Mirage Tour 09 - 1 Summary and a bit of rambling

[skinintheway]

I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since my friend and I first started thinking about making a MoB trip around Japan. And now at last, despite a bit economically harder times, we got through with it and I am really happy for that.

The main mirage places we visited mostly deserve an entry of their own, but here is a brief summary of our

Comments

[skinintheway]

Haruna-san, what's happened? Are you still stressed out because of that exam?

[skinintheway]

I see :)
Well, I'll think about what can be done to make it a bit more lively here XDD

[asphodel]

Yay Y.vonne! You have great taste. ^_^v

I think one of the amazing things about Mirage is that it does give you that personal insight into Japan that no casual vacationer can match, and it's wonderful that you got to feel that. (So did you try basashi?) *chuckle*

[skinintheway]

Actually, Toyama Mako is the only MoB djka, whose works I really wish to own, as of all artists I’ve ever seen, her portrayal of mirage is closest to my perception of it. As far as I can tell, she works with the original in a very natural and sensitive way, her characters and stories stay fairly close to novels, there is nothing forced about her smut scenes (^^;; in a sense) and she is somehow able to maintain the bitter-sweet melancholy (no to say the angst). At the same time she doesn’t compromise on the art side, I think it is rare to see such a sophisticated panel design and composition, and I love the way she does their eyes…
Well, I’d say Y.vonne just happens to use the combination of dynamics and delicacy that generally appeals to me. :)

"(So did you try basashi?) *chuckle*"
How could I miss that? XDD
So, have you by a chance been on some miratour, too?

[asphodel]

Yes! Those are exactly the reasons Toyama Mako is my favorite Mirage doujinshika. I feel a bit elitist sometimes for preferring doujnishi that stick close to canon, but hey. ^^;; I like doujinshi in general, though, which is why my collection is so out of control, hahah. Just the idea of it, though--fan works that are not only allowed, but sometimes even encouraged. Kuwabara-sensei mentions at least two doujinshika in her books--Topics and Windom--and another became the illustrator for her Aka no Shinmon series (Dawn Factory). I'm more envious of that culture than I can say.

Anyway...^^;; Alas, I have not had the chance to go on a tour yet, but definitely some day! And yes, the infamous basashi is definitely going to be on the menu. :D

[bluesea81]

I am so envious of you right now...(goes to cry in a corner)