2012-09-21, 23:18 | Link #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: قلوب المؤمنين
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Shokoku no Altair
Spoiler for Synopsis:
For those who have read "Nishi no Yoki Majo", the atmosphere delivered by this manga is quite similar. Only that it's basically shounen, no magic so far, and draws a lot from Ottoman references, the last bit which adds an automatic plus in my book (In addition to Ottoman, it also contains general mediterranean references to lesser extent.) The plot isn't that special, but people who are into political intricacies (especially those sadistic enough to enjoy watching a cute shota MC being tossed around by them ) will likely enjoy this series.
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2012-10-28, 21:14 | Link #2 |
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 34
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With 27 out, it's revival time!
~ I find it amusing that our pretty boy hero Mahmut has such a "reputation" among the peoples in this world. He had a busy, but not exactly the most successful career -- a demoted military leader, a diplomat and witness to the fall of Byzantium, an agent for his "rival's" spy network, and now a convenient scapegoat leader for an unlikely counterrevolution. All the time he has to react against constant twists from the plot, never really getting to do his own thing. Yet the way everyone treats him it's almost as if they expect him to be a serious threat or a valuable potential ally, his nation's favorite son and someone destined someday to become one of its great leaders. Or something. There are even plays of his "heroic deeds" already! As for this chapter, the plot thickens -- though it has never really gone the other way anyway. Going by the record of what happens so far (everyone and their spy networks know about Mahmut Bey's involvement before Mahmut Bey knows about Mahmut Bey's involvement) I think the rebellious sultans know exactly what to expect from the wedding. Epic masks, by the way. |
2013-08-06, 07:13 | Link #3 | |
None. ない. Nihil.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Indonesia
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No one discussing this? It's really good, one of the most political manga I've ever seen. Mahmut is getting more and more awesome every chapter, with the plot thickening.
Although it's a pity there is no main heroine (not counting Mahmut in a drag). Well, it's probably because the presence of a heroine would ruin the overall feeling of the story, as well as diverting the plot focus from politics. Nevertheless, I still want a main heroine. All the major female characters are very interesting though. And trying to answer a question from long time ago: Quote:
Or maybe the official/ruler in SnA world is just different with those in typical shounen manga, they actually treat others respectfully regardless of age and reputation (after all, it wouldn't hurt). Anyway, this series definitely needs more love.
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2013-08-06, 09:01 | Link #4 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2006
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2013-08-06, 20:49 | Link #5 | ||
None. ない. Nihil.
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Indonesia
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Quote:
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That aside, I'm quite surprised the series is in fact really a shounen (in the sense that it uses furigana) considering the number of family-killing and the deep politics theme.
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2013-08-08, 22:15 | Link #6 | |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2006
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2014-01-02, 05:20 | Link #7 | ||
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 34
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*Necromancy, Mk. II*
Sense-scans catched up! Oh yeah. Quote:
But there were a lot more than just diplomatic manners involved in Mahmut's early adventures, was what I felt so long ago. After his demotion to Bey (admittedly, another piece of good dramatic theatre), Phoenicia recognized him as a guest of honor; the Doge of Venedig personally sicc'd a spy on him; and the Empire -- though understandable given the altercation in the series' opening arc -- ruthlessly dogged him, all the while he was just "visiting the world" as, openly, an out-of-favor noble. Surely foreign spies all across Centro and beyond must have made a habit of landing port in Venedig, so the special treatment meant quite a lot. Of course, the Four Stratocracies arc and the Argyros arc were demonstrations of why he really deserves his reputation after all. The young nestling is growing nicely into a fearsome eagle. Quote:
Quite brilliant of Mahmut Pasha, that. Sure, he started a hatred between two great powers, stopped the Empire's invasion plan and acquired Turkiye a formidable ally, which is decent enough for a few chapters' worth of work -- but more importantly, he's finally got a cute, spunky girl for a party member, and she's totally going to follow him to the end of the world! Magic. |
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2014-09-28, 03:22 | Link #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
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to be honest I don't like how the current arc is portraying our protagonist. He is a very intelligent and crafty from what we saw in the previous arcs, yet in the present one, just so the other characters get to shine(and in my opinion they're being given too much time under the spotlight, especially the guy in charge of information gathering), the protagonist is being completely unlike himself and is leaving all the decision making to others, even when he talks for example in chapter 52 He was suggesting informing the council of a piece of news they just got, only to be shot down by one of his subordinate who explained to him how it's a bad idea, now I realize that this was made for us readers to understand why the main characters choose not to inform the council, but the roles should've been reversed, he should have been the one explaining why it's a bad idea not the one suggesting the bad idea.
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2015-01-06, 15:18 | Link #11 | |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2006
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ch 54-57
4 chapter release!
Quote:
Mahmut is a great strategist and is very intelligence, but he's not omnipotent. He can't foresee everything so he won't always have the right awnser. The main value of Kyros and co (besides being worthwhile companions) is that because of their differences in experiences they can offer Mahmut sound advice in places he isn't familiar with. They allow him broaden his thinking which further improves his abilities as military man and diplomat. Lastly it shows that they aren't just decoration, or yesman, but people who have an actual role and contribute significantly when needed. Mahmut like an wise leader values their opinions. Last edited by Iron Maw; 2015-01-06 at 15:33. |
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2015-10-19, 03:03 | Link #12 |
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 34
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The L'Isolani arc is the best yet from an artistic perspective. The portrayal of the sea as seen by the "children of the gods" is sheer brilliance from the mangaka.
The main story with Mahmud aside, this arc is a self-contained dramatic play. We've got it all -- a clash of values, genius and ingenuity, heroic combat on a grand scale, sacrifice, climax, betrayal and the consequences of hubris. It even ends with the tears of a god, lamenting the fall of the "hero" and cursing his foe whose triumph heralds a new age of mortals. Classical. |
2017-07-18, 14:02 | Link #16 |
オンドリャァァァ!!!
Join Date: May 2009
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The duchess was never the most loyal in the empire's court.
The bigger question will be why John's underlings are willing to follow her. But then, nothing can be changed even she came, because Zaganos has shut down all the path that she could take. Last edited by shmaster; 2017-07-18 at 14:14. |
2017-07-19, 21:36 | Link #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
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This could be seen as the manga coming to an end. The prime minister is finished as well as the empire all thanks to the duchess. As to why she would go towards invading Turkyie could only be the fact that she's one of those warmongering types that don't care if it's a win or lose battle.
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2017-08-10, 04:43 | Link #19 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2016
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This is madness. So much for Urado having the best cavalry around then again Leledrick have infantries.
Turkye won the siege but at the same time their homeland has been ravaged (if she's successful). Leledrick successfully capture Turkye capital but the Empire is no more and local citizens will revolt. It might be nice living in the central countries ^_^ |
2017-08-11, 19:39 | Link #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Really can't grasp the endgame on her part. Even if Altin falls she won't have a home to return to herself if St. Michael falls as well. At least the sortie itself makes a lot more sense now that I've read the translation, with Louise intentionally sending them to die, and given the circumstance the Duchess' own invasion does make sense, but the capital likely would have held out longer and Louise would have pulled back from committing to the sortie had she let them know ahead of time. My only guess is she'll make some kind of power play after this where she rebuilds an empire of her own from the ashes of both nations, maybe.
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