Call me a purist, or call me a snob, but I prefer Japanese-produced manga to the OEL manga that I've read. (OEL manga is Original English language, as opposed to the Originally Japanese language translated into English manga volumes we have here in America.) OEL manga just does not seem to have the depth of artistry that the Japanese manga have. I tell you this because my review may be biased because of these feelings.
This story is OEL - artwork, story plot, author are all American. The storyline is contemporary: you won't find any swordfights or giant fighting robots or magical girls here, but instead two musicians living in a typical urban/suburban American setting. They get involved in a most improbable situation, with their families dying in a catastrophe and the blame shifting unfairly to them. So they run off together, and along the way form a bond of friendship to survive together.
The story isn't innovative, but told with a fresh style and engrossing manner. It drew me in despite my knowing in advance how it was all going to play out. There are no really surprising plot twists here, although the "twists" presented are good enough to propel the story along and keep the interest level up. I enjoyed the story thus far, and am going to seek out the next volume to follow the boys' further adventures.
The artwork is not outstanding: the clean lines and distinct shading method typically seen in OEL manga. No detailed backgrounds, and no layers of tone as found in most Japanese-based manga artwork. Makes for a bright and sharp image, allowing for a faster read. However, I enjoy the detail and more complex pictures would've enhanced my enjoyment of the story more so I missed this since it was absent here. Also, the two main characters are extremely similar. If they weren't dressed in different distinctive-to-each-character clothing, I'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart. They look alike and their mannerisms are not very unique. The two boys look more like relatives than the actual drawings of brother and sister siblings shown in the story for the two boys. Very distracting. I'd definitely prefer more unique heroes.
So, a flawed experience for me, but worth a look and interesting enough to capture my attention long enough to want to continue following the story.
This story is OEL - artwork, story plot, author are all American. The storyline is contemporary: you won't find any swordfights or giant fighting robots or magical girls here, but instead two musicians living in a typical urban/suburban American setting. They get involved in a most improbable situation, with their families dying in a catastrophe and the blame shifting unfairly to them. So they run off together, and along the way form a bond of friendship to survive together.
The story isn't innovative, but told with a fresh style and engrossing manner. It drew me in despite my knowing in advance how it was all going to play out. There are no really surprising plot twists here, although the "twists" presented are good enough to propel the story along and keep the interest level up. I enjoyed the story thus far, and am going to seek out the next volume to follow the boys' further adventures.
The artwork is not outstanding: the clean lines and distinct shading method typically seen in OEL manga. No detailed backgrounds, and no layers of tone as found in most Japanese-based manga artwork. Makes for a bright and sharp image, allowing for a faster read. However, I enjoy the detail and more complex pictures would've enhanced my enjoyment of the story more so I missed this since it was absent here. Also, the two main characters are extremely similar. If they weren't dressed in different distinctive-to-each-character clothing, I'd be hard-pressed to tell them apart. They look alike and their mannerisms are not very unique. The two boys look more like relatives than the actual drawings of brother and sister siblings shown in the story for the two boys. Very distracting. I'd definitely prefer more unique heroes.
So, a flawed experience for me, but worth a look and interesting enough to capture my attention long enough to want to continue following the story.
