08-01-2005, 01:55 PM
Well at the behest of the anime section moderator I'm going start doing manga reviews and from time to time anime reviews as well.
I'm starting it all off with a fairly new manga series to hit American bookstores...Cross.
The Info:
Title: Cross
Licensed by: Tokyopop
Story & Art: Sumiko Amakawa
Genres: Horror, romance, supernatural/occult (small touch of bishonen)
Basic Plot/Storyline: Young male priest and exorcist, Takara Amakusa, runs around banishing demons back to hell while dealing with romance from the lead female, Matsuri Shizuha. To boot he is also protecting her because she can produce "Scripture" on her body and is hunted by all maner of demon and cult.
My Take:
Alright, I have currently read the first 4 installments of this manga and have found them rather enjoyable. The premise of the series has been done time and time again but the romantic spark that grows between Takara and Shizuha gives it something extra. I can not say that a seasoned movie watcher and occult studier wouldn't be able to shoot holes in the story but it sure beats reading any of the billion samurai/sword play based manga's floating around. Over all if you have a taste for the occult and dont mind seeing a man(?) of the cloth being forced time and time again to choose the priesthood or a woman then its a great read.
On a 1 to 10 basis: 7.5 (good read but not to original when you boil it down. Read it at the store do not buy it)
I'm starting it all off with a fairly new manga series to hit American bookstores...Cross.
The Info:
Title: Cross
Licensed by: Tokyopop
Story & Art: Sumiko Amakawa
Genres: Horror, romance, supernatural/occult (small touch of bishonen)
Basic Plot/Storyline: Young male priest and exorcist, Takara Amakusa, runs around banishing demons back to hell while dealing with romance from the lead female, Matsuri Shizuha. To boot he is also protecting her because she can produce "Scripture" on her body and is hunted by all maner of demon and cult.
My Take:
Alright, I have currently read the first 4 installments of this manga and have found them rather enjoyable. The premise of the series has been done time and time again but the romantic spark that grows between Takara and Shizuha gives it something extra. I can not say that a seasoned movie watcher and occult studier wouldn't be able to shoot holes in the story but it sure beats reading any of the billion samurai/sword play based manga's floating around. Over all if you have a taste for the occult and dont mind seeing a man(?) of the cloth being forced time and time again to choose the priesthood or a woman then its a great read.
On a 1 to 10 basis: 7.5 (good read but not to original when you boil it down. Read it at the store do not buy it)
"One murder makes a villain, millions a hero. "
- Beilby Porteus, Death, A Poem