(no subject)

[mayoraasei]

The must-read list of 2004 presented by yours truly (subject to change without notice).

Shounen:
1. Death Note - because L and Raito just transcend coolness.
2. Black Cat - great art, great characters...with plot lagging a way behind, but hey, it's the guy's first try (well, at an epic, anyway)
3. Bleach - a Jing Yong-style story: starts off slow and hesitant, but builds up to something unexpectedly but pleasantly complex.
4. Hunter x Hunter - for pure braindead entertainment. The characters are worth a look, and there are moments when it truly deserves respect...and a more responsible mangaka, maybe.

Shoujo:
1. Zettai Kareshi - NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!<3<3<3<3~~~!!!!!!!! says it all.
2. Fushigi Yuugi ~Genbu Kaiden~ - okay, I would normally not line Yuu Watase up for two top spots in a row, but I think FYGK has the potential to be something far more meaningful than its precursor. Err, not that it's exactly difficult....
3. Ouran Koukou Host Club - because it cracks me up without fail, despite all its (fatal) incongruencies.
4. Fruits Basket - falling behind in rank because it's draaaaaaaaaaaaagging itself through the Perpetual Marsh of Angst™ Forecasts predict more rain on the way. Maybe a hail just for the sake of it.

I'd line up Parfait Tic, Full Moon wo Sagashite, Marchen Prince and probably even Cantarella. The thing with shoujo is that they're all very audience-dependent.

Comments

[beliael.livejournal.com]

I saw the first episode of Bleach... eh I hope it gets better! People have been raving about the manga (which I have to find, it's licensed though, isn't it?).

And FRUITS BASKET!!!!! Aaaah I've been so out of touch with it. My knowledge extends to about volume 8 of it or so. :( I wish I could read Chinese (or even better, Japanese).

[luna-rainbow.livejournal.com]

Was going to reply to this sooner ^^;

I sort of scrolled through (?) the first episode of Bleach. Have to watch it properly. I do like the art better there..the manga art is a bit...disproportionate. Yeah, the manga is licensed, so the scanlator is strictly distributing it on IRC. Learn IRC thou lazy person!!! XD I found Bleach a little difficult to get attached to, I'm not sure if it's just me currently not feeling too attachable or something. I've found it's not something I'm keen on re-reading, but you do get caught up in the pace and want to find out what happens next (as with all shounen).

If you're interested, I can find you the site that has Furuba translations. It's not the same as reading the real thing of course, because she (he?) only did translations and not descriptions.

[beliael.livejournal.com]

lol, yup will have to learn how to use IRC, so much manga goodies there! Currently having much fun with bittorrent, downloading mostly episodes and OSTs. Computer is seriously running out of space. :(

[a-cryptic.livejournal.com]

Wow! I have read most of them... well, I'm somewhere in the middle of reading them anyway. Hmm...

1. Deathnote - L and Raito are scarily intelligent^^. I really want to know what would happen if Raito got his Deathnote back!
2. Black Cat - hehe^^;; not quite sure where I am atm, but I agree, it's got great art and characters.
3. Bleach - heh, up to vol 8, and am still trying to read it. You really shouldn't have told me abt that cliffhanger: I feel more... deprived now ><
4. Hunter x Hunter - am lost and stuck in Greed Island. Want to watch the anime...

Shoujo:
1. Zettai Kareshi - WAHAHAHA, same sentiments as u^^ <3
2. Fushigi Yuugi - hmmm, haven't read much of it^^;
3. Host Club - Nooooooooooooooo, it's hilarious!! XD ... but why must the Chinese be so much more difficult than that in Fruits Basket?? *sob sob*
4. Fruits Basket - Waaaaa, I love fruits basket... but it is getting rather long ><. I've read vol 15 (thanks feng! ^0^), but I think I have to go and reread the volumes b4 it to really get some of the things that are going on. Hmm, the Something-Akin-to-Cinderella play was funny XD.

[luna-rainbow.livejournal.com]

I didn't exactly tell you the cliffhanger. I just told you there was one, at chapter 146 =P

Ugh, I hate how HxH is hiccuping along >.< First it's the mangaka not producing chapters regularly and now the scanlators are having problems finding editors. Noooo >.____> Interesting. I wonder if Raito (ARGH I DON'T LIKE CALLING HIM LIGHT >.<) and L/Ryuuzaki guessed that Misa has half-recovered her memories. I mean, her actions are very suspicious and very unlike her usual self.

Yeah!!! Wasn't the "Cinderella story (or something like it)" very funny??? XDDD

[a-cryptic.livejournal.com]

Hmm, bad phrasing on my part, but that's what I meant^^;; - You told me there was a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE cliffhanger, hence there is now a greater incentive for me to get my hands on Bleach^^

Oooooooooooo... the newest chapter for DN?!?!?!! Sounds like I haven't read it! Must find!!*runs off madly, leaving behind a cloud of dust*