484 – One Shot 70 – Will I Be Single Forever?
This week we discuss impactful anime, Jurassic Park, and the historical manga Shinkuro, Hashiru!! Then we take a look at Mari Okazaki‘s Will I Be Single Forever? and share how it personally resonates with us!!!
Continue readingPatlabor
A manga about a future Japan where construction robots called Labors are being used for crime. To battle against Labor crime the Tokyo police form the Patrol Labor squad known as Patlabor.
My brother was really into Patlabor and I read it while I grew up. Going back to it now, I’m surprised I was able to enjoy it because Masami Yuki really focuses on political storylines. I especially noticed this when I read Birdy the Mighty.
Regardless, Patlabor is fantastic. And that’s mostly due to the thought and care Yuki put into the world and characters. The eccentric cast of special division 2 bumble their way through the complex politics of terrorists and Labor manufactures. It’s all very entertaining and fun to read. Also major props for the female protagonist Noa and barely focusing on any sex appeal, fan service, or even romantic relationships. I only wish VIZ would get back to putting the English editions out but I doubt it will ever happen.
~dakazu
Kyukyoku Chojin R
A manga about a new high school transfer student who ends up being an android who is supposed to take over the world.
A early work by Patlabor creator Masami Yuki that’s one of the silliest comedies I read while growing up. Chock full of 4th wall breaking jokes and 80′s Japanese pop culture references, it reminds me a lot of something like Gintama.
I was thrilled to learn that after 31 years, they’ve released a new volume! Yuki has revisited this series recently to commemorate his 30 years of drawing manga. Loved how it still takes place in the 80′s.
A hidden gem of Yuki’s. Recommended if you like silly comedies and the 80′s.
~dakazu
Discommunication
A newer manga by Masami Yuki of Patlabor fame. The story is about a high school girl who wins a newcomer manga award after she turns in her brother’s manuscript under her own name. Now she’s forced to draw BL manga when she really wants to draw a shonen action series.
The series itself is very good but that’s not the impressive part. Yuki was able to collaborate with different manga artists who did the coloring for the fake BL stories that would start each chapter. This includes Nastume Ono, Akiko Higashimura, Daisuke Igarashi, and many others!
It was short and sweet and it was nice to read something by Masami Yuki again.
~dakazu