Gravitation Ex

For those of you who love Gravitation you will not be displeased with the new Gravitation Ex. It practically starts where it left off. Shuichi and Yuki are off to New York to pay there respects to Kitazawa's grave, but along the way they discover another secret of Kitazawa's. Inorder to find out what it is, and not to spoil anything, you'll have to read it for yourself. Oh and a new love for Shuichi is revealed, which causes problems for Yuki and Shuichi's relationship. But the good part about it is that you finally see a little of Yuki's feelings for Shuichi. Oh what a love triangle this will be! You wanna know who is don't ya? Well you'll have to read it to find out! It also brings back all the loveable, and annoying, characters from the original series. Yes that includes Rage-um I mean Reiji and her amazing panda-bot! But this time it's not Shuichi she's after, it's Ryuichi! And she's causing just as much havoc and problems as ever. Which includes spying on Shuichi's personal life and his new found admirer! What has she got planned this time? You must read to find out all the juicy details! I must say I can't wait for the next volume!

...who would be nuts enough to entrust Eri and Shu-chan with a kid? I mean, don't get me wrong--I love these two. But as parents--Eiri is so mean and Shu-chan is so crazy--I mean, really. But who is judging Murakami-sama on her realisticness? I mean, when Eiri smacks his head on the marble table in volume two, he doesn't bleed. Or feel any pain. Just an idiosyncrasy I noticed, but I digress. Another thing I noticed about Gravitation is that by volume twelve Shuichi has changed A LOT--mentally, I realize, but what I'm talking about is physical. He has SHRUNK. And he has completely changed everywhere--he doesn't even look like the same character! The art in volume twelve is about a bazillion times better than in volume one, but I don't like that his appearance changed so much. But I digress again. Gravitation EX is a quirky little manga that could be read as standalone, I guess. But a newcomer who didn't know the story would be very confused, so maybe it's not standalone. Whatever. My point is, it is VERY VERY funny. It's like reading the fabulous first volume for the first time. Shu-chan and Eiri are a little older, but none the wiser--they still fight, still argue, and are just as cute as they were before. Maybe even cuter. And now they are parents--er, babysitters. The art in EX is far, far improved when compared to the original gravitation--but I prefer the old style. Call me a sucker for tradition :P. The art on the cover of this volume is much more different than what's on the inside, but who cares? The content is the traditional gravitation formula--a huge heaping of comedy, chunks of drama, lots of music, tons of heart, catfights (can you call arguements between catty guys catfights? Never mind. Don't answer that.) and sexual whatnot. And hot guys. With a pink bunny thrown in for good measure. So Gravitation fans who don't own this should get ready to go buy a copy right now, and those new to the Gravi gang better go snag the original soon so they can read this shonen-ai/BL/shojo-esque legend.

That's right! There's MORE to the Gravitation series! This volume is absolutely fantastic. Not only did they bring back all the old favorites (with a few minor changes) but now they're trusting Shuichi and Yuki with a kid! Anyway, all the insanity from the previous manga continues in this volume. If you liked the first 12 volumes, you've gotta pick this one up!

First and foremost - if you are already a gravitation why haven't you purchased this manga. I mean really. For those unfamiliar with the series, this is a difficult place to start. The story takes off from the final vol of gravitation (#12) which makes this technically gravitation 13. Therefore you need to buy 12 additional novels along with this one to really get all of the underlying jokes of the series. Everyone has that kind of money right? Now for the vol itself. The art style is great with the exception that it makes characters who are supposed to be older looking too young. If that doesn't make sense pick up a copy at a bookstore and look at Ryu. He's 31 years old and looks about the same age as Shu (19) and younger than Yuki (24). The same problem is present for Tohma. That and what happened to Tatsuha! He's way over tanned. The writing is as chaotic as ever with random plot twists. The humor is just as top-notch. I love the surprise from Shu-chan that there are Yuki cosplayers (You heard right a room full of Yuki!) and Shu and Yuki fan-doujinshi (I want a copy). My only real complaint about the series is the small degree of fanservice. The Ryu loves Shu plot seems to have been born from fan sites along with Tohma dressed as a nurse. (I thought he decided to leave Yuki along to be with his pregnant wife? Who is not present along with Noriko-chan) Still, the series is loveable, fun, and seriously funny.

I was so happy in the first place when it was anncounced that Maki Murakami's Gravitation would be continued as Gravitation EX, but now having read the first Volume, all I can say is.... wow! All my expectations have been fulfilled and even more than that, it's the best volume of all the ones out so far. Shuichi and Eiri at the beginning return to New York but things almost automatically go wrong when they get introduced to Yuki Kitazawa's child and Yuki makes them return to Japan immediately. There the real tough stuff starts happening. Yuki and Shuichi end up taking care of the little boy, but the most important plot point, someone truly unexpected confesses his love to Shuichi in the midst of of a fight he had with Yuki and both end up.... more or less cheating on Yu-chan. And that's when Yuki steps in. Wah, I couldn't believe it! A lot of craziness is following, ending in a terrible accident, I won't tell too much here though, you have to read it for yourself. The drawings are sooo beautiful at times, Maki Murakami has really improved her style so much since the beginning! Sometimes the story and related drawings were really bringing tears to my eyes! I wish this manga series would go on forever. (please, Murakami-sama!) And of course I'd wish they made another anime. They should, because this is some amazing stuff!! It's awesome!