Kenny Loui is a Ph.D. student, university professor, and self-proclaimed "UFO Catcher." This is the story of Kenny's experiences playing arcade UFO catchers, "rescuing" cute plush dolls trapped inside claw machines, while "capturing" important life lessons along the way... Like Aesop's Fables, but with a modern-day twist (and an awesome 80's soundtrack)! Based on a true story.
Collects all stories originally published in Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher #1-3 and features bonus content such as extended scenes, an epilogue, BGM-enhanced stories, and character sketch art.
This critically-acclaimed slice-of-life graphic novel has garnered several literary awards, Mom's Choice Awards Gold Medal in Young Adult BooksMoonbeam Children's Book Awards Bronze Medal in Comics/Graphic NovelsReaders' Favorite International Book Awards Bronze Medal in Nonfiction Humor/Comedy
Kenny Loui is a doctor (of philosophy), college professor, and life-long otaku. His hobbies include writing, doodling, stargazing, and binge-watching anime on Crunchyroll. He is the author of Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga, a webtoon/graphic novel series based on his experiences "rescuing" cute and cuddly plushies trapped inside arcade claw machines in South Korea, while capturing important life lessons along the way.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga Vol. 1” is a beautifully artistic best-seller by Author Kenny Loui. It showcases his adventures as a young game fanatic who is intensely intrigued by his self-proclaimed title, the UFO catcher.
Readers will find Loui exceptionally enthusiastic about plush dolls’ freedom and willingness to do whatever it would take to have them set loose from the claw devices that kept them imprisoned. Constant challenges would repeatedly threaten his rescue mission, with powerful villains rising to destabilize his well-drawn schemes. Loui is fortunate, however, to have a bunch of companions and sentries whose bonds of friendship ably aid in the development of his strengths, such as critical thinking and planning, to bring down every single evil miscreant. Readers may find themselves sympathizing with Loui’s guardian spirit, Somi, whose wise guidance gets overlooked by the temperamental protagonist, only for the latter to land into more serious hardships. This particular episode dazzles with a very substantial charge on control of temperament and attitude, which would have detoured the protagonist from disproportionate conflicts and clashes.
Loui is a valiant character whose eagerness to share invaluable life lessons is commendable. His striking yarn will leave readers excited at the powerful combination of new twists and turns with just the right amount of culturally familiar anime elements. The author takes the gold home for creativity as evidenced in every new page that skillfully advances the main plot line through engaging dialogues and finely structured associations.
Overall, in “Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga Vol. 1” by author Kenny Loui, readers will love the exciting motion sets, colorful visuals, and bombastic displays of potency from unique-looking characters illustrated by Yamawe. The five-star storyline motivates solidity, control, and selflessness, through distinctive techniques that will see millions of young readers equipped for leadership and other handy tasks. Of notable worth is the author’s dedication to ingenious action and exquisite animation that is bound to keep the text momentous for years.
When you read the title, “Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher”, your imagination starts to go off to space and thinking about abductions, and stuff, and this might still come on this graphic novel series, but, do hold your horses, because you are in for a big surprise with this one, ahhahahaha, trust me.
This graphic novel is visually appealing, and those who are into anime and manga, will LOVE the clean visuals of the artist Yamawe. Simple, nice and kawaii. The colour scheme is soft and “happy” with light hues and soft shades, most of the time. There are dark shades both to keep focus and to show emotions, so it’s not all light and sunshine. There is no clutter whatsoever, as the artist focused on the story and the details of the characters, which gives consistency and a good reading flow to the story.
Talking about flow, once you get used to the first frames, and acclimatize yourself with the first frames, the story is smooth sailing. You can read it and imagine the sequence of events, frame to frame, that give you an impression that you are watching an anime episode, and yes, we are talking about the funny and dramatic ones that are filled with humour and awkwardness.
It’s nice to see that the frame sequences were made in such a way that the movement can be both seen and imagined! (Allow me to explain…) Imagine a comic book. You get one frame of and then you get another frame of an action that connects to the first frame, but it’s is a little further in the future, or is another action completely but related to the first, like in fights. In this graphic novel, however, you often get 2-3 sequences of the same action in very short time intervals and that makes a complete difference in the reading experience!
When it comes to the plot and characters, I laughed at the setting of the whole story.
You have a guy that is 1000% unlucky, but he is persistent, dedicated, rash at times, but genuinely a good guy, (ok, he is a total nerd too, but there is nothing wrong with that now is it?) and this whole thing adds up on the story in an interesting way.
You see, the story (or this season of the comic series), is about Kenny, the MC, trying to rescue plushies, yes, plushies, from the “captivity” of machines (but he has to pay to do it….), but the man is on a mission, and you can’t stop him, hahahhahahahaha.
Well, sure, this is an auto bibliographical graphic novel, so it’s narrated on the first person perspective, and about the main character, Kenny Loui, but it’s not one of those auto bibliographical novels that you become tired of reading the word “I” in the first two pages, in fact, it doesn’t even feel personal, as the author only wants to pass messages of life that are useful to readers through an interesting story!
Yamawe, the artist, made a great job in the drawing of the characters, and you can notice how good she is because of the clarity of the expressions of the characters, the shadowing and light-work to enhance certain features of the face, to the point that we, the readers, can understand without words and at a first glance, how the characters is feeling, this is excellent, and the fact that the characters are drawn in a simple manner, adds to that. The details aren’t intricate, but the whole work makes it clear and effortless to read the characters’ expressions. Very well drawn.
Another thing that one has to appreciate is how the author lays messages and lessons in the narrative in the short chapters of the graphic novel. Messages of being nice to people, polite, of how to make right choices, how to treat others, apologize and how life has a lot of twists and turns but you have to keep focused on the prize and your mission that you have set for yourself even though there are many setbacks! Which is something you don’t read as often anymore, and surely do not expect from a graphic novel about UFOs, right? But here we are!
This is wholesome and super cute, and talking about super cute, I found it funny how both man and women will love this graphic novel, although having a kawaii vibe to it. It’s entertaining, and awkward (for the main character) at times, but you can feel how genuine the story is, how genuine are the characters, even the bad ones (or bad one), so this is something great to see! I mean, how many times we read the same things, and we do not venture from our comfortable zone when reading? This will provide a healthy shift in reading for many.
Yes! There is a villain. Kind of. It’s more like a rival of the MC, that has the same hobby as him, (rescuing UFO’s from the claw’s of captivity), which makes the story interesting, because, let’s face it, the “hero” always need a contrasting force so we can measure his progress, and this time it’s not different, but it’s not usual either! You see, this rival, is his rival, for no reason, and he is mysterious because doesn’t talk much.
They just dislike each other because, well, they want the same plushies (and one is luckier and the other is nicer than the other, ok, the villain is a jerk), so it’s a dynamic that has lots of potential of development and maybe we will see more on the second season of this graphic novel. Maybe the CIA will call him for the real work, who knows? This can go anywhere, hahahahahha.
A particular thing about this graphic novel novel, or that I noticed, is that, a lot of the story is told by frames. I know this sounds dumb given that it’s a graphic novel, yes, but once you read it you will notice that the characters are introduced without mentions of them, but they kind of start in the background and then come slowly to the foreground and they start to interact organically, which is something that adds to this novel in a subtle way. It’s like the author and artist give you time for you to become visually acquainted with the characters before they take direct part of the story and the plot. This happens for 3-4 frames on average, but there is one character that appears for more than that before she get’s active on the story.
This graphic novel is very well thought out, and it’s interactive too, as there are links and QR codes for you to check more content of the author and YouTube channel, so you can dive deeper into the author’s content. Cool! And one has to be warned that, although, this graphic novel is fluffy and cute, and doesn’t have anything “graphic”, the age range should be above 12, so we will leave you with that.
OK! I will not dive deeper into this cool story with amazing graphics, because you know that I do not give spoilers…, so I will wrap this up. IF you want to see some eye-candy soft graphics and laugh while reading a smooth paced graphic novel that will leave a wholesome feeling in you, then DO grab your copy, specially if you like anime, you will love this. IF you haven’t read any graphic novel before, and never thought about reading one, this is a great place to start, hahahahha. Seriously, there is no way you will dislike this, a sure, safe bet in every aspect. This is a very nice indeed. I will read this again soon, and dive deeper into graphic novels. Great stuff here.
Pros: Clean cut graphics Appealing visual color pallete Funny story that makes you curious Well put humour and messages of positivity and struggle Worthwhile and unpredictable plot Short in length and straight to the points Memorable and a book easy to read again
Cons: None.
Favourite Character: Kenny
Lesson of the book: Have patience, a goal and persistence, but above all, never play Gals Attack in public.
The gist of this debut graphic novel is about a man sharing his adventures while collecting crane-machine plush toys.
Kenny Loui is a student, teacher, and Civil Air Patrol lieutenant, but his claim to fame is UFO catching. In other words, he rescues plush dolls from captivity, trapped mercilessly in a claw machine at a local arcade.
I feel the author had fun with this whimsical, semi-autobiographical tale. Semi because you meet Irene, a bubbly, talking plush pig. Included are QR links to music videos to play while you read.
Very much on the side of quirky this one is, and mildly entertaining.
A UFO catcher claw machine turned upside down: The soul of the inanimate
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga Vol. 1's by Kenny Loui —and illustrated by Yamawe— offers a unique and insightful exploration of the author's life through the lens of a UFO catcher claw machine. This autobiographical manga presents a captivating blend of storytelling, nostalgia, and personal reflection. Through a series of vignettes, Loui shares a blend of good prose tied with his own experiences invested in the ubiquitous UFO catcher machines found in arcades across South Korea.
One of the remarkable aspects of this manga is its ability to seamlessly intertwine the mundane act of playing UFO catchers with profound reflections. Loui's storytelling is both heartfelt and relatable, as he shares his successes and failures in attempting to grab plush toys and other prizes from these machines. These moments become allegorical, representing the challenges and triumphs in his life journey.
Furthermore, Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher stands out as a testament to the power of visual storytelling. Yamawe's artwork is not only charming but also serves as a significant narrative tool. The manga's visual style draws readers into the author's world, allowing them to connect more deeply with his personal anecdotes and emotions. The combination of concise, poignant narratives and expressive illustrations creates a compelling and accessible medium for conveying life's wisdom and complexity. Great read.
Kenny Loui, an individual with a Ph.D. who spends his days at the local arcade, is not your typical hero. Instead, his mission in life is to rescue as many plush animals as possible from the claw machines that keep them captive. Throughout his journey, Kenny shares with the reader many valuable life lessons he has learned along the way. However, when someone threatens the tranquility of the arcade, how will Kenny choose to defend his neighborhood oasis?
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher by Kenny Loui is a surprising and delightful slice-of-life manga that exceeded my expectations. Initially anticipating a gritty account of UFO chasing and local horror, I was pleasantly surprised to find a charming story about a man's efforts to rescue plushies while sharing wisdom with others. Each chapter is an "episode" in which Kenny demonstrates the significance of perseverance, kindness, and patience through his fight to liberate the plushies. The art by Yamawe is outstanding, with each panel bursting with life and vibrant color and the cute plushies adding their unique magic to the tale. This manga would make an excellent comedy anime, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment of Kenny's exciting exploits.
Life Lessons of a UFO Catcher is a whimsical autobiographical story with charming art, sage advice, and an entertaining narrative. It's an excellent choice for a rainy day read, containing mild language, mild violence, and mild fan service, and is recommended for middle-grade readers and up. This delightful tale of one man's mission to rescue plushies is perfect for fans of slice-of-life anime and comedic, light-hearted adventures.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is a really great work. The episodic nature really allows events to shine and really capture the advice in a simple and easy-to-digest manner. It reminds me a lot of one of my favorite mangas, Wotakoi. The art is really phenomenal and the episodes perfectly combine humor with real, practical life lessons. I also really enjoyed the Autobiographical nature as it added a more personal touch to the stories that allowed me a glimpse into a hobby that I never would have considered. While all of these things were great elements, the thing that made it stand out from other comics and manga was the addition of music to the scenes. In episodes 10 and 12, there were qr codes you could scan that would send you to a song. These songs were a fantastic edition and really made this work stand out from other comics I read. It made the scenes feel really alive and really made it feel like an experience. The only criticism I have is a very minor one and is really more of a nitpick. There were a few scenes that featured Loui and his guardian spirit that showcased them front and center that I feel could have benefitted from more action taking place in the background. It may have distracted a bit from the main action, but I feel some scenes, such as those in episode 7, would have felt more alive if they had more going on in the background. Again, this isn't an indictment but a matter of personal preference. Overall, this doesn't take away from the overall story but it's something I would have liked to see.
This book revolves around Kenny Loui, a student who enjoys playing arcade games. He particularly like the UFO catchers, in which you use a claw to grab cute toy creatures. Kenny discusses his experiences and the critical lessons he learns along the road in these stories. It's similar to Aesop's ancient stories, but with a modern twist!
Kenny meets some interesting people while playing these games. A good-hearted guardian spirit attempts to assist him, but things don't always go as planned. He also meets a female who is good at darts but occasionally misses her target. There are even twin sisters who either assist or challenge Kenny in his plushie-rescuing exploits.
Kenny also meets a lady who adores cats, with whom he develops a special bond. He seeks guidance from the arcade's wise owner, who always has something wise to say. And there's a foe who makes Kenny's plushie-rescuing operations more difficult. What distinguishes this book is the way it combines entertainment with vital teachings. The stories depict Kenny's personal development and the valuable lessons he learns. Kenny's attempts to win plushies serve as a metaphor for how he confronts and learns from life's problems.
The wording is simple and lets you feel like you're right there in the colourful arcade world with Kenny. This book is 1st part of 3 book series.
It reminds us that we can learn from our hobbies, just as Kenny does from his plushie-catching excursions. This book is an excellent pick if you enjoy stories that combine humour with wisdom. It's a fresh take on age-old lessons!
Life Lessons from a Arcade AdventureKenny Loui's autobiographical manga, "Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher," takes readers on a delightful and whimsical journey filled with endearing characters, captivating artwork, and valuable life lessons. Set in the world of arcade games and plush toys, this manga weaves together Kenny's passion for rescuing captive plushies with deeper reflections on personal growth and resilience.
One of the standout features of this manga is Yamawe's stunning illustrations. The artwork is vibrant and expressive and beautifully captures the essence of each character and scene.
At the heart of the story are the valuable life lessons Kenny learns through his arcade game adventures. Each chapter presents a different episode, offering insights into perseverance, planning, adaptability, and the power of friendship. Kenny's encounters with the enigmatic Somi, his guardian spirit, add a touch of mystique and provide moments of wisdom that resonate with readers of all ages.
While the manga successfully conveys its moral messages, it does fall short in terms of providing a deeper emotional context for Kenny's journey. Readers may yearn for a more thorough exploration of his backstory and his profound connection to UFO catchers and arcades.
This manga is a delightful read, and it will particularly appeal to fans of manga and those seeking a charming blend of adventure, self-discovery, and heartfelt messages.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga Vol.1 is an absolute delight and a wonderfully unexpected gem within the world of manga. Kenny Loui takes us on an extraordinary journey through his life as a Ph.D. student, university professor, and self-proclaimed 'UFO Catcher' enthusiast. This autobiographical manga is a far cry from the ordinary; it seamlessly blends the whimsy of arcade games with profound life lessons, akin to Aesop's Fables but set in a contemporary backdrop. Kenny's escapades in rescuing dolls and figurines from claw machines are both heartwarming and humorously relatable. It's impossible not to cheer him on as he grapples with the challenges posed by these addictive games, which serve as a clever parallel to the trials and tribulations we all face in our own lives. The fusion of these entertaining experiences with valuable life lessons results in a narrative that is both engaging and contemplative. The artwork skillfully captures the essence of Kenny's world, from the vibrant and intricately detailed UFO catchers to the array of emotions reflected on his face as he experiences the highs and lows of the game. The manga format breathes life into his stories, immersing readers in the fascinating culture of arcades and the quirky community of UFO Catcher enthusiasts. Kenny Loui's unique narrative offers a fresh perspective on life's challenges, all while whisking readers away into the captivating world of UFO Catchers.
"Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher" by Kenny Loui is an autobiographical manga about the quirky world of arcade games. The protagonist finds himself drawn towards UFO Catcher claw machine games. While he plays this game, he faces several mishaps and unpleasant encounters that later become life lessons.
The graphic novel carries itself smoothly with digestible dialogue and well-structured panels. The artist, Yamawe, has done splendid work on the quirky arrangement of the panels, which makes it understandable and intriguing. The smooth style of the artwork immediately drew me in. Each panel has a perfect shot of the person, the emotion, and the surrounding environment. The author, Kenny Loui, has taken time creating each character, showing depth and personality. The novel explores themes of friendship, the virtue of patience, and how life does not always go according to plan. The fact that the author can show such profound philosophies through a simple event of arcade games is a true testament to his artistry. What caught my eye was the fresh touch of introducing music as part of the reading experience, adding to the novel's charm.
All in all, the artistic collaboration between the author and artist has created an inexplicable harmony. It left a heartwarming and feel-good impression long after the final page. Manga readers who love slice-of-life would find this book the perfect treat.
In this first volume, the main character Kenny tells us about his biggest passion. He is a UFO catcher, though he likes to see himself as a savior who frees the plushies from captivity. Thanks to this game, he has learned a few lessons that can be very useful to anyone in many different situations. The stories are quite short so I think you could easily read this in one afternoon. The art is colorful and vivid. It reminded me of some "old" anime I used to watch when I was young. The interactions are funny and light, and the main character himself is quite relatable, even if you don't play arcade games. I read this after "There is no shrimp... and other lies my mother told me", and I was glad to learn a little more about his spirit guardian and Irene. I also appreciated the more interactive parts where you could listen to a couple of songs while reading. The first one made the entire scene so much funnier!
It was a pleasure to read this, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to spend a couple of hours with a smile. I also appreciated the more interactive parts where you could listen to a couple of songs while reading thanks to a QR code. The first one made the entire scene so much funnier!
It was a pleasure to read this, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to spend a couple of hours with a smile.
Kenny Loui's, Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga Vo. 1 is a delightful and imaginative journey into the captivating world of arcade UFO catchers. Kenny, a Ph.D. student and university professor, wholeheartedly embraces the role of a "UFO Catcher," skillfully rescuing dolls and figurines from these whimsical claw machines while unraveling invaluable life lessons. This manga ingeniously merges Kenny's real-life escapades and offers readers a fresh and compelling approach to storytelling, seamlessly intertwining the excitement of arcade games with profound insights that resonate with all of us. Each arcade adventure serves as a powerful metaphor for life's trials, emphasizing the significance of persistence, determination, and the lessons we glean from our setbacks. Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher stands out as a unique and enjoyable read, sure to captivate manga enthusiasts and those in search of unconventional wisdom. Kenny Loui's ability to seamlessly integrate meaningful life lessons into the fabric of his adventures is both entertaining and thought-provoking. This manga serves as a testament to the notion that inspiration can be found in the most unexpected of places.
I liked that the book tries hard to be funny and not preachy at all. It can be an interesting read for children, comic enthusiasts as well as philosophers. The book makes for easy reading that doesn't require any background knowledge and even attempts to deliver a multimedia experience by encouraging the reader to listen to suggested audio tracks between the text.
Some of the conclusions being drawn from the author's experiences might come across as debatable, so it would be wise to use one's own judgment. The comics do a good job of visualizing the emotions that the characters go through and the sounds in their environment.
There are certain references to pop culture but knowing about them is not strictly necessary to understand the advice being given. While each chapter (episode) barely takes a few minutes, it is easy to complete the book in one go, especially if skipping the suggested audio listening.
It might be difficult for many readers to relate themselves to the characters and their experiences that are being described. However, the strength of the book lies in the practical advice and learnings that arise from how the characters navigate their respective situations. I would have liked it better if the epilogue was omitted.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga by Kenny Loui is not only a funny read, but it has life lessons that you can take with you. Readers would not only laugh at different scenes in the graphic novel, they would also use the advice that's in this graphic novel to help them navigate through life. There's actually a Chinese proverb in the graphic novel that I will always take to heart. The Chinese proverb goes like this; "if you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape one hundred days of sorrow." I can attest how true that statement is. If someone would have told me about that proverb when I was younger, there would have been things that I would have avoided entirely, which is why I enjoyed reading this graphic novel. Kenny Loui has a way of telling a story while getting his point across. Another thing that I loved about the graphic novel was the fact there were a couple of songs that you could listen to while reading. The music definitely enhanced the novel. I recommend this to anyone who loves slice of life graphic novels and for those who enjoy autobiographies. I rate this graphic novel a 4 out of 5 stars.
Graphic novels are such a joy, and reading this was a beautiful reminder of the same. Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga Vol. 1 by Kenny Loui and Yamawe is a delightful and heartwarming read that resonated with me on a personal level. Through captivating storytelling and adorable illustrations, Kenny's quest to rescue plush dolls from claw machines struck a chord within me, reminding me of the simple yet profound lessons hidden in everyday experiences. The relatable characters and relatable experiences created an engaging narrative that drew me in from the start, making me feel like an active participant in Kenny's mission. The beautiful artwork and bonus content added depth to the overall experience, leaving a lasting impression. Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is an enchanting and inspiring manga that reminded me of the importance of compassion, self-discovery, and the joy of pursuing our passions. I eagerly await Season 2 to continue Kenny's inspiring journey and see what new lessons await.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher" by Kenny Loui is a non-fiction book of insightful reflections. The book details Loui's experiences with arcade claw machines called UFO catchers in South Korea. His goal was to learn persistence and patience throughout his journey, emphasizing the importance of not giving up.
Loui shares valuable lessons he learned while playing the UFO catcher game, and he introduces other characters, such as Somi and Killian, who help him progress in his journey. The book also features artwork that adds emotional depth to the narrative.
As a former philosophical professor, Loui infuses the book with profound ideas that encourage deep thinking. It is a thought-provoking read that engages readers on multiple levels. Additionally, the book incorporates QR code technology, linking to specific songs that enhance the reading experience.
Loui's fascination with claw machines is remarkable and intriguing. He has even created a manga that appeals to readers of all ages.
Who would have thought that an arcade game could teach us valuable life lessons? It may sound funny at first, but Kenny shows us that it's true. In his manga, he uses an arcade game to teach us relevant lessons that can be applied in our daily lives.
What stood out to me about this manga is its simple storyline and stunning artwork. Each chapter presents a unique lesson expressively. The addition of QR codes for a nostalgic 1980s soundtrack further immerses readers in Kenny's world, creating a one-of-a-kind and interactive reading experience.
In India, we have several books like Panchatantra that teach moral lessons, but what sets this manga apart is its depth. While telling someone not to steal is one thing, building a deep storyline that leaves a lasting impact on the reader's mind is another.
I believe readers below the age of 13 will enjoy this manga as it provides them with entertainment and valuable insights.
I have never read an anecdotal-style manga, and despite the lack of a clear plot, I found Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher to be pretty entertaining. I thought it was a great idea to pair particular music with different parts of the book. But I really liked how this was a manga autobiography reimagined. It would be great if more autobiographies were more similar to this one.
Overall, Kenny Loui's book, Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher, is a lot of fun to read. It is the epitome of creativity in action. It's a unique reading experience because of the combination of its funky anecdotes, manga-style artwork, and upbeat music. This manga is a great choice if you're seeking an entertaining and motivating book that presents a different outlook on life in a creative manner. And if you have never read a book that gives song suggestions to listen to with certain parts, you should definitely check this out.
Webtoon creator Kenny Loui makes his debut in this amusing graphic novel based off the web comic of the same name, "Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher." In this first volume, readers are introduced to Kenny, a student, teacher, and officer who is unlucky in love. Kenny has made it his life mission as a "UFO Catcher" to save as many plush dolls as possible from being held captive in crane machines, and spends most of his time (and money) playing crane machines at the local arcade. Under the watchful eye of his guardian spirit Somi, Kenny makes friends and enemies at the arcade, all while learning important life lessons. In terms of special features, the graphic novel includes characters sketches, some bonus comics, and song recommendations to listen with certain episodes. Lighthearted and colorful, "Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher" is a quick fun read that will be enjoyed by manga fans and fans of the web comic.
At its heart, Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is an autobiographical journey starring the author himself—a young student, university professor, and self-proclaimed 'UFO hunter' with a penchant for liberating dolls and figures from the clutches of claw machines. It’s been a while since I immersed myself in the world of manga. However, this particular gem, although primarily geared toward a younger audience, pleasantly surprised me with its depth of wisdom. I enjoyed that the author incorporates valuable life lessons and morals with a fascinating and fun story. It's a testament to the author's storytelling prowess that he seamlessly combines the excitement of UFO hunting with meaningful takeaways. Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is the perfect read for those who revel in a fun and alluring manga. It's not just an interesting read; it's a delightful and thought-provoking journey that lingers in your mind, leaving you with a sense of enrichment and wonder.
The artwork is vivid and immersive, effectively capturing the essence of arcade culture and the exhilaration of UFO catching. Kenny's expressive illustrations enrich his storytelling, allowing readers to forge a genuine connection with the emotions and wisdom he imparts. This manga is a refreshing departure from conventional storytelling as each of Kenny's arcade escapades serves as a poignant parable, guiding us through the trials and triumphs of life. The seamless interplay between these two realms, the whimsical and the philosophical, gives rise to a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. This manga presents an intriguing and distinctive experience with broad appeal. Whether you're an ardent manga enthusiast or someone seeking a fresh perspective on life's intricacies, Kenny Loui's work is certain to capture your imagination and leave you with unexpected pearls of wisdom to contemplate.
Having read his other graphic novel, I'm familiar with Kenny Loui's work. I love how he's chosen to tell his life story in the form of a manga, which is unique, away from the typical style of autobiographies.
This graphic novel's strength lies in its simplicity. It uses clear, concise language along with fun visuals. We join Kenny on his trips to the gaming arcade to play UFO catcher in order to "save" plush dolls. I had nostalgic moments thinking of my own fun experiences at gaming arcades when I was younger. What I loved is that in every chapter, Kenny shares some of his life lessons that are nuggets of wisdom applicable and useful today.
I also loved the inclusion of song snippets, which made for an altogether fun and immersive read. The visuals are stunning, courtesy of illustrator Yamawe. This is a quick read, and suitable for both young and old.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is an autobiographical Manga that passes on wisdom and important life lessons while following the story of Kenny liberating plush dolls captured in different claw machines.
This Manga is short and sweet yet jammed with tidbits of wisdom and applicable life lessons. I love that Kenny Loui has decided to share his autobiography through Manga. It is a unique way of telling his story, and it pays off.
The art is vibrant, detailed, and, at times, cute. It is very eye-catching and is great at conveying the emotions the characters go through. It is obvious a lot of work and thoughtfulness went into this Manga, just from the art alone.
The story is written in episodes. Each episode contains a new scenario. The writing is simplistic and, I think, can be understood by all and is brought to life by the art, which helps the reader visualize Kenny's messages.
Altogether, this is a very charming manga and another great work by Kenny Loui.
Kenny Loui's "Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher" is an enchanting manga that takes readers on a delightful, heartwarming adventure. Kenny reveals his quest to rescue plush dolls from claw machines, weaving a captivating storytelling, while imparting valuable life lessons.
From Killian, the rival, to the loyal friend, Tiffany, and even the guardian angel, Somi, their interactions add depth and flavor to Kenny's journey, and their experiences drew me right from the start. The brilliant artwork beautifully captures each scene's essence, and I became an active participant in Kenny's mission, emotionally invested in his successes and failures.
Kenny has created a remarkable work that inspires readers and keeps them longing for more. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and thought-provoking manga experience. I highly recommend it!
What a simple and quick read, Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga by Kenny Loui is, making it ideal for kids as well as adults too. I say adults because, even in its simplicity, you can derive numerous lessons from it some which are as a result of things we encounter everyday. I loved the imagery in the book which is captivating to the eye and can cause the reader to be attentive and understand the flow of the story. Kenny the protagonist in the book is a self-proclaimed UFO catcher who loves to rescue plush dolls which are caught in claw machines. A life lesson that stood out for me in the story is “It may require you to keep trying and have patience for you to get what you want” In other other words, “Nothing comes to you on a silver platter”. I can highly recommend this book!
Being my first time reading a comic book, Kenny Loui piqued my interest in this genre. "Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga Vol. 1" is one of those books that leave you yearning for more from this author. From the concise dialogue, visual elements, and a collection of stories that propel the book forward, this text is sure to garner a wide audience.
This graphic novel based on the author's adventures aptly captures life lessons along the way creating impressive takeaways for readers. The writer's creativity shines in the book's motion sets and stylistic devices that he chooses to employ here. Themes such as reliability and selflessness are showcased revealing a book that is not only for escapist entertainment but educative as well. There is much to love here. I look forward to Kenny Loui's next port of call.
What a fun little read. While the story goes by quickly, you really feel yourself hanging out in the arcade with Kenny. I love the author's idea of working out his life story as a Manga, and he picked the right person to create the art -- it is stunning.
Aside from the wonderful artwork, I enjoyed so many things about this read. I enjoyed the story itself, as a sometimes sucker for claw machines myself, although I'd be more apt to play the video games myself. What I found the most interesting and unique was the addition of music to the story. With a simple QR code, the author shared a couple of tunes with readers to get even deeper into the story. This is the first time I've seen this. It definitely added something extra special to the reader experience.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher is a sweet narrative of Kenny Loui, who spends his time rescuing plushies from claw machines. The story is broken up into short chapters making it an easy read for the younger audience along with the 'life lessons' titled for each chapter giving a good sense of right and wrong and teaching morality. (And the consequences of the wrong actions) The art work was beautiful and vibrant, with a lovely little bonus at the back of sketches of the characters which I loved. Overall a beautifully written manga, with well developed characters even over a short space of time. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to get into the genre slowly.
This book is a manga unique to its kind. Kenny Loui takes an unconventional approach to writing an autobiographical manga with an influential theme. Taking a pastime by storm, such as arcade games, and executing a satirical autobiographical manga is unique and exciting. The artistry of the book is captivating and breathtaking. Each chapter conveyed the message perfectly, correlating with the artwork brilliantly. I loved the passion and resilience Loui exhibited throughout the book, in which each day he was at the game center, he was going to achieve his goal and win at the machine.
Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher: An Autobiographical Manga by Kenny Loui is a manga with original humor that will leave you breathless and your spirits high. I am rating this book 4 out of 5 stars.
In this captivating manga, the author embarks on a profound and engaging journey, skillfully extracting valuable life lessons from his experiences with 'UFO Catcher'—those arcade games where mechanical claws strive to retrieve small stuffed animals. Within these pages, the author himself takes center stage, weaving an enthralling narrative filled with vivid illustrations. Through his storytelling, he shares the ingenious strategies employed to liberate dolls from their arcade captivity and delves into the profound musings that arise during these playful escapades. These musings are then elegantly extrapolated to encompass the broader canvas of life's challenges and experiences. My appreciation for this book runs deep, as it manages to strike a harmonious balance between