Mori Kaoru - Emma, vol. 03-04 (Eng. trans.)

[oyceter]

Oh, I really love this manga, particularly Mori's attention to the tiniest details, of expressions and movements and still moments.

These two volumes are a little soapier than the previous ones; there's a level of coincidence that I don't quite find believable. But soapy for Mori Kaoru is so many levels below the usual drama of romances (shoujo and the romance genre), and I love the character Emma so much, that I'm willing to overlook that.

Also, Mori Kaoru's author notes are awesome, particularly the one that shows a pie chart of her brain (categories: Victorian-era maids, Edwardian-era maids, corsets, etc.).

So far, I like Emma's new employer. But I found the plot twist with william's mother being Emma's employer's friend a bit unbelievable (I forgot everyone's names again, and a quick Google isn't turning up anything, and I don't want to be spoiled). Emma dressing up and going to the party was also a bit too contrived for me, though I love the parts with Emma not being able to see without her glasses.

On the other hand, the love triangle has yet to annoy me, which is good. I feel so bad for Eleanor, and I love the pages of them watching opera, of her hand hovering just centimeters above his back. And William! So dense! How could he not have noticed?

I also love Monica and am randomly hoping that she and Hakim get to talk more. I think that'd be interesting.

Mostly, though, I'm impressed by how little Emma speaks or thinks in the manga. We don't get her POV very often, unlike most shoujo, but we always know what she's thinking because of Mori's art and Mori's focus on small shifts of expression or gestures or such.

Comments

[shewhohashope.livejournal.com]

Evidently Emma Volumes 3-4 cover the first few episode of the 'Emma Second Act' anime!

I feel so bad for Eleanor! Why is William being such an idiot? I'm starting to hope that William and Emma don't get together.

I don't know if this shows up in the manga as much as th anime, but why does Emma's employer get naked in so many scenes? Full-frontal and back...al nudity!

I want more scenes between Hakim and Monica, the tertiary characters are so much more exciting than the leads. I don't know whether it's asoiaf or manga that has corrupted me, but I'm getting an incestuous vibe from Monica with regard to Eleanor.

[snarp]

Evidently I am also corrupt, because I got the same vibe. Monica's kind of of a type with Tomoyo from Cardcaptor Sakura, Wakaba from Utena, and the hoardes in Onii-sama e, which is not a very heterosexual type.

[shewhohashope.livejournal.com]

It's not just me!

I don't know if Emma would go there, though.

[snarp]

No, I doubt it. There are those three girls who keep flirting with William's sister, though!

[oyceter]

I'm actually starting to hope that he and Emma don't get together too! Wow.

So far, there's only been one naked scene...

Monica acts very older-brother-y. I'm not sure if I read it as incesty, but it's very very very overprotective....

[shewhohashope.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I think William and Eleanor are cute when he doesn't mess her around, and Emma just needs to get some friends. She doesn't seem to be particularly close to anyone since Kelly Stowner died.

I think there have been two in the anime, but within two episodes of each other.

In the anime she makes a big deal about Eleanor only leaving her for someone who loves her more. But when William says that he does care for her and proposes, she literally collapses onto the floor.

I'd like to start reading the manga, but I can't watch the anime and read a manga at the same time. That's why I stopped watching Bleach.

I've heard that the anime departs from the manga quite drastically after episode seven, so I might compare.

[oyceter]

Oh, I hadn't realized about the anime and the manga! That's really interesting -- I've been holding off on the anime so I can watch after I've finished the manga.

I would rec the manga, just for Mori's author's notes at the end, which are hilarious and awesome. Also, I looooove her paneling!

[rayechu.livejournal.com]

Ack. Is Emma 4 a new release? I thought I had read everything out, but some of your review doesn't sound familiar and I have the sneaky suspicion I haven't read 4 yet. Anyway, I really like Emma. The art is simple, but still very pretty. And I really love the covers of the books. I hate when authors rely too much on coincidences. It can often ruin a story.

[oyceter]

I think Emma 4 just came out a week or so ago... Hope I didn't inadvertently spoil you!

The covers really are gorgeous. I'm glad CMX kept that rough paper finish.

[rayechu.livejournal.com]

Eh. You put the numbers in your title, I just wasn't paying attention.