Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

Title: Grimspace
Author: Ann Aguirre
Format: book

It's been a long time since I've delved into the sci-fi genre, and this book will be my first reintroduction. That said, I'm no expert on the standards, so I'll be going into this virgin. As someone who's rather new to this field, I say it's been a spectacular ride. 

One of the things I enjoyed about this book is the characterization. I've read books where main couple doesn't really tug at my heartstrings enough. Either they're lacking some element in their personality that makes them seem very 2-dimensional, or the chemistry between character A and character B just doesn't mesh well to me. 

Jax and March are a peculiar couple, but I found their relationship to be entertaining to watch. They're quick witted, both have issues to deal with, and both have messed up personalities that somehow make them quite compatible with each other. It helps that the roles they play on the ship help them to connect in a way that very few can replicate. 

Speaking of ship, the scenes where Jax is plugged in and navigating grimspace were quite interesting. There are various ways that grimspace can be interpreted, and part of me thinks it hearkens back to Star Trek and warp speed travel. All that's missing is the presence of aliens.

Oh wait, no it's not. You can't have sci-fi without some aliens, especially not when space travel is involved. Though there isn't a lot of introduction to what other creatures live out there in the galaxy, we do get to see some hint that there are more than just humans roaming space when Jax and Co. face a few life-threatening challenges. Bugs seem to be the theme for the aliens in this book, as I have yet to see something mammalian show up. I'm hoping that will change in the next book of this series. 

Another things I'd like to see is a bit more stuff getting done for the team's mission. Grimspace definitely felt like nothing more than an introduction to the characters, world, and life that Jax and her team live. There were a lot of side trips and sidetracking involved in this book, and -- in part -- it felt random and unsatisfying. Nothing got done -- except for people, but that's a completely different matter. I hope that more of the mission gets tackled in the next book because I felt like I only got a taste. A tease. An awful tease. 

At least Jax was entertaining to be with. Her point of view on things run against the grain more often than not. Her personality makes her likable, as she's full of snark and wit and sarcasm. She also has a head full of crazy ideas, which can sometimes work out of her favor when she overthinks things, but also lead her to the right conclusions when the going gets rough. 

I'm sure Jax will continue to be entertaining as she and the crew continue on their journey. I'm interested to see how this will go because the ending left many questions unanswered. 

Overall: 4 out of 5

Noblesse: Season One by Son Jae Ho

Title: Noblesse (Season 1)

Author: Son Jae Ho

Format: webcomic

My brain's a little muddled, but let's see how well I can do this. To start, Noblesse originally is a Korean webcomic. Manhwa, if you prefer. Since then, it's progressed quite well, and I believe the creators have published the story into volumes. (Don't quote me on that.) 

Noblesse is a complex story that revolves not necessarily on one protagonist, but a group of them. We first meet the core of the "group" within the first few pages of the first chapter: Rai. His name doesn't get revealed until a little later, by which we as the audience finds out that "Rai" is more like his nickname, bestowed upon him by three Korean high school students who are right away added to our protagonist bunch. 

Though the story does seem to center around the school environment at first, as Rai explores a world he has -- until now -- been oblivious to, it is not really a high school based story. Noblesse doesn't focus on classes or school drama, etc. that's often seen in Japanese manga/anime. In fact, the school is merely a starting point and neutral meeting ground for some of the series' main characters to come together. 

Speaking of characters, another person to add to the bunch is the handsome principal: Frankenstein. Franky is the loyal servant of Rai, who has a mysterious past that whispers of the immense power he holds. For years upon years, Franky has been looking for Rai, uncertain of what happened to him after he disappeared from their mutual home. 

While there are many questions about what happened and why Rai was missing, very few get answered as events take a dramatic turn. Of course, if you have protagonists, you have to have antagonists. For Season one (which happens to consist of 92 chapters total), these villains come in pairs, in two waves. 

We learn a little bit more about the world that these characters live in and get a hint of the powers that they hide from the public, human eye, as supernatural people come to cause havoc. The first pair, who only go by code names M-21 and M-24, seem to be searching for something. There is suspicion that they're looking for Rai. 

This spells trouble, not just for Rai and Franky, but also those who they associate with. The innocent will always get dragged into dangerous situations whether they like it or not, and the unfortunate coincidence of their acquaintance with Rai and Franky lead the three high school students (Yoona, Ikhan, and Shinwoo) to become victims of circumstance. 

When the three students get into trouble, Rai and Franky take a step forward to save them. The battles and confrontations that take place as the students run into trouble again and again give light to the powers that Rai and Franky have, making it clear they are anything but normal humans. If humans at all. 

Noblesse is full of action and fighting scenes that raise the tension with every progressive chapter that takes place. As a webcomic, it's expected that scenes will take a while to finish, but if you're reading the season all at once, it's hard to notice. 

The colors and dramatic actions that are drawn out are wonderful to stare at. The artists do a fantastic job using a blend of lights and darks to represent day and night, as well as adding a unique flare to certain powers. The lines are very delicate as well, precise and detailed with every frame that is drawn and colored. 

Despite the comic being full of pretty people, masculinity is not lost on the men, and the women are not overly sparkly or beautified. Take, for example, Franky. He's very pretty for a man. Long flowing blond hair and a perfect smile worth plastering on a poster. But even though he's got a pretty face, he has nasty secret that makes his personality very twisted. I wish I could say more, but that would be spoiling. 

I have to say, my favorite character in Season One is Frankenstein. He's complex and very dark. He has many layers and wears many faces. At times, you can't help but laugh at him. At other times, you want to take a step back and shudder at the things he can do and the things he says. 

Season One barely scratches at the surface of this universe. It's a fairly good setup and introduction to what Noblesse will be like later on down the road, and leave the reader curious and hungry for more. More knowledge, more action, just simply more more more. I give it two thumbs up. 

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Inu x Boku SS, 2012 - anime

Title: Inu x Boku SS
Genre: shounen, fantasy, romance
Length: 12 episodes
Format: anime

I recently found this while avoiding a day of studying for a test. I know, I'm so responsible. But! My irresponsibility has shown me something new. I have never seen an anime like this before, so I wasn't too sure how I would like it. I tend to stray away from art where the female character looks like she belongs in junior high or lower. 

After watching the whole thing, I'm not disappointed in the outcome. A bit weirded out, and feeling peculiar, but let me explain why... 

First, let's start with the premise. Inu x Boku takes place in modern day and centers around a young girl who is fifteen years old. She is moving into an apartment complex with a reputation for employing bodyguards for the residents and being of supernatural taint. This is Ririchiyo. She has a round, pretty face, but her attitude is cold and her eyes even colder when you try to talk to her. But on the inside, she's awkward and clumsy at handling social situations, so that often leads to her lashing out when she doesn't mean to. 

That's where her bodyguard, who is a polar opposite of her, comes in. Upon arriving at the apartment, otherwise known as Ayakashi Mansion, she meets the man who is meant to be her bodyguard: Soushi. Soushi is devoted to a fault and perfectly selfless when it comes to meeting Ririchiyo's needs. He has no problem expressing his opinion, no matter how embarrassing it may be, least of all when it comes to the subject of Ririchiyo. 

Together, they make an awkward pair, and the comedic way they interact certainly deserves some laughs. Ririchiyo simply doesn't know what to do with Soushi most of the time, though she learns to accept his obsessions with time. 

A lot of this series is about meeting the people that Ririchiyo comes to live with, and her developing relationship with her bodyguard. It's cute to see her stumble and try to open up to certain situations that the rest of us as an audience would find so normal and easy to do. Especially in terms of love, we get to see how naive she is on the subject, and how she goes about dealing with it in the most evasive of manners. 

But let's not forget that this is a shounen series. Despite the cuteness, despite the lovey-dovey romance, despite having a girl as the main protagonist, we can't forget there are certain elements that make this series fit under the masculine title of "shounen." 

There is a level of perverseness in certain key side characters that make me wonder about their sanity. There's a woman who's borderline fetish/lesbian, a S&M fanatic, and a crossdresser/transvestite. The first two especially may give the audience reason to pause upon first seeing them because of their baud opinions about sexual subjects. The crossdresser is the least conspicuous of the three, which can be considered a nice contrast to the other extreme of abnormality. 

Then again, nothing of this show is normal. Each character in the story has their faults that are used to bring out a level of comedy in the show. One that should certainly be noted is Soushi's obsession with being Ririchiyo's bodyguard. Loyal though he is, he's overly emotional and often gets weepy whenever Ririchiyo has to leave his side to attend school or otherwise.

I don't think I've ever seen a male character in a shounen series cry so much. I don't think I've ever seen one have that many sparkles float around his head so often either. Part of me wonders if this really is a shounen series, but that's the label I've found it as, so I'm willing to extend my belief that it belongs there.

Now, aside from Soushi making me want to erase all those dang sparkles that sprout around his head, let me talk a bit about the plot. Yes, there is one, underneath all that nonsense. Aside from the subtle ways in which Ririchiyo develops friendship with some of the other residents at the complex, she also develops a relationship with Soushi. This relationship is a particularly sticky and complicated one, when you manage to ignore all the sparkly, comedic parts.

Soushi plays an important role in Ririchiyo's life, not simply as a bodyguard, but as a figure of influence. Soushi is a bit complex underneath that happy, selfless personality. He has his own dark thorns, which are part of the reason why his dedication to Ririchiyo is so significant. The truth about him is a bit surprising, especially when taking into consideration his nature. The things that are hinted that he's done are rather extreme. To think he was exposed so young to the darker parts of the world helps the audience understand why he is the way he is today.

I think the creators of the story could have gone a little more in-depth about the past, and maybe tossed around the sequence of events in the series to make it a bit more coherent. I enjoyed the comedy, but while I was watching, I felt like I was missing a few key elements that would have really pulled me into the story and connected with the characters.

If I had to say, without spending a few more episodes getting a little serious, this series lacks something that could have made it more 3-dimensional. It doesn't cover all the bases that would make for an excellent show, so I can't really say I'm overly impressed or fascinated by it. Nevermind that the premise wasn't especially original, I think it could have used a little extra something to help fill in some cracks that could have made up for the lack of episodes.

Would I watch this again? Possibly, but not solely out of adoration for it. It's a fun, simple series to watch from time to time, but I don't find myself especially obsessed about it. Anyone can watch it, if they're looking for a quick laugh and want to crack at other people's faults and perversions. Oh yes, I did mention the perversions, right?

Another reason why this series can probably be considered shounen is the constant molestation of girl characters - Ririchiyo especially - throughout the series. Seeing a girl with that frame, that age, being molested like that was a bit of a turn-off for me. I don't mind perversity in general, don't get me wrong, but when paired with that certain type of art, I prefer to avoid it.

In any case, this series is just something fun to watch and pass the time as I had. I'm sure there are people who will better enjoy it than me, but as someone who likes a little less crying and less sparkling in my men, and more frame to my girls, I'll just say this isn't for everyone.

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

Alien in the Family by Gini Koch

Title: Alien in the Family
Author: Gini Koch
Format: book



As if the first two books weren't crazy enough, now Kitty has to deal with marriage and in-laws coming to wreck things for her and Jeff. There is so much going on in this book, I don't even know where to start. There are subplots after subplots smeared all over these pages that it's hard to keep everything straight. 


Let's just start with the simple stuff, then. Well, simple-ish. It's clear that interspecies marriage is next to impossible. Paul, if I remember correctly, is the only main character who's a halfbreed. The fact that so many more want to follow his parents' route is causing political and religious pandemoneum. It's a given that Kitty's and Jeff's marriage will be met with many challenges, from all sides of the playing field. How they manage to deal with each challenge that comes is amazing. Kitty, despite how many times she breaks down crying and has serious insecurity issues, manages to barrel on through them and makes it to the end in one piece. 


The trials she faces shows she'll do whatever she can to be in Jeff's life forever and ever. She displays dedication that any woman could admire. Despite her faults, her weaknesses, she'll push herself to protect her man and the people she loves. And we know that Jeff would do the same, as he's shown in the previous two books. 


But, of course, she can't do it alone. Not always. Kitty's support system really shows as she knocks back challenge after challenge, hand in hand with her best friends and loved ones. James really takes a shining in this book. He shows just why he and Kitty are so inseparable, and why it's a darn good thing he's gay instead of straight and stealing her from Jeff. He's more than just a pretty face, more than just another guy in her life, more than just a friend. The things he does to help her out, especially concerning her wedding, is phenomenal. 


It's moving how much effort he puts into helping her out. Nothing can stop friendship, not even people after their lives. (As per usual.) I would love to have a friend like James in my life. I would want him at my wedding, too. 


Another part of Kitty's support system are the unimaginable Poofs. I'll leave out all the spoiler details on how exactly they're awesome and simply say that I wish my cat was that awesome. My cat can't do what the Poofs can do. My cats are cuter, I'll say that, but in terms of skill and talent, they aren't quite so resourceful, least of all when it comes to alien butt-kicking. Their role in the book are surprising, especially when we wind down to the climax. 


Apart from all that, an interest element that has shown up in this book is the element of chess. The application of the strategical and age-old militant game of war has been put into creative and interesting use. I didn't expect to be drawn into a board game metaphor when I started this book, but I'm not disappointed in its application. 


While we're on the subject of war, we have to talk battle, and when we talk battle, we have to talk music, because Kitty is never without her soundtrack. The use of music has been a complete crack up for me. What I mean is, it's so appropriate and corny at the same time it's hard not to laugh at certain songs that are being used throughout the book (not necessarily just at the battle scenes). You have to know the music to understand why some scenes are so laughable, and put on your geek hat to appreciate why certain songs fit for certain moments. Epic cannot be described by a simple definition; epic is specific for each individual situation. You really have to understand Kitty to understand the epic juxtaposition of music and scene in this book. 


And speaking of epic, I was surprised by how Kitty took part in the "boss battle." We've seen Kitty go toe-to-toe with the major baddie before, because that's just how things are done in the geek world, and this time she shows her skills in a different manner. It's not quirky wit, it's not panic-induced ingenious, it's pure skill. Kitty shows why she's a perfect four step and spent years training in self defense. I hope she shows more displays of skill and wit in the future books as well. 


Now, let's take a moment to point out a few cons to this books. Large and packed with action though it was, I think there was just a little too much going on. As much as I loved the subplots and taking a moment to figure out what the greater plan was, I think there were too many times I had to literally stop and just take a break from this book because it was too chaotic. I know that there's a method to the madness and a reason why so much is going on, but there is such a thing as too much.


Like the comedy. This series lives for the comedy and the moments of complete inappropriate humor in the middle of a serious moment, but there were times when I could have done without the excess giggle and "dur." I have to admit I skimmed more quickly during some of the comedic parts because they seemed to drag on too long. I would have preferred a little more seriousness, or perhaps a condensed version of that same content. 


There was several places throughout the book that could have been condensed or summarized with equal effect on the reader instead of drawing it out line for line between characters. There is a lot of talking going on in this book, more talking than actual narrative going on, and sometimes I thought it could have been the other way around. It's still possible to be comedic without sharing every detail, like the parts where people talk over Kitty when she's trying to make a suggestion and she fails to get their attention. (Though I admit the shirt technique was hilarious.) 


Speaking of characters, there were parts where I thought I lost some of them in the madness of things. Since this book relies a lot on dialogue to get details shared, certain people have to talk. While it shoes the genius of someone's brain, or the lack thereof, I think there was some mixing of roles that made me think "this could have been narrated instead, instead of forcing a certain character to play this particular role in the conversation." Chuckie and Jeff are good examples. During certain conversations, they take on particular roles in contrast to Kitty, and their responses aren't always consistent. Sometimes their actions, not necessarily their words, seem inconsistent as well, more for the comedic effect or just to move along the plot than as genuine responses from the characters themselves. 


There was a lot of fat that could be trimmed from this book and still achieve the overall effect or result that was being aimed for. But even with the fat, this has proved to be a fun and interesting book. Congrats to Kitty for making through it all, and finally getting her man.


Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Viewfinder, 2012 - ANiMiX

Title: Target in the Viewfinder
Genre: yaoi
Format: animix
Length: 39 minutes

Let me start off and say this is not an anime. This is an ANiMiX, meaning it's mostly a composition of graphics and pictures with a minimal amount of animation tied in. You get to see certain actions and camera movements, as well as see people talking, but otherwise there isn't much motion being drawn out frame by frame.

Now that I cleared that up, let's get to the review. The clarity of picture is fantastic. The colors aren't overly bright, nor overly dark. There's a nice blend of lighting that keeps true to the noir setting that Ayano Yamane created in the original manga serialization. You won't have to worry about random flowers or bubbles sprouting every five minutes across the screen in this story.

You also don't have to worry too much about the characters staying true to their original design. The ANiMiX does a great job at copying Yamane's style of art throughout the entire piece. There are a few moments when it strays away from her style, and the proportions are a little off, or the lines aren't quite delicate enough where they should be, but for the most part the art is very similar.

Despite only being a composite of image stills, the ANiMiX does a fairly good job of creating a flow that follows the original storyline. While there is some censoring during the raunchy parts between main characters Asami and Takaba, there are plenty of shots of Takaba naked and wearing an expression of pleasure. To those familiar with the manga, this can be considered a let down, especially since some of the "training" Asami puts Takaba through is rather explicit and electrifying. The same can be said when Takaba lands in the hands of Fei Long later down the road.

That being said, this ANiMiX covers the first few books of the series, up to the point where Takaba first encounters Fei Long. It also includes one of the well-loved "extra" stories featured in the series, when Takaba is enjoying New Years with his friends and commences in drunk calling Asami. Though the story runs through a little quickly, with less than 40 minutes to do it, the animation covers a lot of ground. Despite the censoring, the story is followed very closely, which is a plus for those who enjoy a similarity between their manga and anime.

Apart from all that, let me talk a bit about the voice acting. Takaba's VA/seiyuu is close to what I imagined him to sound like when I read the manga. Takaba's character is a young man, and with a handsome face; the type of submissive that you'd expect to have a pretty voice when caught in a fit of passion. Takaba's VA delivers that during the explicit parts of the story, especially when paired with Asami.

On the other hand, I found Asami's VA to be a bit disappointing. He wasn't what I thought the man should have sounded like at all. Though he carries the depth of a man of danger, the general inflection that the VA uses when Asami speaks doesn't quite match his character. I expected something less nasal sounding and more throaty and on the edge of guttural.

Fei Long seemed to be relatively accurate. An effeminate voice for an effeminate man. Honestly, I wasn't too sure what Fei Long would sound like when I read the series, but I don't find his VA a wrong choice. Possibly not the best, but it's not hard to see why that sort of voice was picked for his character. He sounds a bit on the high strung side, prissy, like he's got the stick shoved too far, but considering the characters history, it's not impossible to see the connection.

I think the ANiMiX did a pretty good job representing the series. I'm a larger fan of full animation - i.e. anime - rather than still pictures, but for what it is, and what it isn't, I give the production a thumbs up for staying as true to the original series as possible, by trying to please the audience while still fitting within the media regulations of Japan's media.

Overall: 4 out of 5