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Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Series

Posted by :Patches On : November 30, 2013
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Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Seriesreview provided by Katie and Andrew

Title: Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Series

Director: Yoichi Fujita

Studio: Sunrise

Author: Taketo Shimoyama

U.S. Distributor: Funimation Entertainment

U.S. Release Date: November 19, 2013

Format and Length: DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack / 13 Episodes / 325 Minutes

Genre: Comedy, Parody, Shounen, Supernatural

Industry Age Rating: 17 and up

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Lucky Star or Ranma ½ 

Synopsis:

Ichiko Sakura is a 16-year-old high school student who has always been pretty lucky throughout her life. This is due to her body possessing an extraordinary amount of Happiness energy, which draws from its surroundings, causing the world to fall out of balance. To rectify this, a God of Misfortune or poverty god named Momiji is sent into the human world to target Ichiko and steal her Happiness energy by any means necessary in order to rebalance the world. Will Momiji steal all of Ichiko’s Happiness energy and make her life very unfortunate or will Ichiko grow a sympathy gland and stop hogging all the good fortune in the world? You will have to watch Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Series and laugh at the hilarity that ensues.

 

Commentary:

Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Series is a hilarious ride, so make sure you buckle your seatbelts and hang on. It took me a few episodes to actually get into Good Luck Girl! but I am very glad that I gave it some time. I absolutely loved the cat and mouse game between Ichiko and Momiji. Momiji had to realize that any plan she hatches against Ichiko would likely fail and that is where most of the parody and comedy come into play.

The characters in Good Luck Girl! were amazing. There was not a lot of character development; however you are given enough information about each character so that the plot makes sense. Ichiko Sakura is a high school girl who has the power to absorb Happiness energy that gives her beauty, brains, and health. She is very lonely because of her self-centered ego and envies those who are happy despite of having little in life. Momiji is a poverty god who wishes to restore the energy balance and give the Happiness energy back to all the places and people Ichiko took it from. Momiji is very lazy and usually barges into Ichiko’s apartment to eat and sleep. Eventually Ichiko realizes that having Momiji in her life actually makes her happy. I thought the plot really picked up once Ranmaru Rindou was introduced. She is a butch girl who transfers into Ichiko’s class. Ranmaru pushes herself into the lives of Ichiko and Momiji and really makes things interesting. My favorite character of the series has to be Momiji because of how she is drawn. She is one part homeless person and one part country farmer. As I said above, she is the biggest source of the parody and comedy in Good Luck Girl! due to her plans to steal Ichiko’s Happiness energy. Watch out for the huge needles!

There are some ecchi moments in Good Luck Girl! but they are mostly jokes about flat chests and things like that. There was not a lot of fan-service but there was some. The escalation from chase to battle was quick and made Good Luck Girl! more enjoyable to watch. I did not care for the opening or closing songs at all. They seemed very “bubblegum pop” and while it fits with the anime, I just do not care for it. The voice acting was spot on, for the Japanese audio and for the English audio. The ending really breaks out of the formula that Good Luck Girl! has set into play and is very satisfying. While I hope there is a Season 2, I will not be too upset if there is not because the ending was wrapped up pretty well.

Extras:

Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Series includes audio commentaries for select episodes, U.S. Trailer and Funimation trailers as special features. The audio is available in English or Japanese with English Subtitles.

 

Overall Grade: B+

Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Series had strong characters and a funny plot. I really enjoyed the parody and the comedy; however I could only watch a few episodes at a time before it got to be too much. But that made the anime last a little but longer.

 

“In The Radius”:

I would recommend watching Good Luck Girl!: The Complete Series if you enjoyed Lucky Star or any other parody anime, such as Ranma 1/2.

Dengeki Daisy Vol. 13 manga review

Posted by :Patches On : November 27, 2013
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Dengeki Daisy Vol. 13Title: Dengeki Daisy Vol. 13

Author: Kyousuke Motomi

Publisher: Viz Media/ Shojo Beat

American Release Date: Dec. 3rd, 2013

Format: Traditional Manga

Genre: Shojo, Drama

Publisher Age Rating: T+ (Older Teen)

Personal Review Rating: B-

Similar Series: Hot Gimmick, Love Com,  and  Butterflies, Flowers

 

Synopsis:

 

The past continues to haunt Teru and Kurosaki when they’re given a chance to find the mysterious “M’s Last Testament.” Unfortunately, their savage nemesis Akira has his eyes set on finding it too! Will Akira beat them to the punch? Or does Teru have something up her sleeve?

The key to “M’s Last Testament” means much to them then they originally though and with Akria making a move for it they discover something they didn’t expect and it turns their plans upside down. The key may be something very special and it may even mean more to Akria than to the group. Plus, is it possible that Antler was setting the group up to do exactly what he wanted? Is it time for them to rediscover what is important and what they really need to do? How might this affect Taru and Daisy’s relationship?

Commentary:

Ok, Dengeki Daisy is becoming more of a deceptive mystery than a love story and I must admit that I like it. With the reemergence of Akira and the twist that comes from the meeting between Taru and him thing are getting very interesting. That doesn’t mean that the love story between Taru and Daisy is forgotten, it still plays out a little in this volume and is used as a point of tension and drama with internal feelings being explored by Daisy. The story has not lost focus of the center of the plot, but it too has expanded the mystery that binds all of these people together. It also reenforces the age difference between Daisy, Taru and the others. With as much as Daisy and Taru have done you would think they would be viewed closer to equals and not children.

In fact that leads me to the weakness this volume that stands pout like s sore thumb. Too many of the twist and dramatic plot devices are discovered was too easily and it comes across as almost an after thought. There is also the way that the romantic tension between Daisy and Taru is continually played off as just another youthful distraction and something that is almost taboo that it is booming difficult to read the moments when they are alone and about to reaffirm their feeling toward each other. It feel like there is some deep thought given to the mystery, all too may of the most important aspects of the story are simply tossed out there so matter of faculty that they come across as unimportant.

 

Overall Grade: B-

Even though I like where this volume of Dengeki Daisy is taking us I still find too may weaknesses to really jump on board. I also feel like the love story is being dragged though the mud at this point. It is clear that they love each other so just make it so and move on with the real dramatic point of the story. Lets get to the mystery and figure out who is manipulating who and what the answers are. I like where things are headed with that aspect to the story and feel like there is an excellent opportunity to tell a lively and dramatic story. I just wish that it would stop coming together so easily and mater of faculty.

I am looking forward to the next volume and sincerely hope that things begin to feel a little more natural in the way that they come together.

One Piece: Strong World DVD / Combo movie set (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 26, 2013
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One Piece: Strong WorldOne Piece: Strong World

Director: Munehisa Sakai

Producer / Creator: Eiichiro Oda

Studio: Toei Animation

U. S. Distrubutor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 19th, 2013

Format: DVD / Blu-ray / Feature Film / 113 minutes

Genre: Shonen, Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Age Rating: TV 13

Overall Personal Garde: B+

 

Synopsis:

When the Straw Hats catch wind of trouble in the peaceful waters of the East Blue, they quickly set a course for home! But before they reach their destination, fate leads them into the deadly path of Golden Lion Shiki. This gravity-defying madman needs a navigator, and he wants Nami! Shiki scatters the Straw Hats across the far corners of a floating island filled with ferocious, genetically-mutated monsters, and issues Nami and ultimatum: join his crew – or her friends die!

Big mistake. Luffy kicks his attack mode into Third Gear and begins a brutal rampage across the beast-ridden island. It’s all hands on deck in Monkey vs. Lion. Winner gets the navigator!

Commentary:

Strong World is the 10th feature film for the franchise and it is also far and way my favorite one so far. It has been some time since I have seen a One Piece film that has as much feeling and remains true to the essence of the One Piece series. Eiichiro Oda did a great job with this one. It is well contained and has a fun and also contains some rather dramatic sub plot meaning. Of course at the heart of the film is the “don’t mess with my friends” Luffy thing that moves it forward, but that is at the core of everything One Piece and at time it is rather tired and worn out. In Strong World that plot device didn’t come across so worn out because they had so much else going on and there was a rather fanciful world that they got to fight their way through.

Strong World  is also showing the more serious side of Luffy that has begun to exhibit in the series. It is rather nice to see the overtly goofy captain become a little more grounded. For One Piece that biggest problem I every had with it was the fact that Luffy was so over the top goofy that it was hard to watch. The animation was above par for a One Piece film and the overall flow of the film stayed rather consistence. It always helps when the pacing fits well with the subject as it does in Strong World .

 

Overall Grade: B+

Not being a big fan of the One Piece series it is sometime very hard for me to enjoy the films. Strong World offers up a solid fun story with plenty of action and some new wild characters that help hold it all together. This rich little film does wonders for the franchise in my eyes and gives me reason to take a closer look at the series as it is today. If Strong World is representative of the direction Oda wants to take the characters then I am on board, but if this is just a fluke and they all end up become more of a silly caricature of their former selves then you can certainly count me out. I sincerely hope that they move closer to the full bodied riches of the cast in Fairy Tail.

For all you big fans of One Piece I believe you will really enjoy Strong World and for all those fans of anime just looking for something fun and full of action then you will really like this movie. So, jump on in the water is fine!

Bokurano Ours 9 Manga Review

Posted by :Joann On : November 23, 2013
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Bokurano Ours 9Title: Bokurano Ours 9
Author/Artist: Mohiro Kitoh
Publisher: Viz Signature
American Release Date: September 17, 2013
Format: Manga / 224 pages
Publisher Age Rating: T+ for older teen
Genre: Science Fiction, Suspense, Mecha
Overall Personal Rating: A

Synopsis:

Bokurano Ours Series Overview:

A group of middle school students unwittingly enter into a game which is actually a contract to pilot a giant mech in battle against a mech from another universe. Losing has immense consequences for each world. As each kid takes a turn, we explore their back story which helps explains why they made the choices they did and how they end up handling it all. If you haven’t read the books up to volume 8, please skip the next paragraph because, as it is specific to Volume 9, it may give clues that could ruin the natural unfolding of the story.

Volume 9:

Kana prepares for her turn to pilot. Even for her young age, she wants to leave things in order. With her mother having died a long time ago, she still has her father and adopted brother, Jun. Kana feels it is important that he find his birth mother so that he won’t be so alone. Jun had been struggling, taking out his aggression on his sister. She put up with the brutality to make sure he knew he was family. It seems as if they may have found his mother, but she doesn’t think it a good idea for Jun to know.

Even though Jun had been part of the original group of kids, he had not entered into contract as a pilot and it leaves questions about what will happen during that turn without a pilot.

 

Commentary:

Looking at my description above, it really doesn’t explain the dynamic nature of the story. As a story that depends on surprises and twists, even revealing some basic story premises would give too much away. There is a really huge plot element about what happens to the pilots, but writing about it would ruin the first two volumes. Things need to unfold naturally for the reader.

Here we are on volume 9 (with only 2 more to go) and it still had surprises for me that I hadn’t seen coming. The author has a talent for popping in a twist or situation that seems to change the balance of things for a bit. In this case, it involves Jun’s mother. It all adds to the depth and thought processes of the manga. There is many times when I felt a bit amazed and maybe even stunned about what was going on, but everything is stronger than ever.

During the series, there have been some disappointments. I hate it when children are doing adult things that they shouldn’t. When this happened, my opinion of the series plummeted. I think that using it as a plot point is a easy way to  create elements with little need for true creativity. Because of this, I often wished that the kids had been several years older. Overall, this would have worked better for me and the kids. Now the series is more heartfelt and creatively developed. The situation is as intense as ever, and the kid’s reactions is a wonderful mix of the simple thoughts of children and having to mature too fast.

I like how much the story has gone outside of the original group which adds a sense of realism in my opinion. Really, if a group of kids needed to try and save the world, keeping it a secret and figuring it out alone would be basically impossible. Besides, there are enough stories like that already.

The art work is crisp and clean. The images are well defined, something I really appreciate. There is definitely a style and skill to the drawing which really helps tell the story, which it the real star of the whole series. It is one thoughtful manga series.

Bokurano Ours  is a Viz Signature series and it meant for adults, and I think will best be appreciated by those a little older. Even though it is a story about kids, it is about kids who have to deal with things they shouldn’t because they are kids. These are still adult issues.  This series has a lot of merit, but it isn’t flashy, or romantic, or funny or cool, so I think it might be one of those with a quiet place on the manga shelf but it probably deserves more attention because it can really illustrate what is beyond the typical manga.

This series is one that I always look forward to because I’ve just got to know what happens next, and now, how it will all end.

Overall Grade: A

 

Rin-ne volume 13 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 23, 2013
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Rin-ne 13Rin-ne volume 13

Creator: Rumiko Takahashi

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media / Shonen Jump

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 13th, 2013

Format: Manga / Paperback

Age Rating: T+ for older teens

Personal Grade: B

 

Synopsis: 

While out looking for a place to have his scythe repaired, Rinne runs into the rabbit-eared twins Right and Left, scythe smiths and proprietors of the Crescent Moon Hall forge. The first repair is free, but the fix might leave Rinne looking for a refund!

The Crescent Moon Hall offers more than just scythe repairs, they offer Rinne the use of the new scythe wax which great at keeping your scythe from collecting mud. Of course Rinne had never run into a mud spirit, until now. They also manage to talk him into trying out the new cat spirit scythe. The question is does it help or hurt? Will the Crescent Moon Hall be the end of Rinne?

 

Commentary:

One thing about Rin-ne is that it is a rather self contained story. It is easy to pick it up at any time. Even though the story follows Rinne it also manages to give us some short episodes that are only connected by the characters and their silly interactions. Of course there is a overlapping plot line, but it is only there because the plot leads these characters through their lives.

Rin-ne is a wonderfully light story that provides humor with supernatural aspects in a way that is not something that weighs you down. It is one of the those few series that is so non-committal that it become something that you are happy to be apart of. If you think about the older works of Rumiko Takahashi like Inu Yasha or Ramna 1/2 it is easy to understand where Rin-ne comes from and volume 13 follows the standard fun loving model that she has set for her stories.

Overall Grade: B

Volume 13 is just plan fun it doesn’t require the reader to do anything but just move along with them. If you are looking for a series that is trying to say something special then you need to look elsewhere, but if all you want is a story that offers a simple comedy that covers a series of events with no hidden plot or dark story then this one is for you. There is a reason that Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most beloved manga artist in Japan and Rin-ne is proof that you don’t need deep meaning to be considered a good manga.

Ooku: The Inner Chamber Volume 8 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 20, 2013
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Ooku volume 8Ooku: The Inner Chamber Volume 8

Created by Fumi Yoshinaga

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

American Release Date: September 17th, 2013

Format: Manga / Paperback / 224 pages

Genre: Historical Edo Period

Age Rating: M for mature Theme

Overall Personal Rating: B

Similar series: Vagabond and maybe Tactics

Imagine a world where the population is 85% women and 15% men. I know that for me it might be a great life, or would it?  If I were a 20 year old handsome guy I would think it might be heaven.

Synopsis:

The year is 1636, a terrible plague hits Japan and only one-fourth of the male population survives. The plague is known as the Redface Pox. The effect it has on  Japanese society is unbelievable. The Japanese society during the Edo period was ruled by the Shogunate and male dominated in every way. The utter devastation of the male population forces the Japanese to completely reverse roles. The women become the workers and rulers and the men that survive become pampered playthings for the sole purpose of ensuring the continued existence of the Japanese race. Or should I say the bearers of the precious seed.

Now we have moved through several Shogun and Yoshimune has secured her place in history as a cunning and capable ruler, but the time has come for her to officially declare an heir. Many in her court hope she will pass over her oafish older daughter Ieshige in favor of the urbane Munetake. Yoshimune has never been one to bow to convention, but this time the future of her country is at stake.

Commentary:

Volume 8 of Ooku had hit a wall. It seems to be spending plenty of time exploring the fate men and making sure that they live a similar life of what women did in our history, but at time the path of these men feel a little cliché. Over the years I have enjoyed many of the Edo Period  stories such as Vagabond and Samurai Champloo, but I was very afraid that Ooku is loosing it’s touch at being poignant and at the same time giving us a cultural statement about the battle of the sexes. It started off strong, setting the premise well, but appears to be falling apart quickly when the story turned to Yoshizo and his life of trying to be a cook in the Inner Chamber.

The one thing that bothered me most was the translation. The English was written in a heavy Quaker speak and the thee and thous  were very much out of place. I know that the Japanese had some minor contact with the West, but I doubt that it had the effect of changing the way they spoke. I realize that it was done for dramatic effect, but there is no reason for it.

Overall Grade: B

Being a Viz Signature series manga I expected more from the series and it was not until the last 25% of this volume that something of value began to unfold. The use of old English or the puritanical speech betrayed the intent of the author. I find it very hard to accept that style of language, I would have rather it been in a contemporary voice rather than the 16th century style.  I felt like I was on a Quaker Farm in Ohio rather than 1700 Japan. I begin to understand what Fumi Yoshinaga  is beginning to do. It may be a slow development of the true plot line but it does look to be intriguing. I am looking forward to the next volumes and the direction this parallel universe is going.

Similar Titles:

If Ooku is something for you, be sure to check out Vagabond and Tactics, then when you need a little humor with the Edo period give Samurai Champloo a ride.

Wolf Children the Movie (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 16, 2013
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Wolf ChildrenTitle: Wolf Children

Director: Mamoru Hosoda

Studio: Madhouse and Studio Chizu

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 26th, 2013

Format: DVD/ Blu-ray / Feature Film / 117 Minutes

Genre: Supernatural, Slice of Life

Age Rating: TV PG

Overall Grade: A

 

Synopsis:

 

From Mamoru Hosoda, the internationally-acclaimed director of The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars and Winner of the Japan Academy Prize for Best Animation of the Year, 2013.

 

Hana was a student before she was a mother. She was bright and pretty, and her future held endless possibilities. Then she met a man, who turned out to be a wolf, and together they built a family.Hana loved her mate fiercely, but fate took him from her, leaving her alone with two unusual kids she didn’t know how to raise. Frightened of being discovered, Hana and her wolf children fled to the countryside to build a new life. Raising her little wild things was an adventure. It left Hana bruised, scratched, exhausted, and joyously overwhelmed as her pups grew stronger and wandered further every day. This is a mother’s journey. Teach your children to chase their dreams – and smile through the tears as they disappear into the world in search of who they will become. Hana wasn’t always a mother, but it was always what she was meant to be.

 

Commentary:

 

I know that there are quite a few people awaiting the DVD / Blu-ray U. S. release of Wolf Children because of all the hype that has been put out there and honestly it is everything that is being said and more. Hosoda managed to create a beautiful film that touches even the hairiest of hearts. Watching these children grow up is a reminder to all parents of the trials and tribulations they must endure and at the same time a reminder of the most pure type of love that exists. Mamoru Hosoda continues his ways by capturing the human emotions that we all go through in times of stress and moments of  truth. Wolf Children does more than just tell the story of a single mother trying to raise two enchanted children, it tell the story of all parents trying to raise their children and provide the best environment possible for them. I know that most of us are trapped by our economic position in the world, but for Hana, she managed to break those bindings and discover a new path that suited her kids the best.

 

The animation of the film is typical Hosoda and it accentuates the world around the characters and at the same time flattens out the humans in order to allow the richness of their characters shin through. This style worked well for him in Summer Wars and even better in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. The beauty of nature is always a focal point in Hosoda’s anime and Wolf Children shows it off well. The plot makes it easy to focus on nature, but at the same time it also reminds us of the importance of all things that surround us.

 

If you are looking for a action packed film like Summer Wars please rethink the way you approach Wolf Children. This one is a film that needs to wash over you just the same way life does.

 

Overall Grade: A

 

Being a huge fan of Mamoru Hosoda’s work it is easy for me to grade Wolf Children with high marks, but this film is deserving of every bit of praise heaped upon it. The only thing I might see as a weakness is that the film is not a children’s film even though it highlights two children growing up. This film is really about being a parent and the trials and tribulations they go through trying to raise children. It is also about children growing up and discovering who they are. Wolf Children is one of the best anime films released in the U. S. this year and continues to prove that Mamoru Hosoda understands us all in some very special ways.  This one is a must see.

Slam Dunk volume 31 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 15, 2013
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Slam Dunk volume 31Title: Slam Dunk volume 31
Author/Artist: Takehiko Inoue
Publisher: Viz Media
American Release Date: Dec. 3rd, 2013
Format: Manga / 192 pages
Publisher Age Rating: T+ for older teen
Genre: Shonen, sports, drama, comedy
Overall Personal Rating: A-

Synopsis:

With only a minute left in the game, the players of Shohoku High have closed the gap on the scoreboard with a supreme effort that has the crowd on its feet. Sannoh, the reigning champions, are still in the lead, but the game now hangs in the balance, and it isn’t over until the last whistle blows. Both teams know this is it – time to lay everything on the line and no holding back, because only one team will leave the court victorious!

Hanamichi Sakuragi is hurt and try to leave the game, but while on the bench he realizes that this is his defining moment and ask to be substituted back into the game. The tension is running high and the team is exhausted. Deep down in their hearts they know that this game means more than anything else. Can they pull it off? Can they be the ultimate Cinderella team? There is only one way to find out and you know what that is.

Commentary:

The first thing that struct me about volume 31 was the lack of text to drive the story. It was clear from that outset that the artistry and ability to draw the action will make or break this final volume. The simple truth is that it really works. You can almost feel how tired the players are and at the same time see how they are able to get their adrenalin running to finish the game. It work to almost perfection because the movement that is drawn into the game stood out and really drove the action home. If there was anything about the drawing that detracted from the action it had to be the way the sweating of the players. There were panels that looked like everyone had some weird rash or single little droplets were just spotted all over the players. With the strength of all of the other aspects to the drawing I think Inoue went a little overboard with the sweat.

There are several other sports manga that work well with similar plots, but Slam Dunk is able to capture the fast pace of a basketball game and also bring a soul into it at the same time. With the sports manga like Cross Game the tension of baseball is easier to portray because it is a slower paced game that most often comes down to the pitcher and batter. In Slam Dunk and the basketball game the spotlight cam be on one or two people, but the others on the court factor greatly into the action. Takehiko Inoue captures the feeling of the game and still manages to let the underlying melodrama shine through.

Overall Grade: A-

All in all this is a great final volume to this series. My only complaint was the way the sweat was depicted on the player and it was enough to distract me  early on in the volume. I thought that lack of textual narrative help the reader stay with the action and really show off Inoue’s ability to tell the story through the pictures. This is a great series for any sports fan out there.

Dogs Volume 8 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 10, 2013
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Dogs Volume 8Review provided by Camille
Title: Dogs Volume 8
Author: Shirow Miwa
Distributor: Viz Media
American Release Date: November 19th, 2013
Format: Viz Sig Manga,da
Genre: Action, Suspence, Shonen
Publisher Age Rating: M (Mature)
Personal Review Rating: A-
It’s all fun and games until Mother arrives…
Synopsis:
Though many questions were still to be answered, life was going back to the regular daily struggles. Wounds were finally starting to heal, but the mind behind the attack wasn’t going to let that happen. 
She was supposed to be dead, and one of her was. Mother is turing out to be more difficult to destory than anticipated. However, her appearance in the Underground city has answered some of the most important questions. However, some of the answers aren’t all that welcomed. If Mother is still alive, that means the missing children from the Underground were actually the soldigers that attacked the city. That those who were surching for these kids were the ones who killed them. This is unforgiveable. Hein and Bishop knew about what happened to the children, and now the Underground is more than angry. Hein and Bishop may be immortal, but can they really survive and attack from all the fruriated citizens?
Commentary:
I was first drawn to Dogs because of the art style. It’s got that edgy, fine lines, dark look that I tend to gravitate towards. I knew nothing about the story, but it looked good enough to flip through. After I read volume 1, I went out the next day and got the rest of the volumes available at the time. The story was so interesting, full of depth and the constant twist and turns was almost to much, but I couldn’t put it down. I was excited to see this volume come in, it’s been almost a year since the last volume was released. I wish I could say it didn’t dissappoint, but it felt like it was lacking something. 
One of the things that makes Dogs one of my favorite series is the cleanliness of the action scenes. They are well illistrated for as dark as this series is. There isn’t much in the way of background detail, but the caracters are stunning. Maintaining the detail of the characters durring fight scenes is tough and most often is lost, but not with Dogs. There’s a balance between the characters, the story, and their movements that I really appreciate.
Dogs is a character driven series. But this volume didn’t really expand or shine on any one chacter. They were all just kind of there. Personalities weren’t a priority. With that I would have expected more of the illistrative focus to be on the surroundings, but there were more plain white, empty panels then I would have liked. Just a little somehting to fill those awkward voids. It’s a manga, not a novel, but this volume felt more like I was just reading words, and the pictures where nothing more than decoration. 
This volume is a set up volume, right before the “final fight”. It brought all the information we already know into one coherent, interconnected plot line. I think it was well timmed. Other series, especially shorter series, tend to rush the connecting of plot points, but with there being a volume 0, which explains Hein’s past, volume 8 came just at the right time. 
Overall Grade: A-
I’ve enjoyed Dogs from the beginning, and I don’t ever see myself not liking what Shirow Miwa releases. This volume was a well timed point when all the backstories and revealed information became one solid plot, but there were a few to many blank pannels. I still can’t wait for the next volume!
Similar Series:
Dogs is a fairly dark series, about humas being the real moster that we are all afraid of. Other series with similar vibes are March Story, Dorohedoro, and D. Gray-man to name a few. 

Vampire Knight 17 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : November 10, 2013
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Vampire Knight 17Title: Vampire Knight 17

Writer: Matsuri Hino

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: Nov. 5th, 2013

Format: manga / Paperback / 200 pages

Genre: Shojo, Romance, Supernatural

Age Rating: T+

Overall Grade: B

 

Synopsis: 

Kaname has returned to Cross Academy to kill Sara Shirabuki. Zero has joined forces with Sara, leaving Yuki in the middle of the conflict. Even if Kaname’s ultimate goal is to kill all purebloods, is Yuki ready to fight him?

With Sara being protected at the Hunters headquarters will Kaname be able to take Sara out or will this battle against the Hunters bring on a new era of Vampire wars? Will Zero prove to be Sara’s savior and will the night school manage to stay with the path of coexistence with the humans?

Commentary:

Vampire Knight is a highly loved manga series that takes the Vampire world and turn it a little upside down and make it a place that wants to live with humans. This story line is country to their very nature which adds plenty of tension, but when you add a princess vampire who was raised as a human and a young man who is infected with vampire blood and who was raised as a vampire hunter and make them a love interest it complicates the story in a very interesting way. Vampire Knight is a shojo anime, but it lends itself to plenty of action and drama and the romance aspects of the series ends up taking a back seat except for moments of high tension. For me this just might be the most vulnerable part of the series. This tug at the heart strings at critical moments ends up failing getting in the way. The ultimate outcome will end up being decided by these love interest, but rather than make them the weakest point if the series they should be the strongest link and allow these characters the ability to make decisions rather than becoming frozen by their dilemma.

Overall Grade: B

Vampire Knight provides plenty of wonderful writing and artwork and stands at the center of the Shojo genre. It is great to see this long running series bringing thins to a head and the final two volumes should be a real treat. Volume 17 does a great job of setting up the final battle and also reveal the real plant that Kaname has and is it possible that that he understands something that will be better in the end? Vampire Knight fans will love this volume. For someone looking for a supernatural series that combines a solid romance early on with a drama that keeps the reader engages should grab the series at volume one ad start enjoying this star of the Shojo genre.