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What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga)
What have you been watching and reading this week? You don't need to give us a whole essay if you don't want to, but please write something! Feel free to talk about something you saw that was cool, something that was bad, ask for recommendations, or anything else you can think of.
If you want to, feel free to find the thing you're talking about and link to its pages on Anilist, MAL, or any other database you use!
Finished volume 7 of Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You. This is the final released volume in the US so far, the next one is set to release in November.
I think I picked a good time to read it, the story finishes off at a good point in this volume, so I dont feel like theres a big cliffhanger to worry about for the next couple months. Some good development has finally occurred with the male MC regarding the big plot hinge of the series, which was nice to finally see.
Ive been enjoying the integration of side characters the past few volumes. I think they round out the case nicely big they arent too intrusive into the main characters dynamic.
Finished The Ghost in the Shell, gonna catch up on Jaadugar and Chainsmoker cats next. For now though,
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~ Manga corner ~
// Life in fantasy world //
The Journey of a Dark Elf with Fading Powers | Chapter 8
https://weebcentral.com/chapters/01KVVTC5BKBSRN4RWCXBJ2H1PA
Very reminiscent of Frieren except more vibrant. The most powerful mage of her time, after having lost all her power, decided to travel the world and learned to live without magic. Story about finding a new purpose in life after having fallen from the peak of your prime. The art is immaculate and the setting kinda have a middle-eastern vibe which is neat.
It's lowkey funny how the final challenge for her to become a professor at this prestigious sorcery academy is essentially a "please explain this gap in your resume" lol.
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Graykeith: Translator Demonica | Chapter 1
https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/viewer/1030548
Human and demon worlds mingle together, but they have different languages and cultures, so translating them is a job someone can do now. Interesting concept. I like the design of his keychain, just so... inefficient lol. Pretty neat way to signal their importance for later.
Also, if I have a nickle for every manga that has someone receiving a book that they cannot read as memento...
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// Action-packed romance //
Love bullet | Chapter 16
https://mangadex.org/chapter/0b6c84b8-078c-4dc1-94a7-3157fc6790ea
Band of cupids helping people fall in love via tactical gunslinging. The story was more easy-going at first, fixing up a crush here and there, but it seems we're about to enter some toxic affairs territory. I like the match cuts between pages that the author uses for emphasis occasionally, very effective when reading digitally.
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Salamander | Chapter 1
https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/viewer/1030581
Girl rejects anyone who ever confesses to her, in mortal combat! Who will be the brave warrior that can claim her heart?
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// Drama //
Kakakaka | Chapter 3
https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/viewer/1030340
Revenge plot set in ancient China. Guy aimed to become a high ranking official in order to expose the corrupt eunuch who controlled the emperor and mudered his brother. Art is rough but the wacky faces are pretty entertaining.
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// Horror comedy //
Satanica | Chapter 12
https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/viewer/1029985
Cute girls doing occult things. Most of the time they're just making funny observations about occult related topics but this chapter seems to start introducing more plot elements, and it's still hilarious.
spoiler
There's probably a connection between Ako not being haunted despite having no guardian spirit, and the fact her parents being involved in a secret religious organization stuff.
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// Pure horror//
Noisering | Chapter 2 (gore warning)
https://mangaplus.shueisha.co.jp/viewer/1030349
That final page reveal is incredibly effective! I've been sticking to posting different series each week but I have to share this again because this chapter is on point.
Surprised no one mentioned Ghost in the Shell here. I finished watching the new series the day the last episode came out.
Honestly, great aesthetic, but otherwise I ain't impressed. What kind of a review is that? Well, after a few elevated adaptations of these stories, a more straightforward retelling fails to cause much of an impression. Other versions of the story also seemed to have more room to breathe instead of blazing through complex content without it leaving it enough time to hit, and I guess that's why I'll remember the movies and SAC and I've mostly already forgotten what I've seen with this one.
Oh you'd love this. Generally I'm satisfied with this version though I think I see your points. The movie stripped away most facets of the story except for the philosophy angle, which is its most unique aspect) so that certainly gave it more room to breathe.
Indeed. I found it just after posting.
I watched season 3 of One Punch Man. Terrible. The protagonist is on the screen for maybe 15 minutes the entire season? The bulk of the episodes focus on secondary if not tertiary characters that I couldn't care less about. I think this whole series started off good. Maybe the manga is better? I dunno, I'm done with this. Too old for this. Ugly. Boring. Waste of time.