Random perspectives on manga.
The Town of Evening Calm; The Country of Cherry Blossoms
(Yunagi no machi; Sakura no kuni)
Author
Fumiya Kouno
Status
3 Chapters – Completed
Review
It’s Hiroshima, 1955. Everything seems normal. But here and there there are some traces left from the tragedy a decade before. But maybe it’s just because nobody wants to talk or even think about it. This is a 2 part stories that happened around that time.
Higurashi no Naku Koro ni – Himatsubushi
Author
Ryukishi 07
Personal Opinion
Although short, this manga had a good amount of suspense within its plot. For the weak at heart, the horror would be sufficient for you to call 911; or maybe I’m just exaggerating. At the very least, this manga had been successful in giving me goosebumps.
In the beginning, you wouldn’t suspect the manga to be a horror; unless you’re reading a review (such as this one) previously. The beginning of the story simply involves some …
WARNING: Spoiler below. Dive in. 
Ichi the Killer (Koroshiya Ichi)
Gap within gaps
Author
Hideo Yamamoto
Plot Summary
Kakihara is the oldest son of Anjou; the leader of the Yakuza gang, Anjougumi. Anjou suddenly disappeared with all the gang’s money. People speculate that Anjou ran away with the money, but Kakihara insists that his father is being kidnapped and the kidnappers took the money. Kakihara took over command and lead Anjougumi to find his father with only one clue, the number 1 (Ichi).
Personal Opinion
Most reviews I read about this manga had the tendency of mentioning Ichi (the protagonist) and Kakihara (the antagonist) as their main interest. I have to admit both Ichi and Kakihara had unique personalities that I’m sure most -if not all- of us have never met in real life. Both of them shares similar pleasure from violence in extremely different form.
Solanin
To be free is never easy
Author
Inio Asano
Plot Summary
Inoue and Taneda decided to quit their typical life and earn their long-awaited freedom. It turns out freedom is not as they expect it to be. Their freedom went from being happy to being bored. The further they go the more they struggle within their so-called freedom leaving a harsh life at the palm of their hands. Will they retain their freedom?
Personal Opinion
What is freedom? This is the basic question that evolves within the life of Meiko Inoue and Shigeo Taneda in Solanin. Inio Asano took us on a 2 (two) volumes journey on a typical definition of freedom; what it is, how it is achieved, and how it is basically something you can’t handle just by yourself.
Old Boy
memories of a man in search of truth
Author
Story: Tsuchiya Garon
Art: Minegishi Nobuaki
Status
8 Volume – Completed
Plot Summary
For 10 years, Goto being imprisoned in a private jail. Locked up in a small room without ever getting out, and without knowing the reason. And suddenly he is free. All he knows is, before he just a normal person without any enemy. So who would go through all the troubles for that? What has he done that made that person holds that much of grudge?
