di[e]ce

Jun 13, 2011 07:23


Title: di[e]ce

Type: Manga

Author(s): YAMAMOTO Kana

Artist(s): SAKI Otoh

Status in Home Country: Complete - 6 Volumes

Scan Groups: Entropy, Inmeliora, Kiheitai, Hard & Rough

Scanlations Status: Ongoing, Ch 14+

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Josei, Mystery, Sci-fi, Supernatural, Suspense, Shounen-ai

Summary: Naruse Kazuki and Koutake Haruki are on the advanced track of Seitoukou Academy . Though they are not connected by blood, these two whose faces are so similar coincidentally have their 16th birthdays on November 11th. However, on that fateful anniversary, the cogs of fate have begun to turn. A game involving both their destinies has now begun!

Review: I stopped reading this a long time ago because I thought the scanlations had stopped, so I’m pleasantly surprised to find it’s once again getting scanlated. The artwork on this series is extremely pretty, so I’m not sure why this series isn’t more popular.

The story revolves around 2 childhood best friends who not only were born on the same day but look identical. On the day they turn 16, a life altering event happens. They find out that they were born to be opponents in a game that uses innocent people as part of the game to judge who wins. Only these friends can kill each other, so during a game, if they get killed by someone else their life gets reset. It’s a strange plot, and it’s not quite clear how the supernatural part is involved. I get that the two friends must fight and kill each other, but it’s not explained how this game was put into motion in the first place and who is really controlling the game to create such supernatural effects.

The plot is a bit confusing w/ the main 2 characters constantly being put into various life and death situations, and then getting reanimated once again. But the artwork is truly nice and reminds me a bit of “Numbers”.

It’s not Shounen-ai but the story gives an overall feel for it since both best friends really love each other (in a brotherly way). The only disconcerting thing is that Naruse has a strange personality. He thinks its all fun and games to kill other students, even if they’re zombies. But take his best friend away from him, and he becomes a crying whining basket case. I find his naïve simple minded non-evil thinking a bit disturbing to say the least. Its one thing if he were truly evil and blood thirsty but it feels like he just enjoys the game experience regardless of people are dying. As for Haruki, he’s got the standard cold, sacrifice, & mentally strong character that is common. Both characters will do anything to try to protect the other, despite the goal being to kill each other.

Rate: 7/10

m: di[e]ce, manga, ongoing, rate: 7, !genre-shounen ai, !genre-josei, !genre-supernatural, !genre-shounen, a: saki otoh

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