“But now you understand. It’s all a play of hands. I’m not a superhuman beyond the limits of human wisdom. In this world, there’s no such thing as
“But now you understand. It’s all a play of hands. I’m not a superhuman beyond the limits of human wisdom. In this world, there’s no such thing as a superhuman nor an average human.”
If I ever thought that things couldn't get any worse, I was sorely mistaken. I really don't know where things could go from here.
While the themes of the story, especially with the Agency, are resonant and quite beautifully represented, and that always is a huge attractive, the undercurrent of dread and, truly, confusion over everything that is happening was overpowering.
Right now, I just can't think of what is to come next.
In the midst of all that, Aya being such an unexpected great character is a sweet surprise. She really has risen to become one of the characters I want to know more about and see what she is doing. Especially, when she is paired with Bram, as they make an unexpected comedic duo that really brings levity to these gloomy chapters.
Of course, everything is absolutely crazy, but it wouldn't be Bungo Stray Dogs if things weren't nonsensical enough and crazy through and through.
“What on Earth is the Agency? Dazai is just like the others, the ‘ones who manipulate me,’ so what is this feeling? I wanted a home. A home where I could live without being controlled by anyone. Because everyone has to control someone to stay alive. So why? The Agency isn’t utilizing Dazai. And Dazai isn’t taking advantage of the Agency.”
________________
RTC.
Merged review:
“But now you understand. It’s all a play of hands. I’m not a superhuman beyond the limits of human wisdom. In this world, there’s no such thing as a superhuman nor an average human.”
If I ever thought that things couldn't get any worse, I was sorely mistaken. I really don't know where things could go from here.
While the themes of the story, especially with the Agency, are resonant and quite beautifully represented, and that always is a huge attractive, the undercurrent of dread and, truly, confusion over everything that is happening was overpowering.
Right now, I just can't think of what is to come next.
In the midst of all that, Aya being such an unexpected great character is a sweet surprise. She really has risen to become one of the characters I want to know more about and see what she is doing. Especially, when she is paired with Bram, as they make an unexpected comedic duo that really brings levity to these gloomy chapters.
Of course, everything is absolutely crazy, but it wouldn't be Bungo Stray Dogs if things weren't nonsensical enough and crazy through and through.
“What on Earth is the Agency? Dazai is just like the others, the ‘ones who manipulate me,’ so what is this feeling? I wanted a home. A home where I could live without being controlled by anyone. Because everyone has to control someone to stay alive. So why? The Agency isn’t utilizing Dazai. And Dazai isn’t taking advantage of the Agency.”
“I made that wish once. I wanted to show her off. I wanted to tell the bastards that chased her out of the castle, ‘Look. This is Princ
4.5 stars.
“I made that wish once. I wanted to show her off. I wanted to tell the bastards that chased her out of the castle, ‘Look. This is Princess Yona. She hacked off her hair and took up the sword in order to protect this country. She’s the strongest person I know. Feast your eyes on our Princess’. At long last, he probably sees the princess as his equal. Why does he again make my dream come true in the worst possible way imaginable?”
At this point, I've come to accept that Yona of the Dawn is not exactly happy and sunny right now, but I was still not prepared for the heartbreaking pain that this volume would inflict on me.
I've been nursing this feeling of impending doom for a little while, but it feels like said doom is coating every page now, and it really makes it hard to read through every new chapter.
Not to say that the story is not as incredibly compelling and meaningful as it has always been, because it is, and with every new development things only become more and more revelatory and intriguing; maybe it is precisely because of how deep we're on the lore and mystery that everything else feels so highly, deeply fated and claustrophobic.
“In the first place, you say that the princess back then wasn’t good enough, but isn’t it just that you couldn’t see her potential? It’s not that the princess couldn’t do anything. She worked herself to death and made her dormant abilities her own! You chase her away, and once she comes back, you want to selfishly make her ruler now that you can use her?! When will you be done toying with her?!”
While there is so much that I appreciate and down-right adore about this volume, the interactions between Hak and Soo-won take front and center this time around.
Calling emotionally charged what there is between these two would be an understatement, and it certainly does nothing but become more and more complicated, and maybe it's because of exactly that reason that I can never get enough of them.
They certainly know how to always break my heart.
Both of them were so vulnerable and raw, and despite myself, even Soo-won really struck my heartstrings with his parts.
“There is no going back to the childhood memories, when I thought we would be running in the same direction.”
As dark as things can get in this series, and lately they've really been on a roll, I'm grateful to Kusanagi for always sneaking a dash of humor to make everything that little bit more palatable.
Sure, there weren't many occasions for laughter to sprout this time around, but the few situations that lend themselves to it were nothing if not completely hilarious and heartwarming in the most unique of ways.
It just really seems impossible to not find a kernel of enjoyment when I love the characters so dearly.
One thing is for certain, though, I'm not looking forward to continue in this path we've been on lately, even if I am really invested and desperate for things to go back to the happy old days.
“Lineage barely matters. There are even enemies who you feel bowing your head at because after all is said and done, we just happened to be born in different places.”
“The strongest sorcerer in history versus the strongest sorcerer of today. Which of these two men will approach the fight as the chal
4.75 stars.
“The strongest sorcerer in history versus the strongest sorcerer of today. Which of these two men will approach the fight as the challenger? It will all be decided by the first decisive strike.”
Fate really is a cruel mistress, isn't it?
My heart is in my throat and I feel vaguely sick, because the most awaited, most anticipated, most controversial clash is happening and I am utterly terrified of what the results will be.
Can there even be a resolution that I like? I'm not entirely sure at this point.
While the fight certainly lives up to all my expectations, and more, I can hardly appreciate with how apprehensive and worried I am.
This whole arc is nothing if not torture... and I appreciate that the focus is entirely and solely on it.
But can we be done with the significant dates? I would like to enjoy my holidays.
“I want your solitude all for myself. It belongs to no one but me. Because I am the one who will kill you.”
“Don’t you remember? ‘We’ll be able to see something interesting.’ Didn’t I say that?”
I've always been a great defender and lover of threads in
“Don’t you remember? ‘We’ll be able to see something interesting.’ Didn’t I say that?”
I've always been a great defender and lover of threads in a story coming together and remaining important, gaining new significance as a plot progresses and deepens, I am. However, in this particular case, I would have preferred it if that particular thread had been left well alone and not disturbed from its restless slumber ever.
As satisfying and surprising as it was, the pain that particular development inflicted on my soul was too big to be justified.
To make things all the better, the chasm in my stomach has only grown with how absolutely terrible and terrifying things are right now. If I thought things couldn't get any worse, I was seriously mistaken.
Gege truly just wants to see the world burn.
“Then let’s see if you can chew up me and my suffering.”
“You can hear them, right? Their voices inside me. I can’t hear them; or rather, there’s no way I can hear them. After all, once the me
4.5 stars.
“You can hear them, right? Their voices inside me. I can’t hear them; or rather, there’s no way I can hear them. After all, once the merger completes, they become me.”
Only Gege could write such an intense, abrupt, and terrifying change in the story, in the balance of things, and not acknowledge it properly while immediately shifting the focus to other important, yet not as quite as earth-shaking developments.
Not that this was not an excellent, and quite devasting volume.
There was still so much packed into these eight short chapters that it's genuinely hurting my brain. In good ways, painful ways, and exciting ways but it still is a lot to process.
If I ever thought there was a glimmer of hope shining on the horizon, I'm starting to strongly reconsider those ideas now.
“Like Eso, I must fight with grace. Like Kechizu, I must fight freely. And like Yuuji, I must fight with power.”
“Breaking certain patterns can be… challenging. Especially for someone suffering from the disease that afflicts [redacted], me, our entire culture.
“Breaking certain patterns can be… challenging. Especially for someone suffering from the disease that afflicts [redacted], me, our entire culture. We’re addicted to violence.”
This was a surprisingly insightful and lovely issue, all things considered.
Getting to catch up with some old friends and learning a bit more about these characters's motivations is always a delight, especially when they connect with the themes of the story so beautifully.
Honestly, I never thought we would see some of these faces again, so it was a welcomed surprise.
“I realized that – hard as it may be to accept – even someone like [redacted] has people who love her deeply. Executing her only would have brought them gunning for me and everyone else I care about. So instead, I decided to break the cycle.”
“I’m not being carefree about it, and I’m doing all that I can like this. But playing in a match has gotta be fun, right?”
What a pe 4.5 stars.
“I’m not being carefree about it, and I’m doing all that I can like this. But playing in a match has gotta be fun, right?”
What a perfect way to close the story.
After how intense the whole of this last match had been, that last rise to glory was everything I could have expected from it, made all the more impactful by the proper send-off of the themes of the story woven in between.
Even if a bit cheesy at times, the heart and soul that each of the characters brought to the final game, after everything that had transpired became heartfelt and romantic and a lot more fun.
“You know, it’s true that there are things that do and don’t suit people. But there are no sports that are fun from the get-go. Sometimes you have to stick with it and see.”
While there is always a star in every team, and Kagami and Kuroko's value and growth cannot be underestimated or dismissed, seeing everyone on the team help have a moment on the spotlight was probably one of my favorite things to see. Maybe not all of them stayed long, but they were all indispensable.
As for characters in particular, I have to say that Akashi surprised me the most, as finally getting some depth into his character really helped me understand him more. Even though most of his character arc is handled... loosely the explanation is solid enough that I can appreciate, and like his character by the end, and that alone is a great fit.
The role that each of the new and old characters, including the ones not playing, took at this late stage in the game was a very fun and interesting puzzle to see unravel.
“Kagami-kun, why don’t you give up for once? I don’t mean to give up on the match. I meant, give up fighting on your own. I think that was too heavy a burden for you to shoulder. Even though we said we’d trust you, so if that’s the case, then why not let me help you carry that burden?”
In the end, this final goodbye felt quite perfect for the story at large, and I feel quite satisfied with it.
Then, we have to ask, is it a perfect ending? No, there are things I would have loved to see more of, and a bit more time spent with the closing statements would have felt less abrupt, but it completed the arguments that had been explored from the beginning of the very first chapter and did not leave any loose threads, and that is a win in my book.
If in the future there was ever more content created for this series, I would gladly welcome it, but I can rest peacefully with what we have right here, even if I'll miss this story.
“It’s not like this is the end of everything. In fact, it’s only the beginning. From now on, we’ll be able to fight as many times as we want. We can play the basketball we love as much as we want, from now on…”
“If they keep it up till the bitter end, as long as Seirin doesn’t have their wills completely crushed, basketball isn’t a sport where you can turn
“If they keep it up till the bitter end, as long as Seirin doesn’t have their wills completely crushed, basketball isn’t a sport where you can turn it around with just one blow, but even so, as long as they don’t give up, then the possibility will never be 0%”
This has certainly been an intense, emotional game.
While the start of this set of volumes was very low seeing the determination, courage, and persistence with which Seirin rose to the challenge was quite inspiring. Truly, we start to see the peak of everything they have worked so hard for, and the satisfaction is real.
Seirin's greatness is made all the more impressive when we take into account the stark contrast that Rakuzan, especially Akashi have with the way they do things. Making for quite an interesting and dynamic experience.
Even if there are low moments, the strong thread of fight and hope is refreshing and inspiring to see bloom.
Above all, seeing Kagami and Kuroko rise to the occasion and trust each other so much will always be a highlight for me.
“[…] Basketball players practice every day without rest. To carry out super plays. But before that, they shoot normally, and score normally for that very reason.”
“Everyone’s gonna stick together, right? Because we all love basketball, right? So we’ll always be friends, right?!”
Oh gosh, that was a rough se
“Everyone’s gonna stick together, right? Because we all love basketball, right? So we’ll always be friends, right?!”
Oh gosh, that was a rough set of volumes; and one that has left me with a jawning, gaping pit in my stomach.
The first volume of the set was nothing if not devastatingly sad and terribly awful to see. While things were in a tight spot in the previous volume, the way everything devolves in this, and the speed at which everything crumbles, is just dizzying.
As much as we knew how things were bound to end, seeing it all happen was even more unpleasant than I could have guessed.
Naturally, I would have hoped that the second volume was a bit cheerier, but while it was not depressing, the oppressing aura and tone of it does nothing to alleviate the sense of doom and discomfort, it just exchanges them for a different version.
While Seirin remains a beacon in the middle of the storm, their light seems to be dwarfed by shadows right now.
“Your team’s strong. But all you’re doing is winning games, right? It’s like you don’t feel anything at all. Ain’t there something more important than winning or losing?”
“I can’t stop Eren. I don’t think anyone can. All I can do is keep my promise to him.”
While the first volume of this spin-off manga was center
“I can’t stop Eren. I don’t think anyone can. All I can do is keep my promise to him.”
While the first volume of this spin-off manga was centered around Annie, this second volume is all about Mikasa.
It certainly was a fun, nuanced look into the character, putting her in a different light that helps reveal other aspects of her personality that perhaps get buried in the main series. Even if the setting was a but unique.
Honestly, I feel like I learned more about Eren than I truly did about Mikasa; which is not a bad thing, just not exactly what I was expecting to get based on the cover.
Really, the take is psychological and interesting, and allowed me to see some things more clearly, even if they were not particularly revelatory in nature.
“I don’t get it. I don’t get any of it. My life is full of things I don’t get. I’d been forced to do what seemed like meaningless marti
3.5 stars.
“I don’t get it. I don’t get any of it. My life is full of things I don’t get. I’d been forced to do what seemed like meaningless martial arts training for as long as I could remember, then I was sent here. Now, I’m just trying to carry out my mission. And what has that brought about? And tomorrow, I’m sure, I’ll find my hands stained by even more blood.”
What an excellent character study of Annie Leonhart.
As far as side stories go, this one was absolutely delightful. Funny, insightful, entertaining, and engaging in all the right ways to make you feel closer to Annie's character.
The way that the story utilized every component of it smartly enough to flesh out her character without making it overly obvious or overbearing, subtle and yet poignant, makes this complementary material quite the worthy read; and so easy and enjoyable that it will never feel like a lose.
Plus, the art was just perfect for setting the ambiance and giving some levity with its versatile style, going from adorable to very grungy and serious without a flaw.
I could have read much more with this art style.
As an Annie fan, this was the perfect little story to get to understand her character a little bit more.
“Except, unless I’m doing something, I start thinking about tomorrow, and get depressed. So, for the time being, I’ll amuse myself by playing soldier.”
“So yes, this is certainly our strongest team ever. A rare lineup of pure talent. Our experienced third-years make for a deep bench. W
4.25 stars.
“So yes, this is certainly our strongest team ever. A rare lineup of pure talent. Our experienced third-years make for a deep bench. We’ve got a manager who excels at scouting. And our surprising sixth man. This team cannot lose! And that’s not just confidence. It’s an assurance!”
Well, this wasn't foreboding in the least. Nope. It was all so happy and cute. That's it.
Getting to see so much of a past that had been shrouded in mystery for so long was one of the best things ever. It starts out so wholesome and cute, so unlike everything we've been led to assume, with Aomine and Kuroko's friendship and seeing these kids, the whole Generation of Miracles, meet and form bonds that will be so bent and contorted by the end of it all but will remain.
Knowing how things are in the present time really casts an emotional element to the whole ordeal.
I appreciate this arc a lot, I wanted to see it so badly, but the rising tension and familiar elements make everything slightly unnerving and uncomfortable, even through the precious smiles.
“What they felt was pressure. Because for Teiko players, winning was a requirement. And most of the crowd and media expected nothing less. If, against all odds, they lost, the criticism would be swift and harsh. Losing would be unacceptable. Even struggling would be unthinkable. For the strongest team out there, the pressure to win was unimaginable.”
“Not yet! I can’t give up! Falling down is nothing to be ashamed of, the only shame would be in not getting up again!”
Finally getting to see Ki
“Not yet! I can’t give up! Falling down is nothing to be ashamed of, the only shame would be in not getting up again!”
Finally getting to see Kise for a little while was so nice, and it showcases how he really is the strongest player, despite everything else. I just wish we had more of him more often.
The whole game between Seirin and Kaijo, while not revolutionary, has been really fun to see, and considering how much respect both teams have towards each other, specially Kagami, Kuroko, and Kise it sparks a different kind of dynamic than most of the other games have had.
It was refreshing.
However, if there was one thing that made me raise my eyebrows was that for a while now, a focal topic of the series has been to have fun with the game, to enjoy it, and that being the most valuable part, how there's no point in winning otherwise, which is a view I really like and appreciate. However, Rakuzan seems to immediately go against that key tenet, which is an interesting conflict, but does not endear them to my heart.
Seeing the state of things, I'm curious to see how all of this will end.
“I don’t care about villains or heroes or anything like that. Crap like that only decides the outcome of fairy tales. This is our play! And we’re writing the script!”
“A split second. An eternity. Into the breach. Across the brink. A micron. Wide. Deep as forever. Of all our infinite possibilities.
3.75 stars.
“A split second. An eternity. Into the breach. Across the brink. A micron. Wide. Deep as forever. Of all our infinite possibilities. These are but two. The pattern is always different. The pattern is always the same.”
After the chilling and intense ride that was Illuminae I was more than ready to see how things would develop, and getting to see it in an almost direct continuation made the experience all the better.
While Gemina doesn't quite reach the levels of bone-chilling suspense and desperation that its predecessor achieved, its own undeniable charm and fast-paced thrill assure that the sequel lives up to the hype of the original and uphold its legend.
Fun, action-packed, intense, and cute are apt descriptors for the second installment in this fun space survival novel and set it down to be remembered for posterity.
“He smiles at her like he’s not tired at all, he’s not wearing another man’s blood under his suit, like all he wanted in life was to catch a glimpse of her.”
The strongest part of this story is, without a doubt, its characters.
Each and every one of them was so well written, had depth, and was so filled with personality, even the villains, that it was quite enjoyable and delightful to read. However, its protagonists, Hanna, and Nik shone the brightest from between them all.
Nik's complicated and turbulent history was a great source of mystery and strife, and it certainly blended well with Hanna's more innocent rebellion and deep love and bond for her father. They played with each other so well and created such an interesting dynamic that I always had a great time when they interacted. Plus, they just play of some of my favorite tropes.
Seeing all the characters interact and move the plot so organically will never get old.
From villain to hero everyone accomplished their role in the story to perfection and created quite the eye-catching and blood-pumping sequence of events.
“There’s this moment. This tiny moment. In between the time you decide to pull a trigger and the time the death arrives. There’s just you and it and everything you’re about to take away. It’s too big. It goes forever.”
While I enjoyed the characters and their dynamics immensely I am sad to say that some elements of the plot just didn't make sense to me, and they killed the flow of the story, the intensity that had built through the beginning of the book, and the weight of the events happening so effectively is actually discouraging.
The whole Gemina aspect of it all just seemed to cheapen the plot as a whole to me. For one, it came quite out of nowhere and made a complicated situation that was already intense enough just too convoluted to be rendered meaningless. If there had been some more foreshadowing for it, I think it would have been a much more enjoyable element, but hitting from the left field did nothing for the story.
On the other hand, it is clear to me that a feeling of confusion and dissonance was intended to be created through some very sci-fi-ish methods... that missed the mark by a field. The only thing they accomplished was making me uninterested in the twists and distrustful of anything; by the end, I did not care about any of it anymore. It is doubly sad to see as they had a perfectly interesting and logical way of introducing those elements to the story without making things too complicated.
To add insult to injury, one of the most intriguing plot points ended up not adding to anything and being just a red herring and a waste of investment, leaving me with a rather disappointed taste in my mouth.
While these elements made the story certainly more convenient, sci-fi-ish, and easier to resolve, easy does not always mean better and that shows.
“The thing about bumblebees, you big bad wolf, is that five hundred years ago they were nearly wiped out. It would have been a catastrophe. But they hung on, and they survived. Wolves, on the other hand, did not.”
Now, while this may make it sounds as if I did not enjoy the book, that could not be further from the truth. Yes, it was not a perfect story, but it was enjoyable and thrilling for most of its run, and that is quite sufficient. Plus, great characters will go a long way to mend the broken gates the plot left.
At the end of the day, Gemina was quite an appropriate and good continuation for the series, and while it did not surpass its predecessor it does holds true to its nature and sits cozily in the confines of this universe.
My only regret upon finishing it was the inability to continue spending time with its fascinating cast.
“They can do together what they weren’t sure they could do alone.”
_____________
Alright, that was fun.
I liked it. Though I had some issues with it.
Leaving that aside, I did have a lot of fun with this second installment and I need to know what happens next, so that's a good sign.
RTC. _____________
Honestly, I don't why it took me so long to finally pick this book up, but I'm excited to continue with this series.
While Illuminae greatly disturbed me (oh, that's why I hadn't continued it), I'm way too obsessed with this world. I'm braced, this time around, for all the elements that disquiet and unnerve me.
The only thing I know about this book, and that makes me a bit sad, is the fact that we have a whole new cast. I really wanted to see the previous cast again; alas, I'm looking forward to meeting the new characters....more
“That’s not like you. If you’re content with leaving things unknown, how can we ever expect to defeat the titan
10/5 emotionally charged stars.
“That’s not like you. If you’re content with leaving things unknown, how can we ever expect to defeat the titans? When will we ever know enough to face our enemies?”
Brutal, devastating, life-changing, are some of the words that come unbidden to my mind when I think about this section of the story. Chills run down my spine, my heart squeezes between an inch of itself, and awe feels every last space of my being all in a rush by the mere memories.
If there ever was a set of volumes to call a masterpiece, this is the one I would point out to.
From beginning to end, there's not a single moment where my brain wasn't being fried with information and with so much meaning and thought through it all. Even the quiet, still moments are filled with impact and meaning. There's no respite, there's no hiding, there's no salvation, we're right there with the characters through it all.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
“That’s absolutely right. It doesn’t make a single difference. No matter what dreams or hopes you may have, no matter what kind of blissful life you’ve led until now, what happens to your body when it gets crushed by a rock is the same. Everyone dies sooner or later. Does that mean all life is meaningless? Was the fact that you were ever born meaningless from the start? Would you say the same of your dead comrades? Were those soldiers’ lives meaningless? No, they weren’t! And our fight gives meaning to those soldiers’ lives! Those brave fallen men and women! Those poor fallen men and women! The only ones who can remember them are us, the living! So we will die here, and trust the meaning of our lives to the next generation! That is the sole way we can revel against this cruel world! My soldiers! Rage! My soldiers! Scream! MY SOLDIERS! FIGHT!”
Seeing the way that Isayama describes and portrayed war in these volumes was chilling, creepy, and crushing. He does not diminish its horror, and the honest view of both sides of the conflict, the familiar faces, the resonant themes make all the events a devastating, oppressive cloud hanging overhead.
It is nothing if not impressive and humbling to witness.
Witnessing the maturity and growth that the characters have had, putting their mettle to the test, and gaining a deeper understanding of them will never be tiresome; especially, with characters that feel so human and raw, and thus so easy to love and burrow deep into my heart.
“I have people I wish I could bring back, too. Hundreds of them. Ever since I joined the Survey Corps, every day has brought a new farewell. But, you understand, don’t you? Everyone you meet will be parted from you one day. I know it’s difficult to accept. It’s hard to stay sane, living like that. It’s painful. So painful. I know that. But, even so, we need to move forward.”
Even though the emotional impact is what first comes to mind when thinking about this set,
the twist that was revealed does not go unnoticed at all.
I am still reeling from it.
Such a deep twist, one that accomplishes what this one is doing, is not an easy thing to do, much less making it feel so right and substantiated by previous happenings and information as this one does.
What will it mean for the future? is the question permeating everything now, and I suspect, only time will tell.
“Who was in the wrong? Me? Or this world? It was probably both. I was foolish and ignorant, and the world was unfair and insane.”