The art is not good. Using computers to draw is fine. And bad art can be overcome by a good story line, but when the story is missing the art is more visible. This person doesn’t use backgrounds to their story’s advantage; and barely at all. In mangas, blank backgrounds still have texture and depth and are used to emphasize the mood, the location shots are used to further the story, but here, not at all.

The plot is next to non-existent and ONLY follows the main character. We learn of the other characters by their presence, but they do not have personalities or issues of their own—everything revolves around the main character. It is my personal belief (and I’m right on this) that a good manga has several side stories happening at once to develop the characters character and to develop the plot.

The main character is not believable. Her supposed bad-ass self is given a dialogue that no self-respecting teen would use.

And lastly I find the title of Manga particulary urksome! This is something that ticks me off on the best of days—maybe cuz I’m an art historian and I hate the incorrect classification of artwork. Who wrote the book? Min Kwon and Buzz Dixon (Americans) Who is the book for? Christian American kids What style is it drawn in? Asian inspired. So to summarize this is a cheaply drawn, poorly written, asian inspired comic to preach to Christian kids to act Christian. This does in no means satisfy the definition of manga which is Japanese art written for and by Japanese persons in Japan. hmmm… Nope. Not manga! Please try again!

I look forward to the time when Good and decent Christian Comics can stand up with the stories, art and characters of Manga and not be ashamed of itself (01/02/07)