| Average |
9.2 |
| Design |
8 |
| Story |
8 |
| Character |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
| (up to chapter 37, Mangascreener scanlations, who have scanlated many great and relatively unknown mangas)
Gonzo having announced they'll make an anime adaptation of one of my favorite mangas in 2007 made me feel a little hesitant. I felt, as with Saikano, Hellsing and Chrono Crusade, that this manga is too good to be adapted by them.
So in case you notice the anime in a few months, it is worth to read the manga first, just to be sure and enjoy M. Kito's work in its entirety.
Having read his other works this is the best so far. Instead of the "mythical creature" approach like in Narutaru this time the "giant robot" genre appears, so this title can be enjoyable for mecha fans too.
The story may seem a little slowpaced in the first volume. 15 boys and girls, while on a beach enter a cave and encounter a mysterious man naned Kokopeli. He asks them if they want to take part in a game. The game is thus: 15 enemies (giant robots ) will attack earth. It is up to those 15 children to control a 500m giant robot to defend earth. Kokopelli makes a demonstration eliminating the first opponent. Then a mysterious pokemon-like creature appears with the name of "Dung Beetle" to guide the children. They're about to find out that this is much more than a game and that their whole lifes are going to be affected by it. After the the first chapters are over the series finally begins.
Regarding character developement this manga is of the best I've read. The manga delves into the life of every character before their battle begins and also the various tense moments during the mecha fights, like only the storytelling abilities of M.Kitoh are able to do. Very few mangas made me feel so depressed and affected with the characters. When you think that the action subsides, the next page suddenly changes pace and you're left stunned how the mangaka was able to do it. Really makes you want to read the manga from start to finish. A very emotionally draining series. Each character arc is unique and it is up to the reader to choose his/her favorite though so far all are very good.
I will not spoil the story since it is far for concluded. Probably is somewhere in the middle. But it is a very intruiging story, certainly much better than the Evangelion manga, regarding characters. Though if you've read Milk Closet or Drifting Classroom you'll feel familiar.
The design, though I read it from scanlations, is just like Narutaru, with more details this time in the jetfighters and robots. The characters expressions are immediately affecting you, once you're used to the drawing style. Instead of the dragon children fights in Narutaru, this time the mecha fights are that provide action and tension, everytime they take place. Very original mecha fights overall.
If you didnt like Narutaru manga because of the excessive violence and angst, but felt nevertheless intrigued by it, then Bokurano is the best introduction to Mohiro Kitoh's work, together with Zansho. By far one of the best and original mangas I've read.
Lets hope Gonzo doesnt screw the anime
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