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Reviewed by Ryan Huston "Hakufu encounters Ryomou, one of the strongest Toushi at her school. Hakufu is no match for Ryomou, and takes quite a pounding, when she gets a strangely good feeling. As she continues to take a beating, something snaps inside Hakufu, and suddenly she's not the one whose life is in danger." I'm going to say, right up front, that perhaps I shouldn't be reviewing this title. I'm a total Ikki Tousen (the anime of this same series) fanboy, which some might say means I can't be objective. Of course, to say so is to ignore one of fandom's most glaring truths: fanboys are usually the harshest critics. So, does it match up? Let's dig in. In Vol 2, we find the endearingly dumb Hakafu settling into Nanyo Academy, beating some serious ass and starting to get noticed (for something other than her... um... build). The fun turns to folly, though, when Hakafu finds herself face to face with the relentless Shimei Ryomou, who is sent down with a single order: kill Hakafu Sonsaku. What follows is a fight scene to end all fight scenes, spanning a sizable chunk of the book. Meanwhile, Koukin (Hakafu's nosebleed-prone cousin) rushes to save her from Ryomou's fury. This one is destined for the fanservice hall of fame (or shame, depending on your outlook), I tell ya. Let's face it, this is neither a heavy nor serious read. There's no philosophical undertones or any underlying message to make you ponder the human experience or your role in the universe. What this is, is a clothes-ripping, bone-breaking, eye candy-laden fightfest capable of satisfying even the most insatiable of appetites for mindless trash. In other words, it's the reality TV of manga. And you know what? It's very entertaining. Fanservice aside, it's a surprisingly good story with lots of action, and just enough humor and characterization to make things more interesting. The artwork is nicely done, as well. Smooth lines, and very little shading to get in the way, giving a bright, clean feel which is perfectly suited to the content. The backgrounds are present, but tastefully muted to avoid making a huge mess of the whole thing. If I had to nitpick, I would say there some minor inconsistencies, such as the proportions of the characters are a bit awkward in some panels, but it's highly forgivable. After all, you shouldn't expect "Gandhi" when renting "Dude, Where's my Car?" In a nutshell: Highly recommended for fans of fighting anime/manga, the Dead or Alive video game series, or anyone looking simply looking for cheap, low-brow entertainment that's actually entertaining. NOT recommended for the overly moral and/or art snobs. Violence/Gore: Beatings, blood, and teeth getting knocked out. Fanservice: A panty pirate's dream. Comment on this review of Battle Vixens v2 on the Manga Life Forums. |
6 October 2009
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