Area no Kishi Ramblings
I recovered a bit from nasty headache. I ended up doing nothing computer related. I did occasionally read Area no Kishi manga that I bought in KL. Safe to say, this has been my biggest guilty pleasure in a while.
It's been a while since I read a manga with elements that I completely love.
1) Secret identity
2) Hidden talent
3) Identity crisis
Most manga will have some elements of these, but usually not all 3. Particularly identity crisis is quite a rare one. I only remember a few off the top of my head (Bleach before it became bad, it used to be my favorite, and D.Grayman, which took a long time before it became an element in the story.)
In case of Area no Kishi, identity crisis has been one of the biggest focus. Accompanied with secret identity and hidden talent, it's so easy for me to love the series. It also tackles several other stuff that I like, character development, complex relationship, underdog, subtle romance, etc. In many ways, I almost felt like I just found a manga that was made to make my fangirl side go wild. A guilty pleasure, that's it. lol!
Despite saying this, Area no Kishi is a good manga on its own. Not perfect, for sure. The pacing for one is snail pace, and you need to suspense your disbelief with the supernatural elements. Side characters aren't as developed and memorable as the main. These are a few of my gripes, but nothing killed the series.
In many ways, it reminds me of the time when I was crazy with Hikaru no Go. HnG also has the 3 elements that I love, although the identity crisis isn't as heavy as AnK. However, thanks to HnG, I grow a bit wary with manga that has too much potential for its own good. I was utterly devastated by how HnG ends. It was possibly the worst possible direction the author chose to go.
So for some time, I never put Area no Kishi on the same pedestal I put Major, despite enjoying it just as much, if not even more. Just like HnG, AnK has yet reached its full potential. The characters are still growing, several plots are still unresolved, so while I enjoy AnK greatly, I believe the ending can make or break the series.
In any case, after reading volume 23, which I think is the best volume so far, my fear disappears a little. The author clearly knows what he's doing. He slowly ties the plots together, and developed the characters in the direction I really like. My love for the characters, especially Kakeru has shoot off the roof.
What's notable about Kakeru is that he's at a glance an easy character to read, but when the subtle development kicked in, you will be amazed by it. He has a very nice subtle development. Occasionally overshadowed by the omnipresent of his older brother, Suguru, but still managed to shine on his own. Instead of drowning himself in the shadow of Suguru, Kakeru made it his strength. The combination is wonderful, complex, subtle, and entertaining.
Before I continue rambling about how awesome it has becomes, I like to reiterate that the manga is still running in snail pace. lmao. And the bigger my expectation has become, the easier for me to get disappointed. So I'm not going to hold my breath yet. rofl.
Current rating: A (Up to volume 27)
P.S: I'm so looking forward to the anime. \>O
It's been a while since I read a manga with elements that I completely love.
1) Secret identity
2) Hidden talent
3) Identity crisis
Most manga will have some elements of these, but usually not all 3. Particularly identity crisis is quite a rare one. I only remember a few off the top of my head (Bleach before it became bad, it used to be my favorite, and D.Grayman, which took a long time before it became an element in the story.)
In case of Area no Kishi, identity crisis has been one of the biggest focus. Accompanied with secret identity and hidden talent, it's so easy for me to love the series. It also tackles several other stuff that I like, character development, complex relationship, underdog, subtle romance, etc. In many ways, I almost felt like I just found a manga that was made to make my fangirl side go wild. A guilty pleasure, that's it. lol!
Despite saying this, Area no Kishi is a good manga on its own. Not perfect, for sure. The pacing for one is snail pace, and you need to suspense your disbelief with the supernatural elements. Side characters aren't as developed and memorable as the main. These are a few of my gripes, but nothing killed the series.
In many ways, it reminds me of the time when I was crazy with Hikaru no Go. HnG also has the 3 elements that I love, although the identity crisis isn't as heavy as AnK. However, thanks to HnG, I grow a bit wary with manga that has too much potential for its own good. I was utterly devastated by how HnG ends. It was possibly the worst possible direction the author chose to go.
So for some time, I never put Area no Kishi on the same pedestal I put Major, despite enjoying it just as much, if not even more. Just like HnG, AnK has yet reached its full potential. The characters are still growing, several plots are still unresolved, so while I enjoy AnK greatly, I believe the ending can make or break the series.
In any case, after reading volume 23, which I think is the best volume so far, my fear disappears a little. The author clearly knows what he's doing. He slowly ties the plots together, and developed the characters in the direction I really like. My love for the characters, especially Kakeru has shoot off the roof.
What's notable about Kakeru is that he's at a glance an easy character to read, but when the subtle development kicked in, you will be amazed by it. He has a very nice subtle development. Occasionally overshadowed by the omnipresent of his older brother, Suguru, but still managed to shine on his own. Instead of drowning himself in the shadow of Suguru, Kakeru made it his strength. The combination is wonderful, complex, subtle, and entertaining.
Before I continue rambling about how awesome it has becomes, I like to reiterate that the manga is still running in snail pace. lmao. And the bigger my expectation has become, the easier for me to get disappointed. So I'm not going to hold my breath yet. rofl.
Current rating: A (Up to volume 27)
P.S: I'm so looking forward to the anime. \>O