ZayCon
Demographic: Shounen (90 %) and Seinein (10 %)
Genres: Pretty much everything
Favorite mangas: One Piece, Hunter x Hunter, Toriko, Death Note and Bakuman.
Favorite magazine: Weekly Shounen Jump
Favorite mangaka: Eiichiro Oda, Takeshi Obata + Ohba Tsugumi and Ken Akamatsu
Age: 18 (very soon 19)
Recommendations a week: 1-3
Responses to my recommendations are wanted, as long as the posts are tidy and on-topic.
MANGA RECOMMENDATION:
Blue = Shounen
Red = Seinen
04.07.2011: Love Hina
Spoiler showLOVE HINA
Mangaka: Ken Akamatsu (Negima)
Demographic: Shounen
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Harem and Ecchi
Magazine: Weekly Shounen Magazine
Status: Finished (1998 - 2001)
Lenght: 120 chapters divided in 14 volumes
Scanlation: Complete
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/manga/1/101l.jpg
Synopsis from MAL:
Art examples:Quote:
Keitaro has had great difficulty getting into the university of his choice and no luck in meeting women. In a desperate effort to go into seclusion and study for his entrance exams, he volunteers to take over running his grandmother's hotel. His plans are ruined when he discovers that the "hotel" is actually an all-girls dormitory ... and some serious distractions ensue.
http://www.mangareader.net/239-17267...chapter-1.html (Detailed street)
http://www.mangareader.net/239-17267...chapter-1.html (Hotel Hinata)
http://www.mangareader.net/239-17267...chapter-1.html (Good use of facial expressions)
Personal rating:
Overall: 10/10
Story: 9-10/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Personal opinion:
Definitively a masterpiece! The characters are pretty unique and well made, the comedy is great and the plot is suitable for this kind of harem-manga. What makes this manga a masterpiece is the interaction and development between the characters. The overall feeling of Love Hina is just magic!
Love Hina was the first manga I finished (second I started I think). It was also the first manga I bought (ordered every published volume in my language at that time - think it was 10 volumes or so). I remember when I got the last volum (14). I got my grandma to buy it for me, because I was in Turkey. When I came home at 5 am, I ripped it up and read it twice. I loved the ending, but I was very sad, because there wouldn't be anymore Love Hina. After that I've re-read it 3 times (on my fourth re-read now actually), making it the third series I value so much that it deserves to be read multiple times (together with One Piece and Hunter x Hunter).
Why do I recommend this?
It's simply because Love Hina is EPIC in every possible way. It's a must read for every shounen fans. Of course, it got some elements that's used before, some cliches etc. But they're done in such a great way that they're easily forgotten. The characters are easy to fall in love with, and the interaction and relationship between them is always interesting and funny. Su (inspired by Edward from Cowboy Bebop) brings tons of comedy to the manga, with her awesome and funny attitude. The art is very good. It's pretty detailed and pretty, and it makes the funny moments even better.
Who do I recommend this to?
I recommend this to people who's looking for a fun and lovely manga. It's a pretty easy-read, so if you're looking for something deep and complicated - Love Hina is not for you. Best harem manga I've ever read!
05.07.2011: Billy Bat
Spoiler showBILLY BAT
Mangaka: Naoki Urasawa (20th Century Boys, Monster etc.)
Demographic: Seinen
Genre: Mystery and Drama
Magazine: Morning
Status: Ongoing (2008)
Lenght: 60 chapters (05.07.2011)
Scanlation: Regularly
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/manga/2/22406l.jpg
Synopsis from MAL:
Art examples:Quote:
The story is set in 1949 and follows Japanese-American comic book artist Kevin Yamagata as he draws the popular detective series "Billy Bat" for "Marble Comics." When he learns he may have unconsciously copied the character from an image he saw while serving in occupied Japan, he returns to Japan to get permission to use Billy Bat from its original creator. Upon arriving there, however, he becomes embroiled in a web of murder, cover-ups, and prophecy that all leads back to Billy Bat.
It is soon evident, however, that the truth of Billy Bat's nature is far larger than Kevin could ever guess, spanning millennia and across the world.
http://www.mangareader.net/239-17267...chapter-1.html (Very detailed)
http://www.mangareader.net/492-29466...chapter-2.html (Mind-blowing street!)
http://www.mangareader.net/492-29467...chapter-3.html (Mind-blowing street 2!)
Personal rating:
Overall: 10/10
Story: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Personal opinion:
Masterpiece that get's way to little attention. I haven't read either 20th Century Boys or Monster yet, but it's not fair that most of the attention goes to this two series, when Billy Bat is SO FUCKING GOOD! First of all: The plot is awesome! Always interesting, filled with remarkable cliffhangers and plot twists. Someone on this forum made a perfect statement about Billy Bat: The mix between pop culture and historical elements is epic. You get to see lots of historical persons and companies (President Kennedy, Coca Cola or Golden Cola and a Disney parallel. The character is also very good. The way Urasawa introduce new characters is just brilliant! Beside this, their development is just phenomenal, clever and realistic. Personally I think the art is mindblowing, as I often find myself just gazing at a page for several minutes. I've heard somebody that think it's not that good though, but this is a opinion I just can't agree to at all.
DON'T LOSE FAITH AFTER JUST 2 CHAPTERS! The two first are just "experimental" chapters, or what I should call it.
Why do I recommend this?
I recommend this because I think everybody will like it (yeah, I do actually). The plot is interesting, exciting and sometimes mind-blowing. You get dragged in as you read further, and before you know it you're totally psyched about Billy Bat (took me 5 chapters or something). The mix between pop culture and historical elements (not only japanese ones) makes you feel somewhat familiar, and it makes the plot so much better.
Who do I recommend this to?
I recommend Billy Bat to everybody! Both people who don't read seinen, and those who do. It's a manga that nobody should miss. I can't say anything about other Urasawa series, but if you liked those, you should probably check out Billy Bat too.
08.07.2011: Karakuri
Spoiler showKARAKURI
Mangaka: Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto)
Demographic: Shounen
Genre: Action
Magazine: Akamaru Jump
Status: Finished (1995)
Lenght: One-shot
Scanlation: Finished
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/manga/1/35377l.jpg
Synopsis from MAL:
Art examples:Quote:
In order to combat a deadly virus, an implant was made that is transplanted into a human being's nervous system. Unfortunately, this implant technology was also used by the less scrupulous to create human weapons, blood-red eyed creatures referred to as "Roido". To cope with this threat the defense agency has created the Karakuri unit, an elite unit whose human members are monitored by small talking animals. As Kiru the karakuri goes to visit his friends Koten and Koron while on leave, he's going to learn that there are no days off against the Roido!
http://7.p.s.mhcdn.net/store/manga/8...oto_29_rhs.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__-o7wjmKvD...4/s1600/25.png
Personal rating:
Overall: 9/10
Story: 9/10
Art: 8/10
Character: 8/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Personal opinion:
For several years I thought that the only "manga" Kishimoto had done before Naruto was the Naruto one-shot, but then I found out about Karakuri. I looked all over the internet, but couldn't find it. A year or two later I found it, and it had finally been scanlated in english. I read it right away, and I was very pleased with it. It probably wouldn't work as a serie, but as a one-shot it was very good.
Why do I recommend this?
I recommend Karakuri becaus it shows another side of Kishimoto. It's much darker and maybe more complex than Naruto. Moreover, it's a very good one-shot.
Who do I recommend this to?
I first of all recommend it to Naruto-fans who wants to see another side of Kishimoto, but also to everyone else. I don't think the die-hard Naruto fans would like it, because it doesn't have the "Naruto-vibe" to it, and it's kind of darker.
11.07.2011: Yotsuba&!
Spoiler showYOTSUBA&!
Mangaka: Kiyohiko Azuma (Azumanga Daioh and Wallaby)
Demographic: Seinen
Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life
Magazine: Dengeki Daioh
Status: Monthly (2003)
Lenght: 74 chapters (11.07.2011)
Scanlation: Irregular, but up-to-date
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/manga/3/30251l.jpg
Synopsis from MAL:
Art examples:Quote:
Yotsuba's daily life is full of adventure. She is energetic, curious, and a bit odd – odd enough to be called strange by her father as well as ignorant of many things that even a five-year-old should know. Because of this, the most ordinary experience can become an adventure for her. As the days progress, she makes new friends and shows those around her that every day can be enjoyable.
[urlhttp://www.mangareader.net/yotsubato/74/2[/url] (Funny and cute)
http://www.mangareader.net/yotsubato/74/5 (Great use of facial expressions!)
http://www.mangareader.net/yotsubato/73 (Very good art)
Personal rating:
Overall: 9/10
Story: 8/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Personal opinion:
Yotsuba&! is a manga that you just have to love! It makes you feel great when you read it - it actually gives you lots of joy and happiness. It's always frigging cute, and usually very funny too. The mix between the first-rate characters and the great art brings such a enjoyment that only a Slice of Life manga could give. In my opinion this is the best Slife of manga that's ever made. The connections that are made between the characters are also great. The relationship between Yotsuba and her father is very nice, and the way their neighbors take care of the little, cute girl is lovely.
Why do I recommend this?
I recommend it because I know that nobody can resist lovely Yotsuba and her friends. It's a must read for every manga-fan, that will make you smile A LOT!
Who do I recommend this to?
Everybody!
14.07.2011: Vinland Saga
Spoiler showVINLAND SAGA
Mangaka: Makoto Yukimura (Planetes)
Demographic: Seinen
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Historical,
Magazine: Afternoon - Weekly Shounen Magazine first
Status: Monthly (2005) - Weekly at first
Lenght: 73 chapters (14.07.2011)
Scanlation: Regular
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/manga/3/29290l.jpg
Synopsis from MAL:
Extra:Quote:
Thorfinn is a young viking whose father was killed when he was young by a viking captain called Askeladd. After many years, Thorfinn has joined Askeladd's crew to take revenge on him while conquering territories in Northen Europe.
Vinland was a norse term for Canada back in the viking-age. The name comes from "Vin", which means "wine" in english, and "land". Directly translated this would therefore be "Wineland" in English. The vikings looked at this land as a paradise (or at least a very good place to live).Quote:
The panel composition, realistically barbaric violence, and attention to detail in constructing the setting were praised and compared with those found in Kentarō Miura's long-running series Berserk.
Art examples:
http://i28.mangareader.net/vinland-s...ga-1715517.jpg
http://upload.colonbrush.com/files/o...03thorkell.jpg
http://i25.mangareader.net/vinland-s...ga-1576284.jpg
http://www.mangareader.net/125-6173-...chapter-1.html
Personal rating:
Overall: 10/10
Story: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Personal opinion:
First of all: Vinland Saga is epic. Second of all: It's about vikings (I'm from Norway, so that's pretty cool for me). Third of all: It's epic because it's about vikings!
Combine the most awesome story about Vikings that you can think of, with marvelous art, suitable characters and very capable pacing, and you'll have Vinland Saga. The story is very realistic and well-developed, as a historical seinen manga obvious should be. You'll get hooked unbelievable fast reading Vinland Saga. It's just simply amazing in every way. I've mentioned suitable characters, but they're not just that. They have tons of different feelings throughout the manga, and you really get to feel this at all time. Their development is also incredibly well done. The plot isn't just plainly good, it got lots of very good twists and thrilling cliffhangers.
I've already said that the pacing is capable. With this I mean it's quite fast (I'm not a fan of slow manga's, unless it's Slice of Life or comedy). The story has developed a lot, although it's only 73 chapters long. There's one exception though, and that is the latest arc - Farming arc), but it's still very good.
Why do I recommend this?
I recommend Vinland Saga because it's a manga that way to few have read. I know that it has it's own forum here at mangahelpers, but even more people should give it a shot. Vinland Saga is a manga that anyone could like, even though you're a shounen-manga-only person.
Who do I recommend this to?
I recommend this to everybody that wants to read a wicked manga about the most badass people of all time - the vikings! Not only a manga about them, but a awesome one as well. I'll not recommend it to those who look for standard shounen superpower manga or romantic stuff though, because all that is exchanged with total epicness in Vinland Saga.
19.07.2011: Eureka Seven
Spoiler showEUREKA SEVEN
Mangaka: Story: Jinsei Kataoka (Deadman Wonderland) and Art: Kazuma Kondou (Deadman Wonderland)
Demographic: Seinen (With a dash of Shounen I guess)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mecha, Sci-Fi
Magazine: Shounen Ace
Status: Finished (2005 - 2007)
Lenght: 23 chapters divided in 6 volumes
Scanlation: Finished
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/manga/2/14955l.jpg
Synopsis from MAL:
Art examples:Quote:
Renton Thurston's a young 14-year-old who is tired of his monotonous life. The only thing that makes him happy is when he "lifts," an extreme form of aerial hoverboarding. His feelings of frustration come from his life of toil in his Grandfather's garage and being the son of an enigmatic yet legendary "hero." One day, a large LFO (Light Finding Operation) craft called Nirvash falls from the sky and a beautiful young girl named Eureka emerges and asks for repairs. When a smitten Renton literally falls over himself to help her, the two begin a journey that will change both of their destinies.
- Same as Deadman Wonderland, so if you don't know what that means - you'll have two series to read!
http://i19.mangareader.net/eureka-se...ven-299459.jpg
http://www.mangareader.net/194-12829...chapter-2.html
Personal rating:
Overall: 9/10
Story: 8/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 9/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Personal opinion:
I watched the anime of Eureka Seven first (which actually is the original, not the manga), but I fell in love with both of them.
The story starts out pretty normal, but it doesn't take long to notice that this is not a generic story. It's original in so many ways. The characters are unique, and the relationship between them is rather abnormal for a manga, I think. Eureka Seven is a manga that plays a lot on the characters feelings, which is described and illustrated in the best possible way, so that you also feel what they feel. This makes the manga much more interesting. The art of Kazuma Kondou is amazing, as he also proves in Deadman Wonderland (I actually read Eureka Seven first though). One more thing that's a big plus about this manga is that it isn't stretched. It's only 23 chapters long, and it doesn't have any filler or uninteresting stuff.
Why do I recommend this?
I recommend Eureka Seven because it's a very good read. It's filled with a good plot, interesting characters and character-relationships and a incredibly good art. It's very short, so for those who are doubtful: Give it a try! At least a must read for every mecha fan!
Who do I recommend this to?
I recommend everybody that can handle a story that's more complex than for example Bleach. This means that I don't recommend it to those who only wants to see all types of awesome fights. This doesn't mean that the manga don't have good fighting scenes though.
27.07.2011: Ibitsu
Spoiler showIBITSU
Mangaka: Haruka Ryou
Demographic: Seinen
Genre: Horror
Magazine: Young Gangan
Status: Finished (2009 - 2010)
Lenght: 15 chapters (included two extra chapters)
Scanlation: Finished
http://cdn.myanimelist.net/images/manga/3/38312l.jpg
Synopsis from MAL:
Art examples:Quote:
A boy went to take his trash out late one night, and found a strange, creepy, lolita woman sitting amongst the garbage bags. She asked if he had a little sister, and he answered her, hurrying afterwards back to his apartment. When he looked out the window, she was gone. Who is the strange woman, and why does she give him such a bad feeling?
http://i37.mangareader.net/ibitsu/1/ibitsu-1597839.jpg
Personal rating:
Overall: 10/10
Story: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Character: 10/10
Enjoyment: 10/10
Personal opinion:
When I started reading Ibitsu I thought it would be a above average manga, but it turned out to be a sick masterpiece! The manga sucks you in right from the start, and after that it's really hard to stop. I didn't even stop for a minute when I read it (it'll take you around 45-90 minutes, depending on how fast you read). Personally I felt that I couldn't read it fast enough. The story of Ibitsu is very good for a horror series. The pacing is amazing, and you'll never be bored reading it. The art is as suitable as it possibly could be - the horror scenes er frigging unbelievable. Even though it's a very short manga, you get to tie very strong bonds with the characters.
To summarize Ibitsu in just words: Sick, frightful, scary, psychotic, mind-blowing and HORROR!
Why do I recommend this?
I recommend this because it's a masterpiece. It's not very well known, but personally I don't understand why this doesn't get a have movies, animes, sequels etc.
Who do I recommend this to?
I recommend this because it will probably scare the shit out of anybody (which means I don't recommend it to those who doesn't like horror). It's a short read, so EVERYBODY should read it as fast as possible.
