Reading Logs · seinen

Yuutai Nova (mild spoilers)

I am so unlucky these days. I keep bumping into manga/webtoons that got rushed or axed. Sigh.

So, yeah, heed my warning: don’t get too engrossed, this series got chopped. And just when it started to get interesting, too!

Okay. Here we go: The manga tells a story about a 20-year-old college student who can perform astral projection. He first uses it to spy– okay, my bad– to let go of his longing toward his ex-girlfriend whom he hasn’t met for a few years. As things progress, he ends up finding things he is not ready to see and meets a mysterious girl who possesses the same — but stronger — power as him.

In my honest opinion, I think this guy starts off as a sore loser. (Here is the start of the SPOILERS.) He was being such a jerk toward his ex. And that, more or less, might have contributed to make whatever she is now. But, he does feel guilty, and knows that he was being a complete asshole. Isn’t that a recipe for a good character development?

But forget character development. There is no room for that. The manga got axed in chapter 20, just when you’ll think it might turn into something great.

What is this power? How did he get it? Who is that mysterious girl? What’s her story? These are a few questions that will, sadly, never get answers.

In the pen-ultimate chapter, the mangaka made this short comic about a pathetic, talentless mangaka. Not sure what happened, but I feel like he was feeling underappreciated at that time. I am not familiar with him. The manga itself was created in 2007 and he made more titles after that, so I guess, things look up?

Even if this manga did not get axed, I don’t think I would be fan. Depending on the development of the story, tho. However, I do agree with most people out there, this could be something good for people who love titles with darkish, supernatural ecchi hint.

Will I read again? Sigh. What for?

Drama, Romance, Seinen, Supernatural

5/10

Advertisement
Reading Logs · Webtoon

“Aeri’s in Wonderland”

A quick summary: Na Aeri is struggling to find jobs. Out of frustration, she signs up for a suspicious, too-good-to-be-true intern ad — only to be forced to participate in an employment game that might cost her her life.

The idea is grand, with a promising premise, but the execution is a bit meh for me. As someone who endured years in an abusive workplace, I held high hopes that this webcomic could portray the bitter truths in the cruel employment world: new employees’ high expectations met with long work hours, meager wages, unhealthy competition, lack of appreciation, unfair contracts… really, slavery in disguise.

Well, it could. Somehow. But the dialogues are off. Plots are full of holes. I know this webcomic is inspired by “Alice in Wonderland”. I don’t know, I am not even sure, but at least I can fool myself that I am actually able to make sense out of Alice’s nonsensical story. And I couldn’t with this one.

However, I managed to finish all 30+ chapters. Yay. I was curious how it would end, and it was a short read after all. So, I guess it is not all bad. It still makes an interesting read. When you are bored.

Will I read again? Umm, nope.

Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Psychological

5/10

Reading Logs · Webtoon

Find your post-apocalyptic pets at “The Willows”

In a nuclear wasteland full of dangerous beasts, Edgar and his assistant, Chloe, run a pet shop — selling normal, non-mutated animals.

But please ignore Toomics’ official summary: this shop doesn’t welcome just anyone. And they don’t accept money for payments. You have to first prove that you are worthy of taking care of these animals.

This webtoon deals with a number of customers, each of them has their own stories told in several chapters. I like Chloe’s and the last story the most.

If you love animals, and stories about post-apocalyptic world, this is your cup of tea. It’s not THAT feel good and heartwarming. But if you are not careful, you might end up weeping. But it feels too short with a few things left unrevealed. I wonder whether there will be a season two.

Will I read again? Nah. It is quite entertaining, but not that impressive. Unless there is a season two, then I might need to re-read to refresh. 

Drama, Sci-fi, Slice of Life

6.5/10