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Pandora Hearts #1
Pandora Hearts, Vol. 1
The air of celebration surrounding fifteen-year-old Oz Vessalius's coming-of-age ceremony quickly turns to horror when he is condemned for a sin about which he knows nothing. He is thrown into an eternal, inescapable prison known as the Abyss from which there is no escape. There, he meets a young girl named Alice, who is not what she seems. Now that the relentless cogs of fate have begun to turn, do they lead only to crushing despair for Oz, or is there some shred of hope for him to grasp on to?
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2006
286 people are currently reading
22340 people want to read
About the author
Jun Mochizuki
184 books910 followersJun Mochizuki (望月淳 Mochizuki Jun) is a Japanese comic artist (manga-ka), best known for the fantasy shounen series Pandora Hearts/パンドラハーツ.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 713 reviews
June 24, 2017
OK, the week I was recovering from surgery on a really generous prescription for narcotic pain relievers was possibly not the optimum one for tacking this series. But I did.
Excellent artwork. Shall leave descriptions of set-up and plot to other reviewers. Pretty much all of the characters, protag and antag, were idiots, doing idiot things (granted usually with inadequate information) to advance the plot at a suitable clip. The one character who very much wasn't an idiot spent half his time pretending to be, but I nonetheless plowed through all 24 volumes (22, as it turned out) in pursuit of his story. I was toward the middle tempted to start treating it all as I had War and Peace as a young reader, paging through to pick up Pierre's scenes and just reading them, which turned that tome into something much more manageable. But I figured I'd miss too much set-up.
Also, the narrative rewards at the end were not well-distributed. Vincent Nightray should have died in a fire, frankly. And Xerxes Break should have won his princess (and she him.) They'd certainly earned each other. Presumably some fanficcer somewhere has corrected this.
Oh, a note on the anime. For most of the two seasons it follows the manga closely enough to be near-interchangeable, but only gets about halfway through the story. The last three episodes of season 2 are utter gibberish slapped in by the anime people when, I posit, they were told it wasn't to be renewed, so they tried (and failed) to fake up some closure. Skip those last episodes. The rest is OK.
Ta, L.
Addendum: Having been drawn into revisiting this work, I should add that while the work-as-a-whole merely whelmed me, the character of Xerxes "Learn From My Fail" Break gets five stars.
Later still: raising this to4 5 stars because it got me to read it through twice *coughmany* times, if one counts the re-skimming. Partly to try out my new tablet for manga (brilliant), partly to see if it would make more sense if I gave it a fairer reading not treating most of the rest of the cast and their problems as speed bumps between me and my character of interest. Also with fewer drugs. Well, hm. I'd say it pretty much requires two readings just to sort out the event salad, multi-layered flashbacks and cutting for suspense and so on, only partly due to how the Abyss screws with time.
For all the furniture from Alice in Wonderland, the core story here turns out to be Pinocchio, curiously enough.
Xerxes remains the smartest man in the room, or even more so, Reim's diligence and Barma's slyness notwithstanding -- or perhaps the wisest, all hard-won. But I have to take back my earlier remarks about narrative rewards. He entirely earned his character arc, every heartbreaking bit of it, and he would be diminished if it were to be taken from him. Dammit. Which was part of the thematic point of the whole structure. Also, I don't see how this is a work for children. (Possibly for grownups emotionally scarred as children by that Disney movie.) At the very least, I suspect younger readers would process events and character remarks very differently from their seniors. Which is kind of a given for any work of fiction, but might be more visible here.
Interesting, reading the end-matter, I discovered its creation took, and took place over, nine years. Speaking as a creator myself, yeepers.
Also, speaking of gendered fiction, it made an interesting compare-and-contrast with Bleach, also recently revisited. The two 15-year-old male protagonists could scarcely be less alike. Much to consider on that one.
Ta, L.
... Also, does anyone else suspect the Rainsworth women reproduce by parthenogenesis...?
Excellent artwork. Shall leave descriptions of set-up and plot to other reviewers. Pretty much all of the characters, protag and antag, were idiots, doing idiot things (granted usually with inadequate information) to advance the plot at a suitable clip. The one character who very much wasn't an idiot spent half his time pretending to be, but I nonetheless plowed through all 24 volumes (22, as it turned out) in pursuit of his story. I was toward the middle tempted to start treating it all as I had War and Peace as a young reader, paging through to pick up Pierre's scenes and just reading them, which turned that tome into something much more manageable. But I figured I'd miss too much set-up.
Also, the narrative rewards at the end were not well-distributed. Vincent Nightray should have died in a fire, frankly. And Xerxes Break should have won his princess (and she him.) They'd certainly earned each other. Presumably some fanficcer somewhere has corrected this.
Oh, a note on the anime. For most of the two seasons it follows the manga closely enough to be near-interchangeable, but only gets about halfway through the story. The last three episodes of season 2 are utter gibberish slapped in by the anime people when, I posit, they were told it wasn't to be renewed, so they tried (and failed) to fake up some closure. Skip those last episodes. The rest is OK.
Ta, L.
Addendum: Having been drawn into revisiting this work, I should add that while the work-as-a-whole merely whelmed me, the character of Xerxes "Learn From My Fail" Break gets five stars.
Later still: raising this to
For all the furniture from Alice in Wonderland, the core story here turns out to be Pinocchio, curiously enough.
Xerxes remains the smartest man in the room, or even more so, Reim's diligence and Barma's slyness notwithstanding -- or perhaps the wisest, all hard-won. But I have to take back my earlier remarks about narrative rewards. He entirely earned his character arc, every heartbreaking bit of it, and he would be diminished if it were to be taken from him. Dammit. Which was part of the thematic point of the whole structure. Also, I don't see how this is a work for children. (Possibly for grownups emotionally scarred as children by that Disney movie.) At the very least, I suspect younger readers would process events and character remarks very differently from their seniors. Which is kind of a given for any work of fiction, but might be more visible here.
Interesting, reading the end-matter, I discovered its creation took, and took place over, nine years. Speaking as a creator myself, yeepers.
Also, speaking of gendered fiction, it made an interesting compare-and-contrast with Bleach, also recently revisited. The two 15-year-old male protagonists could scarcely be less alike. Much to consider on that one.
Ta, L.
... Also, does anyone else suspect the Rainsworth women reproduce by parthenogenesis...?
July 31, 2012
I cannot begin to describe how amazing this series is. But because you probably want to know why I gave this series five stars, I'll try.
First, the artwork is gorgeous. Whether it's an action scene, an emotional moment, or horror and madness, the artwork always delivers. Though the comic relief isn't as frequent as some other series, it's well done. What could have easily been jarring flows just as well as the rest of the plot.
As for the story, I have never seen a more twisted take on Alice in Wonderland. Ever. And the beauty of it is that Jun Mochizuki does this without taking away the sense of wonder and innocence involved in discovering a world that isn't what you thought it was. The Abyss is terrifying, but it's also, in a way, beautiful.
(I want to clarify something though. This is not a re-telling of Alice in Wonderland or a variation on it. The plot uses elements from AiW to tell a completely original story.)
Oz is a wonderfully engaging character. On the one hand, he accepts everything, including the craziness of the Abyss, very easily. He seems happy-go-lucky and careless, but it doesn't take long to realize he's hiding emotional scars. Between that and his surprising intelligence, he's a joy to watch in action.
Alice, a Chain from the Abyss also known as B-Rabbit, and Oz's contractee, is, at various times, crazy, heartless, amazing, cunning, and surprisingly vulnerable. Even though she can kill without remorse, her time with Oz hints at a future humanity for the crazed rabbit.
The first volume, for all its greatness, is still mostly set-up. Fantastic set-up (even now I'm pretty much speechless), but still only a beginning. And with a beginning like this, reading the next volume is almost inevitable.
First, the artwork is gorgeous. Whether it's an action scene, an emotional moment, or horror and madness, the artwork always delivers. Though the comic relief isn't as frequent as some other series, it's well done. What could have easily been jarring flows just as well as the rest of the plot.
As for the story, I have never seen a more twisted take on Alice in Wonderland. Ever. And the beauty of it is that Jun Mochizuki does this without taking away the sense of wonder and innocence involved in discovering a world that isn't what you thought it was. The Abyss is terrifying, but it's also, in a way, beautiful.
(I want to clarify something though. This is not a re-telling of Alice in Wonderland or a variation on it. The plot uses elements from AiW to tell a completely original story.)
Oz is a wonderfully engaging character. On the one hand, he accepts everything, including the craziness of the Abyss, very easily. He seems happy-go-lucky and careless, but it doesn't take long to realize he's hiding emotional scars. Between that and his surprising intelligence, he's a joy to watch in action.
Alice, a Chain from the Abyss also known as B-Rabbit, and Oz's contractee, is, at various times, crazy, heartless, amazing, cunning, and surprisingly vulnerable. Even though she can kill without remorse, her time with Oz hints at a future humanity for the crazed rabbit.
The first volume, for all its greatness, is still mostly set-up. Fantastic set-up (even now I'm pretty much speechless), but still only a beginning. And with a beginning like this, reading the next volume is almost inevitable.
March 20, 2013
When I first started reading this book, my friend Chloe (who reccommended it to me) told me that "Everything I believed was true was in fact wrong."
I'm sure there was more capslock in there. Regardless, back when I started this specific volume I had no idea of how much that would prove to be absolutely correct.
I knew nothing.
Because of this, I spent half of my time reading this manga going "What the fuck is going on?"
And yet, even though everything was completely confusing for 60+ chapters (sorry, Retraces), I couldn't stop reading.
It might have been the superbe characters. It might have been that Raven is the perfect bishonen and yet is also a beautiful subversion. It might have been that I have elected Oz "My Baby" and that Break is lovely and outrageous, that Sharon is the best, that Alice and I have very similar priorities.
It might have been that the art develops to become absolutely gorgeous.
Regardless, I'm happy that I kept reading.
I'm happy because this is an absolutely wonderful piece of writing. The plot is so complex and well paced that I am left stunned.
Who in the world can weave a story, make you believe certain things so firmly and then completely turn all your certainties on their heads? (And not as a cheap trick: as a studied, prepared, accounted for move, with its own foreshadowing that we were just too blind to see) Who can make me feel physical pain for a character? All the while drawing the most beautiful illustrations?
A damn fine writer and artist, that's who.
So much so that I just gave five stars to all volumes, and I ain't even mad.
I'm sure there was more capslock in there. Regardless, back when I started this specific volume I had no idea of how much that would prove to be absolutely correct.
I knew nothing.
Because of this, I spent half of my time reading this manga going "What the fuck is going on?"
And yet, even though everything was completely confusing for 60+ chapters (sorry, Retraces), I couldn't stop reading.
It might have been the superbe characters. It might have been that Raven is the perfect bishonen and yet is also a beautiful subversion. It might have been that I have elected Oz "My Baby" and that Break is lovely and outrageous, that Sharon is the best, that Alice and I have very similar priorities.
It might have been that the art develops to become absolutely gorgeous.
Regardless, I'm happy that I kept reading.
I'm happy because this is an absolutely wonderful piece of writing. The plot is so complex and well paced that I am left stunned.
Who in the world can weave a story, make you believe certain things so firmly and then completely turn all your certainties on their heads? (And not as a cheap trick: as a studied, prepared, accounted for move, with its own foreshadowing that we were just too blind to see) Who can make me feel physical pain for a character? All the while drawing the most beautiful illustrations?
A damn fine writer and artist, that's who.
So much so that I just gave five stars to all volumes, and I ain't even mad.
April 23, 2017
First review
Wow..It was a tough ride..
The story was complex and characters were interesting.. I liked Oz, and of course Alice )) I want to dive in this manga and find answers..
The story gave me ideas about my own story...
And I hope the artwork gets better too..
Overall, 5 complex stars!
Second review : Review of all series
4.91☆
I remember the first time I got the first volume in my hands. BEST. DECISION. OF. MY. LIFE. I didn't expect this kind of complex and beautifully crafted story-line. I didn't expect I would become addicted to the manga and connect deeply to the characters that much. I didn't expect to cry over their sadness and happiness of these characters. My lovely characters: OZ, ALICE, GILBERT, BREAK, SHARON, VINCENT, ECHO, REIM, OSCAR, ELLIOT, LEO, ADA <3
The other great characters :Xai, Lacie, Jack, Barma, Glen, Lottie ))
I learned so much from the story and from characters. I cherish the days and nights I read the manga so hungrily to know what will happen to them. I loved every sentence, every picture of it. The artwork was perfect! Without doubt, It will be my favorite manga ever!
I am so sad that some characters died
I am happy for redemption some characters got/ Jack and Glen for example..and Vincent became kind and he even
The ending was bittersweet. I did like it. I am both happy and sad at the same time.
I would like to write my favorite quotes from it:
“Someone once said, 'That place is engulfed in darkness'- however that does in no way mean that there was never any light.”
“People who think so lightly of their own lives, don't have the right to protect anyone.” -ELLIOT
“Don't try to excuse yourself by saying you're doing it for someone else's sake."-BREAK
“Spoiling stories… is an unforgivable sin in this world.”-LEO
"What is really wicked... is judging people without even trying to get to know them!"-ADA
"Instead of sighing about the past, I'd rather be happy to face the present."-OZ
"If you don't get accepted by anyone, does that mean there's no significance for you to live on?"-ALICE
"If you accept everything you’re told without question, you’ll lose your ability to think. Even if you reached the same conclusion, it would still be worth analyzing the reasons behind it."-LACIE
"I don't really like people who go around brandishing the banner of justice. No matter the reason, where human's are involved, there is no black or white, no justice or evil. There is only our will."-OZ
Thank you JUN MOCHIZUKI, for creating this wonderful story! I am forever your fan now!
PS: I now want to read "Alice in wonderland".
Wow..It was a tough ride..
The story was complex and characters were interesting.. I liked Oz, and of course Alice )) I want to dive in this manga and find answers..
The story gave me ideas about my own story...
And I hope the artwork gets better too..
Overall, 5 complex stars!
Second review : Review of all series
4.91☆
I remember the first time I got the first volume in my hands. BEST. DECISION. OF. MY. LIFE. I didn't expect this kind of complex and beautifully crafted story-line. I didn't expect I would become addicted to the manga and connect deeply to the characters that much. I didn't expect to cry over their sadness and happiness of these characters. My lovely characters: OZ, ALICE, GILBERT, BREAK, SHARON, VINCENT, ECHO, REIM, OSCAR, ELLIOT, LEO, ADA <3
The other great characters :Xai, Lacie, Jack, Barma, Glen, Lottie ))
I learned so much from the story and from characters. I cherish the days and nights I read the manga so hungrily to know what will happen to them. I loved every sentence, every picture of it. The artwork was perfect! Without doubt, It will be my favorite manga ever!
I am so sad that some characters died
I am happy for redemption some characters got/ Jack and Glen for example..and Vincent became kind and he even
The ending was bittersweet. I did like it. I am both happy and sad at the same time.
I would like to write my favorite quotes from it:
“Someone once said, 'That place is engulfed in darkness'- however that does in no way mean that there was never any light.”
“People who think so lightly of their own lives, don't have the right to protect anyone.” -ELLIOT
“Don't try to excuse yourself by saying you're doing it for someone else's sake."-BREAK
“Spoiling stories… is an unforgivable sin in this world.”-LEO
"What is really wicked... is judging people without even trying to get to know them!"-ADA
"Instead of sighing about the past, I'd rather be happy to face the present."-OZ
"If you don't get accepted by anyone, does that mean there's no significance for you to live on?"-ALICE
"If you accept everything you’re told without question, you’ll lose your ability to think. Even if you reached the same conclusion, it would still be worth analyzing the reasons behind it."-LACIE
"I don't really like people who go around brandishing the banner of justice. No matter the reason, where human's are involved, there is no black or white, no justice or evil. There is only our will."-OZ
Thank you JUN MOCHIZUKI, for creating this wonderful story! I am forever your fan now!
PS: I now want to read "Alice in wonderland".
January 5, 2021
Primer manga que leo en mi vida y cuando entendí como leerlo me encantó.
Lenguaje simple, historia entretenida con el suspenso necesario para engancharse y no poder soltarla.
Ideal para adolescentes.
Lenguaje simple, historia entretenida con el suspenso necesario para engancharse y no poder soltarla.
Ideal para adolescentes.
June 16, 2021
خب من جلد اول رو از اول خوندم.
همچنان هیچی نمیفهمم. طبیعتا عادت ندارم خالق اثر بیاد همه چیزو مو به مو توضیح بده بدون اینکه خواننده سعی و تلاشی بکنه ولی اینکه تو جلد اول و همچنین دوم فقط کلی اتفاق میفته و اگه توضیحی هم داده میشه من خواننده فقط بیشتر گیج میشم و هیچی نمیفهمم، اذیتم میکنه واقعا.
فعلا نه خوشم اومده و نه بدم اومده فقط چون میدونم طرفدار زیاد داره و دوستم هم میگه کلا تا یه جاهایی همینطور گیج کننده س و خودم هم کنجکاوم دارم ادامه میدم ببینم چی میشه.
بعدا شاید نمره ای که به این اثر دادم رو عوض کنم. نمیدونم.
همچنان هیچی نمیفهمم. طبیعتا عادت ندارم خالق اثر بیاد همه چیزو مو به مو توضیح بده بدون اینکه خواننده سعی و تلاشی بکنه ولی اینکه تو جلد اول و همچنین دوم فقط کلی اتفاق میفته و اگه توضیحی هم داده میشه من خواننده فقط بیشتر گیج میشم و هیچی نمیفهمم، اذیتم میکنه واقعا.
فعلا نه خوشم اومده و نه بدم اومده فقط چون میدونم طرفدار زیاد داره و دوستم هم میگه کلا تا یه جاهایی همینطور گیج کننده س و خودم هم کنجکاوم دارم ادامه میدم ببینم چی میشه.
بعدا شاید نمره ای که به این اثر دادم رو عوض کنم. نمیدونم.
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November 4, 2023Placeholder for volumes 1-24
So I did a dumdum. I read most of this series in one go and then didn't come back to it for years (I don't remember if I stopped because of a character death or because the chapters weren't out yet), only to read the remaining dozen chapters after I had completely forgotten all the context. The plot twists and family trees in this were so complex and confusing for me as a kid - I wonder how this would hold up on a reread, but I don't see myself embarking on one in the near future.
So I did a dumdum. I read most of this series in one go and then didn't come back to it for years (I don't remember if I stopped because of a character death or because the chapters weren't out yet), only to read the remaining dozen chapters after I had completely forgotten all the context. The plot twists and family trees in this were so complex and confusing for me as a kid - I wonder how this would hold up on a reread, but I don't see myself embarking on one in the near future.
March 7, 2013
I don't think this one is for me. I get why other people would like it, and there's nothing in here that's bad on the surface. It just does absolutely nothing for me. I don't care about the characters or plot so far, and the art isn't good, unique, and/or interesting enough to pull me in despite myself. I've heard that it gets better as it goes, but I just don't care.
August 20, 2016
"Those who come to the Abyss are all the same. They're all desperate to get something back. But everyone goes mad partway..."
See, I really, really don’t understand how an author, mangaka, f-ing story writing genius, can immerse readers in something so gloriously messed up, beautiful, emo, crazy, funny, deep, and downright strange like it's nothing. More than just a few times I laughed out loud and shook my head thinking: psshh, that’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid, then turned the page only to stop just short of curling up into a ball in a dark corner, gently caressing the book and whispering softly to it, while crying myself to sleep. How the heck can a person accomplish not looking like a mad person while reading this series (it’s not that I’m actually just crazy…honest)? This is just one of those books where you WILL get people whispering about you and strange, slightly fearful, glances if you read it in public, cause incomprehensible outbursts of emotion are a thing throughout this series.
Okay, now that I’m done with my rant, on with the review:
I honestly never expected to really like this series and wasn’t expecting much from it. I tried to watch the anime a couple years ago, but couldn’t really get into it (never made it past the first part of the 1st episode). After the first volume I figured I’d enjoy it, but it probably wouldn’t be a favorite. Once I got to the 4th volume I figured I’d really like it, but might not buy it (in my poor defense I’ve got a pretty extensive list of manga to buy so I’m really reluctant to add to it). But past that…I stopped caring about the total price of the series, food, and sleep. The last couple arcs almost killed me with all the FEELS.
"Finally I saw... A world so bright I almost wanted to cry... It was then, that my consciousness was engulfed in darkness."
I actually had to put the book down a few times and walk away in an attempt to take it all in, especially since I was usually still trying to deal with the aftermath of a few events/feels in previous arcs. Wait, my bad, I’m ranting again lol. Okay…
The Story: So if you don’t already know (it’s a pretty popular series for good reason), it's got an Alice in Wonderland type thing going on and explores pretty complex themes, primarily identity and existence and how things like the presence/absence of memory, human (or otherwise) bonds/connections, and the past can shape one's identity and sense of self.
And for the full review please visit my blog here
See, I really, really don’t understand how an author, mangaka, f-ing story writing genius, can immerse readers in something so gloriously messed up, beautiful, emo, crazy, funny, deep, and downright strange like it's nothing. More than just a few times I laughed out loud and shook my head thinking: psshh, that’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid, then turned the page only to stop just short of curling up into a ball in a dark corner, gently caressing the book and whispering softly to it, while crying myself to sleep. How the heck can a person accomplish not looking like a mad person while reading this series (it’s not that I’m actually just crazy…honest)? This is just one of those books where you WILL get people whispering about you and strange, slightly fearful, glances if you read it in public, cause incomprehensible outbursts of emotion are a thing throughout this series.
Okay, now that I’m done with my rant, on with the review:
I honestly never expected to really like this series and wasn’t expecting much from it. I tried to watch the anime a couple years ago, but couldn’t really get into it (never made it past the first part of the 1st episode). After the first volume I figured I’d enjoy it, but it probably wouldn’t be a favorite. Once I got to the 4th volume I figured I’d really like it, but might not buy it (in my poor defense I’ve got a pretty extensive list of manga to buy so I’m really reluctant to add to it). But past that…I stopped caring about the total price of the series, food, and sleep. The last couple arcs almost killed me with all the FEELS.
"Finally I saw... A world so bright I almost wanted to cry... It was then, that my consciousness was engulfed in darkness."
I actually had to put the book down a few times and walk away in an attempt to take it all in, especially since I was usually still trying to deal with the aftermath of a few events/feels in previous arcs. Wait, my bad, I’m ranting again lol. Okay…
The Story: So if you don’t already know (it’s a pretty popular series for good reason), it's got an Alice in Wonderland type thing going on and explores pretty complex themes, primarily identity and existence and how things like the presence/absence of memory, human (or otherwise) bonds/connections, and the past can shape one's identity and sense of self.
And for the full review please visit my blog here
May 21, 2018
I've decided I'm re reading the first few volumes of this series before I finally carry on with the rest. I forgot how good this first volume actually is, and now I'm really excited to get through the entire series!
The artwork is amazing and the actual story is so unique. I love it so much, and regret not reading the rest of the series sooner. I hope the whole series is as strong as this first volume.
Wish me luck! I only own the first 7 volumes...so I'm gonna be reading a lot of scans...
The artwork is amazing and the actual story is so unique. I love it so much, and regret not reading the rest of the series sooner. I hope the whole series is as strong as this first volume.
Wish me luck! I only own the first 7 volumes...so I'm gonna be reading a lot of scans...
January 10, 2016
This has to be one of the best first volumes of a series I've read. I can't wait to read the rest of the volumes.
October 31, 2023
Review for complete series
I'd like to start by saying that with my two decades of manga reading, Pandora Hearts has recently earned its way to being one of the best manga series I've ever read - and to think I almost didn't pick it up!
There's actually a bit of a story to it: Pandora Hearts was being released around the time I knew I would be moving overseas. At the time, I had no idea how moving to the other side of the world would affect my manga buying. Also at that time, I was working at a comic store with staff discounts at my disposal and I never had to worry too much about picking up whatever I fancied. When I first saw Pandora Hearts, I thought the art looked beautiful and this just might be a really good manga. It also struck me as a manga series that could go on for quite a while [which was a reasonably accurate assumption as 24 volumes is not a length I could commit to lightly]. Not knowing how I'd get my hands on manga or how long this series would be let me to putting it back on the shelf. And I confess, it was filled with quite a bit of regret.
When I finally did move overseas - a family friend had a good bye gift. The shape was easy to discern: it was undoubtably a manga volume. While thankful for receiving a gift, I was also nervous: having worked in a comic store, I knew for sure: I either already own it or am not interested in it. In addition, the friend in question doesn't know the first thing about manga. To my surprise, it was the first volume of Pandora Hearts which was probably the single only volume she could have taken from the shelf that wasn't already in my possession and did interest me. How she managed to pick out that one I don't know, but it's a coincidence I feel thankful for and, in some cheesy way, made me feel like it was just meant to be that I read Pandora Hearts after all.
Fast forward to 2023, I finally found the time to read this 24 volume series and am absolutely delighted. My original observation remains: the art is absolutely stunning. With the exception of a oneshot debut work, it's hard to believe that this is quite close to being a beginner's work - you'd not believe it just looking at the first volume's art.
My other thoughts are largely around how hard it is to praise a story you think is so thoroughly good as this one is. It's not really a plot you can explain to someone, it's a story you have to read for yourself as even the latest volumes will throw some surprises at you. But I think, besides the art, what really contributes a lot to this work are the characters. Oz might be our main character, but we have a large cast and they are all lovingly created. There's hardly a character you won't be able to like in one way or another, even the most broken of them. It's quite a feat to create a story that makes you care and worry about almost every character's fate.
And worry you can indeed: it has light and beautiful moments, but it is essentially a dark tale and you'll constantly worry whether the characters will make it through. Needless to say, there are losses throughout the story. There are plenty of twists and turns, things that will surprise and shock you.
I will also add that the plot is complex and not always easy to follow. Some characters have multiple names - this becomes even more difficult for some characters who also have multiple personalities who also have multiple names. Not everything in the plot made entire sense to me - it's hard to say whether they were plot holes, not explained well enough or I was simply missing something - a reread might answer that. But regardless, when these moments arose, I decided to just go with the flow and it didn't disrupt my reading experience at all.
Besides a bit of confusion here and there, I can't fault this series with anything. The pacing is well done, the 24 volumes were neither too long nor too short [something I often complain about] and it wrapped up nicely. For such a dark read, there's also a lot of soft story telling which just concludes this with a very wholesome ending. There is close to no romance but I wasn't missing it [and I'm a big romance reader] - the friendships and bonds between the characters were absolutely beautiful even without much romance thrown in.
I'm glad I did read this series and it is definitely going down as one of my favourites. Highly recommended.
July 31, 2012
I've been having neck pain lately, which keeps me up at night. So, I decided what better way to divert myself than by rereading a most excellent manga series?
Pandora Hearts is one of those series that I knew I would love once I gave it the time it was due. It's complex, both in plot and the way the story unfolds. It's easy to get lost between volumes (when you're waiting months in between releases). What makes it great, though, is that it's a really wonderful series for rereading. You simply cannot get bored. Since I had the basic plot and characters down on this reread, I was able to notice so many other details and nuances to the story. I love finding a series that does this to this level. I love studying the art, figuring out what the characters are thinking that words don't share with the reader. With so many vivid characters, this series is just a lot of fun (Xerxes Break's my favorite! But, I love Oz, too!)
While rather dark (to the macabre at time), the art is striking and even beautiful. I have a thing for this Victorian-era-goth-esque design, so it may be personal preference, but I love the designs used for characters and setting.
Highly recommended. Upgraded to 5 stars because it's really won me over at last.
*First read and reviewed on November 26, 2011 with 4 stars.
Pandora Hearts is one of those series that I knew I would love once I gave it the time it was due. It's complex, both in plot and the way the story unfolds. It's easy to get lost between volumes (when you're waiting months in between releases). What makes it great, though, is that it's a really wonderful series for rereading. You simply cannot get bored. Since I had the basic plot and characters down on this reread, I was able to notice so many other details and nuances to the story. I love finding a series that does this to this level. I love studying the art, figuring out what the characters are thinking that words don't share with the reader. With so many vivid characters, this series is just a lot of fun (Xerxes Break's my favorite! But, I love Oz, too!)
While rather dark (to the macabre at time), the art is striking and even beautiful. I have a thing for this Victorian-era-goth-esque design, so it may be personal preference, but I love the designs used for characters and setting.
Highly recommended. Upgraded to 5 stars because it's really won me over at last.
*First read and reviewed on November 26, 2011 with 4 stars.
May 30, 2022
The start of an amazing journey.
I will state this that I have yet to finish the whole series but as far I have read such far, I can tell you it's amazing story.
It's a story that follows a boy named Oz. If you liked Alice in wonderland, you will like this. The author is heavily inspired by that tale and it comes out amazing in this story. That being said, there will be many things that will just not make sense or be explained for a while. If that sort of thing is something you really don't like, then maybe it isn't for you. I recommend trying it though and reading through as many volumes as you can because it just keeps picking up.
Your brain is going to hurt, I won't lie. But the story has heart and even love lies in Madness.
I will state this that I have yet to finish the whole series but as far I have read such far, I can tell you it's amazing story.
It's a story that follows a boy named Oz. If you liked Alice in wonderland, you will like this. The author is heavily inspired by that tale and it comes out amazing in this story. That being said, there will be many things that will just not make sense or be explained for a while. If that sort of thing is something you really don't like, then maybe it isn't for you. I recommend trying it though and reading through as many volumes as you can because it just keeps picking up.
Your brain is going to hurt, I won't lie. But the story has heart and even love lies in Madness.
January 28, 2021
i liked this a lot more this time! the art style reminds me a lot of black butler which is one of my favourites, so hopefully this one will be too.
December 15, 2014
"Your sin...is your very being.
After seeing this series constantly mentioned on Youtube, Goodreads and by friends, I decided why the heck not? Then I saw the price. $13!? For each volume? And guess how many there are? (Japanese set was all I could find to show you.)
And that's not even all of them! It's ongoing so, naturally, one would run to the plentiful garden of scanlations!!!! Except, I don't read scanlations anymore. After reading about how little these mangaka's make, especially if they are not one of the "Big 3", I decided that should I be serious about reading a series, I would purchase it. New. While it's nice to imagine a library...my wallet hates me.
Finally, I discovered Rightstuf. (I am not being paid to advertise them, I seriously do recommend them with all of my heart because I LOVE anime/manga and those who do as well know just how expensive that shit is!) I paid around $8-9 or so for each, and now have 6 volumes on my self. It's not much, but it did save me money and so far the series is intriguing.
Oz Vessalius is turning 15, and being the son of a rich duke, he has to attend a coming of age ceremony. Of course, everything goes wrong!:D
Oz is pulled into the "Abyss" where criminals who commit terrible crimes are sent to rot. Oz's sin? His very existence. Soon after, he runs into Alice, who intervened in his ceremony as a black rabbit, and who also came into contact with him after he touched a locket he found on a mysterious grave.
Alice proceeds to issue a contract with Oz, which will get both of them out of the Abyss. After some trouble, they finally seal the contract-Kamisama Kiss style;)-and shit gets even more weird and confusing.
There is definitely a bigger plot going on than what we have. Alice's whole reason to get out of the Abyss is to recover her scattered memories. Is she human? Is she a Chain? Is she a black rabbit? Or maybe she is even dead? (Just some assumptions) She is a badass, so us girls will be pleased with her character. She takes nothing from anyone, and will do what she has to. And Oz is very likable as well...yeah, I sort of have a thing for blonde guys :D
One question I have right now though: Who and where is Oz's dad? I have a feeling he was in the Ceremony, but can't be certain.
Allusions to Alice in Wonderland are very prominent in Pandora Hearts. We have The Mad Hatter ( pretty sure he is) Tweedle Dee and Dum, Alice and the rabbit. The art is absolutely GORGEOUS and I am looking forward to the Art Book that is coming out December 26.
The anime is not the manga, from what I know. The story suddenly changes and angered many fans.
Highly recommended but be aware that most things won't make a lot of sense right away.
You can purchase Pandora Hearts here from Rightstuf for $9.74 instead of $13:
my link
After seeing this series constantly mentioned on Youtube, Goodreads and by friends, I decided why the heck not? Then I saw the price. $13!? For each volume? And guess how many there are? (Japanese set was all I could find to show you.)
And that's not even all of them! It's ongoing so, naturally, one would run to the plentiful garden of scanlations!!!! Except, I don't read scanlations anymore. After reading about how little these mangaka's make, especially if they are not one of the "Big 3", I decided that should I be serious about reading a series, I would purchase it. New. While it's nice to imagine a library...my wallet hates me.
Finally, I discovered Rightstuf. (I am not being paid to advertise them, I seriously do recommend them with all of my heart because I LOVE anime/manga and those who do as well know just how expensive that shit is!) I paid around $8-9 or so for each, and now have 6 volumes on my self. It's not much, but it did save me money and so far the series is intriguing.
Oz Vessalius is turning 15, and being the son of a rich duke, he has to attend a coming of age ceremony. Of course, everything goes wrong!:D
Oz is pulled into the "Abyss" where criminals who commit terrible crimes are sent to rot. Oz's sin? His very existence. Soon after, he runs into Alice, who intervened in his ceremony as a black rabbit, and who also came into contact with him after he touched a locket he found on a mysterious grave.
Alice proceeds to issue a contract with Oz, which will get both of them out of the Abyss. After some trouble, they finally seal the contract-Kamisama Kiss style;)-and shit gets even more weird and confusing.
There is definitely a bigger plot going on than what we have. Alice's whole reason to get out of the Abyss is to recover her scattered memories. Is she human? Is she a Chain? Is she a black rabbit? Or maybe she is even dead? (Just some assumptions) She is a badass, so us girls will be pleased with her character. She takes nothing from anyone, and will do what she has to. And Oz is very likable as well...yeah, I sort of have a thing for blonde guys :D
One question I have right now though: Who and where is Oz's dad? I have a feeling he was in the Ceremony, but can't be certain.
Allusions to Alice in Wonderland are very prominent in Pandora Hearts. We have The Mad Hatter ( pretty sure he is) Tweedle Dee and Dum, Alice and the rabbit. The art is absolutely GORGEOUS and I am looking forward to the Art Book that is coming out December 26.
The anime is not the manga, from what I know. The story suddenly changes and angered many fans.
Highly recommended but be aware that most things won't make a lot of sense right away.
You can purchase Pandora Hearts here from Rightstuf for $9.74 instead of $13:
my link
November 16, 2021
This was pretty good I guess.
It starts off with the guy Oz Vessalius and his royal life and coming of age ceremony I think but when they are attacked by what seems like demons and others, he gets lost in an other dimension and how will he escape this and there we learn of the abyss and the others, him meeting the b-rabbit Alice, coming to the real world and meeting the org. Pandora and the secrets and revelations and his new mission after it!
It can be a tad confusing at first but its cool and well written. The pacing is good, the art is cute and whats to come is hinted at very well, so a definite recommend!
It starts off with the guy Oz Vessalius and his royal life and coming of age ceremony I think but when they are attacked by what seems like demons and others, he gets lost in an other dimension and how will he escape this and there we learn of the abyss and the others, him meeting the b-rabbit Alice, coming to the real world and meeting the org. Pandora and the secrets and revelations and his new mission after it!
It can be a tad confusing at first but its cool and well written. The pacing is good, the art is cute and whats to come is hinted at very well, so a definite recommend!
December 28, 2014
Das war schon ziemlich cool, aber auch super verwirrend. Hoffentlich blicke ich beim nächsten Band mehr durch.
Der Zeichenstil ist allerdings genau mein Ding! Echt schön. :)
Der Zeichenstil ist allerdings genau mein Ding! Echt schön. :)
December 21, 2019
impulse library pick up. pretty decent. the beginning felt very confusing. probably won't continue in the series
October 3, 2019
I'm not sure what is going on but I'm intrigued.
Read
September 21, 2018
Pandora Hearts
(パンドラハーツ Pandora Hatsu) es un manga guionizado e ilustrado por la japonesa
Jun Mochizuki
para la revista mensual Gekkan GFantasy, desde el 18 de mayo de 2006 hasta el 18 de marzo de 2015, contando con un total de 104 episodios, recopilados en 24 tomos tankōbon (el formato de recopilatorio manga más común). En España este manga ha llegado de la mano de Norma Editorial en este formato. El manga contó con una adaptación de anime de 25 episodios por parte del estudio XEBEC, que cubre la primera parte del manga. Además, cuenta con novelas ligeras ilustradas por Mochizuki y escritas por Shinobu Wakamiya.
Pandora Hearts sigue las aventuras de Oz Vessalius, el heredero del Gran Ducado del mismo nombre, que, al cumplir quince años, acude a la ceremonia de su mayoría de edad. Durante esta, unas misteriosas personas que visten capas rojas interrumpen la ceremonia y destierran a Oz al Abismo por el pecado de su existencia. Para escapar de este lugar, poblado de unos seres llamados Cadenas, Oz hace un Contrato con B-Rabbit, una Cadena que tiene la forma de una joven de largo pelo negro y de conejo negro gigante con una guadaña (de ahí su nombre, Bloddy-Rabbit, Conejo Sangriento). Cuando al fin consigue salir, descubre que han pasado diez años desde que le desterraron, por lo que su fiel sirviente Gilbert, así como su hermana pequeña Ada, han crecido un poco.
También descubre que su Contrato con Alice (el nombre de la joven que es B-Rabbit) es un Contrato Ilegal. Por ello, en su pecho tiene el tatuaje de un reloj y, cuanto más use el poder de Alice, más rápido avanzará, haciendo que vuelva al Abismo cuando complete una vuelta. Pero no es el único peligro al que se enfrentará, ya que la organización Pandora le estará vigilando, tanto por su Contrato Ilegal, como por todo lo que rodea a su condena al Abismo.
El manga se centrará en averiguar qué pasó para que Oz fuera desterrado al Abismo, en conocer las intenciones de los Barskerville (los misteriosos encapuchados que irrumpieron en la ceremonia de Oz) y también en saber qué pasó hace cien años, en la desaparición de Sabrie.
Continúa en... https://lanaveinvisible.com/2018/09/1...
Pandora Hearts sigue las aventuras de Oz Vessalius, el heredero del Gran Ducado del mismo nombre, que, al cumplir quince años, acude a la ceremonia de su mayoría de edad. Durante esta, unas misteriosas personas que visten capas rojas interrumpen la ceremonia y destierran a Oz al Abismo por el pecado de su existencia. Para escapar de este lugar, poblado de unos seres llamados Cadenas, Oz hace un Contrato con B-Rabbit, una Cadena que tiene la forma de una joven de largo pelo negro y de conejo negro gigante con una guadaña (de ahí su nombre, Bloddy-Rabbit, Conejo Sangriento). Cuando al fin consigue salir, descubre que han pasado diez años desde que le desterraron, por lo que su fiel sirviente Gilbert, así como su hermana pequeña Ada, han crecido un poco.
También descubre que su Contrato con Alice (el nombre de la joven que es B-Rabbit) es un Contrato Ilegal. Por ello, en su pecho tiene el tatuaje de un reloj y, cuanto más use el poder de Alice, más rápido avanzará, haciendo que vuelva al Abismo cuando complete una vuelta. Pero no es el único peligro al que se enfrentará, ya que la organización Pandora le estará vigilando, tanto por su Contrato Ilegal, como por todo lo que rodea a su condena al Abismo.
El manga se centrará en averiguar qué pasó para que Oz fuera desterrado al Abismo, en conocer las intenciones de los Barskerville (los misteriosos encapuchados que irrumpieron en la ceremonia de Oz) y también en saber qué pasó hace cien años, en la desaparición de Sabrie.
Continúa en... https://lanaveinvisible.com/2018/09/1...
June 29, 2020
This review contains spoilers.
4/5 stars
Pandora Hearts is a Victorian inspired, steampunk fantasy story revolving around a mysterious prison called the Abyss. During Oz Vessalius's 15th birthday and coming-of-age ceremony he is condemned to the Abyss, his crime being his very existence. There he meets a mysterious young woman named Alice, and the two form a contract. In exchange for helping him out of the Abyss, Oz will help Alice regain her memories.
My initial impression after reading this first volume is that this is probably a story that gets better on reread, and I believe there's a lot more foreshadowing going on than I'm aware of. This first volume really is an introduction to the premise, and while we're left off with much more questions than answers, we do have an extremely interesting set up here, that I know will make for a really compelling story. I don't quite feel I have a grasp on the characters, but I really like Oz so far, and how clever he is. As for the art, it's good but not Mochizuki's best, but given how stunning Vanitas is, I know it's going to get a lot better.
Blog | Instagram (main account) | Instagram (manga account) | Twitter
4/5 stars
Pandora Hearts is a Victorian inspired, steampunk fantasy story revolving around a mysterious prison called the Abyss. During Oz Vessalius's 15th birthday and coming-of-age ceremony he is condemned to the Abyss, his crime being his very existence. There he meets a mysterious young woman named Alice, and the two form a contract. In exchange for helping him out of the Abyss, Oz will help Alice regain her memories.
My initial impression after reading this first volume is that this is probably a story that gets better on reread, and I believe there's a lot more foreshadowing going on than I'm aware of. This first volume really is an introduction to the premise, and while we're left off with much more questions than answers, we do have an extremely interesting set up here, that I know will make for a really compelling story. I don't quite feel I have a grasp on the characters, but I really like Oz so far, and how clever he is. As for the art, it's good but not Mochizuki's best, but given how stunning Vanitas is, I know it's going to get a lot better.
Blog | Instagram (main account) | Instagram (manga account) | Twitter
September 8, 2023
GOODBYE. GOODBYE. 🧚♂️🧚♂️ i am about to move inside my shell and read this for as long as it takes. 🧚♂️🧚♂️
☆ the art style is perfectly gorgeous !
am i the only one or do you guys see the biggest alice in wonderland vibe? man, the art style is really fluffy and soft and beautiful.
(have you guys noticed the little stars in some places in manga? sometimes there are random stars 😭💓)
☆ i know i am only on volume one, but i think it's a really good time to talk about the plot. for me the plot got me the second i started reading, at first it was cause the characters, the characters were so easy to like and after that the story roots finds it's way into your house.
Alice? a total badass. i just love her personality for not taking anything seriously.
Oz? idk how to say this.. but like, i want to be a mother cause of his existence? his just so sweet and has a golden heart 🫠
(i love it when author's, write a badass girl who helps a desperate boy, like how Oz couldn't do anything but accepting the help that was coming from Alice 🤓 !)
HIGHL RECOMMENDED. BYE. also my friend who recommended me this can't wait for me to finish it, i can't wait to get to the bottom of the story !!! 🥳🥳
☆ the art style is perfectly gorgeous !
am i the only one or do you guys see the biggest alice in wonderland vibe? man, the art style is really fluffy and soft and beautiful.
(have you guys noticed the little stars in some places in manga? sometimes there are random stars 😭💓)
☆ i know i am only on volume one, but i think it's a really good time to talk about the plot. for me the plot got me the second i started reading, at first it was cause the characters, the characters were so easy to like and after that the story roots finds it's way into your house.
Alice? a total badass. i just love her personality for not taking anything seriously.
Oz? idk how to say this.. but like, i want to be a mother cause of his existence? his just so sweet and has a golden heart 🫠
(i love it when author's, write a badass girl who helps a desperate boy, like how Oz couldn't do anything but accepting the help that was coming from Alice 🤓 !)
HIGHL RECOMMENDED. BYE. also my friend who recommended me this can't wait for me to finish it, i can't wait to get to the bottom of the story !!! 🥳🥳
February 19, 2023
Wow, this opening was really intriguing! Can't wait to continue it!
April 20, 2017
--- Pandora Hearts 1-24 ---
Plot: Twist and angst all the over the floor //eh.
Penokohan: Greget^^.
Gambar: Ala shonen yang rapi, tidak berlebihan, tapi indah dan kadang detil.
Baca sinopsisnya langsung, ya^^.
Nah, mari kita mulai dengan...QUIZ!! ★
1. Komentar selama membaca Pandora Hearts:
2. Satu komentar mengenai satu tokoh (terserah):
NAK GIL, KAMU TOKOH PALING PATUT DIKASIHANI //entahgusharustertawaatausedih.
3. *Uhuk* Tokoh favorit? *uhuk* :
Sampai terakhir ternyata masih sama seperti buku keenam. Eliot dan Jack ( ˘ ³˘)❤
4. Komentar terakhir:
...............Maaf, saya tidak tahu harus berkomentar apa *ambil tissue //srooot! //eh.
Siapkan hati, tissue dan kursi panas anda. Sangat disarankan untuk memiliki semua volumenya sebelum membacanya.
..................Karena taburan perasaan akan mencambuk anda, perlahan tapi (sangat) pasti.
Komik ini secara garis sempit adalah--- Fantasy ditambah misteri yang dilempar dalam lingkungan nuansa eropa dan Alice in Wonderland yang dirangkai dalam kemasan shounenyang sebenarnya dibilang allgender juga gak masalah //wat (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). Ada bagian yang menghangatkan, menegangkan, manis, lucu, seru (karena dan bukan hanya karena aksinya), sampai bisa bikin nyesek dan membuat hati berbajir. Tenang saja, itu belum seberapa sampai kalian merasa hampa suatu ketika setelah membacanya //ehitucumakamugus //maafhehe.
Jalinan ceritanya dirangkai sedemikian rupa. Beberapa teguknya menyimpan pertanyaan terselubung. Tapi perlahan, jalinan kisah akan lebih gelap... dan... engg... *hening sejenak* pokoknya lebih dari gelap-- meski sebelumnya masih sehangat mentari sore. Saya tidak akan heran jika banyak yang memuji plotnya Pandora Hearts, sama seperti teman saya (yang notabene selera cerita kelas tinggi).
*Uhuk* Gambar diatas adalah panel yang penuh dengan gejolak kemarahan, ketegasan, yang membuat saya jatuh cinta (langsung) dengan tokoh ini ヽ(*´з｀*)ﾉ
Penokohannya? Wuahaha juga tidak kalah menarik!
Faktanya, nyaris tiap manusia yang muncul di komik ini sangat tampan rupawan yang pantas memiliki fans tersendiri *uhukuhuk* (͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). Sifat mereka pasti dan kuat. Menjengkelkan dan kadang malah tidak terduga.
Tapi favorit saya baru benar-benar muncul di volume 6-- eh atau 5? Saya jatuh hati pada keteguhan,kehebohan, kemarahan, dan loyalitas Eliot. Rasa sukaku pada karakter ini melebihi Jack. Saya suka keduanya, tapi Eliot favorit saya. Untuk tokoh utama sendiri... saya... agak merasa sifatnya paling ping - pong //wat //eh// jadi saya tidak bisa benar-benar suka dengannya.
Karena proporsi karakter favorit saya gak banyak-banyak amat, paling tidak biarkan saya memajang Eliot terus yah.Agar paling tidak kalau saya membaca review saya sendiri, saya bisa cuci mata. Mwahahahaha “ψ(｀∇´)ψ
Apalagi ya?
Eh? Hmm... review tidak lengkap tanpa curhatan ya?
Apalagi untuk jumlah volume sebanyak ini...
.......baiklah. Jika bisa jujur, perasaan saya sama seperti kakak saya.
Saya kecewa.
Saya mengakui komiknya bagus. Plotnya disusun sampai pembaca bisa teriak "APA?!" (meski toh saya berhasil menebak beberapa twist-nya). Cuma saja... mungkin karena terlalu banyak halnya yang tidak terduga, sampai-sampai saya malah merasa biasa saja. Rasanya seperti ada kejenuhan tersendiri. Semua itu ditambah dengan tokoh favorit saya yang keduanya bernasib bagaikan siput kena garam. Syukurnya, mangaka-san masih berbaik hati pada dua orang ini dan kurasa mereka bahagia di jalan mereka sendiri, sama seperti tokoh lain yang pergi.
.............Kira-kira kekecewaan saya hanya karena perasaan hampa ini. Mungkin karena ceritanya begitu bagus, sampai perasaan saya juga jadi tidak karuan. Nyaris semua yang ada dalam komik ini adalah "cangkir komikku". Kecuali satu, yaitu plot-nya. Plot yang menjadi nyawa dan dibanggakan orang atas komik ini. Itu saja.
....Yah bagaimanapun komik ini harus dapat rating 4 ya setelah dipikir-pikir. Demi Eliot, Jack, taburan perasaan, dan plot twistnya ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟゞ).
[8.3/10]
Plot: Twist and angst all the over the floor //eh.
Penokohan: Greget^^.
Gambar: Ala shonen yang rapi, tidak berlebihan, tapi indah dan kadang detil.
"Apanya yang kuat jika tidak takut terluka? Hal seperti itu... cuma dikatakan oleh orang yang bahkan tak bersedia 'memikul' sesuatu. Itu omong kosong!"
- Pandora Hearts #6 / Jun Mochizuki
Baca sinopsisnya langsung, ya^^.
Nah, mari kita mulai dengan...
1. Komentar selama membaca Pandora Hearts:
2. Satu komentar mengenai satu tokoh (terserah):
NAK GIL, KAMU TOKOH PALING PATUT DIKASIHANI //entahgusharustertawaatausedih.
3. *Uhuk* Tokoh favorit? *uhuk* :
Sampai terakhir ternyata masih sama seperti buku keenam. Eliot dan Jack ( ˘ ³˘)❤
4. Komentar terakhir:
...............Maaf, saya tidak tahu harus berkomentar apa *ambil tissue //srooot! //eh.
Siapkan hati, tissue dan kursi panas anda. Sangat disarankan untuk memiliki semua volumenya sebelum membacanya.
..................Karena taburan perasaan akan mencambuk anda, perlahan tapi (sangat) pasti.
Komik ini secara garis sempit adalah--- Fantasy ditambah misteri yang dilempar dalam lingkungan nuansa eropa dan Alice in Wonderland yang dirangkai dalam kemasan shounen
Jalinan ceritanya dirangkai sedemikian rupa. Beberapa teguknya menyimpan pertanyaan terselubung. Tapi perlahan, jalinan kisah akan lebih gelap... dan... engg... *hening sejenak* pokoknya lebih dari gelap-- meski sebelumnya masih sehangat mentari sore. Saya tidak akan heran jika banyak yang memuji plotnya Pandora Hearts, sama seperti teman saya (yang notabene selera cerita kelas tinggi).
*Uhuk* Gambar diatas adalah panel yang penuh dengan gejolak kemarahan, ketegasan, yang membuat saya jatuh cinta (langsung) dengan tokoh ini ヽ(*´з｀*)ﾉ
Penokohannya? Wuahaha juga tidak kalah menarik!
Tapi favorit saya baru benar-benar muncul di volume 6-- eh atau 5? Saya jatuh hati pada keteguhan,
Karena proporsi karakter favorit saya gak banyak-banyak amat, paling tidak biarkan saya memajang Eliot terus yah.
Apalagi ya?
Eh? Hmm... review tidak lengkap tanpa curhatan ya?
Apalagi untuk jumlah volume sebanyak ini...
.......baiklah. Jika bisa jujur, perasaan saya sama seperti kakak saya.
Saya kecewa.
Saya mengakui komiknya bagus. Plotnya disusun sampai pembaca bisa teriak "APA?!" (meski toh saya berhasil menebak beberapa twist-nya). Cuma saja... mungkin karena terlalu banyak halnya yang tidak terduga, sampai-sampai saya malah merasa biasa saja. Rasanya seperti ada kejenuhan tersendiri. Semua itu ditambah dengan tokoh favorit saya yang keduanya bernasib bagaikan siput kena garam. Syukurnya, mangaka-san masih berbaik hati pada dua orang ini dan kurasa mereka bahagia di jalan mereka sendiri, sama seperti tokoh lain yang pergi.
.............Kira-kira kekecewaan saya hanya karena perasaan hampa ini. Mungkin karena ceritanya begitu bagus, sampai perasaan saya juga jadi tidak karuan. Nyaris semua yang ada dalam komik ini adalah "cangkir komikku". Kecuali satu, yaitu plot-nya. Plot yang menjadi nyawa dan dibanggakan orang atas komik ini. Itu saja.
....Yah bagaimanapun komik ini harus dapat rating 4 ya setelah dipikir-pikir. Demi Eliot, Jack, taburan perasaan, dan plot twistnya ヾ(ﾟ∀ﾟゞ).
[8.3/10]
Currently reading
August 27, 20246/24
Me está gustando muchísimo ????? Estoy intrigadísima con el rumbo de la trama
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[2/24]
Me compré los 9 primeros tomos en físico porque estaban a 2€ y me da mucha curiosidad, aunque es increíblemente confuso. O por lo menos siento que hay mucha tela que cortar y que queda un buen rato para entender bien cómo funciona el mundo. Veamos qué tal los siguientes.
Me está gustando muchísimo ????? Estoy intrigadísima con el rumbo de la trama
__________________________________
[2/24]
Me compré los 9 primeros tomos en físico porque estaban a 2€ y me da mucha curiosidad, aunque es increíblemente confuso. O por lo menos siento que hay mucha tela que cortar y que queda un buen rato para entender bien cómo funciona el mundo. Veamos qué tal los siguientes.
October 17, 2021
3.5/5 Critique de la série complète (24 tomes)
C'est un récit très complexe que nous offre la mangaka Jun Mochizuki, avec plusieurs revirements, des surprises déchirantes, et des deuils difficiles. Ça m'énerve quand on reproche à A Game of Thrones de sacrifier ses personnages en masse, car il y a longtemps que ce type de récits existe dans les mangas... Et Pandora Hearts en fait partie, les personnages qui quittent sont nombreux.
Il fut impossible pour l'auteure de réaliser un récit qui multiplient les familles, les chains, les pouvoirs, les lignes du temps, sans qu'elle tienne un document très précis de l'hérédité des personnages, les trames narratives, etc. On le devine dans les deux tomes bonus sur les personnages (8.5 et 18.5): ce sont des ouvrages qui servent à nous éclairer, car il est facile de s'emmêler, surtout si on lit en espaçant les tomes (ce qui n'a pas été mon cas, j'ai pu les enchainer).
Trop de complexité? Quant à moi, oui, c'était trop. J'aurais aimé qu'elle passe plus de temps avec les personnages-clés (Oz, Alice, Gilbert, puis Sharon, Break, Vincent) pour qu'on s'y attache plus, qu'on les comprenne encore davantage. Ils sont chacun fort intéressants, mais on sacrifie parfois l'émotion pour l'action, le revirement spectaculaire, le souvenir traumatisant.
Bref, un travail immense, des dessins souvent magnifiques pour les costumes de l'Angleterre, le visage de Gilbert tout particulièrement. Mention spéciale d'avoir réussi à dépeindre les personnalités changeantes de certains héros. Et quel l'amour pour le récit d'Alice au pays des merveilles qui a inspiré cette histoire.
Mais ce ne fut pas un coup de coeur pour moi, même si je sais que c'est le cas pour plusieurs de mes amis. J'en suis désolée. J'ai quand même apprécié ma lecture, alors merci pour le conseil!
C'est un récit très complexe que nous offre la mangaka Jun Mochizuki, avec plusieurs revirements, des surprises déchirantes, et des deuils difficiles. Ça m'énerve quand on reproche à A Game of Thrones de sacrifier ses personnages en masse, car il y a longtemps que ce type de récits existe dans les mangas... Et Pandora Hearts en fait partie, les personnages qui quittent sont nombreux.
Il fut impossible pour l'auteure de réaliser un récit qui multiplient les familles, les chains, les pouvoirs, les lignes du temps, sans qu'elle tienne un document très précis de l'hérédité des personnages, les trames narratives, etc. On le devine dans les deux tomes bonus sur les personnages (8.5 et 18.5): ce sont des ouvrages qui servent à nous éclairer, car il est facile de s'emmêler, surtout si on lit en espaçant les tomes (ce qui n'a pas été mon cas, j'ai pu les enchainer).
Trop de complexité? Quant à moi, oui, c'était trop. J'aurais aimé qu'elle passe plus de temps avec les personnages-clés (Oz, Alice, Gilbert, puis Sharon, Break, Vincent) pour qu'on s'y attache plus, qu'on les comprenne encore davantage. Ils sont chacun fort intéressants, mais on sacrifie parfois l'émotion pour l'action, le revirement spectaculaire, le souvenir traumatisant.
Bref, un travail immense, des dessins souvent magnifiques pour les costumes de l'Angleterre, le visage de Gilbert tout particulièrement. Mention spéciale d'avoir réussi à dépeindre les personnalités changeantes de certains héros. Et quel l'amour pour le récit d'Alice au pays des merveilles qui a inspiré cette histoire.
Mais ce ne fut pas un coup de coeur pour moi, même si je sais que c'est le cas pour plusieurs de mes amis. J'en suis désolée. J'ai quand même apprécié ma lecture, alors merci pour le conseil!
January 22, 2013
Ok, I first came across this series when I had become up to date with another. I was scrolling down the 'Popular Manga' list and then I saw it. The first thing that got me was the cover. The art on the title page was quite pretty so I decided I'd give it a try. When I first tried reading it, I was sort of confused so I abandoned it for a while. About 4 months later, for lack of anything better to do I tried it again...
BEST.
DECISION.
I.
EVER.
MADE.
IN.
MY.
LIFE.
Although the 1st volume is a tad confusing as you don't get the full picture, the manga overall is amazing. The main protagonist, Oz is likeable (which in my opinion, is quite important because if you don't like the main character the book/series/manga/etc. starts to lose its appeal) as well as the other main characters (Gil, Break, Sharon). I loved how as the manga progressed, in a way you become personally attached to one or more characters. The art is beautiful beyond words. However, the story line is quite complex. It is confusing at first but if you are just patient and keep on reading gradually it will start to make sense. That's one of my favourite things about this manga. Its like when you look at a small segment of a photograph on you computer and at first you think 'WTH?!' but as you zoom out you gradually get to see more of it and eventually the picture starts to become recognisable. There are so many twists in it and when you think you've finally figured something out it turns out to be wrong entirely.
If you read it online (like I did), just be aware that the translation is inconsistent, incorrect and confusing at times. The first volume is not the best but just bear with it because it really becomes great as you progress.
P.S. This is my 1st review so sorry if it isn't very good....
BEST.
DECISION.
I.
EVER.
MADE.
IN.
MY.
LIFE.
Although the 1st volume is a tad confusing as you don't get the full picture, the manga overall is amazing. The main protagonist, Oz is likeable (which in my opinion, is quite important because if you don't like the main character the book/series/manga/etc. starts to lose its appeal) as well as the other main characters (Gil, Break, Sharon). I loved how as the manga progressed, in a way you become personally attached to one or more characters. The art is beautiful beyond words. However, the story line is quite complex. It is confusing at first but if you are just patient and keep on reading gradually it will start to make sense. That's one of my favourite things about this manga. Its like when you look at a small segment of a photograph on you computer and at first you think 'WTH?!' but as you zoom out you gradually get to see more of it and eventually the picture starts to become recognisable. There are so many twists in it and when you think you've finally figured something out it turns out to be wrong entirely.
If you read it online (like I did), just be aware that the translation is inconsistent, incorrect and confusing at times. The first volume is not the best but just bear with it because it really becomes great as you progress.
P.S. This is my 1st review so sorry if it isn't very good....
September 12, 2013
First, just let me say that I'm not a fan of manga. I don't hate it, and I'm really glad that some people enjoy it. So, when my sister recommended this to me, I thought, Alright, I'll give it a try to make her happy. Fast-forward two days, and I'm reading the seventh book in the series, biting my nails as I dread the moment when I reach the end.
I just adore the characters, and some of the scenery is very pretty; there is good art in it, even if you don't like anime. The story is long and awesome and convoluted, and I have no idea what's going on but I just know I NEED MORE.
I still don't think that I'm a manga fan, but I am definitely a devoted fan of Pandora Hearts. Just for the characters alone, this book gets 5 stars, and I'd give it more if I could.
EDIT: Okay, so I just read this review and I can't believe I wrote this. 'Some of the scenery is very pretty' indeed. I've read a lot of manga since reading this, actually, because Pandora Hearts was so beautiful and amazing and perfect that now I read as much manga as I do regular novels, and although some of those authors are good artists, they have nothing on Jun Mochizuki. Her scenery is beautiful, her characters' proportions are real, and her characters' gestures and faces have so much expression that, paired with their amazing, realistic, perfect personalities, this is the only book/series/pretty much anything that can make me cry, laugh, and punch inanimate objects--and it does it on a whim.
I cannot explain how sweet, beautiful, heartbreaking, and just amazing this series and this story and these characters are, and I can't explain just how much I love everything about Pandora Hearts.
I just adore the characters, and some of the scenery is very pretty; there is good art in it, even if you don't like anime. The story is long and awesome and convoluted, and I have no idea what's going on but I just know I NEED MORE.
I still don't think that I'm a manga fan, but I am definitely a devoted fan of Pandora Hearts. Just for the characters alone, this book gets 5 stars, and I'd give it more if I could.
EDIT: Okay, so I just read this review and I can't believe I wrote this. 'Some of the scenery is very pretty' indeed. I've read a lot of manga since reading this, actually, because Pandora Hearts was so beautiful and amazing and perfect that now I read as much manga as I do regular novels, and although some of those authors are good artists, they have nothing on Jun Mochizuki. Her scenery is beautiful, her characters' proportions are real, and her characters' gestures and faces have so much expression that, paired with their amazing, realistic, perfect personalities, this is the only book/series/pretty much anything that can make me cry, laugh, and punch inanimate objects--and it does it on a whim.
I cannot explain how sweet, beautiful, heartbreaking, and just amazing this series and this story and these characters are, and I can't explain just how much I love everything about Pandora Hearts.
April 18, 2020
Much like D.Gray-Man, I picked up the first volume knowing absolutely nothing about it. And just like D.Gray-Man, I can't quite put my finger on just what is so awesome about this. It's so good, but I don't know just what it is I like about it.
I'm going to guess it's the characters. Oz is a goofy kid who gets flung into a strange and dangerous world of magic and monsters. I love these kinds of characters. Oz is a case of a normal person getting involved in chaotic situations through an action that didn't seem a big deal at the time. In his case, it was ditching getting ready for the party, falling in a hole, and taking up a watch. There's something about a prophecy too, but I've found that the former is far more appealing than the latter.
Alice is another fun character. She is the exact opposite of the "Alice" we all know from Alice in Wonderland. She's violent, monstrous, and unpredictable. But there's more to her than "I have anger management issues." She has a back-story that seems like it will be revealed slowly throughout the series, and a soft-side that I hope we'll see more of.
The story looks interesting. A lot happens in volume one, but it seems more like it's setting up for the rest of the series rather than "this is what the plot will be like."
I will be sure to keep reading.
Reread 4/18/2020:
"It all had to be a ridiculous fairy tale written by someone's hand."
This first volume is a bit chaotic with a lot of characters and concepts introduced one after another. My first impressions above still stand, though. The characters were and are still what draws me in, and it will be interesting to reread knowing how it ends.
I'm going to guess it's the characters. Oz is a goofy kid who gets flung into a strange and dangerous world of magic and monsters. I love these kinds of characters. Oz is a case of a normal person getting involved in chaotic situations through an action that didn't seem a big deal at the time. In his case, it was ditching getting ready for the party, falling in a hole, and taking up a watch. There's something about a prophecy too, but I've found that the former is far more appealing than the latter.
Alice is another fun character. She is the exact opposite of the "Alice" we all know from Alice in Wonderland. She's violent, monstrous, and unpredictable. But there's more to her than "I have anger management issues." She has a back-story that seems like it will be revealed slowly throughout the series, and a soft-side that I hope we'll see more of.
The story looks interesting. A lot happens in volume one, but it seems more like it's setting up for the rest of the series rather than "this is what the plot will be like."
I will be sure to keep reading.
Reread 4/18/2020:
"It all had to be a ridiculous fairy tale written by someone's hand."
This first volume is a bit chaotic with a lot of characters and concepts introduced one after another. My first impressions above still stand, though. The characters were and are still what draws me in, and it will be interesting to reread knowing how it ends.
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