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The synopsis for this manga drew me in and the artwork was both different and beautiful.

However at times I found the story hard to follow, sometimes I wasn't sure if I was reading current events or past. The artwork and colouring also made it hard to see who was talking and at times I would miss speech bubbles due to them being on a dark background.

The plot, to me, changed priorities; somewhere along the line it became less about their contract and more about the mysteries surrounding the mansion. That storyline was interesting, don't get me wrong, but that wasn't what drew me in, to ... begin with, which left me feeling disappointed. By the end though most of the loose ends had been tied up and that is always a bonus with mangas that ask a lot of questions.

I liked the characters in this and the way they were portrayed, especially Ken. And although we find out about how the characters got to be in the mansion I don't think that they developed very well. They did change in reaction to events, but we didn't really see enough of what made them tick, for me anyway.

The artwork in this manga was, for me, both its selling point and its failing. I mentioned before that I found it hard to read in places and it was easy to confuse the speakers which annoyed me greatly. Ignoring the text, though, it was a beautiful manga to look at. The drawing style was fairly unique (when it comes to mainstream manga) and really had an elegant flair to it. In the same breath though it made the manga feel less 'authentic' to me, more like a western comic trying to be a manga, which was odd.

Overall I have to say that whilst I enjoyed reading Model it's not a manga that I would encourage people to rush out and buy. The story and the characters were interesting, but I don't think they'll stick with me for a long time. And it certainly hasn't made me a Model fangirl.

Nanashi Moriko
28/4/07

Hellsing was part of my introduction to anime and as such it is one of my favourite fandoms. But it has only kept its place there because of its unique way of capturing the reader with action that I can only describe as being kick arse.

There is a great plot to this manga, well thought out and very grand. Being an action manga there are quite a few pages which are full of just pictures, no words, but yet the plot still unfolds well and is not lost.

Due to ... everything that is going on in the manga you wouldn’t think there is much time for character development. Indeed most characters are already well defined and do not change much during the course of the story, staying true to their personality/nature throughout. Seras Victoria however shows many changes as she adapts to her vampiric life, changes which are understandable, believable and handled well.

I would have to say that great characters and a well thought out plot are the strengths of this story. Combine it with the art work and superb action and you have one of the best mangas around.

A bad side to the mangas? There can be too much gore for some readers, and some may find it too be too heavy in action. But personally my only disappointment is the length of time between volumes, but that’s nothing to do with the actual quality of the manga.

All in all read it. If you’ve seen the series be prepared for a heavier, one could say better, plot. If you haven’t seen the series watch it as well as reading the manga, they are quite different. And no matter what keep your eyes out for the OAV because it promises to be good.

Nanashi Moriko - Most definitely a fan girl for Hellsing

13/06/06

This was short and sweet. I originally was just checking it was subtitled before I put it in my ‘to watch’ pile but ended up watching it all the way through.

The plot was good and really made the story realistic. It dealt with issues that someone like Shizuka would go through without overdoing it. It was short though which in this case was good as any longer and it would have drawn the story out too much. And it managed to keep you caring for the characters and wanting to find out what happens next. As well as shouting at the screen ‘kiss him dammit!’
...
The characters were great and highly believable. Even the side characters, whose time on screen was brief, were interesting. I’d most definitely want to find out more about Shizukas room mate, he seemed like he had an interesting back story. Due to length of this OAV there wasn’t much time to see the characters develop. But it was interesting to see both of the male leads try to sort through their feelings for each other, and this was handled well.

The main let down for the anime was the length. It had so much potential for a deep story it could have been longer. Not necessarily all focusing on before the boys sort their feelings out but showing us a bit of the aftermath. How it affected other relationships as well as some yaoi goodness. Maybe one day it will be picked up and have a series made (a girl can but hope).

The characters were well done and the animation style was a breath of fresh air from the normal style these days. It really was written well and captured high school life. I can only hope that they release it on DVD as VHS quality is more than pants.

Most definitely recommend to anyone who likes a bit of yaoi, angst and romance

Nanashi Moriko
9/6/06

I honestly didn't think I'd like this and it was absolutely prejudiced of me. The name sounded too much like it would be filled with Mecha and Action (which aren't my cup of tea.), but it was the closest manga in reach and I needed something to read.

I was very pleasantly surprised, the characters and artwork were brilliant. I fell in love with each new character, wanting to know more about them and felt my heart being crushed as I saw them being brutally killed. I'm not sure if I've read a manga containing more innocent bloodshed, except maybe Hellsing, but that's debateable.

For CLAMPs first ... ever manga its very good quality. The art work is pretty, the dialogue flows, the characters are well thought out and the plot is thick but unravels at a good pace. There are bits of comedy thrown in and a fair bit of action with lines like:

"stunning wolfblade go!"

In my opinion maybe too many of those likes, and too many pages of pure action. But even though I say that and I don't like action too much, I don't think it's a failing of this manga. It wasn't pointless action, it had its place and it filled it well.

If you like CLAMP, angst, action and fantastical worlds then give this a read. It's most definitely worth the money and I can't wait for Volume 10.

Right now I'm off to hunt down the OAV!

Nanashi Moriko *Not quite an RG Veda fangirl but a Soma fangirl*

11/05/07

Note: This review was written before volume 10 had been released in English translation. At the time of writing I have read volume 10 and will be updating soon

I have to say that I thought the plot developed in this superbly. There were twists and turns, you weren't quite sure what was coming next and that, to me, is the making of a great story. It did take a bit of time for the story to really get rolling and things do all jump you at the end, but other than that it did well.

The character development wasn't as great, but was still good. The main character Deunan developed well; we watched her as she learnt about herself, formed bonds and went through trials. The other characters didn't develop as well as Deunan, ... they showed that they had the possibilities for character development, but we don't get to see it.

This films let down would be that you don't really get into the thick of things until a fair way through and then it picks up very fast. The slowness in the beginning I found to be slightly unnecessary, it was still enjoyable but being thrown straight into the plot may have left some peoples minds reeling too much.

This anime holds some wonderful concepts. Olympia is brilliantly conceived and the plot has been very well thought out. The animation is some of the best I have seen and the music suited scenes perfectly.

I will admit that if someone had told me before hand that this featured Mecha I'd have run away screaming. I have a very strong dislike for Mecha but this has shown me that it can actually go past bearable and be great. Right from the opening scene I was smiling, good visuals, hot girl, guns, action and great music. My smile slipped a little when I saw the Mecha but I watched on and I'm glad that I did. This story really shocked me, I didn't think I'd like it but I have fallen for it. There wasn't enough character development for me, but I'm big on that and in a movie it's not really feasible to fit in as much as I would like. It did well though. I would love to see more of the characters.

If you've got some time spare, like action and sci-fi as well as a well conceived plot then you must definitely watch this.

Nanashi Moriko

To begin with each manga has 2 or 3 short seemingly independent stories. The characters etc are the same but each story doesn't seem to affect the following one. They are interesting and each develops fairly well but they are stand alone. This changes in volume 3 however. And whilst the plot development in this manga series is fairly scarce in volumes 1 and 2 it picks up in volume 3 and 4. The short stand alone stories are extended into one story and a main theme seems to develop. The underlying storyline about the relationship between Cross and Matsuri is only minimally built upon, ... enough for it to still be there in the background.

As for character development, in this area Cross does better, but it is still fairly sparse so far. The only character we seem to see develop is Cross himself, the insight into his youth was the most helpful to aid readers to understand this character, but other than that we as readers aren't given much. It's fairly clear that he feels something for Matsuri but the glimpse of this we get is quickly snatched away and one could speculate she feels for him too, but again we haven't seen much.

There are a few things which I feel let this manga down. It has taken a long while to get going and even though the storyline is now constant it still feels slightly disjointed. Hopefully the early stand alone stories will be tied into this new story line to give a wider arc, and make their presence have a point. There's also a lot of action pages, and whilst some enjoy this, I do like to have at least one bit of speech on every page.

That is not to say that this isn't a good manga. There are sections of some really nice writing, and some very pretty artwork which is always nice. The characters hold a lot of potential and this has been a very well researched manga with concepts being brought up that can be quite interesting.

All in all I would say if you don't mind the chapters not completely joining up and you like a little bit of action with occult tendencies, then this is a good read. I would say don't expect to become completely engrossed yet but I'd give it a read.

Nanashi Moriko *Not quite a Cross fan girl but did go out and buy the manga to find out what happens next*

27/05/07

This plot is developing really well. Every 'assignment' leads us a little closer to knowing what is happening with Kazahaya and Rikou and these mysterious women. So far we are still no closer to knowing the reasons for the assignments but I don't doubt that it will be revealed in due course.

Legal Drug also has good character development. The relationship between Rikou and Kazahaya grows more and more obvious (to everyone except them). Their feelings for the 'lost women' of their lives is shown wonderfully.

There is a lot left unsaid though, since Saiga and Keiko are still very much unknown to the reader. It can ... also be confusing having 2 slim blonde characters and 2 heavily built dark haired characters, thank Gods for glasses!

Although this manga series is made up of lots of separate assignments there are knock on effects from each one and issues are carried over. The reader is given tantalising teases about both Rikou's and Kazahaya's past and their relationships. It is also quite humorous.

The colour artwork at the start of each manga and the trace drawings are a wonderful addition and some of the nicest manga artwork I have come across.

I have to say this has quickly become one of my favorite mangas, the pictures, the teasing of Kazahaya by almost everyone, as well as the surreal assignments and the mystery of those women. This manga grips me and makes me laugh out loud. I will say though that if shonen ai isn't your thing then don't read this but if you're like me and you're partial to a bit of shonen ai then jump right on in!

Nanashi Moriko *Not quite a Legal Drug fangirl but dying to read vol 4.*
18/3/05

Hmmm. I'm not sure about the plot in this. It has some good concepts, the Yam tribe is particularly interesting. But, like a lot of the manga I've come across lately the plot seems overly stretched. Every chapter has different characters which we don't see again. But, unlike some other mangas that do this, there is good continuity.

The main characters do develop and I think there is a lot to learn about them. It's nice to see the change in Marlos attitudes.

This series contains some very nice artwork, especially the colour inserts at the start of each manga. The characters are well defined and they ... can easily be distinguished from each other.

I admit that once or twice I had to flick back some pages to re-read, but overall its easy to follow.

I think this is a light series, good for a bit of fun. It could've had more yaoi, but I'd always say that! If you like any of the genres it covers I'd say to give it a read.

Nanashi Moriko
17/7/05

At the time of writing I have read 2 volumes.

This manga is in its very early stages with volume 2 just released and at least 5 volumes in the works. So far though there doesn't seem to be much of a plot. It's more like a look into Shi-Hyun's life, which is quite interesting in itself.

I like the way the characters are interconnected and the way they are with each other. Shi-Hyun's character in particular is well thought out and I'm looking forward to finding out more about her.

The let down for me is that there is nothing to catch you. Nothing in the first ... volume made me want to rush out and buy the second (I needed a third manga for a deal and there was nothing else), and even after reading the second I'm not compelled to buy the third.

Overall I have to say this manga has nice characters, a fairly interesting story and lovely covers but it's a take it or leave it manga. Nothing makes it stand out to me.

Nanashi Moriko *not a Good Luck fangirl*
16/05/07

Hmmmmm, this was not exactly what I was expecting from this anime, I'm not sure what I was expecting but this wasn't it.

Taking it with a view of the manga its.... odd. The main premise is the same but Ashura has changed sex and the God King was Lord Ashura. Slight differences which can be explained by less time to tell the story in the OAV's run. Except they don't tell the story, they don't tell any story, maybe a quarter of a story or half a story, but not a full one. It's left with no resolution.

Taking it without a view of the manga ... and ... well I can see why it didn't get picked up for a whole series. It's a middle section of a story with no start and no end, not even a semi resolution. In my opinion without the plot of the manga to lean upon this OAV flops, and I am so disappointed about that.

The characters have been brought to the screen well, I have no qualms there, the music is fitting and the animation is good for its age. One other thing I feel the need to comment on is that the OAV doesn't have the grip on you that the manga has. It's a lot less intense and emotional, I didn't shed a tear watching it and I had been hoping for that, I love CLAMPs ability to tear your heart out but it just wasn't there. That could again have been time constraints but in the manga it doesn't take long for you to love a character and then have him/her killed.

I'd say don't watch this if you haven't read the manga, there's not much to be gotten from it (except pretty Soma). If you have read the manga then watch it but with no expectations, it's nice to see the characters on screen but that's about it.

Nanashi Moriko *disappointed fangirl*
29/05/07