Angel Densetsu

In summary, during my brief and rather miserable existence, I've come across numerous animes and mangas boasting fantastic artwork but utterly disappointing storylines. However, everything changed when I stumbled upon Angel Densetsu.

Initially, the moment I opened its pages, I tossed it aside in sheer disgust due to its abysmal artwork! Yet, summoning the courage to actually read it revealed a surprisingly enjoyable experience. Seriously, despite having to stifle my gag reflex while reading, it turned out to be quite good.

The narrative is episodic but not terrible; it's somewhat reminiscent of Toradora!, albeit with a more melancholic and pathetically illustrated twist, minus the romantic element. It captures that school life vibe well.

The artwork is simply dreadful—worse than Samurai Champloo (yes, some things are genuinely that bad). Reading it made me want to vomit all over the floor. Even though you could vaguely grasp what was happening, the art was still atrocious, akin to viewing the world through diarrhea-smeared glasses. Absolutely dreadful.

The characters embody typical school life personas. The only standout is the main character: a hideously deformed student (not because of the artwork) with a heart of gold, misunderstood by everyone around him. The rest include your usual mix of teachers, students, and gangsters.

Enjoyment hinges on how much the art bothers you, but the comedy aspect is solid and enhances the comic. With low gore and sexual content, it's suitable for almost any reader, unless you're as particular about artwork as I am or consider yourself an art critic.

To sum up, Angel Densetsu is another funny and good manga...with a significant aesthetic flaw. Sort of like [censored] and [another censored]. 8/10.

I just completed 84 chapters, but MyAnimeList indicates there are 89. I suppose the extra chapters might be bonuses unless it's an error?

If anyone locates chapters 85-89, please inform me where I can read them, even if this comment is years old. 🙏

The story, despite its simplicity, was very enjoyable. The artwork has improved as the story progressed, and even though I'm quite picky about art quality these days, it was clean and suited the narrative without being bothersome.

I finished all 84 chapters in one sitting because I found the story so engaging. I hope to reread it someday, or perhaps I'll remember it so well that I won't need to. 😊

(I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY NEED any extras if they exist.)

Awesome manga, I don't understand why it isn't more popular. I'm enjoying this manga like never before. It's all about the misjudgment of a person based solely on their appearance. Interestingly, I usually don't enjoy reading much; I prefer watching anime. But this manga has captured my attention, largely thanks to the anime OVA. For anyone who loves comedy or parody—though it's not strictly a parody as there are some sad moments in it—that person will fall in love with this manga, just like I have. If an anime adaptation ever comes out, I would be thrilled to watch it, even though I already know the whole story.

Angel Densetsu is among the finest comedies I've ever read. It genuinely takes a lot to make me laugh out loud when reading alone, but this series had me bursting into laughter multiple times (damn, I hate how the Internet makes even considering using "lol" in a proper sentence—ironically or not—feel shameful).

The primary focus of the series is undoubtedly comedy, yet it also incorporates a fair amount of action. As the series progresses, romantic elements are gradually introduced. Notably, the artwork's quality improves significantly over the course of the series. The illustrations in later volumes look almost as if they were drawn by an entirely different artist. So, if you find the artwork in the first volume somewhat off-putting, I urge you to persevere.

I've come across online comments from individuals who seem deliberately obtuse about accepting the main premise of the story. If you can't embrace "the big lie," you'll likely struggle to enjoy much fictional entertainment. The central conceit here doesn't stretch one's suspension of disbelief all that much anyway.

Angel Densetsu sets a benchmark for both the dos and don'ts in manga centered around character misinterpretation as a comedic device. It excels at establishing the joke initially but struggles to maintain interest consistently due to a lack of variation. Despite this, I found considerable enjoyment in this manga.

Story: The narrative strikes a balance between dragging on too long and concluding prematurely. While it occasionally felt like scraping the bottom of the barrel, it managed to end satisfyingly, leaving me curious about the future yet content with its conclusion.

Art: Throughout the story, you can witness the mangaka's artistic growth. His lines become more consistent, and he grows more comfortable with his characters. Unfortunately, some initial designs are so set that several characters end up looking very similar. For instance, the redhead and the old guardians squad appear nearly identical in multiple panels. This issue is also evident with certain teachers resembling random pedestrians who only appear briefly.

Characters: Initially, I felt some characters lacked development, which was going to be a major point in my review. However, an author's closing statement changed my perspective: "Personally, I'd be thankful if you saw this not as reading a manga called 'Angel Densetsu' that some guy drew, but as peering into the world of Hekikuu Town, a sunny place with little rain, full of silly people who act out silly little events." Realizing the characters were portrayed more realistically helped me understand their apparent lack of development. Only those experiencing significant belief changes truly grow, while others remain unchanged, staying on the sidelines without facing real adversity. This insight elevated my character rating from a 6 to an 8.

These were my thoughts; I hope they provide useful context before you read this manga. I hope it helps you appreciate Angel Densetsu, faults included, just as I have. :)

Please read the synopsis before reading this review.

People judge each other based on appearances. No matter how much we try, we can never forget the preconceptions created when we first see someone. Often, we get someone completely wrong just because of their physical appearance. Angel Densetsu demonstrates why this shouldn't happen.

Angel Densetsu is a comedy shounen manga originally released between 1992 and 2000. It was written and illustrated by Norihiro Yagi, who later created Claymore.

The main story is simple and straightforward. While it doesn’t seem very interesting at first, it makes up for its lack of complexity with enjoyability and humor. Most chapters focus on the first meeting between a new character and Kitano, leading to a series of misunderstandings and sometimes fights.

The comedy is probably the best aspect of the manga. It had me laughing out loud at least a couple of times per chapter, and surprisingly, it never gets old. This is achieved through the sheer craziness of the characters' reactions to the "demon" and how quickly they judge him.

The "main" characters—Kitano and those who become his friends—are pretty likeable, though at first glance, they might seem easily hateable. These main characters do develop throughout the manga, unlike most others. The characters who never realize that Kitano is actually a good guy don't change and become increasingly hateable.

This reaction is partly due to the theme of Angel Densetsu: "Never judge a book by its cover." Essentially every interaction involving Kitano highlights how limited people can be, which is a fault in our current society. Despite being obvious, the theme is never overdone and creates a perfect balance between serious and comedic moments.

The only point that truly annoyed me was the art, especially early on. It's quite basic and lacks substance. During the first half, this is worsened by the author frequently messing up the proportions of characters. It does improve somewhat in the latter half, but it’s never impressive.

The conclusion is very open-ended, which may annoy some readers. After reading the author's note at the end of the manga, it made perfect sense to me and seemed like a smart decision.

Angel Densetsu is an incredibly fun read that presents an interesting viewpoint, despite being quite light-hearted. It excels with its comedy but also has a compelling yet simple storyline.

I would recommend it to basically anyone. The theme it deals with makes Angel Densetsu a practically universal read.

Wow. I've never written a review on MAL before, but I had to start for this particular manga. Reading Angel Densetsu was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Pure, comedic gold. I'm the type of person who loves comedy manga but had always generally stuck to the mainstream. THIS manga, however, needs more love and attention.

STORY: Episodic, yet it works brilliantly for this manga. We witness brief, hilarious snippets of Kitano's life as he encounters (and battles) a series of quirky characters who each contribute something significant to Kitano's life, and vice versa. The narrative is entirely character-driven, which was an excellent choice by the author, enabling him to craft some of the best characters I've ever encountered.

ART: Well, it does improve over time. Don't let the initial chapters deter you. Honestly, I had to gradually get used to it since I wasn't accustomed to a main character designed to be physically unattractive. But by the final volume, I realized I had come to love Kitano regardless of his appearance. It might sound strange, but that's precisely the point of the manga. Moreover, as someone who has read Claymore, I recognize that this artist's potential is only beginning to bloom in Angel Densetsu.

CHARACTERS: Outstanding. Perfect. I even adored the big, foolish former Guardian. By far, the best characters are Ryoko and Ikuno. They surprised me by being strong female leads in a genre not always kind to both genders. Males and females share equal status in this series... and they are ALL funny. Each character brings a unique comedic style to Angel Densetsu. And Kitano... there are NO words to describe him. Truly one of a kind.

ENJOYMENT: I've never read a manga with this kind of comedy before. It's similar to Yankee-kun to Megane-chan, but it's much more refined and makes a lot more sense. Characters like Ikuno deliver classic lines at just the right moments, and the humor never feels out of place. Even the fighting scenes are enjoyable, which is saying a lot from someone who usually dislikes fighting manga. I found myself taking screenshots of some of my favorite scenes because the comedy needed to be immortalized on my computer.

OVERALL: Angel Densetsu is a gem of comedy and character development. I couldn't have asked for more from this manga. There's no more to say. Just read it all the way through, and you won't be disappointed.

This is among the finest manga I've ever had the pleasure of reading. It boasts an array of compelling characters and a meticulously crafted setting. Initially, the artwork may appear somewhat unpolished, yet it significantly improves as the story progresses. The protagonist stands out for not conforming to the typical shonen archetype; instead, he earns admiration through his deeds. Notably, this manga distinguishes itself by featuring robust female characters, rather than adhering to the stereotype of frailty. If you've already delved into this masterpiece, consider exploring a similar manhwa titled "Transfer Student Storm Bringer," which shares thematic elements. Should time permit, I highly recommend giving this a read.

This is my very first review on MAL. I'm kind of shy and usually don't like to speak up, but I'm working on it. So, I thought about giving one of my favorite mangas a review.

I could go on and explain this like a professional, giving ratings to each category and so on, but I won't. For me, reading manga is not a job or a chore; it's something to be appreciated. So, I'll tell you my feelings about this manga, and I can summarize it all in one word: "joy." There was not a single moment in this manga where I felt like skipping or that I felt was there just to be a filler. Maybe that's because of how the characters interact with each other, which seems very natural, silly, and light-hearted. But still, every character has their own personality and follows it. This creates a comfortable setup for the story.

The objective of this manga is not simply conveying a plot or catering to a demographic. You can feel the mangaka's desire to immerse you in the story, to make you feel part of it, even if just as an observer. The art of the manga helps in that regard. It sure looks very weird at first. To be fair, it was the biggest point that drove me away from it initially. But after you read through some chapters, the style used to convey the story seems to fit the whole plot. It's almost ridiculous at first, but after a while, you start to see it for more than just drawings. You start to see it as a literary device that both works to create an identity around the manga and develop originality and to immerse you into the world the mangaka created.

As a last topic, I would like to discuss what is the most important part of the whole manga: its enjoyment. And Angel Densetsu is able to create an incredible mood with every story arc, chapter, and character. I could never feel like I wasn't interested in the development of the plots and never felt like the manga was getting repetitive or cliched. I knew I was going to find joy with each turn of the page.

And that's why, even though I could go on and give some "realistic" score to the manga, like eight or nine, I went instead with ten. Because this manga reverberates within my soul and warms my heart each time I read it.

I'm sorry if my review ended up as incoherent ramblings of a deranged man, but these are my feelings, as much incoherent and deranged as they are. Thank you very much for bearing with it.

First of all, wow to this manga. One of the rare anime series that compelled me to dive straight into its manga for continuation. Despite continuing with the manga, I still prefer waiting and hoping they will resume the anime series, which in my opinion, it truly deserves.

Funny
Suspenseful
Cheering on Kitano
The school atmosphere is great
Hilariously quirky teachers
A strong message against judging people by their looks

I would recommend this manga to anyone. However, you should watch OVA 1 and OVA 2 before jumping into the manga. By the way, I have downloaded all the completed volumes. Furthermore, the challenges Kitano faces at school and the obstacles he overcomes are both entertaining and humorous. The classmates he meets and protects add a unique charm. And the fighting scenes? Absolutely SICKKK!!!!!!! Kitano always finds a way to win, even though he often gets distracted by unrelated thoughts during fights, lol.

This manga marks the debut of Yagi Norihiro, who later penned the "Claymore" series. His artistic skills evolve significantly as the narrative unfolds, yet the manga remains thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish. The tale centers on Seiichiro, a gentle-hearted teenager whose appearance and demeanor inadvertently evoke sheer terror. I won't delve into specifics about the plot to avoid spoiling your enjoyment, but be prepared for surprises. The reactions of certain characters upon their initial encounter with Seiichiro may prompt you to reflect on how unfairly one can judge a book by its cover.

Reading this manga is guaranteed to elicit laughter. Admittedly, the stories are somewhat fantastical and never realistic, but that's not the point. Despite their eccentricity, these tales convey positive messages about understanding and bravery. Every character is intriguing, and Norihiro succeeds in making nearly all of them endearing.

The author wisely concluded the series before it became repetitive, ensuring "Angel Densetsu" stands as a complete and satisfying work that anyone can appreciate. So, go ahead and read it, folks!

To begin, this manga epitomizes the "Beast" archetype, where the protagonist has a monstrous appearance and is shunned by society, yet possesses a pure heart and soul. If you're tired of this trope or don't appreciate it much, you might not enjoy this manga or its humor, as it heavily relies on this concept. However, if you can look past that, the humor is quite enjoyable overall. While it occasionally overemphasizes Kitano's devilish looks, when done well or essential to the plot, it becomes incredibly entertaining. I also want to highlight that the romance is exceptionally crafted, making it feel genuinely earned as it develops.

Moving on to the art, it's fantastic. Initially, it feels relaxed and casual but manages to deliver powerful moments with masterful artistic skill, particularly during fight scenes which feature excellent choreography. As the story progresses, the artist goes all out, bringing the town of Hekiku to life.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this manga. Although I'm not usually into comedy manga or anime, something about this series captivated me. Initially, I didn't realize it was a comedy manga, but as I read further, I found myself increasingly enjoying the humor, especially the characters who truly carry the story.

As in any good story, compelling characters are crucial for keeping readers engaged, and this manga excels in that regard. Some characters may fade into the background as the story unfolds, but they never become useless or forgotten. However, weaker characters like Ikuko and Seikichi can be forgettable or irritating at times. On the other hand, Kitano, Ryoko, and the main cast are brilliantly written. Additionally, the supporting characters add fun, interest, and delight whenever they appear.

In conclusion, I was astounded by how much I liked this manga. Sure, it leans on some tropes, but it still feels purposefully crafted. This manga doesn't feel outdated; instead, it stands out among overly corny or poorly written comedies. When it aims for seriousness, it delivers beautifully moving stories, and when it seeks humor, it successfully elicits laughter.

A great read, 8/10.