Bokurano - Mohiro Kitoh-san's latest manga series

[Selo]

Hey everyone, I found this thread, so now I'm going to invade it with my fangirling ^^;

I just downloaded and read the first 19 chapters of this manga. I had heard that it was good, and I'm a sucker for anything Mohiro Kitoh has ever done, so I didn't hesitate to yank it and start reading.

Now, almost at the end of Chizuru's plot, I can say this: wow. This is great. I knew it would be, but I didn't really know what it would be like. It doesn't have as dark a mood as Kitoh's other work, but some of the kids' stories are so tragic.

With so many characters, it's really hard to remember all their names and faces put together, but...

Spoiler:

...since they all die one by one, it becomes gradually easier

I've always loved Kitoh's art, too, and it's top-notch here. Zearth's design is very cool, and the kids look great. And Dung Beetle is adorably evil - reminds me a lot of all those weird creatures from Narutaru. I got bits and pieces of his past series' from a lot of this manga, and it all works.

This seems like such a small detail compared to the huge aliens and robots plot going on, but I love the way each kid has their own individual chair. That's just so cool. It gives personality to something simple and common, and it gives glimpses of the lives and inner minds of the kids in a unique way.

Spoiler:

I thought that Chizu Honda's story arc, where I am now, is particularly powerful. Kitoh is so good at creating psychotic, messed-up, abused kids bent on death and revenge (Hiroko anyone?), so I'm glad he hasn't abandoned that practice. Chizu killing Kako was unexpected, and became one of those moments that defines his kind of storytelling. I think Chizu is going to end up as one of my favorite characters.

So, there are my thoughts for now... I'm going to run off and read chapter 20!

[kuruzen]

Wonderful for jumping on the wagon! Bokurano certainly deserves more love. [love your icon, even though those last few scenes of Narutaru messed me up good...]

PS: My Bokurano volume 1 came today! All the Kanji w/ no furigana is hurting me in more ways than ever imaginable, but I squeee'ed like I'd never squee'ed before. Hooray!

[Diedrupo]

I've been working on a Bokurano fansite.

This is what I have so far: http://www.gaban.com/bokurano/characters.aspx

Just an image of Zearth's lights which pops up each kid when you highlight a light. Links to a character bio page as well.

Only problem is that I had to guess on some of the lights:

- Kodama / Daichi, can't tell which light is which, so I guessed
- Nakama / Kako, see above
- Chizu / Chizu's Baby, ehh doesn't matter which light is which I guess
- Moji/Maki/Kirie - The manga doesn't show the lights for any of these so I had to guess
- Kanji / Machi - Made the logical guess of Machi being the light at the bottom.

[led]

Originally Posted by Diedrupo

I've been working on a Bokurano fansite.

This is what I have so far: http://www.gaban.com/bokurano/characters.aspx

Just an image of Zearth's lights which pops up each kid when you highlight a light. Links to a character bio page as well.

Only problem is that I had to guess on some of the lights:

- Kodama / Daichi, can't tell which light is which, so I guessed
- Nakama / Kako, see above
- Chizu / Chizu's Baby, ehh doesn't matter which light is which I guess
- Moji/Maki/Kirie - The manga doesn't show the lights for any of these so I had to guess
- Kanji / Machi - Made the logical guess of Machi being the light at the bottom.

Its a nice idea but I think that for those who didnt read the whole manga yet this character list would be a spoiler.

[Diedrupo]

Originally Posted by led

Its a nice idea but I think that for those who didnt read the whole manga yet this character list would be a spoiler.

Yep, well, it's kind of assumed you've read the whole thing (to date) if you're going into this thread...

[kuruzen]

Even so, its a good idea... but not the best to start off with... and what about those who are/supposedly not part of the contract? What if Jun was lying to Kanji so he wouldn't have to worry? (oi, it's possible.) Or if Kana or Tanaka or something else happens... and the anime progression, too, in mind...

Good idea, but may not be the best. Props to Bokurano fansite!

[Diedrupo]

I'll probably have a non-spoilers section on the front page at some point. I haven't had time to work on the rest of the page.

[Marina Ismail]

Spoiler for "I have been thinking about this for a long time and I just can't seem to find any other answer to it at all. You all know from the manga that scene where:

Kanji and Jun is talking and then Jun claims to not be in the contract and we clearly see him touch the pad thing in the anime.... I am just wondering how that is going to turn out? I was thinking to myself if it's possible that he isn't in the contract then maybe this "game" is played by the person's will at the time of signing the contract perhaps? For example... Jun touching the pad but deep down inside he didn't want to play, there fore it's possible that he was not put into the contract?"

sorry, sorry if it doesn't make much sense.... but I have been thinking about that alot trying to come up with different answers for it but I just can't find any other answers to it.

[Ronny]

Considering that the anime's director wants to save the children, that might not come into play.

Also, as it's a recent chapter, the anime may have simply changed the non-contracted character.

[Diedrupo]

Originally Posted by Ronny

Considering that the anime's director wants to save the children, that might not come into play.

Also, as it's a recent chapter, the anime may have simply changed the non-contracted character.

man, the anime's director is such an asshole. way to ruin the series like that.

classic Gonzo (even though I know he's not actually a member of Gonzo, this sort of plot fuckup is exactly what Gonzo is known for).

[Iriliane]

Originally Posted by BuniiChan

Spoiler for "I have been thinking about this for a long time and I just can't seem to find any other answer to it at all. You all know from the manga that scene where:

Kanji and Jun is talking and then Jun claims to not be in the contract and we clearly see him touch the pad thing in the anime.... I am just wondering how that is going to turn out? I was thinking to myself if it's possible that he isn't in the contract then maybe this "game" is played by the person's will at the time of signing the contract perhaps? For example... Jun touching the pad but deep down inside he didn't want to play, there fore it's possible that he was not put into the contract?"

sorry, sorry if it doesn't make much sense.... but I have been thinking about that alot trying to come up with different answers for it but I just can't find any other answers to it.

Spoiler:

If a person's desire to participate is what's required then neither Ushiro or Machi would be contracted. Kana on the other hand would be. I don't find it particularly likely however.

[kuruzen]

Originally Posted by Ronny

Considering that the anime's director wants to save the children, that might not come into play.

Also, as it's a recent chapter, the anime may have simply changed the non-contracted character.

Again, Deus ex Machina -- the children awake from the game and all is well. BLEARGH. X3

[tsurumaru]

As I wrote in the anime thread Kitoh-san should add in the manga bokuverse annihilating the gonzo bokuverse before he completes the series...

[kuruzen]

I got an email with the Bokurano~alternative~ volume 2 cover, on amazon japan.. Just thought I'd share (VERY TINY!) to be useful for once...

http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/4...272_pe_snp_206

[Marina Ismail]

Is that Kanji, Kirie and Chizu? I like it alot!

[Lion and the sky]

haha, i got that email too ! Makes me want to buy it...! I know they do this with other series do you think the novel and the manga may cross at some point? (maybe a last battle or somthing?)

[Diedrupo]

alternative 2 is out? time to order!

[kuruzen]

Soooo... has anyone did a bit of a synopsis for alternative yet? Because we know that its a new group of kids/an alternate reality, but what are the differences? I'm curious. Is Chizu still, ahem, with her teacher? Is Isao still a little prick/coward? And what's with the loli gal, Maya (is that her name? Mayako?)? There seems to be some mystery around her... are these children at all like their counterparts? Will they do battle with each other? Who will defeat the Gonzo Bokuverse?! Mysterious, mysterious.....

[Iriliane]

Originally Posted by kuruzen

Soooo... has anyone did a bit of a synopsis for alternative yet? Because we know that its a new group of kids/an alternate reality, but what are the differences? I'm curious. Is Chizu still, ahem, with her teacher? Is Isao still a little prick/coward? And what's with the loli gal, Maya (is that her name? Mayako?)? There seems to be some mystery around her... are these children at all like their counterparts? Will they do battle with each other? Who will defeat the Gonzo Bokuverse?! Mysterious, mysterious.....

I've only read bits and pieces due to my less than sufficient Japanese skills but here's a couple details.

Spoiler:

-First book covers four characters: <<Teacher>>, Kozue, Kako and Tsubasa.
-The person who introduces the kids to the game is Maaya
-Maaya is apparently a local to the island where the summer school is.
-Kozue's battle takes place in an alternate Tokyo. (The kids notice this because the Tokyo Tower still exists in Alternate Tokyo but has been dismantled in theirs)
-Kozue falls from atop Zearth after the battle when she tries to walk on her own.
-Everyone wakes up at their own homes afterwards convinced it was a dream but no one can get in contact with Kozue.
-After finding out about Kozue's disappearance from Kirie Kako is happy because it means they really were "chosen" to defend the earth. He also comments on how Kozue was useless as a pilot because she couldn't walk.
-Maaya and Koemushi appear out of nowhere to tell Kako that he's been selected as the next pilot because Kozue has died.
-Kako theorizes that though the battle was real the city they fought in wasn't.
-Kako calls up most of the other kids to tell them how excited he is to be the next pilot.
-The kids find out about their fate while Kako is piloting but after he defeats his enemy.
-Kako goes on a rampage but is strangled to death by Waku
-As of the end of Tsubasa's arc Zearth still has yet to be named it's refered to as <<The Puppet>> (<<人形>> in japanese)

I'll probably post an actual summary once I get arround to actually reading it fully.

[Marina Ismail]

Originally Posted by Iriliane

I've only read bits and pieces due to my less than sufficient Japanese skills but here's a couple details.

Spoiler:

-First book covers four characters: <<Teacher>>, Kozue, Kako and Tsubasa.
-The person who introduces the kids to the game is Maaya
-Maaya is apparently a local to the island where the summer school is.
-Kozue's battle takes place in an alternate Tokyo. (The kids notice this because the Tokyo Tower still exists in Alternate Tokyo but has been dismantled in theirs)
-Kozue falls from atop Zearth after the battle when she tries to walk on her own.
-Everyone wakes up at their own homes afterwards convinced it was a dream but no one can get in contact with Kozue.
-After finding out about Kozue's disappearance from Kirie Kako is happy because it means they really were "chosen" to defend the earth. He also comments on how Kozue was useless as a pilot because she couldn't walk.
-Maaya and Koemushi appear out of nowhere to tell Kako that he's been selected as the next pilot because Kozue has died.
-Kako theorizes that though the battle was real the city they fought in wasn't.
-Kako calls up most of the other kids to tell them how excited he is to be the next pilot.
-The kids find out about their fate while Kako is piloting but after he defeats his enemy.
-Kako goes on a rampage but is strangled to death by Waku
-As of the end of Tsubasa's arc Zearth still has yet to be named it's refered to as <<The Puppet>> (<<人形>> in japanese)

I'll probably post an actual summary once I get arround to actually reading it fully.

Spoiler for Wow.... :

it seems they changed places as to who is the first person to battle. Waku strangled Kako!? Why Waku why.... I luff you... ;_; This alternate Bokurano sounds so interesting.... perhaps someone will pick this up as well? Waku alive = me happy! (even if it's just for a little...) Thanks so much Iriliane for giving us info! ^^