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REVIEW: Innocent W




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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:02 am Reply with quote
This review is the exact opposite of another I'd read on this title, so now I'm confused. The other review I'd read basically called Innocent W a gorefest without any purpose other than to be spectacularly horrifying and shocking.

Now this review actually makes the title sound like it a has a good story and, while brutal, one that might be worth reading.

Review wrote:
Innocent W, by Kei Kusunoki, is a breathtakingly well-told story. The pages almost seem to turn themselves as you rip through the first installment of this gripping tale of horror and suspense. From the very first page, the reader is sucked in; trapped nearly as much as the contestants in the bizarre game of the story.

This opening paragraph is so diametrically opposed to the other review I read, I'm wondering if both reviewers read the same manga. Seriously. Here's a link to the other review I read:

http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/manga/manga.php?manga_view=2577

If you have time Melissa "Minai" Harper, could you provide a cross analysis? These two reviews are so radically different, it would be nice to hear your take on the other review, since you apparently enjoyed Innocent W.

I'd seen this on the shelf at Borders and considered buying it but decided against it until I'd read a review. After reading that bad one, I planned not to even look at the manga again.

Now, after reading your review, I'm back to wondering if I should get it after all.

*Edited to correct some grammer screw ups I should have caught in the preview. Mad
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Wolverine Princess



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1100
PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:31 am Reply with quote
Richard J. wrote:
This review is the exact opposite of another I'd read on this title, so now I'm confused.

Yeah, I was just about to bring up the Anime on DVD review. I just got back from Borders and my sister picked this book up and said, "This looks pretty cool," but I told her that a review website that gives practically everything (no matter how awful it really is) at least a C gave it an F. We ended up buying Galaxy Angel Beta and some BL manga instead. What do you say, Mellissa? Did we make a bad decision in not purchasing Innocent W?


Last edited by Wolverine Princess on Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:34 am; edited 1 time in total
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Kagemusha



Joined: 20 Feb 2004
Posts: 2783
Location: Boston
PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 1:33 am Reply with quote
You know, I'm always suspicious of reviews that give all A's, but the hatred from AoDVD (which tends to overrate everything) has made me particuarly curious. I might just have to read a bit of this to see how a title could produce such contrasting opinions.
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HitokiriShadow



Joined: 09 May 2005
Posts: 6251
PostPosted: Sun Oct 29, 2006 2:12 am Reply with quote
I purchased this book a few weeks ago and was suprised to see it get panned at AoD. It's not the greatest manga ever by any means, but I didn't expect that. I guess some of the scenes just really turned the AoD guy off.

This isn't a manga for everbody, that's for sure. I'm kind of suprised this title wasn't shrinkwrapped. While there is nothing terribly explicit, what happens to these girls is downright brutal.

As for myself, I enjoyed it. It's a shame, in my opinion, that its only two volumes (assuming AoD's manga comparison chart is accurate).
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fighterholic



Joined: 28 Sep 2005
Posts: 9193
PostPosted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:42 pm Reply with quote
It seems like an interesting enough review to get me to at least want to view this book. Is the title the Japanese title as well?
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Minai



Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 21
Location: The Middle of Nowhere, USA
PostPosted: Tue Oct 31, 2006 10:38 pm Reply with quote
I'm reading the other review now...

Ok, the other review is not wrong. We are just looking at it from different viewpoints. If I were to take it piece by piece, I would not disagree much with the AoD review. It is reallygory. It does sort of revel in the gore. The internet thing isn't that original. I agree that there is something amiss in the way the characters' eyes are drawn most of the time, and that the "king of the hill" thing, as he puts it, is a little trite.

Here's what made me give it the score it got: I have never read through a manga so fast, that many times in a row. I found it spellbinding. That is the first "page-turner" manga I have picked up in a good, long while. This is a case of the sum being greater than the parts in my opinion. It is my opinion, however. If you are more detail-oriented, then you may not agree with me.

Keep in mind also, I'm not a big horror fan. The manga I like best usually involve lots of hearts and flowers. But I loved this title. So, there's the facts.
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Richard J.



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Sic Semper Tyrannis.
PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 12:02 am Reply with quote
Minai wrote:
This is a case of the sum being greater than the parts in my opinion. It is my opinion, however. If you are more detail-oriented, then you may not agree with me.

Keep in mind also, I'm not a big horror fan. The manga I like best usually involve lots of hearts and flowers. But I loved this title. So, there's the facts.
Hmm, interesting response. I like the way you've framed the issuses from the other review.

I tend to view titles based on their overall effect rather than a point by point analysis also. If a none horror fan can set aside the darker elements of this manga and still come out with a positive response to it, that does make me think I might like Innocent W too.

Minai: I think I'll give this title a shot after all. Thanks for taking the time to address the issues brought up by the other review!
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Minai



Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 21
Location: The Middle of Nowhere, USA
PostPosted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:36 am Reply with quote
No problem! The last thing I would want is for someone to buy something they won't like based on a review I wrote.
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