Bastard

Edit

What would you like to edit?

SynopsisBackgroundAlternative TitlesPictureChapters/VolumesPublishing DatesRelationsTypeExternal Links  

I've just finished this, it's 4 in the morning and I need to express the immense enjoyment I had whilst reading this. Over the 3 days I've read Bastard, it has literally prevented me from doing revision as the story has just kept me glued to page after page, thinking that I'll finish reading at a certain time but ending up spending hours reading.

The overall story is very simplistic yet very surreal, as the synopsis doesn't give away that much, I don't want to give away spoilers as to who the serial killer is but you find out straight away, so the action happens fast. ... This is why it was so good to read as nothing is meaningless for the progression of the story, everything has an effect on either the actions/development of the main character or the plot itself.

The fact that it mixes in so many different genres that wouldn't normally be together, such as horror and romance makes the story even more interesting, as there are different aspects to the plot which keeps the story from getting tedious or boring. One moment the serial killer is up to no good, while at the same time the MC (Jin Seon) is having fun, which shows very different sides of people who are close to each other.

The best points would be the suspense, the unpredictability of the story and the compelling interactions between the characters. These interactions are made better by the art, as it's all in colour, which helps to show vivid emotions on the characters' faces, whether it's sheer terror, embarrassment or complete sadness.

So yeah I would definitely recommend Bastard to anyone who wants to have an enjoyable read!

While writing this review I find myself in a position of affliction. Every limb of my literary body tears and rends its bones separate from the whole, in a combative wave of dissonance Bastard is wonderful. Bastard is awful. Bastard is ecstasy. Bastard is Bastard.

I am here to set the record straight on this series. The most unfortunate and unnecessary problem with Bastard is its ever-present reliance on bad writing tricks and hypnotic acts dependent on the ignorance of the reader. Yet, the irony is that this utilization of plot conveniences and literary evasion grants the series a delectable dynamicsm that one cannot help ... but indulge in. To be conscious of the series flaws is by no means difficult. On the WebToon app, you can see via the comment forums that the audience is fully aware of its qualitative misgivings, but rather than criticize they hold a banquet of praise for its disregard of rationality and admiration of chaos. Indeed, it is a sinful indulgence, but an indulgence nonetheless. The writing is at times unbearably bad and thrives on concept alone. Any renowned writing aesthetic would find Bastard to be an impermissible display of lazy writing that must face every munch and nibble the critic enacts upon its weary neck.

But do not misunderstand. Bastard remains a unique work of art that any reasonable folk who does not find himself obsessed with a conceited sense of the written word will enjoy. What I have learned from my years of digesting literature is that sublime writing is worthless if not founded on an engaging concept. It is the concept that interests us, it is the concept that drives the story, and it is the concept that infests our minds until our perceptive glances are no longer compelled by Earthly diversions, but the enchantment of phantasmal dreams. I can say with assurance that Bastard is a win in this department.


Verdict: 6/10

Quick Summary: Bastard is an enjoyable thriller with poor and absurd writing that could be easily fixed. Yet, it is this use of the absurd that opens the gates to so many narrative pathways making it engaging and unpredictable. The four main characters are well developed and the end leaves the reader with a real sense of fulfillment. Although Bastard has many chapters they are structured with brevity and there are few pages and panels to observe. It is a quick and simple read, that any and all should have no difficulty reading.

I’m sorry for the bad English but I'm so pissed and confused that I had to write something. I know this is a manhwa but it feels like a kid tried to write a mystery/horror manga. It's so childish and cliche at times that it makes you wonder what's doing with 8+. It does have some charm that makes you keep reading regardless of the silliness of it, but it's not good enough to be this high, I guess people dont have high hopes for manhwa when they rated this high? I don’t regret reading it but it just doesn't feel complete enough, the ending ... is also really poorly made which makes you wonder what they're smoking at webtoon.