ReviewRaptor's manga / #Unexplained Happenings(89)

Big Apple

Complete | Harusari,Hodot | 2019 released

This story has a good base plot idea but the results of this comic are messy, weird and random at times. It could have been SO much better if they had focused on better writing and putting in details and made an effort to create more of a mood here and there. The plot was honestly a mess from early on. There was hinting and foreshadowing for a lukewarm reward that was unspecial, lots of smut (not that I'm complaining about that) that seemed to be focused instead of the actual story that was pretending to be grand and important (they legit skipped telling the story for a few chapters early on just to insert more bonking, that felt off and broke immersion tbh). Many times the plot feels like it both rushes and drags at the same time, which is impressive in and of itself I gotta say, but there is also moments when the plot gets very...weird? Like the comic is skipping explainations or details or just entirely does a 180 and goes into a different direction that makes little sense and just feels plain random. It's not bad, but it's not good either. The art is great, the characters interesting (tho some are behaving dumb in many moments) and the plot IDEA is great but ultimately turned out boring. I am not sure if the novel is equally as messy and/or bad in writing but I'd say chances are high it's much better than the comic. Given that the flaws I recognize are mostly with character behavior being dumb and the writing being random, weird or boring, I'd say this story can be amazing for less experienced readers but will be a disappointment potentially for more experienced readers that value good writing and storytelling. Give it a try, but be warned that it's not grandiose as it first pretends to become.

Here Reigns the Vengeful Villainess

Ongoing | Gijya,Sajangnim | 2022 released

The writing of this story really isn't great in the comic. Too many repeated tactics within 5 chapters already and many Mary Sue-ish/MacGuyver moments that make it feel like a teenager's fanatasy plot that hasn't been thought out well/in detail. Does someone know if the novel is better by chance? The base story is super interesting, but the repeat issues even so early on make it really a bit hard to take it serious and get immersed.

Traces of the Moon

Ongoing | Yunsul | 2022 released

Honestly this Mary Sue type writing is really not great. Bad even. Their first meeting is idiotic on both parts, her having money and a lockpick on herself is nonsensical (unless a literal child wrote this plot) and there is so much more that just screams not-thought-through and half-assed writing. Which is a shame, since the baseplot IS very interesting but the writing being what it is completely ruins it if you're someone with reading and writing experience and want a well-written story. The characters are bland in some ways, but not entirely. Which is strange and makes me feel there COULD have been good writing in all aspects, the person behind this just didn't put in the effort to accomplish that. All in all it feels like a plot a teenager wrote. But not in a funny-good way. To other teenagers this might not be a problem or even great, but to a more experienced audience this will entirely fall flat and make it a boring or even bad read. Again, this depends on experience in reading/writing, so check it out for yourself if you don't know what type of 'level' you have. It's a shame to me since I adore southern-themed plots, but I'll not continue reading this due to all the issues I find with it.

Risky Vice

Ongoing | Jerriman | 2022 released

The baseplot is VERY nice but the execition is really lackluster and feels rushed AND random at times. As so often: Like a rought draft of different moments the author thought of and liked and somewhat tried to string into a story. It's a bit disappointing to say the least. Especially since I love these kinda plots (mafia boss X rando from the streets). Such a shame. I like the art and baseplot, really, but this is more of a page-flipper to jack off to than a cohesive, intruiging story that's well thought through. I'll read the ending when it's finished, just to see what kinda ending the author has planned for these two (the opening scene is making me think this'll be bs but oh well). Hopefully the future works of this person will be better. There IS potential after all.

The King of Home Cooking

Complete | Gawee | 2000 released

Review/Critique, so be warned. This works as a self-insert very well, but NOT if you're not exactly into the type of person the love interest here is and NOT if you cannot relate exactly to the MC. From the very start the story is weird and feels like emotions and thoughts do not come across well. As well as general intentions of anyone in this story. The MC is a bit of a weirdo but quite bland and simple. Yet the love interest is so weirdly random seemingly that it would have greatly benefitted him if the author hinted more at HIS side of emotions and intentions. Because, to me, first it felt like he was SUPER pissed that the MC wanted to use 'playing gay' as a means to win the show because he finds it offensive to use gayness as a gimmick. Yet, it turns out, he had been given a wishy-washy tsundere personality and he was into the MC. If it was portrayed differently, this might have worked okay but as it was done here, it just seems random. Almost like the author had no set script or really thought about the story much. It's funny for sure but the romance between them is just 'off' and feels randomly done just for the sake of getting them together SOMEHOW, by any means to get to the author's preferred part. I also find the love interest VERY unappealing in terms of personality tbh, but I'm sure someone will like a cranky jerk that thinks he can get upset about playing house and realizing it's not reality. XD It's probably a decent read for beginners but not for seasoned readers, but even there I'd not recommend it because it's honestly not that well written as a romance. As a comedy piece, sure, it's worth flipping the pages. But I'd not recommend it as a romance comic to anyone that asked me for recs. Sadly. Because, as someone below said: The premise IS very interesting. The execution is just badly done.

The Holy Spirit Who Transgresses

Ongoing | San eung | 2022 released

The writing is absolutely lackluster. The author knows the story but does not explain it in even so much as the first chapter, you're just thrown random TINY bits of info and that's it, you're supposed to know wtf just happened and it sufficing as an adequate information to understand the setting. This is VERY shit writing and it's honestly making me loose all interest. Not sure if it'll get better later on (I heavily doubt it tho) but I for one will not bother reading this.

Stranger

Ongoing | Seonmyeong , Chub | 2000 released

It's been 18 chapters now and I finally realize why I cannot stand the MC: Among his many writing flaws such as randomness in chucking in mental problems or issues without any clear reason (the strangling bullshit) he also is literally like a fucking cat. That explains perfectly why he's so obnoxious at many times. It's certainly not the main issue i have with his character, but it sure plays a role. XD But anyway, REVIEW TIME: I honestly do not like this comic. I HEAVILY dislike the randomness of throwing in stuff and never addressing the root of it (because that strangling bs DOES warrant a strong reasoning besides 'born on streets' and 'shitty upbringing by criminal') and then kinda just ignoring it was a thing. Just like he ignored the children that will likely also be pushed into crime and prostitution despite him having a LITERAL instant-solving tool right next to him now; the prosecutor. (And the comic explained it away by saying; "I don't care, me feeling uncomfy in my new home is more important than worrying about saving children that are starved, abused and made to do things such as crimes." Just....wtf?) It also doesn't sit well with me that the prosecutor blamed himself for offending the MC when it was very clearly a YOU-problem for the MC. Getting offended by that situation to THAT degree was definitely a you-problem. Gives Karen-vibes tbh. I know what the story was going for, but the comic doesn't really do a good job with it all. I have no idea if the novel is better but I dare say it likely is. Maybe even more detailed since, as we all know, these comics LOVE to ignore important details in writing which make a story work or simply ruin it all. This comic also seems to really chuck in trauma-based behavior just to have it there rather than it being realistically portrayed as good as possible. That reflects in his very sudden and random possessiveness/entitlement to a dregree but more so in the strangling bs, that literally made zero sense except being a literal psychopath. Which the MC is not, so yeah. :/ As I really do not care for the MC and the prosecutor isn't really interesting either (he comes across as very empty and shallow, kinda like a McGuyver episode tool that does something as needed in that very moment), I have no desire to read more. Not even to see how they get together tbh. It's just not interesting to me in any way, it even has more minus points in my books than anything. Which is sad, since the core story is incredibly interesting, just the execution is really not done well. :/ This is likely a case by case thing, so read it for yourselves to see if this all is something you too would be bothered by. I do believe those that like annoying cat people/obnoxious-type tsundere/literal asshole-type cat behavior (not interaction triggered one!) will like this more than other people, based on how he behaves (he really is a literal cat, randomly getting pissed on his own accord - this is NOT cute in animals or humans, btw). It's not my thing, but many people can surely like it. Again; this really depends on taste.

To My Creepy Boy

Ongoing | Burano,부라노 | 2000 released

I cannot read more than 2 chapters of this. The writing is shitty tbh and VERY random and rushed, the characters weirdos and very dislikable (and I do not mean the 'creep' alone btw). The art is okay but the story is so bad I really have lost all interest there initially was with the description. This is probably a good read for people not looking for sense, rhyme, reason or smooth and coherent writing skills. Or if you're REALLY bored. 1 outta 10 but only barely.