Feb 22, 2025
The nice thing about manga is that the years go by and you're always surprised. It's easy to come across really bad manga just as it's easy to come across little gems. Lately, I've been doing a lot of sorting through what I read and what's lying around on my hard drive. That's when I came across Woodstock. I don't know why but at the time I thought it might be worth keeping or reading one day. And when I was this close to deleting it and moving on, I tried to read the first volume anyway. In the end, I didn't have time to
...
say ‘phew’ before I'd finished all 18 volumes.
Which just goes to show that when manga is good, time flies!
To talk about the manga in more detail, Woodstock is a manga about rock music. There have been a few mangas that have dealt with the subject with varying degrees of success, such as Beck or Shiori Experience. Woodstock is more or less in the same vein, although it's not as dynamic or immersive as its peers. Still, the manga is very much in this spirit, offering a unique perspective on the underground rock scene. The title refers to the legendary Woodstock festival of 1969, a symbol of freedom and musical revolution, reflecting the protagonist's dream of creating a similar impact in the music world. We follow the story of a young boy who wants to experience something as legendary as this event, but his shyness prevents him from performing on stage or forming a band. To get round this obstacle, he creates a virtual band where he composes, plays and records all the instruments, then broadcasts his songs on the internet. His music quickly gained popularity online, attracting the interest of many fans and music professionals.
What I liked about this read is that the author offers a good, authentic immersion in rock culture. The musical references are numerous and well-integrated, providing a real cultural richness that will be appreciated by connoisseurs. What's more, the evolution of the characters is also appreciable. Each faces his or her own personal and professional challenges, which adds depth and interesting stakes to the story, although some elements are predictable in the development of a plot linked to the life of a band.
As for the graphics, the author's style is dynamic and expressive. I found there was a lot of effort put into conveying the energy of the live performances and the emotion of the characters. Nevertheless, you could potentially find it bland if you compare it to other rock mangas. The manga really doesn't have the power of a work like Shiori Experience ( you really should read this manga ... ) which is a work of genius. Beyond these imperfections, I find that the whole remains coherent and effectively serves the purpose of the manga.
I'm not going to write any more about this manga: it's up to you to give it a chance now!
If you've come across this review, it's because you're looking for a music manga or a hidden gem that few people have read. Rest assured: you've come to the right place. Woodstock is a work for rock'n'roll fans. Despite a few flaws, I believe the manga offers a heartfelt insight into a band's rocky road to stardom, reflecting the realities and challenges of the music business.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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