Anime Sunday: Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens Episode 01 Impressions

This week for Anime Sunday I’m back with another Winter 2018 series. It’s my Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens Episode 01 Impressions!

Plot Synopsis: In Fukuoka, crime reaches new heights in the seedy underworld. In the Hakata ward of the city, there are various individuals with special talent who are professional killers, detectives, informants, and professional revenge seekers. Among those, a so-called “killer of professional killers” is becoming more than just an urban legend…

Plot: The plot is pretty interesting, although it really felt like I was watching a rather messed up version of Baccano at times. That being said I don’t recommend any kids watch this series, as it’s absolutely not for them. The subject matter is incredibly dark, so dark that I won’t actually continue to watch the series. It’s not that the plot is bad mind, it’s just that I dislike watching such dark series if I don’t have. Luckily for me, I don’t have to watch anymore so I won’t.

Characters: Our main character seems to be Banba Zenji and he’s a fairly interesting guy. The other lead, Lin, is also fairly interesting if only for his interesting disguises. The rest of the cast is also really interesting.

Artwork: It’s not amazing, nothing like a ufotable production, but it’s not terrible either. A bit better than average I guess, but only just a bit.

Music: The music is okay, but not super memorable either.

Overall: A good series, if incredibly dark.

For those who like: Mystery, Dark Stories, Good Plots, Great Cast of Characters, Good Artwork and Musical Score.

Not for those who don’t like” Any of the above, especially the Dark Stories part.

Manga Monday: Yami no Aegis by Nanatsuki Kyouichi

This week for Manga Monday I’ve got another Quick Review. It’s Yami no Aegis by Nanatsuki Kyouichi!

Plot Synopsis: Karito Tate is a bodyguard who takes on various jobs to protect VIPs using martial arts, various firearms, or high-tech gadgets…

Plot: The plot is pretty great, though considering that this is by the same guy who wrote Jesus I’m not surprised at all.

Characters: Karito is a good lead character, he’s smart and he’s a bad ass. Anna on the other hand is our female lead and she’s pretty mysterious. We don’t get to meet any other characters really in this first chapter, but still it’s a great introduction to Karito.

Art: I don’t enjoy the art style of this quite as much as I enjoyed Jesus’s art style, but it’s not terrible either. It just isn’t my favorite.

Overall: Again like Jesus, if you haven’t the series, you really ought to give it a chance. You’ll be doing yourself a disservice if you don’t.

For those who like: Action, Drama, Martial Arts, Great Plot, Badass Lead, Good Art.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Manga Monday: Jesus by Nanatsuki Kyoichi

This week for Manga Monday I’ve got another Quick Review. It’s Jesus by Nanatsuki Kyoichi!

Plot Synopsis: Jesus is about a high profile assassin who plans to fake his own death, laying low from all the mafia hitmen and the FBI that are after him. He plans to live the rest of his life with the money he could get from smuggling the drugs he stole from the mafia gangs – one of the reason he is chased. But he has a problem with that plan…

Plot: The plot is pretty great, frankly I’m shocked that I didn’t cover the series already. The story is fast paced and full of action and drama.

Characters: We really only get to meet Jesus in this first chapter, but he makes a great first impression. As for that name, it’s a fairly amusing reason. If you like Kickass leads who don’t take crap from anyone, you’ll love this series.

Art: It’s pretty great considering it’s from a two decade old series.

Overall: If you haven’t read the series yet, you are doing yourself a disservice.

For those who like: Action, Drama, School Life, Martial Arts, Great Plots, Badass Male Leads, Great Artwork.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

 

TNT: Descent of Phoenix Chapters 1-50 by Yi Shi Feng Liu

This week for Translation Necessary Thursday I’m covering a series with a kickass female lead. It’s Descent of Phoenix Chapters 1-50 by Yi Shi Feng Liu!

Plot Synopsis: The strongest female assassin from a special assassination force met her death one day on a mission. To her surprise, she woke up in the body of a 13 year old girl, Mu Rong Liu Yue. Through Liu Yue’s past memories, she found out that she was bullied due to the huge birthmark on her face, even though she came from a renowned family. Liu Yue was beaten to death by her own cousin, and that’s how she managed to enter Liu Yue’s battered body. The assassin then decided to live her life as Liu Yue and swore to avenge her death.

Plot: The plot is brutal and excellent, I love strong female leads and Liu Yue is probably one of the strongest I’ve seen in ages. She doesn’t take crap from anyone and is swift and decisive when she needs to be. These first fifty chapters are the introduction to her and Yuan Che, the male lead who is no less bad ass than her. While the plot is quick and fast it doesn’t mean it’s bad, I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Characters: Liu Yue and Yuan Che are amazing leads and the rest of the cast is varied and interesting. I particularly love how Liu Yue treats the Left Minister’s household. It was very funny.

Overall: If you want a strong female lead, look no further.

For those who like: Kickass Female Leads, Excellent Plot, Amazing Cast of Characters, Action, Drama.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Book Series Wednesday: Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep

This week for Book Series Wednesday I’m covering the 11th book in The Elemental Assassin series! It’s Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep!

Plot Synopsis: There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight…

Plot: The plot is classic Gin Blanco, and that’s to say it’s great. I don’t normally like series that have very explicit sex scenes, and this one does, but the rest of the plot more than makes up for it. Gin and her friends are back and she’s got a score to settle with a drug dealer this time around.

Characters: Gin is still easily my favorite character in this series, if only because she’s as snarky as I am. The rest of the cast is equally amusing, Finn in particular is always fun to read.

Overall: If you liked the previous books in the series you have to read this one.

For those who like: Action, Urban Fantasy, Kick Ass Female Leads, Gripping Plot, Excellent Cast of Characters.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.