Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 3 [Paperback]

Shimoku Kio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2005

SISTERLY LOVE

Kanji Sashara’s annoyingly normal little sister, Keiko, has fallen for video game master Kousaka. And now she’s willing to do whatever it takes to steal him away from his girlfriend, Saki Kasukabe . . . even if it means becoming a fangirl herself!
But as a wise member of the Genshiken once said: “You don’t become an otaku by trying.” So Saki teaches Keiko-chan what dating a rabid fan truly means . . . and it ain’t pretty. Then, just to add to the craziness, there’s plastic modeling mayhem (don’t ask), the challenge of Kanji’s first PC, and Saki’s penchant for pyromania. Looks like things are heating up!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 16 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (October 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345481712
• ISBN-13: 978-0345481719
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,142,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SEDUCING KASUKABE, January 29, 2006

By 

Sesho "www.sesho.libsyn.com" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 3 (Paperback)

Saki's reluctant and ignorant acclimation and assimilation into otaku sub-culture continues in the 3rd volume of Genshiken. You can't help but feel that she is beginning to see some of the virtues of being in the club besides trying to bed Makoto. While not engaging in building Gundam models, she CAN respect the love and passion of the other Genshiken members....even if she still believes they're nuts! Besides, she's got other things to worry about. Sasahara's Tammy Faye Baker make up job sister also has a hankering for Makoto and the two girls begin a duel to prove to him who is most compatible with otakudom. From waiting for hours in blistering heat for Comic Fest along with stinky sweaty fanatics or trying to vie for time with Motoko at the beach, these girls have become pretty desperate to prove themselves. And let's not forget Sasahara's quest to finally buy a computer for the express reason of playing anime porno games! Yes, that's right, Genshiken is wholesome fun for the whole family! But just make sure your family are a bunch of nerdy weirdos obsessed with anime and manga first!

Genshiken Volume 3 was very funny and was probably more interesting because the third volume of the anime was delayed so that the stories in here were mostly fresh and unviewed.
The art is relaxed warm without being unprofessional. The backgrounds are highly detailed and really place you in the setting and lack of action gives it a plus because all the panels are clean and easy to follow. You never have to look back and figure out what happened as in so many other manga. The characters are great, and while they can be jerks sometimes, they have a lot of realism and humor. This is a great read for any fan of manga or anime.

In addition, I would also recommend the anime version of this series. Also, the anime Comic Party covers some of the same material, except that its main character actually wants to produce his own manga. It's a little more unrealistic but it's still funny and passionate about its subject.

5.0 out of 5 stars Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 3, April 8, 2008

By 

PhantomKaizokuX (Baton Rouge, LA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 3 (Paperback)

I love it! Makes me miss my manga and anime friends from where I used to live.

5.0 out of 5 stars Springtime for Genshiken, February 3, 2006

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 3 (Paperback)

If you want to strike fear into the hearts of nerds, take them to the beach. Their own, flabby, pasty bodies on display for everyone to see, and lots of nubile bikini girls prancing around to make them nervous and remind them of what they can never have. And not a computer terminal in sight to hide behind.

Appropriately then, "Genshiken 4" sees the entire club trundled off for some summer fun, courtesy of new love-rivals Saki and Kanji's sister Keiko both vying for the sexy super-geek Makoto Kohsaka. Of course, Makoto is oblivious to both of them, preferring to join in a game of Gundam Shiritori than to bathe with the beauties. In the end, Club President Madarame puts it best. "At least we got to see them in their swimsuits." True Genshiken style.

The rivalry decided, Keiko and Saki compete to become a true otaku-girlfriend, even enduring a trip to Comic Fest and trying to join in on the porn. In the end, it becomes too much for Saki, who takes a drastic step that will shake the Genshiken for eons to come.

All in all, another top entry in the series. I hope that in future volumes they skip the trip to Comic Fest, as it has happened every issue now, and is starting to wear a bit thin. Some decent character development is starting, and I hope it keeps going. The geek jokes are good, but can only carry a series for so long.