From: axolotl@socs.uts.edu.au (Iain Sinclair)
Subject: Re: Suggestion
Reply-To: axolotl@socs.uts.edu.au
Organization: University of Technology, Sydney
Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1992 03:44:45 GMT
Originator: irsincla@uts.EDU.AU


s92458km@sfc.keio.ac.jp (Kunio Muto) writes:
 >>I have a suggestion to make.... Why not make a list of the popular
 >>mangas among all of us? Like we all get to pick 10 of our favorite
 >>mangas... all of you mail me the list... and i update them......

I asked about a "manga rating" scheme for the r.a.m primer.  But nobody
posted or mailed anything.  There is a system in rec.arts.movies which is
kind of interesting.  Anyway, I think any kind of popularity poll,
especially if it's conducted and posted regularly, would be great.

(I'll make a longer posting about the primer later... basically, it
needs another format change, and I'll need any input on that.)

Chih-Ping Kuo writes:
 >Ah! My Goddess   (The latest, from the middle of book 5 to now, are very good) 

That's interesting -- you've picked the exact same point as me for
"AMG excellence". ^_^  I think I can pinpoint it exactly.. Chapter 34,
especially the improved character design for Urd.  From that point
on, AMG definitely has some of the most polished and stylish art around.


 >Deep and Beautiful Asia (a little weak on story, 2nd place for now)  

You can see the art improving with every instalment!  Looks like
CW is really conquering the B&W medium.  Volumes aren't even out in
Taiwan yet, according to someone I met on IRC...  maybe there will
be a deluxe release like for Heroes of the East Chou Dynasty.

As for story, doesn't seem to be going anywhere, but I don't mind.
Some individual episodes are so imaginative, like the ones with the
Sublime Leader and with Gama-man.

Not everyone likes the art, though.  HH claims that all the characters
in D&B Asia look gay.  I should have asked him why all the males in
Bastard!! wear makeup, look "pretty" or appear naked. ^_^


 >Appleseed  (can't beat the action)  

Be more precise, please. ^_^


 >Gun Smith Cats  (I think Sonoda can use Shirow for author)  

That'd be an interesting collaboration.  GSC's story sure is insipid,
IMHO.  I think I'll leave it at that... except to say, Sonoda really
scores high marks with his art, just for sheer precision and "finish",
the same things that make KA a good artist (except KA has much more
creative use of composition and caricature and stuff).  Each panel
looks like a frozen frame from an anime LD.

Hmm.  Also, there is the novelty of its US setting, which is kind
of fun.  But then I think of my favorite US crime+guns manga, The Hard,
which REALLY delivers on violence+weird characters+outrageous story+
intense technique.  But then again, TH has no cute girls+cartoony
style, so it comes down to personal taste, really.  And of course
GSC is a massive seller. ^_^
  

 >Ranma 1/2   (where is the suspense?)  

The good stories are still there, it's just that there are less of
them.  I have to say I didn't think I'd see Ranma fall in love with
Ryouga.  Oops, spoiler for SS#40. ^_^  But yeah, suspense - every
passing day it looks like there will be an UY-style ending (nothing
resolved) instead of a MI-style ending (most things resolved).  We can
only hope.


I don't  really have a top 10 at the moment.  I'm still finding out
new stuff... there is so much to discover.  Some of the new titles
in Afternoon are really growing on me, though.  Even Koala no Arako!


(Glad to see you posting again... BTW, Patrick still doesn't have
AMG vol.6. :-)



-- 
 Iain Sinclair    axolotl@socs.uts.edu.au

 "His aim, while poor when sober, becomes 100% hit probability when drunk!"