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REVIEW: ES GN 4




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GATSU



Joined: 03 Jan 2002
Posts: 15279
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:41 am Reply with quote
Quote:
Perhaps the only thing it's lacking is an obsessive fanbase, and that might just be because it doesn't rely on cosplay-ready character designs and supernatural gimmicks.


Its gimmicks consist of using as many horror cliches as possible. I was particularly annoyed when Soryo ripped off a scene from "The Birds".

Quote:
The biggest problem with ES before this volume was that it centered around a godlike character that was too powerful and one-dimensional to be interesting. Now, however, we see that even reality-bending telepaths have their own weaknesses—especially when they are products of a very flawed, very human experiment.


Isaac still comes off as one-dimensional, though the author tries to manipulate me into feeling sorry for him and Shuro, but doesn't quite succeed. I think the problem is that the pair are essentially blank slates-their memories the sum of other people's experiences. If they had their own personalities, I could probably relate, but they define themselves by the sterile environment they were raised in, not by their interactions with people in the outside world, making it tough for me to empathize.

Anyway, if it doesn't get anywhere by the fifth volume, I'm quitting.
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elsie



Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 61
Location: Virginia
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:59 am Reply with quote
For myself, I love having Mine as a main character. An educated, adult woman -- how often do you see someone like her as a main character in a manga? I also really like the relationship that is developing between her and Shuro.
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Drafte



Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Illinois, USA
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:00 pm Reply with quote
Thanks for the review, Carlo. I've never actually heard of this series, but if it's anywhere near as good as Death Note, I'd definitely be interested in picking up a volume.

As far as the lack of an obsessive fanbase goes, I guess educated, adult women are less likely to earn a cult following than the misanthropic, bishounen anti-hero crowd?


Last edited by Drafte on Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:12 pm; edited 1 time in total
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jgreen



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
Posts: 1325
Location: St. Louis, MO
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:08 pm Reply with quote
Drafte wrote:
Thanks for the review, Carlos. I've never actually heard of this series, but if it's anywhere near as good as Death Note, I'd definitely be interested in picking up a volume.


If you're interested in learning a bit more about the series, one of the writers for the website I write for reviewed Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 (click those links to read his reviews). I haven't had a chance to read the series, but I know my writer likes it a whole lot. Since he's not a big "manga guy" and it takes a really good series (like ES or Mushishi) to grab his attention, that's really saying something.
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Drafte



Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 3
Location: Illinois, USA
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:19 pm Reply with quote
Thanks for the link, jgreen. Looks like a great site.
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GATSU



Joined: 03 Jan 2002
Posts: 15279
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:39 pm Reply with quote
jgreen: Your friend needs to actually read the material.

Quote:
Aside from the suggested lesbian relationship between Mine and her friend Kimiko,


Kimiko is jealous of Mine, not horny for her.

Quote:
He even shares Mine's desire to destroy Isaac,


They don't have a "desire" to destroy Isaac. They're actually quite reluctant to "pull the trigger".
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jgreen



Joined: 14 Mar 2005
Posts: 1325
Location: St. Louis, MO
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:53 pm Reply with quote
Gatsu, not having read the book in question, I can't really speak for the validity of your statement or the review, but both of your issues seem to be regarding character motivations. Especially in more adult shojo manga where so much about characters and their thoughts are implied rather than explicitly stated, it's entirely possible that the two of you just have different interpretations of the book. But I haven't read the book, so I honestly can't say.
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belligerent



Joined: 02 Jan 2007
Posts: 49
Location: NC
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:36 pm Reply with quote
I should probably be reading this, then.

I can appreciate a godlike character that doesn't mind rocking a David Cassidy haircut from 1973.
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Jedi General



Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 2485
Location: Tucson, AZ
PostPosted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:09 pm Reply with quote
Nice review. It definitely piqued my interest. I'll probably pick up the first volume next time at Borders or Barnes and Noble if they have it.
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