A surprise anti-social genius crashes the manga tag party!
Megan of The Manga Test Drive (or A.K.A. Brainchild on Twitter) did a challenge where many people take the time to answer questions based off of what they have on their shelves. Not surprisingly, when you’re stalling on long term projects, it makes sense to do something light. I think.
…So let’s play the manga tag game and see what’ll happen from there!
1) What was your first manga?
It was either Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, Katsu Aki’s Psychic Academy, or Yukiru Sugisaki’s D.N Angel. This was well back in middle school, so with my lackluster memory I definitely can’t remember which one I read first. But out of all 3 of them, I don’t own any of these series anymore…because I threw them away (or gave Psychic Academy to my school’s anime club).
…Is this the part where I mention I didn’t get back into manga until college?
2) What is your most expensive manga?
I’m certain the most expensive manga I brought was the Nausicaa Box Set from Viz Media a few years ago. Even though I got it when it was on sale, pretty sure it was the most I had shelled out for a manga since I started collecting manga.
…And to this day, I still have not finished it. I really should sit down and finally read the whole thing!
3) What was your least expensive manga?
Almost anything that’s been least expensive I got from Book-Off, but since I need to pick, Love Hina, Tokyopop edition.
4) What is the most boring manga you own?
I kept thinking when this question was posed, “Does this mean I buy manga I think is boring to read,” or “Is the manga really good but the actual theme or content, etc, was boring?” So really, your morals are on the line when answering this question!
…I would have gone with A Centaur’s Life, but I remembered that I sold it. So I guess I’ll go with Kingyo Used Books, which is boring from a “who cares about old manga” perspective.
5) What is your favorite manga series?
Not surprisingly, all of the hard questions get asked right here. Narrow down all my favorite series to one? Someone decided to be extra cruel to manga readers it seems!
But if you told me there had to be one manga series I could own in any of my lifetimes, MW by Osamu Tezuka would be one I’d survive with. So far is the best Tezuka manga I’ve read, though Adolf might be a strong contender. Probably should get to ranking some Tezuka manga now…
6) What is the most relatable manga series you own?
This is a tough question. Generally in media you do try and identify with characters you relate to, and yet, I find I can’t think of any to relate to, even though I’m sure there are some. That and there’s so much manga I’ve read that narrowing it down is also something of an issue too.
I guess the only one I can compare myself to is Arslan, from The Heroic Legend of Arslan series. Definitely nowhere near his leadership skills, but generally quiet and letting others do all the work? Yep, fits me to a tee.
…Maybe.
7) What is one manga you own based off an anime?
5 Centimeters Per Second, which, btw, is even better than the anime. And I liked the anime. You need to go read it if you can find it.
8) What is your rarest manga?
I’m going to assume by default Kingyo Used Books is a rare manga, since Viz no longer publishes it. Shame, since it’s a fun series.
9) What is the most reprinted manga you own?
Since I name dropped it earlier, will say Message to Adolf, which Viz once published many moons ago. Now Vertical has the rights.
10) What is the most popular manga you own?
Not even sure if it’s even debatable. It’s Attack on Titan, by far. I mean, seriously, what manga property has reached this high in the U.S:
Hmm. I dunno guys, something seems completely out of place here. Can't put my finger on it… pic.twitter.com/yvNDX313lW
— Justin (@Kami_nomi) August 5, 2015
Needless to say, it has changed a lot since I started reading it some years ago…
11) What is the most damaged manga you own?
Don’t have one. Or if I do, it’s hiding in a box!
12) Which manga has the most amazing art?
Without a doubt, Hajime Isayama’s Attack on Titan Kaoru Mori’s A Bride Story.
I mean seriously, she does not play around in that area.
13) What is the oldest published manga that you own?
Ode to Kirihito. Wow, published in 1971 and still amazing.
14) What is the newest published manga you own?
I guess new new new manga is My Hero Academia, which is from the guy who did the Zoo manga and the Barrage manga in Jump. This does some things better than both of those series from what I’ve read so far.
15) What are some of the most recent manga you have purchased?
Recently splurged on a bunch of manga thanks to Manga Mania a few weeks ago, but I did purchase Handa-Kun, which is Handa, the main character in Barakamon, back in high school. It is hilarious. You need to go read it.
…Wow that took a while. But yeah, I can only imagine my history with manga will only get weirder, I think.
