|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||
|
|
Reviewed by Lisa Anderson There are certain characteristics that have become the main staples of manga. For many fans it only takes big eyes and gravity-defying hair to know the character is from a manga. In the case of many newer fans, any title outside that specific box just doesn’t exist - or if it does, it certainly isn’t considered manga. Several years ago Animerica Extra threw a short story into their normal line-up. The story, Change, stood in stark contrast from the other titles. There were no scantily-clad women caught up in an outrageous romantic-comedy. No heroic knights were off on a quest to stop an evil villain, unrealistic weapons in hand. Even the sight of crazy-colored hair and cute alien mascots was absent. Instead each character dressed normally, from simple hairstyles to commonplace uniforms. People went to school, held regular jobs, and dealt with complicated, yet realistic, situations. By now Short Program might sound dull. Believe me though, when I say that Short Program deserves every bit of acclaim it has ever received. Mitsuru Adachi manages to take a realistic world and bring to light the various stories shining within. Each story puts heavy stock in the characters, depending on emotion and motives to drive the story onward. Despite following a very smooth pace, Adachi gives each story a unique spin, usually setting the entire situation on its ear. With nine stories in the volume, each varies in length. Characters and plot also differ with each story. Despite the short length, Adachi draws the reader into caring not only about the characters, but also in the overall outcome of their story even after the last page has been read. The overall tone of Short Program is mainly drama, usually centered around romance, with a bit of comedy on the side. In Change and Plus 1, people learn that sometimes the right romance is like a diamond in the rough, and only time and a bit of work can make it truly shine. While some stories have a slight classic ring of drama and romance to them, others take a different approach to relationships. In Take Off, one man learns that some people won’t allow themselves a happy ending until they’ve proven their worth. In Short Program (which bears the same name as the manga itself), a young woman realizes that some people really can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Like almost any collection of short stories, Short Program is something that must be read to really be understood. From the simple lines and deep shading of the artwork, to the constant flow of emotion from the characters, Mitsuru Adachi has proven himself yet again. It’s easy to see why he’s in the same class as Rumiko Takahashi. As with any classic author, Adachi takes the best elements of a story, blending them together smoothly. It’s easy to get caught up in each story, despite the short length and abrupt endings. I would highly recommend Short Program for any fan of classic manga. I also hope many newer fans will give this a shot. Not only is it a glimpse into solid roots of many a manga, it is also a timeless collection of stories meant to pull you in and leave you wanting more. Comment on this review of Short Program v1 on the Manga Life Forums. |
6 October 2009
|
||||
 |
| home | reviews | news | features | about us | advertise | privacy policy | contact us |
