Customer Reviews

Challengers, Vol. 3

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sorry, I'm a fan, but I kept this volume by my side for three whole days after finally getting it. It's rather a downer for Kurokawa/Tomoe fans, as not much action or development happens bewteen, but those looking forward to Tyrant Who Fell in Love it's a MUST HAVE, of course. We get to figure out what happened that mysterious "year ago". It was totally better than what I expected! So, yeah, I liked it for the better last half. So I give it 5 stars.

I admit it. I have yet to find volume one of Challengers. I have volume 2 on its way but that didn't stop me from tearing in to Challengers volume 3 when it came in the mail earlier. And why? It's got nothing to do with Tomoe and Kurokawa. It's all about Souichi (Tomoe's gay bashing older brother) and his friend Morinaga. I've already read The Tyrant Who Fell In Love, the later work which features the two of them. So I got Challengers just to see the beginning of their relationship. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed Challengers volume 3 anyway.
The artwork here is not quite as nice as in Tyrant but it's still very good. I really like Takanaga's airy illustrations. They do remind me a little of Loveless (and not just because Souichi looks an awful lot like Soubi having a temper tantrum) with all of the very fine linework.
Storywise, I suppose I might have been disappointed if I were coming to this book looking for a major plot involving Tomoe and Kurokawa. They are after all the main characters of the manga last time I checked. They're given a bit of play in the first third or so of the book before Souichi comes dashing in to ruin his younger brother's love life. The argument between him and Reiko, Kurokawa's mother, is completely over the top and comically violent. Everything I would expect from him. At times the craziness reminded me of Gravitation. Some of the illustrations even look similar in style. From there Souichi pretty much carries the story away with him. Not that I'm complaining since he takes it back to his relationship (or lack thereof) with Morinaga. And yes, I finally got to find out what happened between the two of them before Tyrant. That alone put a big ole happy smile on my face and kept it there through the rest of the book. We do return to Tomoe and Kurokawa for a few brief snatches and for a short story at the end which I really liked too. Also be aware there isn't any sex in this book. Just a few lead up shots but that's where it ends. So definitely not yaoi.
All in all a good book. I'm glad I bought it and I'll definitely be picking up some more of Hinako Takanaga's work. She's got a really beautiful art style with a lot of fine lines and some of the nicest eyes I've seen. Plus the stories are entertaining all on their own, sex or no sex. The characters aren't so cookie cutter as many I've seen.

This is a really hilarious one! Love therapy! XD ... and Angel-kun's love confession!!!! this is a great story that becomes better and better while it goes on!!!