Planet Ladder (Volume 1) [Paperback]

Yuri Narushima (Author)

Book Description

Series: Planet Ladder | Publication Date: April 23, 2002

Kaguya is a quiet orphan who has lived with a Japanese family since she was a little girl. Another boring high school day becomes the adventure of her life when she’s mysteriously transported far, far away to a realm of strangers who call her "Princess." Now, Princess Kaguya must uncover both her true identity and the motives behind the battling warlords who want to claim her. The universe is a battlefield, and the key to peace may be in the hands of one very special girl.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (April 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931514623
• ISBN-13: 978-1931514620
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,278,246 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A breath of fresh air in today's manga market., April 23, 2002

By 

"arxane" (Oklahoma City, OK United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planet Ladder (Volume 1) (Paperback)

TOKYOPOP is the kind of company you either love or hate. It has a devout following of fans who enjoy the company's releases of manga based off popular anime shows such as "Gundam Wing", "Cardcaptor Sakura", and "Sailor Moon", but it's also despised by people who feel TOKYOPOP butchers many great manga titles with mediocre translations and distortion of the original artwork. But TOKYOPOP decided to change the opinions of the latter group of people with its new "100% Authentic Manga" policy, and one of the titles selected for this new line-up is "Planet Ladder", a relatively unknown series in the US. This is actually a shame, because while not many people have heard of "Planet Ladder", it shows the promise of a teriffic manga series that is a breath of fresh air in today's manga market.

"Planet Ladder" tells the story of Kaguya, a girl who was found orphaned at a young age with no memories of her past except for a chilling vision concerning her and a nameless young boy. She tries to blend in with her new life and family, but her low self-esteem hinders her from feeling at all useful. Her life starts to fall apart when her father is charged with bribery, but things really start to get out of hand when mysterious beings appear before her, apparently wanting her for some obscure reason. While some of the normal conventions of anime and manga are still found in "Planet Ladder", the story as a whole is refreshing and unique. It can sometimes be difficult to understand what's going on, but the reader afterwards quickly understands and the story overall flows smoothly and cleanly.

Visually, the artwork is undeniably "shojo," girls-style. Characters are drawn seriously with a lot of detail in several frames, and then switch to a chibi-like form with the usual sweat drops and tear marks and such. It can feel a little unbalanced at times, especially if the reader wishes to know what kind of style the artist plans to utilize mainly in the series. But for the most part, the artwork is amazing and showcases some extraordinary talent. And thanks to TOKYOPOP's new "100% Authentic Manga" policy, we US readers can see that artwork as it was originally intended. Unlike the majority of English-translated manga, "Planet Ladder" reads from right-to-left, leaving the artwork crisp and clean and untouched by photoreversing methods that can distort or blur it ("Cardcaptor Sakura" is an unfortunate victim of such methods).

In regards to the translation, I can honestly say that TOKYOPOP is getting better. While other of the company's manga like "Gundam Wing" used a horrible text that looked like computer type, "Planet Ladder" uses text that appears more handdrawn, giving it the intended "authentic" feel. And the translation is actually pretty good; it doesn't feel static or bland and actually expresses emotion. There weren't even any typos, something TOKYOPOP is infamous for.

All in all, "Planet Ladder" is a worthy addition to any manga fan's collection. While it is a little early to tell how well the story will develop, the first volume is good enough that readers can expect quite a bit from the second volume. While not in the same league as the manga-greats such as "Inu-Yasha", "Fushigi Yugi", and "Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind", "Planet Ladder" is an entertaining series that should delight any manga fan. And thanks to TOKYOPOP's new "100% Authentic Manga" policy, we can enjoy the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sci-fi manga, October 5, 2003

By 

Arin G. (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planet Ladder (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Great graphics, tight story, likeable, well-rounded characters... I read an average of 15 mangas a week (I rent them for a few cents) so I've read thousands of mangas up until now. This is one of the few mangas that stands out in my memory. It's a story about Kaguya, a Japanese high school girl who's more than what she seems to be. The general concept for the story, parallel universes (sort of, not really) is an over-used method in science fiction, but Narushima Yuri brings an entirely new vision of it mostly with her skill at characterizing.

By shoujo-manga standards, this manga series is a tiny little bit dark, but no where close to Evangelion and its like. You won't think it's very dark unless you're totally into sappy tween manga.

I won't spoil anything for you, but let me say that one male character is very interesting and will draw out your sympathy without being a weakling. You'll find yourself drawn into Kaguya's interest for him, I'm sure. Yes, there's some love going on in the series... But it's handled well and delicately. I didn't like Fushigi Yuugi and other mangas like it because of the way every male around the main character kept falling all over her, but this manga doesn't have that kind of incredulous sappyness.

There's quite a lot to like and not much to complain about. Oh, one thing, I guess... The volumes come out to slow. :( I want to get more of Planet Ladder! :) But other than that, no major complaints. Interesting, unusual characters and well-thought story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Involved Manga for lovers of Lain-esque Fantasy, July 30, 2003

By 

"serenitywinner" (Manassas, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planet Ladder (Volume 1) (Paperback)

I say Lain-esque because of the sheer confusion you feel at times ^_^;;
But Planet Ladder, despite the deep discussion and tossage of terms is engaging enough that you'll want to find out more, want to figure it out. The 5th novel was recently released, and it's just now starting to truly come together for me. It's worth it! ^_____^
The worlds' names can get confusing, but it gets to the point where you, if unable to memorize them, can at least know which world they're talking about once mentioned. (Did that make sense?)
The character are FAR from stereotypical (Little Mr.(Miss?) Name-Will-Not-Be-Mentioned-Stupid-Reviewer! *grrr*), and have quite a bit of depth. Kaguya, our very own main-character-girl, manages to be relitavely happy and troubled at the same time without being competely perky and annoying or a little blue-eyed ball of angst. Gold just rocks. Seeu is [great] (You must love the slightly bonkers bishounen! He's a bit psycho.)Idou is a mature soldier that seems a bit more sensitive than your typical war-veteran-type-dude. And Bambi-chan? She's the greatest thing since pocky in a box. I definitely reccomend this manga, you'll be hooked. Only for those who're in for reading something that will make you think! ^_^ Gorgeous cover art, unique art style, non-stereotypical characters (*ahem*), and one hot, hot, red-haired maniac. You just can't go wrong!!