Customer Reviews

Doll -Softcover Volume 1

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
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Androids are a common icon in science-fiction; crafted in the image of man, they're fascinating and frightening, and all too often used in the story of machine revolt. But deep down, we understand that we are their creators to begin with, and were the first to be corrupt. So what do they see in a world that only emotionless beings look upon?

Doll, written and illustrated by Mitsukazu Mihara, is a dark, twisted anthology that dives into the darkest parts of humanity. In these tales, the stories follow the lives of maid servants called Dolls, and their owners. Both frightening and beautiful, these androids are programmed by the SG Corp, the top manufacturer of Dolls, to serve mankind. In this world, Remodellers, who illegally change the dolls for, 'specific needs' rule the underground, people who appear normal are secretly insane, and the most powerful words you will hear in these books are, 'That's an Order.'

In the spirit of the Twilight Zone, the stories can be counted on to deal with dark topics. This is pulled off with very deep characters, no matter how few their appearances and actions, an eerie art style, and the Gothic Lolita costumes that most characters are donned in. The endings can be anywhere from heart warming to tear-jerking to downright terrifying, so there's no telling where you'll end up once you begin.

And though they appear to be a series of shorts, these tales are slowly tying together into a dark, shocking, and complex story. Among the most noted characters are the Kirishima's, the creators of the prototype Dolls, a remodeller named Ichiro, and his nameless assistant. Remember, no one is who they seem in this series, so as time goes on, more is revealed about the world of Dolls and the impact it has on their lives.

Now, as a warning, these books are VERY intense. The stories are disturbing and twisted, and some of the people in these books are so evil it will make you sick. A warning especially towards the 3rd book, the only one with an M rating, for a very good reason. There is gore, violence, sexual content, and frightening images. So if you can't handle this sort of thing, then this is a series you should avoid. If not, then I can guarantee that you're in for a twisted, psychological trip that turns out into one of the most shocking endings you'll ever see. Doll isn't just a manga; it's a fictional triumph.

Even though DOLL is classified as science fiction, and the doll (rather like androids) theme is strong throughout, that's not the main focus.
It's divided into six different stories, each one involving many of the sadder aspects and emotions of human life. If you want to be cheered up, this manga won't do that for you, although I don't think it would make you sad, either. Since it deals with the way people can grow (or be torn) apart, and the voids and obessions resulting from that, it's very thought-provoking and unique. The difference between the tired, angry, sad, or blank expressions of humans (although there is some happiness too) and the long-lashed concern of dolls is fascinating.
DOLL doesn't preach; it Questions. When a human cares for nothing but a doll, and a doll cares for its (her? his?) and others' safety and happiness, who really is humane? And what makes us different from anything else, anyway?
Maybe after reading DOLL you'll find some answers.

One of my favorite mangas. These individual stories revolving around the droids known as "dolls" are highly enjoyable and often deep, meaningful, as well as macabre. Though the later volumes are not as good as the first, I am amazed at how the mangaka is able to create a great variety of compelling and thoughtful tales around a single subject.

Being a fan of sci-fi robots I decided to give Doll a try. And I found a great manga of robot stories which are touching, warm and sometimes tragic. They are lovers, mothers and sometimes the mirrors that allow us to see the truth within outselves. After all, robots can't lie, no matter how much we lie to ourselves. Great artwork and nice stand alone stories. Already have the second volume and enjoy that one too!

Doll is an anthology of robot stories that show people getting more in touch with their humanity through interaction with artificial lifeforms and showing that these "Dolls" sometimes have more admirable traits than the people they serve. In this volume we have women and men who have failed to find satisfying relationships with humans finding their happiness with robot companions, and in some cases, falling in love with them because they are unloved by society. There is also teen angst when a widowed man buys a doll to give his son a sense of a family unit and sentimental drama when a man wants to transfer his wife's personality into a doll before her mind totally dies.

Doll went a little deeper than most manga in questioning the nature of life and happiness. It also painted pretty deftly the hypocrises and wrong assumptions that humans make about themselves in their everyday lives. And what exactly seperates us from the robots? According to Mihara, not much. If you like Twilight Zone type sci-fi with very little overtness, you should check out Doll.

** Synopsis from Tokyopop.com **

A woman develops an unusual closeness to a doll that will effect her human family from beyond the grave ... A man wants to make his doll into the perfect human lover, but discovers that humans are not perfect ... A father buys his son a doll to help him get over the death of his mother.

This 1st volume of Doll - available for a ltd time in an ultra-collectible, first-run-only foil-embossed hardcover edition - examines the question of what it means to be human.

**

If you are a fan of Paradise Kiss by Ai (Al) Yazawa art-style, I think you will like Mitsukazu Mihara as well. First off, Tokyopop mis-spelled Ai Yazawa's name in volume two (first printing) so on Amazon she is listed as either Ai, Al, or even both. ^_^;

Anyways, since this limited hard-cover book has not yet been release, I will just leave a bit of summary about Mitsukazu Mihara. If you are familiar with Elegant Gothic Lolita (egl) you may have come across Gothic & Lolita Bible on eBay. ^_~ Gothic & Lolita Bible are published by Shodensha and the cover-art for the first 8 volumes were done by Mitsukazu Mihara!!! ^_^ There are currently 11 volumes of Gothic & Lolita Bible but the cover-art is being done by another artist, which is so dang cute.

Hopefully, Amazon is reading this and will obtain these photobook magazines! ^_~ They quality of the paper of Gothic & Lolita Bible are NOT cheap recycled paper. They are thick with at least 128 coloured pages. The photos contain seasonal style from gothic lolita brands, snap shots of local Japanese who dress up in this style, photos of Mana and sometimes Kana, and recipes. They are a few more that I am probably forgetting ^^; so please excuse me. The best part which probably makes Gothic & Lolita Bible very popular are the patterns included in the back from the gothic lolita brands.

Since Gothic & Lolita Bible is published in Japan, the writing is in Japanese. Of course, there are various English words spread throughout the book like the book's name! =P

**

Personally, I can't wait for Doll vol.1 to come out along with Paradise Kiss volume 5. ^_~

** Synopsis from Tokyopop.com **

A woman develops an unusual closeness to a doll that will effect her human family from beyond the grave ... A man wants to make his doll into the perfect human lover, but discovers that humans are not perfect ... A father buys his son a doll to help him get over the death of his mother.

This 1st volume of Doll - available for a ltd time in an ultra-collectible, first-run-only foil-embossed hardcover edition - examines the question of what it means to be human.

**

If you are a fan of Paradise Kiss by Ai (Al) Yazawa art-style, I think you will like Mitsukazu Mihara as well. First off, Tokyopop mis-spelled Ai Yazawa's name in volume two (first printing) so on Amazon she is listed as either Ai, Al, or even both. ^_^;

Anyways, since this limited hard-cover book has not yet been release, I will just leave a bit of summary about Mitsukazu Mihara. If you are familiar with Elegant Gothic Lolita (egl) you may have come across Gothic & Lolita Bible on eBay. ^_~ Gothic & Lolita Bibles are published by Shodensha and the cover-art for the first 8 volumes were done by Mitsukazu Mihara!!! ^_^ There are currently 11 volumes of Gothic & Lolita Bible but the cover-art is being done by another artist, which is so dang cute.

Hopefully, Amazon is reading this and will obtain these photobook magazines! ^_~ The quality of the paper of Gothic & Lolita Bible are NOT cheap recycled paper or like the Fruits and other 400-yen Japanese fashion magazines. They are thick with at least 128 coloured pages. The photos contain seasonal style from gothic lolita brands, snap shots of local Japanese who dress up in this style, photos of Mana and sometimes Kana, and recipes. They are a few more that I am probably forgetting ^^; so please excuse me. The best part which probably makes Gothic & Lolita Bible very popular are the patterns included in the back from the gothic lolita brands.

Since Gothic & Lolita Bible is published in Japan, the writing is in Japanese. Of course, there are various English words spread throughout the book like the book's name! =P

**