dystopian

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” Vol. 15, by Haro Aso & Kōtarō Takata

199798532

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Our group heads to Hashima where Shizuka notices that Akira has accomplished an interesting item on his list: “Meet the woman of my dreams.” This realization causes heavy awkwardness in the group that threatens to split them up for good.

There’s also funny asides to “Kensho in Borderland” and making a zombie movie.

The dolphin thing was kinda cute and I don’t think it’s much of a spoiler to say Akira and Shizuka are adorable together. I do wonder what the next step will be since that’s worked itself out. I would like to see more progress towards a possible vaccine and crossing things of the list rather than add even more people to this growing cast. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Battle Royale: Enforcers” Vol. 1, by Koushun Takami & Yukai Asada

199525656

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review and is recommended for mature readers.

After a two decade ban, Program 68 is restarted and the newest crop of ill-fated kids are Daito Academy’s Class F. Now, they will be forced to kill their fellow classmates in order to be the last one standing.

Now, it’s more understandable to have the info dump at the beginning of the story because the games in universe haven’t been a thing in a long time and it’s been awhile since the original series came out. Other than being some creepy masterminds making this decision, we don’t know why this class was chosen to bring this program back but I’m sure the reason will come out later on.

Our cast is the typical school student collection: the idealistic lead, bitchy girls, uncommonly good at killing quiet guy, etc. But it doesn’t waste time getting to the bloodshed. I’m sure we’ll get to know the students better as the series goes; probably right before they’re brutally killed. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 13, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

199798480

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Jask has taken Rio across the sea to the Land of the Asuras; a land so violent and obsessed with battle only 1% of the men make it to adulthood.

The Asuras are like some super fucked up Spartans but, as usual, Ken is able to deal with them pretty easily. I do like exploring more countries and areas but this far into the series, the cycle of show up, trash talk, bash bad guy isn’t as interesting. Particularly in this volume because Ken is so overpowered. The Asuras as a concept were interesting but otherwise, this volume was just okay. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 12, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

176443720

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

A warrior of honor, Jako, is forced to face Ken on behalf of an evil despot who holds Jako’s people hostage.

There’s a real odd cycle of the story picking a background character to die so Ken can have more motivation. I believe it’s super lazy to fridge all these characters for Ken’s benefit. He’s plenty powerful as he is. I never feel like he’d in danger and twelve volumes deep, we shouldn’t have to re-up his resolve with the blood of more interesting characters. He’s the most boring part of this volume. 3 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “PTSD” by Guillaume Singelin

39073375

(Image Source)

Jun is struggling to get by day to day, relying on drugs to deal with the demons of war still haunting her. After robbing the wrong people, Jun finds she needs the help of others whether she likes it or not.

I like that this is set in a fictional universe but still portrays the horrible treatment of veterans in a realistic and sympathetic way. The art style is cool and unique; gritty but cute in all the right places. If I had a complaint, it would be the ending came on too fast for me after spending so much time with Jun but we can’t spend forever watching her help the people around her but I still really enjoyed it. Granted, it’s more about the characters than PTSD itself but it’s still a good story. 3.7 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead” Vol. 13, by Haro Aso & Kōtarō Takata 

176443919

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Shizuka has been bitten and the race is on to treat her before she turns. The facility with the means to treat her turns out to be full of hidden secrets and dangers.

Calling the sinister organization The Umbriel Corporation gave me a giggle. I’ll admit it. Other than that, this volume feels more like a typical zombie story: finding the cure, maybe a vaccine, secret evil corporation, battling manufactured giant mutated creatures made from the zombie virus, all that good stuff. The run part is really the characters that bring some originality and keep this series fun. I won’t spoil things but even the new additions have their unique charms despite falling back into the traditional zombie story tropes. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Choujin X” Vol. 4, by Sui Ishida

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This volume has a ton of lore dropped on us. There’s the Great Choujin War and a festival to honor those who were lost and the looming threat of a choujin able to destroy the world. It’s going to be interesting to see the friends Tokio and Azuma training together after their fight. Tokio is the brave, empty-headed one compared to the more calculating Azuna. And Azuna clearly has control issues with his abilities but this is mostly training after their face off and I’m excited to see what happens next.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Fist of the North Star” Vol. 10, by Buronson & Tetsuo Hara

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

Ken has found Yuria but Raoh is also after her to keep her from Ken. Now, it’s time for their showdown utilizing a deadly final technique.

This was an interesting final battle but it feels a little silly that with the tone of this series, after the technique and strength shown in the final battle really came down to love and feelings. I mean, I get it, it was entertaining but I thought it would come down to all the experience Ken has gained allowing him to win the fight. The final battle between them was cool, though but Yuria was super dull. 3.9 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Alice in Borderland” vol. 7, by Haro Aso

74964416

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

The Jack of Hearts game comes to a close in this volume only to go right into the next; the King of Spades where a man armed to the teeth ruthlessly hunts down the participants and the only way to win is to take him out.

The Kind of Spades fight is super dramatic; really digging into the lives of career soldiers and how combat affects them. I like the combination of the middle schooler Dodo, high schooler Akane and the soldier, Agumi. They are so different and play off each other well; making it easy to root for them as we take a break from Arisu and his group. 4.5 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.

atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Alice in Borderland” Vol. 6, by Haro Aso

62919637

(Image Source)

*This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

This volume features the climactic ending of the King of Clubs game, then begins the Jack of Hearts game; where the players have to trust each other to read their assigned card suits on the back of their necks.

I like this section but I feel like the tension in the show for the Jack of Heats game was much higher than in this manga. It’s still amazing and a nail biter; providing the same thrills despite Arisu taking a breather for most of it. The Jack of Hearts game is less gruesome than others as in there is less on “screen” violence and it’s more implied. But as usual, there is plenty of death. 4 out of 5.

Follow me on BlogLovin.