Bolavage_AnimeManga

All of Tomie, All of Uzumaki, and Shiver (a collection of shorter stories).    Uzumaki I didn't like nearly as much as Tomie- and even Tomie paled in comparison to a few of the other short stories. Some of Ito's short stories are clearly directed at people with specific common phobias, such as multiple holes in a surface or skin. I really find this interesting because reading these pieces feels more like you're watching someone create a specific torture device for someone else. I don't have these phobias- but I know people who do, and I know that if they were to read this it would effect them in an extreme animalistic way.    I think this feeling of fear where it seems deep rooted in your evolution- or something so intrinsic to your being that you can't ignore it and keeps you thinking about it long after you've put it down, is the highest skill level a horror writer/artist can have.  Its one thing to react to a dark situation- or a situation where you know ...

   Boy and the Beast was an incredible experience to watch. I loved every minute of it but I may be biased in loving the animation (as an animator myself). However this piece is a human going to another world- which doesn't seem to be the majority of manga out there in this genre. The majority seem to be a human being reborn as another species- something that lives in this other world that they've traveled to.     I think this is really interesting because this format is open to so much symbolism for minorities, world problems, repetition of past human events, and then to show a character make different decisions and end up with a different outcome. This genre is so weird and has so much potential for influence and content from so many other pieces and interests. Going to another world really holds so many possibilities and potential for these stories.

Now, theres a lot I could talk about so I'm going to run through and make a couple of different points with simpler explanations. Cyberpunk as a genre.       Each film Genre has whats known as a "genre starter". It isn't necessarily the first film of its kind, but it is the film that had EVERYTHING that later becomes the genre, and also gained the popularity needed to launch a new trend. Akira was this for cyberpunk. It had the bio-human combination, it had the 80s feel, it had the extreme separation of socio-economic classes, the detailed tech visuals, and above all- it had the widespread popularity it needed.       Cyberpunk is different from other genres though. We have space movies that come from the populations new interest in the space program and exploration. We have westerns that came from an American sense of nostalgia, and a classic battle of good and evil. Cyberpunk is a genre thats rather dark and rebellious- but more interestingly, it spa...

My Solo exchange Diary (Sequel to " My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness"), was much more real than I expected. The piece very much reminded me of several webcomics I like that simply update when the artist experienced something interesting in their life and decided to draw it. It was extremely relatable and interesting and I'd love to read more of it. It did not read as a usual manga at all and I'm very curious how it did financially (as all types of these I've ever seen are free and online).     I think this format of manga is the most help full when it comes to representation. Sure, its nice to have a gay character in a fiction series- but seeing this real life scenario play out not only describes a day in the life of a real person who is a member of this minority, but in doing this it educates its readers and makes them feel ok for being themselves. It also makes people feel like they're not alone- and normalizes the minority to those who don't belon...

      I will admit I have a strong bias toward shojou. I just don't like it in most cases. After thinking this over for a while I think I'm finally able to put into words why I don't like it so much. I can't relate to the relationships in the more romantic pieces because they are built on this strange definition of love that doesn't exist in life. Even when I was little I've believed that all kinds of love, regardless of the kind of relationship (romantic or otherwise) has this component of "easy happiness" with the other person. When you're with them it's easy to just be happy.       I don't see this in these stories and It makes every concept of love seem entirely in-genuine.  Theres less emotional growth then there is informative-mental growth. The plot continues has they learn more about each other but the actual emotional maturity and development of the characters barely changes or is discussed and I find it very frustrating to read o...

   Bakuman is a dramatically drawn exaggerated comedy about a serious 9th grader who wants to become a Mangaka. The first chapter is so appealing in how the artist is able to illustrate passion. In the same way that hearing someone gush about a topic they love (even one you may not understand at all)- this art gives way to the same feeling. The energy and excitement is contagious.    By dramatically drawn I mean its average level of detail maintains a high standard. It certainly gets simpler for comedic effect at times- as well as more detailed at important moments- but normally the detail and edge work is very fine and neat. Every panel without a closeup has a background- and the entire manga contains shading and textures.    The piece is exaggerated in both its art style and story. While a student who wants a normal life and has given up on a dream is fairly normal- the length this character goes to with explaining how impossible the dream is- makes it ...