Battle Angel Alita is among the best     Jun 04, 2007     reviewed by hdefined    
(Battle Angel Alita Vol. 02: Tears of an Angel)

How could this series have eluded me for this long? Any fan of manga should invest in Battle Angel Alita. Even if they’re not big on action, Alita’s got plenty of character development and drama to spare. Set in a dynamic backdrop that’s a cross between Star Wars locales and Bladerunner science, the world of Alita just clicks. It’s got something of a formula between volumes, but one that’s flexible enough to offer real change in each episode.

This time out, Alita thinks she might be in love with an idealistic youth named Hugo. Though Alita falls for this kid right off the bat, what’s admirable about her infatuation for him is that she’s inspired by his enthusiasm for life. What could have easily devolved into melodramatic soap instead takes the time to explore themes of what it means to be human through the separate desires of Hugo and Alita. Oh, and there’s action and double-crosses and spine-stealing and lots of death too. It’s a lot of content for 200+ pages with a distinct beginning and conclusion, which is rather unusual for the typical manga product.

If words and the effort of reading images in a sequence makes your eyes glaze over (to which I may ask, why are you browsing a manga website?), BAA is still a must-have for the amazing art. The amount of detail in each character in each panel seems to borrow a cue from western art with similarities to a Vertigo-era Chris Bachalo, although Kishiro still demonstrates eastern storytelling sensibilities. But the art is just too dynamic to the point that I feel I ought to be paying double the cover price. Why don’t artists, east or west, put this much effort into every single panel anymore?

I can tell this is hardly the most essential chapter in this series, and yet it’s still a must-have. This is what comics are supposed to be, folks.

This review was originally published online at www.mangalife.com. It can be found here: http://www.mangalife.com/reviews/BattleAngelAlitav2Tearsofa.htm

hdefined also recommended: Akira,
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One of the most brilliant series I've ever read     Nov 21, 2008     reviewed by Emichii    

This was one of the first mangas I read and it was AMAZING. Even now after collecting manga and anime like crazy for the past seven years I have yet to find more then two series I would stick in the same leauge as Battle Angel Alita.

The story is quite original, taking place in a world that is now only a junkyard ruled by a floating paradise which is connected o the eath by giant cables. The main character a cyborg named Alita who has lost all of her memories but has the ability to fight amazingly decided to become a bounty hunter. Alita's adventures with the people of the junkyard and the search for her memories keeps you coming back for more as with each volume it takes you closer and closer to the city in the sky.

The story has lot's of amazing plot twists and it's qrotesque artwork and dark humor leave the story wanting for nothing. Alita's famous blood streaks under the eyes set the mood for this high action tragedy.

There were two prints of this series. I, fortunatly, was able to read the original at my local library. JM doesn't have the original in stock because they were discontinued BUT for someone who has the original printing, all 7 volumes could sell them for a fairly good price. Since they were printed when manga wasn't so main strem in America they're the larger higher quality types. You would be able to tell them part from the newer ones since the 2nd printing has them in the normal Tokyopop,ShonenJump,ShojoBeat size.

Over all just 5stars all around.

Emichii also recommended: Beserk, Battle Royal,
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