This review is courtesy of Guest Writer Carey Anderson
To fans of Yumiko Readman, now is a great time to rekindle your love for books with the R.O.D. (Read or Die) manga! The manga was first created after the series of light novels from the same author (Hideyuki Kurata) which then of course spun off into the series we love today. In this tale we get to see Yumiko’s past and what she has done to become the woman we know today.
The story starts off with Yumiko performing a job for the British Library and displays her great power to full affect with a massive ending to the first chapter. Later on in the first volume we see just how Yumiko and a young author named Nenene (silly name even for a Japanese girl isn’t it?) Sumiregawa who some may be familiar with if you’re a fan of the TV series. As Yumiko becomes familiar with the famed author, Nenene is kidnapped by some random henchmen with a strong supply of … Scotch Tape?
On volume two we see Yumiko on a major mission for the British Library and for her self. During her mission she learns that her old teacher is somewhere in the area. Yumiko disguises herself by taking on the part of a teacher in charge of a group of lower classmen. Said students are being harassed by the higher class students, who have deadly ways of using a ballpoint pen, a ruler, and a compass. However, the school is not all it appears to be as Yumiko finds out the higher class students are getting some special after-school lessons. As the story progresses, we learn a lot more about Yumiko, her past and even how she got her powers.
The art by Shutaro Yamada is amazing with a traditional anime style that is inspiring, as he makes the panels almost move by themselves. He really gives the characters a strong feeling of humanity and insanity. The story itself leaves nothing lacking with characters as quirky as Yumiko herself and just as powerful. Fans of the anime will have fun as well as die-hard manga fans. However with the ending of the manga in consideration, it may be a little confusing when comparing it to the anime as it doesn’t seem to fit in and leaves a feeling of “Well wait, how did this happen if in the anime that happened?” All in all it’s a good series to pick up and read; you might even become as devoted to books as Yumiko!
Good stuff. Gotta love those spoiler free reviews
I’ve not seen Read or Die, but they have it at the library (naturally). Is it a goofier anime, or a more serious one?
the powers of the characters are a little goofy but the story is quite serious. there are some funnier moments and what not but that’s natural. but when you get later into the series it gets especially serious. highly recomended for something a little out of the norm.
I read them in the story (well i mean to say skimed the first chapter.) and nearly bought it. I will deffinately put it on my list.