One Piece, Volume 1: Romance Dawn Review

One Piece, Volume 1: Romance Dawn  

Author: Eiichiro Oda

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: July 23, 2003

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Shonen/216pages

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Teen

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

Just before Gold Roger, the “King of the Pirates”, is beheaded for his crimes, he’s asked for the whereabouts of his treasure. His reply—that it’s still out there in the world somewhere, and free to the person who finds it—triggers the start of a great era of piracy!

Synopsis:

A pirate ship has made its base in a small harbor village for the past year. A young boy in the village, Monkey D. Luffy, is determined to be a pirate and go with them on pirate adventures. When they refuse to take him seriously, he shows them he means what he says by stabbing himself beneath his eye! Although they are amazed that he’s done that, nothing changes. Pirate Captain “Red Hair” Shanks reminds him that a pirate has to be able to swim, and Luffy can’t do that—he has a tendency to sink like a stone. Luffy refuses to give up on his dreams, no matter how nicely the pirates try to let him down. He is determined that he shall learn to swim!

When a big blustery mountain bandit named Higuma comes into the tavern and tries to rile up the pirates, they refuse to fight, to Luffy’s dismay. He pegs them as cowards and yells at them. However, when he tries to storm away, he makes a startling discovery—because he stole and ate the gum-gum fruit the pirates took from an enemy ship, his body is now rubbery and stretchy! Furthermore, as the captain informs him to his chagrin, now he’ll never be able to swim!  Oh no!

Luffy has a lot to learn about what constitutes true courage!

Ten years later, his real adventures begin.

Still determined to become the king of the Pirates, Luffy sets out in a small boat, with no real sense of direction but a whole lot of determination. An encounter with a whirlpool leaves him in the company of the pirates of the dread lady pirate Iron Mace Alvida. Here he meets Koby, a timid young man who’s been enslaved by her against his will, and only wishes to join the Navy. Luffy befriends Koby and instills in him a courage and fortitude he’s sorely lacking. After they leave her, Luffy confides that he is assembling a super pirate crew in order to seek Gold Roger’s treasure, known as “One Piece”. He’s heard about a really good swordsman who’s imprisoned at the naval base, named Roronoa Zola, and he’s determined to add him to his crew. Koby is a bit skeptical.

They reach the naval base, which is under the command of Captain Morgan, and his despicable, cruel, effeminate son Helmeppo.  Zolo is a prisoner, tied to a post in the naval yard. But when Luffy approaches him for possible recruitment, he says forget it, it’s only for a month, he can tough it out. Luffy soon discovers that things are not as they appear to be.

Can Luffy rescue Zolo? And even if he does, can he convince him to join his pirate crew? What of the despotic Captain Morgan and his horrible son? Can Luffy help Koby attain his lifelong dream of being in the navy, or will their acquaintanceship put an end to Koby’s chances?

Commentary:

First off, I know, I’m slow at getting to this. That being said, I wasn’t sure what to expect, despite the fact that it’s a long-running series. That doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. I quickly discovered that it’s really quite funny and very entertaining, and I’m looking forward to reading more.

Monkey D. Luffy is quite the character, and a fitting hero for this series. His ability to be rubbery at will, and also to withstand bullets, is pretty cool, and not something you see in your average hero. He’s young and enthusiastic and determined—traits which will carry him a long way. Eiichiro Oda doesn’t play to stereotypes. The pirate captain Shanks isn’t what you’d necessarily expect in a pirate, and neither is his crew. I like the artwork, it matches the story well, even to the exaggeratedly big mouth that Luffy has, a common characteristic I notice in Oda’s characters.

This book is rated for teens, but I think it would be enjoyed by all ages. It’s first and foremost an adventure tale, so there will be fights, but it’s not what I’d call particularly gory. If I have any complaints with the artwork, it would be that his girls tend to look more like boys. But that’s not really a complaint so much as an observation.

I enjoyed the first volume and look forward to reading more. Yes, I know he’s up to like 60 now. Guess I’ll be reading for a while!

Happy Easter Sunday - the blog hop continues

Happy Easter, Happy Sunday to everyone! This is the last day of the Hoppy Easter Blog Hop. You have until midnight to comment on my post, follow me, leave your email address and be entered in my contest. Having said that, I most likely won't pick a winner until Monday morning, so let's be honest - you have until I get up and my daughter helps me choose the winner.

That being said, it is Easter. We have no special plans for this day. I didn't get a ham, so I'm going to be a bit non-traditional, and make country fried steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, and baby carrots. Maybe watch a movie. Depends on what Sarah wants to do when she gets up - undoubtedly she'll sleep in.

Since this is Easter Sunday, I thought I'd re-post my review of a movie, one that is very fitting to the occasion. Jesus of Nazareth, with Robert Powell. I highly recommend watching this, despite its length. It's worth it. Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

There are few people who are not familiar, at least to some degree, with the story of Jesus of Nazareth, from birth to death.  It's a story which has been portrayed in books, in songs, in verse, as well as in the cinema and on the small screen many times, not to mention it has a prominent place in the New Testament.  In 1977, acclaimed filmmaker Franco Zeferelli filmed his own version of the story, which was broadcast as a TV mini series of more than six hours' duration (probably a lot more than that by the time commercials were thrown in).  I admit that it took me a while to get around to watching this version because I was put off by the choice for the lead role of Jesus Christ.  I had only seen Robert Powell in one thing prior to this, and that was the rock opera Tommy, where he played Tommy's father.  I could not see him, based on that one performance, as Jesus Christ, so I didn't try.  And I was skeptical when I heard of his powerful performance in the role.  I stuck with old familiars, such as King of Kings, with Jeffrey Hunter, and two versions of Jesus Christ Superstar.  Until I finally got around to seeing this version.

I was totally wrong, and very remiss for not having watched it sooner.  This film delves in great depth into the life of Jesus, beginning even before his conception.  Robert Powell is magnificent as Jesus.  He completely brings him to life, and makes him real in a way that I think few can ever match (I admit I haven't seen all Jesus films, of course).  Even despite the blue-eyed thing and the fact that he doesn't even look Jewish, which of course Jesus was.  But putting that aside as a cosmetic difference, he has a definite presence and an appeal and his eyes are truly haunting in their intensity.  One of the reasons for this is that Zefferelli had him not blink, an effective method of creating an otherwordly presence when among men.  The notes I read said he only blinked once, and that includes the portrayals of him at all ages, so I must conclude that the one scene is the one at the very end; at least it's the one I noticed.

As I said, the story begins before his conception, with Mary (Olivia Hussey) and Joseph, and a lot of time is spent with them.  In fact, after an hour into the film, we are still dealing with an infant, which is pretty drawn out by anybody's reckoning.  I admit, the beginning is rather slow, but not uninteresting.   Olivia Hussey is an unusual choice to portray His mother.  She had worked with Zefferelli prior to this in Romeo and Juliet, in 1968.  At the time Jesus was done, she was 26, but certainly doesn't look it.  I can't honestly say she added anything to the character, but she wasn't bad either.  Kudos to the film for dealing with what must have been a difficult subject between herself and Joseph, who is asked to take on the role of father to a child he knows for a fact can't  be his - a difficult task for any man.  But he rises to the occasion, and helps to provide Jesus and his mother with the home and stability that they  need, despite the difficulties they must go through along the way. 

The cast of Jesus of Nazareth is a stellar one by anyone's standards, and whereas sometimes that's a great and wonderful thing, it can also be a deterrent in some ways, especially if the actor or actor involved is very well known outside of the part.  I don't know about others, but I found having Darth Vader (James Earl Jones), Donald Pleasant and Ben Gazarra as the three magi was a bit offputting.  Michael York made an interesting John the Baptist, lacking perhaps a bit of the fire and brimstone to be found in Robert Ryan's portrayal in King of Kings (and a whole lot of the crazy).  What I found interesting in my reading (a novel called Pilate's Wife by Antoinette May), was that Jesus and John were cousins, a fact that I'd never heard before, which is hinted at here if you pay attention.  Make of that what you will, I'm just throwing it out there.  Christopher Plummer acquitted himself well as Herod Antipas, dealing with a nagging wife whom he loved, despite her shrewishness, and a nymphetic stepdaughter, who inflamed his lust.  You can feel his sympathy with and liking for John the Baptist; he finds him harmless, and is loath to do anything against him, until driven to it by a rash promise to his wife.  Also very interesting casting is Ian McShane as Judas Iscariot, one of the more sympathetic portrayals of him I have seen, not resorting to automatic bad guy status.  He plays him as sincere and earnest, believing he is doing what is best for Jesus, not realizing he is being used as a pawn by Zerah (Ian Holm).  Other members of the cast, which is too numerous to list in its entirety, include Rod Steiger, Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Stacy Keach (as Barabbas), Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, and many more.

Without giving a blow by blow account of a well-known story, I'd like to mention two scenes which stand out in my memory.  The first involves Ernest Borgnine as a Roman centurion, who approaches Jesus to ask for his help.  He has a servant that is ill, and the man is more a friend than a servant, and he is very concerned about him, will Jesus please help him?  Although many of those around him protest at the centurion even being there, because of his being Roman and all, naturally Jesus does not listen to words of hate, but instead to words of need.  He says he will come with the centurion, who then protests that he does not expect that, he does not wish to trouble him.  He goes on to say that he just need say it is done, that then it will be done, he understands how that works.  As a soldier, he gives the order and it is obeyed, without him  having to be there.  Thus it is with Jesus.  He trusts that if Jesus says it will be, then it will be.  Jesus is very touched by the faith in him that the Roman evidences, and tells his followers that this man has got it right, that he understands better than they do.  That is a very heartwrenching tearful moment, especially when the news arrives that the Centurion's servant is well once more.

The second moment comes on the night of his arrest, prior to Judas' arrival,  as Jesus waits in the garden of Gethsemane, his disciples sleeping around him.  He is apprehensive and a bit fearful, naturally so, of what is going to happen.  And for a moment he is filled with doubt, and he has some introspection going on, and this is one of Robert Powell's finest scenes, I do believe.  I was very very touched, and wept myself.

Yes, six hours is a long film to watch.  I don't pretend to have watched it in one sitting, or two or three.  But I'm very glad I did.  This is one of the best versions of this story I've ever seen, and I highly recommend it.  I don't think you'll be sorry if you take the time to watch it.

Yakuza Cafe Review

 Yakuza Cafe  

Author: Shinano Oumi

Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing

American release date: November 22, 2011

Format/Genre/Length: Manga/Yaoi/200 pages, also emanga

Publisher/Industry Age Rating: Older Teen, 16+

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★

After the death of his mother and grandmother, Shinri Irie receives an offer from the father he’s never met. Daigo Inrie wishes to make amends, and he wants Shinri to come live with him. So Shinri agrees to move in with the former Yakuza—at his café!

Synopsis:

Shinri isn’t sure what to expect when he arrives at the Fujisaki Café. Certainly not the fierce looking men that greet (and scare off) prospective clients. When they learn Shinri’s identity, they welcome their young master enthusiastically. One of them, a very large, very handsome man named Mikado, seems strangely familiar to Shinri. His emotional father greets Shinri with open arms; he is happy to see him and wishes to make amends for the past. While sampling what the café has to offer, Shinri learns its awful secret, and the undoubted reason that the café is not doing well (other than the former yakuza scaring people away)—the tea is atrocious! Lukcily, Shinri is an expert on teas, thanks to his upbringing by his grandmother, with her English heritage. He offers to take charge of making tea and bringing the café back to where it should be. Mikado is uncertain about this, but Zaouji, who handles the business side of the café, is positive that Shinri is just what the café needs.

Shinri finds Mikado mysterious and strangely attractive—and very familiar. He inadvertently comes upon him in the bath, and spies the large tattoo upon his back. And when he touches it, he accidentally releases the Dragon inside of Mikado, triggering memories, and propelling their relationship to a new level. When a former rival clan threatens the café, will Mikado be able to handle it on his own and keep his beloved Young Master safe?

The second story, The Crimson Seal, is a back story concerning Yaouji and his relationship with a Yakuza named Kurahashi, and tattoos.

In the last story in this volume, Two Roads Diverged, Shinri seems distracted by something. When he accidentally burns himself, Mikado questions his value in Shinri’s life.

Commentary:

I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet and romantic and fun. I liked the artwork pretty much. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty good, especially Shinri and Mikado (who is really handsome). Mostly, I enjoyed watching the unfolding relationship between Shinri and Mikado. It’s not your typical uke/seme relationship, which I enjoyed, especially the scene where Shinri knocks the much larger Mikado down and sits on him to get his attention. Something to be aware of is the use of non-con sex, but consider that in the yaoi context it isn’t what it appears to be, i.e. rape. In yaoi mangas, it’s generally used as a device to bring characters into a physical relationship where one appears to be unwilling but deep down inside isn’t.  Shinri even admits to himself afterward that he certainly didn’t hate it.

From the way it ended, I’m thinking there will be more of this book. I certainly hope so. It’s a good, enjoyable read, well worth the effort, and I’d love to see more of it.

And the winner is...

Yes, I'm late in declaring a winner in my No Place Like Home contest, and for that I do apologize. But I have a winner now, and will be announcing that person in just a few.

First, I'd just like to do a mini-rant. A reviewer, who shall be nameless, went on a rant in her review of a book about the book's anti-infringement/copyright policy! Seriously? You let this upset you? How many people even look at that. Not even the pirates they're aimed at do that. And yet someone who claims to have gotten a legitimate copy of a book gets all hot and bothered about the warning by the publisher against theft? What the hell? She ranted on it in the review and at her blog, and I have to say that I think it colored her review. That is some seriously irrational shit, I'm here to tell you. Can we all say anal?

Anyway, nuff said about that.

Tomorrow, the fourth part of my Forbidden series will be released. It's called Fugitive.  So let me share a little bit of that, if I may. It can be pre-ordered at ARe now.

Blurb:

A jubilant Jerico James has just given Father Sergio the slip in the barn, and he’s feeling rather fine. All he has to do now is find a phone, call one of his friends, and prepare to leave the sticks behind. But that’s far from a done deal when he finds himself unexpectedly engaged in a struggle against nature. Is this city boy prepared to rough it in the wild until he can reach civilization again?  What’s lurking in the woods?

Excerpt:

He hesitated for a moment, gazing intently at where Sergio lay, barely able to make out his form in the darkness. A twinge of regret suffused him—regret for what might have been, if he only had time. The fun they could have had together… But that fun would have come at the cost of his continued incarceration, and that was a price he was unwilling to pay.

Arrivederci, bella. Touching his fingers to his lips, he blew a kiss in Sergio’s general direction, then headed for the door. He reached for the door handle, but there was none.  Instead he found a vertical pull and an intricate latching mechanism, neither of which he was familiar with in any way. He spent a good five minutes standing in the darkness, his fingers feeling their way around the latch. The doors were on rollers suspended from above. He hadn’t paid any attention to them the night before during the mad dash through the storm, but he remembered Sergio sliding the door closed.

Finally he found the latch release and sighed in relief. A snort from the darkness froze him in place. He held his breath. Any moment he expected the priest’s hand to clinch around his neck and a sexy voice to ask where he thought he was going. Another snort was followed by a soft whinny. He released his pent-up breath feeling very foolish.  He had to get out of here.

 The latch unfastened with a click, the hardware creaking as the heavy door sprung free. He glanced up at the sky—no rain. Thank heaven for small favors; maybe there really was a God.  Clouds concealed the moon in layers of dark cotton. He hesitated in the doorway, thinking how useful it would be to have the lantern.  Then he decided against it. Let the poor people keep it. They had little enough as it was, and none of it was worth taking.

Jerico glanced over his shoulder, and then rolled the wooden door open until he could just slip through. He squeezed through the narrow aperture and took a deep breath. He was free, but he wasn’t gone. Not yet. Pulling the door closed, he allowed some positive thoughts to creep into his brain. Things might just be going his way at last. Is that a sign, Father Sergio? Is your God on my side for once?

The sun wasn’t up, but he figured he didn’t have long before hayseeds would pop out of every house, barn and field for fifty miles. He wished he had his cell phone.  Any of his friends would be willing to rescue him from Backwater America.  It didn’t matter. He’d get another phone once he got back to civilization and away from this rural nightmare

And now for the winner...

Congratulations goes to Mel B!  You get your choice of my books, I'll be emailing you shortly! Thanks to everyone who entered, and keep trying. There'll be another contest soon, as well as blog hops!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie