Post by myusollo on May 3, 2009 2:01:19 GMT -5
Hello again, my otakouhai!
Yes, I know what you're thinking. "Myusollo's posting recommendations again?!? Who does he think he is, Gene Shallott?" Well, to answer your questions, yes, I am, and you misspelled "Shalit" in your head.
Actually, these aren't all recommendations. Since manga's harder to find sometimes, I decided to include manga that should be avoided. So . . . enjoy!
Azumanga Daioh
The manga's about equal to the anime; the former has a lot of great scenes and moments that you kind of wish made it into the anime, while the latter has absolutely phenomenal comedic delivery. I'm a big fan of Azuma's work, so this gets a hearty recommendation.
Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star
A REALLY bad alternate retelling of Cowboy Bebop. Actually, what bothers me most about it isn't the way it's told, it's the fact that Spike doesn't look like . . . Spike. His hair's straight instead of curly, and he always has an angry look on his face. I don't know how they screwed this up so badly. Don't touch this one with a ten-foot pole.
Death Note
Overrated in my opinion. Light Yagami is an interesting character in an interesting situation, but about five issues in I lost interest and gave up. A cool manga with a cool concept but not much staying power. Although lots of people seem to love it, and the club has issues 1-5, so give it a shot, I guess.
Dr. Black Jack
Peculiar, to say the least. The art is nothing like typical manga art, and it's actually more reminiscent of old American cartoons than anything. Reminds me of Popeye occasionally, actually. That said, what little I've been able to read has been interesting, and Black Jack's a pretty cool design, in my humble opinion. Not as cutesy as the anime.
Excel Saga
Very different from the anime, although the characters feel a little better developed. The changing-styles-every-episode theme isn't there, but you barely miss it with all the wackiness. Worth checking out. NOTE: I've only read the first 3 issues.
Fall in Love like a Comic
GIRLY GIRLY GIRLY GIRLY SO GIRLY. Let the record show that I only read it because I was working on a screenplay that was based on a somewhat similar concept and decided to check it out for research purposes. Read it if you want, but . . . . GIRLY.
Genshiken
One of those great examples where the book and the anime are very close in quality, although I personally think the manga just barely takes the lead, especially after season 2 of the anime. Very clever, very real, and very familiar to anyone who enjoys anime and manga. A very hearty recommendation.
Gyo
The only really good horror manga (I'm not counting Hellsing because it's not really scary) I've read are Junji Ito's work, and Gyo, whiile not my favorite, is admittedly his tightest plot. I never knew fish with legs could be so unnerving and terrifying. I heartily recommend it, although perhaps Uzumaki would be a better introduction to Ito's work.
Hellsing
Seen the anime? Think you know Hellsing? Well let me tell you something: if you haven't read the manga, you don't know Hellsing. The anime was actually made after just a couple issues had been released, so it quickly diverged from the manga plot, much to its misfortune. If you've seen the OVA, you have at least some idea of what the manga's like. Read it, love it, have nightmares.
The Kindaichi Case Files
I've been looking around for good mystery manga, and The Kindaichi Case Files is the best I've found so far. Each issue is a really well executed we're-snowed-in-with-a-murderer mystery, and, while fairly obviously formulaic, it's a formula done so well that it's always interesting and compelling. Plus, each manga is a standalone story, so even if you can't find them in order, you can still enjoy them. NOTE: I've only read five of them (there are a ton).
Kujibiki Unbalance
Based on the series, not the OVA. Actually, I like what they did with this better than I liked the anime. Worth checking out, although fans of Genshiken and the original Kuji-An should remember that it's very different.
Lupin III
The manga that started it all. Actually, I just read the first one and couldn't read any more because there was too much rape for my tastes, but it is quite the historical read. Still, I'd stick with the anime and give this one a pass.
Matantei Loki
Sadly, I've only found two issues of this manga, but I desperately want to read more. It seems to be much darker than the anime, but it also gets so much more right. The Norse mythology references are more well integrated, and, biggest of all, Loki actually acts like Loki; he plays pranks, he lusts after women, he's just like his Norse counterpart. Worth checking out.
Monster
Let me say right off the bat that I've only read one of these so far. That said, I'm looking everywhere for #2 because this manga is psychologically fascinating, and it promises to be a good mystery. That one issue, by the way, covered about 8 episodes of the anime, so I'd go with the manga for expediency's sake.
MPD Psycho
Freakin' messed up. I enjoy psychopath murderers and the people who catch them as much as the next guy, but some of the stuff in this is just too twisted for words. And it really loses steam after a while. I would probably avoid this one. Unless limbless naked women with exposed brains with flowers growing out of them appeals to you, hey, I'm not judging.
Museum of Terror
A collection of horror master Junji Ito's short stories, and they are wonderful. If you like having chills go down your spine, then you will have a lot of fun with this one.
Read or Die
Decent, but the OVA is better. The art is very good, but the plot is flimsy, the characters are fleshed out a little too quickly to make it really work, and (this is the big one) the artist does a poor job with the layout and pacing, resulting in some confusion while reading it as to what's going on. That said, a lot of people really like it, so I recommend it if only so you can judge it yourself.
Read or Dream
The sequel to Read or Die and, in my humble opinion, a far better read. It is episodic as opposed to being one big epic storyline like its predecessor, which personally makes it more readable for me. In some ways, it reminds me of volume 1 of Read or Die, which had the magic of the concept without the convoluted plot. And while none of the characters is Yomiko Readman, they still are quite enjoyable in their own ways. If you plan on watching R.O.D.: the TV Series, I recommend reading both manga.
Tomie
Another manga by horror master Junji Ito, and it is arguably the weakest of all his works. In fact, certain individuals I know of whose name may or may not rhyme with Cendan Brox may even tell you not to read it. However, like the admittedly superior Uzumaki, it does play with variations on a theme pretty well. I enjoy it, and if you enjoy Ito's other works, you might, too. Museum of Terror: Volume III is actually the third volume in this series.
Uzumaki
If your first thought when you saw this title was, "Oh, like Naruto?" then you fail at life. Uzumaki is to Naruto as The Shining is to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. My favorite of horror master Junji Ito's works, it is unbelievably twisted (pun intended). You will never look at spirals the same way again.
Yotsuba&
Azuma's earlier work, Azumanga Daioh, has been followed by a far more adorable work, Yotsuba&. Yotsuba is like Chiyo but 50 times cuter. The plots are also less random, and it has a bit more of a slice-of-life feel. I recommend this one very heartily. In fact, stop reading this post and go read it. Like right now.
I think I've read more than this, but it's all I can think of for now. Still, that should keep you occupied for a while.
Yes, I know what you're thinking. "Myusollo's posting recommendations again?!? Who does he think he is, Gene Shallott?" Well, to answer your questions, yes, I am, and you misspelled "Shalit" in your head.
Actually, these aren't all recommendations. Since manga's harder to find sometimes, I decided to include manga that should be avoided. So . . . enjoy!
Azumanga Daioh
The manga's about equal to the anime; the former has a lot of great scenes and moments that you kind of wish made it into the anime, while the latter has absolutely phenomenal comedic delivery. I'm a big fan of Azuma's work, so this gets a hearty recommendation.
Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star
A REALLY bad alternate retelling of Cowboy Bebop. Actually, what bothers me most about it isn't the way it's told, it's the fact that Spike doesn't look like . . . Spike. His hair's straight instead of curly, and he always has an angry look on his face. I don't know how they screwed this up so badly. Don't touch this one with a ten-foot pole.
Death Note
Overrated in my opinion. Light Yagami is an interesting character in an interesting situation, but about five issues in I lost interest and gave up. A cool manga with a cool concept but not much staying power. Although lots of people seem to love it, and the club has issues 1-5, so give it a shot, I guess.
Dr. Black Jack
Peculiar, to say the least. The art is nothing like typical manga art, and it's actually more reminiscent of old American cartoons than anything. Reminds me of Popeye occasionally, actually. That said, what little I've been able to read has been interesting, and Black Jack's a pretty cool design, in my humble opinion. Not as cutesy as the anime.
Excel Saga
Very different from the anime, although the characters feel a little better developed. The changing-styles-every-episode theme isn't there, but you barely miss it with all the wackiness. Worth checking out. NOTE: I've only read the first 3 issues.
Fall in Love like a Comic
GIRLY GIRLY GIRLY GIRLY SO GIRLY. Let the record show that I only read it because I was working on a screenplay that was based on a somewhat similar concept and decided to check it out for research purposes. Read it if you want, but . . . . GIRLY.
Genshiken
One of those great examples where the book and the anime are very close in quality, although I personally think the manga just barely takes the lead, especially after season 2 of the anime. Very clever, very real, and very familiar to anyone who enjoys anime and manga. A very hearty recommendation.
Gyo
The only really good horror manga (I'm not counting Hellsing because it's not really scary) I've read are Junji Ito's work, and Gyo, whiile not my favorite, is admittedly his tightest plot. I never knew fish with legs could be so unnerving and terrifying. I heartily recommend it, although perhaps Uzumaki would be a better introduction to Ito's work.
Hellsing
Seen the anime? Think you know Hellsing? Well let me tell you something: if you haven't read the manga, you don't know Hellsing. The anime was actually made after just a couple issues had been released, so it quickly diverged from the manga plot, much to its misfortune. If you've seen the OVA, you have at least some idea of what the manga's like. Read it, love it, have nightmares.
The Kindaichi Case Files
I've been looking around for good mystery manga, and The Kindaichi Case Files is the best I've found so far. Each issue is a really well executed we're-snowed-in-with-a-murderer mystery, and, while fairly obviously formulaic, it's a formula done so well that it's always interesting and compelling. Plus, each manga is a standalone story, so even if you can't find them in order, you can still enjoy them. NOTE: I've only read five of them (there are a ton).
Kujibiki Unbalance
Based on the series, not the OVA. Actually, I like what they did with this better than I liked the anime. Worth checking out, although fans of Genshiken and the original Kuji-An should remember that it's very different.
Lupin III
The manga that started it all. Actually, I just read the first one and couldn't read any more because there was too much rape for my tastes, but it is quite the historical read. Still, I'd stick with the anime and give this one a pass.
Matantei Loki
Sadly, I've only found two issues of this manga, but I desperately want to read more. It seems to be much darker than the anime, but it also gets so much more right. The Norse mythology references are more well integrated, and, biggest of all, Loki actually acts like Loki; he plays pranks, he lusts after women, he's just like his Norse counterpart. Worth checking out.
Monster
Let me say right off the bat that I've only read one of these so far. That said, I'm looking everywhere for #2 because this manga is psychologically fascinating, and it promises to be a good mystery. That one issue, by the way, covered about 8 episodes of the anime, so I'd go with the manga for expediency's sake.
MPD Psycho
Freakin' messed up. I enjoy psychopath murderers and the people who catch them as much as the next guy, but some of the stuff in this is just too twisted for words. And it really loses steam after a while. I would probably avoid this one. Unless limbless naked women with exposed brains with flowers growing out of them appeals to you, hey, I'm not judging.
Museum of Terror
A collection of horror master Junji Ito's short stories, and they are wonderful. If you like having chills go down your spine, then you will have a lot of fun with this one.
Read or Die
Decent, but the OVA is better. The art is very good, but the plot is flimsy, the characters are fleshed out a little too quickly to make it really work, and (this is the big one) the artist does a poor job with the layout and pacing, resulting in some confusion while reading it as to what's going on. That said, a lot of people really like it, so I recommend it if only so you can judge it yourself.
Read or Dream
The sequel to Read or Die and, in my humble opinion, a far better read. It is episodic as opposed to being one big epic storyline like its predecessor, which personally makes it more readable for me. In some ways, it reminds me of volume 1 of Read or Die, which had the magic of the concept without the convoluted plot. And while none of the characters is Yomiko Readman, they still are quite enjoyable in their own ways. If you plan on watching R.O.D.: the TV Series, I recommend reading both manga.
Tomie
Another manga by horror master Junji Ito, and it is arguably the weakest of all his works. In fact, certain individuals I know of whose name may or may not rhyme with Cendan Brox may even tell you not to read it. However, like the admittedly superior Uzumaki, it does play with variations on a theme pretty well. I enjoy it, and if you enjoy Ito's other works, you might, too. Museum of Terror: Volume III is actually the third volume in this series.
Uzumaki
If your first thought when you saw this title was, "Oh, like Naruto?" then you fail at life. Uzumaki is to Naruto as The Shining is to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. My favorite of horror master Junji Ito's works, it is unbelievably twisted (pun intended). You will never look at spirals the same way again.
Yotsuba&
Azuma's earlier work, Azumanga Daioh, has been followed by a far more adorable work, Yotsuba&. Yotsuba is like Chiyo but 50 times cuter. The plots are also less random, and it has a bit more of a slice-of-life feel. I recommend this one very heartily. In fact, stop reading this post and go read it. Like right now.
I think I've read more than this, but it's all I can think of for now. Still, that should keep you occupied for a while.