Friday, August 5, 2011

Manga Review: Afterschool Charisma Volume 3

Genre: shounen science fiction
Artist/Manga-ka: Kumiko Suekane
Rating: T+ for older teen according to Viz
Pages: 200


My Take:

Shiro Kamiya, the sole human student at St Kleio's Academy, a private and heavily guarded boarding school attended by the clones of historical figures such as Napoleon and Florence Nightingale, has just undergone the shock of his life after encountering an older research assistant who looks uncannily like him.  As the clones' talent Expo begins and millionaires from around the world pour onto the grounds to poke sticks and observe the clones in their 'natural habitat', Shiro finds himself questioning the one thing he thought he was absolutely sure of: his own humanity.  To make matters worse, he soon also finds himself locked in a room with Mozart.  (Not a happy fate.)

Meanwhile, the clones are frantically making last minute preparations for their big presentations.  The revelation of Rasputin's 'project' concerning the Almighty Dolly, the deity-like mascot the student clones have adopted, shocks every clone in the auditorium into silence, just before the building catches fire and assassins burst onto the scene to annihilate the St Kleio clones once and for all.  Students and visitors alike rush to flee the school, but it doesn't escape Napoleon's notice that some of the assassins look eerily familiar...

This volume definitely kick-started things up again.  The psychological aspect of clones is delved into somewhat and there are more than a few shocking twists.  Lots of action; a lot less pointless fan service.  The events towards the end are definitely going to leave me obsessing until the fourth volume comes out-- which won't be until October!  So, next week I'll be reviewing a different manga for the Mega Manga Challenge.  I'm open to suggestions, but was considering finishing Fullmetal Alchemist (I'm on volume 16) or else starting the first volume of Black Butler.  Any opinions?

Art: 5/5
Premise: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Story: 5/5
Overall Rating:

6 comments:

Alexa said...

I really need to get this series because you make it sound so exciting. Plus you are giving all three volumes great reviews. Thanks for the new recommendation :)

Alison Can Read said...

Sounds interesting. Probably not for me because I'm not into the sci fi thing. I am curious about having a character named Rasputin.

P!nky said...

This is the famous manga you've been telling me about! Added to my reading list. :]

Kat said...

@Pinky-- Come downstairs and ask me for it, -chan! We need to get you on Goodreads. :D

Lisa (starmetal_oak) said...

Great to see you enjoyed this one this week :)

LunarI Glow said...

I really liked the first book... i'm praying that my mom will take me to the library this weekend so i can check out the rest of them. my favorite character is Napoleon. He sticks up for Shiro, and it is kinda funny when he almost attacks Mozart for making Fun of Shiro. I was sad when Ikkyu held Napoleon back! i really wished he could have beaten Mozart up for making all of those rude, disgusting comments.
From: Jasmine Coleman
Ps: you can reach me at dracona66@gmail.com! i absolutely LOVE manga. Have you ever read Dragon Drive?

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