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Blank Slate #2
悪性-アクサガ全2巻完結(花とゆめCOMICS) [マーケットプレイスセット]
What does it take to find your true inner self? Zen's memory has been wiped, and he can't remember if he's a killer or a hero. And a lot of people will do anything they can to keep it that way. At an abandoned military base, Zen finally finds the truth about his identity. Now that he knows who he is, does that mean his destiny is written in stone? Conspiracies, espionage and attempted coups d' - tat all tie into the conclusion of Aya Kanno's intense tale of lost identity.
What does it take to find your true inner self? Zen's memory has been wiped, and he can't remember if he's a killer or a hero. And a lot of people will do anything they can to keep it that way.
What does it take to find your true inner self? Zen's memory has been wiped, and he can't remember if he's a killer or a hero. And a lot of people will do anything they can to keep it that way.
Comic
First published June 19, 2006
4 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Aya Kanno
68 books198 followersAya Kanno (菅野文; Kanno Aya) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist.
Former assistant of mangaka Masashi Asaki of Psychometrer Eiji fame, she made her debut in the January 2001 issue of Hakusensha's magazine "Hana to Yume" with Soul Rescue. Her works include Otomen.
Former assistant of mangaka Masashi Asaki of Psychometrer Eiji fame, she made her debut in the January 2001 issue of Hakusensha's magazine "Hana to Yume" with Soul Rescue. Her works include Otomen.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 30 reviews
December 22, 2019
Much melodrama and bloodshed
October 1, 2024
2024
One thing that makes this story so interesting and compelling is that there is no purely good or evil sides in the fight. It’s clear Galay was wrong to invade Amata, but there are no black and white, good or evil heroes. The closest we get is Zen being “pure evil”, but even he , or Rian being “good”, but she is so boring it irritates me to even include her in any thematic assessment. I like that there are morally complex people on all sides of the conflict, and despite being such a short manga, the author really does take the time to create wonderfully nuanced characters, no matter how minor or passing. She said she had in mind originally a much longer story. I would happily have read it, the espionage and shifting loyalties and secret government projects and hidden camps of guerrilla fighters and genetic manipulation and… well, it’s such a fun dystopia chock-full of the classic tropes of the genre, I could read about twenty more issues if they’d been written. Thirty! Forty! Love me a morally complex cast of characters in a classic dystopia setting.
2019
How I wish we could see more of this world and these characters. A live-action TV show inspired by the manga? That would be awesome. All of the characters see the world differently from each other, but they all make very compelling arguments. I am a sucker for character-driven stories, and these characters are dynamic (except for maybe Rainn... sorry, darling). Every time I finish these books I'm sorry the story is over. Won't someone turn this into a show for me? Please?
One thing that makes this story so interesting and compelling is that there is no purely good or evil sides in the fight. It’s clear Galay was wrong to invade Amata, but there are no black and white, good or evil heroes. The closest we get is Zen being “pure evil”, but even he , or Rian being “good”, but she is so boring it irritates me to even include her in any thematic assessment. I like that there are morally complex people on all sides of the conflict, and despite being such a short manga, the author really does take the time to create wonderfully nuanced characters, no matter how minor or passing. She said she had in mind originally a much longer story. I would happily have read it, the espionage and shifting loyalties and secret government projects and hidden camps of guerrilla fighters and genetic manipulation and… well, it’s such a fun dystopia chock-full of the classic tropes of the genre, I could read about twenty more issues if they’d been written. Thirty! Forty! Love me a morally complex cast of characters in a classic dystopia setting.
2019
How I wish we could see more of this world and these characters. A live-action TV show inspired by the manga? That would be awesome. All of the characters see the world differently from each other, but they all make very compelling arguments. I am a sucker for character-driven stories, and these characters are dynamic (except for maybe Rainn... sorry, darling). Every time I finish these books I'm sorry the story is over. Won't someone turn this into a show for me? Please?
January 11, 2009
I really didn't like the second, and final volume of this series. It had way too much of the "they win cuz I said" vibe. The story was rushed, if not forced...and completely discredited the feel of the first volume and the potentially awesome story that could have been. Sad face.
November 30, 2021
Conclusion of the story is straight Jason Bourne. We meet bandits from the mountains, crazy scientists, groups of super soldiers, memory flashes, covert units, revenge, conspiracy and treason.
Again there is this weird romance between Zen and blind girl. I cannot figure out one end from another here, but I guess this part is given because it needs to be in this type of story (young (depressed) adult genre :)).
Gothic theme is still on, search for freedom through destruction of existing world (tiny bit too radical for me, but OK). I am not sure that anything can be achieved through mayhem but I might have lost touch with teen self :).
Art is as good as in volume 1. Again lanky characters, but when Zen's skills are shown you can literally see him zooming around and wreaking havoc.
Highly recommended to all political thriller fans and fans of young adult stories (with love/romance and slightly depressive view of life :)).
Again there is this weird romance between Zen and blind girl. I cannot figure out one end from another here, but I guess this part is given because it needs to be in this type of story (young (depressed) adult genre :)).
Gothic theme is still on, search for freedom through destruction of existing world (tiny bit too radical for me, but OK). I am not sure that anything can be achieved through mayhem but I might have lost touch with teen self :).
Art is as good as in volume 1. Again lanky characters, but when Zen's skills are shown you can literally see him zooming around and wreaking havoc.
Highly recommended to all political thriller fans and fans of young adult stories (with love/romance and slightly depressive view of life :)).
June 17, 2023
I felt like this volume was a sort of let down from the first volume. I liked the sort of craziness it had. This one did go a lot more harder with the war themes. I do appreciate the themes but I felt like this story was wrapped up too quickly.
I really wanted to see more. Two volumes were really not enough for this story. The ending left so many things unresolved. I don't know if Blank Slate just did not do well in ratings and it got cancelled or the author did not know where she was going. I am sad about this only having two volumes because there could have be so much more. The world was fascinating. I wanted to know more and I wanted to see a little more character development from Zen.
The story needed better combat. The fights had no excitement to them.
Overall, I still liked it but I felt disappointed with the ending because I felt like there was no change with Zen.
I really wanted to see more. Two volumes were really not enough for this story. The ending left so many things unresolved. I don't know if Blank Slate just did not do well in ratings and it got cancelled or the author did not know where she was going. I am sad about this only having two volumes because there could have be so much more. The world was fascinating. I wanted to know more and I wanted to see a little more character development from Zen.
The story needed better combat. The fights had no excitement to them.
Overall, I still liked it but I felt disappointed with the ending because I felt like there was no change with Zen.
April 10, 2023
I feel like I would have enjoyed this more if the story could have built over the course of 40-50 chapters instead of 8. I know Kanno wanted to make it longer and shortened it, but like she said in her author's notes, the story and characters suffered as a result. I agree. I wish it could have been longer.
June 22, 2023
Continues the pace of volume one, but adds very little to the world and again with few good characters and the one who is cast aside, and honestly has no character other than being attracted to Zen.
Shallow characters and world building all around, but plenty of action.
Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!
Shallow characters and world building all around, but plenty of action.
Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!
Read
August 8, 2021Beautiful, dark, but rushed. Especially the second volume. It needed to be fleshed out. Maybe if this had been spread out through three volumes, and included some extra one-shots focusing on side characters before big climax, the emotions and tension would be earned and felt more
January 18, 2019
3,5 stars. Some good plot twists, but overall quite predictable.
August 31, 2021
I didn't see that twist coming - I wish this series was longer, that's for sure.
April 20, 2023
Definitely not what I was expecting from this two volume story. Had a lot of twists and turns and was rly fun to read for sure. If I could find it to own, I would in a heartbeat.
August 1, 2024
I really wish this series could have been longer 😩 I would love to see more of Zen and his world. And more of Rian! I wanted to know more about her life!
June 13, 2012
Kanno's artwork is beautiful, very much shojo - full of bishonen and cool clothes. However, there's a bit more violence than your average shojo, not to say there aren't a number of violent shojo series. She's also an excellent plotter. Things that you might think are unimportant details in an episodic series just might be what ties the chapters together.
Zen's a good lead character - witty, attractive, and as dangerous as people say he is. He lacks motivation aside from discovering his past and he mostly lacks empathy. I think the second chapter does work better as an introduction because what connection to people who does have is revealed in his interaction with Rian. He'd kill her if he needed to, but sees no reason to be cruel. Rian's a good foil to him because she is emotional and girly, but discovering a strength she was never allowed to need. It's a strange relationship but feels true.
The only part of the manga that really bothers me is the ending. It requires all of one character's actions to be an act. It's a bit abrupt and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story even if it does allow all the pieces to fall into place. Other than that misstep, BLANK SLATE is a well-told, if familiar, story of an assassin and military intrigue.
Zen's a good lead character - witty, attractive, and as dangerous as people say he is. He lacks motivation aside from discovering his past and he mostly lacks empathy. I think the second chapter does work better as an introduction because what connection to people who does have is revealed in his interaction with Rian. He'd kill her if he needed to, but sees no reason to be cruel. Rian's a good foil to him because she is emotional and girly, but discovering a strength she was never allowed to need. It's a strange relationship but feels true.
The only part of the manga that really bothers me is the ending. It requires all of one character's actions to be an act. It's a bit abrupt and didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story even if it does allow all the pieces to fall into place. Other than that misstep, BLANK SLATE is a well-told, if familiar, story of an assassin and military intrigue.
January 24, 2011
I would rate this 3.5 stars if I could. Darn star rating system!
Anyway, I wished for a much more dramatic ending. Everything felt rushed. Many secrets are revealed in this volume, but that seems to be it. All we know now is the reason for everything. It just ends there. This could have been a great series, if longer. I still feel that there could be untold stories.
Away from the plot, I highly prefer Aya's art style over her other works. It just looks better, in my opinion. I wonder if she'll do any more works that stray away from the typical shojo. Maybe I'm just too non-girly for a girl, haha.
Anyway, I wished for a much more dramatic ending. Everything felt rushed. Many secrets are revealed in this volume, but that seems to be it. All we know now is the reason for everything. It just ends there. This could have been a great series, if longer. I still feel that there could be untold stories.
Away from the plot, I highly prefer Aya's art style over her other works. It just looks better, in my opinion. I wonder if she'll do any more works that stray away from the typical shojo. Maybe I'm just too non-girly for a girl, haha.
May 3, 2024
6 October 2015: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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3 May 2024: ⭐️⭐️
Wow!! That ending was terrible!!!! There is a twist towards the middle of the volume that needed a bit more setting up, imo; as it is, it just seems too abrupt. I think it could have worked if the manga hadn't ended after two volumes but had gone on a little longer.
Well, my past self had no taste when it comes to this manga. 😂 My tastes are usually pretty samey over the years, so it's fun to find a past rating that I now wholeheartedly disagree with! I wish I'd written a review back then so I would know what I was thinking!
The best thing about this manga was the art.
__
3 May 2024: ⭐️⭐️
Wow!! That ending was terrible!!!! There is a twist towards the middle of the volume that needed a bit more setting up, imo; as it is, it just seems too abrupt. I think it could have worked if the manga hadn't ended after two volumes but had gone on a little longer.
Well, my past self had no taste when it comes to this manga. 😂 My tastes are usually pretty samey over the years, so it's fun to find a past rating that I now wholeheartedly disagree with! I wish I'd written a review back then so I would know what I was thinking!
The best thing about this manga was the art.
August 18, 2012
This was a quick fun read of a pretty dark manga. I think it's just the two volumes so it seems to be all wrapped up and so that kind of leaves you a bit, meh. But the artwork is beautiful with stunning character designs. I think the story has a lot of potential - it's sad that the mangaka had to, for expediency sake make one particular character in this quite wimpy - I get the sense that he wasn't originally written this way. I am, though, a bit tired of diminutive blind girls walking around with their eyes closed lol - please stop!
October 6, 2012
This book really should have slowed down. The pace was horrifically fast and there was no suspense at all. We basically got all the main questions answered and very few questions left. I'll be surprised if they somehow stretch this out even more, I doubt they'll be many more books in this series.
The story was wonderful, I love it. But the author could have stretched it out and had way more books.
Btw I just checked... AND HOW CAN THIS BE THE LAST BOOK IN THE SERIES?
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April 4, 2010
Zen is beautiful, evil character. Its hard not like him despite the fact that he truly has no conscience. There is bit of tragic love, but its mainly all angst here.
The art is splendid and the tension was built unconsciously. I didn't expect to like it, since I really wanted some type of emotion (love specifically). Its a bit tragic, but is oddly enjoyable.
The art is splendid and the tension was built unconsciously. I didn't expect to like it, since I really wanted some type of emotion (love specifically). Its a bit tragic, but is oddly enjoyable.
July 2, 2012
It's difficult to call Sen a bad guy after reading this volume. And there's such a dip into this magnificently complex world that promises a huge story. But still, it seems like it was rushed. For most volumes, this would be stretched into two or three books. Instead, it's stretched into not even half a dozen chapters.
October 15, 2015
Not what I was expecting but it was good. I don't think it should have been published as a shojo manga considering the extreme lack of romance that is what ShojoBeat is known for. This would have been better served as a Shonen Jump manga since that would have been a better target audience. Besides that this final volume had a very abrupt end and I was left slightly unsatisfied.
January 6, 2016
This conclusion was a bit weird to me. It ends of course going into volume 3 but there was a strange piece on the lines of "you have to become dark to go into the light" I feel like is a good setup but it feel a little off to me. When one of the characters die at the end of this book all I keep thinking was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX7V6...
March 17, 2017
This one was better than the first. I was totally confused during the first one. This one explains everything so I get it now. It was really good for what it is, but I think I just like girly manga better.
December 6, 2008
Oh the angst! Oh the tragic backstory!
July 4, 2009
i liked this way more than vol 1. purely a plot thing.
May 12, 2011
A short series (just two volumes) but that's what makes it enjoyable.
August 7, 2011
aussitôt commencé, aussitôt fini.... j'ai vraiment aimé, pas mal de suspens, j'avais vraiment envie de connaitre l'histoire de Zen jusqu'au bout... un bon manga !
December 11, 2011
Nice story.
October 29, 2016
intersting story but kinda had to follow
November 3, 2016
This was interesting, especially the story. The art style was also good.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 30 reviews