Brilliant short stories     Dec 27, 2007     reviewed by Margaret    

When I first read Adachi I was put off because of the art: the faces just looked weird to me and I didn't like it. At the urging of my brother I tried again and now I love his work. Everything I have read of his is great, but the short stories are particularly good (and his only work available in English). This would be worth buying just to try to get more Adachi published in English, but even if this were the only thing he had written it would be worth owning.

All the other manga short stories I have read are mini versions of long series - cute but with a tiny conflict that you can overcome in 30-40 pages. Adachi's stories aren't like this at all. In many stories it's as though he tells part of a longer story, but he starts and stops at just the right places so it is brilliant. I love his characters - they are very real and very sweet. A lot of the stories are romances, but they are sweet and interesting, not mushy. I think there is only one story in both volumes that doesn't do much for me, but I like the others so much that I can't imagine giving it anything but 5 stars.

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Most unknown, underrated series     Jun 08, 2007     reviewed by Itachi    

Mitsuru Adachi is as well known as Rumiko Takahashi in Japan (creator of Ranma, Inuyasha, Lum, etc..). Both are just about the classic top-sellers in Japanese history, having sold tens of millions in Japan alone. Short Program is a wonderful series of 1 to 2-chapter short stories of love and adventure artfully and entertainingly woven in classic Adachi manner. What is wonderful about Adachi's work is that his art style is deceivingly simple while his stories seem simple as well, though are oftentimes emotionally complicated. Unlike so many other artists, you don't really know what is behind each character's enigmatic smile. Each chapter gives you a little punch at the end, and leaves things resolved yet with still a bit left to the readers' imaginations. This manga may at first seem like it is shojo, but it is not. Adachi really only does shonen titles. I have loaned male friends this manga and a few of his other manga, and they loved it. Female friends as well. It's amazing how everyone seems to become enraptured by his work. Short Program, in all, is a wonderful introduction into Adachi's mind and manga world. I assure you that the twists and turns will be enjoyed, and each story will make you feel a little warmer. Short Program originally ran in Viz's short-lived Animerica Extra. It was my greatest hope that this serialization would have led to more releases from Adachi, but alas, that is something that has not happened. I can only assume it's because Short Program isn't as widely known, and it's a very sad fact. Please give this manga by one of the best-known and loved manga artists of all time a chance!!!

Itachi also recommended: I's, Honey and Clover, Touch, Kare Kano,
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