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KabaKabaFruit
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 1901
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:47 am
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I pretty much agree with most of what's been said in this review but namely, I have a few things to add that may be spoilerish.
Pretty much, this is the last volume of the manga in terms of character introductions and powerful show-offs. The next volume will start to delve into one of the guild members' past which makes for interesting reading.
I also have to say that one of the biggest disappointments in this volume was the fight against the Lullaby demon. It was put out and done with way too quickly which made this "big boss" character look like nothing when it really is supposed to be a considerable challenge.
Other things:
You mention that it follows the typical shounen cliche of characters beating up bad guy, a more powerful bad guy comes along next. Lather, rinse, repeat. I hate to say this, but this is an unfortunate trap for every shounen action author. If you don't put out stronger characters in the next arc, the story will get monotonous and boring. If you do put out stronger characters in the next arc, you're sticking to a predictable cliche. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
No, what shounen authors need to do is if you're going to do the typical stronger-bad-guy-next-arc routine, you gotta throw in a few good twists to keep the readers interested and are willing to look past the cliche elements of this manga. Mashima manages to do this in one arc but fails miserably in the current arc that the series is on in Japan right now. So, right now, Fairy Tail is a mixed bag for me in terms of shounen.
One more thing, you're gonna see Mashima's girls in plenty of fan servicey outfits further on in the series. If there is one thing Mashima is notorious for, it's his obsession for skin baring ladies.
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Rancher
Joined: 26 May 2008
Posts: 4
Location: NYC
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:47 am
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Great review! I only have volume 1, and I was hesistant to pick up more volumes because I saw an all-action-no-story type of manga in that volume. [I prefer a little meat in the story to go with the action.] This review confirms my doubts about the direction of the series, and you helped me save some moola by convincing me to drop this series.
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swanjun
Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 25
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:36 pm
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I liked this review—balanced in presenting virtues and flaws, and dang if you didn't fire me up to read it anyway. I'll just know what to expect.
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The Risky Penguin
Joined: 04 Oct 2007
Posts: 88
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:47 pm
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Just like what the review said, The action is well timed and easy to understand what is going on within the fight. That is why I really like this manga. It is a real easy read. However it's something I would only read once because it does not have any real depth to the story.
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KabaKabaFruit
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 1901
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:28 am
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Rancher wrote: | Great review! I only have volume 1, and I was hesistant to pick up more volumes because I saw an all-action-no-story type of manga in that volume. [I prefer a little meat in the story to go with the action.] This review confirms my doubts about the direction of the series, and you helped me save some moola by convincing me to drop this series. |
The Risky Penguin wrote: | Just like what the review said, The action is well timed and easy to understand what is going on within the fight. That is why I really like this manga. It is a real easy read. However it's something I would only read once because it does not have any real depth to the story. |
I think you guys are jumping the gun here considering that the next volume starts to dwelve into Gray's past. The manga does start getting into depth but these first three volumes are simply there to introduce the cast.
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swanjun
Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 25
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:33 pm
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The Risky Penguin wrote: | Just like what the review said, The action is well timed and easy to understand what is going on within the fight. That is why I really like this manga. It is a real easy read. However it's something I would only read once because it does not have any real depth to the story. |
I'm fortunate that our local library is developing a respectable manga section, and they've got all three volumes so far.
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The Risky Penguin
Joined: 04 Oct 2007
Posts: 88
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Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:22 pm
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KabaKabaFruit wrote: |
I think you guys are jumping the gun here considering that the next volume starts to dwelve into Gray's past. The manga does start getting into depth but these first three volumes are simply there to introduce the cast. |
I know, I've been keeping up with the manga in Japan. And I still agree with what the review and what I said. It's true you do get to know more about the cast later on, but its still more action then story.
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KabaKabaFruit
Joined: 20 Sep 2007
Posts: 1901
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:31 am
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I can argue that a lot of other Shonen manga also tend to be more action at first than story but the story does come into play a bit later like other action manga. I still suggest giving Fairy Tail another chance.
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Onsokumaru
Joined: 26 Jul 2008
Posts: 71
Location: New York
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:01 am
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Mashima doesn't do the "Increase your power level until the other guy falls" at all. As far as i read, including everything out in japan, Natsu hasn't gotten stronger at all. He just uses the power he has.
It's a good thing that they don't drag out multi-chapter fights. It gives you that sense of crazy power that Natsu and the others already have. I can't argue that there isn't much of a story as of now, though.
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