Compared to Shirow's other works like Appleseed, Dominion presents as a much more charming and fluid read. It leans closer to a comedy gag manga rather than a profound philosophical exploration, which is characteristic of many of his other creations. Nevertheless, Shirow doesn't let the chance slip to delve into some intriguing ideas, both conceptually and artistically. His artwork in Dominion is especially polished, complementing the equally 'tidy' (ironically, the world being anything but 'clean') narrative.
However, this strength can also be seen as a weakness, since despite the engaging concepts explored, Dominion lacks the depth found in Ghost in the Shell or Appleseed, offering significantly less content for repeated readings. This suits its nature as essentially a one-shot story, and perhaps the subsequent volume broadens the universe in meaningful ways. Still, this remains a standalone piece, and it feels as though there isn't much more that could be done with Dominion, unlike GitS or Appleseed. <p>
Because MAL does not have a separate page for both of the Dominion manga — which, by the way, are vastly different — I'm going to attempt to write this review in a way that suits both of them.
The original Dominion is hands down one of the lightest reads I've ever purchased, at least in terms of Shirow's works. It’s funny, features decent artwork, and is packed with more tanks than you can shake a pistol at. Released in 1986, this was Shirow's third work and serves as an excellent gateway for newcomers to get interested in his style. There's no complex glossary to memorize, no side stories to follow, or notes to take. It’s simply a straightforward cop-and-robber tale with plenty of wackiness sprinkled throughout. Some characters, like Crolis and Buaku, even make appearances in his other manga. While the art isn't Shirow's best, it's still enjoyable.
On the other hand, No More Noise, released in 1997 on our shores, is far superior. Although it doesn’t include some characters from the original, particularly Al, it introduces a whole new squad and a few unexpected members. The art has noticeably improved, thanks to Shirow's growing experience, and the few color sections (though there aren't as many as I'd like) are visually striking. The story revolves around another eccentric criminal but offers much more depth compared to the first. Leona's quirky squad provides laughs and keeps the momentum going, ensuring the pace never slows down. This version is more action-packed and outshines the original in almost every aspect of its creation.
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However, this strength can also be seen as a weakness, since despite the engaging concepts explored, Dominion lacks the depth found in Ghost in the Shell or Appleseed, offering significantly less content for repeated readings. This suits its nature as essentially a one-shot story, and perhaps the subsequent volume broadens the universe in meaningful ways. Still, this remains a standalone piece, and it feels as though there isn't much more that could be done with Dominion, unlike GitS or Appleseed. <p>
The original Dominion is hands down one of the lightest reads I've ever purchased, at least in terms of Shirow's works. It’s funny, features decent artwork, and is packed with more tanks than you can shake a pistol at. Released in 1986, this was Shirow's third work and serves as an excellent gateway for newcomers to get interested in his style. There's no complex glossary to memorize, no side stories to follow, or notes to take. It’s simply a straightforward cop-and-robber tale with plenty of wackiness sprinkled throughout. Some characters, like Crolis and Buaku, even make appearances in his other manga. While the art isn't Shirow's best, it's still enjoyable.
On the other hand, No More Noise, released in 1997 on our shores, is far superior. Although it doesn’t include some characters from the original, particularly Al, it introduces a whole new squad and a few unexpected members. The art has noticeably improved, thanks to Shirow's growing experience, and the few color sections (though there aren't as many as I'd like) are visually striking. The story revolves around another eccentric criminal but offers much more depth compared to the first. Leona's quirky squad provides laughs and keeps the momentum going, ensuring the pace never slows down. This version is more action-packed and outshines the original in almost every aspect of its creation.