Customer Reviews

Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 1

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Genshiken" is a comic for the Super-Otaku. The references are obscure, the characters sometimes talk in quotes from favorite shows, and the Cosplay flows like fine wine. It is quite possible that I am not geeky enough, but it is still a wacky ride.

Drawn from the pages of "Afternoon," the fan magazine/comic book that is considered the most otaku of otaku magazines in Japan, "Genshiken" tells the tale of a group of misfits who pretend to study "Modern Visual Culture" (thus the name "Genshiken," taken from Gendai Shikaku Bunka Kenkyukai). Pretend to study, because they mainly sit around playing video games and trading porn mags.

Providing the story conflict are Kanji Sasahara, a new-comer who is not quite sure if he is an otaku or not and takes tentative steps towards his new lifestyle, and Saki Kasukabe, a typical "cool Japanese girl" who can't stand the fact that her handsome and stylish boyfriend, Makoto Kohsaka, is a complete and utter otaku. They disrupt the ordered lifestyle of the Genshiken Club, providing some much-needed chaos and hijinks for the nerdy crew.

A guided tour through Japanese otaku lifestyle, the Genshiken takes the neophyte Kanji to all the hotspots, like Akihaibara the electric town, and Comic Fest, the massive otaku convention for shopping and cosplay, They explain in detail each step of otakudom, educating the reader at the same time.

The story is a bit slow to begin with, but picks up when Saki arrives. She brings a much-needed female presence into the mix, and provides the anti-otaku stance. A later addition, cosplay fanatic Kanako Ohno, also livens it up with some sex appeal.

I seriously don't understand why more of you haven't read this book. It features one of the best and most memorable cast of characters in a manga that I have ever read. If you yourself are an otaku, this manga has at least one character you will find yourself saying,"Hey! Thats me!"

We start with a student, Kanji Sasahara, who is a shy young otaku, off at college. While searching through potential clubs to join, he finds the Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, aka, Genshiken. It takes some prodding from a member of the club, but he eventually joins this club after feeling a sort of bond with the other members.

Through out this manga, we are introduced to several different characters, Tanaka, a cosplayer. Madarame, a military sort of otaku, Kousaka, definately doesn't fit the traditional "look," of an otaku, but his interests are in the right place. Finally, his girlfriend, Saki, who absolutely hates his okatu-ism, but you see her becoming more and more sympathetic towards it as time goes by.

All in all, I would have to say this is one of the best purchases I have made, and I eagerly antcipate the fourth volume.

This series is for those who know what its like to be someone who knows more about comics, movies, etc., than what is going on in the "real world". If you're an otaku or just someone who growing up was a american comic collector will instantly recognize all the tell tale signs that yes this is what it was like growing up. Knowing the opening music of your favorite cartoon, knowing the lines of your favorite hero's creed, etc. All that and more is found in Genshiken, unlike other manga or what have you, with these characters you don't feel like you're getting to know them but have indeed grown up with them. I especially found the character designs to be great, seeing the look of terror on Sasshara's face was priceless as he was busted looking at the Genshiken's hentai collection. Also unlike countless manga out there where the characters are thin and beautiful these characters aren't (well at least most of them), and have a wide range of interests. From the cosplayer to the video game buff, almost everything is explored including adult oriented material. But most of all Genshiken perfectly portrays young adults who are comfortable being who they are even if that includes going to comic conventions whilst having to endure the pain of a broken wrist.

The Otaku... Society's outcasts who care more about what happened on last night's episode of Fullmetal Alchemist than what happened on last night's episode of "Insert generic reality show/lovey dovey drama here".
"Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture" gives you a glimpse into their world, where magazines that would be considered "pornographic" are free game and where the unsuspecting regular kid is sucked into the world of the otaku.
The story is fairly simple, giving you a look at the otaku's lifestyle, and their ways of living.
Saki Kasukabe has a problem with her crush. He's an otaku. She's not. She tries to get him back to the "real world" futilely, and thus, he ends up joining the Genshiken club.
From there, we learn all about the Genshiken and their ways...
This book is a truly good read, however, it's rated 16+ for some pornographic hints, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best books I've picked up this month. Go buy it and see how much of an otaku you REALLY are.

This is the funniest thing I think I've ever read!
There's no cheesy sci-fi/fantasy stuff or day dreaming girls trying to get married. The situations are realistic, which makes them even funnier. If you've every dated a super dorky guy or find that you're spending your free time watching anime (almost exclusively), you'll really enjoy this manga.

There are no flying robots, fiery dragons, or space aliens in this one, rather Genshiken is about a select group of boring people with boring stories to tell. So why five stars? It is only that these boring stories are brought to us in the most kind and personable way, like a meal of white bread, served on a silver platter by the quirkiest waitress you ever did see. In the end, it was a fabulous dinner. Genshiken uses slight humor, slight romance, and a lot of good art. Highly recommended!

Kanji Sasahara is a college freshman and as he browses the school club fair, he's trying to decide which club he wants to join. Even though he's a little ashamed of it, he's really a closet otaku. Also at the fair is Saki Kasukabe, who meets childhood friend Makoto Kousaka. Saki is instantly lusting after Makoto but is horrified when she finds out that he is now an anime and manga freak! Sasahara and Mokoto end up joining Genshiken:The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, a club that focuses on manga, anime, and computer games. Saki is reluctantly drawn into their circle because she wants to bust a move on Makoto. It's up to the Genshiken club to bring Sasahara out of his shell and into the world of the otaku!

Genshiken is a great book about the love of Japanese visual culture and it's great to see your own interests reflected in the characters passion. While it is a comedy, its humor is usually subtle and more realistic. The only thing that I didn't like is that the characters seem overly obsessed with porno, whether it be fan manga or computer sims. I would have rather seen a more healthy interest in all kinds of anime and manga than just focusing on that narrow field of interest. But it is cool to see the characters roaming the streets of Tokyo or going to doujinshi conventions. Still a great read.

I would also recommend the anime version of this manga. Also, in a more humorous vein, Comic Party (the manga and anime) covers the same ground. You should also check out Otaku No Video.

Kanji Sasahara decides to join Genshiken, which is a club that deals with anima, manga, cosplay and video games. It happens to be his long standing dream to join a otaku club.
Saki Kasukabe's long standing dream is to get her boyfriend to act normal. But he joins the same club also.
Saki now has to chase Makoto around, from various activities to comic conventions, from video gaming to collecting figures.
I have volumes one to three and plan to collect any more that come out. There is tons of humor, but also lots of serious themes about art, relationships, S&M, porn, and what a otaku really is. Very much only for adults. Frankly, Age 16 seems too low a rating to me. Bonus material in each book.

When I first saw the cover of Genshiken, I didn't know what to expect. I assumed that it would be another male-oriented manga where the main male character would fall for a girl who fit neatly into one of the manga stereotypes while everything revolves around fanservice & typical cliches. Boy was I wrong!

Genshiken surrounds a whole cast of characters, most specifically that of Sasuke, a freshman in a local college. He decides that he's finally going to join a group devoted to anime, manga, or both. He almost loses his nerve until he discovers Genshiken and becomes immersed in everything otaku. Along for the ride are a lovable cast of characters that are all distinct and never cliche. Everyone has a set personality that the reader can relate to, and the storylines are actually true to life. There's no magic moves, no love triangles (not really, anyway), and no transforming... even though the characters would probably love it if it actually happened. For the most part everyone's a realtively well adjusted person.

Would I recommend this series? Yes, but some may not get all of the jokes. Luckily Del Ray is faithful about putting explanations in the back of the manga. Fledglings will need them, but die-hard otaku probably won't. ^.^'

This is an excellent example of what manga can be. It is honest, thoughtful and merciful. It is about a group of very young adults who are into a culture that can seem childish to the outsider, but can also be laced with brutal reality, and moral sensitivity. The artist strikes a wonderful balance between panels that need text to convey the story, and panels that need no text because the artist is confident that we will understand the emotions of his characters. The only cardboard characters are those in the background. I suspect that those who are under sixteen years of age will have difficulty getting the full impact of this story. The best manga that I have come across.