Mixed feelings. Junji Ito's mangas are always well made. But I had a hard time finishing this because I disliked the narrator so much. He had few redeMixed feelings. Junji Ito's mangas are always well made. But I had a hard time finishing this because I disliked the narrator so much. He had few redeeming traits - no, actually, make that no redeeming traits - and, worse, always blamed someone or something else for his baseless behavior. At one point, in a drug-induced stupor to save himself from hell, he vomits up all the 'misfortunes' he believes have made him what he is. I found it a struggle to get through this part.
Junji Ito's artwork is as always masterful; not having read the original classic of Japanese literature it is based on, Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human, I can't assess how well it captures that work. When I have read it, I'll update.
Pretty solid anthology with one previously published Junji Ito classic, two manga interpretations of Edogawa Rampo stories, and a short piece about thPretty solid anthology with one previously published Junji Ito classic, two manga interpretations of Edogawa Rampo stories, and a short piece about the author's childhood introduction to Kazuo Umezu....more
Manga horror writer Junji Ito delivers his unique take on cat ownership... and honestly it's pretty adorable. Manga horror writer Junji Ito delivers his unique take on cat ownership... and honestly it's pretty adorable. ...more
As many of Junji Ito's books are, this is a collection. The first 3/4 or so are interconnected stories set in a town where it's all the rage to get yoAs many of Junji Ito's books are, this is a collection. The first 3/4 or so are interconnected stories set in a town where it's all the rage to get your fortune told by the first stranger you meet at a crossroads. As expected, the mood of the person giving your fortune can bring happiness or drive you to despair. Since it's Junji Ito the results are chilling with supernatural elements. The artwork and imagery is excellent - often disturbing and graphic as Ito's works are bound to be, since he is a master of body horror. (4 stars)
The stories closing out the book were less impressive - although, as always, the artwork holds out. (2.5 stars)...more
Really not Ito's best, many of the stories, while suitably creepy, just feel unfinished. Really not Ito's best, many of the stories, while suitably creepy, just feel unfinished. ...more
Filler stories unrelated to the actual Re:zero storyline, these range from mildly cute to boring to annoyingly stupid. The first story, which re-tellsFiller stories unrelated to the actual Re:zero storyline, these range from mildly cute to boring to annoyingly stupid. The first story, which re-tells the end of the adventure in the previous volume through the eyes of one of the village children, starts out promising but ends up somewhere between perplexing and down-right insulting. The cover art is super-cute, but skip this if you want an actual plot that doesn't make you feel like you've just sacrificed most of your brain cells and probably your dignity with them. ...more
We finally get some answers to the curse and conclude the story arc in the mansion. As a bonus, we get some of the backstory of Rem and Ram, connectinWe finally get some answers to the curse and conclude the story arc in the mansion. As a bonus, we get some of the backstory of Rem and Ram, connecting it back to the Crying Red Demon story from Volume 2.
(Then, it ends with two stupid comic stories, one that is kind of a harem manga knock-off where all the female characters from the mansion take a bath and one about mayonnaise. That's right. Mayonnaise. If you mostly care about the actual story, I advise skipping those.)...more
Subaru finally survives his day in the capital only to be mortally wounded. Luckily, Emilia's healing powers keep him alive long enough to reach the RSubaru finally survives his day in the capital only to be mortally wounded. Luckily, Emilia's healing powers keep him alive long enough to reach the Roswaal manor where the next leg of his adventure begins. Here, he bonds with sisters Rem and Ram and spars verbally with powerful "loli-girl" Beatrice, before finding himself somehow targeted in a possible political intrigue. But who would want Subaru dead and why?
This volume starts out humorously light (before turning very dark), and Subaru remains an annoying hikikomori who spouts a goodly amount of sexist crap. Luckily, Rem and Ram aren't about to put up with this, and Beatrice is more than capable of giving back her own; plus, the story continues to be ridiculously entertaining, even though by the end Subaru is probably suffering from PTSD from dying so often and so horribly. ...more
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