I typically avoid oneshots. I’ve read the oneshot predecessor to some famous mangas, but I don’t think there is any that I enjoyed more than the serialized version. And if a oneshot is good but doesn’t end up as a series, then I’d feel bummed.
Started reading Go, Go, Loser Ranger!. Wasn’t expecting much going in. Thought it’s going to be similar to Hero Academia but the plot and characters are pretty interesting. The action isn’t very well drawn, but the overall quality is pretty good. I’m only on chapter 30 and it is starting to go down hill for me, but will see if it recovers.
Service Wars - saw discussion posts quite regularly but I typically only read manga with at least 20 chapters already, so didn’t start on this one until recently. Only on chapter 6 so far but holy crap it’s hilarious and the gags have been plenty and mostly unexpected. Looking forward to seeing how the author can keep things fresh.
Kimi Janakya Dame na Dorei Shoujo - unexpectedly wholesome with light humor. This is pretty standard stuff, and the art is good, not great. But the execution is superb so far
I’ve been slowly reading The Dragon, The Hero, and The Courier. It’s enjoyable and pretty unique but not something I can binge. There’s far too many words and dialogs. In some mangas, I don’t mind skipping dialogs here and there (eg when the author spends 2-3 pages on some backstory that I don’t really care for), but I feel every piece of dialog here is important or funny.
I first read Hikaru no Go, and that got me into playing go for a while (although I’m still terrible at even 20 years later). It’s amazing how Obata is able to bring to life something as “passive” (for a lack of better word) as Go. But that I think that’s really what sets him apart from other high caliber mangakas. Look at Death Note, Bakuman, and Showa Shoten that followed. The focus and most exciting scenes often come from “passive” activities — writing in a book, drawing, talking. It’s one thing to make a fight scene look cool and exciting, but I think it takes even more skill to do that with a dull activity.
I don’t know of many story mangakas but after he finishes with Showa Shoten, I want to see him write one that plays games or gambling. I feel many of the popular mangas of those genre can use better art, so I want to see how well Obata can draw one.
Thanks for this recommendation, I binged the whole thing today. Gonna check out this author’s other works. Love this type if art style and story telling
Started reading Apothecary Diaries. It’s better and very different than what I expected. The setting is ancient China, in the imperial palace. The protagonist is an apothecary but the manga is only partially about medicine. The art is top notch. The stories are interesting. It’s a mix between drama, romcom, and mystery. Highly recommend to those who like any of those genres.
There were plenty of times where BJ failed to save someone or something unexpected happens. The one example I recall is where a patient got part of a needle into his bloodstream. BJ used every trick in the book to find, isolate, and extract it, but ultimately failed. The needle miraculously came out from another end, and the needle did zero dmg the patient. It was a “win” since the patient survived but BJ took it as a huge loss. I thought that story depicted BJs personality very well.
I’ve only read Phoenix, Black Jack, and Mitsume ga Tōru. I read them in the 90s and I thought his mangas lacked detail and wasn’t that well drawn. But despite that, and me being a kid, I was drawn to his stories. I was way too young to understand the nuances (especially in Phoenix), but I still enjoyed them greatly.
I really like how his protagonists constantly “loses”. It makes the characters more relatable.
I’d like to see a discussion of Tsugumi Ohba x Takeshi Obata, particularly how people feel about their latest works and info on whether they would possibly work together again
Finally a new chapter! This is so close to becoming a 10/10 manga for me. If the author properly closes the story out, I’ll definitely buy the entire series
The Game Devil is about a game taking over reality. The concept isn’t anything new, but the character development has been pretty good so far. The story has also been moving at a fairly fast pace. The art style is probably the most unique part of it but it’s been good overall. Can definitely see this turning into an anime if things keep up
Seraph of the End has been serializing for some time now and have 2 seasons of anime already. I’m typically not into vampire mangas, but the focus really isn’t with vampires vs humans. It definitely started out that way, but slowly became much more. Tbh the only reason I am keeping up with it is cause I read the latest couple of chapters first, but I think even ppl who don’t care for vampire mangas will grow to like this one
I also dropped 100 Girlfriends and Isekai Walking not long after starting.
I think 100 Girlfriends had a lot of potential but the author didn’t capitalize on it at all. And it got a bit too complicated for me to casually read.
Agree with Isekai Walking. I didn’t get as far as you, but it quickly turned into another generic OP hero story. Based on the manga title, I thought it would be more like a light adventurer, similar to Sousou no Frieren. Was pretty disappointed
The first arc finished and I think that’s pretty solid. But for me, the real test is what comes after. Not sure how I feel about the second arc yet lol
Of Course, I'll Claim Palimony! - this is a Villainess manga but not isekai or reincarnation. Which makes it surprisingly refreshing
Shindou Sefiria no Gekokujou Program - another isekai OP baby manga. Nothing too special about it. Caught up and dropped, since the story gotten kinda weird/lame
Suki na Ko ga Megane wo Wasureta - SoL light romcom. Very similar to Komi-san, Expressionless Kashiwada, etc. Only at chapter 20 but liking it so far
Pot calling the kettle black lol