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めだかボックス / Medaka Box #2
めだかボックス モノクロ版 2 (ジャンプコミックスDIGITAL)
部費増額を求める各部活動の為に「部費争奪水中運動会」を企画した生徒会。当日、生徒会の参戦も決まり、イベントは一気に最高潮に！ だがそんな生徒会の前に特待生揃いの競泳部・三人衆が立ちはだかり…!?
187 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
NisiOisiN
289 books977 followersNisio Isin (西尾維新 Nishio Ishin), frequently written as NisiOisiN to emphasize that his pen name is a palindrome, is a Japanese novelist and manga writer. He attended and left Ritsumeikan University without graduating. In 2002, he debuted with the novel Kubikiri Cycle, which earned him the 23rd Mephisto Award at twenty years of age.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
He currently works with Kodansha on Pandora, the Kodansha Box magazine, and Faust, a literary magazine containing the works of other young authors who similarly take influence from light novels and otaku culture. He was also publishing a twelve volume series over twelve months for the Kodansha Box line; Ryusui Seiryoin was matching this output, and the Kodansha Box website stated that this is the first time in the world two authors have done twelve volume monthly novel series simultaneously from the same publisher.
In February, 2008, his novel Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases was released in English by Viz Media. Del Rey Manga has already released the first volume in his Zaregoto series. His Bakemonogatari, Nisemonogatari and Katanagatari novels have been adapted into anime series. Nekomonogatari (Kuro) has been adapted into an anime TV movie, and Kizumonogatari will be release in theaters this year. Monogatari Series: Second Season, adapted from 6 books in Monogatari Series will air in July 2013. Another of his works, Medaka Box (manga), has been adapted into a two-season anime series.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 18, 2018
The main draw of NisiOisiN's works are the characters and the themes. I didn't believe that the first volume of Medaka Box was overly compelling for exactly that reason: the characters and the themes were one big ball of "good enough". One of the only reasons I decided to continue reading Medaka Box was because it wasn't insultingly bad, and that I had faith NisiOisiN had a lot of leg room in the subsequent 180 chapters to turn the whole thing around.
And it seems like Medaka Box is turning around. In what direction, I don't know yet.
In what direction, I don't know yet. But the fabled "genre shift" that I'm sure convinced everyone to force their way through the series' initial offerings occurs right at the end of this volume. Unfortunately, it's just the prologue for what is to come.
So, I'm not going to be talking about Medaka Box's radical change in atmosphere in this review. There just isn't anything meaningful to talk about.
Instead, I'm going to be focusing on the majority of this chapter, which is, overall, just a more interesting continuation to Medaka Box Volume 1. In this volume, a few more characters join the ranks of the cast and the student council. More of Shiranui's character and true role in this story is revealed as we draw ever closer to the volume's conclusion. Medaka's justice is explored in greater depth. Zenkichi and Akune get closer to each other...in more ways than one. The curtains draw down on the series' first big arc, and I'm happy to say that it was actually enjoyable, if more than a little rough. And finally, a parade of direct antagonists to the student council arrive on the scene.
It's all happening in this volume. It's a much more engaging and suspsenseful read than the last, if only because there's an actual overarching narrative driving most of the chapters this time around. I'm afraid I'm just not the kind of person who can get excited about episodic series, because every chapter or episode seems as disjointed and unimportant as the last. I'm happy that Medaka Box is taking itself a little more seriously in that regard, and at the same time, I'm glad that NisiOisiN's playful writing is able to really take shape in the swim meet arc.
"We'd laugh for a dollar, and we'd cry for one too."
Eccentric, excessive, and entertaining as hell. That's what these characters are. They're also damn ridiculous, but if you expected anything else from a NisiOisiN work, you came to the wrong place. The three mini-antagonists, the swimming club, make their mark in the swim meet. And so too, does Medaka. Who was it that said a fighter is only as strong as the enemies she fights? Not that Medaka fights. She doesn't. She just solves problems and resolves conflicts. She has never once fought a battle in this series. But I think the sentiment applies doubly so. Medaka is only as interesting and fleshed out as the enemies she fights. If you only throw everyday grievances and common thugs in her way, the only thing she's going to be able to respond with is piecemeal ideals like, "everyone has good in them", or "we all make mistakes."
The swimming club, or more specifically, a particular character in the swimming club, directly opposes Medaka in this arc and throws her words back in her face. So too, does Medaka return in kind. This is the first time any problem has actually had any real stakes in Medaka Box so far. And it's the first time I've found myself liking a character in Medaka Box; I mean, actually, honestly, really liking them as a person. Wanting to root for them. Wanting them to win. Wanting things to go well for them. Not just because of how they and their problem were treated in the swim meet arc, but also because of how the series continues to flesh them out as more than a hunchback currying the done-to-death themes of the series. "We're more than our problems and our grievances," or something.
Aside from that big arc, there's also the mini-arc with the Enforcers that pushes the overall narrative gently forward, while introducing the most entertaining character so far. There's not much to say about it aside from that it's a barrel of laughs and I want more. The comedy has been kicked up a notch, and I love it.
The art has grown on me. I don't think it's anywhere near as freakishly fantastic as something like Oyasumi Punpun, or as delightfully stylized as something like Chikan Otoko, or as disturbingly deviant as something like Aku no Hana, but it has grown on me. I also still find Akune's design hilarious, though I'm not sure if I ever mentioned that in my previous review. The new characters have some nice designs, as well.
And the series as a whole has grown on me, too. It's growing into itself. I hope it continues to get better. I wouldn't want to read it again, though. It's still a throwaway work, but whereas I'd throw Vol. 1 in the garbage disposal without a second thought, I wouldn't mind keeping Vol. 2 on my shelf.
Give it a read. Maybe it'll grow on you too.
And it seems like Medaka Box is turning around. In what direction, I don't know yet.
In what direction, I don't know yet. But the fabled "genre shift" that I'm sure convinced everyone to force their way through the series' initial offerings occurs right at the end of this volume. Unfortunately, it's just the prologue for what is to come.
So, I'm not going to be talking about Medaka Box's radical change in atmosphere in this review. There just isn't anything meaningful to talk about.
Instead, I'm going to be focusing on the majority of this chapter, which is, overall, just a more interesting continuation to Medaka Box Volume 1. In this volume, a few more characters join the ranks of the cast and the student council. More of Shiranui's character and true role in this story is revealed as we draw ever closer to the volume's conclusion. Medaka's justice is explored in greater depth. Zenkichi and Akune get closer to each other...in more ways than one. The curtains draw down on the series' first big arc, and I'm happy to say that it was actually enjoyable, if more than a little rough. And finally, a parade of direct antagonists to the student council arrive on the scene.
It's all happening in this volume. It's a much more engaging and suspsenseful read than the last, if only because there's an actual overarching narrative driving most of the chapters this time around. I'm afraid I'm just not the kind of person who can get excited about episodic series, because every chapter or episode seems as disjointed and unimportant as the last. I'm happy that Medaka Box is taking itself a little more seriously in that regard, and at the same time, I'm glad that NisiOisiN's playful writing is able to really take shape in the swim meet arc.
"We'd laugh for a dollar, and we'd cry for one too."
Eccentric, excessive, and entertaining as hell. That's what these characters are. They're also damn ridiculous, but if you expected anything else from a NisiOisiN work, you came to the wrong place. The three mini-antagonists, the swimming club, make their mark in the swim meet. And so too, does Medaka. Who was it that said a fighter is only as strong as the enemies she fights? Not that Medaka fights. She doesn't. She just solves problems and resolves conflicts. She has never once fought a battle in this series. But I think the sentiment applies doubly so. Medaka is only as interesting and fleshed out as the enemies she fights. If you only throw everyday grievances and common thugs in her way, the only thing she's going to be able to respond with is piecemeal ideals like, "everyone has good in them", or "we all make mistakes."
The swimming club, or more specifically, a particular character in the swimming club, directly opposes Medaka in this arc and throws her words back in her face. So too, does Medaka return in kind. This is the first time any problem has actually had any real stakes in Medaka Box so far. And it's the first time I've found myself liking a character in Medaka Box; I mean, actually, honestly, really liking them as a person. Wanting to root for them. Wanting them to win. Wanting things to go well for them. Not just because of how they and their problem were treated in the swim meet arc, but also because of how the series continues to flesh them out as more than a hunchback currying the done-to-death themes of the series. "We're more than our problems and our grievances," or something.
Aside from that big arc, there's also the mini-arc with the Enforcers that pushes the overall narrative gently forward, while introducing the most entertaining character so far. There's not much to say about it aside from that it's a barrel of laughs and I want more. The comedy has been kicked up a notch, and I love it.
The art has grown on me. I don't think it's anywhere near as freakishly fantastic as something like Oyasumi Punpun, or as delightfully stylized as something like Chikan Otoko, or as disturbingly deviant as something like Aku no Hana, but it has grown on me. I also still find Akune's design hilarious, though I'm not sure if I ever mentioned that in my previous review. The new characters have some nice designs, as well.
And the series as a whole has grown on me, too. It's growing into itself. I hope it continues to get better. I wouldn't want to read it again, though. It's still a throwaway work, but whereas I'd throw Vol. 1 in the garbage disposal without a second thought, I wouldn't mind keeping Vol. 2 on my shelf.
Give it a read. Maybe it'll grow on you too.
March 21, 2021
Well, that ended in a disturbing way. That 9-year-old is unsettling and more than a little insane
August 19, 2016
me encanta como el manga muestra mas expresiones y rasgos que no se llegan a ver tanto en el anime, me encanta medaka y su forma de ver la esencia de los humanos y como existe un porque de las cosas y como se va creando un vinculo lo gente la llega a seguir.
November 28, 2013
Dios. Como si la batalla con el club de natacion no fuese lo suficientemente emocionante, la patrulla reglamentaria da miedo.
July 13, 2014
Otro tomo divertido, que se deja leer sin demasiadas vueltas y con un poco más de pistas sobre la futura vuelta de tuerca de la serie.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews