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Dec 23, 2022
After 100 chapters in, I think it is safe to say that Sakamoto Days is one of the most well balanced action/comedy shonen around. The main character Sakamoto is really an interesting protagonist, and it is nice to see a main character that is an older individual in a shonen. Sakamoto has a very wholesome and genuine disposition for an assassin, which goes to show how much his family means to him.
The side characters and the ever growing staff in the store are wonderful sources of characterization as well. That is all I can really say without spoilers.
Aside from the charming setup of a
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shopkeeper that is an ex assassin dealing with the troublesome ghosts of his past, and the mild hijinks from Sakamoto's family what really blew me away was the action. As the story progresses it becomes much more action filled, and it does not shy away from it in the slightest. The paneling and the flow of the action is some of the best I have read in a long time. The creative ways people fight, as well as the flow of the fighting is top notch.
The art in this manga is wonderfully consistent, and only improves moving throughout. The character designs are not particularly awe-inspiring but they are also not in anyway bland or boring. The villains are the best designed by far. While on the subject, the villains are full of personality and seem to have more than 2 dimensional goals for doing what they are doing in the world.
Overall, Sakamoto Days is a wonderfully concise, action packed, and surprisingly wholesome story regarding protecting what is truly special to someone. Whether it is blood family, found family, or whatever else it is the characters choose to to fight for. It is well worth your time.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Oct 19, 2022
You and I Are Polar Opposites is incredibly laid back and refreshing. Both protagonists are not the perfect savior of the relationship to the other. They are two teenagers just figuring out how to navigating how to be in a relationship with someone outside of themselves. Are they the most in depth characters filled with nuance and backstory? Hell no. But they do not need to be, the characters work with the established tone very well.
The main characters are very likeable as well as the side characters. which surprised me 7 chapters in. But that goes to show the very well administered characterization through not
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only the personality but the range from sweet and subtle to bold and bubbly art.
There is no outright story structure, which is not a bad thing, though there is a narrative start and progression. So it can be both serialized and seem episodic. A best of both worlds approach in my opinion.
Give it a shot folks, I have really enjoyed this reading so far!
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Aug 8, 2022
Overall, 12 chapters into this manga is nothing terribly special. A lot of the story just sort of happens without any established worldbuilding or character development. Other than the MC loving his girlfriend to the point of ad nauseum, the side characters are somewhat one dimensional as well and are mostly cliché archetypes. I know little about the villains so far, but their designs are pretty interesting so that is a plus.
The art is solid but nothing outstanding. Some solid panel work in action scenes but those have been spread out by dull dialogue and somewhat bland backgrounds.
I do think this story has potential. The
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snake god angle is new and interesting, and the few fight scenes I have seen are solid. The villain designs are not bad either so I look forward to seeing what their designs add to their powers. Also the name 'Filth' as an enemy and the cleaning mechanic is a fun touch too.
If this story finds its stride, I look forward to seeing it blossom into something different. Because as of now it is just standard Shonen battle manga with too many surface level tropes to consider anything above average.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Jul 7, 2022
As of writing this review there are only 4 chapters of Ruri Dragon. That being said this supernatural slice of life has some really solid potential. With the protagonist Ruri, who is a human/dragon mixed species, just trying to live her life and find out who she is and how to be a high school student, lots of good stories could be made.
The possibility of worldbuilding and new species amongst her classmates, friends, and teachers could even happen. As of right now, only Ruri is the only mixed species character. If she is the only one that is fine too, but the worldbuilding possibilities are
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an interesting point the mangaka could build upon.
The characters are sweet, Ruri's mother seems supportive and her friends are very sweet and understanding, though because there are only 4 chapters currently, not much else can be said about them.
I think this could make for a very sweet slice of life manga that could have a lackadaisical viewing of the charming yet lazy Ruri's journey of self discovery and surviving high school.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jul 5, 2022
I do not know a damn thing about rakugo. Never knew a thing about it before, but after being exposed to this manga, I could certainly say that it is something new and refreshing. It kind of presents itself in a similar storytelling style as March Comes in Like a Lion. Telling the story of through an element aside from just the characters, but also through the artform of rakuga to express how those characters behave and view the world around them.
So far, 20 chapters into the story I have very much enjoyed Akane on her journey to become a renowned performer for the
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sake of herself, as well as her father's dream that was ended too soon. A very 'shonen jump' plotline, but what makes the best aspects of this story is the character and the art.
The characters are hilarious. Akane makes reading a story a treat. She is funny, determined, and loves rakugo. I do not know any of the side characters too well, but I will say there are none that are outright intolerable, and are all genuinely likable. The
'antagonist' of the series so far seems pretty interesting too.
The art of this manga is phenomenal. Everything pops. Every character is given time to have their own personality and sense of style.
Overall, just give this series a chance! I look forward to reading it every week.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 29, 2022
I am truly saddened at the fact that Jump did not have enough faith in this story.
The world of Ayashimon had so much potential. The ways that the underground crime aspect of the underworld, a very refreshing and interesting setting for a story of a shonen protagonist being both simple to understand and becoming rich enough in drip-fed backstory to have a journey of what it means to "be the main character of a manga". The set up for meta commentary while delivering creative fights with wonderfully designed characters in the process of being fleshed out in a world with fun rules was just revving
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up and getting its footing
And then Shonen Jump canceled it.
I had a great time reading this week to week, and it is a shame that Shonen Jump is too afraid to take a mild dip in sales to bet on any new mangas for the future when their entire moneymaking lineup has either ended (Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man) nearing their ends (MHA, JJK, Black Clover) or setting up for a conclusion (One Piece)
I know this isn't necessarily a review of Ayashimon proper, but rather the fact that Ayashimon had all the potential to become something really great with so much going for it, only to be axed. It truly is a cutthroat world for the manga industry.
Ayashimon was great for what it was, and it is a shame that (in my opinion) it never had the chance to explode into the superstar it had the potential to become.
8/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 29, 2022
Currently been reading since release and figured now would be an apt time to review this. For context, Tokyo Ghoul is one of my absolute favorite mangas. Sui Ishida's art and knack for storytelling through expression and exploration of concepts such as despair and fighting past existential dread ring true through his works. Choujin X included.
At first I was not entirely sold on the series. The art was sublime but I was (and still am to a degree) not entirely latched onto the characters present. However since chapter 18 or so and into chapter 22 (the time I am writing this) it seems Isihida has
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truly hit his stride. The characters that matter are finding a deeper entrenchment into their identities, the world of what Choujins are seems to be expanding into a more tangible manner, and the art in the most recent chapters have been spectacular.
As of now, I am still unsure if Choujin X will surpass Tokyo Ghoul, but I do think that it has certainly stepped out of the shadow of Ishida's previous work at this point. If it continues in this direction I truly think that Choujin X has the possibility to become Ishida's peak. The way Choujins are more free as a concept rather than Ghouls (i.e. not simply based off RC cells and organs, but rather how the character of who someone is impacts their Choujin form. I see this similar to cursed energy from JJK.)
As for anything else, I can't say much as the story is still in its infancy and I do not see it going anywhere anytime soon (unless Jump decides to axe another great manga like they did to Ayashimon...)
8/10 as of 5/29/22
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 25, 2022
I was all in for this show. And then the second half happened. I didn't want to think that the quality would dip so far. But when the main antagonist, who is not that solid of an antagonist not only suffers for the consequences of her actions, but is somewhat rewarded for them by the person she may have outright abused the most.. Like come on.
Bojji is still a standout protagonist, though sadly he seemed to plateau in quality as a character as time went on. I did not mind though as he had plenty of development. Hilling was great too. Otherwise... I could take
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or leave the other characters that didn't utterly disappoint (I am looking at you Daida, Miranjo, and Bosse)
The only reason this is not trashing the story as a whole is because the first half is still phenomenal. And the art is gorgeous, the voice acting is solid, but wow the tail end of the series just could not have dropped the ball harder. I cried at the second episode and thought that this would be among the greats. I am definitely saddened that this show wound up to not only not stick the landing, but twist both their ankles and break their knees simultaneously upon dismounting from the climax to the resolution of the story.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Feb 26, 2022
I don't have all that much to say. I didn't expect much of a story considering it was never Kubo's strong suit in Bleach. However, it seems either Kubo himself was trying to overcompensate for that in this project, or there was no direction in the studio's adaptation (I have not read the source material mind you)
Kubo's art and the animation steals the show, no question about it. There are some fun moments here and there, hell I caught myself chuckling once or twice. And the world that is built doesn't seem too original, but distinct enough to intrigue me nonetheless. Otherwise there isn't much
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to say to praise it.
I hope that there is more to come as I do think that if there is more time for the story to come into its own, it can be something good. However for now I find this to be anime junk food. A quick watch that catches the eye, but nothing substantial for it to be remembered as it is.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Jan 28, 2022
This is the 'A Crow Looked At Me' by Mount Eerie album in manga form
What happens when a truly crushing reality of the darkest aspects of humanity intertwine with a standard coming of age romance? Well I would probably say this story is the closest fit to it.
The main protagonist (Suwa) is a wannabe womanizer that accidentally hears his timid classmate's absolutely harrowing past full of sexual assault, trauma, and guilt while hiding in a confession booth. The setup is pretty good, and the story that follows is engrossing. It moves at a steady pace and I was never bored with it, which would be
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an issue for such a short series.
The art is pretty consistently above average, but nothing mind blowing. However I will give credit to Kusunoki that their ability to express shock and guilt on facial expressions is to be noted. Aside from that, nothing crazy.
The main aspect that I find issue with is the characters. Suwa is shown at first to be selfish and a womanizer, but is shown through his later actions to be a pretty selfless and caring person through empathizing with the other main character Hinako Aikawa.
Hinako is sadly more or less, more the summation of the things that have happened to her, rather than a character that had these things occur in her life. Aside from being a victim of sexual assault, she is not shown to have many interests or character quirks other than falling for who she falls for. Which is another issue I have with the next character.
Holy shit Ibuse was unbearable. She had no character other than being madly in love with Suwa. Even though they barely have had a surface level conversation? I guess she can be classified more as a stalker, but then why would Suwa bother to even entertain her intentions, as she is clearly psychotic and Suwa is likely aware of this even before he meets his love interest.
I got not a whole lot to say about Yuzu, she was fine I guess.
Im giving a special section to Izumi Suwa. Easily the best character in this story. Between choosing to keep her child on her own terms, even if the father chose not to be there because of the circumstances leading to the pregnancy, and living as a single mother and not seeing a problem being a single mother as she wants to love the child as much as she possibly can. Being an awesome older sister when Ibuse stalks Suwa home and she calls her out, while still trying to appeal to her humanity and flawed character of being an obsessive adolescent.
*** SPOLIERS***
The scene where Izumi has her stillbirth is haunting. Absolutely tragic. The panel of her wailing as her child was delivered dead, holding onto it as it goes from warm to cold. Holy fuck. And when she asks Suwa if he wants to hold it. Let me say as someone who has been in this position before I had to put the story down for awhile. And to then go over how even after the stillbirth happens, to go over the process of the medical procedures and check ups afterwards, and the psychological affects of it. I think this was handled incredibly well.
Overall, I recommend this story. Would I say I enjoyed it? I can't say I did. I dont think this is a story to be enjoyed, as this is a dark and bleak story that tells of finding solace in the face of absolutely harrowing circumstances. Again, I find it similar to the album A Crow Looked at Me, by Mount Eerie for those who are familiar
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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