To everyone that has been following this blog, I thank you all. I apologize for not updating more often, work and life just got in the way. I've also been working on getting a new site set up. It doesn't look like much, but I'll be posting reviews at the new
Burning Lizard Studios
Reviews will be somewhat the same, with some minor tweaks here and there. I hope to see you there!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Friday, July 26, 2013
Episode 057 - July 22, 2013 - Why Aren't There More Fantasy Manga? | Fairy Tail Vol. 13
Episode 057
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 22, 2013. This week we ask the question, "Why aren't there more western themed fantasy manga?" In the end it comes down to immersion, and what the writers themselves are most comfortable writing. We also discuss Fairy Tail Vol. 13, the beginning of the Fighting Festival Arc. Warning: Due to certain events in this week's issue, this episode is a bit on the graphic side.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Episode 056 - July 15, 2013 - The Top Five Fathers in Manga | Fairy Tail Vol. 11 - 12
Episode 056
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 15, 2013. This week we celebrate Father's Day a couple weeks late by listing our top five fathers in manga. We finish up the Tower of Heaven arc in Fairy Tail by discussing volumes 11 and 12. If you've ever had a problem with the ending of that arc be sure to listen to this episode, because we go a bit in depth and explain why certain events happen the way they do, and what they really mean.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Episode 055 - July 8, 2013 - The Top Five Old People in Manga | Fairy Tail Vol. 10
Episode 055
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 8, 2013. This week we talk about a staple of manga, badass old people, and we rank which are the most awesome. We also discuss Fairy Tail Vol. 10 in our continued effort to catch up with this series.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Episode 054 - July 1, 2013 - The Portrayal of Overweight People in Manga | Fairy Tail Vol. 9
Episode 054
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 1, 2013. This week we discuss the portrayal of overweight individuals in manga, is it good? Is it bad? And why exactly are things the way they are? We also continue our discussion of Fairy Tail, this week with volume nine.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Manga Reviews: Fairy Tail Volume 9
In the aftermath of the war against Phantom Lord, Fairy Tail is investigated by the government. They are found innocent, but remain under heavy scrutiny by the magic council. While the guild is being rebuilt, Lucy slips away to confront her father about his actions against her guild.
With everything wrapped up the team is able to start going on jobs again, in a one off chapter they put on a play for a failing theater house, and in another Lucy finds herself embroiled in the mystery of Loke's past.
The Review
While volume eight was all about action with a little bit of comedy, volume nine has little action, and rather focuses on the aftermath of the previous arc and comedy. It's important because it gives readers a chance to breath in between the larger arcs. I was a bit surprised, however, that we only really get one single chapter story before moving on to another multi-chapter story. Granted there's no big bad to defeat in Loke's story, but it's still an important character moment for him, much like how the last two arcs had been important character moments for Lucy and Gray.
The followup to any action packed story is the most crucial part of any manga. Most readers will stick around if the action is really good, but the chances of keeping readers is increased when the non-action chapters are well done. And in this case we not only get to see the beginning of Juvia stalking Gray, we also get what I consider the funniest bit of comedy in the entire series.
In regards to Juvia, while stalkers are a serious matter, and I could see why some would use her behavior this volume against her, I can't help but just be entertained. It's cute and funny, and I really can't ask for more out of a breather chapter.
The Frederick and Yanderica story is by far the funniest thing to come out of Fairy Tail. Even after multiple rereads I find myself chuckling and even laughing out loud.
Loke's story, which takes up exactly half the volume, wasn't my favorite story the first time I read it. I confess that at the time I was a bit of a shipper, and seeing Lucy spending so much time with a character that wasn't who I shipped her with annoyed me. But, that would be a silly way to judge a story, so instead I'm glad that I have since locked my inner shipper deep away and can approach this from a rational standpoint.
After this reread I must say that I enjoyed Loke's story a lot more than I did initially. What strikes me most is how it gives Loke his own little arc, without there being some kind of demon from his past to defeat, something that Mashima has done quite literally in previous arcs. In Loke's case his big bad is his own sense of guilt, and rather than defeating this demon through brute force that acts as a metaphor for friendship, in this case Loke is literally saved by the power of friendship.
Though, I will always be wondering what exactly Karen had Aries do for those men. I most definitely know what I thought back when I first read this story-I was reading a lot more of the pulpy seinen variety of manga back then and my mind kept jumping to the worst assumptions-and it certainly contributed to why I didn't like this story at first. Since then I've actually gotten a bead on what Mashima's writing style is, and I think I can definitely say that he didn't intend for us to assume the worst. Or at least I hope he didn't. Otherwise I might start hating this story again.
Nonetheless, I highly recommend this volume not only as a followup to the last volume, but for the comedy and a rather well written bit of back story for a character that had until this point been mostly incidental.
The Grade
4/5
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Manga Reviews: Fairy Tail Volume 8
Fairy Tail is in dire straits as their guild is destroyed by Phantom Lord. Even though they've managed to defeat all the Element Four, Natsu and his friends are still faced by Gajeel and the master of Phantom Lord, Jose.
With all enemies, even the formidable Gajeel, taken out, Erza is the only one standing before Jose. That is, until Makarov's miraculous recovery.
The Review
The nice thing about this volume is that not only is it more or less the end of an arc so I can discuss the storyline as a whole, but it's also clearly divided into several different fights, which allows me to separate my review into digestible pieces. Say what you will about shonen action series, they can make for some pretty easy reviews. Unless of course one wants to actually sound intelligent during the discussion of said manga. Which is what I hope to do, so please, let me know in the comments how well I succeed in that aspect.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Episode 053 - June 24, 2013 - The Top Five Manga We Want Licensed | Fairy Tail Vol. 8
Episode 053
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 24, 2013. This week we discuss manga series we've read through certain..."clandestine" means and would really love to put down some cold hard cash for. We also continue our discussion of Fairy Tail with a review of volume eight of the manga.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Episode 052 - June 17, 2013 - The Top Five Sexiest Manga Characters | Fairy Tail Vol. 7
Episode 052
(MP3 | M4A)
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 17, 2013. This week we indulge in a bit of fun and discuss which are our top five favorite sexy manga characters. We also discuss volume seven of Fairy Tail. For now the MP3 is not available due to technical difficulties. I'm working to resolve it.
Manga Reviews: Fairy Tail Volume 7
The StoryNatsu, Elfman, and Gray infiltrate the guild to take it down from the inside. There they confront and take down two of the Element Four, while Gray's battle against Juvia begins.
The Review
This arc marks a high point in this series for me. It was the first really big arc that had consequences that stretched beyond any individual job. Up to this point the aftermath of any given arc was contained to that arc alone. But in this case, with the near complete destruction of the guild the fallout cannot be contained to this arc alone. For many long running shonen action and adventure series that focus on an arc by arc structure the tendency to keep elements of each arc contained to said arc is fairly common. I'd say this is the moment where Fairy Tail's willingness to work outside the initial constraints work to make it one of the more worth while long running series.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Episode 051 - June 10, 2013 - Why Doesn't Oda Kill Characters? | Bakuman Vol. 1
Episode 051
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 10, 2013. This week we discuss why exactly Eiichiro Oda never kills any of his characters. We can't really know in the end, but I think we get close to a general idea of what his reasoning could be. We also discuss the first volume of Bakuman, easily one of my favorite shonen series around. Prior evidence aside.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 102 - Toriko Finally Defeated?! The Delicate and Dynamic Power of Honoring the Food!
The Story
Shu shows Toriko the Bubble Fruit in the courtyard, but Toriko's hunter's instincts disturb the fruit and cause it to pop. Shu has Toriko fight him to demonstrate what honoring the food can do even with very little energy. Toriko is worn down and unable to defeat the much weaker Shu. Shu then demonstrates how honoring food can help Komatsu by defeating him in a cabbage shredding competition.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Episode 050 - June 3, 2013 - When the Main Characters Sucks! | Toriko Vol. 6
Episode 050
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 3, 2013. This week we celebrate our fiftieth episode. It's amazing that we've managed to come this far at an almost perfectly consistent weekly release rate. Sure early on we had some weeks where we couldn't make it and had to do a double episode the following week. But for the most part we've been doing this completely consistently. This week we get to talk about what happens when the main character sucks, and how it can be fixed. We also discuss Toriko Vol. 6.
Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 101 - People Without Gratitude Aren't Welcome! Terrifying Chowlin Temple!
The Story
Toriko and Komatsu learn about the vanishing forest disappearing when faced with threats. They reach the temple and discover that it is more violent than the forest, attacking those it feels aren't honoring the food. Criminals are brought here to be taught how to honor the food and rehabilitated. Chin Chin-Chin tells them they will learn from the assisstant instructor Shu.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 100 - Put Your Hands Together and Bow! National Treasure, Chin-Chin, Appears!
The Story
Toriko and follow the fortune roll where it falls, into the vanishing forest. However, before they reach their destination, they find that the roll has been broken where a huge chunk of the forest has been scooped out. They chase who they think is the thief to the ten star Vanishing Japanese Cuisine Restaurant. When they try to enter it disappears, but a voice tells them to clap their hands together and bow. The restaurant reappears and the owner Chiru serves them a meal. But the ingredients are so delicate that they are barely able to eat any of them. After their meal the only other customer in the restaurant, and the one that helped them enter in the first place, reveals himself to be the master of Chowlin Temple, Master Chin Chin-Chin.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Graphic Novel Reviews: Justice League of America 004
The JLA tracks down Catwoman and the Secret Society's location and break in. Meanwhile Catwoman breaks free from her restraints but is recaptured. The leader of the society, a very Joker-esque looking fellow, puts a gun to her head and shoots her. In the backup Martian Manhunter remembers the event that lead to the death of his whole people.
The Review
It's been said before, but it needs to be said again. If you're a fan of Catwoman you need to be reading this book. I won't say this is the best she's ever been written, but considering her own series right now I will say it's the best she's been written in a long time. Though I do find that her constantly name-dropping Batman is a bit odd. It's almost like the readers need to be reminded that she was a supporting character of Batman's. Which I suppose works for new readers, but for literally everyone else we don't particularly need the reminder. Though I did enjoy seeing how in this issue trying to use Batman's name backfired on her.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Graphic Novel Reviews: Li'l Gotham 002
The StoryThe Review
The first thing that strikes me about this print version of the digital first Li'l Gotham is how well the pages are put together. In the digital release half a page of the printed edition is a full page in the digital chapters. I was afraid it wouldn't go well together when put into a full page, that there would be a clear line through the middle of each page. Fortunately the folks at DC are in fact professional picture people and know how to make this book look good.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Graphic Novel Reviews: Talon 008
The StoryThe Review
There's a strange realm where plot events are predictable but still satisfying. This issue falls into that realm. I think the main reason I'm not pulling out the, "Psha! I called that months ago!" card is because I'm genuinely interested to see what happens next. It's a big shift from the status quo of the book, and where we go from here will be very intersting. I'm not a fan that I'll have to buy Birds of Prey to get the next part, but I will do it just so I can see Calvin playing the role of the villain. That last page has me really excited to see what happens next. I don't usually put much importance in the whole "I want to see these characters fight" mentality. But I really, really want to see him fight the Birds of Prey.
Graphic Novel Reviews: The Dark Knight 020
The StoryThe Review
I could be very, very sarcastic during this review. In fact last week that was my gut reaction. Since then I've had time to cool down, realize there were more important things in life than bad comic books. But, I imagine as I get back into the books coming out this week I'll find a couple of stinkers to ruin my mood.
I don't think anyone is surprised at Natalya's death. People that haven't read any Batman books before couldn't possibly be surprised by her ultimate fate. Batman has kept his secret identity for a long time, that doesn't happen when every girl he ever revealed his secret to managed to survive their respective story.
Episode 049 - May 27, 2013 - Why Hiramaru and Aoki's Relationship Sucked | Toriko Vol. 5
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of May 27, 2013. This week Moe doesn't get to do much talking for the first half because I'm too busy ranting about how much I hate the relationship between Hiramaru and Aoki in Bakuman. Think I'm crazy? Agree with me? Listen to this week's episode and find out why exactly I believe that. We also talk about Toriko Vol. 5.
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