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zawa113
Joined: 19 Jan 2008
Posts: 7358
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 3:27 pm
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I finally got the last volumes of this I needed at Otakon (the good thing about short collections though is that you don't need them in order, right?) And yeah, I really think that Takahashi shines when she does short stories. I feel like, with both her and Akira Toriyama, it's a shame that they keep doing long and popular series when their short works are so much awesome (though Toriyama finally seems to be doing short stuff now, can't wait to read Jaco). Still, I would far rather have 36 volumes of Takahashi variety shorts than 36 volumes of near identical jokes that just drags on and on due to popularity.
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Touma
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 2651
Location: Colorado, USA
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 3:51 pm
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This is a great review of some excellent stories.
Personally I do not see the similarity between "Maris the Chojo" and Urusei Yatsura, but I agree with everything else. "Those Selfish Aliens" is the story that seems like the UY predecessor to me.
These collections and the "Mermaid" books have some of the best short stories that I have ever read in any medium and any genre.
I hope that Viz will do well enough with the new Ranma 1/2 releases to encourage them to give these shorts a new life, and license more of them.
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unitmikey
Joined: 15 Feb 2013
Posts: 286
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 2:27 pm
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I was planning on digging up my Manga Vizon issues to read A'A Prime, but now I might have to reread some of these stories too. My favorites were mentioned, being Tragey of P and The Merchant of Romance. There's something so... melancholy(?) to these stories that was kind of jarring to me after being only familiar with Ranma, Yatsura, and Ikkoku. I as well would like them to be in print again.
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Msag
Joined: 01 Jul 2013
Posts: 50
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:22 pm
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Love her short stories (and their anime adaptations) too and you're right, the reason why they're so amazing is not only do they have that comfortable warmth and personable characters I associate with Takahashi works, but that she still strives for those reflective moments of beauty like in the penguin story. In any case, being so talented in the short story form is really commendable, and maybe even more remarkable than being talented in long story forms.
The stories about the divorcee running the wedding chapel and the telekinetic old lady are my favourites too, really wish she continued with those plots! Also love the ones about the uptight manager (or CEO?) who started working at a fast-food restaurant, the widower haunted by his wife's ghost and the man who goes to his high school reunion while experiencing a mid-life crisis (of sorts). Such different perspectives but all so funny and touching in their own ways.
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katscradle
Joined: 05 Jan 2013
Posts: 469
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 5:52 pm
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Coming across some of Takahashi's Rumic stories was how I discovered manga. Even now I still find her early shorts stories enjoyable and engaging. She's somewhat special in that her work can appeal to both young and older people. So I hope Viz will be able to put them in print again too.
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Zalis116
Moderator
Joined: 31 Mar 2005
Posts: 6884
Location: Kazune City
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Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 5:10 pm
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Quote: | Although Takahashi's work seldom strays too far outside a certain range of upbeat, anime-ready charm (many of the Rumic stories have been adapted into animation), |
And as proof of Takahashi's enduring popularity, the anime series that adapted many of these shorts managed to break into triple-digit sales in North America!
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