Spicy Pink & Monster Soul
I've only read one chapter of Monster Soul, so I think I'll start with this one this time.
MONSTER SOUL: This manga is by the creator of FAIRY TALE and GROOVE MASTER RAVE, Mashima Hiro, and even at only one chapter, it's easy to see Mashima's style coming through. If the art style weren't obvious enough--eccentric and only really comparable to ONE PIECE or BOBOBO--the adventurous spirit and the loyalty and love between the charactes would be.
I can't say that the plot of the first chapter wasn't a little obvious, but considering the cracky nature of his other stories--never believe in a death, there's always more than one bad guy, and assume that at least one 'good' character could probably destroy the world--I expect this one to go somewhere new and interesting. Of course, that's already promised by the plot description. In the world of MONSTER SOUL, humans and monsters don't get along. However, it's not always the monsters doing the terrorizing, and, in fact, the main characters, so far, are all monsters. I expect quirky side-characters, lots of angst--but little angsting--and at least one pervert.
Overall, the first chapter was meh, but I expect it to get a lot better.
SPICY PINK: I'll start by saying that I think this is a josei comic instead of a shoujo. That said, I'll also remind you that I'm not really a fan of straight-forward romances, which this manga is. And finally, I'll say that even with that--large--mark against it, I still find this manga interesting.
I'm sure you can guess the plot, so first, I'm going to tell you about the main character, Sakura. She's a mangaka who's so devoted to her work that, 5 years ago, when her boyfriend of 6 years dumped her, she felt relieved because he wouldn't take up her time anymore. She has no interest in finding a new boyfriend, and, so far, it seems like all of her relationships revolve around her life as a mangaka. So, with all of this, it might seem odd that this manga is about her romance. (I have to cut in here and point out that there is some time devoted to her friend's romance, too. Misono is always looking for a guy who can keep her in the style she's used to. Unfortunately for her, the guy she really seems to like works in a bookstore.)
The story begins when Sakura goes to one of those group date parties with Misono. After a couple of chapters of being annoyed by one of the men from it--a plastic surgeon--she ends up agreeing to go out with him, if only to get herself more experience in the love department. Of course, that doesn't stop her from being a bit insulted when she figures out that he invited her out at first to keep his parents from setting him up. There are the usual problems that litter romance manga--ex-lovers, wondering about the partner's true feelings--but so far, nothing huge has come up. Even the fact that Sakura's new boyfriend's sister is dating Sakura's ex, who wants to have an affair with her (@_@) doesn't really make a dent in Sakura's life for very long.
And actually, I think that might be what interests me in this manga. Sakura's life doesn't revolve around her romance. There's probably just as much time and space devoted to following her life as a mangaka as there is to her dates with the doctor. Her goals don't include marriage--though she's not against the idea--but rather, success at what she loves to do. I can really emphasize with this; it mirrors my view on romance as well. Anyway, what kept me reading the first five chapters was the realistic tone and mood. The story--despite what it may seem--doesn't feel like it's about Sakura's romance but about Sakura herself. It won't ever be my favorite, but I think I really do want to see where this one goes.
MONSTER SOUL: This manga is by the creator of FAIRY TALE and GROOVE MASTER RAVE, Mashima Hiro, and even at only one chapter, it's easy to see Mashima's style coming through. If the art style weren't obvious enough--eccentric and only really comparable to ONE PIECE or BOBOBO--the adventurous spirit and the loyalty and love between the charactes would be.
I can't say that the plot of the first chapter wasn't a little obvious, but considering the cracky nature of his other stories--never believe in a death, there's always more than one bad guy, and assume that at least one 'good' character could probably destroy the world--I expect this one to go somewhere new and interesting. Of course, that's already promised by the plot description. In the world of MONSTER SOUL, humans and monsters don't get along. However, it's not always the monsters doing the terrorizing, and, in fact, the main characters, so far, are all monsters. I expect quirky side-characters, lots of angst--but little angsting--and at least one pervert.
Overall, the first chapter was meh, but I expect it to get a lot better.
SPICY PINK: I'll start by saying that I think this is a josei comic instead of a shoujo. That said, I'll also remind you that I'm not really a fan of straight-forward romances, which this manga is. And finally, I'll say that even with that--large--mark against it, I still find this manga interesting.
I'm sure you can guess the plot, so first, I'm going to tell you about the main character, Sakura. She's a mangaka who's so devoted to her work that, 5 years ago, when her boyfriend of 6 years dumped her, she felt relieved because he wouldn't take up her time anymore. She has no interest in finding a new boyfriend, and, so far, it seems like all of her relationships revolve around her life as a mangaka. So, with all of this, it might seem odd that this manga is about her romance. (I have to cut in here and point out that there is some time devoted to her friend's romance, too. Misono is always looking for a guy who can keep her in the style she's used to. Unfortunately for her, the guy she really seems to like works in a bookstore.)
The story begins when Sakura goes to one of those group date parties with Misono. After a couple of chapters of being annoyed by one of the men from it--a plastic surgeon--she ends up agreeing to go out with him, if only to get herself more experience in the love department. Of course, that doesn't stop her from being a bit insulted when she figures out that he invited her out at first to keep his parents from setting him up. There are the usual problems that litter romance manga--ex-lovers, wondering about the partner's true feelings--but so far, nothing huge has come up. Even the fact that Sakura's new boyfriend's sister is dating Sakura's ex, who wants to have an affair with her (@_@) doesn't really make a dent in Sakura's life for very long.
And actually, I think that might be what interests me in this manga. Sakura's life doesn't revolve around her romance. There's probably just as much time and space devoted to following her life as a mangaka as there is to her dates with the doctor. Her goals don't include marriage--though she's not against the idea--but rather, success at what she loves to do. I can really emphasize with this; it mirrors my view on romance as well. Anyway, what kept me reading the first five chapters was the realistic tone and mood. The story--despite what it may seem--doesn't feel like it's about Sakura's romance but about Sakura herself. It won't ever be my favorite, but I think I really do want to see where this one goes.