Manga Monday: Buso Renkin by Nobuhiro Watsuki

This week I’m covering a series by the author of Rurouni Kenshin for Manga Monday. It’s Buso Renkin by Nobuhiro Watsuki!

Plot Synopsis: The narrative of Buso Renkin follows Kazuki Muto, who saves Tokiko Tsumura and is killed by an alchemical monster known as a homunculus. Tokiko, an alchemist warrior, feels responsible and revives him by replacing his destroyed heart with a kakugane (核鉄). The kakugane is an alchemical device which, when activated, takes a weapon form based on its user’s personality, forming a buso renkin—the only thing that can destroy a homunculus.

Plot: The plot is okay, but it wasn’t nearly as good as Rurouni Kenshin. It’s sort of a disappointment, but not everyone can write amazing series back to back.

Characters: I honestly didn’t like the cast of Buso Renkin at first, but they sort of grew on me.

Art: The art was just as good as Rurouni Kenshin.

Overall: This is an easily skippable series, but it’s not super terrible either.

For those who like: Action, Urban Fantasy, Drama, Science as Magic, Magic as Science.

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

 

Manga Monday: Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki

This week I’m covering Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki.

Plot Synopsis: In the early Meiji era, after participating in the Bakumatsu war as the assassin “Hitokiri Battōsai“, Himura Kenshin wanders the countryside of Japan offering protection and aid to those in need as atonement for the murders he once committed. When arriving in Tokyo in the 11th year of Meiji (1878), he meets a young woman named Kamiya Kaoru, who is in the middle of a fight with a murderer – who claims to be the Hitokiri Battōsai – tarnishing the name of the swordsmanship school that she teaches.

Plot: The plot is amazing, and while I don’t particularly like the ending of the series, it still was a decent ending. If you want to stop reading after the Kyoto arc however you can.

Art: The art is great, though it shows its years now.

Overall: If you like action, adventure, amazing plot and drama you need to read this series.

For those who like: Action, Amazing fights, Drama, Historical fantasy.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above, or having only a decent ending to an otherwise amazing series.

Anime Sunday: Rurouni Kenshin the Live-Action Movie [Movie review only]

 

This week I’m going to deviate a bit and cover a live-action movie based off an amazing manga series. It’s Rurouni Kenshin!

Plot Synopsis: As the Imperialist forces celebrated their victory in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, the participant Hitokiri Battōsai walks away from the battlefield, abandoning his sword. But, the Battōsai’s old katana is not left alone. It is claimed by one of the fallen, Udo Jin-e.

Plot: The plot is fairly good, but not amazing. However the action scenes are amazing.

Visuals: The visual look and feel of the movie makes you think that it really is taking place back in the beginning of the Meiji era. Plus the coordination of the fight scenes are amazing, which is good because I’d have hated this movie if it didn’t do the fights justice.

Music: The music is also amazing and very well done.

Overall: If you enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin you should watch this.

For those who like: Action, Drama, Excellent acting, Amazing Fights.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above, or adaptations that stray a bit from the original content.

 

Light Novel Thursday: 1/2 Prince by Yu Wo

This week for Light Novel Thursday we are doing a series from Taiwan, 1/2 Prince by Yu Wo.

Plot Synopsis: Feng Lan is a 19 year-old girl who is challenged by her twin brother to play a virtual reality game called Second Life. Being the first player to log onto the game, she is allowed to distinguish her real life looks from her avatar; thus she creates an insanely handsome male elf named Prince. Thus a legend is born. 

Plot: The plot in this series isn’t all that serious until the later novels, but even than it’s just an odd plot. I won’t spoil it, but it’s got a good ending, and the standalone sequel gives us a look at the aftermath of the series.

Characters: Prince loves to steal moves from her/his favorite games, like Chun Li’s ultimate attack from Street Fighter and Kenshin’s Nine Headed Dragon Strike, from Rurouni Kenshin. However my favorite character is probably Lolidragon, the thief of the main cast. Maybe it’s cause my first character in an MMORPG was a Rogue in World of Warcraft.

Overall: If you don’t mind the blatant plagiarism used in this series, you’ll probably love it.

For those who like: MMO’s, Gaming, Virtual Reality, Gender Benders, Kick ass female leads.

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