ONS: Enceinte du Bébé du PDG

This manga is a collaborative effort from multiple artists and authors. Among the five chapters I've read, only three stand out as exceptionally enjoyable and fulfilling. I won't specify which ones, but they are psychologically engaging and masterfully crafted.  
If you enjoy reading short manga pieces that delve into emotions or explore themes of self-satisfaction, this might be for you.  
Unfortunately, the other two stories are merely average or underwhelming, not worth your time. I would have rated this a perfect 10 if it weren't for those two, but that's not possible.  
Overall, this manga showcases intelligence, humor, and beauty!

I highly recommend this one-shot to anyone who loves apocalyptic manga or similar genres.  
When I first discovered this manga, I knew I had to read it and immediately added it to my "plan to read" list.  
The artwork in this manga is truly impressive, with large illustrations that evoke a sense of reflection on what humanity is doing today. It's absolutely great, which is why I gave it a perfect score of 10!  

As for the story, it moves rather quickly, but then again, it is a one-shot. Still, it reminded me somewhat of Avatar—I'm not quite sure why.  

Regarding the characters, well, only Louis is developed in any real detail. The other characters are primarily there to support him and his thoughts and actions. What’s intriguing is that Louis is a computer, yet in the manga, he appears as a child—a small child with feelings. This could be because he's an intelligent AI, or perhaps the author is trying to convey something deeper.  

In any case, I was saddened that it was just a one-shot manga. I would have loved more chapters, but that's the beauty of one-shots—they leave room for us to ponder future events and imagine them ourselves.

I came across this manga while searching for a great one-shot to invest my time in. The apocalyptic theme of the story caught my attention right away, and the cover was equally enticing, showing skyscrapers partially submerged in a sparkling ocean. Additionally, Hotel was rated the highest one-shot on this site, so I figured it would be worth my while.  

I still believe it was, but I'm not sure if I'd rate it as highly as others have. The emotional depth of the story is somewhat hindered by an odd and comically poor attempt to feature Keira Knightley (yes, her) as a main character. She's married to a Japanese professor in the manga and ends up doodling all over the hotel's supercomputer. It's admittedly a bit amusing, but the strangeness of the celebrity's inclusion and the clash of slapstick humor with the backdrop of a dying world left me feeling uneasy.  

That said, the story improves considerably once you get past that part. I genuinely appreciated the narrative about the supercomputer's efforts to stabilize its environment and safeguard the last DNA repository on Earth. It's a lovely take on the Noah's Ark concept, and the mangaka effectively illustrates the numerous challenges faced by the AI.  

My other issue is the somewhat condescending symbolism near the end of Hotel. It's not overtly racist, and the artist probably didn't mean any harm, but it might still trouble those who pick up on the underlying implications.  

In conclusion, I did enjoy the one-shot quite a bit. I just think it could have been even better if the author had maintained a more serious tone from the start.

-- [ Hotel by Boichi -- Overall: 9.5/10 ] --  

One Liner: It tells the story of a computer that continues its mission long after humanity has gone extinct. If you ever have to read just one one-shot, Hotel gets my vote without hesitation.  

-- [ Story - 8.5 ] --  

The story is among the most creative and realistic I've encountered. With so many shounen series around, it's refreshing to come across something grounded in reality.  

Hotel depicts the fate of mankind: extinction. Apparently, we've pushed the planet too far. After overusing fossil fuels, humanity triggered a massive greenhouse effect that ultimately eradicated all life on Earth. As a last-ditch effort, humans attempted to preserve DNA by building a computer tasked with safeguarding these strands of life. Hotel chronicles the journey of this computer.  

On the surface, it seems straightforward. And it should be, right? Wrong! I rarely come across stories as emotionally resonant as this one. It's something I'll remember for a long time, yet it remains deceptively simple. The narrative is meticulously detailed, almost like a recollection or memoir rather than a traditional story.  

Since Hotel is a one-shot, I can't delve into how incredible the story unfolds without spoiling it. But suffice it to say, it evokes profound feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and solitude. The emotional depth is remarkable. Hotel challenges us to reflect deeply. It carries significant meaning and lessons within its pages.  

Is this truly what awaits us if we continue abusing the planet? Is it already happening? Sea levels are rising, natural disasters are becoming more frequent, and heat waves are almost commonplace now. It's terrifying. Hotel vividly illustrates just how frightening the future could be—and how powerless we might become.  

I scored it 8.5 due to a minor plot point at the end that I didn't fully grasp. Otherwise, it would easily earn a 9. Not 10 because I desperately wanted more. Additionally, as another reviewer noted, there's some symbolism at the conclusion that may not appeal to everyone. Regrettably, being a one-shot means the story ends sooner than I'd hoped.  

-- [ Art - 8 ] --  

Simplicity reigns supreme here, which is fitting for post-apocalyptic manga. The artwork effectively captures the desolate landscape of an Earth ravaged by human error.  

Every detail is balanced—neither overdone nor lacking. The art conveys a sense of futurism tinged with age, portraying the passage of time remarkably well.  

Can you picture a machine with just a circle for an eye expressing emotion? The art achieves this effortlessly, showcasing its brilliance.  

-- [ Character - 9 ] --  

This category poses a challenge. Why? Because there are only three main characters in the story. Two leave early, leaving one to carry the narrative until the very end—a character difficult to define.  

As a one-shot, elaborate backstories aren't expected. Yet, surprisingly, nearly half of Hotel focuses on developing this lone character. You'll learn their history, motivations, and purpose. What stands out most is how emotions are conveyed. The protagonist grapples with isolation while striving to fulfill their duty to the best of their ability. Their struggle to endure and the sheer awfulness of solitude are palpable.  

The descriptions flow seamlessly from beginning to end, omitting no essential details or making questionable choices. Everything feels well-crafted. By the conclusion, you may even find yourself empathizing with this character.  

Keep in mind, we're discussing a computer here. For once, a manga explores something beyond humans, monsters, or fantastical beings. Moreover, in this sci-fi tale, humans aren't unrealistically advanced; our technology appears akin to what we possess today—no teleportation or other far-fetched concepts.  

-- [ Enjoyment - 9 ] --  

There isn't much joy to derive from a manga depicting the extinction of our species. However, I found immense satisfaction in how everything was presented and the story's apparent realism. Environmental sci-fi narratives are uncommon, making this piece particularly noteworthy.  

It absolutely warrants a re-read—to remind ourselves of the potential consequences should we continue mistreating our planet.  

-- [ Overall - 9.5 ] --  

Hotel ranks among the greatest one-shots I've ever experienced. Typically, one-shots maintain high quality, but Hotel sets new standards. It genuinely, TRULY deserves your attention.

One word: fantastic  
It clearly depicts what humankind is doing to the world: destroying it. Perhaps our generation won't witness it, but this day will undoubtedly come if we continue with this behavior. The story takes place in a time when Earth's destruction is unavoidable. Some people leave for another planet and simultaneously construct a "hotel," a tower controlled by a super-computer containing the DNA of all living beings, except humans. Its mission is to wait until Earth becomes habitable again and then restore all plants and animals. The manga showcases the records of this computer over the years.  
The story is presented in a very "realistic" manner, with beautiful artwork, and hopefully, it will make us reflect on what we are doing to our own home.

A remarkable collection of short stories that stands as an excellent introduction to the artistry of Boichi. Though the tales appear disconnected at first glance, a thematic thread ties them all together. Boichi's ecological and naturalist perspective warns of the perils humanity poses to both the planet and itself, yet it leaves readers with the hope that change is still within our reach. On the surface, this volume may seem like a straightforward dystopian science fiction piece, but it delves deeper into a somber and melancholic view of life and existence. It underscores the necessity of reinstating values that are progressively estranged from humanity. All of this is brought to life with Boichi's powerful artwork and a diverse range of narrative approaches, making Hotel a singular and unforgettable tome.

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Well, that was certainly interesting. To start off, this work is essentially a collection of different stories that still manage to tie back to the original narrative in some way. Some of these stories resonate with me, while others don't. My approach to rating this will be based on the majority—whether most of the stories are good or bad in my opinion. With that said, let's dive into the review.

The first story was a real standout, incredibly engaging and delivering a powerful message. So far, so good. However, chapter 2 begins and it's... average. It's not terrible, but it's also not great—an uneven experience for me. The romance theme here doesn't sit well with me since I consider this a sci-fi piece, and I find romance mangas overly dramatic and cringeworthy. Moving on to the third story, I enjoyed it quite a bit. It probably falls into the "good" tier for me. It was hilarious, definitely an improvement from chapter 2.

Chapter 4, oh boy, they tackle topics I absolutely despise. Instant low score for this one. By this point, I noticed a recurring pattern regarding the love interests of male protagonists—they're always much younger girls, not just a 4-5 year gap, but a teacher-student age difference. Pedophilia at its finest, folks. Maybe the author harbors some questionable preferences. Chapter 4 not only addresses multiple disliked themes but also introduces pedophilic elements present since chapter 1. I'm conflicted about this; chapters 1 and 3 are what keep this collection somewhat respectable. Chapter 5 was odd but I grasped the intended message, thankfully without another pedophilic storyline. Let's tally up the scores:

Chapter 1 = 8  
Chapter 2 = 5  
Chapter 3 = 6  
Chapter 4 = 1  
Chapter 5 = 5  

Overall story score: 6. That's just for the narrative aspect. Now for the final overall assessment:

Story = 6  
Characters = 5  
Art = 5  
Overall = 5  

It's really a shame because chapter 1 was genuinely impressive. If it had been a standalone one-shot, it would have scored an 8 on my scale.

Basically, it's a manga that deserves a solid 10!  

An engaging and incredibly relevant story. Even though it may seem "impossible" in some aspects, it is deeply moving because it reflects the reality we are living in and the future we will face if we continue on this path.  

Just amazing!  

In addition to an exceptional and intelligent plot, Boichi's art is fantastic—worth reading not only for the story but also for the stunning illustrations! Every stroke is executed beautifully.  

And so, I focus more on the first one-shot of the "series," as it is the most striking, but the other four are also very well-crafted and beautiful, just wonderful—the manga is simply wonderful.  

I highly recommend you read it and prepare to cry while doing so! rsrsrsrs  

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