[review] Dolls & Magnolia by Naked Ape; Beastly
Today is the birthday of my ex-classmate, Vilashini. Happy 18th Birthday. She's really talkative, she likes to disturb quiet people like me, she's a clever girl and I have no idea how I end up being in good terms with her despite our clashing personalities. She's talkative. I'm not. She disturbs me. I don't disturb her. :O
Whatever it is, she drives people crazy and nuts but I love her anyway! :D
Although I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive her for twisting my beautiful name. WHY?
Oh yeah, I got a new phone to replace my old, lightless phone. Samsung GT-E1080F.
Here's the review for Naked Ape's works, dolls and Magnolia.
It takes a great deal of effort to appreciate naked ape's artstyle. It's different, not realism but different than usual, for me. At first, I couldn't read Magnolia because the art distrupted my reading (in particular, Lily's eyelashes are scary!) and I eventually dropped the series with hopes that one day I would reread and appreciate it despite the art. A random stroll led me to discover another of naked ape's work and still an ongoing series, dolls. I realize that it doesn't matter what the artstyle is as long as you are captivated by the plot and for dolls, that's the reason why I enjoy reading the series besides a certain person.
In the 3rd Toutoh Empire, the excessive immigration led to an increase of violent crimes, and the government approved a law to expedite trials and alleviate the pressure on the overcrowded prisons: the Rationalization of Trials (RoT). With this law it is possible to hold trials without the suspect present, and the sentence is often the death penalty.
To enforce the law was then created a new special police unit, in charge of investigating and carrying out the execution: the Tokkei (特刑?), abbreviation for Tokubetsu Shikeishikkou Keimukan Butai (特別死刑執行刑務官部隊?, Official Unit for Punishment and Special Executions). The Tokkei, composed of 47 groups (units) of 3 people, soon became known for its brutality as a group of heartless assassins, almost only hollow shells without feelings, and commonly called the Dolls. Against them rose a terrorist group, the Doll Hunters, which opposes them but is as violent and brutal as them, if not worse.
Dolls doesn't really have a main character although the missions usually involves the First Brigade of the Tokkei; Captain Mikoshiba Shouta, Vice Captain Shikibu Seiju and member Toudou Usaki. Usaki is the newest member of the First Brigade and through his perspective, we are able to learn several things about the past; such as Sakurazawa Tokio, the former captain of the First Brigade when the Tokkei is first established and why Shouta considers his former partner a taboo topic. There's also the Second Brigade and the Third Brigade besides the First Brigade of the Tokkei. The Second Brigade consists of an all-female trio; Captain Aikawa Rami and members Saeki Yoshino and Kubou Ayane while the Third Brigade consists of Captain Kamijou Riku and Kagami Motochika and Kurose Mizuki. I suppose I can say the main characters are the First Brigade since there are cases that reminds them of their past and fear. Since the Tokkei is a special police unit, there's always the normal police unit. Introducing Inspector Hasui Tamao, and what's his connection with the Tokkei? Nothing, actually. However, Hasui hates the Tokkei since their missions are rather cruel and heartless - like dolls; executing the condemned criminals without questions - once the criminal is sentence to death, the Tokkei searches for the criminal and executes the criminal. Also, although housemates since they are close friends, Hasui has no idea that Shouta works as a Tokkei since he believes that Shouta cannot possibly be a cold, heartless person as he believes the Tokkei are. Hasui may be three years older than Shouta but personality-wise, Shouta is more of the adult than Hasui, which is a surprise to Hasui's colleague since his personality changes when he's with Shouta. Even though the Tokkei are considered as Dolls by their violent, brutal methods, Shouta refuses to be acknowledged as one. I quote from Shouta's speech in volume 2 chapter 12; Before your duty as a Tokkei comes your duty as a human being. Resist the urge to entangle yourselves in rules and regulations, and remember to always think with your hearts. Don't allow the people of the world to speak of you as nothing but 'dolls'. Truthfully, majority of the Tokkei (such as Toudou Usaki and Kamijou Riku) are strict with the rules and regulations, performing the executions without questions because it's their duties as a Tokkei so they care little about other people opinions. Anyway, without them, the Tokkei can't do much since they work together to get the task done. While the Tokkei is in charge of executions, the Intelligence Department is in charge of investigations.
Dolls is an interesting story with interesting characters; the cases may seem simple at first but it's even deeper than one thinks. Entropy is currently at volume 6 chapter 39 and I'm rereading from the first volume. In fact, I don't think I have a problem rereading the story from the start, again and again. You know why? It's because of Mikoshiba Shouta and yes, the mole is one reason why I adore him and I can't stop looking. I don't even know why I like him! If Fon from Ilegenes have a mole under his right eye and I like him, there's no reason why Shouta, who has a mole under the left side of his lips doesn't deserve to be loved. I mean, I almost have a crush on Nishikido Ryo because of his moles, Takizawa Hideaki because of his moles and Yamada Ryosuke because of his moles. Watching Ortros no Inu was a bliss since I was staring at the moles the entire time; Nishikido + Takizawa + Moles. Haruma Miura, too!
I'm going off topic, lmao.
My review doesn't look like a review but it's basically what's about Dolls and if you like it, do read it - there's even comedy at times and it's enjoyable!
Next, Magnolia!
Crown "Prince" Ayato is neither male or female, but at the age of 16 must choose a gender. Why does Ayato have a pair of "wings" on "his" back and what will "he" lose when "he" falls in love?
Cliche-sounding. True. It's like Angel Diary, or Destination Heaven Chronicles where the main character is raised as a boy but due to the engagement to the King of Hell, the genderless one is then decided to be a girl, thus the Princess of Heaven. Magnolia is questionable in the first few chapters. I don't get what's the hype over Ayato and having to choose to be a male or a female but chapter 8 reveals interesting facts and now I'm able to see the story in a different, clearer way. Ayato is like a flower with nectar and people around him, whether male or female, will be attracted to him and try to take his nectar. Flowers and bees, get it? In other words, the people around him can't help but be attracted to him and they end up (almost) doing unthinkable things like wanting to kiss Ayato's lips and this always happen with guys... and Ayato considers himself as a guy and guys want to kiss him, so...! He's a really beautiful person to begin with but scared on how people see him so at first he doesn't show his true self but Yugo Wolf kisses Ayato because he's attracted to him. I think Yugo sees Ayato as a female rather than a male since Ayato is capable of becoming a beautiful female. I find the scenes so cute yet funny and here I am wishing to see Ayato as a girl... but I don't think Ayato will surrender to such methods that easily.
The kiss scenes... AWW. Read this until this.
I wish there's one for Shouta with... I don't know, Aikawa? I know she's often annoyed by Shouta but he often teases her and I find that's awesomely cute. He pats her head, he touches her hair, praises her, etc. Sometimes when romance isn't the main focus, you end up wishing for one but when romance is the main focus, you wish the story focus more on the plot. Denial! Oh well, I guess I enjoy this aspect of naked ape besides the interesting plot and the comedy. Lastly, I'm actually glad I end up reading dolls since I don't think I ever appreciate naked ape's awesomeness if it's not because of dolls! Shouta, too!
That's all for now. It's really, really a great effort for me to even write this one out. I've been busy lately. Yesterday with the visit to IKEA, today celebrating my friend's birthday by hanging out, watch movie, get treated for ice cream (the birthday girl treat me ice cream, how awesome is that?!) and talk about future plans. Tomorrow? She's asking me out for lunch and I'm like, "I don't want to go out. It's tiring!" but I asked Izzu if she want to go out and buy stuffs. As I said, I only go out if there's a need and if there's no need, I'm at home with the laptop and kids because that's what I rather do! I may go out tomorrow but I won't be staying for lunch. If I see my friend and my other friend, I just say 'hello' and 'goodbye' to them and say 'I'm here to buy some stuffs so I won't be joining for lunch!' and you know what, I am stingy when it comes to food... and mom cooks, so I rather eat what mom cooks since I like what mom cooks. Oh, and I watched Beastly with my friend. I'm thinking of watching Sucker Punch too but perhaps next time and if there's interested parties to go with me.
Beastly.
An OK modern version of Beauty and the Beast but it lacked one thing, even if I didn't read/watch Beauty and the Beast, it's the dramatic moment of Beast's death and Beauty not knowing of Beast's condition until she came back for him! I suppose because the witch said he'll remain as a hideous person forever instead of death, that's why we don't get to see the dramatic moment but at least it's enjoyable seeing Neil Patrick Harris's performance as Will.
'Baby steps! We must celebrate!'
The greenhouse was AH-mazing, it's so beautiful, I wish I have one but I have a roof on top of my house, so...!
I haven't started on R14 (honestly, why did I think it's Round 15?! Silly me!) yet but I will work on it soon. I've been so busy since the day of the results. Even my games are not in good condition; this is so bad, I want to finish building those buildings in Frontierville. Stop asking us to build more and more, FrV!
Whatever it is, she drives people crazy and nuts but I love her anyway! :D
Although I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive her for twisting my beautiful name. WHY?
Oh yeah, I got a new phone to replace my old, lightless phone. Samsung GT-E1080F.
Here's the review for Naked Ape's works, dolls and Magnolia.
It takes a great deal of effort to appreciate naked ape's artstyle. It's different, not realism but different than usual, for me. At first, I couldn't read Magnolia because the art distrupted my reading (in particular, Lily's eyelashes are scary!) and I eventually dropped the series with hopes that one day I would reread and appreciate it despite the art. A random stroll led me to discover another of naked ape's work and still an ongoing series, dolls. I realize that it doesn't matter what the artstyle is as long as you are captivated by the plot and for dolls, that's the reason why I enjoy reading the series besides a certain person.
In the 3rd Toutoh Empire, the excessive immigration led to an increase of violent crimes, and the government approved a law to expedite trials and alleviate the pressure on the overcrowded prisons: the Rationalization of Trials (RoT). With this law it is possible to hold trials without the suspect present, and the sentence is often the death penalty.
To enforce the law was then created a new special police unit, in charge of investigating and carrying out the execution: the Tokkei (特刑?), abbreviation for Tokubetsu Shikeishikkou Keimukan Butai (特別死刑執行刑務官部隊?, Official Unit for Punishment and Special Executions). The Tokkei, composed of 47 groups (units) of 3 people, soon became known for its brutality as a group of heartless assassins, almost only hollow shells without feelings, and commonly called the Dolls. Against them rose a terrorist group, the Doll Hunters, which opposes them but is as violent and brutal as them, if not worse.
Dolls doesn't really have a main character although the missions usually involves the First Brigade of the Tokkei; Captain Mikoshiba Shouta, Vice Captain Shikibu Seiju and member Toudou Usaki. Usaki is the newest member of the First Brigade and through his perspective, we are able to learn several things about the past; such as Sakurazawa Tokio, the former captain of the First Brigade when the Tokkei is first established and why Shouta considers his former partner a taboo topic. There's also the Second Brigade and the Third Brigade besides the First Brigade of the Tokkei. The Second Brigade consists of an all-female trio; Captain Aikawa Rami and members Saeki Yoshino and Kubou Ayane while the Third Brigade consists of Captain Kamijou Riku and Kagami Motochika and Kurose Mizuki. I suppose I can say the main characters are the First Brigade since there are cases that reminds them of their past and fear. Since the Tokkei is a special police unit, there's always the normal police unit. Introducing Inspector Hasui Tamao, and what's his connection with the Tokkei? Nothing, actually. However, Hasui hates the Tokkei since their missions are rather cruel and heartless - like dolls; executing the condemned criminals without questions - once the criminal is sentence to death, the Tokkei searches for the criminal and executes the criminal. Also, although housemates since they are close friends, Hasui has no idea that Shouta works as a Tokkei since he believes that Shouta cannot possibly be a cold, heartless person as he believes the Tokkei are. Hasui may be three years older than Shouta but personality-wise, Shouta is more of the adult than Hasui, which is a surprise to Hasui's colleague since his personality changes when he's with Shouta. Even though the Tokkei are considered as Dolls by their violent, brutal methods, Shouta refuses to be acknowledged as one. I quote from Shouta's speech in volume 2 chapter 12; Before your duty as a Tokkei comes your duty as a human being. Resist the urge to entangle yourselves in rules and regulations, and remember to always think with your hearts. Don't allow the people of the world to speak of you as nothing but 'dolls'. Truthfully, majority of the Tokkei (such as Toudou Usaki and Kamijou Riku) are strict with the rules and regulations, performing the executions without questions because it's their duties as a Tokkei so they care little about other people opinions. Anyway, without them, the Tokkei can't do much since they work together to get the task done. While the Tokkei is in charge of executions, the Intelligence Department is in charge of investigations.
Dolls is an interesting story with interesting characters; the cases may seem simple at first but it's even deeper than one thinks. Entropy is currently at volume 6 chapter 39 and I'm rereading from the first volume. In fact, I don't think I have a problem rereading the story from the start, again and again. You know why? It's because of Mikoshiba Shouta and yes, the mole is one reason why I adore him and I can't stop looking. I don't even know why I like him! If Fon from Ilegenes have a mole under his right eye and I like him, there's no reason why Shouta, who has a mole under the left side of his lips doesn't deserve to be loved. I mean, I almost have a crush on Nishikido Ryo because of his moles, Takizawa Hideaki because of his moles and Yamada Ryosuke because of his moles. Watching Ortros no Inu was a bliss since I was staring at the moles the entire time; Nishikido + Takizawa + Moles. Haruma Miura, too!
I'm going off topic, lmao.
My review doesn't look like a review but it's basically what's about Dolls and if you like it, do read it - there's even comedy at times and it's enjoyable!
Next, Magnolia!
Crown "Prince" Ayato is neither male or female, but at the age of 16 must choose a gender. Why does Ayato have a pair of "wings" on "his" back and what will "he" lose when "he" falls in love?
Cliche-sounding. True. It's like Angel Diary, or Destination Heaven Chronicles where the main character is raised as a boy but due to the engagement to the King of Hell, the genderless one is then decided to be a girl, thus the Princess of Heaven. Magnolia is questionable in the first few chapters. I don't get what's the hype over Ayato and having to choose to be a male or a female but chapter 8 reveals interesting facts and now I'm able to see the story in a different, clearer way. Ayato is like a flower with nectar and people around him, whether male or female, will be attracted to him and try to take his nectar. Flowers and bees, get it? In other words, the people around him can't help but be attracted to him and they end up (almost) doing unthinkable things like wanting to kiss Ayato's lips and this always happen with guys... and Ayato considers himself as a guy and guys want to kiss him, so...! He's a really beautiful person to begin with but scared on how people see him so at first he doesn't show his true self but Yugo Wolf kisses Ayato because he's attracted to him. I think Yugo sees Ayato as a female rather than a male since Ayato is capable of becoming a beautiful female. I find the scenes so cute yet funny and here I am wishing to see Ayato as a girl... but I don't think Ayato will surrender to such methods that easily.
The kiss scenes... AWW. Read this until this.
I wish there's one for Shouta with... I don't know, Aikawa? I know she's often annoyed by Shouta but he often teases her and I find that's awesomely cute. He pats her head, he touches her hair, praises her, etc. Sometimes when romance isn't the main focus, you end up wishing for one but when romance is the main focus, you wish the story focus more on the plot. Denial! Oh well, I guess I enjoy this aspect of naked ape besides the interesting plot and the comedy. Lastly, I'm actually glad I end up reading dolls since I don't think I ever appreciate naked ape's awesomeness if it's not because of dolls! Shouta, too!
That's all for now. It's really, really a great effort for me to even write this one out. I've been busy lately. Yesterday with the visit to IKEA, today celebrating my friend's birthday by hanging out, watch movie, get treated for ice cream (the birthday girl treat me ice cream, how awesome is that?!) and talk about future plans. Tomorrow? She's asking me out for lunch and I'm like, "I don't want to go out. It's tiring!" but I asked Izzu if she want to go out and buy stuffs. As I said, I only go out if there's a need and if there's no need, I'm at home with the laptop and kids because that's what I rather do! I may go out tomorrow but I won't be staying for lunch. If I see my friend and my other friend, I just say 'hello' and 'goodbye' to them and say 'I'm here to buy some stuffs so I won't be joining for lunch!' and you know what, I am stingy when it comes to food... and mom cooks, so I rather eat what mom cooks since I like what mom cooks. Oh, and I watched Beastly with my friend. I'm thinking of watching Sucker Punch too but perhaps next time and if there's interested parties to go with me.
Beastly.
An OK modern version of Beauty and the Beast but it lacked one thing, even if I didn't read/watch Beauty and the Beast, it's the dramatic moment of Beast's death and Beauty not knowing of Beast's condition until she came back for him! I suppose because the witch said he'll remain as a hideous person forever instead of death, that's why we don't get to see the dramatic moment but at least it's enjoyable seeing Neil Patrick Harris's performance as Will.
'Baby steps! We must celebrate!'
The greenhouse was AH-mazing, it's so beautiful, I wish I have one but I have a roof on top of my house, so...!
I haven't started on R14 (honestly, why did I think it's Round 15?! Silly me!) yet but I will work on it soon. I've been so busy since the day of the results. Even my games are not in good condition; this is so bad, I want to finish building those buildings in Frontierville. Stop asking us to build more and more, FrV!