To preface this review, let me say that I tend to gravitate to psychological manga; thrillers that are intellectual, that make you think and feel. Things that can be considered 'masterpieces' like the likes of Death Note and Monster.
That being said, Helck is none of those things.
Helck is Helck; I don't think it can be defined in terms of manga conventions and plot-structures. It's a thoroughly unique, refreshing and immensely entertaining experience that managed to keep me hooked throughout the entirety of its well-paced plot. So, how did Helck manage to keep me invested?
For one thing, Helck is funny; not the kind of 'funny' that makes you breathe air out of your nose, but the sort that had me genuinely laughing at some of the ridiculous moments and stupid antics on the page. Most of the earlier gags are very reminiscent of One Punch Man, and the authour is very consistent with hitting the right note of comedy. But, more than just that, Helck is incredibly endearing as a manga -- although the characters may seem flat at first, a mixture of strong characterization over development and unique character designs made each of them stick out, and helped define their distinct personalities. Having these characters involved in the gags also gave each of them a sense of formula and healthy predictability -- the gags didn't seem so ridiculous or far out of left field that they were unfunny, because they all seemed to match the nature of the characters being presented. And, believe me, there are plenty of characters with varied quirks that make them endearing.
But Helck is more than just funny. If anything, its greatest strength is the charm and character it oozes, which are only reinforced by the cute, consistent art-style. Characters somehow latched onto me with strong, brazen and consistently written personalities and plot-lines followed simple, easy and entertaining structures.
What Helck succeeds in doing in where so many supposed 'masterpieces' fail, however, is it manages to keep its characters and plot-threads in check. It doesn't forget itself, or any foundational characters or lines. It manages to start and finish in a neat, self-contained bundle that knows its boundaries and doesn't try to be anything more than what it is. And that's what makes it special; it's a self-contained story that gradually becomes something more, easing you into the journey and letting you grow attached to the characters before throwing them into tense and emotional situations.
Anyway, enough of me rambling; it's sort of hard to put down what makes Helck so great. What I can do, however, is put arbitrary numbers to its name!
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Art - 8/10
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The art compliments the tone of the story, and the character designs are simultaneously memorable and clever in that they convey plenty about the characters. The style is cutesy and consistent, albeit rather average. It should be noted, however, that the author is particularly good at doing facial expressions, as well as character designs. Ultimately, it's nothing to cry home about, but is a key component in what makes the manga so good.
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Story - 9/10
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It is what it is; a self-contained tale that evolves into something grander, but only after having eased you into the world. The worldbuilding is excellent, albeit somewhat shallow, and the journey the characters go through is both believable and representative of the manga's key themes and ideas.
Although there are some exposition based chapters that break the pace, they are handled incredibly well and were, in fact, amongst my favorites in terms of plot and character. Definitely a high-point of the manga.
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Character - 10/10
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There isn't much more that needs to be said here. After having become numb to character deaths and typical manga tropes, Helck was a breath of fresh air in that it didn't try to be anything more than what it was. No character came across as annoying or overplayed; they stuck to their strengths and characterization like glue, and developed in a realistic manner.
It's hard to say what made them so enjoyable -- perhaps the way they bounced and played off eachother. Or maybe the dialogue that accompanied them, or the way they were drawn. Regardless, Helck had an imperceptible magic to its characters that made me love them all the way. Truly one of the strongest aspects of the manga, except for one other thing....
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Enjoyment - 10/10
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Above all things, Helck was genuinely enjoyable. It didn't ask me for 50 chapters of exposition and commitment to reach the 'good bit'; it thrust me into the deep-end and respected my intelligence as a reader that I'd be able to adapt to and enjoy the crazy, lucid environment it was throwing me into.
From start to finish, the plot progresses and never halts; it may turn and sidetrack, but it always played to its strengths and knew when to follow the characters that mattered.
It was comedic, emotional, witty and brilliant all in one. Helck is a genius gem that I doubt can ever be replicated in terms of style and nature. It's special and, therefore, I think its worth your while.
The description on MAL doesn't do it justice -- Helck is truly something else.
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Overall - 10/10
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