OVERALL THOUGHTS AND A VERY SUMMARIZED VERSION:
"We Did It" masterfully blends dark comedy, tension, and introspection in a story about friendship, guilt, and unintended consequences. The plot is paced perfectly, balancing absurd twists with emotional depth. Its characters are deeply developed, with their actions shaped by personal traumas and social environments, making their journeys believable and impactful. The humor is sharp and often used to explore heavy themes, while the art complements the tone with a gritty yet expressive style. Though some supporting characters and worldbuilding lack originality, the story's emotional resonance and satisfying conclusion make it a standout exploration of moral compromise and the weight of past actions.
Final Score: 8.6/10
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LONG REVIEW:
1. Plot
- Originality and Complexity (Score: 9):
"We Did It" presents a darkly comedic yet surprisingly nuanced premise, centered around a group of friends who unintentionally become accomplices in a crime. The blend of humor, absurdity, and mystery sets it apart, creating a unique narrative.
- Plot Progression (Score: 10):
The pacing of the story is perfectly balanced, weaving comedic relief with moments of tension and introspection. The narrative unfolds without ever feeling too rushed or slow, maintaining a steady rhythm throughout. The story’s unpredictable twists keep the reader on edge, though some of the plot developments might feel contrived. However, given the absurd tone of the manga, this is less of a flaw and more of a signature feature of the storytelling style, much like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.
- Narrative Coherence (Score: 9):
Despite the comedic undertones, We Did It remains narratively coherent. The characters’ actions are consistently motivated by their personal histories, desires, and conflicts, which gives the story a grounded feel even within its absurd framework. The themes of guilt, societal expectations, and trauma are deeply woven into the narrative, adding depth and emotional weight.
2. Characters
- Character Development (Score: 10):
The main group of friends undergoes substantial growth, with their individual personalities and flaws coming to the forefront. The characters’ internal struggles, shaped by their pasts and social environments, make their decisions feel organic and justified. By the end, each character’s life perspective is believable, and their actions reflect the traumas, environments, and familial dynamics that shaped them. The author’s care in developing these characters results in a highly satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion.
- Supporting Characters’ Relevance and Development (Score: 9):
The supporting characters play an essential role in enriching the narrative. Through glimpses into their pasts, flashbacks, and interactions, the manga explores their motivations, adding layers to the story. By the end, the characters’ actions and reactions are explained, making the narrative feel tightly woven. While most supporting characters are well-developed, a few seem antagonistic for unclear reasons, preventing this category from receiving a perfect score. A notable example of strong development is Ichihashi’s dynamic with the protagonist, Tobio, which is both introspective and engaging.
3. Art
- Technical Quality (Score: 8):
The art style does a great job of capturing the story's tone, blending humor and tension with a gritty and detailed approach. The visual quality is solid, effectively conveying the emotional weight of the narrative. However, some action scenes may be a bit chaotic at times, and the clarity of certain moments could be improved.
- Artistic Style (Score: 8):
The visual style is distinctive and complements the absurd yet grounded tone of the manga. Exaggerated facial expressions are used effectively to enhance comedic timing, and the overall art style suits the story’s themes. While the art is cohesive and appropriate, it doesn’t push boundaries or introduce anything groundbreaking compared to other works in the genre.
4. World building
- Depth and Consistency of the Fictional World (Score: 7):
The world building is relatively straightforward. The setting feels realistic, with environments ranging from schools to “suspicious” houses, grounding the story in a familiar social reality. However, the world lacks originality, drawing on common settings that have appeared in other stories. Despite this, the juxtaposition of ordinary life with the characters’ growing dilemmas adds a compelling layer to the narrative, highlighting the consequences of their actions.
5. Pacing
- Narrative Flow and Tension Balance (Score: 9):
The pacing is expertly handled, maintaining a consistent flow that keeps the reader engaged. Moments of high tension are effectively balanced with comedic interludes, ensuring that the narrative never feels too heavy or too light. The story almost always moves at the right pace, without losing momentum or stalling.
6. Themes
- Theme Exploration and Depth (Score: 10):
"We Did It" explores themes such as guilt, friendship, moral compromise, and the ripple effects of actions in a deep and nuanced manner. The characters’ personal struggles are closely tied to their environments, traumas, and backgrounds, with each decision reflecting these influences. For instance, Koyoi’s attachment to sex stems from a lack of familial presence, while Renko, the most "normal" character, is shaped by her stable family life and this applies to all the relevant characters. The humor in the story serves as a contrast to these heavy themes, making them more accessible and intensifying the emotional connection the reader has with the characters.
7. Emotional Impact
- Emotional Response and Impactful Moments (Score: 7):
While "We Did It" skillfully balances humor and emotion, some of the emotional beats feel rushed. The comedic elements land effectively, but the emotional moments sometimes lack the depth they could have achieved. Despite this, the story still elicits a strong emotional reaction, particularly in its more introspective and dramatic moments.
8. Enjoyment (Score: 7):
The manga provides an enjoyable reading experience, mixing humor, action, and emotional depth in a way that keeps the reader hooked. The absurdities and twists keep things fresh and unpredictable, making it a fun ride from start to finish. However, some of the emotional moments and pacing choices maybe too fast might detract slightly from overall enjoyment, preventing it from reaching a higher score in this category.
9. Conclusion
- Reader Satisfaction and Arc Resolution (Score: 9):
The conclusion of We Did It is highly satisfying, with the main plot threads being tied up while still leaving certain aspects open for interpretation. The characters are left profoundly affected by their experiences, and the manga successfully portrays how past traumas and societal norms continue to influence their lives, even after the story ends. This ambiguity regarding their futures adds a layer of realism, making the ending feel earned and emotionally resonant.
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Final Score: 8.6/10
