Comments on: Danielle Leigh's Reading Diary -- Shojo Round Up Post

By: News in Brief | There it is, Plain as Daylight

News in Brief | There it is, Plain as Daylight — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 02:42:32 +0000

[...] The ever-fabulous Danielle Leigh posted a shojo round-up a day or two ago, and we ended up rambling on together in comments about NANA. Look for more of [...]

By: Quick news roundup | Anime Blog Online

Quick news roundup | Anime Blog Online — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:47:05 +0000

[...] Danielle Leigh rounds up a healthy handful of shoujo volumes at Comics Should Be Good. Kate Dacey serves up some short takes as well: vol. 9 of Kurosagi Corpse [...]

By: Danielle Leigh

Danielle Leigh — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:29:47 +0000

I'm pretty much on the same page with you -- I feel more comfortable with Takumi as a character because everyone recognizes the ways in which he is a deeply flawed person, including HIM. With Reira, she makes weak attempts to voice her flaws, but everyone just tells her how wonderful she is anyway (save Shin, who is honest enough to tell how how selfish she is, and he's really no more than a child!). Her behavior with Ren is atrocious and selfish (Ren's to blame as well, of course) and well. Then there is the Takumi issue.... *whistles because some of this has yet to come out in U.S. releases*

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:43:47 +0000

Haha, you know I wouldn't have realized that myself if you hadn't said it. I think you're probably right. I think my deep hatred for Takumi is based quite a bit on the fact that, like Hachi, I know I would have fallen for him (at least initially--I'd like to think I'd have thrown him over for Nobu by now) and I really, really hate that. Every time he cheats on her, I seriously want to stab him in the heart. I think you're right, though. I think I do like him more than Reira, or at least I have more patience with him, and maybe even more sympathy on some level. I think what's difficult with Reira, is that her beauty (looks and voice) causes people to coddle her in a way that is really unhealthy for her.

By: MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Quick news roundup

MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Quick news roundup — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:43:16 +0000

[...] Danielle Leigh rounds up a healthy handful of shoujo volumes at Comics Should Be Good. Kate Dacey serves up some short takes as well: vol. 9 of Kurosagi Corpse [...]

By: Danielle Leigh

Danielle Leigh — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:21:23 +0000

I find it Hi-larious that I can infer from your statement that while you may "hate" Takumi more than Reira, you also might "like" him more than Reira (I'm probably reading into that but I actually feel that way about him...he infuriates me but I actually like him a lot more than Reira). I'm not even sure if that makes sense yet emotionally it feels quite true!

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:12:10 +0000

I have a career drive that is probably more like Nana's than Hachi's, but otherwise I identify with Hachi probably more than any other manga character I've seen. Which is not to say I'm just like her (I've never been girly, or flighty in the same way she is), but her core emotional conflicts and her core strengths and weaknesses are very close to my own. I was surprised at the hate when I found it, mainly at the big NANA LJ comm, black_stones. People there seem to take it for granted that everyone hates (or at best, tolerates) Hachi. It made me sad.

I can understand Reira hate too, though like you, I frown upon it. She is the hardest woman for me to like in the series (and probably one of my least favorite characters overall), but I don't hate her by any means. I save my hatred for Takumi. I do think Trapnest is a seriously screwed-up bunch, though. Blast has issues, but they love each other madly. Trapnest's love is seriously twisted.

By: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » June 25, 2009: It doesn’t really work like that

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:20:26 +0000

[...] [Review] Various titles Link: Katherine Dacey, Danielle Leigh [...]

By: Danielle Leigh

Danielle Leigh — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:58:37 +0000

I don't see a lot of Hachi hate (mainly Reira hate, which I can't help but get even if I frown upon it) although I do think Hachi is devalued in fandom because Nana is so "cool." Sometimes I think Hachi's our way into the story (normal girl caught up in crazy celebrity rivalry etc.) but unlike you I don't identify with her much emotionally, I kind of just love her. (My crazy pride probably makes me more like Nana, oddly).

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:45:33 +0000

Oh, I am not alone! I thought I was the only person who loved Hachi so. I identify with her to such a huge extent, I feel hurt by all the Hachi hate I see floating around LJ.

And yes, I love Nana and Hachi together. Okay, I also love Hachi and Nobu, but Nana and Hachi... *heart*

By: Danielle Leigh

Danielle Leigh — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:33:23 +0000

Hachi's my favorite character so to me this comment is happy-making, not useless!

I always feel out of place because most people love Nana (& Ren!) to death. I can leave Ren (and not even "take or leave", just leave, heh), and I do love Nana but I love her with Hachi most of all.

By: Melinda Beasi

Melinda Beasi — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:27:41 +0000

Hachi wears a kimono and is adorable (no surprise there, I just like to make note of it).

I love that you take the time to mention this.

(yes, my comment really *is* this useless)