Ruroni Kenshin (Volume 3)

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Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 3)
Nobuhiro Watsuki

2004

The Summary

"'Spider's Web'...like ordinary opium, but better processed.  Half the cost to produce, but twice the profits!  To the people of Aizu, Takani Megumi was a daughter in a famous family of doctors, in which everyone--women and children alike--studied medicine.  But to grasping industrialist Takeda Kanryu, she is the hen who lays the golden egg--the only one who knows the Spider's Web formula!  To stay with Kanryu is to send even more to their deaths.  But to stay with Kenshin and the others is to invite theirs..."

The Good
Although I'm not as big a fan of the third volume as I am the second one, I was excited to meet the Oniwabanshu again.  There's something about the Oniwabanshu--about how they're just a small pocket of resistance against the tide of Meiji progress--that I like.

The Bad
I'm not sure why, but I just didn't like this volume as much as I did the previous one.  I like the Oniwabanshu and, personally, I love Aoshi.  He's one of my favorite characters, because he's not actually that bad of a guy, he's more of a complicated anti-hero; however, I don't like the Takani Megumi story arc.

For some reason, it's just not that appealing to me.

The Ugly
As always, blood.  Lots and lots of blood.

Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 2)

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Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 2)
Nobuhiro Watsuki
2003

The Summary
"When the chief of the Police Sword Corps himself comes asking for favors, things must be bad.  Hitokiri Udo Jin-e--a black-hatted, crazy-eyed slayer who fells both targets and innocent bystanders alike--is steadily working his way through a list of former Ishin Shishi patriots now ensconced within positions of power in the Meiji government.  Can Kenshin withstand the hypnotic, paralyzing effect of Jin-e...?"

The Good
I found that the second volume of Rurouni Kenshin was equally enjoyable.  Not only has the art improved, it's still just as easy to become engrossed in the story; moreover, it has one of my favorite stories.

You see, in the first volume, you have the chance to see Kenshin as a warrior.  He's obviously impressive with his sakabato; however, he's still Kenshin.  Readers see glimpses of his previous personality, like a hint of viciousness that he very rarely betrays, but it's not until his confrontation with Udo Jin-e that you see him as the hitokiri he once was.

There's something thrilling about seeing Kenshin fight and fight well against someone who is, confidentially, quite terrifying.  I kind of like seeing the hitokiri side of Kenshin, but I also think I like that he's able to pull himself from the brink and resume his happy-go-lucky facade.  I think it makes him a better, more complex character.

The Bad
No complaints.  Besides the seventh volume, where we get to meet Saito Hajime, I think it's one of my favorites.

The Ugly
Blood.

Udo Jin-e is vicious.

Ruroni Kenshin (Volume 1)

Viz Media

Rurouni Kenshin (Volume 1)
Nobuhiro Watsuki
2003

The Summary
"140 years ago in Kyoto, with the coming of the American 'Black Ships,' there arose a warrior who, felling men with his bloodstained blade, gained the name Hitokiri, man slayer!  His killer blade helped close the turbulent Bakumatsu era and slashed open the progressive age known as Meiji.  Then he vanished, and with the flow of years, became legend.

"In the 11th year of Meiji, in the middle of Tokyo, this tale begins...."

The Good
I originally watched the anime, before I picked up the first volume of Rurouni Kenshin and, honestly, it's been some time since I last read it; however, I was glad to sink back into Meiji era Tokyo and reacquaint myself with Himura Kenshin.  Jumping back into the graphic novel wasn't as difficult as I imagined.  The manga reads right to left, but it only took me a few minutes to reorient myself and I was happily plodding through the story.

I'm pleased I still enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin.  I mean, I didn't always understand the humor (of course, I never understood the humor when I first read it either), but I enjoyed returning to Kenshin, Kaoru, Yahiko, Sanoske, and everyone else.  There was a bit nostalgia there, because I remember devouring this series when I first read it; however, I found I still enjoyed it.

I like the action balanced by moments of silliness; I like the dueling kindness and ferocity of Kenshin; I even like Yahiko and Kaoru's arguments.  I find it fun to read and I enjoy it with the same enthusiasm I once did.  It's absurd, yes, but it's fascinating at the same time.  It offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and, as it's an area with which I'm unfamiliar, it's very insightful.

More to the point, as an adult, I find that I like reading the side notes Nobuhiro peppers throughout his narrative.  I once skimmed through the commentary, because I thought it was boring, but, now, I enjoy reading the "Secret Life of Characters" and finding out the different inspirations for Rurouni Kenshin.

Likewise, reading the series ago allows me to notice details I didn't catch in previous readings.  It has been literal years since I read Rurouni Kenshin, so it's nice to know I still remember the story; however, it's also interesting to see the small details I missed and the sudden clarity I have about earlier details that I hold from reading later volumes.  I know more about Kenshin now than I did then, which means it's a completely different experience to read the earliest volumes.

The Bad
Like I mentioned, I'm not sure I understand the humor in Rurouni Kenshin.  Some things are funny, some things are not.  It's kind of an acquired taste, I think, but it's pretty easy to acclimate.

One thing I have noticed since returning to the earlier volumes is how different the artwork looks to me now.  I mean, the earlier panels have thick, heavy lines in comparison to the lighter, thinner shapes of later volumes.  You can tell Nobuhiro's earlier work; that is, it shows in the heaviness of light and shadow, the proliferation of lines, the heavier details.  It's quite different from the last volume.

The Ugly
Violence.

Kenshin isn't a killer.  He vows never to kill again and he carries a sakabato, a reverse-edged sword; however, that doesn't mean he can't injure, wound, and potentially maim.  Moreover, some people don't have the same qualms as Kenshin and they won't hesitate to hurt others.

One-Punch Man (Volume 1)

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One-Punch Man (Volume 1)
One
Yusuke Murata
2012

The Summary
"Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique.  However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem--he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on!  Every time a promising villain appears, he beats the snot out of 'em in one punch!  Can Saitama finally find an opponent who can go toe-to-toe with him and give his life some meaning?  Or is he doomed to a life of superpowered boredom?"

The Good
I read One-Punch Man at the recommendation of my brother, who read and watched the series online.  When I found it in my library, it seemed fated to be and I'm glad I took the opportunity to read it.  It's not a stretch to say One-Punch Man is a wonderfully amusing series that treats readers to great characters, humor, and excellent artwork.

Part drama, part comedy, One-Punch man is absolutely hilarious with its comical villains (who obviously don't know what they're getting into) and it's unassuming--nay, one might even say unimpressive--superhero.  You wouldn't think it would strike all the right notes, but, miraculously, it does.

And, speaking of superheroes, Saitama is not what you'd expect.  Average height, rather skinny, bald with saucer-like eyes that give him a bored look, Saitama is just an average guy.  Who just happens to live in a city infested with monsters, supervillains, and criminals.  You wouldn't think he could defeat every supervillain and/or monster that comes his way, but he can and he can do it with a single punch--and yet he's utterly depressed, because he's not challenged anymore.

He's a superhero for fun--an explanation that's sure to garner, at the very least, a chuckle--but, suddenly, he finds he's no longer having fun.  He's disappointed when a foe falls to one jab, he's sad he's completely undefeated, and, as terrible as this sounds, I found myself outright laughing at his plight.  I mean, he doesn't even have to try, just bam! and done...and back to his dreary old life as the world's strongest man.

Besides which, I got a kick out of the subtle jabs the author takes at the expense of other manga.  He pokes fun at the serious, laughs at the overly dramatic, and yet provides a quality story that's amusing without being crass.  It's a series that doesn't take itself too seriously, which I appreciated after reading Sui Ishida's macabre tragedy, Tokyo Ghoul.

And, as an aside, I cracked up over the fact that none of the cities actually had names.  They were just designated as City A or City G, and it becomes quite apparent that these cities take a beating on a regular basis--and people are, more or less, used to it.  Just another city-destroying monster, no big deal.

Overall, One-Punch Man is a great manga and I highly recommend it to both readers who are unfamiliar with the genre and long-time fans.

The Bad
You can't take this story seriously.  It's absolutely ridiculous, but that's exactly what seems to make it so fun.

The Ugly
Wanton destruction.  Graphic violence.  Bug guts.

Don't worry, you'll see what I mean.

Tokyo Ghoul (Volume 1)

Viz Media

Tokyo Ghoul (Volume 1)
Sui Ishida
2012

The Summary
"Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way--except their craving for human flesh.

"Shy Ken Kaneki is thrilled to go on a date with the beautiful Rize, but it turns out that she's only interested in his body--in eating it, that is.  When a morally dubious rescue transforms him into the first half-human, half-Ghoul hybrid, Ken must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers."

The Good
I was fascinated by the plot and premise of Tokyo Ghoul.  It's terribly grim and horribly macabre, but I found myself intrigued despite the gore.  It hearkens back to the vampire mythos, to the monstrous creatures hiding in plain sight, which I ultimately liked.  Likewise, I was intrigued by Ken Kaneki's altered state as a half-human, half-Ghoul hybrid.  There's a complexity to his condition that I think Sui Ishida manages to convey very well.

You see, Ken is a gentle kid, a soft-hearted boy who believes he's stumbled across the perfect girl, but, after a terrible incident leaves him with a ghoulish surprise, he's caught in a world that's both violent and terrifying.  He's stuck between worlds, fighting to retain his humanity and struggling to rein in his darker Ghoul urges.

I was curious to see how Ken would handle his new condition.  He's the fulcrum part between two very different worlds and he's trying to adapt and understand the Ghouls--trying to survive with his grisly new craving for human flesh--while holding on to his human counterpart.  It's a very delicate balancing act he's carrying out, which gives Tokyo Ghoul a pulse-pounding quality I didn't expect.

The Bad
I've decided that Tokyo Ghoul just really isn't my cup of tea.  It's intriguing, which was able to get me in the door, but I don't think I could stay with the series.  It's very serious, very intense, very dramatic with in-your-face violence and graphic depictions of what is essentially cannibalism--and I just didn't get any of the humor (what little there is) in the story.

It's not a bad series, but it just isn't for me.

The Ugly
Tokyo Ghoul is extremely gory.

Usually, I can handle gore.  I've read Rat Queens, Lady Killer, and Batwoman, so I can deal with graphic violence, blood, explicit language, and general nastiness.  But Tokyo Ghoul was something special:  it actually made me feel very queasy.  I'm thinking it was the idea of cannibalism that made it so disturbing, or maybe it was just the excessive gore and blood-dripping flesh that did it.  Either way, I spent most of my time feeling very, very uncomfortable.

I definitely wouldn't recommend it for readers who have a weak stomach.

Fullmetal Alchemist (Volume One)

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www.booksamillion.com

Fullmetal Alchemist (Volume One)
Hiromu Arakawa
2002

The Summary
Edward and Alphonse Elric haven't exactly had an easy life.  Orphaned at a young age and irreparably damaged during their childhood attempt to bring their beloved mother back to life, the Elric brothers have fought tooth and nail for their survival.

Now, entering adulthood, the brothers have become seasoned alchemists and warriors in their pursuit of the Philospher's Stone - a strange, magical creation that can grant their every desire.  Together, they will stop at nothing to find the Stone and restore their original bodies.  But are they really willing to uncover the truth?

The Good
The plot of this story is incredibly intricate and compelling.  Hiromu Arakawa's novel is fascinatingly complex and enjoyable to read, and her illustrations are excellent.  Fullmetal Alchemist is a well-written and well-drawn piece of fiction that is not only lovely to look at but entertaining to read.

Her characters are also great to encounter.  Sometimes daring, sometimes silly, and sometimes morbidly serious, the characters of Arakawa's work are fleshed-out in the extreme with individual emotions, aspirations, and personal histories that make each one entirely unique. They are complex and simultaneously appealing.

As an aside, Arakawa crafts a graphic novel that involves equal parts science fiction, action-adventure, suspense, and political intrigue.  It can appeal to a broad base of interests and a wide variety of readers.  In short, her work is excellent.

The Bad
I wouldn't necessarily label the construction of Fullmetal Alchemist as a "bad thing" so much as a side note on how many manga series from Japan are published:  the book reads from right to left.  Where a typical Western novel starts with the spine on the left, Arakawa's novel opens with the spine on the right and you read from the top right corner to the left bottom corner.

For some readers, it's backwards.

Admittedly, it's a structure that takes some getting used to, but it isn't a quality that merits not enjoying this particular graphic novel.

The Ugly
Given the consistent number of tragedies visited upon the Elric brothers, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise the amount of violence they face and the sorrow superimposed upon their lives.