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jae_lou's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
julesthebookdragon417's review against another edition
3.0
This was among my first forays into manga, and so far it's not like any others I've read. This is a character-driven story, and could probably be classified as slice-of-life. Each chapter gives us a glimpse into the life of someone living within the highly stratified society of the Saturn Apartments. Our protagonist is finding his place within that society, having just graduated from school and taken up the same job his father once held, and in doing so he's having some big thoughts about whether he matters in the grander scheme of the world.
The phrase that came to mind as I was reading this was, "it's bigger on the inside!" The story-telling can be so slow and quiet at times, and that feels almost like nothing is "happening." But then we realize there are cracks forming, and through them the inner worlds of the various Saturn Apartments residents shine through. We don't see the whole picture, but we get the hint that it's there, its glow peering out through the fissures our protagonist comes across.
Know what you're getting when you go into this. If you go in with the right expectations, hopefully you can enjoy this quiet, thoughtful world.
The phrase that came to mind as I was reading this was, "it's bigger on the inside!" The story-telling can be so slow and quiet at times, and that feels almost like nothing is "happening." But then we realize there are cracks forming, and through them the inner worlds of the various Saturn Apartments residents shine through. We don't see the whole picture, but we get the hint that it's there, its glow peering out through the fissures our protagonist comes across.
Know what you're getting when you go into this. If you go in with the right expectations, hopefully you can enjoy this quiet, thoughtful world.
manzolindifiori's review against another edition
2.0
Ho trovato l’ambientazione piuttosto sciocca fin da l’inizio. Questo non mi ha aiutato ad entrare nella storia in primo luogo, quindi può darsi che mi sia concentrato solo sui (tanti) lati negativi.
L’ordine temporale degli avvenimenti è confuso. Il padre del protagonista è morto cinque anni prima della storia in questione, ma ci sono ancora le sue impronte sui vetri che ha lavato poco prima di morire.
Il figlio non si è mai fatto domande riguardo la sua scomparsa, non ha dubbi, si è sicuramente suicidato.
Molti personaggi sono appena abbozzati e non ho provato alcun interesse per loro. Il tizio grosso è scemo e chiacchierone, il tizio con il cappello odia il protagonista senza motivo, la ragazza/bambina (è impossibile capire l’età dei personaggi dai disegni) ha un gatto.
Non c’è ritmo. Le uniche scene d’azione in questo volume sono due, una all’inizio, nel primo capitolo, e una alla fine, della durata di una pagina sola, ma riguardano la ragazza/bambina appena presentata e della quale non si sa nulla, quindi il coinvolgimento da parte mia era pari a zero.
In fine alcuni dialoghi sono incomprensibili, non so se sia a causa di una pessima traduzione, ma alcune vignette sembrano inserite per riempire spazi.
Unico lato positivo che sono riuscito a trovare: ogni tanto ci sono dei bei disegni dove mi sono soffermato. Per esempio la scena del delfino nella stanza. Una bellissimo disegno a pagina intera. Mi sarebbe piaciuto vedere il colore di quel disegno. Molto bello.
Poi basta.
L’ordine temporale degli avvenimenti è confuso. Il padre del protagonista è morto cinque anni prima della storia in questione, ma ci sono ancora le sue impronte sui vetri che ha lavato poco prima di morire.
Il figlio non si è mai fatto domande riguardo la sua scomparsa, non ha dubbi, si è sicuramente suicidato.
Molti personaggi sono appena abbozzati e non ho provato alcun interesse per loro. Il tizio grosso è scemo e chiacchierone, il tizio con il cappello odia il protagonista senza motivo, la ragazza/bambina (è impossibile capire l’età dei personaggi dai disegni) ha un gatto.
Non c’è ritmo. Le uniche scene d’azione in questo volume sono due, una all’inizio, nel primo capitolo, e una alla fine, della durata di una pagina sola, ma riguardano la ragazza/bambina appena presentata e della quale non si sa nulla, quindi il coinvolgimento da parte mia era pari a zero.
In fine alcuni dialoghi sono incomprensibili, non so se sia a causa di una pessima traduzione, ma alcune vignette sembrano inserite per riempire spazi.
Unico lato positivo che sono riuscito a trovare: ogni tanto ci sono dei bei disegni dove mi sono soffermato. Per esempio la scena del delfino nella stanza. Una bellissimo disegno a pagina intera. Mi sarebbe piaciuto vedere il colore di quel disegno. Molto bello.
Poi basta.
mschlat's review against another edition
3.0
Sparse, lyrical, science fiction manga. Reads very much like a YA --- a young man coming of age cleaning the windows on the ring habitat that orbits Earth. A little simplistic with the emotional content, and I'm not sure yet if I will read more.
miel_reading's review against another edition
3.0
✍︎What's more important in choosing a job than to choose a job that you love to do.
This little sci-fi graphic novel introduces us to Mitsu who recently got his first job as a glass cleaner. He chose to do so because of his father who fell during this service. This was his first reason.
His second reason came much later when he discovered the real beauty of this job. Seeing the sky and the land inspired him to continue his daily routine.
Having to do something every day it's a relief and makes your activity and existence meaningful. And the perseverance with which we wake up every day to go to work makes us alive, human. Having something to aspire to makes us human. That's what sets us apart from robots.
This little sci-fi graphic novel introduces us to Mitsu who recently got his first job as a glass cleaner. He chose to do so because of his father who fell during this service. This was his first reason.
✒︎Quand tu m’a dit qu’il était tombé pendant son travail, j’ai pensé que comme l’âme est légère, elle pourrait remonter de la terre jusqu’ici.
His second reason came much later when he discovered the real beauty of this job. Seeing the sky and the land inspired him to continue his daily routine.
✒︎Nous pouvons voir simultanément le ciel et la terre dont
nous n’avons pas eu le coeur de nous éloigner. C’est un luxe impossible aux niveaux supérieur et intermédiaire.
Having to do something every day it's a relief and makes your activity and existence meaningful. And the perseverance with which we wake up every day to go to work makes us alive, human. Having something to aspire to makes us human. That's what sets us apart from robots.
✒︎“Ma société est devenue importante parce qu’elle a trouvé des substitus au travail humain. En fait nous pensons qu’il n’est pas nécessaire que l’homme s’occupe du nettoyage, du lavage, du linge, du ménage dans son ensemble, des soinsaux plantes et aux animaux.” “Autrement dit… il considère que mon père, Tamachi et nous tous… n’avions pas de raison d’être?”✍︎
flonadiose's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars )) this book was enjoyable and fun. I don't think I can put all of my feelings into one review but I'll try my best.
~The World~
Saturn Apartments is not set in the sci-fi universe you would think it would be. No aliens trying to kill you, no lightsaber-wielding warriors, but in where humanity has left Earth to live in a man-made ring encircling our forgotten desecrated home. True, this depiction of the way humanity will be in our future, may be so not futuristic. But what interests me the most is how the author, Hisae Iwaoka, has created such a small world and somehow make so much story.
~The Plot~
The plot is what made the most excited for this series. It’s not what I’m used to where warriors fight dragons and vampires roam free. This manga is just a story about about a orphaned boy just graduated out of high school and moved into the work of window-washing. Over the course of the story, the boy meets many of his dad’s, who fell to Earth in an accident, many old friends and colleagues. That’s what intrigues me and I love it!
~The Characters~
The characters are the bread and butter of this story. Since this is not set in some super-futuristic world, all of the spotlights are on the characters. And I think the author explained their motivations and characteristics beautifully. I ended up loving all the characters (expect one if you know what I mean ) and relating to them. I could enjoy every bit a thing they said and I couldn’t stop reading.
~Overall~
This book was a great introduction for me to get out of my comfort zone and start branching out to read more genres. A lovable story with lovable characters. That’s what this story is and I love it for that.
~The World~
Saturn Apartments is not set in the sci-fi universe you would think it would be. No aliens trying to kill you, no lightsaber-wielding warriors, but in where humanity has left Earth to live in a man-made ring encircling our forgotten desecrated home. True, this depiction of the way humanity will be in our future, may be so not futuristic. But what interests me the most is how the author, Hisae Iwaoka, has created such a small world and somehow make so much story.
~The Plot~
The plot is what made the most excited for this series. It’s not what I’m used to where warriors fight dragons and vampires roam free. This manga is just a story about about a orphaned boy just graduated out of high school and moved into the work of window-washing. Over the course of the story, the boy meets many of his dad’s, who fell to Earth in an accident, many old friends and colleagues. That’s what intrigues me and I love it!
~The Characters~
The characters are the bread and butter of this story. Since this is not set in some super-futuristic world, all of the spotlights are on the characters. And I think the author explained their motivations and characteristics beautifully. I ended up loving all the characters (expect one if you know what I mean ) and relating to them. I could enjoy every bit a thing they said and I couldn’t stop reading.
~Overall~
This book was a great introduction for me to get out of my comfort zone and start branching out to read more genres. A lovable story with lovable characters. That’s what this story is and I love it for that.
littlebitofe's review against another edition
3.0
I really loved the idea of this book - I picked it up on a whim at the library. I was impressed with the intelligence of it. The graphics were great as well.
theundyingundyne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25