At the age of 16, I was gifted one of Japan’s most successful novels, No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. Its unabashed angst, explored in beautiful prose, allowed me to embody my adolescent frustrations with utter intensity. It introduced a disparate conceptualisation of human morality, not a lifestyle I would adopt, but one I could … Continue reading Review: A Shameful Life
When One Person Dies The Whole World Is Over: Review
Story and art by Mandy Ord Published by BrowBooks (2019) Length: 1 Volume In terms of popularity, vloggers, and the depiction of modern living, has become the most popular form of content consumed on the internet. These figures, often referred to as social media influencers, are able to simultaneously emit authenticity, while providing an idealised … Continue reading When One Person Dies The Whole World Is Over: Review
Hard Crime: Ryuko Review
Story and art by Eldo Yoshimizu Published by Titan Comics (2019) Length: 2 Volumes Even the term “frenzy” wouldn’t suffice in describing the turbulence of Eldo Yoshimizu’s Ryuko. The first manga in Titan Comics’ “Hard Crime Series”, Yoshimizu’s tale of tragedy, betrayal and redemption is filled to the brim with abstract motion and unnerving violence. … Continue reading Hard Crime: Ryuko Review
Manga as literature: The Poe Clan Volume 1
Story and art by Moto Hagio Published by Fantagraphics Books (2019) Length: 2 Volumes When reading manga, rarely do you find a title with writing resembling literature. The marriage between art and narrative requires a harmonious balance, which is often strained with the inclusion of dense, sophisticated passages. Moto Hagio’s The Poe Clan attempts to … Continue reading Manga as literature: The Poe Clan Volume 1
Deep Breaths Review
Story and art by Chris Gooch Published by Top Shelf Productions Length: 215 Pages There is so much value to be found in mundanity. Within these quieter moments of living, the most profound introspection can occur, guided by pervading feelings of frustration, contentedness, or indifference. Chris Gooch’s Deep Breaths gives us an opportunity to relive these instances, but … Continue reading Deep Breaths Review
Spinning Review
Story and art by Tillie Walden Originally published by First Second Length: 1 Volume (400 Pages) Spinning presents a captivating look into the turbulent life of author (then teenager) Tillie Walden, whose childhood revolves around the competitive figure skating scene. It explores the process of a passion slowly fading, acting as a lens to … Continue reading Spinning Review
Pokemon: The Implications of Fading out a National Dex
In this year’s E3 Nintendo Treehouse, Pokemon producer Junichi Masuda revealed a controversial feature of the upcoming Sword and Shield games; that is, not all of the previous Pokemon will be brought over to the new games. While a lot of speculation has surfaced from this statement, particularly about the possibility that some Pokemon will … Continue reading Pokemon: The Implications of Fading out a National Dex
