グレイプニル 2

Gleipnir #2

by Sun Takeda

「秘密をバラされたくなかったら、私に協力してね」フツーを愛する修一（しゅういち）くんの日常を強制終了させたキケンな少女クレア!! “着ぐるみ”に変身した修一の中に、クレアの肉体が入り込んだ時、どんな敵にも負けない“最強のケモノ”が誕生する!!　ところが2人の前に、別種の変身能力を持った“敵”が現れて……!?　［着ぐるみ×少女］のエッチで奇妙な合体バトル第2巻!!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Horror, Comics, Aliens, Monsters, Graphic Novels Comics

193 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2016

About the author

@takeburuo16

Reviews

[Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly not sure if I'm gonna drop this or not. It's not bad, but it's not that good either. It's a good read for when you just don't wanna think too much. The text is fairly sparse, the art is easy to parse, and the story is as simple as it gets. There are some creative concepts here, but unfortunately no substance. This is a seinen, but it reads like a watered down shonen with edgy nudity and violence. Still, I think there is a place for that in my manga rotation--that place being my bed at 3am when I'm too tired to read anything with any sort of complexity. I think I'll check out one more volume just like I would when trying a shonen, as I feel it's only fair to at least give it 3 volumes to get the story rolling.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many ways, this is a good jumping off point. A lot of the big mysteries from the first volume are resolved. The fan service continues to get amped up. And now the premise seems intent on swinging into standard battle manga territory with the protagonists set to face off against other monsters searching for the scattered alien coins that can make new monsters. Gotta catch 'em all! While naked!

I do have the next volume on hand from the library though, so I'll be continuing on into the new story arc with my fingers crossed that the creator can focus on the intriguing parts instead of only pandering to the lowest common denominator.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

Este segundo tomo me ha gustado más... Se explican muchas cosas y la historia toma una dirección mucho más interesante y un tanto oscura que me ha enganchado más a la trama.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'm done with this series. I gave it a shot because the first four volumes are free on comiXology. I had intended to read all four available, but I just don't feel compelled to keep going after fishing this volume. I'm convinced the author was either trying to write the strangest manga he could or using the book to explore his fetish. Probably both. The art and character designs are really nice, but this one's not for me.

[Edward Rathke]

Getting weirder.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than the first volume. It was easier to follow, and mysteries are starting to get answers. There is still way too much fan service.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I am not the protagonist of this story."

Ah, yes. The hazards of combatting serial-killer monsters with outrageously scaled strength. The good news for Shuichi and Claire is they've become much better at finding the special rhythm that only two emotionally disengaged young adults can assemble. The bad news is they must test their newfound oneness against a supernatural darkness that can wipe out anything it pleases. Such is the fate of the heroes of GLEIPNIR #2: Shuichi and Claire conjure the courage to go after Claire's AWOL big sister . . . but what they find is far beyond what they imagine or what they're capable of resolving on their own.

The character art and the ecchi humor remain this manga's biggest draw but it's good to see a genuine narrative taking shape. It's plausible some readers may be put off at having to wade through two full volumes of story before the characters can claim, with absolute certainty, what their personal goals are. It's also plausible some readers may be put off at needing to reread a handful of this volume on account of the odd arrangement of characters dynamics.

GLEIPNIR #2 is an interesting but not particularly efficient read. One character, for example, has multiple identity disorder. This fact is awkwardly written and isn't presented in a way that does the story very many favors. The series creator could take this comic to the next level by integrating even just a hair of dramatic irony. If Takeda told readers more about the disposition of these monster characters, then Shuichi won't always have the appearance of a goldfish dropped into the middle of the ocean.

The closer Shuichi and Claire get to the edge of oblivion—the discovery and unearthing of the darker and more feral elements they must fight to survive, the more Shuichi and Claire bond as individuals. Claire has attachment issues and so fittingly finds calm and assurance in the womb (tomb?) of Shuichi's animal hide. Shuichi has confidence issues and so fittingly assembles his pride only when a certain special someone fills the void that threatens to consume him whole.

The question remains: If the two become one, do they complete each other or do they merely double one another's insecurities?

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main thing that's keeping me going here is the weirdness. Shuichi and Claire still have a very uncomfortable relationship, but they seem to have drawn a bit closer together, since circumstances have shown they both want the same thing. Or at least, what they want all stems from the same source. I do question just how close they are, especially given how this volume ends, but their dysfunctional partnership is part of what keeps Gleipnir interesting.

I'm ambivalent about the explanation we get for the coins, and the guy collecting them, though. I mean, it works to move the plot along, but it's a little too simple...if what we've been told is true. There's some uncertainty about that (as with a lot of things in this book), and I actually kind of like that.

We'll see where the next volume goes, considering we've seen a glimpse of just how many "collectors" there are out there, looking for the coins. I predict a lot more action than in this largely introspective/expository volume, but hopefully it will continue to explore the implications of everything that's going on, too. Gleipnir hasn't wowed me yet, but it also hasn't done anything to truly put me off. Despite its wacky concept, it's surprisingly middle of the road.

[Philip McCarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things begin to pick up in this volume and I found myself really getting invested as the purpose of the collecting becomes clearer. Artwork is strong with clear and crisp lines that sufficiently add to the cool factor of the series. The story has become more thought provoking in this volume as characters begin to develop beyond their initial caricatures. There is an overwhelming idea of loneliness and ennui that hangs over the story and characters. It is in this volume that we begin to see differing ways in which these feelings are combated. I thought that the scene where the alien discusses the way in which people are influenced by the media and how people's views can be warped was a fascinating one that reflects back onto the series itself. The part involving Claire's sister was also very ominous which was a great use of shadow and buildup from the previous volume. I can't wait to see what happens once they set off into the mountains.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Claire's sister is surprisingly easy, thanks to a bit of deus ex machina to keep the action going. Claire climbs inside Shuichi's monster form and swiftly shoots at her sister's head. She did kill Claire's parents. Shuichi manages to shift her aim just enough so she misses the shot. She needen'd have bothered. Clare's sister doesn't want to kill them, though she has more than enough power. She reveals that she gained her powers from an alien and that she asked him to give Shuichi powers as well.

The duo soon meet the alien who is just as perverted as any old human male. He demonstrates his abilities by using a strand of Claire's hair to physically mimic her. Naked, of course, because manga. Or was it hentai? I sometimes mix them up. So do their creators, it seems. He needs help to retrieve the lost coins that are, in fact, his alien companions. But anyway, did Claire's boobs get bigger?

[Ashe Catlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lot better than the previous volume, there was a lot of new law established in this one. We have the treasure hunt aspect of the story and aliens to, it's quite cool. I'm getting a Inuyasha (VIZBIG Edition), Vol. 1: Pulled Through Time!, as there are quite a few parallels between their stories.

I'm also enjoying Claire and Shuichi's relationship a bit more, now that Claire gets so much needed character development, via a serial killer sister. She doesn't feel like she's bullying Shuichi into it anymore, they've become partners.

[78sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,6 von 5 Sternen
Ich finde die Reihe einfach genial.
Die Story ist mal was ganz anderes. So hundert pro weiß man noch immer nicht was dahinter steckt, aber nach und nach bekommt man weitere Fetzen geliefert. In diesem Band geht es hauptsächlich um die Suche nach Claires Schwester und darum mehr über Shuishis Verwandlung herauszufinden.
Der Zeichenstil ist voll und ganz mein Ding. Ich liebe ihn einfach und kann mich nicht sattsehen. Als Bonus lag dem Band noch eine Postkarte bei, die ich ebenfalls richtig gelungen finde.
Ich freue mich schon auf den nächsten Band.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 3 out of 5]

2021 Read #29

Let’s be frank: after disliking the first volume in this series last year, I wouldn’t have read the second volume if I hadn’t found it on Kindle Unlimited. I won’t say this series is great or anything, but there is this familiar sense of existential dread that I found compelling in other series like Neon Genesis Evangelion. And I think this series has things to say about “being monstrous” versus what it means to be human. Basically - there are good things here behind the cray-cray content and its trappings.

[Mykhailo Gasyuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

В другому томі героїв знайомлять із сетінгом, так би мовити. Дівчинка розповіда більше про сестру-вбивцю, хлопець продовжує ніяковіти, оголеності (читається як “фан-сервіс”) стало більше, екшену стало меньше, а драму загнали вже, не чекаючи з десяток томів. Ок, тепер головні герої будуть збирати монети, які насправді не монети, у світі, де повно інших шукачів монет. “Інноваційний” шьонен, трясця… А чи хочеться досі продовження? Більше ні, ніж так. Воно ж все одно вийшло. Буде для мене не в пріоритеті в списку до читання. Занадто стандартне.

[Lewis Bamford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really thought this volume built on the law and mystique of the the world as a whole it also did a great job in fleshing out the characters we already know and introducing characters hinted at, however as like last time the fan service was just to much at time for example when the alien turns to clair there were clothed on them before why not now it just ruined the whole vibe and atmosphere it built lucky it did calm down not by much but just a bit.

[Kayuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 Sterne. Bisher geht die Geschichte gut los. Ich finde es ist eine interessante Idee die hier umsetzt wird. Ich bin gespannt auf das was da noch kommen mag. Auch auf die unterschiedlichen Charaktere, ob gut oder böse, bin ich neugierig. Der Fanservice ist mir manchmal etwas zu viel, was ein wenig stört. Dennoch macht die Geschichte rund um die Verwandlungen Spaß.

[Carlos Jaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esta historia se pone mejor

La historia cada vez es más interesante. Me gusta que todavía no se revela porque el protagonista obtuvo ese poder.
No puedo esperar a leer el próximo volumen.

[Alles Allerlei · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 von 5 Sternen

Endlich hat man ein bisschen etwas über die Monster erfahren und was es mit ihnen auf sich hat, jedoch auch noch nicht zu viel - es bleibt also weiter spannend und interessant.

[Boujee · Rating 3 out of 5]

it fun

[Anubhav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting better and better.

[ReadingFrog · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars.

[Isaac Perez Moncho · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series is getting more interesting, and weirder, which is usually a good thing.

[Hedwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading 1 number 2 really got me in my feels and got my need to know more at it’s highest peek

[Tristan · Rating 2 out of 5]

See volume one for comments.

[Lillie Gryphon · Rating 4 out of 5]

MmmMMM

Actually getting more interesting as I go. Thought it was gonna drop off or something but guess not. Well, looks like this is gonna be fun.

[William Vasquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cada capítulo se pone mejor esto.

[Samuel Faulkner Bourdeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real good

How did I not start reading this story long ago.. It kept popping up in my recommendations but I never have it a shot. This is really good. On to the next volume.

[Erin Sharp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still quite a strange undertaking but liked how vol. two reveals more of the back story. Stays strange, confusing, with plenty of places for the plot to continue twisting.

[Stephanie Duron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yep, it's getting weirder and weirder. But I think I'm into it? The story was easy to follow and we're definitely getting answers, but I hate to say it, there's too much fan-service. 🤷🏻‍♀️