[Manga] Papillon #4 Review

[aemartell]

Papillon #4

Mania Grade: C+
Art Rating: B+
Packaging Rating: B
Text/Translation Rating: B
Age Rating: 13 and Up
Released By: Del Rey
MSRP: 10.99
Pages: 192
ISBN: 978-0345512345
Size: B6
Orientation: Right to Left

Though it's unfair, I keep comparing this series to Honey Hunt in my head--it manages to have lots of fun drama without lovable characters. Papillon just can't balance the two, resulting in lots of unlikable characters without enough drama to make up for it.

[Noodle]

The cologne story line? HATE. (Oh god, the resolution? So lame! I mean, SERIOUSLY? And, EW.) All in all, I was ready to throw this book at the wall by the time it was done. I want to say I'm done with this series, but time - and the new omnibus form - will tell. I'll either be tempted by the easy 3-in-one chunk or be just turned off enough by the change/price/whatever to let this one go. Or maybe I'll just need to read the recaps/reviews of how it ends before I decide whether or not to read more.

I have more dislike overall than you, I think, but completely agree with the balance comment. There just isn't enough awful teen drama, or else it just isn't done in a way that makes me give a crap about the characters at all. If I want this sort of story, I'll just re-read Peach Girl -- it at least was an entertaining trainwreck, full of characters I liked. Papillon is a poor imitation.

[aemartell]

Originally Posted by Noodle

The cologne story line? HATE. (Oh god, the resolution? So lame! I mean, SERIOUSLY? And, EW.)

Bwahaha! Just... Agreed. Looking back on it, that part was almost hilarious in how unintentionally horrible it was. What would even give the author an idea like that?

If I want this sort of story, I'll just re-read Peach Girl -- it at least was an entertaining trainwreck, full of characters I liked. Papillon is a poor imitation.

I think it's the psychological aspects that ruin this for me. Instead of "look at all the drama! Enjoy the carnage!" it's "look at all the drama! Now, what makes these people act this way? Let's examine it for 7/8ths of the chapter..."