Short Cuts, Vol. 2 (2)

Comes different than typical manga style as it reads left to right and the whole mailing process done with it is different than usual. Good story as usual by Usamaru Furuya!

Strangely, Amazon lists Volume One in its search, but has no page for it as you're linked direcly to Vol. 2.Each of Furuya's "Cuts" is one to two pages long and focuses mostly on the ko-gal culture of Japan. For those who don't know - superficial teenage school girls. Furuya has such a pension for mocking this that you can see both the love and hatred directed at his own country. Some of the cuts feature young girls being worshiped as large, stone carvings in Buddhist temples; another places an advertisement for a drink that will turn anyone into a ko-gal within three months. The following strips are VERY funny. Furuya's strips are an omnibus of pop culture covering everything from Miyazaki films, Yamataka Eye, perverted Oyaji, Aphex Twin, Makoto-chan, and many others. Naming them all would take away some of the magic and the magic is spun in different ways; some of the strips are very grotesque, and adult-only while others (though they are few), such as the story of Zero Boy, that are actually touching. This guy has the ability to gross you out, make you laugh at your own optic illusions and have your heart swelter with emotion all within a few one-page comic strips.Some of the strips have a subtitle and plot of their own, such as the ABC's of S&M, a kinky little show hosted by one of Furuya's own imaginary bunnies, which appear quite frequently and are the equivalent to Tezuka's Hyoutan-Tsugi (in a way). And let's not forget detective Panty-Flash! Female rookie at a police station where everyone is given names based on their (expected) behavior. As you can guess, this leads to some perverted and often funny moments.As expressed, this comic has pretty much everything I want in an underground comix. So why the four stars? Some of the strips fall COMPLETELY flat in translation as Japan's quirks and culture are very different from the West's. Yes, there is a glossary in the back, but not everything is explained and I have a feeling some would be really lost without at least a basic knowledge of Japanese manga/anime culture.Furuya's satire seems to come directly from his heart; he knows right where to attack these ko-gals and goes from many different angles in pursuing and mocking a culture you can tell me has much love for. But unlike most ennui-struck Otaku-lovers, Furuya's fans will find an abundance of Swiftian jokes and will also find an artist who is as good in allegory as he is in panty shots.Highly recommended. I'll be searching out Volume 2 ASAP.EDIT: I have since searched out Volume 2 and have nothing but more good things to say about its continuing ability to make me gut laugh, and even tear up occasionally. Some of these "Cuts" are strangely emotional and really open a window on bunny-lover Furuya himself! There are even a few two-page single drawings (that take up to a week to draw) that are to die-for. If only there was more Furuya to go around.

This is a funny manga with no real continuing storyline, just a bunch of gag comics. Funny stuff about Ko-gals. :) It's different from other Japanese comics because it doesn't have an overarching story; it's more like individual skits, and it was quite hilarious. There's a lot of jokes about sex in these comics, like one about a new computer that is shaped like a robot, and its "turn-on" switch looks suspiciously like a penis . . . and when a girl has trouble turning hers on but the (male) teacher manages fine, it is discovered that her computer is gay. Haha.

Dieser Band ähnelt in Aufmachung, Umfang und Inhalt seinem Vorgänger (siehe Rezension dort). Allerdings gibt es hier einige Bilder, die 2 Seiten umfassen, dafür keine Farbseiten.

Si vous aimez vraiment vraiment les histoires courtes -et folles- avec des messages cachés, ce livre est pour vous.Aucune similitude avec "Le cercle du suicide" (2005) & il est vraiment plus rayonnant que Palepoli (2012).HILARANT, DÉVIANT...mais MIGNON !!!Non édité en français (acheté en anglais), il est très facile à lire & à comprendre.Toutefois, Il y a des explications à la fin du livre qui vous permettront de revenir sur certaines "énigmes".Age recommandé: + 16 ans.If you like really really crazy short stories with hidden messages, this book is for you.No similarity to "The Circle of suicide" (2005) & it is more radiant than Palepoli (2012).DEVIANT, HILARIOUS...but CUTE !!!Not published in French (bought in English), it is very easy to read & understand.However, there is an explanation at the end of the book that you will return to some "puzzles".Recommended age: + 16.

hilarious