Asadora!, Vol. 3

あさドラ! [Asadora!] #3

by Naoki Urasawa

With the Olympics around the corner, the Japan Defense Forces have their hands full. So Jissoji enlists Asa and Kasuga’s help to find, identify and deal with the mysterious creature that decimated Asa’s hometown.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Seinen, Graphic Novels, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction, Fiction

184 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2020

About the author

Urasawa Naoki (浦沢直樹) is a Japanese mangaka. He is perhaps best known for Monster (which drew praise from Junot Díaz, the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner) and 20th Century Boys.

Urasawa's work often concentrates on intricate plotting, interweaving narratives, a deep focus on character development and psychological complexity. Urasawa has won the Shogakukan Manga Award, the Japan Media Arts Festival excellence award, the Kodansha Manga Award and the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. In 2008 Urasawa accepted a guest teaching post at Nagoya Zokei University.

Series list (not including short stories collections):
- Pineapple ARMY (パイナップルARMY) 1985-1988, written by Kazuya Kudo;
- YAWARA! 1986-1993;
- Master Keaton (MASTERキートン) 1988-1994, written by Hokusei Katsushika;
- Happy! 1993-1999
- MONSTER 1994-2001
- 20th Century Boys (20世紀少年) 1999-2006
- 21st Century Boys (21世紀少年) 2007
- PLUTO 2003-2009, based on Tezuka Osamu's Tetsuwan Atom
- BILLY BAT 2008-2016
- Master Keaton Remaster (MASTERキートン Reマスター) 2012-2014
- Mujirushi (夢印-MUJIRUSHI-) 2017-2018, collaboration with Musée du Louvre
- Asadora! (連続漫画小説 あさドラ!) 2018-ongoing

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Urasawa is one of my two favorite manga artists, precisely for stories like Asadora. This feels exactly like a slice of life coming of age story, except for the huge kaiju that begins and ends every volume and may have killed the protagonist's parents. I love Urasawa's ability to build fully fleshed out characters with needs and desires that draw them into inevitable moral conflicts, his ability to draw emotions (his people have riiiiiich inner lives), and his ability to just throw in something utterly insane and fantastic into every story. As Asadora grows up, I'm really interested to see where this narrative goes.

**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our scrappy protagonist, Asa Asadora, has grown up a bit, but is still looking for her missing family (the general consensus seems to be that they're dead), and is still working together with her erstwhile kidnapper, mr. Kasuga.



They are being roped in by the Japanese government to fly their plane during the upcoming Olympics opening ceremony. The government will also help them track down a scientist who has been doing research into the kaiju Asa has seen.



The plot doesn't move forward a huge lot, as it didn't in previous volumes, but hot dang! does that not even matter, the writing of these characters is that delightful.



And the art is fantastic, as it ever has been. The characters' faces are still especially great.

I could read this series for the rest of my life.

(Thanks to VIZ Media for providing me with an ARC through Edelweiss)

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really well drawn and I love Asa, but can we get some kaiju adventures already?!

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great volume and like focuses on Asa and Kasuga being taken to a military base where they tell them that Tokyo is holding Olympics and its imperative they do it and also asks the two of them regarding the Kaiju monster and has them prepare for counter attacks just in case. Meanwhile Asa is going about her life with her friends and siblings and all the drama in between while the mystery of the monster is building up. Also great moments between Asa, Kasuga and Kinuyo.

Great volume and continues the character work showcasing other characters and like evolving the legend of this Kaiju monster. I am loving it atm. Its slow and taking its time to establish this world and legends but the payoff is gonna be good. Also Asa is so cute here.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ratio of tease to concrete events is a little off, making this outing feel a little too much like treading water. That's a common problem for Urasawa in these big stories of his, and I expect there will be a few more along the way here. That's not to say that it's a waste of time: Urasawa's art, dialogue, and grasp on his characters are all masterful, and the book remains engaging on a page by page basis. And the payoffs when they come generally reward a reader's patience.

[Emmett Budisalovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING SPOILER! This book was really nice they are getting closer to finding out about the monster they are also planing on finding the creature during the Olympics.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot may be thickening in this volume, but that seems like it's in the same way that instant pudding thickens in the fridge: because it's just sitting there. That's not to say that there aren't important pieces of the story; the reveal that Japan does, in fact, have fighter pilots fort he first time since WWII is definitely worth paying attention to, as is the fact that the government (or at least a shady piece of it) is aware of Nikaido's research materials from his mentor, which deal with the mysterious creature that surfaced during the typhoon all those years ago. Unfortunately those moments are almost lost in the story's holding pattern - the government guy is being shady and mysterious, Asa's friends are creating Drama, and the Olympics are coming. The reappearance of the kaiju towards the end of the book implies that things will be more dynamic in the next volume, which is good. Urasawa's always worth reading and I still enjoyed this, but it definitely lost a little of its power.

[Frédéric · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Japanese government knows about "that thing" that appeared 5 years ago and hires Asa and Haruo to keep an eye on it just in case and to preserve the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. A bit far-fetched but that’s ok for now.

I don't understand the importance of Shota’s or Asa's friend’s storyline in the big scheme of things at the moment. Perhaps it never will be? At the very least, it allows to create breathers in Asa's storyline and even to provide a bit of humour.
Also, a great performance from Kinuyo as the big-hearted matron. Urasawa's semi-caricatural style works wonders with characters of this calibre.

[Irene ➰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Slightly undertone compared to the others, I have to say in this volume not much happens.
The story continues very slowly and the wow moments are not many.

The drawings are still one of the best I have ever seen in a manga series but we need more action and events here!

[Kesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The compelling story unfolds. Apart from the main plot we get glimpses of the other characters adventures and personalities. Even though it's just the third volume the characters are well fleshed out.

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asadora is a magical series that is one of my recent favourites. It's a manga with intrigue, thrills, and warm hearted fun around each bend. The secrets and tales of a giant monster that's tormenting Japan is really interesting! I also love the lead and her assembled secondary cast mates.

The furthering of the story is what gets me. I'm constantly being given more information to start forming my own opinion, but not enough to solve the story. I seriously dig every second I'm reading this book. The story is fun and makes me wonder how much of Godzilla they are using and what they've come up with on their own. I have never really liked big monster books, so this one deserves a medal.

Some fun parts of this specific book:
Japanese Military
The Olympics!
More hints about the monster
A few solid jokes to make you grin
New characters with recent developments on the monster


I wouldn't change much. Obviously I want to know what's going on, but I'll learn that soon enough (as long as I can keep getting my hands on this book). I also really like the illustrations, as a side note. They're fun!

Overall, this is an epic tale of epic proportions.

Five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. Keep 'em coming guys!

[Met · Rating 3 out of 5]

Urasawa sa come stuzzicare il lettore con i misteri... ma ho come l’impressione che in questo volume non sia successo praticamente nulla!

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Asadora series!

There isn't much that I can say about this specific volume since we're getting deeper into the series, but this does fast forward a little in time and Asa is older. Granted, she's still searching for her missing family, but there is this interesting addition of a government agent. This agent is involving our characters into a situation that increases the intensity and intrigue of the series as a whole. I still love that we're blending historical events with mystery and possibly sci-fi. The artwork is AMAZING. The range of emotions that Urasawa captures on the faces of his characters never ceases to amaze me. I cannot wait to dive into the next installment and figure out whether Asa's family is alive and how far the government is willing to go to cover up some elements we see in volume 1.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This third volume brings much more legitimacy to the creature Asa saw five years ago. I love how she stays spunky and determined to find her family through all this. The last chapter with her siblings and Kinuyo was pretty fun.
I am interested for sure in learning more about this kaiju, and am glad my suspicion of that has been mostly confirmed.
This is a super interesting series with good characters and interactions.
Check out my YouTube channel for bookish videos and monthly wrap ups!

[Emi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se va poniendo más interesante. Además, dice que es una obra de ficción basada en hechos reales. Ahora tengo curiosidad por saber qué hechos son esos.

[Doc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for answers in all the right places.

Like other volumes this one has its share of fantastic character interactions, some action, and at least a little history lesson as Asa's fate is tied into the path of a young researcher trying to make sense of his old mentors research on the mysterious entity which changed Asa's life forever. Basically being a slice of life story set in the year 1964 we see a window into a different time (and to those of that did not grow up in the area a different culture) with a potential threat looming in the background of everyday characters' lives whether they know it or not. However this volume had more of a here is some new people who will help figure things out in the end or will help deal with any potential threat to come more then actual progress toward discovering what is lurking in the waters off the coastlines. Being a part of the entire story I wouldn't skip over this volume for you never know what Naoki Urasawa might have foreshadowed in any given volume. Especially if it seems more slice of life then Kaiju Hunter. :)

[Fetch · Rating 4 out of 5]

per me è il miglior volume della serie, per il momento!
sta migliorando sempre di più. un po’ mi dispiace perché il personaggio che apprezzavo è diventato un personaggio amore-odio, però il mio amore per kinuyo-san sta crescendo sempre di più!

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series that has nothing and everything happening. There is an odd tension in the air. There is mystery, normal everyday, and secrets. The historical elements are fun (seeing a Japan after the war) and the mix of supernatural, makes it fresh and slightly familiar.

[Keneil B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gets better and better. I love the little kids.

[Minnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es fängt an sich zu ziehen. Ich liebe Urasawa, aber obwohl ich der Reihe eine faire Chance gegeben habe, packt es mich leider nicht so sehr wie Pluto oder Monster. Thematisch sind es auch zwei komplett unterschiedliche Genres, aber Urasawa teased und baut Spannung auf, nur damit am Ende weiter nichts richtiges passiert. Ich nag Asa und besonders die Dame, die sich um sie und ihre Geschwister kümmert und ich werde für meine Urasawa Sammlung auch Asadora weiter sammeln, aber es ist bisher die schlechteste Reihe für mich persönlich.

[Super.Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

El personaje de Asa es de las mejores creaciones de Urasawa

[Lightwhisper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Más un libro buenissimo, algo adulto, com advertências para los jovenes.

[Ignacio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Urasawa sigue trabajando sobre los personajes, metiendo las gotas necesarias de misterio, drama y humor (con dos momentazos). Además ya se atisba la cabeza del kaiju.

[Jelka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great setup for the rest of the series.

[kuusela harry-pekka · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit to the slow side again, maybe calm before a storm.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Urasawa-sensei's works. Everyone is so expressive and he does body language perfectly. He is truly a master.

[Mendousse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Troisième tome toujours très rythmé, avec des personnages bigger than life très attachants. Un plaisir de lecture.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asa and Kasuga are tasked by the Japanese military to attack the mystery creature if and when it returns as the 1964 Tokyo Olympics approach. Asa persists in her belief that the creature took her family and that they are alive. The creature approaches. #AsadoraVol3 #NetGalley

[Care · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the direction this series is going!

[Baylor Heath · Rating 3 out of 5]

The endearing, slow building kaiju manga continues. Unlike most kaiju films, this is very character driven and the monster itself is elusive, like Jaws.