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Manga I Keep Reading and I Don't Know WhyFollow

#1 Jan 21 2011 at 1:58 PM Rating: Excellent
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We regularly discuss what anime is new and exciting this season, or what manga we've enjoyed, or what we're looking forward to... and then there are those weekly (or biweekly, or monthly) chapters of a manga that keep coming out and we just keep reading them. They're long past their freshness date, and honestly by the time the next issue comes out you've forgotten what happened last month. I think we all have some, so I figure I'll throw out the main offenders for myself Smiley: lol

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi: I remember when I first started this manga I really enjoyed it. For whatever reason I always enjoyed the training in fighting manga more than the fighting, and the beginning of the series was great at turning a wimpy kid into a strong kid. And hey, fan service! Yahoo! Now going over 400 chapters, I haven't read it in a couple of months and thought to myself "What happened?" The story has moved along and there's a huge cast of characters, but with each chapter being only 18 pages on average, NOTHING seems to happen each time a new one is released. I honestly wonder why I even bother. Pretty sure it's the boobs.

Mahou Sensei Negima! (aka Negima! Magister Negi Magi): This one just hurts to list. Love Hina was my favorite manga for most of my high school and college years, and even now holds a special place in my heart (top 5 favorite, for sure). When the series ended and I learned Ken Akamatsu (the mangaka) would be making a new series called Negima!, I was overjoyed! The first arc, which introduced Negi and his class of 30ish high school girls, was rife with comedy, fan service, and magic. The class trip to Kyoto was fun as well! And then... there was the class festival. And the magic world. And for the past several dozen chapters, the only thing that has been happening is a ton of fights. According to what I read online, Akamatsu wanted to make a fighting manga but his publishers were too afraid that it would turn off his fans. So he started in the exact same vein as Love Hina, with a harem romance, and then once it got a good following he slowly changed the formula to a fight manga. I still read it each month when a new issue is released, and I own 21 (!!!) volumes but gave up after I realized that 10 of them are just slow, boring and nothing happens. I can no longer really follow the story (although I read the scans, I don't buy the books anymore).

Just as a note, I really enjoyed the anime but would have rather had some fan service in it, and not have the abrupt (and shocking) events right near the end conjured out of nowhere.

Love in the Mask: Technically manhwa, not manga, but still. Every chapter is practically the same... the main character lives as a boy but is actually a girl, is in love with a boy (who thinks she's a boy but still loves her), but would be soooo much better off if she just said she's a girl... but she never does. Seriously, like 80 chapters follow this formula, where other characters come into the picture, then leave the picture, reinforcing the idea that the girl and boy are perfect together. I actually still enjoy this one, but I just want it to end at this point.

Nurarihyon no Mago: A supernatural fighting manga. At the beginning it held a fair bit of promise with the fun of a kid trying to live as a human while being the successor for the akuma of his clan (he's 1/4th demon). There was also a lot of fun in showing off the different types of Japanese monsters and how they all interact. That was quickly shuffled off to the side and the main action turned to being bigger and bigger fights. Currently in the small fodder gap between fighting arcs, but the next one should (hopefully) end the series. It's dead to me by now anyway.

Fairy Tail: Still keeps me interested, but it's gone on for a loooong time... I enjoyed it before, but again, continuous fight arcs are just so boring after a while. At least RAVE ended eventually.




So, anyone else in the same boat? I imagine followers of Bleach or Naruto would be...

Edited, Jan 21st 2011 3:00pm by LockeColeMA
#2 Jan 21 2011 at 4:45 PM Rating: Decent
Bleach and Naruto do come to mind, although now and then they both do get interesting again. Although having read the final bleach chapter last week (Kubo's sick apparently, no bleach this week), I'm just not sure if Bleach will ever reach a level of interesting again. (an arrogant position I suppose, all just imo too ofcourse)

Claymore I find the same to be honest. Although it's still interesting to read and perhaps not quite deservingly on this list.

I do might want to add Zetman to the list. A very confusing manga imo, extremely graphic and brutal but very jumpy and I had to reread several chapters to fully get along with the story.

Edited, Jan 21st 2011 11:46pm by Zieveraar
#3 Jan 21 2011 at 4:53 PM Rating: Excellent
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They just started a new Soul Eater series called Soul Eater Not! Not sure where it takes place in the main manga's storyline though. It's about a Halberd type weapon from Japan just starting at the DWMA, the character has already met Maka and Black Star through semi-cameos. It seems pretty good even though it only has one issue out so far.

http://mangastream.com/read/soul_eater_not/58954480/1
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#4 Jan 21 2011 at 5:26 PM Rating: Decent
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HSDK is probably one of the only big shounen manga besides One Piece that I haven't read. I had the same initial interest in it as I did other Shounen Manga, but from summaries it seemed to lack a feature that really hooked me.

I know why I keep reading Bleach and Naruto, but I guess in a sense it fits the title. I started watching the Bleach anime around episode 50 which was back in 2005. Bleach is my anime version of the Simpsons. I've been watching it forever and it will probably continue to exist for nearly as long. The characters are beyond familiar, and I was actually slightly peeved to see new characters introduce for the first time in years in the new arc. I've long since given up on Bleach as a story; it's comfort TV because it's familiar. In Naruto I was waiting to recapture the events on the Chunin exam arc. There was a point when Naruto was a good story, but after that it went to a long lull with a few scarce high points. The series seems to be picking up again with the fourth great ninja war. What I like about Naruto is what I like about Baccano! and Durarara, it has a very large cast of characters that are decently developed. When the sorry stops focusing on Naruto and starts focusing on the cast as a collective, it's good.
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I do might want to add Zetman to the list. A very confusing manga imo, extremely graphic and brutal but very jumpy and I had to reread several chapters to fully get along with the story.

I didn't know anyone besides me read Zetman. I don't think it's that confusing, at least not as much as say Abara. What I really enjoy about Zetman is that it's the first example of a next generation superhero comic I've seen. When I say next generation, I mean I think it is the first significant reconstruction of the superhero genre. Just before Zetman, it seemed like most superhero comics were stuck in the second age of deconstruction. Characters like Spawn were very typical hero deconstructions, antihero. Zetman is a rebuild.
#5 Jan 22 2011 at 6:21 PM Rating: Decent
Allegory wrote:
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I do might want to add Zetman to the list. A very confusing manga imo, extremely graphic and brutal but very jumpy and I had to reread several chapters to fully get along with the story.

I didn't know anyone besides me read Zetman. I don't think it's that confusing, at least not as much as say Abara. What I really enjoy about Zetman is that it's the first example of a next generation superhero comic I've seen. When I say next generation, I mean I think it is the first significant reconstruction of the superhero genre. Just before Zetman, it seemed like most superhero comics were stuck in the second age of deconstruction. Characters like Spawn were very typical hero deconstructions, antihero. Zetman is a rebuild.


I picked up a first copy in a mangashop and the very first pages got me hooked really.

I just want to know what will happen to lead to that particular event.

I don't think we're quite that near to it, the story seems to indicate some time is left.

I still haven't quite figured out what exactly Zet is, what exactly he's all about either. Because Zet does seem to be the very typical anti-hero imo. The other protagonist, now that's a constructed hero, very much by choice.
#6 Jan 22 2011 at 8:04 PM Rating: Good
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Zieveraar wrote:
Because Zet does seem to be the very typical anti-hero imo.

I didn't find him to be so. He isn't brooding; he isn't cursed by his powers. The author hints several times about his emotions, ideas, and morality not being fully human.

Early heroes like early Superman were 1st generation. He's a fairly normal person until he dawns his cape. 2nd generation superheroes like later Superman and others such as Spawn and Spider-man were deconstructions. They asked the question, how would having such powers and circumstances really affect a normal person? In my view, Zet is a 3rd generation superhero. It is an answer to the previous question with "He isn't a normal person, and therefore doesn't have normal thoughts and feelings." That is reconstruction.
#7 Jan 23 2011 at 12:12 AM Rating: Good
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Allegory wrote:
Zieveraar wrote:
Because Zet does seem to be the very typical anti-hero imo.

I didn't find him to be so. He isn't brooding; he isn't cursed by his powers. The author hints several times about his emotions, ideas, and morality not being fully human.

Early heroes like early Superman were 1st generation. He's a fairly normal person until he dawns his cape. 2nd generation superheroes like later Superman and others such as Spawn and Spider-man were deconstructions. They asked the question, how would having such powers and circumstances really affect a normal person? In my view, Zet is a 3rd generation superhero. It is an answer to the previous question with "He isn't a normal person, and therefore doesn't have normal thoughts and feelings." That is reconstruction.


Ahh, so to say he is a superhero, rather than a superhuman. Less humanocentric.
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#8 Jan 24 2011 at 5:26 AM Rating: Good
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I didn't know anyone besides me read Zetman...


I think Zet/Jin has become more typical of the anti-hero archetype ever since he decided that he no longer wanted to become the full Zet & instead wants to be human & have a family with his GF. He hasn't been traditionally cursed by his powers, but he's certainly aware that having them has 'caused lots of drama for the people he cares about.

Zetman is certainly atypical of the "anti-hero/superhero" genre, though. You know, with all the graphic rapes & murders going on.
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#9 Jan 24 2011 at 10:19 AM Rating: Good
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I don't know why I'm still reading Bleach and Uncanny X-Men. Neither has been all that entertaining for volumes. I think they're the equivalent to a fat chick's comfort food. I know its bad for me, but I just can't quit.
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#10 Jan 24 2011 at 10:45 AM Rating: Excellent
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lolgaxe wrote:
I don't know why I'm still reading Bleach and Uncanny X-Men. Neither has been all that entertaining for volumes. I think they're the equivalent to a fat chick's comfort food. I know its bad for me, but I just can't quit.
At least mac and cheese didn't tell you that everything for the past few years had been all according to his master plan and then proceeded to god mode for a while until the protagonist god moded harder.

Edited, Jan 24th 2011 11:45am by Seitekifu
#11 Jan 24 2011 at 11:13 AM Rating: Excellent
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Seitekifu wrote:
lolgaxe wrote:
I don't know why I'm still reading Bleach and Uncanny X-Men. Neither has been all that entertaining for volumes. I think they're the equivalent to a fat chick's comfort food. I know its bad for me, but I just can't quit.
At least mac and cheese didn't tell you that everything for the past few years had been all according to his master plan and then proceeded to god mode for a while until the protagonist god moded harder.

Edited, Jan 24th 2011 11:45am by Seitekifu


Screenshot


Just as planned.


Sorry, I was compelled to do this due to the Mac and Cheese mention.
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#12 Jan 25 2011 at 1:37 PM Rating: Good
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I kept watching utterly retarded Bleach filler episodes for a while.
I stopped caring after they spend months on a single fight and the actual fight still hadn't even begun.
#13 Feb 23 2011 at 3:35 PM Rating: Good
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Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
They just started a new Soul Eater series called Soul Eater Not! Not sure where it takes place in the main manga's storyline though. It's about a Halberd type weapon from Japan just starting at the DWMA, the character has already met Maka and Black Star through semi-cameos. It seems pretty good even though it only has one issue out so far.

http://mangastream.com/read/soul_eater_not/58954480/1


Just wanted to bump my post to say they released another issue today. It looks like a prequel to the main storyline since Sid isn't undead (didn't notice that the first time I read the first issue). They also added Kathy Bates as a Meister.

Edited, Feb 23rd 2011 5:49pm by Shaowstrike
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#14 Feb 24 2011 at 8:46 AM Rating: Excellent
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Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
They just started a new Soul Eater series called Soul Eater Not! Not sure where it takes place in the main manga's storyline though. It's about a Halberd type weapon from Japan just starting at the DWMA, the character has already met Maka and Black Star through semi-cameos. It seems pretty good even though it only has one issue out so far.

http://mangastream.com/read/soul_eater_not/58954480/1


Just wanted to bump my post to say they released another issue today. It looks like a prequel to the main storyline since Sid isn't undead (didn't notice that the first time I read the first issue). They also added Kathy Bates as a Meister.

Edited, Feb 23rd 2011 5:49pm by Shaowstrike


I know nothing about the series, but am I understanding correctly that there is a character named Meister Bates? Awesome! Smiley: lol
#15 Feb 24 2011 at 9:03 AM Rating: Good
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The story is good, I've read part of the manga but I stopped because I really don't like reading manga on my PC and it was only released monthly or so so I lost track of it.
#16 Feb 24 2011 at 9:45 AM Rating: Good
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LockeColeMA wrote:
Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
They just started a new Soul Eater series called Soul Eater Not! Not sure where it takes place in the main manga's storyline though. It's about a Halberd type weapon from Japan just starting at the DWMA, the character has already met Maka and Black Star through semi-cameos. It seems pretty good even though it only has one issue out so far.

http://mangastream.com/read/soul_eater_not/58954480/1


Just wanted to bump my post to say they released another issue today. It looks like a prequel to the main storyline since Sid isn't undead (didn't notice that the first time I read the first issue). They also added Kathy Bates as a Meister.

Edited, Feb 23rd 2011 5:49pm by Shaowstrike


I know nothing about the series, but am I understanding correctly that there is a character named Meister Bates? Awesome! Smiley: lol


Actually it's Meister Misery, but she's based on Kathy Bates' performance in Misery (complete with strapping victims to a bed and wielding a hammer).
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#17 Feb 24 2011 at 11:52 AM Rating: Excellent
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Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
LockeColeMA wrote:
Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
Shaowstrike the Shady wrote:
They just started a new Soul Eater series called Soul Eater Not! Not sure where it takes place in the main manga's storyline though. It's about a Halberd type weapon from Japan just starting at the DWMA, the character has already met Maka and Black Star through semi-cameos. It seems pretty good even though it only has one issue out so far.

http://mangastream.com/read/soul_eater_not/58954480/1


Just wanted to bump my post to say they released another issue today. It looks like a prequel to the main storyline since Sid isn't undead (didn't notice that the first time I read the first issue). They also added Kathy Bates as a Meister.

Edited, Feb 23rd 2011 5:49pm by Shaowstrike


I know nothing about the series, but am I understanding correctly that there is a character named Meister Bates? Awesome! Smiley: lol


Actually it's Meister Misery, but she's based on Kathy Bates' performance in Misery (complete with strapping victims to a bed and wielding a hammer).


Not quite as fun, but I still liked Misery because
1. Hey, Stephen King
2. The main character has my first name (Paul). It was more fun as a kid, since the only other Paul I knew in literature was a Saint and kind of a prick.
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