Angelic Layer, Volume 1

I wanted to see Angelic Layer ever since I saw some music videos on the Internet. After watching the fan-subs numerous times I knew I had to have the dvds when they came out. Then I read the manga... It's hard to believe, but I actually think the manga is better than the anime in this case. In the anime, Misaki is more doubtful and distracted (even during the fights). In the manga, however, she's super-cute all the time, but when she starts a battle that's all her mind is on. And speaking of battle, I don't think I've seen a manga yet where I liked the fight-sequences quite as much. The back-flipping, cartwheeling, super-graceful movements of the angels on the layer is simply a joy to behold on the printed page. The dialog of the characters also seems (to me at least) to have more snap to it in the manga than on the show, and Icchan in particular is so incredibly hilarious I couldn't help but laugh out loud many times when reading Angelic Layer. The art style is interesting as well, as the characters are supremely well-defined and well-drawn at dramatic moments but turn into very silly (and very funny) "squid" versions during comedy dialog. This is one manga that pretty much anyone can read. There's enough action to satisfy the martial-arts lovers, enough cuteness to satisfy a little girl, and none of the sex and violence garbage that could otherwise mar an excellent story. I can't recommend this Manga highly enough.

Twelve-year-old Misaki Suzuhara is a little afraid, starting a new school in Tokyo. But on arrival, she learns about a whole new phenomenon that's sweeping the world of toys - mentally controlled fighting robots called Angelic Layer. So captivated, she immediately spends all her money to get her own Angel, and she soon proves to be a natural at tournament play. There's a very odd man, who keeps popping up, ready to help her at every step. But, who is this strange man, and what does he want?This *excellent* little book is one of the best mangas that I have read. The characters are all interesting and believable, with a healthy dollop of fun thrown in. I quickly found myself drawn into the story, it being quite intense, and yet quite friendly (Angel Layer is a game, after all), not as violent as you might expect. A great thing about this book is that it is printed so as to be read from back-to-front, right-to-left, in the Japanese style, helping to give the reader the feeling of entering another world. I really enjoyed this book, and found the story to be absolutely enthralling. I highly recommend this book!

Angelic Layer is one of my favorite mangas. Not only is it exiting but it combines a funny sense of humor with great reading fun. It has awsome characters, and a wonderful plot. I would say that the only downfall, if you really can call it one, is that this particular volume, ends right in the middle of an exciting moment, making it almost imposible to resist buying another. But that is th point isn't? My rating as of previously reading this is five stars, It really is an awsome book. Great for all ages.

Angelic Layer is another manga from the hit circle CLAMP. The art is nothing like some of their older series, like Rayearth, CCS, or X. It's different, and very cute nonetheless. This is my favorite style that CLAMP has drawn in, I think. Anyway, the story's really great. A girl named Misaki finds out about the phenomenon called "Angelic Layer," where players control and battle their very own "Angels." Naturally, she decides to get her very own! CLAMP makes lots of references to their other series--Misaki even names her Angel "Hikaru" after "a heroine in a manga" she just read. This volume ends in a cliff hanger, and I definitely want the next one ASAP!

When CLAMP sets out to create a manga, they sometimes pick a genre that's a bit overdone and give it a powerful (or bizarre) new twist. This is one such story.The basic gist is that in the not-so-distant future, children compete against each other with via small mechanical dolls called "Angels." A country-bumpkin girl, Misaki, comes to Tokyo and immediately is swept up in the furor surrounding these dolls, and purchases her own. Though the premise is a little like Pokemon or any number of "children battle for fame/glory via critters," there's a definite twist to this one. In fact, I'd wager that CLAMP is making a very large point about how easy it is to manipulate children into buying "all the accessories" and toys with crazes like Pokemon, etc.Satire aside, it's a very funny manga so far with lots of superdeformed comical moments. The humor isn't lewd. It also isn't as intense as Clover or X/1999. No gore or anything, and no real angst. It's really quite fit for all ages and genders (originally written for the boy's manga market, but girls like it too).I liked it very much and recommend it if you enjoy a lighter reading romp and lots of humor and action!