Q to S

You know, I'm so sick of reading and writing reviews for Ranma, and I bet you are too, so I'll just send you to my review of the anime. Everything I said there about the quality of the series is valid for the manga as well (except for the animation of course).

Overall rating: 5 out of 5, and recommended by Li'l Washu.

Rash!
by Tsukasa Hojo

This manga is about an attractive doctor who works in a prison. She's a bad-tempered woman, and never ceases to get herself in trouble. Fortunately, her childhood friend who has become a cop, and who is in love with her (gee, why am I not surprised?) is always there to protect her.

What a disappointment. Until I read Rash!, I thought that Tsukasa Hojo was one of the most excellent mangaka in business. I still think that, but Rash! has damped my enthusiasm. Thankfully, there are only two volumes to this manga, so we are spared any further adventures of this female doctor, who is basically Kaori in disguise. And a bad disguise too, since this doctor looks and acts exactly like Kaori would. Meanwhile, the cop is quite obviously Toshio from Cat's Eye. The relationship between these two gets nowhere, just like Ryo and Kaori. Isn't it still plagiarism if an author steals from one of his works to put into another? The only grace of this manga is Hojo's pretty pictures, but they are not worth the price of purchase.

Plot: 1 out of 5. Not only are the characters carbon copies of other characters, but nothing interesting happens to them.

Art: 4 out of 5

Fun factor: 1 out of 5. This attempts to be funny by playing on the relationship between the protagonists and the doctor's temperemental disposition, but it's nothing that we haven't already seen in City Hunter.

Cool factor: 1 out of 5. This would be higher if it was more original.

Overall rating: 2 out of 5. A manga which has brought down my opinion of Tsukasa Hojo.

Rurouni Kenshin
by Nobuhiro Watsuki

The story takes place at the beginning of the Meiji era of Japan. Kenshin, a patriot and an ex-assassin, has become a ronin, a vagabond samurai, and sworn that he will never kill again. To this end, he has reversed the blade of his sword. One day he meets Kaoru, the owner of a recently-inherited dojo. Kenshin, Kaoru, and the two boys who join up with them, will be at the heart of some of the most dangerous events of this politically tumultous period of Japan.

I believe that a little historical research beforehand will enhance your enjoyment of this manga. The author has very nicely depicted the political chaos, and the criminal situation which the latter encouraged. Kenshin, stoic, peaceful unless provoked, fierce when provoked, and always coming to the aid of those who need it, is one of the most heroic heroes that I've seen. Yet he is in no way a cliché, as his resurging ancient enemies constantly remind us of his past as a ruthless killer. Besides, with his short height, he doesn't look like much! With all this he becomes a really likeable, but still mysterious character, and the way the author reveals facts about him now and then keeps us interested in the manga. Not that the story itself isn't interesting already, as Kenshin and his friends deal with a drug ring, people who want to seize power, fallen samurai etc. The manga might become violent sometimes, but this shouldn't detract you from what is a very captivating work. And this is coming from somebody who isn't into fights and all that.

Plot: 5 out of 5. Very very good.

Art: 4 out of 5. This isn't stellar, but it's still nice.

Fun factor: 2 out of 5. Oyo?

Cool factor: 5 out of 5. My favorite character, Sanosuke, has the kanji for "Bad" written on his shirt. He's so cool! Oh, and Kenshin too, of course.

Overall rating: 5 out of 5, and Li'l Washu says she'd love to examine Kenshin to see how he comes up with all these sword techniques.

Ryuseiki
by Wataru Yazaki

The story: I don't know, I forget.

Possibly one of the worst manga that I've read, this was a cliché in all senses, from the boring and stupid story to the artwork, which was so messed up I had trouble discerning the faces from the rest of the surroundings. Avoid at all costs.

Overall rating: 0 out of 5. Brrr.

Sailor Moon
by Naoko Takeuchi

The story of Usagi and her friends, reincarnations of the ancient lunar court, who transform into sailor-suited pretty soldiers to fight evil.

The big one. The Sailor Moon manga isn't as well known as the anime, which is a shame, I think, since it's so good! Takeuchi's art is very elegant, even though the perfectly triangular mouths may get annoying. Where this manga shines is the story. The plot is very different from the anime, though the basic premise for each series is the same. I like the manga's plot more since it's better constructed, not to mention that filler episodes become unnecessary. The latter was my one big problem with the anime. With a somewhat darker atmosphere, I found the Sailor Moon manga just as captivating as the show, and the characters just as likeable. However, the quality takes a plunge after the tenth volume, which corresponds to the start of the dreaded fourth series of the anime. So ignore the last eight volumes!

Plot: 4 out of 5. As good as in the anime, and here the previous lives of the senshi are given more explicitly. I always like backstory :-)

Art: 4 out of 5, and it would be a 5 if it wasn't for the triangular mouths.

Fun factor: 2 out of 5. Some amusing humorous bits, but generally more serious than the anime.

Cool factor: 4 out of 5

Overall rating: 4 out of 5, and Li'l Washu says she likes this manga even though she would look cuter in those sailor outfits.

Sailor V
by Naoko Takeuchi

The story of Minako Aino, 13, who becomes the first sailor-suited pretty soldier, and her year spent in England, previous to the start of the Sailor Moon series.

Naoko Takeuchi's first success, Sailor V lacks the intelligent storylines of Sailor Moon, but the title isn't without its qualities since it showcases the author's original style. While nowhere near as good as Sailor Moon, I liked this manga because Minako is one of my favorite characters from the latter series. If you don't want to spend all of your money, you might want to read just the third (and the last) volume which ties Takeuchi's two manga together.

Plot: 2 out of 5

Art: 2 out of 5

Fun factor: 2 out of 5

Cool factor: 3 out of 5, because I like Minako.

Overall rating: 2 out of 5, and 3 for the last volume. Add a point to these ratings if you are a fan of Sailor Moon.

Sex
by Atsushi Kamijo

Before you skip this review because you don't want to read hentai manga, let's make one thing clear. There isn't a single sexual thing in this manga apart from the title. I guess the author just chose "Sex" because he wanted something that would stand out amongst stuff like "Magical Girl ..." or "Detective So-and-So" etc. As for the story, it is about the beautiful high-school student Kaho, who has a uniform, high heels and video-game fetish, and her vacation in Okinawa where she gets help from color-blind delinquent Yuki in searching for a childhood friend.

Possibly one of the most memorable reads I've had, Sex is an interesting title from many aspects. The artwork, first of all, is gorgeous, with beautiful characters and nice, spacious scenery. The plot is somewhat weird, as it doesn't really get anywhere, but doesn't leave you feeling all that unsatisfied, either. There seems to be only two volumes to this series, so I guess it was left unfinished, which is a real shame. But the most remarkable thing in this series is the indescribable atmosphere. Relaxed, calm, like a long quiet day at the beach, it nevertheless gives you the impression that something big is waiting just around the corner. The only manga which still gives me great pleasure after having read it so many times.

Plot: 3 out of 5, and this despite the fact that I don't really know what the hell is going on.

Art: 5 out of 5. Gorgeous, and it goes a long way in creating the manga's particular atmosphere. Some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen.

Cool factor: 5 out of 5, because there's just something about these characters...

Overall rating: 5 out of 5. Li'l Washu says she's solved the secret of this series, but she won't tell you!

Shadow Lady
by Masakazu Katsura

Timid Aimi lives with only her strange talking bat-like animal for a companion. But at night, thanks to magical make-up, she becomes the seductive thief Shadow Lady. Aimi is very attracted to her new neighbor, a handsome policeman, but this one is completely obsessed about capturing Shadow Lady.

Masakazu Katsura is best known for his work Video Girl Ai. This manga really pales in comparison. It has none of the qualities of VGAi, and the plot is so cliché that I nearly fell asleep.

Plot: 1 out of 5. Magical make-up indeed. What else are they gonna invent next, magical hairspray?

Art: 3 out of 5. Katsura's style has many fans, but I've never been one of them.

Overall rating: 1 out of 5

Slam Dunk
by Takehiko Inoue

Slam Dunk is the story of the Shohoku High School Basketball Team, and it's self-proclaimed star (ahem...) Hanamichi Sakuragi, who managed to get dumped by fifty girls before high school.

Absolutely hilarious! If you've been to my anime review pages you already know how much I like Slam Dunk. Those who've seen the anime will not be surprised by the events in the manga, as the two follow exactly the same storyline, but I think that only the first half of this 34 volume manga series was adapted for the TV. In fact, during the anime I got the impression that I was looking at a colored version of the manga, since the images are so similar. But anyway... The author has created plenty of likeable, charismatic characters with strong backgrounds, and their interactions are usually a laugh a minute. The oft-hyped Japanese highschool gangs also have their part to play here, but as cheerleaders for the Shohoku Basketball Team! The artwork is nice, the characters look handsome normally, funny in SD-mode, and dynamic during the matches. Plenty of suspense between the volumes, and a well-constructed storyline all around. I like the fact that this manga also focuses on each character's personal life instead of just basketball. Of course, as in the anime, the author, a.k.a. Dr. T, will be there to initiate the beginners to basketball!

I give this series a 5 out of 5 for all categories! Wai! Slam Dunk!

Spirit of Wonder
by Kenji Tsuruta

Miss China is the proprietor of a restaurant in a nineteenth-century English coast town. Being a fierce martial artist, she has no trouble dealing with troublesome customers, but her practically freeloading boarders Prof. Breckenridge and his assistant Jim cause much damage to the building with their crazy inventions.

Niiiiice. This manga turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Beautiful artwork by the author, who gives his characters incredible depth and likeability (is that a word?) in the space of a few pages. He has constructed a magical, charming world where inventions that can write on the Moon seem very possible. A refreshing change from what we're used to seeing on the market, I'd recommend Spirit of Wonder to everyone. It is rare to see such a fitting title!

Plot: 5 out of 5

Art: 5 out of 5. Tsuruta has a superb style, even if the pictures appear somewhat crowded.

Fun factor: 5 out of 5. Very amusing to see China doing her martial arts, or sitting on the Moon, or getting jealous over the flower-girl!

Overall rating: 5 out of 5! Li'l Washu has a few ideas to make the Professor's inventions work better...