Customer Reviews

Planet Ladder (Volume 1)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!

Planet Ladder as a series is fabulous. Sadly for Planet Ladder, volume one's translation is shaky, the bubbles are confusing, and the characters seem flat.

But don't worry manga fans! By volume two the plot blooms, becoming very unique and complex. Kaguya fleshes out a little and new characters (such as the mysterious Shiina) are introduced.

Simply put, please buy volume two before giving up on the series, you'll be glad you did.

This book took me by suprise, I wasn't really expecting much out of it....anyway....the story is about a girl named Kaguya. Kaguya has been raised into an adoptive family after being found when she was a little girl wondering the streets, she has no idea who she really is or where she comes from. All she remembers is being caught in a fire and a mysterious boy coming and rescueing her, despite the fact that he was injured himself. Despite this fact she leads a pretty normal life, then suddenly one night she gets a a call from a strange man saying that he would come for her...... I don't want to tell the whole story, but I can't wait to see what happens in the next volume... ...I believe that there is a lot more about Kaguya's past than she knows!!!

A brief plot summary: Kaguya, a daughter of a wealthy CEO'?' who was just arrested for stock fraud or something is transported to one of the world of parallels and a prophecy. She wakes up in her bedroom and looks and sees forests instead of urban/rural landscapes. She is travels alongside this prince dude, who despite being motionless seems to store deep knowledge, he's one of the characters that may be of importance to Kaguya's prophecy. I'm not going to give away to much. Excellent manga! Currently out-of-print, but at least they got finish the series. I've only read volume one and I am going to also buy volume two. A fantasy/science-fiction manga.

You love sci fiction you will love this book. If you are into seemingly pointless plots more power to you. Great art but the plot has little interest and half the time you are confused out of your mind about what is going on. I thought it was going to be a good read but read the first couple of chapters before you add this book to you collection. Save yourself 10 bucks

I really enjoyed "Planet Ladder". The main character, Kaguya, feels like she's not very important, that she doesn't really help anyone. She has trouble saying no to people, something that I can really relate to.

But one day, she is kidnapped by "aliens" and finds out that the Earth is only one of nine parallel universes. Kaguya has to learn how to fend for herself and learn to make her own decisions instead of just relying on others to make them for her.

The plot can be a bit confusing, but I thought it made it more mysterious. It's one of those things that you feel like you don't understand even when you do.

The art is really pretty too, and the plot gets better with every volume. I highly suggest this manga to girls, manga fans, or anyone interested in the sci-fi genre. I think that you will enjoy it as much as I did.

Planet Ladder has such lovely cover art, but unfortunately the art and story inside is rather bland and generic. The main character, Kaguya, looks very pretty on the cover but in the actual story she insists on wearing these hideous pigtails. Dispite what someone else said, Kaguya is a manga stereotype and one of my least favorites at that- the passive girl with no self esteem whose always apoligizing for being worthless. Kaguya was found abandoned as a child and she has a knack for reading tarot cards, but when she tries to saw her own future she always gets a blank card.
One day some strange foriegn men come to her house and start fighting over her. During the struggle, Kaguya is transported to another world (her home planet most likely) and ends up having to fend for herself with the help of a robot who looks like a boy she's been seeing in her nightmares for years. This is the same old plot were Jill Normal is transported to a fantasy world only to find out she's the most important person there and two or more factions want her loyalties.
An unoriginal plotline is okay with me if the execution is well-handled, but Planet Ladder has one of the most confusing back-stories I've ever muddled through. Looks like there was a war or something and some prince guy went insane, but I'm not really sure. There are some notes in the back of the book but they actually made me more confused!
Planet Ladder looks like it still could be a good story as it has some kernels of good ideas, it just really needs to pull itself together. However, this volume was so scatterbrained that I'm not inclined to pick up the next installment in the series.

Planet Ladder starts off very confusing, so I reccomend buying at least volume two along with volume one. This is not something you can just blow through, you really need to pay attention so as you read farther in the series you can understand it more clearly. It slowly reveals more and more of the main characters importance and of her unknown past.

Yuri Narushima does an excellent job on the artwork, it's amazing! The detail is incredible along with her ability to make the story confusing and strange but it still makes you want to read more and more.

The origanal right-to-left format makes it even better. For those who haven't read manga that way, don't worry it doesn't take long to get used to ^_~.