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Reviewed by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane Volume 11 is only my third volume of Crimson Hero, and I find my feelings on it are already fluctuating a little bit. I included my reaction to vol. 10 in a "What I'm Reading" round-up a few months ago, and in retrospect I think I much preferred that volume to this one. I like Nobara, the lead, and I find her non-relationship with Yushin interesting (after vol. 10 I wrote, "This is one of the few times when I've read a manga where two characters are in love and aren't getting fully involved with each other for reasons that actually make sense", and that's still one of the things I particularly appreciate about the writing). Similarly, I like that the romantic subplot is important to the characters but isn't constantly being given center stage. About 2/3 of this volume is devoted to Crimson Field's match against the Aigaku team (which you wouldn't really know from the back cover copy), but I found the game itself less interesting than last volume's build-up and didn't really get into it. I assume that a lot of the drama here would work better if I were better acquainted with the supporting cast, but it also doesn't help that sports manga generally don't work for me; obviously, Crimson Hero isn't to blame for either of those factors. Bearing that in mind, I like the dynamic between Nobara and her teammates; there's a lot of team spirit and good sportsmanship there, and it isn't overplayed. On the flip side, I wasn't crazy about the way the Aigaku team is presented. The players are obviously meant to contrast with Nobara's team, but their backstabbing, ruthless behavior--towards each other as well as their opponents--felt too heavy handed for my taste. There were things about their presentation that I liked, particularly the difference between their current and former coaches, but it just didn't come together for me. All in all, while there are things I enjoy about this series, most of them weren't really on display in this volume. But now that this match is over, I have hope that the focus will swing back towards the aspects of the story that I have more interest in. Meanwhile, people who enjoy the moment-by-moment drama of an intense sporting event will likely be happier with this volume than I was. Volume 11 of Crimson Hero includes several pages of "one-page manga" and a side story. Review copy provided by VIZ Media. Interested in writing for MangaLife? We're always looking for talented reviewers and columnists, so drop us a line! Charles Webb Editor-in-Chief, MangaLife.com |
1 September 2010
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