Back from finishing another manga. This time, it's an action shonen series.
Project Arms
Plot summary (from mangatoto): From Ryoji Minagawa and Kyoichi Nanatsuki comes a world of nano-machines, cybernetic assassins, powerful telekinetic opponents, and secret organization dedicated to bringing forth the next evolution of humankind. Containing all the best elements of sci-fi, spy fiction, and conspiracy theory stories, Project Arms is about kids whose arms transform into grotesquely deformed superweapons.
Well this took me awhile to finish. This manga was created by the same artist that did Spriggan which I didn't know about until I was in the middle of the story. Funny enough they do share similar story beats. The story centers on four kids who are mysteriously tied to an evil corporation that controls practically every facet of the world. While the story does focus on the 4 different characters, the primary focus is Ryo who has the most powerful weapon/arm which is destined to destroy the world.
The art is ok to decent in the beginning part of the manga but does improve noticeably around volume 10. It never gets to fantastic art but gets near being great. The paneling and action scenes get more detailed as well and flow better together in later volumes compared to the early parts.
vs.
The story is decent but isn't anything you haven't seen before. You see as the story evolves, it thematically uses the Alice in Wonderland characters and story for its plot. You see characters' powers and codenames as Alice in the Wonderland characters like the Jabberwock, the Knight, Mad Hatter, and White Rabbit. The story does a rinse and repeat of introducing a bad guy into the story, then beating bad guy and then introducing a bigger more badder guy in the story and repeat that cycle throughout most of the story. I will say that even though the story is somewhat simple I appreciate where the story takes the characters, pick up old storylines, and evolve the characters. And the ending does have a satisfying conclusion.
Overall I did not regret picking this up and reading it. It's simple but fun story that you can easily get into. Definite recommend this as someone's first manga to get into. Solid read.
(7.5/10)
Also watched the first two episodes of Ninja Kamui. It's good but you definitely tell an American wrote it.