pickI liked it. I feel like it's hard to say more because it's a linear narrative spread across three volumes, but I'm glad I have the next out from the library already.
The idea of addressing the difficulty of being an artist or editor of a manga in the medium of manga manages to be fresh, even though examples of the parallel idea of novels about people in the literary/publishing world are certainly plentiful.
1/?
so-soI'm torn on the walking club story. It's certainly refreshing to see 'weight management' discussed in a more reasonable time frame than most programs promote, alongside championing something gentler, walking, as the exercise form.
But it also seems to be a story referencing compulsive/overeating, and the ED is the punchline. So you have someone who is ashamed of their body, the standard 'these are the ways you'll die if you don't lose the weight'
pickThe part with just Jinwoo ascending the Demon's Castle sped by and is mostly him beating stuff up, but the second half of the book gets back to the Jeju Island plot. It feels weird that Jinwoo isn't involved in that, and a LOT of new characters are introduced which is a bit dizzying... I'm definitely starting to think I want to read the light novel.
Enjoyable, but the pacing felt a bit odd. Are the volumes being split weirdly or something?
pickJust as good as the first one!
Very cute manga brushing the theme of homosexuality in Japan: stereotypes, acceptance, prejudices, etc.
pickThe art in this is very “standard manga style,” which I‘m not a big fan of, but it was done well—the characters are all very well distinguished. (I particularly enjoyed how evil Lucy Steele looked and how stupid her sister Anne looked.) This is quite a faithful adaptation, surprisingly comprehensive, though I missed Margaret‘s funny lines and there‘s some over-the-top romantic bits at the end. Good way for a manga fan to get into classic lit!
Did I spend allllll day in town waiting on my car being serviced? Yes I did. And I also have to go back as my maintenance contract won‘t pay for something that needs replacing. BUT all is not lost!
I am behind the times but today I discovered there is a fruits basket sequel and the shop I was in had all 4 🎉
The reality that a profession could either feed an uneven temperament, inflate an ego, and/or exhaust you, burn you out enough that you don't feel you have anything left to contribute to the art form, that there are those this recently-quit editor Shiozawa 14h
Glad to see that of all the artist prospects, formerly or currently working in manga, the one to take Shiozawa up on his invitation for collaboration is the cashier, mother and wife who seems to be reclaiming something by taking on this last project, reawakening the creative impulse, rather than those who have made the choice (edited) 14h
On a separate note:
There are a few coloured pages but they're muted in tone, and they have less detail that the work in black/white/gray-scale. Got to be the first time I didn't wish there was more colour in a story told with images.
On to the next!
⚠️Animal death 14h