Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
Naoki Urasawa, now an established author of pot-boiling epic thrillers such as Monster and 20th Century Boys, delivers again with Pluto, a sci-fi mash-up of Osamu Tezuka’s Tetsuwan Atom.
Review: Pluto
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Author Archives: Cihan
Review: Uncivilised Planet
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
This is a pretty interesting tale by Jiro Matsumoto, containing all of his trademark style and ambition yet lacking a little in the art, story and humour department compared to his other works. Yet the story is what makes the manga most interesting, even though it is a composite of conventional narrative beats, it’s still a strange animal of its own and remains unique compared to other manga.
Review: Tropical Citron
Originally posted on myanimelist.net.
Tropical Citron opens with a great page, charting the descent of a few bombs into a jungle below and transitioning to the bubbly insides of a glass of water in front of a TV showing a mushroom cloud explosion.
Review: Keep on Vibrating
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
Jiro Matsumoto’s short story collection is packed with explicit sex, death and quotable lines throughout.
Review: Freesia
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
Jiro Matsumoto’s wit is absolutely scathing. The black humour is dripping off almost each panel in this sordid tale, with nonchalant quips and pay-offs that are so droll you have to be a fan of Kafka-esque lunacy to enjoy it, otherwise you’ll turn away in clueless disgust.
Review: Legend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest is the Sea of Stars
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
It inserts a cynical Joseph Heller Catch-22 type humour into the characters’ mindset, making the show that much more enjoyable to experience. There are many quotable lines of characters lambasting their superiors or the state of war in general. It makes it that much more compelling to see so many people on both sides of the conflict speak out their minds on the futility of what they’re embroiled in, making you the viewer, empathise with them all.
Review: Path of the Assassin
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
If you have an interest in Japanese history, the idea of reading about Ieyasu Tokugawa and his right hand man Hattori Hanzo taking on all comers to eventually unify the country under one rule, should be enticing. If you haven’t a clue about Japanese history, the idea of watching the rise of a samurai who would one day become Shogun with the help of a trusty ninja, should also be intriguing.
Review: Taiyou no Ijiwaru
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
The first story in Fuyumi Souryo’s collection, Taiyou no Ichiwaru, is a charting of an artist’s life from child to woman, perpetually battered by Japan’s mentality to individuality. It perfectly summarises not only this collection but Souryo’s own sensibilities. To maturely convey worthwhile ideas to a primarily youthful audience, both responsibly and creatively.
Review: Tamara
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
Tamara tickles your funny bone with gentle humour that thankfully avoids descending into cheap potty depths, while complimented with her trademark gorgeous artwork, especially character designs. Not her best for sure, but still undeniably hers. In short: they look great, and so is anything this lady writes and draws no matter how short in length and light in substance.
Review: A Revolutionist In The Afternoon
Originally posted at myanimelist.net.
Jiro Matsumoto’s short story collection begins with a wry, kooky detailed love affair amidst a city in war-time. Our plucky author finds herself taking her neighbour’s identity on a whim and embroiling herself with an unwitting revolutionist’s assassination plan, and also his nether regions while she’s at it. It’s a Wong Kar-Wai style whimsical tale of fleeting lust, love and laughs.
Cihan Narin 