Hello the owls,
Today we find our dear Yosra for the first RendezVous Mangas of the year. I remind you that you can find her on her blog; her instagram; or her tumblr. In the meantime, enjoy ! Let’s go !
WHAT REMAINS OF OUR MEMORIES
Year of marketing : 2021** Author(s) : Natsuki Amasawa (screenplay) and Horigushi Yukiko (illustration) ** Published by : Tonkam (Moon Light label)** Genre : seinen ** Number of volumes : 1 ** Status : Completed ** Still marketed : Yes ** Animated version : No **
/!\ This book is talking about suicide and illness, if you are sensitive to this subject, do not read it /!\
Synopsis
Without any real connection with others and preferring to run away from them whenever possible, Shû, a high school student, did not expect when he found a USB key containing a « testament », to get closer to Naoka, her classmate who is suffering progressive amnesia.
My opinion
Far from being easy to read despite its certain sensitivity, we can notice a certain similarity with the film « I want to eat your pancreas », whether through the theme of illness or in the main characters (especially male) who can, in both works, seemed (and are, moreover, stereotypical. However! The book is well written enough to differentiate between the two works and to be touched by the theme despite the slight air of « déjà vu » .
Reading does not leave you indifferent and even if some shortcuts can be « too » easy, there is no doubt that it will make your eyes shine with emotion even if you are warned from the first line of how it ends. The bonds and the time spent between the protagonists with the countdown of the months add something that turns the heart. Personally, I couldn’t help but follow them as an accompaniment despite the fact that the ending was pre-established in advance.
I recommend it IF you are not too sensitive to the aforementioned subjects and/or heartbreaking stories, or too young (in the sense of maturity), prepare some cocooning readings on the side with a hug from your person ( or animal, or stuffed toy, whatever) favorite.e. because you are going to spend a year (in book time) going through a host of emotions that are as “human” (because our two non-joyful fellows are very far from being perfect) as they are difficult.
LETTER BEE
Year of marketing : 2009** Author(s) : Asada Hiroyuki** Published by : Kana ** Genre : shonen ** Number of volumes : 20 ** Status : Completed ** Still marketed: Yes ** Animated version : Yes ** Title : Tegami Bachi (for season 1) and Tegami Bachi REVERSE (For season 2) ** Number of episodes : 52 (25 per season + 2 oav’s)**
/!\ Usually I avoid this kind of « advice », but rather favor reading Letter Bee rather than watching it, I understand that 20 volumes can represent time and a certain cost, but the anime does not make justice to its basic creation, so if you have the possibility (even by library, manga café, ect) do not hesitate to read it first. /!\
Synopsis
The Amberground, a land plunged into (almost) eternal darkness, except for its capital, Akatsuki, lit by an artificial sun. It is far from all light that Lag Seeing, a young boy, is taken care of by Gauche Suede, a Letter Bee state civil servant whose job is to deliver the mail entrusted to him, and he is determined to deliver Lag to the right destination.
My opinion
This manga is one of the most beautiful I have ever read, so it is difficult for me to give a concise opinion!
Let’s already talk about a subject that I rarely discuss, visuals. I think that each story deserves to be read if one is a little sensitive to the story proposed, even if the drawings are not mastered with the most expert hand, because it is about ‘a skill that can only improve and you yourself if you read manga (or even any graphic medium in general), must note that between volume 1 and the following ones the trait and the ability cannot go only by improving. However, here I can only disregard my rule by telling you about the beauty of the drawings, the characteristics, both of the characters and of the settings, are truly superb and we spend each panel admiring the delicacy of the features!
The characters are also well worked, there are very few stereotypical characters and on the contrary we are given something new here, especially in Lag, our hero is the complete opposite of what we are used to seeing in a shonen protagonist, he is (extremely) sensitive, far from the archetypal hot-blooded « loudmouth » who only thinks about eating or fighting to get stronger. And despite his kindness which is sometimes mocked or misunderstood, it is however never designated as a weakness which is detrimental and all the characters are to different degrees in the same vein of personality, namely very human and (really) characters. well worked which bring a lot of depth and make them endearing.
For the story, it is philosophical to say the least, and even if there are fights (it remains indeed a shonen therefore, with its codes) we find a fair balance between scenes of actions and reflections, the universe is rich, everything is scrutinized and yet we have no difficulty understanding its functioning which nonetheless remains very simple. In short, once again, everything is under control!
Finally, I can only (and unsurprisingly) advise you to read Letter Bee which is a very original little gem in what is usually done in this type of story, a real breath of fresh air with touching themes. , a masterfully mastered plot and a truly beautiful visual.
PotPourriDuneChouette 