This is one of the standout dramas in the world of paperbacks I've ever read, and it's the absolute best manga I've ever purchased. Rarely has a two-volume manga encapsulated such an enthralling story like Figure 17. While I might be jumping the gun early in this review, I'm struggling to imagine anyone being disappointed with this series if they're seeking a robust yet intricate tale of companionship, trust, and some alien-fighting action.
It may sound clichéd, but what Figure 17 excels at is being profoundly character-driven. Sure, one could argue that all stories are character-driven, but more often than not, much of what you learn about the protagonist in anime and manga revolves around their battlefield prowess or excelling at sports, etc. Occasionally, your typical hero/heroine will claim that their power aids in protecting loved ones and safeguarding citizens from harm. I have no qualms with this formula; I've encountered it quite frequently.
But I haven't genuinely cared about the motives or objectives of the hero in quite some time (Okay, my good guy is a Soul Reaper, ninja, ghost hunter, you name it. Fine, let's proceed)! This is what makes Tsubasa Shiina so captivating. Without delving into too many critical details, as they are rather juicy, watching her thrust into the crisis of alien invasion cleanup and learning to embrace responsibility, while also acquiring valuable life lessons and tokens of wisdom with the help of a stellar supporting cast, led by Hikaru Shiina, is incredibly satisfying. Only a few protagonists who initially wanted nothing to do with their tasks have won me over so effectively. Tsubasa is as shy a girl as you can find in manga, but my goodness, she gains so much heart—it's astonishing. She falls, cries, and yearns to be picked up, but eventually begins picking herself up. I'm currently observing something similar with Yoshimori in Kekkaishi, and he's another excellent example. All characters are exceptionally well-written, with none feeling out of place or forced. Even the seemingly over-aggressive Kenta, whom you might think has a stick up his butt from the moment he appears, and the robotic Oldina, DD's alien higher-up watchdog (more like a grumpy human resources lady) who I eventually grew to like, are welcomed additions.
The artwork is stunning, featuring expressive facial features on the characters, and the artist's depiction of a rural Japanese mountain town is even more impressive when considering that space creatures are burrowing beneath the surface. Action scenes are well-drawn and fast-paced, with fights starting off brief.
IN CLOSING: I know I'm reading a fantastic manga with beautiful characters when I forget the central plot revolves around stopping aliens from taking over the planet. If you enjoyed Alien Nine, this shares several similarities. Its short length reminds me of watching an 80-minute sci-fi movie, and if I were to nitpick, it could've been longer. But that's what the anime is for. This delivers everything you could ask for in a story and does everything right, with no mistakes I can point out, which is why it's the best manga title I've ever read and one of the very few I'll give all 10's to.
STORY: 10
ART: 10
CHARACTERS: 10
ENJOYMENT: 10
OVERALL: 10 out of 10
I loved the story. It was captivating and enthralling. I felt like I was on the journey with Alice and Damien. I love their love. Money well spent! I’d like more from this author please.
Popular Reviews
It may sound clichéd, but what Figure 17 excels at is being profoundly character-driven. Sure, one could argue that all stories are character-driven, but more often than not, much of what you learn about the protagonist in anime and manga revolves around their battlefield prowess or excelling at sports, etc. Occasionally, your typical hero/heroine will claim that their power aids in protecting loved ones and safeguarding citizens from harm. I have no qualms with this formula; I've encountered it quite frequently.
But I haven't genuinely cared about the motives or objectives of the hero in quite some time (Okay, my good guy is a Soul Reaper, ninja, ghost hunter, you name it. Fine, let's proceed)! This is what makes Tsubasa Shiina so captivating. Without delving into too many critical details, as they are rather juicy, watching her thrust into the crisis of alien invasion cleanup and learning to embrace responsibility, while also acquiring valuable life lessons and tokens of wisdom with the help of a stellar supporting cast, led by Hikaru Shiina, is incredibly satisfying. Only a few protagonists who initially wanted nothing to do with their tasks have won me over so effectively. Tsubasa is as shy a girl as you can find in manga, but my goodness, she gains so much heart—it's astonishing. She falls, cries, and yearns to be picked up, but eventually begins picking herself up. I'm currently observing something similar with Yoshimori in Kekkaishi, and he's another excellent example. All characters are exceptionally well-written, with none feeling out of place or forced. Even the seemingly over-aggressive Kenta, whom you might think has a stick up his butt from the moment he appears, and the robotic Oldina, DD's alien higher-up watchdog (more like a grumpy human resources lady) who I eventually grew to like, are welcomed additions.
The artwork is stunning, featuring expressive facial features on the characters, and the artist's depiction of a rural Japanese mountain town is even more impressive when considering that space creatures are burrowing beneath the surface. Action scenes are well-drawn and fast-paced, with fights starting off brief.
IN CLOSING: I know I'm reading a fantastic manga with beautiful characters when I forget the central plot revolves around stopping aliens from taking over the planet. If you enjoyed Alien Nine, this shares several similarities. Its short length reminds me of watching an 80-minute sci-fi movie, and if I were to nitpick, it could've been longer. But that's what the anime is for. This delivers everything you could ask for in a story and does everything right, with no mistakes I can point out, which is why it's the best manga title I've ever read and one of the very few I'll give all 10's to.
STORY: 10
ART: 10
CHARACTERS: 10
ENJOYMENT: 10
OVERALL: 10 out of 10
PROS: Great characters, awesome tear-jerking story, BEST......ENDING......EVER
CONS:........Yeah, none here. I'm serious