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Monday, 22 January 2007 |
 | | ▪ | PUBLISHED BY: | | SEVEN SEAS | | | ▪ | ART/AUTHOR: | | CARMELA “SHIEI” DONEZA / ADAM ARNOLD | | | | ▪ | FORMAT/COLOR: | | JAPANESE FORMAT / BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 192 | | | ▪ | RATED: | | 16+ | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 12/06/2006 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 01/23/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
The clever manga-homage comedy is back. No anime series is safe from parody, no manga title free from spoofing! Adam Arnold has given readers an ingenious series that gives praise to manga, anime and the otaku lifestyle while respectfully having fun with it in a no-holds barred manner that is immensely enjoyable.
In this second volume, Alex and Sandy are still trying to survive the roller-coaster ride that life at AOI House brings. Alex must keep to the bet lost in the last volume and go out on a date with Carlo. During it, the presence of the mysterious character known only as “Oniisan” (big brother) is shown but the identity still unrevealed. Who is this character that can command the insane and normally uncontrollable female members of the house? Next we discover the magic and mayhem that happens when Alex lets his hair down - literally! Afterwards, the girls engage in some movie making fun which turns into a break out rapid succession of anime parodies, so many you’ll have a fun time catching them all! Finally the show ends on some Christmas holiday cheer. However, one of the girls has realized her feelings for Alex run far deeper than that of friends. On a surprising heart tugging cliff-hanger, you’ll have to wait until the next volume to find out how that love triangle plays out.
Ever engaging, hilariously entertaining, AOI House is a series that stops at nothing to keep the reader laughing. It follows one clever quip and side step with another. There are so many references to various anime and manga such as Revolutionary Girl Utena, Gundam, Chrono Crusade, Final Fantasy, and so many more that you could have a game right there of trying to catch them all. There are even some Western references to cult hits and popular series such as Charmed, Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The art work by Shiei also captures the pure essence of the manga art style beautifully.
Bonus features of the book include character introductions, an “AOI House: Chibified!” character gallery, a fan art gallery, “The Lost Scene”, notes from the author on the print edition (this was first published as a web manga), and AOI Notes which hold insights into the making of the series, behind the scenes, and features early character sketches.
IN SUMMARY:
AOI House is the book every manga fan needs to read! It proves there is no such thing a having too much fun. |
