藤本タツキ短編集 22-26

Boring stories with little to offer

I love Chainsaw Man. I've read 1-14 for JP practice and absolutely adore it. This book came free with the bulk purchase I made, so I figured I'd check it out.

It sucks. There's no other way to put it.

In terms of language learning: It's alright, I guess. I found it easier than Chainsaw Man and didn't really have to look up anything. Took me about an hour or so to finish it. Very middle of the road. I guess it could be a good second or third manga, but I don't recommend it. Now, onto the content. It's split up into 4 different short stories, so I'll review them independently.

人魚ラプソディー: 2/5 stars. The art was alright, but very clearly lower quality compared to the author's other works. A boy falls in love with a mermaid, but the mermaids are man-eaters, so oh no! Forbidden love?! It ends with them getting together and playing the piano. The Little Mermaid did this plotline better. I give it a 2 star because at least designs were cool enough.

目が覚めたら女の子になっていた病: 2/5. Art felt rushed, concept of the story was alright, execution sucked. A boy wakes up one day and realized he was transformed into a woman (as the title implies). Even if he got gender-affirming surgery, it would revert, apparently. Instead of jumping for joy like other boy-magically-becomes-a-girl stories, he hates it. At school he's harassed and rape jokes are made and whatnot. Overall a very meh story with not a lot to offer.

予言のナユタ: 3.5/5. Interesting enough read, not enough time to get attached to anyone, somewhat linked to the author's other work. A young devil-girl was foretold in a prophecy and everyone wants to kill her. Predictable story, but it was nice.

妹の姉: 1/5. Bottom of the barrel. Girl's younger sister draws her naked and puts it up at school. As revenge the girl tries to draw her younger sister naked. But wooaahhh as it turns out the sister only drew her naked and put it up at school because she admired her sister or something who fucking knows man. Felt more like the author wanting to see little teenage girl tits than writing a story, overall a gross feeling. I got nothing against fanservice as long as it isn't whatever the hell this was.

In summary: easy to read, good if you want it to collect dust on your bookshelf as soon as you're done.