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4.0 out of 5 stars
Are you Otaku enough for this?, July 21, 2006
This review is from: Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 5 (Paperback)
I got into Genshiken around last year when I heard about the Anime title. I eventually got around to watching all of the episodes, but I guess it wasn't enough. I think it's safe to say that although the Anime has replay value, it's conclusion is too abrupt. I did hear rumours about a second season in the works, but I don't know. What I do know is that when I checked the local bookstore one day, I surprisingly saw the Genshiken Manga series enlisted on the shelves. I quickly flipped through them and then bought each one. All I can say is, I love it. All of the characters are great, especially Ohno and Madarame. I always thought that Sasahara would be the main character, but just like the Anime, he takes a step back as Saki takes more of a center stage role. The thing is, the Manga contains those missing bits that you didn't see in the Anime and that automatically makes the Manga a winner in my book. The humour and the Otaku lifestyle that the theme revolves around is absolutely inspiring! Anyway, by the time I purchased Genshiken volume five, the series had become my favourite. New character Ogiue makes her mainstay debut in the end of Genshiken volume four, but it's in volume five that she makes her presence felt. She's a very interesting character with a funny-looking hairstyle. Her reactions and expressions are often hilarious too. This time around, the Genshiken crew are working to assemble their first fan-zine and as the president, Sasahara actually has his 'big' moments, unlike in the previous volumes where he looked like your typical average Joe. One thing though, video game master Kousaka is one very eccentric individual who probably has no limitations as far as his decisions go. If you read volume five, you might or might not be disturbed by some of his antics. Anyway, this one shines in its own right and I think I'll stick with the series to see how it further develops. Although I do miss the more laidback comedic attitude of the previous volumes and Saki's major anti-Otaku role, volume five still presented that Otaku magic. That's a wrap!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
To make a Douhjinshi!, September 24, 2006
This review is from: Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 5 (Paperback)
Its a big step in the life of every geek. Do you sit on the sidelines your whole life, being an armchair critic passing judgement on other's works, or do you put your money where your mouth is, and make something of your own? Do you just attend the con, or do you work at it?
The Genshiken crew enacts their plan to jump to the next level of otaku, from being a spectators on the scene to putting out their own fanzine, a porn doujinshi based on the fictional series Kujibiki Unbalance. Banding together the talented members of the group, Mitsunori Kugayama draws the manga and new club president Kanji Sasahara writes it. Things get tense when Kugayama and Sasahara have an editor/artist struggle, but new member Chika Ogiue comes in to save the day.
Aside from being a well-written, funny series, one of the best parts of "Genshiken" is its guided tour of the otaku-scene in Japan. This issue, Volume 5, takes us behind the scenes of the process of buying and selling doujinshi, a huge part of the Japanese fandom. All of it, from making the book, tracking down printers, deciding on the print run, then coming up with various schemes at Comicfest to actually sell the book, are all down with authenticity and humor.
As usual, the English translation of "Genshiken" is one of the best on the market. You can tell that the translator is doing a real labor of love her, with cultural and translator's notes included in the back. The series never fails to deliver, and hopefully we can look forward for lots more Genshiken goodness in the future.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
THE COMIC-FEST BECKONS, June 18, 2006
This review is from: Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 5 (Paperback)
Sasahara's big plan for Genshiken after becoming president is for the club to produce its own doujinshi based on their favorite anime and sell it at the Summer Comic-Fest. That's big talk for a circle that prides itself on doing nothing, so the group has to come up with some ideas and start actually producing the book. Kugayama is a pretty good artist, but he doesn't like Sasahara pressuring and pushing him. Luckily, one of their two newest members, the paintbrush hairstyled Ogiue fancies herself as a upcoming manga artist and is up to the challenge....maybe. But the deadline is closing in and Genshiken will have to focus all its otaku power and artistry if it hopes to sell some books at Comic-Fest.
I love this series and it's great to see these do-nothings finally trying to channel their otaku passions into producing something new and original. If you can say porno manga and pictures featuring their favorite anime is original. But this is what Japanese otaku do so deal with it! I did feel that the main cast was a little uncharacteristic this volume. Sasahara is a little too assertive and aggressive in dealing with his friends, probably due to the pressure of being the new president, but it still doesn't seem like him. Ohno seems meaner in this volume, especially to Ogiue, probably because she said she hated otaku, but I just thought Ohno was nicer than that. I guess what I'm trying to say is that the writer did not portray the characters consistent with the other 4 volumes. This is still a great book, even though Genshiken's newfound seriousness is a little depressing since it seems like the club is starting to think in a more commercial sense.
I would highly recommend the anime version of Genshiken. Also, the anime and manga of Comic Party. Two other manga that follow a more comedic and educational theme about otaku culture along with comedy are Maniac Road and Pretty Maniacs.
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