At the top it's about a complete psychopath, a true monster, that uses various others along the way to achieve his objectives. However, the various other he uses are in general trash. Many could definitely think of them as evil, but shown in contrast to Johan, they seem nothing more than pathetic. And it also shows that someone truly evil, like Johan, is quite a bit harder to hate than those that are simply pathetic. Hence, despite Johan being a complete monster, it is quite difficult to truly hate him. That can in part be attributed to the other great aspect of the series, how well written it is, especially in regards to its characters.

Another aspect of this is Tenma, who despite being completely submerged in darkness due to the plot of the manga, wherever he goes still manages to shine. This is an aspect that I feel could easily end up feeling incredibly awkward if handled even somewhat wrong, but the author does a tremendously good job of it, and it ends up working amazingly well. Tenma difficulties with his original choice but staying true to who he was despite everything made him an incredibly amazing character. He was completely pure, which in the end made him similar but opposite to Johan, which made him a good foil for him.

But while I could consider those two the main characters in the manga, they are certainly not the only two that matter, with various other characters also getting fleshed out and many of them getting a lot of character development and ultimately playing very important parts in the plot as it unfolds. I would like to highlight that I thought the character arc of Eva was especially amazing, in that she has a complete fall from grace, she pursues Tenma obsessively, but in the end, gains the strength to stand back up on her own. I really wanted her to have a happy ending, but doubted she would be able to with her broken character and personality, but the author ended up writing something that authentically grew her character in such a way that she got a happy ending that despite everything it felt like she deserved, which I think is a major feat.

Overall the plot was incredibly well paced, slowly revealing more and more about the characters and conspiracies involved, keeping a good balance of suspenseful and light, important and side information, action and drama, ultimately bringing everything to an ending that wraps up all the various plot threads tremendously well in a way that felt completely consistent with everything that occurred and ultimately leaves the reader with a feeling of having read something incredibly satisfying. The art was decent enough and fit the atmosphere.

A suspenseful and deeply engrossing manga centered around hunting for a monster at the center of a conspiracy.

10/10

Normally, I don’t write reviews. But after I read the last chapter, I thought FMA deserves a review. Maybe it’s not that good, but I still hope you find it useful and decide you want to read it, since FMA is the best series I have ever read.

Story: When you read the story synopsis, it’s not that special. You find more stories like that. But, what makes FMA special is how it’s thought out. The story is really deep, nothing is unimportant. Characters aren’t forgotten, they keep coming back, and everything is explained. And it’s always surprising. You think you got the whole story figured out, but then Arakawa points out you haven’t and leaves your mouth hanging open in surprise.
The story is amazing and deep, I give it a 10.

Characters: The characters are all loveable in their own way, even the villains. They all have their strong points, and their bad points. The main characters have bad points, and the villains have good points. It’s all balanced out. Some make you cry out in frustration, others make you laugh your head off. They all have their own strength, and they all have a purpose. As I said in the story part, the characters arent’forgotten. You think you won’t see a character again, and suddenly they pop up again later on in the story.
You see the characters grow, learn from mistakes and keep on trying. You become attached to them. If something happens to them, you get worried for them. If something good happens, you’re happy for them. If they die (not saying they will, just using it as an example) you cry for them.
I love the characters and have come to care for them, that shows they deserve a 10.

Art: The art isn’t all that flashy. It’s basic. But that helps fuel the magic that is called FMA. Art like One Piece wouldn’t fit FMA, neither would art like Claymore or Death Note. Arakawa’s art is perfect for this series, she is great with expressions, and she’s great at making fun of Ed in his chibi style. Some parts were drawn a bit sloppy, but it’s not annoying or even noticeable. You get drawn in to the story, it doesn’t really matter if the drawing is a bit less than normal.
The art isn’t that special but it fits and belongs with FMA, so it gets a 9. If it wouldn’t have been sloppy at some places, I would’ve given it a 10.

Enjoyment: There isn’t any other series I enjoyed more than FMA. It starts out good, and it gets better and better. It reaches it’s climax at the last 2 chapters, and it dies out in a perfect ending, showing what became of everyone 2 years after everything is over. I loved seeing how everyone turned out to be.
FMA lets you experience all kinds of emotion. I have laughed my head off at Ed’s antics. I have cried when a character I loved got hurt. I have been amazed at the discoveries everyone has been making. I have been worried when a character I like was in the hospital. I have been angry at villains for doing horrible things. you keep getting drawn in, never losing interest for even one second. Every month waiting for a new chapter was torture, especially after a cliffhanger.
FMA is the series that has kept my attention for the longest, never losing it. It deserves a 10.

Overall, FMA was perfect in my eyes. No mistakes made, and Arakawa stopped at the perfect moment. It deserves higher than a 10, but since I can't give it something higher I'll settle for a 10.

I didn't like it at all and found it a bit overrated. And even though the artwork is pretty good, the story is just meh. Main characters appeared to be one sided and no character development at all. Kaneda and Tetsuo started off as annoying and ended the same throughout the whole manga, but I liked some characters like Kei, the Colonel and Chiyako even Ryu. Even the title character Akira is boring and he just exist as a plot device, other children are more interesting. Maybe I'm just expecting a lot more considering it is called one of the best. It may be influential and even nostalgic for most people but reading it now late in the game just didn't worked for me. If you like post apocalyptic cyberpunk artwork with lame story then this is for you.

This is one of the most beautiful one shots I have run into. The story shows that you don’t have a lot of writing in order to do a manga. All you have to have is a creative mind.

The artwork is as beautiful as it is confusing, starting out with a girl that is sowing her wrist all around and then ending as she seems to fall from the top of a building. You can take what you want from it and I am sure everyone will take it differently. I took it as a girl who was committing suicide. Nothing in it is really fictional and really does seem like it could happen though if you take it another way, say she grows wings and fly away, and you add that fantasy aspect to it.

The poem is very minimalist and doesn’t explain anything about where or why things are happening which leaves more questions then answers. If you just let go of the idea that everything has to have a plot, then you can enjoy it much more.

I really enjoyed the manga even if it was a bit too short. I would have loved it being longer but I understand that the poem was short to begin with.

I think I know how this came about.

Boichi: I really like those scenes in Berserk where Guts just takes a huge sword and cuts a bunch of mooks in half. Can I draw Berserk doujinshi?

Editor: Not officailly, but just make it a little different and that should be fine.

Boichi: And can I have a bunch of topless women in the background while the guys are getting cut in half?

Editor: Yeah fuck it why not.

This manga is pure testosterone fuel, but if you take it as just a dumb action oneshot theres something good to be enjoyed. The worldbuilding could be interesting if it got a little more focus, and it is very much a poor man's Berserk, but that doesnt mean its not fun while it lasted.

Story:
Man, what a ride. The horror creep (the increase in terror) to Zashiki Onna was a thrill. By the time I got to the end, I was quite literally spooked! I even shuttered at one panel, completely floored by the oncoming horror. I figure not everyone will agree with me on this (and with the mean score being what it is, I can say that with the utmost confidence) but there's an incredible amount of intelligence to the pacing within this single volume. It has levels, so to speak. Each one adding another layer of intensity to the seriousness and helplessness our protagonist is suffering. It never seems as though they're beyond hope, which is how horror should always be, but it definitely pushes the bizarre factor when it comes to how far things can go before it's too late.

Although I won't get into detail, the story for this manga is everything I was hoping for in Ibitsu. The two are VERY similar, ridiculously so, but this one carries itself much better, whilst dropping the 'creepy loli' aesthetic and dumb grade school cast that I have come to hate as a trope in anime/manga. The characters in this are all in college (save for one high school girlfriend) and it's nice to see the characters do things that makes sense. I won't get into a ton of detail cause I'd likely find myself comparing to much to Ibitsu but, for instance, our characters end up visiting the police station like sane people, although they do visit it while intoxicated, so you can imagine how that turns out in a horror narrative.

So, what else makes Zashiki Onna any good? Well, for one thing, it carries itself as a mystery manga before it's a horror manga. Most horror are exactly that, a mystery, It means there's something to learn, but most of all we're just finding ourselves more and more steps backwards. Is that bad? Not really, considering the genre is primarily horror over mystery, but a lot of the horror comes out of the fact that you CAN'T learn anything. Mystery is about progress, horror is about failure.


Art:
I love the realistic designs of the characters, settings, everything. It feels fresh to read something that doesn't try to look cutesy or cartoony. I enjoy when artwork pushes for emulating realism. If not realism, then emulating a respectable style that amplifies the artwork.

As expected, I find myself comparing to Ibitsu again, one of the great things about this manga is the respect it has for it's characters. One thing I abhorred about Ibitsu is how it put female characters in compromising positions. In that, I mean the 'camera' for certain panels were placed behind a teenager a her skirt was lifted. It was pretty stupid considering the girl was pushed over by the horror of the narrative and then you get this random butt shot. I joked, saying how this does nothing for the reader since they're supposed to be scared and now they're treating with something childish and stupid.

At one point, I was worried that Zashiki Onna was going down the same path. I was gonna be real bummed, but thankfully it fit comfortably in the story when something comprimising took place. Of course, as horror goes, it wasn't exactly a good thing that took place, but there was respect for the female body in regards to what happened, and I can't keep out the men either. There's plenty of respect for male proportions too.

And, speaking of proportions, they're all pretty spot on. The bodies look great and motions feel fresh and realistic. I would love to see a full colored version of this manga. I'm sure it would look fantastic.


Character:
Probably the weakest category. I don't really know anything about anyone in the manga, but I do know enough to build a narrative in which I care about the characters. At least, in so far as to sympathise with the horror taking place. I mentioned before that I shuttered at one panel. I wouldn't have been scared if I didn't want to see the protagonist survive, so that should be evidence enough that it succeeds in so far as it needs to.


Enjoyment:
Thuroughly enjoyed this manga. Probably the best horror manga I've read today (3 so far!). I'm excited to read some more spooky stories but I'm totally fine if this one remains the best find for today.


((If you liked this review, check out my other reviews by going to my profile and clicking the 'reviews' tab. I review virtually all anime and manga I find!))

I have never written an review before but I felt like giving it a shot. I'm not a fan of long reviews myself so I thought I would write a simple one ~

Story - 7
It's an easy romance story to follow and understand.

Art - 8
The art is pretty nice and I especially like the expressions they make.

Characters - 7
Both the mc's have enough of a background to make you understand them and their different situations.
The guy have a bit of a stalker feeling, but it's quite an innocent stalking if you ask me x)

Enjoyment - 7
I think you will get caught in it and you want to know how it will end.

Overall - 7
It's a cute story and it only have 2 chapters so give it a chance.

Ok so I never write reviews but if it's for this series I figured why not. First off, anyone who knows Mashima and his works should know by now that he will without fail reuse the same characters and the story is going to heavily lie on friendship. For those who don't like Mashima's other works, you probably wont like this one either. However for those of us who loved FT and love Mashima, I would strongly recommend Edens Zero.

I personally enjoy adventure stories and I don't feel the need for a manga with no flaws, I want to read something that gets better over time. Stories that get me so excited I read through them in one sitting are my absolute favorite so I get pretty sad every time I finish a chapter and have to wait for the next one. I think my favorite part of this story is the characters, it's kinda like seeing my favorite characters from FT except in a new story. I absolutely love each character and their abilities and personalities. I won't go into anymore detail about the story but I personally love it, and I respect the opinions of those who don't. Though if you're like me and enjoy the troll that Mashima is then I think you'll like this story.

Okay so I pushed myself through this manga just because I wanted to review this manga in its entirety.

Story-1
Wow, if you're looking for the next Hunger Games manga or Toradora, then this is NOT the place you want to go towards. The plot is basically a guy and girl cohabitation, and yes they are a couple. However you wouldn't know that because for the first half or so of this manga every single time they kiss she usually pushes him away with a strong no. "But Dano, there is supposed to be romance in this manga, right? With some ecchi?" Well thats a big nope. The romance is somewhat there, if you count all the random people who fall in love with the Mcs. Ecchi? Well I mean you see some, but if you're looking for ecchi go read To Love Ru instead, I know thats my plan cause I need some pure gold to make me smile. Lots of swaying feelings.

Art- 6
Now Ive gotta give credit where credit is due. The characters are drawn fairly well, and I do like the artwork in this manga. Thats it. Its just a like, not love, not hate, more of a meh.

Character- 1
Heres where it all goes south, know how I mentioned the extra random people going "I love you!" to the main characters and the swaying feelings? Yeah, you better get used to it as that never goes away. BUUUUTT, you do get more characters! But each and everyone of them are total douchebags.

Enjoyment- 1
In case I was too subtle for you, I did NOT enjoy reading this manga. It was awful, but but I am glad that Im finally done with it so woooo

Overall- 2
That's just the averaged score, nothing to special about it.