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rnbhargava's reviews
408 reviews
Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 8 by Hiromu Arakawa
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 7 by Hiromu Arakawa
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, Vol. 10 by Haro Aso
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This volume was a lot of fun, the conclusion of Millionaire of the Dead was quite clever. Geisha of the Dead was fun in a slightly surprising emotional way. I look forward to the additional parts of Pilgrimage of the Dead which has an intriguing cliffhanger but fun starting content. This series is far from groundbreaking but I’ve been enjoying it every part of the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Gaslighting
It has zombies, zombies get killed, people get killed, others do awful things to each other. It’s still a post-apocalyptic comedy. Our leads are pretty good to one another. It’s a lot of fun.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 6 by Hiromu Arakawa
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume really hits with the repercussions of the events of the volume before it yet it’s not entirely emotional and event fallout. There are new characters that keep certain things light though we don’t know their intentions fully yet. The handling with kids gloves approach that many characters have toward the Elric brothers in here makes the events here all the more impactful. Can’t wait for what’s next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
This volume deals mostly with the grief surrounding a key moment from prior volumes. The main characters are forced to grow up a bit because of it. There’s an interesting approach to that here. Well worth the read though it does feel a bit like a transitional volume leading to further big impact events.
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 3 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This series just keeps getting better. The series plot really deepens and picks up, especially regarding the antagonists and certain aspects of adult characters. I liked how this volume brought to light inequalities within the witch world and further showed how institutional power works for witches. The importance of knowledge and creativity remains at the fore of this adventure. Can’t wait to get more volumes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
There are light fantasy horror elements present in this volume. Keep in mind though this manga series remains very suitable for most kids.
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 2 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A lot happens here, frankly this series just keeps getting better
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
This books is actually quite light. Bad things do happen to the characters at times but then they persevere and learn something new. There are villains that are kind of lurking in the background. The worldbuilding and characterizations are top notch. I’m definitely keeping reading this series. It just keeps getting better.
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 1 by Kamome Shirahama
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This first volume is fantastic. The half point off is for the information dumps. I don’t find them overwhelming but some might. If you like something that’s like entering magical world but with a Studio Ghibli-esque sensibility.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Violence, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
There isn’t any death but arguably what is there might be just as or more traumatic than death. A certain character acts cruel toward our protagonist but she is ultimately too friendly to really get angry at this other character. There is an antagonistic presence in this volume but it’s more like a riff on the “old crone” possibly mixed with the “old mentor” trope if I read the story queue’s right. I’m excited to read more.
Fire Force Omnibus 3 (Vol. 7-9) by Atsushi Ohkubo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This volume kicks the action up quite a bit. The connections between characters are really solidifying. The new characters brought in are great, complete with their own unique emotional backstories. I like that there’s still so much for us to be suspicious of even characters that are likeable. The worldbuilding remains very strong. I just keep liking it more and more. You just gotta give into a lot of the pseudoscience in their firefighting techniques too. It leads to some inventive fights.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The villains are a fictional religious extremist sect having to do with Fire power practice. There is friend betrayal during key moments. Some of the characters feel less than capable at points. Evil doubling/character foil is a trope in this book. Mind the “fan service” with female characters as usual.
Fire Force Omnibus 2 (Vol. 4-6) by Atsushi Ohkubo
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed Omnibus 2 of Fire Force, we get a lot more world building and character additions but it still feels like we’re just scratching the surface. We meet members of other Fire Force Squads and how they relate to our main characters. We also learn about what forces play upon each of them. The storylines and cliffhangers in this volume kept me on the edge of my seat. Same drawbacks from the first omnibus are still evident in this second omnibus volume. Those being things like distracting “fan service” and certain characters acting illogically just because that’s their archetype’s function. Overall though, still loving this series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, and Murder
The villains are kind of religious cult coded. There are aggressive tensions between Fire Force Squads. One character manipulates the affection that a female character has for them in order to gather potential child victims. Many characters, even some our protagonist’s squad trusts potentially have duplicitous intentions. Those in power taking undue advantage of their position is not unexpected in this manga.
Fire Force Omnibus 1 (Vol. 1-3) by Atsushi Ohkubo
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I quite liked volume 1 omnibus of Fire Force. The characters are quite fun but are mostly united by different fire related tragedies. The mystery of the infernals is a strong hook. The worldbuilding with the structure of the different Fire Force Squads complete with parent organizations with diverging intents is quite unique. Then, the ways that each Fire Force member’s individual intentions for joining the ranks of this profession is informed by their histories is well done. The art is stunning. I’ve got the next two omnibus volumes already lined up. Will definitely continue onward.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Be wary of “fan service” type groping or nudity. The concept of the series deals with spontaneous human combustion so the trauma of that is omnipresent. Also, any other friends and family members killed by fire are a major focus.