Comments on: Manga Bookshelf’s Manga/Manhwa Holiday Gift Guide

By: Kris

Kris — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:24:43 +0000

I’ll have to check your reviews, then. I don’t know what it was that made me so indifferent about the title. Maybe it’s my distaste for HS drama. Plus, I mean…Yano is a serious jerk. I don’t like him at all. And he seems really violent, too. And I’m not a big fan of females like Nanami either. At least she knows who she loves, I guess. The other guy, whose name I forget, Yano’s friend…he’s interesting though.

For “I Hate You…” I kind of liked the initial premise. But I’m not a big fan of Banri Hidaka’s art. It has some really sweet moments, but there’s also some really awkward progression, and bad execution.

Unfortunately I didn’t major in voice. :( I started as a Musical Theatre major, but couldn’t get through music theory, so I switched to Theatre Arts, and minored in English. Hooray for useless degrees!

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:19:12 +0000

Yeah, I really love We Were There. But I think it has to really hit you in the right way. You’ll probably find some kinship with Johanna Draper Carlson here–I know she didn’t react to it the same way I did at all. I love the series very much. I won’t try to explain here–I think my reviews go into that pretty thoroughly. :) I haven’t read I Hate You More Than Anyone, so I don’t know where I’d stand on that!

Oh Nodame… you’d be surprised how well it works as a manga. Both Nodame and NANA are extraordinary in that they are stories that rely on the reader’s ability to imagine music they can’t hear… and somehow they both manage it beautifully. On a personal note, I was a voice major in college! So we have singing in common. :)

By: Kris

Kris — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:53:51 +0000

We Were There is one of your favorite Viz titles? You’re definitely getting something out of it that I’m not finding, then. It’s “award winning,” and I’m still trying to figure out why, even 8 volumes in. I don’t think it’s a bad title, but it’s nowhere near to blowing me away. Why am I still reading it, might be a question here…. I have a bad habit of plowing through something I started, even if I didn’t love it, as long as I didn’t loathe it. For example, I couldn’t bring myself to finish reading Chibi Vampire/Karin, or finish watching Someday’s Dreamers. And while I did manage to push myself through the first season of School Rumble, I vowed never to touch the others.
We Were There isn’t the only manga I’m sort of ambivalent about, but keep reading anyway; I have a similar feeling toward I Hate You More Than Anyone.

Nodame…I have never read the manga. Seen all of the anime, and even the live action; all of that is delightful. The manga I’ve stayed away from, because, well…it’s a music story, but there’s no music in the manga. :( The sweeping orchestrations present in the animation and live action series really cement my enjoyment of the title. That aside, the story reminds me of the time I spent in the music department of my university (as a singer), so there’s a certain fondness there for me.

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:20:37 +0000

Thank you so much! :)

By: themooninautumn

themooninautumn — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 05:29:17 +0000

This is a well put together list. I like the quotes from reviews and the additional commentary, and the links are helpful, too. Well done and thank you!

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:44:44 +0000

Well, thank you Grant! I put it in because I was thinking that while one could give a person the first volume in a series, the nicer gift is something complete, especially if the person doesn’t usually read manga. I’m really glad you liked that!

By: Grant

Grant — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:46:35 +0000

I really like the idea of the “short” series section. All too often, a series runs for 15+ volumes, which is a huge commitment, both monetary and time-wise. Great call on including that section in your guide.

By: The Manga Critic » Blog Archive » All I Want for Christmas…

The Manga Critic » Blog Archive » All I Want for Christmas… — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:51:32 +0000

[...] Brigid Alverson’s, for suggesting both kid- and fogey-friendly titles… Melinda Beasi’s, for its depth, breadth, and elegance… and last but not least Scott Green’s, both for [...]

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:40:05 +0000

Thanks, and thanks for stopping by! :)

By: animemiz

animemiz — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:45:08 +0000

Great list, and thanks for your comment. Definitely across the board… ^_^