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I”S (VOL. 12) [ADVANCE REVIEW] |
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Sunday, 25 February 2007 |
 | | ▪ | PUBLISHED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | ART/AUTHOR: | | MASAKAZU KATSURA | | | | ▪ | FORMAT/COLOR: | | JAPANESE FORMAT / BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 200 | | | ▪ | RATED: | | T+ | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 03/06/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 02/26/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN |
In Room 305, a convergence is about to take place. A powerful force is at work that may bring about a titanic moment of truth for Ichitaka, a high school graduate sharing this room with Iori, a young idol who has been the love of his life. It is not whether Iori squeezes the toothpaste from the middle or the end that may decide things. No, it is whether Ichitaka can ever do something that will stop readers of I”S, the compelling romantic comedy by Masakazu Katsura, creator of VIDEO GIRL AI, from shouting at the beautifully illustrated pages in sexually frustrated horror. Yes, being a romantic comedy, you will get lots of laughs in this story. But watching Ichitaka wrestle with his libido and sense of propriety is enough to make Gandhi lose it. Katsura-san is a master of this narrative style, and plays it to perfection here. So, if you loved VIDEO GIRL AI, you will find everything that made that wonderful manga so great in this story too.
As noted, Ichitaka’s greatest dream may have come true in the first pages of I”S. However, while Ichitaka may be on holiday with his school friends, and may be assigned a room with his love, the gorgeous starlet Iori, the presence of his buddies and rivals will guarantee he won’t get a break. The keen sense of the awkwardness that exists among young male and female adults stumbling their way through that first true love experience is captured with finesse by Katsura as these young lovers try to keep their modesty and hormones in check in the shower and the bedroom. Yet, when halfway through the manga at the point you may think ‘it’ is going to happen, the biggest let down for Ichitaka takes place. No. It isn’t what you think. Ichitaka and Iori’s appetite for love is let down by nothing else than Ichitaka’s hungry stomach, which growls loudly at precisely the worst moment. So, it’s off to get snacks just as Izumi, who has had a wild crush on Ichitaka passes behind him in the background. This is really bad news. Izumi has crashed the party with Kida, a fan of Iori’s with darkness in his heart for any man who get between him and her. When they contrive to have their respect quarry assigned to their rooms on the second night, you know this is not going to end well.
Once again, the artwork shines in this book. Katsura draws women gorgeously. They look like manga characters, but have a naturally Japanese feel to them that leaves you with the feeling, when studying the paintings on the front and back covers that if you met Iori or Izumi on the street, they would not seem out of place. Not many artists can conjure up character designs that good. Further creating the illusion is Katsura’s wonderful use of screen tone, which brings out forms with amazing realism in this printing format. His set designs are carefully observed, and his landscapes are awesome. If there is a knock, it is that the indecisiveness of Ichtitaka really does wear the reader down after a while, just as it became very frustrating towards the end of VIDEO GIRL AI. One can only assume, though, that when Ichitaka finally gets a break, and finally decides what he needs to do, things will get very interesting, as they also did in the final volumes of that story. Certainly, by the end of Volume 12, you will certainly be cheering for him, because this guy really needs help.
There are few extras in this manga beyond advertising for other Viz titles. There is a gallery of Katsura’s girl art, done just for this work. The images are wonderful, further showcasing this talented artist’s abilities. Only one further item of note, however, and that is about the Mature Content advisory on the cover. Remember this is a romantic comedy about young adults, and it is written for such an audience. While nothing really explicit is shown, there is some nudity and some mature situations that may make those people who still think manga (comics) are just for kids think twice before going any further with this sensitive and amusing story.
IN SUMMARY:
I”S Volume 12 is a solidly written and breathtakingly illustrated work of manga that will appeal to fans of great art and classic Japanese romantic comedies. Older teen angst mixed with romantic crushes, showbiz politics and confused loyalties keep the pages turning fast in the latest volume of this story by the creator of VIDEO GIRL AI. |
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