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Reviewed by Dan Polley Kaname Kusakabe and Mana Kirihara have shared events in the past, but were separated long ago. Now, though, Mana is moving to the high school where Kaname is enrolled and when the two finally see each other again, it sets off a chain of events that will change their lives and open their worlds. That’s how Sakurako Gokurakuin’s “Aquarian Age: Juvenile Orion” starts out. And ever since Mana has returned to Kaname, Kaname has been experiencing some unexplained emotions that he just can’t place. And it’s not something he can control either, at least not yet. But the story really heats up when Kaname’s friend, Naoya Itsuki, senses something … different … about Mana and proceeds to challenge her to defend herself — or die trying. But Kaname happens along after he is drawn to the intense power and the two best friends duke it out over Mana. After the battle, Kaname stands in disbelief as he again cannot understand why he has drawn blood from people he loves. He leaves and tales from the past emerge and a little more background on Itsuki’s motivations come forth. “Aquarian Age: Juvenile Orion” has some pretty good redeeming qualities, but the plot really isn’t one of them. The way the characters come forth with information seems a little too off-the-cuff and not as calculating as in other manga. It seems as if the plot takes a bit after its title: Juvenile. That’s not to say it’s horrible, just a bit unrealistic and simplified. Gokurakuin’s art is better than the plot, giving rise to a dark feeling that seems to compel the reader more often than the plot. The characters are all a bit simplified and it’s difficult to tell them apart at first, which is frustrating. The battle sequences are better and it seems to help. “Aquarian Age: Juvenile Orion” is a manga that is definitely geared toward a younger audience. Older audiences will probably want something a bit more nuanced, but the book does provide some enjoyable art at times. Comment on this review of Aquarian Age Juvenile Orion v1 on the Manga Life Forums. |
8 October 2008
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