A very good volume, told in a stark, concise manner that works very well with the story and brings it full circle to its beginnings.
It is8.5/10 stars
A very good volume, told in a stark, concise manner that works very well with the story and brings it full circle to its beginnings.
It is a tad short, filled up with a Berserk prototype story that allows the reader to compare Miura's early ideas for the manga with the actual thing. Funnily enough, the early Guts reminded me of Clint Eastwood's westerns, and I was surprised to see Puck already there. The easier, less detailed style somehow worked in favor of the prototype compared to the cluttered early volumes, and while the art skewing slightly toward shonen did not hurt the early version of story, I think it wouldn't work so well with the darker, grimier direction Miura ultimately took.
But we're past this point, thankfully, and by volume 14 Miura's art is stunning, details and all. The visuals of Guts's rage are the absolute pinnacle of the more expressionist elements of Berserk's style.
Miura can get surprisingly subtle when describing the ambivalence and ambiguity of ethical choices. This volume, with its unflinching depi7.5/10 stars
Miura can get surprisingly subtle when describing the ambivalence and ambiguity of ethical choices. This volume, with its unflinching depiction of horrors visited by the strong on the weak, is all the more poignant for the small, almost intimate scale of events. By making children the protagonists of the story Miura achieves an almost universal feeling of unfairness, of terrible choices being made as a result of other terrible choices. There are no good guys here, and the bad guys are all the more horrifying because they are initially almost indistinguishable from the rest - dumb, egoistic, abusive, finding pleasure in the suffering of others but always beyond closed doors, always ready with justifications and excuses. In all of that, Guts is torn between trying to do the right thing and attempting to break the vicious circle of abuse - doing his best (which was never too good) not to lash out and spread his own misery and suffering....more
Man, this is the lowest point for Berserk. Well, I hope it won't get any worse that that, because it was revolting. I understand Miura strug1/10 stars
Man, this is the lowest point for Berserk. Well, I hope it won't get any worse that that, because it was revolting. I understand Miura struggling to up his horror game after all the horrors we had already witnessed before - the readers have been desensitivized already to monstrous shapes, bleeding stumps, mutilated walking corpses and so forth. But spending your feverish imagination early before the climax of the Eclipse is no excuse for a prolonged, gratuitious and voyeuristic depiction of rape. Clearly the physical violation of body and mind is something that had been on Miura's mind a lot when he was creating Berserk, and I get it; but these panels are a tad too eager to depict said violation in minuscule, loving detail. Simply put, they are exploitative, hypersexualised, and completely unnecessary, which makes them into manga porn. I am so fed up with Miura's treatment of Casca, who started out as a strong woman with agency and in the end was turned into a mindless, blown up sex doll.
Also, the entire plot in this volume makes no sense whatsoever; it is an excuse for filling a third of the pages with depictions of rape and mental and physical hurt and writing in Guts's mutilation into backstory as a worthless sacrifice....more
Absolutely heartbreaking and fantastic in equal measures. Akutami's indubitable talent and skill shine in the seamless and tight weaving of10/10 stars
Absolutely heartbreaking and fantastic in equal measures. Akutami's indubitable talent and skill shine in the seamless and tight weaving of the disparate strands and tragic personal stories, showing both the irreversibility and the staggering scope of the changes coming to jujutsu world in the wake of the Shibuya catastrophe. No one is spared. I shed a tear, together with Panda.
But the highlight of this volume is Maki's story. Maki's development arc is so well structured, the triumph and despair complementing each other in a Hegelian dialectic dance of cause and effect, to ultimately create something singular, echoing through to the previous generation... chef's kiss....more
I was hesitant to rate this one - it is a transitive volume, ending Shibuya Incident Arc and beginning the aftermath leading to the colonies9/10 stars
I was hesitant to rate this one - it is a transitive volume, ending Shibuya Incident Arc and beginning the aftermath leading to the colonies arc. There are some things that are simply exquisitely done, Kenjaku's real purpose, Choso's realization about his kinship with Yuji - and the consequences of this particular twist, fabulous!
But the nature of transitions is such that they are rarely smooth and unnoticeable - and here, the jagged, brittle mood so well corresponding to the events gives the whole volume a more anecdotal feel. The introduction of the petty villain Naoya might be a higlight of the latter part of the volume, he's the type of jerk we love to hate. Okkotsu's appearance is also very welcome, and the menacing way the sentence on Yuji is reinstated the moment Gojo disappears shows how deeply corrupted the world of jujutsu sorcerers already is - even without Kenjaku's meddling.
I admire Akutami's skill in weaving all these strands together, and in creating a nuanced, rich depiction of the world - while at the same time delivering absolutely fabulous action scenes.
I read this in a haze of binging, so for the review I needed to read it once again (I know it's a lame excuse, but I'll take any excuse to read Jujutsu Kaisen again ;))...more
The Shibuya Incident is really Akutami's tour de force. It's glorious and horrifying in equal measures, and portends to a truly dark future10/10 stars
The Shibuya Incident is really Akutami's tour de force. It's glorious and horrifying in equal measures, and portends to a truly dark future, indeed. Everything I'd say here could constitute a spoiler, so let me just praise the strength of the character and relationship growth in these volumes - a near impossible task, seeing as they're already filled to bursting with non-stop action and gore. But Todo's and Itadori's bond is something special, bringing to mind other martial-arts friendships based on mutual respect, rivalry and caring, and strengthened by the similarity of worldviews focused on becoming the best version of themselves - like Goku and Kuririn, for example, or early stages of the relationship between Guts and Griffin. Todo and Itadori lift each other up - and that's a much needed ray of light in the unrelenting darkness of Shibuya's arc....more
Akutami is killing me here. This is no holds barred, gory fest of destruction. It's amazingly well designed and executed in minute detail, 10/10 stars
Akutami is killing me here. This is no holds barred, gory fest of destruction. It's amazingly well designed and executed in minute detail, and I could praise the art, the story arc and the emotional buildup for the entire review, but the pain is real. I hate Mahito.
We get the taste of Sukuna's real powers, in two entirely different battles: the first, with Jogo, is a bout of sheer strength, a weirdly honorable duel that nevertheless seems like a playful warmup to the unhinged sorcerer. The second one, with the unbeatable shikigami of Megumi, shows clearly not only the extent of Sukuna's real skill, but also his battle cunning and his total ruthlessness.
After Shibuya, the survival rates among the jujutsu sorcerers must have fallen into single digits. Akutami makes absolutely sure to drive home the point that can be considered safe, not even the readers' favourites....more
Not feeling the hype, sorry - guess I'm too old and jaded for this to work for me. It's tedious, particularly Light's pedantic reasoning and5/10 stars
Not feeling the hype, sorry - guess I'm too old and jaded for this to work for me. It's tedious, particularly Light's pedantic reasoning and manipulation that is always right and successful because of reasons that boil down to arbitrary plot armor.
The moral problem at the heart of this manga is one that almost everyone in their early teenage or preteen years fantasizes about solves without much effort, so seeing it here presented as a dilemma strains not only my patience but also my eyeballs. Constant eyeroll is not healthy. Add to it all the fact that I don't enjoy psychopaths as protagonists, and we're done....more
It is totally over the top, absolutely unashamed of its silliness, and plays right to all the teenage resentment, vengeful superi7/10
Silly, gory fun.
It is totally over the top, absolutely unashamed of its silliness, and plays right to all the teenage resentment, vengeful superiority and feelings of invulnerability that plague almost all of us at some point in life. Is Light dumb? Oh, absolutely. One of the dumbest characters that ever had the privilege of wearing impregnable plot armor. Is the entire premise totally absurd? Yup, you got it. There aren't many more silly ideas that a magic notebook that kills people whose names are written in it, or the ever-growing range of completely arbitrary rules that govern the range of actions of said notebook. The shinigami Ryuk looks like Ozzie Osborne in his lean and substance abuse-fueled years, and just floats around, amusing himself to death. The conflict is ham-handed, the secondary characters mostly flat. And yet it's somehow gripping, and fun - provided you don't take it too seriously.
I'll keep reading for a while, see if I'm still entertained ;)...more
Holy heck. Toji Fushiguro makes a grand comeback, and his battle with Megumi - and the conclusion of it - is outstanding on so many levels.10/10 stars
Holy heck. Toji Fushiguro makes a grand comeback, and his battle with Megumi - and the conclusion of it - is outstanding on so many levels. The way Akutami incorporates Tarot imagery into his art is simply superb. Toji as the Hanged Man nails down everything you need to know both about the character and about the relationship he has with the world he lives in. In general, Akutami's art so seemlessly conveys their intent, showcases the action and evokes so many emotions that reading Jujutsu Kaisen is pure aesthetic pleasure.
Toji's temporary return also puts in motion so many other arcs - Maki's, for example, for she finally sees what she can truly become, but there's also so much potential for Megumi, as well.
Sukuna's return creeps me out. This is no Kurama with a heart of gold, or even the ever-childishly destructive Madara. Sukuna posesses no regard for others, a deeply corrupted code of honor, and almost impossible levels of power. The world is his playground, and others pay the price. His fight with Jogo brings these characteristics to the fore, hinting at a truly terrible past of the Jujutsu Kaisen world....more
Yep, no. Nothing really interests me in this manga, even while cross-reading with xxxHolic. It's just boring, unfunny, maxed out on special 4/10 stars
Yep, no. Nothing really interests me in this manga, even while cross-reading with xxxHolic. It's just boring, unfunny, maxed out on special snowflakiness and kawaii. I'll read the third volume because I've already borrowed it from the library, but it will be the end of this journey....more
I could do without Mei Mei, to be honest. Her obsession with money and material gains goes beyond the norm, or even the comfortable psychosi8/10 stars
I could do without Mei Mei, to be honest. Her obsession with money and material gains goes beyond the norm, or even the comfortable psychosis of Hollywood creations, and enters a very dark realm indeed. In a way, she's reliable. If, and only for so long as, you have money, she will be your ally, your paid contractor - but the more she has, the higher her price. She is a fearsome creature; I hesitate to call her human, because she doesn't seem to exhibit any human qualities. Some curses have more humanity than her!
I did love Yuji's battle with Choso, though. It's full-on, fast, ruthless, and brutal. It's also fabulously depicted. And that conclusion... Chef's kiss.
Also, Nanami is so freaking cool. I already know what happens next (binge reading, ekhm...) so let's just say I'm enjoying the day while it lasts in a true Epicurean fashion - or, in the Japanese fashion, I'm experiencing mono no aware to the max....more
The entire Shibuya incident is glorious. Horrible, sure, but in an absolutely glorious way.
Jujutsu Kaisen clearly shares many similarities10/10 stars
The entire Shibuya incident is glorious. Horrible, sure, but in an absolutely glorious way.
Jujutsu Kaisen clearly shares many similarities (or inspirations) with Naruto. But for once, Akutami's work is a significant improvement on its predecessor. Whatever faults could be found in Naruto, Jujutsu Kaisen addresses them and, for the most part, entirely eliminates them. Mysogyny? Gone. Special Snowflakiness? Gone. Power creep? For now, way below average, though there is potential because some characters already on the scene have insane amounts of power. To be fair to them though, they had worked millenia on that power, so it's justifiable. Relationships? Immensely better. I could go on and on, but you do get the gist.
As for the killer Peter Pan, aka my favorite psychopath thankfully on the right side of morality, Satoru Gojo is simply splendid.
This volume is full of non-stop action and yet manages to crush your heart. ...more
It was enjoyable, and quietly fun, but not much more - at least these first three volumes. I like the fact that it's written by a group of f7/10 stars
It was enjoyable, and quietly fun, but not much more - at least these first three volumes. I like the fact that it's written by a group of female manga-kas (a fact I learned only after reading, so it doesn't affect my rating) and it has a nice, slightly irreverent and slightly melancholy air to it. I like that the main protagonists are an apparently slothy and lazy female witch and her male helper, who's good at housework and cooking, and while he can throw tantrums about it he still finds fulfillment in his work. Of course, appearances are deceiving and the witch isn't either slothy or lazy, but the play with the stereotypes is well-meant and fun. I also like the overarching theme of balance, and payment, and while certain aspects of the story seem rushed or illogical, it might be due to the fact that my knowledge of Japanese culture is incomplete and CLAMP definitely takes a cultural approach to the moral aspects of their stories.
The art is okay but nothing to write home about, late 80s and early 90s shoujo with soft flowing lines and a lot of ornamentation that reminded me of fin de siècle and Alphonse Mucha. I guess Monstress style can be said to be inspired by CLAMP's style. ...more
This volume starts the Shibuya Incident Arc for real, and Akutami lets us know right away how high the stakes ar8/10 stars
It's official, I'm addicted.
This volume starts the Shibuya Incident Arc for real, and Akutami lets us know right away how high the stakes are. Mechamaru's fight with Mahito which opens this action-packed volume is doubly heart-breaking: firstly, in that Mechamaru fights without anybody of his peers knowing his sacrifice or his true motives; secondly, in that his fight, despite all his heroism, is really a footnote in the bigger conflict.
Gojo is set up here like a being from another plane entirely. I love that Akutami doesn't make him a knight in shining armor, more like a misunderstood, whimsical but inherently benevolent demigod that can never be entirely comprehended, nor his benevolence taken for granted. Satoru Gojo is a force of nature burdened with consciousness and morality.
Can't believe I didn't write the review for this one! Welp, here it is, much later, so I might be fuzzy on details ;).
What I do remember, t8/10 stars
Can't believe I didn't write the review for this one! Welp, here it is, much later, so I might be fuzzy on details ;).
What I do remember, though, is that Arakawa's attention to the motivations of the characters is really impressive. Here we get backstories and character development not only for Edward and Al, but also for Winry and Scar, and Mustang, and even Ling. There are some heartbreaking scenes here, and a lot of action, and it all finally converges toward a detailed yet broad canvas where the history of Amestris, its alchemy and its people is tightly interwoven with the history of its neighbors. I like Arakawa's style the most when she's subtle....more
A very good conclusion to the series, with well-earned endings and emotional beats. It was bitter-sweet and poignant, meticulously designed 9/10 stars
A very good conclusion to the series, with well-earned endings and emotional beats. It was bitter-sweet and poignant, meticulously designed and highly enjoyable. Arakawa must've spent a good amount of time on planning the ins and outs of the plot, and it shows. The story is tight, logical, and with nary a hole. It is truly a satisfying read, entertaining and stimulating, delivering the age-old message about the value of friendship and found family in a way that makes it fresh and touching.
Can't believe I'm done. What am I going to read now??...more
It was good. I guess endings are always difficult, particularly for such lengthy series, and Kishimoto went the way of Toriyama to resolve t8/10 stars
It was good. I guess endings are always difficult, particularly for such lengthy series, and Kishimoto went the way of Toriyama to resolve the main conflict in an all-out, stupendously flashy, final battle and then give the readers a neat "years later" conclusion.
I will not spend much time on Sakura or Hinata, as these characters' storylines serve as exhibits A and B of the unthinking and widespread misogyny of Naruto's author. Of course, this was the story of Naruto and Sasuke, but if so, why even include these weird obsessive infatuations of Hinata and Sakura? Sakura's story is particularly ill-conceived: pining after and then marrying a man who cared nothing for her for the entire series, who tried to kill her more than once, and who left her with a child looking for redemption (that was actually a sensible choice on Sasuke's part, he's got a lot to answer for) was not only illogical and stupid, but also offensive. Is Kishimoto endorsing domestic violence, or Stockholm syndrome? Also, seriously, Boruto repeating Naruto's pranks is not just stupid, it's lazy. In just a few pages it makes of Boruto a spoiled, ungrateful brat who has everything Naruto lacked and yet is unable to appreciate any of it. Well, if that's the first few pages, don't expect me to touch the actual Boruto manga even with a long stick. A burning torch, more likely.
But. If we decide to give Kishimoto a pass on that front - after all, this is nothing new, misogyny has been a part of Naruto from the very beginning - the final battle between Naruto and Sasuke is actually awesome. Stupid, yeah, because teenagers are dumb, and if they have power they will misuse it and misunderstand it, and be self-destructive and moody, that is the prerogative of being a teenager - not Naruto the sweetpie, of course, but certainly the moronic special snowflake Sasuke.
This battle also serves as a Sasuke's poignant declaration of doomed love for Naruto, and it's a fitting conclusion to their long and complicated relationship. There were some super cool moments in this battle, both in terms of art and the emotional impact, and I loved how the narrative came full circle to the beginning of their rivalry/comradeship/love.
All in all, it was a wild ride and I'm happy I went along. Naruto, Kakashi, Jiraya, Itachi - and of course, Kurama - will stay with me for a long, long time....more
Ehh. Kaguya is just a bad villain. No drive, no personality, no history, no motive. She's super powerful "just because," and whatever she do6/10 stars
Ehh. Kaguya is just a bad villain. No drive, no personality, no history, no motive. She's super powerful "just because," and whatever she does is "just because." Everybody has to comment on her power, otherwise the readers wouldn't have noticed it's ramped up at all - tbh, Madara's displays were much more impressive; the idea of different worlds created by Kaguya doesn't make any sense - either logical or visual. It's just another of those "just because" moments in this volume, and the constant commentary run by black Zetsu is simply tiresome.
The one cool thing was Obito's sacrifice, and his redemption arc, and Kakashi's moment of relevance among his insanely overpowered students. But I really don't think the magic sharingans given to Kakashi by a ghost were truly necessary, or even emotionally resonant; it seems that Kishimoto got so enamoured by this stupid op ocular jutsu that forgot what Kakashi's specialty really was - drive, determination, intellect, and the ability to copy any jutsu. That would've been enough.
Anyway. After so much buildup, and going through consecutively more difficult battles with more powerful villains, the battle with Kaguya is somewhat of a letdown. On to the final volume!...more
Sadness. Preceded by a long "WTF happened here?!" moment. Here I was enjoying the utter insanity of the uber-villain we all love to hate, Ma3/10 stars
Sadness. Preceded by a long "WTF happened here?!" moment. Here I was enjoying the utter insanity of the uber-villain we all love to hate, Madara, when suddenly Kishimoto threw out the previous 69 volumes of Naruto through the window and started writing some religious fanfic. What reincarnations?? What rabbit goddess? Where are we? What is going on?
The fact that I'm asking these philosophical questions while there are only two volumes left in the entire series makes me rather anxious about the ending. I even feel sorry for Madara, who got shafted so suddenly by a being that literally did not exist in Naruto's world two volumes prior. The only good thing in this volume was... actually, there was not a single even remotely good thing in this volume. ...more
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