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I recently reorganized & refiled a pile of my comics from the last 15-20 years, and for the first time have ALL my issues of USAGI YOJIMBO in one box. What really surprises me is just HOW MUCH Stan Sakai's style has evolved since the series started. At first, his art was kind of on the "stiff" side. Yet he's gotten more "expressive" as the years have gone by. I was only vaguely aware of it as it slowly happened, but comparing early and recent issues side-by-side, the difference is shocking!
Registered: Aug 2003
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Manga went out the window with all the other comics this summer, and I haven't gotten back to them yet. I'm hoping I'll have enough money for a digest or two this month.
The one's I'm most interested in right now are Basara, a post-apocolyptic story about a girl pretending she's her late twin brother to lead a revolution, and Seimaden, about a prince of hell who meets the reincarnation of the girl he became a demon to save. I'll have to see what volumes I was up to before I go to the comic shop tommorow.
The comic shop I go to recently moved all it's Japanese to a new anime/manga shop next door. It's a lot easier to find stuff now.
-------------------- arachne3003.deviantart.com Current Obsession: Birds of Prey/Secret Six
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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There are a ton of series I'm still collecting but I'll just mention a few of my current faves right now.
The first is NANA. It's the tale of two girls with the same name (although they couldn't be more different) who meet on a train on it's way to Tokyo where they're both moving. They end up meeting again and becoming roomies/good friends. It's a great manga about all kinds of relationships and trying to make it in the world. And that's not even mentioning fact that rock & roll plays a big part of the equation. This series is a bit hit in Japan, it's already spawned 2 live action movies, and an anime.
The next is Fruits Basket. You know how when you're snuggling with your honey and they turn into one of the animals of the Chinese Zodiac? No? I guess you aren't getting cozy with one of the Sohma family then. This clans curse has given them issues like you wouldn't believe but there's some hope when a ray of sunshine named Tohru comes into their lives. This is a heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking story but it will really draw you in.
That's all for now.
-------------------- ActorLad
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From: Alaska | Registered: Dec 2003
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Well, I forgot to check the volume numbers on the books I've been collecting, but I went to the manga shop anyway. I was looking for the Seimaden books when my eyes droped to a lower shelf and I saw - Skip Beat! I first heard about this manga during my failed attempt at learning Japanese. (Someday I'll have time to learn it properly. ) The story's about this girl, Kyoko, who's basicaly put her life on hold to suport her rock star boyfriend. When she finds out he was just using her, something snaps inside her and she promises she'll have revenge. He tells her someone as insignificant as her would never be able to do anything to him, so she decides she's going to become a star, too! I just love the idea of this ultra nice girl changing her life and kicking ass. What I've read so far is really funny, but I've only finished the first chapter, so far.
-------------------- arachne3003.deviantart.com Current Obsession: Birds of Prey/Secret Six
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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I finished Skip Beat vol. 1. I really, really like this book. On the surface Kyoko seems like the perfect girl next door, but she's so angry inside. She really doesn't connect to anybody, except Sho, who she's kind of obsessed with. No, strike that, there's no "kind of" about it. Certainly not your typical shojo manga heroine. While a lot of the plot revolves around her revenge it's also about her inability to connect with other people. Can't wait till I can get more.
-------------------- arachne3003.deviantart.com Current Obsession: Birds of Prey/Secret Six
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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Afriend of mine talked me into NANA, but I need somethig more than relationship angst. it is like having all desert and no dinner. I felt too guilty.
I really want to see some spy thriller or super powers or saving the universe etc etc but with good character chemistry. you know, the protein.
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You might like Basara. It's a war story, but there's relationship angst, too. Two leaders sworn to kill each other fall in love but don't recognize each other. It's a bit contived in spots, but I like it. (Skip Beat's my priority right now, though.)
-------------------- arachne3003.deviantart.com Current Obsession: Birds of Prey/Secret Six
From: Canada | Registered: Jul 2003
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Just read 20th Century Boys, volume 1. It was recommended by my CBS, otherwise I probably wouldn't have picked it up. It's about a group of young men who uncover a conspiracy, with missing people and murders thrown in, which somehow connects to their childhood. There's a wide variety of characters, which adds to the interest, and the lead, Kenji, is one of these supremely likeable figures, who shoulders burdens with grace and acts like an everyday hero should act.
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If your looking to try out a wide variety of different types of Manga you should check out "One Manga". They have a ton of stuff that runs the gambit of styles. I know I have found quite a few I really liked reading just browsing the site.
From: Michigan | Registered: Sep 2003
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