Oh wow, that’s a blast from the past for me. I used to date someone who was reading it (in French) nearly 20 years ago…
I remember not being able to really follow the plot, but then again I’m not sure I was reading them in order.
My favorite character was the Russian (formerly) dancer girl. I couldn’t really tell appart the other ones anyway 
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It’s summer vacation and I’m in the states again for the first time in a few years so I decided to celebrate with buying some books for the plane and making a slight deviation from my normal reading material. The second Japanese book I ever read was コインロッカー・ベイビーズ | L43??, and it made a big impression on me, so I decided to revisit an author for the first time and read 限りなく透明に近いブルー | L38. Maybe once I finish it I’ll check out the movie adaptation too (might have too weak a stomach for some of the scenes though).
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Just finished reading キラキラとギラギラ 1 | L23 and I hiiiiighly recommend it for those looking for a fun, easy manga to try out. Transfer student finds old childhood friend at her new school who refuses to acknowledge her; the gimmick is though that the transfer student and everyone at her new new school are drawn in two different art styles: her a nice bubbly 少女 look, and them a much grittier 劇画 style. The mangaka runs with it, and I had a great time reading it! Picked up volumes 2 and 3 to read down the line; if they’re the same level of entertainment I’ll definitely be picking up physical copies in the future.
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Heh, I’ve considered reading his works but they all seem very intense and I need to be in the right mood for that
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Yeah, some scenes can be very disturbing. At least with Coin Locker Babies from the first page and the name alone it’s pretty clear whether it’ll match your taste. This one didn’t take too long to get wild either, but the title is too pretty for the contents haha
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I so wish I could find his books in ebook form. I’ve only read him in translation (many years ago) and my very favourite was In The Miso Soup.
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There is a movie adaptation? 
I am wondering how some of the scenes turned out…
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There is an ebook of 限りなく透明に近いブルー, so you too can experience the fun! 
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Yep, has mixed reviews though. Many of them said it worked better as a book, and even though I’m only half way through I can’t imagine a movie adapting these scenes to the same effect
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Yes and some of the newer ones too, but I want Miso Soup 
I might get it though, I’ve read it but don’t really remember much.
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I have that sitting on my bookshelf ever since I started learning Japanese, basically… Very early in my studies I came across one of the gazillion “10 must-read Japanese books” lists, and it was on there 
At some point I will get to it, I’m sure…
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Read the first chapter in the preview and it was interesting. The contrast in art style is really neat. Will probably check out at some point!
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Started rereading 熱帯魚は雪に焦がれる | L24 cuz I wanna see what all the fuss is about (I last read in Oct 2023). It’s a good, light read so far. Only a few lookups, and easy to understand. About to start volume 3. I should probably slow down to take in the beautiful artwork more.
Started 百合姫 2024年6月号 | L22 - which is the last one before I’m caught up with what I’ve read. Perfect timing since 9月 edition is getting here this weekend! It will be nice to get on the monthly schedule, rather than reading them in quick succession, cuz some of the series just aren’t that interesting (others are amazing!)
Also casually rereading はなにあらし 8 | L19 - just whenever I’m in the mood. Interestingly this feels so much slower going than 熱帯魚, even tho it’s a lower level
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熱帯魚 reminds me of 白い砂のアクアトープ (24 episodes), which I saw some time ago.
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A number of the MAL reviews on that are critical in a way that make me want to watch it, out of skepticism towards the reviewers . The manga | L25 has been on my list for a bit apparently
I’ll probably read the manga instead, since it’s only 3 volumes… Kinda makes me scared for how much filler they must have put in the anime lol
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Just checked that the manga has exactly 24 chapters, though 
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The anime is the original version and the manga is an adaption. It’s a P.A. Works anime and many of their projects are anime original.
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I guess I’ve just gotten to accustomed to 12 episode anime… Now I’m worried for how much they condensed (in the manga) 
Ahhh, I see. The only things of theirs I’m familiar with are SHIROBAKO | L33 (Love), アキバ冥途戦争 S1 | L28 (the ep I saw was hilarious) and エンジェルビーツ! S1 | L29 (PTW)… Which I guess are all anime originals
Speaking of which, I’ve always been surprised SHIROBAKO’s level is so high on here. I guess I should try watching it one of these days
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This has been on my list for a while, though I’d just watch it with English subs.
Yeah, that’s a bit surprising. I mean, I’d expect it to be at least level 27, but 33 is surprising. But I only watched it with English subs many years ago, so I could just be not remembering the complexity.
Yeah I’ve just been putting it off unnecessarily cuz I’m nervous about the level (the I watched was with a friend, so EN subs). I should stop doing that and give it a try soon tho. Maybe once in finish AKB
I associate SHIROBAKO and New Game in my head so much that I expect them to be around the same level I’m not familiar with most of what it’s been graded against tho… this is making me wanna try it and report back over the weekend…
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