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

Shiozawa is reaching out to other creators still trying to make his dream of the ultimate manga come to life; this time to Iwata who has refused to draw again and to Nekoyama who is in a nursing home.

While Shiozawa’s goal of gathering all these veteran artists to create a great work is admirable, the tone overall still feels maudlin and a bit of hopelessness. This is an uphill battle so, even when characters say they’re excited or thrilled to be doing this, it still feels heavy. This takes the romanticism out of creating art and shows how the act of creating is work, it can feel like ripping your soul out; especially when you’ve hit a block. I hope all of this turns out to end in something beautiful. 4 out of 5.

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February 14, 2024February 14, 2024 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Tokyo These Days” Vol. 1, by Taiyo Matsumoto

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

After 30 years as a manga editor, Kazuo Shiozawa quits and hopes to relax in retirement. As he goes about his days still in contact with his colleagues, he goes from wanting to distance himself from his former profession to having the desire to create something new.

There’s something earnest yet sad about this manga. It’s clear Shiozawa has a love for creating manga and reading it but is feeling burnt out. It’s a strange mix of exhaustion and passion for their art that fills the characters. It’s a chill sort of read, not a lot of huge drama but it’s somber and pleasant to read. 4 out of 5.

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January 13, 2024January 11, 2024 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White 30th Anniversary Edition” by Taiyo Matsumoto

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

Two orphans, Black and White, are street kids who are fiercely loyal to each other. Black is the smarter of the two and takes his protection of White very seriously. Both of them are doing whatever they can to survive in a clogged, corrupt city and they are so violent, even the yakuza and the police are hesitant to mess with them until one man decides they need to be dealt with and is hunting them down.

This is a surreal ride, watching these two kids to what they need to do just to get through each day. It feels vaguely dystopian but this could be any place riddled with crime and poverty. It’s strangely poignant when it comes to the relationship between Black and White. It’s strange but also engrossing. The art style takes a little getting used to but it fits this gritty, desperate world. There’s a touch of nudity and plenty of violence so keep that in mind when you check out this interesting graphic novel. 4.5 out of 5.

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August 19, 2021August 30, 2021 atthequillsmercy

Lenni Reviews: “No. 5” Vol. 1, by Taiyo Matsumoto

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

Post apocalypse, humans created a race of super humans and called them The Peace Corps Commanders. One has gone rogue and needs to be hunted down.

Reading this is like trying to remember parts of different dreams you had the night before. I kept turning the pages thinking “I’m sure this will all come together and make sense soon” but I read this twice and all I can tell you is that there’s things that happened. I like the art butI don’t get it. I like to think I’m smart and can interpret well but this is just madness. 3 out of 5.

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