ブギーポップ・リターンズ VSイマジネーターPart1

ブギーポップ [Boogiepop] (Publication order) #2

by Kōhei Kadono

When a rash of disappearances involving female students breaks out at Shinyo Academy, the police and faculty assume they just have a bunch of runaways on their hands. Yet, Nagi Kirima knows better. Something mysterious and foul is afoot. Is it Boogiepop - the Angel of Death - or something even more sinister?

Genres: Light Novel, Fiction, Manga, Mystery, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Tankobon Hardcover

First published August 10, 1998

About the author

Kōhei Kadono (上遠野浩平 or Kouhei Kadono) is a Japanese author, best known for the Boogiepop series, which has also been adapted as a live action movie, manga and anime.

Reviews

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very exciting to realise that although the book introduced an entirely new cast of characters, they are tied to some of the people from book one and it is still set in the same area. I didn't struggle to keep track of people this time because the main POVs were given more distinctive markers than book one which was just highschool student, highschool student, highschool student.

I still don't know much about what's going on, a couple of details have been revealed but this was very much a "part one of two" so it's hard to score on its own. The plot is very intriguing and has so far hinted at a very wide world of supernatural / lab-enhanced people. I'm looking forward to reading on.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started a bit scattered but ended in an intriguing manner. On to the next book which picks up where this one leaves off.

[Burden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the second in the Boogiepop franchise and is in everyway the equal of Kouhei Kadono's outstanding first novel.


From a writing perspective, I would say the author has matured since his first outing, with paragraphs feeling a lot more in depth than before. There is also an improvement in character development. Where the first book crammed in lots of new characters, this book introduces you to some new characters, whilst leaning back on existing ones to bulk up the cast. This allows more time to focus on particular characters and really helps the core of the story.

The aforementioned new cast are strong. Asukai Jin is an interesting bad guy, with an original power that really sticks in the mind. Alongside Asukai Jin, the star-crossed lovers - Orihata Aya and Masaki Taniguchi - are another great addition. Without a doubt, they are by far my favourite couple to ever appear in written text.

I also liked the reoccurring message, 'Sometimes snow falls in April,' It really added character and a sense of eeriness to ever scene it appeared in.

The only downfall I really have to note on this book is that it is only part 1, meaning that although there IS an ending to the story, it still feels incomplete.

All in all, Boogiepop is still my favourite literary franchise and this book is another fine example of the franchise at its best. 5 stars!

[yuri · Rating 4 out of 5]

all the themes presented here are somewhat interesting and make the reading really pleasing. the narrative writted by kadono is on-point, the changing of perspectivers make the perception of the reader in referece of the on-going events totally credile and plausible, and do a good job in order to make the reading of this book condescent and fun

[Ladz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been really feeling the boogiepop this week because I wanted something unsettling, but atmospheric. This series of light novels absolutely delivers.

In this non-linear series, our titular shinigami isn’t even all that present. There are very real human forces at play, both in terms of fear and organizations. There’s Towa, who have uncertain goals, and, most importantly, the Imaginator themself. Kind of a ghoul, they take on the appearance of others while also trying to steal their essense.

This entry, however, is more subtle, I found, with regards to its plot. It’s established that it takes place a year before Boogiepop and Others, and Boogiepop truly only appears as an urban legend, an excuse for violence but also a means to prevent other supernatural entities from gaining power. Here enters Imaginator, who’s obsessed with the core of humanity. The imagery is scary, with roots and flowers both metaphorical and literal. I found this entry a lot more introspective and, as a result, there’s a lot more to pay attention to, especially as perspectives and characters shift per chapter. Unmooring and intense, I read this so quickly, I had to immediately dive into the second part.

[Kostas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't like novels split in two, but the way this book built suspense and created the whole world around the Shinyo Academy ( and the way we get intrigued about what the Towa Organization is, as we only get a glimpse in the first novel) is almost perfect. I cringed with some dialogues, but other than that, I find it a very good example of creating mystery and expanding the world of a previous novel without awkward exposition.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totalmente distinta a otras novelas ligeras, denotándose su influencia a un nivel que pocas novelas de este genero aportan, al contener su propia filosofía para motivar las acciones de sus personajes. Diálogos simples en una historia estructurada a destiempo que capta la atención del lector haciéndole armar un rompecabezas mental, jugando a su favor para futuras lecturas.

[DJ Linick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narratological framework of these LNs is jarring (but I love that sort of stuff, really, so I'm on board). The multiple perspectives all at once isn't quite like Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, but it reminds me of it nonetheless.

I'm excited to see how all the plotlines tie up in VS. Imaginator Part 2!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

faltering from the incredibly strong mix of perspectives of the first book, there's a combination of incredible, heart-wrenching moments mixed with outdated perspectives on sex and violence that feel contradictory to themes built up in the first novel.

[Rin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book 👍

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

8

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading part 1 and part 2 together. I'm assuming they are separated on account of how they were really published originally in Japan but I can see the average reader getting confused.

[Ryan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't stop the Boogiepop! *guitar riff*

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

More setup than substance