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Oct 25, 2023
Miyazaki Asuka identifies as X-Gender, the Japanese equivalent of nonbinary, but that label is not nearly enough to encompass the nuances of their gender identity, sexual orientation, and overall being. In a series of autobiographical essays, Miyazaki covers a range of topics from their body dysphoria regarding their reproductive organs, to their OCD and mysophobia stemming from their childhood trauma of seeing their father suffer in the hospital. Meanwhile, they continue to learn more about the LGBTQ community and struggle to find a partner they can perhaps live their life with, or at least some friends they can talk to, realizing some things about themself
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and Japan's LGBTQ scene.
I found this manga to be very interesting and finished it feeling empathetic towards Miyazaki as I felt there were quite a few similarities between us, and wishing the best for them moving forward. I should note that while the style of the art is cute and chibi-like, the actual content of the essays can be mature and pessimistic. Miyazaki is very honest and blunt about what they felt and did throughout their life and some might be put off by their thoughts and actions (tw: biphobia, fatphobia, among other things), but honestly given that this is an autobiography of someone who is still learning about themselves and about the LGBT community, while continuing to struggle with their mental health, I'm more impressed with Miyazaki's willingness to strip themself bare for the readers' critical eyes. This story is not meant to be the be-all and end-all of the X-Gender experience; instead, it's one individual X-Gender person's account of their life. It's not neat, it's not palatable, and it's not perfect. It just is.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 15, 2011
If you're planning to read 'Kimi ga koi ni Oboreru' then you've probably also read the prequel, 'Kimi ga Koi ni Ochiru'. If you haven't, it's fine, I'm just going to bring it up a few times for comparison.
'Oboreru' isn't excellent. It isn't incredibly original or revolutionary in any way. But it's entertaining and comfortable, good to read in your spare time. There's a lot worse out there.
'Oboreru' is much better than 'Ochiru' (and most yaoi mangas) because of it's effective portrayal of a developing relationship. Note the word 'developing'. Jinnai and Reiichirou actually start off as friends and get to know each
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other before they start a relationship, which I found quite refreshing. This was something sorely lacking in 'Ochiru', which is one of the reasons I never really liked it. 'Oboreru' on the other hand, is much more realistic. You can actually see the effect Jinnai and Reiichirou have on each other and how they change each other as people. Although there are only 5 chapters (and a short epilogue) Takanaga makes good use of what she has and creates an engaging relationship between two reasonably developed characters.
This leads to another strength of 'Oboreru' :Characters. Reiichirou is a much more developed character here then he was in 'Ochiru' and I liked him much more because of it. In 'Ochiru' it seemed as if Takagawa simply casted him as the 'love rival'; He was just a role-filler. In 'Oboreru' he's actually a person and you end up empathizing with him. Jinnai's slightly less developed, but you still get a good sense of his character.
The plot is rather standard, the two mains get to know each other, some jealousy, realization of their feelings, kiss scenes, disagreements, apologies, more kiss/sex scenes, and conclusion. It's not very original in that aspect. What makes it entertaining are the characters. Also, for fans of 'Ochiru', 'Oboreru' is good if you're interested in seeing 'Ochiru' happen from Reiichirou's point of view, as 'Oboreru' happens at the same time as 'Ochiru' does.
The art is normal Takagawa style: Clean lines, gorgeous guys, etc. If you like the art from her other works, you'll like the art in 'Oboreru'.
Finally, the last reason for why I liked 'Oboreru' more than 'Ochiru' is because... the guys were actually guys. In other words, the uke wasn't so feminine that I was doubting his gender. Despite the fact that Reiichirou has his feminine sides, he was still ultimately male, and I like that. This is more of a personal preference though, so if you do like girly ukes well... the sea of Yaoi is incredibly large.
Either way, if you're staying in at home and looking for a nice yaoi manga to dig into, this one's not a bad choice. It's not deep or profound, but it's pretty entertaining.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Apr 16, 2011
It's surprising to see the lack of reviews for this manga, considering the fact that the anime boasts 56. Now, I've never seen the anime, so I don't know how it compares to the manga. However, I have read a large scope of manga, of many different genres, and I say this honestly: Mushishi is a masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind work of art, and the mangaka, Urushibara Yuki, is one heck of a storyteller.
The plot in Mushishi develops in a rather episodic format, rather like Natsume Yuujinchou or the anime Cowboy Bebop. Each chapter follows Ginko, who is a wandering 'Mushishi', a specialist who deals
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with 'Mushi', curious lifeforms whose existence may define the meaning of life. Most of the stories deal with Ginko coming across a mushi-related problem during his travels and solving it, however the story avoids becoming sluggish by occasionally breaking the flow with tidbits of Ginko's past. This change in focus offers us something more from this tale and keeps it interesting.
Despite what I said there, the mushi-of-the-week stories aren't something to fool around with either. Each are extremely original and varied, some happy and hopeful, some tragic, some bittersweet, and each with something to add to Mushishi's already complex kaleidoscopic world. Indeed, one of Urushibara's strengths is her ability to present clear storylines and sympathetic characters within the limits of each chapter without overreaching herself; Instead, she cleverly uses wide blocks of scenery and close-ups of conversations and monologues to create a slow languid narrative which, by the end, haunts you and lingers in your memory.
In this case, the art works well. With her pen Urushibara brings to life her bizarre mushi and the wild, earthy feel of nature. Except Ginko, everyone wears a kimono, setting the manga in rural Japan, complete with hills, swamps and rice patties. The style is between sketchy and solid, with clear lines and clean backgrounds present for the most of the time, while sketchy styles animate the wilderness of nature.
Character development is effective in this manga. The protagonist , Ginko, is truly a wonderful character. His calm and reliable persona is one, which I've yet to see in any other manga and it automatically puts you to ease as you follow him on his journey to discover more about mushi. However, although he is the protagonist, he is presented as more of a side character in the stories and it is the 'mains' (the people with the mushi problems) who are given ample focus to develop their personalities. While you may not remember all their names, you learn enough about them so that you want to know what happens to them, or even care about what happens to them. It's a powerful achievement, considering that most of the characters only appear once in the whole manga.
Ginko, on the other hand, is an enigma with his western clothing and white hair and green eye, and his character is developed only by a couple of chapters revealing his past and through his numerous interactions with others within the manga. While this could be a weakness in other mangas, it is a strength in Mushishi. Ginko's lack of background story allows more focus on the other characters, the mushi, and their problems. He acts unbiasedly, and only does what he thinks will be best for the people who ask him for help. While the manga follows Ginko, the story is all about the mushi and how they affect the world.
In the end, the story is about that: Mushi, life and nature. We see the effects that Mushi have on people and their lives. We see the array of their powers. We see how they coexist with nature. We see how we can mistake them for the supernatural. And we see how they can bring out the best and worst in us. If you are a fan of fairytales, the supernatural, or even slice-of-lifes, give Mushishi a try. I think you'll find it's graceful way of storytelling a beginning to an addiction.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Nov 2, 2010
I was stunned at the lack of reviews for this manga and, as a result, I wrote my own. To sum up my opinion of 'Children of the Sea' in one sentence: It is one of the best mangas I have ever read. Ever. And that's saying something.
The manga is about a girl named Ruka, a girl who's better at using her fists to explain herself rather then her mouth. The result? She's kicked off the school handball team. In an attempt to run away from everything, she goes on a short trip to Tokyo and tries to find the ocean. There she meets
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Umi, a boy who was raised by dugongs.
What this beginning leads to is a brilliant, almost surreal story of fantasy, mystery, and adventure, yet it's portrayed in such a way that you could almost believe it (and if you're like me, hope for it) to be real. It draws inspiration from folk tales and myths all around the world to create an atmosphere much like the one found in Hayao Miyazaki's films. In other words, if you like Miyazaki's films then you'll definitely like this. The story is a quest of trying to answer one of the most intriguing questions in the world today: "How was the world made?" And it does it in a way that makes it both breath taking, fun, and a wonder to look at.
On that note, the Art is wonderful. The style the mangaka (Igrarashi) uses is one full of sketch-like lines, with lots of cross hatching and shading in the process. It's not glossy or cute and the proportions aren't always perfect, but that doesn't matter. The art fits the story. The marine world under water and the small coastal town Ruka lives in are perfectly portrayed by Igrashi's detailed drawings of fish, natural scenery, and towns. There are many times when you'll simply stare at one panel on the page, soaking up all the marvelous detail in. An incredible world is created in those pages, and the art just sucks you into the story, letting you smell the ocean breeze, feel the waves, and simply live it all.
The characters aren't neglected either. On the contrary, they're all quite memorable, even the minor ones. They all hold a certain charm, Ruka, the girl who's not good at using words; Umi, the rather strange and cheerful boy; Sora, the sickly and sarcastic wanderer; and Jim, the old surfer dude covered in tattoos who takes care of Umi and Sora. Even the sea creatures have their own appeal.
In conclusion, if you haven't read 'Children of the Sea', read it. Now. The only bad thing about the series is it's languid pace, but even that is part of its charm. You'll definitely be set onto a journey that will take you all throughout the seven seas, and by the time you finish one volume you'll be wondering to yourself whether the world is really how it seems to be. That and you'll want to go swimming.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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May 4, 2010
I guess the first thing to say about this manga is that it is, without a doubt, one of the most grittiest and realistic mangas I've ever read that still manages to not become a large sinful bloodbath of violence.
I rated the story 10, because of it's originality and the wide range of emotions it introduces. 7 Seeds is original in how it takes the aspect of 'what happens when humans die out' plot line. The story line is incredibly thrilling and suspenseful, as we watch the humans, most of who are only teenagers, fight for survival against terrifying monsters we've never seen before
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and survive in conditions you'd probably die in. It also becomes very touching as we watch the same people pine for their loved ones, worry about their homes, etc. The story is not afraid to be bloody, it is bloody, and there is no shortage of characters that die in the process. However it manages to keep it's emotional touch, and the experience is extremely rewarding as we see the characters move on.
In the 40 chapters I've been able to read, the story is split so that it can be told by people in different groups, so that we get the big picture. Greed, loneliness, fear, and comradeship are themes strongly introduced in the story. However the largest part is reserved for human strength, physical and emotional, the human intent to stay alive and to keep going no matter what.
The Art, which I rated 8, is a bit old-style, but fairly modern. If you want to compare it, I suggest Basara, another great manga.
Characters are a large part in the story, but there are many times when they are simply following the story line, like puppets. Many characters who appear weak in the beginning, become strong in the end, and the character development is wonderful. Because of the large cast group, there are many characters who aren't fully gone into, however many times because of the actions they take, you care for them anyway.
All in all, 7 Seeds is definitely one of my most favorite mangas and I deeply recommend it to those who love suspenseful stories and who aren't afraid of blood and sadness.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 22, 2009
Note- I first wrote this review in 2009, but have found some things that needed updating.
I stumbled across the manga because of it's interesting name. And I'm glad to say that the story is just as interesting as the name.
I won't go too much into the plot, as you can read those in other place, so I'll just say that the story line's incredibly original, enjoyable, as well as pretty dark and with many plot twists. The main characters, Oz and Alice, are fairly likable, and the supporting cast, Break, Sharon, and Raven, aren't done to badly either. My favorites are
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Break, Oz, and Alice. These three are far from cardboard cut-outs.
The art is well done. It's not pretty flowery shoujo style, but it's not like the art in Nodame Cantabile , for example. Everything is in a sort of old England Victorian Style. I warn you though, there are some gruesome drawings, mostly of the chains.
Overall I really enjoyed the manga, though I do wish there were more chapters available. I look forward to the anime and can't wait for it to come out! Pandora Hearts definitely isn't a manga to pass up!
Update- While I keep my opinion that Pandora Hearts is an above average manga, the plot starts to drag a bit. The characters go on a series of short trips, which though add to the story with their subtle hints, are boring. My biggest dislike was the change in characters. Oz's character change was understandable, but it did bring in a lot of cliches and wasn't very interesting. Meanwhile, Gilbert is going crazy and annoyingly needy, with a 'master' complex and wants to kill someone (won't say who). Alice has gone from a tough and occasionally deep and serious heroine, to a cute and annoying tsundere. Break is the only one who's keeping to his character, and I love him for it.
Those are all the bad things. The rest are still very satisfactory, and a few plot turns keep the story interesting. Just keep in mind that the story starts to drag after a while.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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