Queen Emeraldas, Vol. 2

Queen Emeraldas #2

by Leiji Matsumoto

THE FATE OF THE MYSTERIOUS PIRATE QUEEN

Emeraldas navigates the sea of stars—and swears to do so until the flame of her life is extinguished. Aboard her ship, the Queen Emeraldas, she sails in search of a certain object, and along the way encounters the passions and tragedies of those who dare brave the infinite reaches of space. Among them, Hiroshi Umino, the Earth boy who escaped his home planet to follow his dreams, has remained in Emeraldas’ mind—and it seems fate will have them meet again…

Genres: Manga, Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels, Adventure

432 pages, Hardcover

Published July 25, 2017

About the author

From the Wikipedia page:

Leiji Matsumoto (松本零士) is famous for his space operas such as Space Battleship Yamato. His style is characterized by tragic heroes; tall, slender, fragile-looking heroines with strong wills and in some cases, god-like powers; and a love of analog gauges and dials in his spacecraft.

Reviews

[Elisabetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

#llcchallenge2022
#categoria22 (graphic novel o fumetto)
Leiji Matsumoto, Queen Emeraldas, Goen editori, 2021 (prima ed. Giappnese 1978-79)
“Nelle mie opere, non ci sono mai donne deboli che scoppiano a piangere senza motivo, e Emeraldas è l’emblema della donna forte, che diventa davvero terrificante. Ma nasconde anche un animo gentile e premuroso”
Così Matsumoto parla di una delle sue creature, la Regina dei pirati Emeraldas, una delle tante storie intrecciate per l’intero universo in cui, alla fine, tutti i personaggi di Matsumoto finiscono per incrociarsi - e soprattutto aiutarsi.
Ma Queen Emeraldas è davvero solo una storia di pirati e di scorribande per i cieli?
Assolutamente no. Nell’edizione definitiva e completa, racchiusa in un solo cofanetto per la prima volta, arricchito inoltre da un’intervista al Maestro (creatore tra l’altro do Capitan Harlock e di Galaxy Express 999) si trova ben altro, oltre alle scorribande per lo spazio su navi che issano temibili bandiere dal teschio bianco.
C’è il desiderio- spesso totalizzante nel bisogno di rincorrerlo e raggiungerlo - di essere pronti a tutto (anche a morire) per realizzare i propri sogni e realizzare i propri ideali. Lo spazio è quello che bramano i personaggi di questa narrazione: ma non è altro che metafora delle nostre libertà individuali, del desiderio di vivere liberi, privati delle nostre catene, fisiche ma soprattutto immaginarie, che siano quelle imposte da noi stessi, ma soprattutto dagli altri.

[Tatiana Alejandra de Castro Pérez · Rating 2 out of 5]

La impresión general del segundo tomo es la misma que la de toda la obra: no me parece tan interesante como a otras personas. No le he cogido el punto a cómo se narra la historia, muchos personajes me resultan cargantes y algunos sucesos luego no tienen mucha relevancia. A veces parece que la gente se cruza con Emeraldas para soltarle el rollo y que ella siga viajando.

Eso sí, me encanta el diseño de Emeraldas, es muy molón, y tiene algunos puntos de humor y crítica que no están mal. Aún así esperaba más de esta obra, aunque me ha entretenido lo suficiente como para leer ambos tomos y conocer su final.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first vol. but still evokes the same emotions. Emeraldas spends more time pirating on her own before she meets with Hiroshi. Each person she takes out tells a little bit more about her past and current mission. This final volume doesn't have a satisfying ending as it leaves all questions unanswered, but I was left feeling as emeraldas would continue to go on in the same manner for many years to come. It does feel to me that the series was cancelled on the author while he was still mid-story. A poignant duology that will remain my collection.

[D.T. Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second half of the collected works of Leiji Matsumoto's Emeraldas manga. It's interesting to see all the different iterations of Emeraldas. Even though Matsumoto made them all, each one is a bit different. Emeraldas' character remains the same, but the events change and shift to form new stories, places, and themes.

As with volume one,. I'd recommend this for adults. A 16+ rating is on the back of the book.

[Royden Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been caught up on another book and found myself reading more and more slowly, so I grabbed this. I enjoy it, as I enjoy Leiji Matsumoto. It lets you experience the character of Queen Emeraldas a bit more, just as one would expect. I appreciate the character and look forward to going through the three volumes of original Captain Harlock that Seven Seas came out with a short time ago.

[ISMOTU · Rating 5 out of 5]

The continuation of Emeraldas' story. The lonely space-scapes and exceptional art continue. We learn a bit more about the pirate queen's quest though as was fairly typical of the time there is no definite conclusion. The bonus stories are also very interesting.

[Ana ★ Tesserell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cateva intamplari episodice culmineaza cu ceva care seamana cu inchegarea unui fir narativ... Astept sa fie publicate si volumele 3 si 4 ca sa imi dau seama incotro se duce povestea (problema e ca ”Leijiversul” are multe canoane).

[Ruz El · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Matsumoto space opera that doesn't really have a proper end. The narrative is all over the place, the artwork is striking, and it's fine for what it is but I'm not connecting with these works.

[Loz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful, ethereal, epic space story. Same vibe as the first volume. For any vintage sci fi lover.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much closure one wants but with the additional stories there’s more than the original’s vacant ending.

[Alexandre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mix bag, some good stories some not so much. Top notch art .

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado más que el primer volumen. En este aparecen Harlock y Toshiro. Además uno de los capítulos extras es como una ida de olla cómica.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars.

[Marcos Palacios · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leídos los dos tomos, no tengo más que decir que la obra de Leiji Matsumoto nunca me defrauda. Emeraldas es, junto a Harlock, de los primeros personajes que conocí del autor. La esencia y estilo de sus historias y de su dibujo son sencillamente increíbles. Personalmente, se nota que me encantan estos manga, y me pasaría horas leyéndolos. Respecto al contenido de este manga, resulta ser esclarecedor sobre el leijiverso que por entonces comenzaba a conformarse en la mente del autor. Todo está conectado, como él mismo dice en la entrevista del tomo 2.
Mi reseña completa en https://cosmoversus.com/queen-emerald...

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories are very operatic. They feel as vast as the space they take place in. There a lot about fate and chance encounters in these stories. It's hard to tell where chapters end and start which is a little confusing at first. The paper and ink that were used to print these volumes absorbs oils easily so you have to be mindful of how you hold the book while reading it.