Dramacon Volume 1 Manga

If you live romance in mangas .. then this is the one !

The first thing you will probably notice about Dramacon is that it's origins are not from Japan or Korea but Canada. However, even though it's of Western origins, Svetlana Chmakova has brought us a great and totally sweet Manga that captures the very essence of what we love about shojo stories - better than many from Japan. Christie, a high school amateur Manga writer, goes to an anime convention in the U.S. with her boyfriend Derek to show off their joint Manga in the Artist Alley. However through the days of the convention, Christie learns that her boyfriend is actually an insensitive and selfish jerk as he spends his time flirting with other girls in their cosplayer costumes. Meanwhile, through a series of accidents and coincidents, she forms a bond with a good-looking college student, who despite being constantly rude to her, is always there when she needs him. Christie is an instantly likeable character with honest feelings who finds throughout the Convention her true spirit. Always torn by her feelings of attraction to the mysterious college student and loyalty to her boyfriend she learns to stop being subdued and to voice her own opinions. So this is first and foremost a romantic shojo about self-discovery, however, it is also truly funny. Throughout the book their are touches of comic genius that you cannot help but grin from ear to ear. Svetlana embraces the life blood of anime conventions and does not make fun of them. We are always laughing with the anime convention, not at it. She picks classic moments like our heroine's obsession with "Pawky" (meaning Pocky - the addictive chocolate covered breadstick - yummy!), finding new releases from "Mangapop" (aka Tokyopop), the prospect of watching hentai, and cosplayers dressed very scary ways. Little touches, like a plush of Totoro being present in the background almost as an afterthought, brings forth Svetlana's genuine love of Japanese sub-culture. Near the end the story takes a more serious turn with a confrontation between the main characters and the learning of the college student's secret. Svetlana does a brave move in showing the hero's faults to the audience and does not present him as "too good to be true." The artwork, though not breathtaking, is pleasant and funny, with the hero looking suitability sexy. It sometimes has similar artwork to Van Von Hunter and Sokura Refugees. The story is touching and funny. This is really worth buying so please do not be put off by the fact that it has a Western author. 4.5 stars.

Previous reviewers have already summarised the story, so I'd just like to add my own impression: Not only is this title a great example of encouragement for US teens who want to break into the market as mangakas, it accurately shows the fan scene at an anime convention from a beginner's point of view. Just like Christie has to find her way through the pitfalls of the convention to some self-confidence as a writer, she also transforms from a wimpy follower of peer pressure, who holds on to her first love because it's convenient, into a tentative explorer of new things, even a new love - leaving herself open to disappointment but daring to dream. What is also nice that there's no clear happy end, all the characters have their faults. The almost-rape scene and its aftermath is handled very sensitively but also not made into the be-all of the book. Apart from that the art is perfect for the story, clearly manga style and still routed firmly in US reality.

OK, I'm not the type to think "Gee, it's done by a non-Japanese person, so it must suck!" but I admit to having a slight bias. I saw the advertisement on Tokyopop's site and figured I'd flip through it....I was hooked! It's REALLY REALLY good! So good, that it's now in my top 5 manga. The art: Though the main character can be slightly inconsistent when drawn in a "serious" way, for the most part she's spot-on. ALL the art is gorgeous. The "hot guy" is super hot (mmm...) and the beautiful girls are lovely without being overbearing. The background art is excellent as well, and the art has a lot packed into it, detail-wise, without feeling TOO packed. The story: Fortunately, the damsel-in-distress can stick up for herself, and though is at times unsure of herself, doesn't suffer from low self esteem, which is pretty darn cliche. She's not whiney, which is great, too! (Ugh, Miaka...) Anyway, the main character's personality is quite believable and curiously enough, so are the personalities of the other characters. Seriously, I'd stopped buying most manga (with a couple of Clamp exceptions) because it all started to blur together. This really stands out! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

I loved this manga so much!! It's slated to be a short series, but I am definitely going to get the last two volumes whenever they come out! ...Okay, the story follows an aspiring comic writer named Christie, the unknowing owner of one of the most jerk-faced boyfriends on the planet. Luckily, she gets to attend her first Con (sadly, with said boyfriend), and meets Matt, a very sweet, sarcastic guy that she can show her "I'm-going-to-EAT-you-for-that" side to, rather than the submissive role she often takes around her boy, Derek. Matt is not perfect though, and has quite a few secrets, but their chemistry is crazy together; they can't NOT be near each other. And when Christie's world is rocked on it's axis, she turns to the one guy that "[feels] like home". ^_^. Mind, all of this happens within the usual time of a Con, a single weekend (i.e. 3 days). So of-course I am anxious to see where this all leads since circumstances for the two of them are horrible (she's in high school on the east coast, he's in college on the west coast) and the ending just begs for an encore. Definitely pick up this book; it'll keep you turning the pages for its quirky humor and wonderful story. The art is also well done, and takes a softer touch on traditional manga styles, which fits the tale very well. If you don't like it, all I can say is: "What is WRONG with you?!" Later!

I just finished reading this wonderful new manga, and I'm already dying to read the next one. Christie, the writer of a home-made manga comes to her first anime convention with her artist/boyfriend Derek, and two of his older friends who are supposed to be acting as chaperones. After having Derek's supreme 'jerk-ness' rubbed in her face for a few hours, Christie runs off crying and runs headlong into Matt, a slightly shy cosplayer who never takes his sunglasses off. Not understanding why, she instantly trusts this total stranger and pours out all her troubles to him. With snyde remarks, good advice and a touch of sympathy, he comforts her and sends Christie on her way. But that's not the end, not even close! Derek gets worse, Christie attempts to grow a spine and stand up to the loser and Matt just keeps turning up in all the right places. Saying any more would give it all away. The art is free-flowing and fun, without the wooden look that several new manga artists (Japanese and North American alike) tend to have. It has just enough super-deformed moments to keep the laughter going, but the events between Matt and Christie are what really keep the plot moving. Buy the book and be prepared for a great shojo ride through the ups and downs of an American Anime Convention -- where anything can happen, even true love.