About the Mangaka
I tried, but again was unsuccessful about finding much about Judith Park. She’s the mind behind Dystopia, Y Square, Luxus, Y Square Plus. From what I’ve found out she’s Korean born, living in Germany, writing Korean based story, in Japanese manga style (wow, what a combination hehe). Y Square, and Y Square Plus are licensed by Yen Press. She does have a website, though be warned it’s in German.
About the Manga
I had really high hopes for this series after loving both YSquare and YSquare Plus. Sadly it fails on so many levels, so much so I’m actually surprised it was licensed by Yen Press.
The sad thing is that this series just oozes potential with a killer story screaming to be told.
I really loved the cover of this volume, it’s soft, bright and really does showcase Judith’s excellent art skills.
The next few pages, like her other titles, are in full colour, and once again just scream excellence. The character designs aren’t as polished as they become in her later series, but they aren’t as bad as in some I’ve read.
However after the colour pages the art goes into a decline, almost to the point where I found myself wondering if someone else (like an assistant) had taken over and finished the volume for her.
I was also surprised over the quality of the art, which drops, then rises, and drops again. Judith is (at least in the other series), more consistent in the quality. Though she is at least consistent with the basic character designs, though I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.
Lyon, was okay, but I wasn’t a huge fan of him. Something about his design just didn’t sit right with me.
Unfortunately this carried on with all of the designs. Dionne looked okay in colour, and I have to admit I did like her. However when we get into the manga properly the art has a weird feel to it that really made me hate her.
However all of those wouldn’t have been so bad, and I would have over looked them, if the story had been good, or made sense.
So much of the story just went splat.
It was actually leading into a fairly decent story, one I could have settled into. And I have to admit the premise was interesting. However the way Judith handles it is a disaster. The basics of it make no sense, and implementation was hap-hazard at best, not to mention a bit contradictory (supposed top secret, but everyone knows about it)
The other, and probably the biggest failure of it, is that it’s incomplete. The volume ends with a clear lead in to a second volume, but there Is no second volume. If there was a second volume, it might have been a bit of a better series, but knowing it just ends has a deep impact with me.
Yen Press do however do their usual good job, and I can’t fault them with anything they did in this volume. My only thought on this series is simple, why the hell did they license it?
So, to be honest I’m Junk Piling this title. Rather than buying this release get the new Kieli novel that also gets released this month. (Mine was posted yesterday so I’m hoping it arrives tomorrow!!)
Where to Buy
