Category: Kory’s reviews

“Lone Wolf and Cub” formulaic but gripping

by Kory Cerjak

Title: Lone Wolf and Cub omnibus 1
Author: Kazuo Koike, Illustrator: Goseki Kojima
Publisher: Dark Horse

If you’re a manga fan and you haven’t at least heard the name Lone Wolf and Cub, then you’ve got some research to do. Written by Kazuo Koike and illustrated by Goseki Kojima, Lone Wolf and Cub follows the story of Ogami Itto and his son, Daigoro (the Lone Wolf and the Cub, respectively), on their path for revenge.

Each story through the manga is rather simplistic and formulaic. I don’t know how it worked in 1970 when the manga was originally released (I suspect it was chapter by chapter as it is now), but the formulaic first few stories grow tiring after a while. It’d be Continue reading “Lone Wolf and Cub” formulaic but gripping

“Bunny Drop” Bypassess Josei Manga Tropes

by Kory Cerjak

Life as a salaryman in Japan is already difficult enough. 30-year-old Daikichi works well past 7 p.m. each night and has way too much expected of him by higher-ups. Add in that he has to raise a child, who happens to be his grandfather’s love child, 6-year-old Rin. Such is Yumi Unita’s first (and so far only) manga, Bunny Drop (Yen Press).

What makes Bunny Drop so endearing is how Unita slowly, almost methodically, characterizes both Daikichi and Rin. There are little moments woven throughout each chapter that give us more and more insight into Daikichi and Rin. Arguably the biggest moment comes near the end of chapter one. Daikichi is Continue reading “Bunny Drop” Bypassess Josei Manga Tropes