cbr16bingo Rings (Japan hosting the 1964 Olympics)
Asadora!Vol. 7 by Naoki Urasawa is a manga series that I, for some reason, became hooked on. I am not a manga reader, especially when it is in the traditional Japanese format. I do not usually like horror or monsters. And honestly, a couple of the characters in the story are stereotypes of Japanese people, with the “slant eyes,” odd mustaches, and old/ugly. And yet, there is something about the character Asa that just “gets me” in the likes. Perhaps because there is a kaiju creature and I’ve had a soft spot recently for them (okay, he’s a little annoying, but have you seen Godzilla’s son???? I wanna pinch its cheeks!) And, though Urasawa is known for their hardcore horror, this is a mild to medium level of horror. It is bordering thriller/mystery with a nice splattering of horror.
This time around, our heroine pilot, Asa, is fighting the monster, but we have flash-sideways that show us a few of the other characters as well. Their stories will overlap some with Asa’s, but also they are separate. Mostly they are there to show how time has passed or to show growth (or lack of) to the characters overall. There are a few flashbacks, and I am assuming that one of the story arcs is something that was being dealt with in 1960s Japan. Also, the “alternative history” concept (this is 1964 and the Japanese people have the Olympics, but also try to keep things from “big brother” America) is good for a “will they/won’t they” learn of the monster in the bay.
The idea of watching these characters grow and change over the decades (we started in the 1950s), is both a plus and minus. I felt volume seven, though had action was a filler and just to keep the series moving, and doesn’t add anything that couldn’t have been edited out. That is, with one exception. Near the end of things, Asa talks about the meaning of family, loss and how no matter how much you try to keep people safe, it might not work out. This is a great scene and counters somewhat another plot point that should not have happened. Overall, things work for the series, but perhaps my least favorite installment so far. But bring on volume 8!!! I need my flying gal kicking kaiju butt!