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animehouse-moe · 1 year

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Soloist In A Cage Volume 1: The Elder Sister

What an odd predicament for this mangaka. This is/was their first series as an author, and in many cases it outdoes a lot of the work of long term creators in the medium. It has its stumblings and pitfalls within, of course, and its road to completion was far from smooth. Regardless of that though, the work is now completed, and we're finally getting it in English. So, is it worth it?

(spoiler: it definitely is)

So we'll start with a history of this story. Shiro Moriya started Soloist In A Cage all the way back in 2018 on Shonen Jump+, but shortly after starting the series, it entered an indefinite hiatus due to Moriya's health in March of 2019. From there, the work sat incomplete until 2 years later, in April of 2021. From there, the series rushed to its finish line, ending with 3 volumes in mid June of the same year. It's safe to say that Moriya wasn't quite able to deliver the story exactly how they wished, but with your first series I'm not sure everything will go to plan.

In spite of the long hiatus, and the short volume count though, Shounen Jump had a PV produced for the series nearly a full year after it ended.

youtube

It's a really incredible PV that puts it on the level of others such as Heavenly Delusion's Manga PV, and certainly speaks to the fondness and popularity of the short-lived title in the SJ catalogue.

Anyways, Soloist In A Cage is a rather refreshing title in the shounen catalogue. Partially because it's a good series with a low volume count, but also because it's a female lead, and because it's managed to discover a very unique concept for its story.

Prison City, a jail (if it can even be considered that) that houses roughly 500,000 people. Once you're in, you'll never leave. Because of that, it's turned into a city of crime and depravity, with no rules or laws governing it. Prisoners create families, religions, business, all manner of mimicry of daily life within the dangerous prison. Chloe and Locke are one such example of that, both born into Prison City, both abandoned (though they're most likely dead) by their parents. They survive on the kindness of another family as they've never left the room they inhabit.

However, one thing leads to another and Chloe, with Locke in tow, attempts to escape the prison during another group's attempt. Chloe succeeds, but loses Locke in the process. And this is where we find our title and story. Years pass by and Chloe re-enters the prison in hopes of finding her long lost brother.

So I guess now's the time to start into why this manga is good, and worth reading. I'll start with a comparison. Have you ever watched Dredd? The 2014 (comic book) movie featuring Karl Urban as Judge Dredd? I think you'll find a lot of similarities in setting between the two. A locked down violent facility that the lead character must fight their way through to reach their goal.

It's a very comparable piece, but that's about where the similarities end. From there, Soloist In A Cage is a story of tragedy and grief, of the sacrifices and choices that Chloe makes in search of her brother, of the pieces of herself that she loses and leaves behind on her mission. It's badass and violent, of course, but it's also very tragic and heavy.

The two nearly go hand in hand, the aggression and bloodshed peeling back layers of flesh to expose the hearts of the characters. They're inseparable aspects that comprise the whole that is this story. The action would feel hollow without the sorrow, and the emotions of the story would feel incomplete without the outlet that the destructiveness of Chloe provides.

It creates a cycle of self-destruction and violence that's really well captured, that even though Chloe can and will rain justice on these terrible people, she chooses to carry those decisions and feelings with her, to bear the weight of her actions in full even when people try to help her. All for the sake of her goal, she sheds family after family in search of her true one, continuing to hollow herself out with each experience. Taking in the trauma, the pain and sadness of those around her, and then leaving like a breeze in the wind.

Phew, pretty heavy little bit there, but we're out the other side. I don't want to to give too many specifics to the story, because once you get in there it's really easy to give things away, so I'll be moving onto art now.

In short, it's pretty dam amazing, if that wasn't already clear.

Moriya's level of detail is incredible, and I love how unique their hatching and shading is. They've got all sorts of techniques and lines that run through through their already packed line art, and it really makes for some incredible stuff.

Though I think even more impressive is their eye for action. When creating a manga, mangaka typically fall into two categories for action. They're either the type to focus on the big movements and blocking of their combat, or to go for a more fluid and animated style. Moriya is undoubtedly the former, and with their approach to it, it's hard to argue that it could be done any better.

It creates a very layered approach, certainly, but at the same time preserves a lot of the perceived motion, and especially the animosity of the action in this first volume. It presents that aggression, and the sheer level of violence incredibly well, and with the very fluid approach using hatching alone to create the shapes, it allows for distortion and some really powerful scenes that draw you into the center of attention.

And throughout this entire volume, all 240-ish pages of it, the art is consistently like this. The level of detail is incredible, and the fact that it's basically all hand-drawn (that is, it doesn't seem like it uses any assets for background art), makes Soloist In A Cage a very unique and awe-inspiring experience.

Admittedly though, there are still pieces that speak to the inexperience of Moriya as a mangaka. Paneling being arguably the weakest link. During action it's very well suited, with sharp angles and overlapping imagery, but it very quickly finds lulls in presentation outside of that. It's very easy to tell where Moriya wants to go and what they really enjoy doing in regards to this title in that sense, so I hope that if they create another series in the future, they're able to recognize that weak point and improve upon it.

Even if the paneling outside of action is plain however, the characters and story does remain engaging. So while it's a fair complaint, it's a very easy thing to overlook and/or ignore while experiencing the story for the first time.

And I'd say that's a pretty apt explanation for how reading this first volume goes. Knowing that it's a first timer behind the pages, and that they faced health issues during the creation of this story, it's hard to really find any reason to dislike or properly gripe about anything within. The action is incredible, the art is out of this world, and the story is gripping if not a little predictable and clichéd. And with only a three volume commitment? What reason is there to say no?

#soloist in a cage #ori no naka no sorisuto #檻ノ中のソリスト #manga review #manga recommendation #anime and manga #manga #Youtube

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fantomcomics · 1 year

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What’s Out This Week? 5/10

Thanks for making Free Comic Book Day 2023 one of our best ever!

Count Dante #1 (of 6) - J C Barbour, Wes Watson & Cary Nord

Sydney Brown relives his years fighting alongside Count Dante, the cape-wearing, car-selling, controversial karate master from the 1970s. But while the reporter interviewing him is excited to hear the salacious details of a crazy life, it is clear the time was bittersweet for Brown.

Daughters Of Snow & Cinders GN - Nuria Tamarit

Princess Mononoke meets Jack London in this gritty, ecofeminist adventure. Fleeing the fires of her war-torn homeland, a young woman travels to the New World in search of gold to rebuild her life. In this strange, lawless land, Joana encounters friends (the kind Native women Tala and Opa), foes (the cruel gold hunter Matwei and his men), and an unexpected traveling companion who may just be her good luck charm - and amidst the icy reaches of the wilderness, a fearsome fantastical beast lurks in the shadows.

The English debut of Spanish cartoonist and illustrator Núria Tamarit, Daughters of Snow and Cinders conjures the awesome natural beauty of the frozen north in vibrant color. A rugged adventure story with two strong young women at its heart, this graphic novel offers a poignant message about the urgent need for humanity to overcome our greed and base impulses to be good stewards of the world in which we live and depend on.

The Dog Knight GN - Jeremy Whitley & Bre Indigo

A nonbinary middle schooler saves a dog from bullies and is offered the chance to become the Dog Knight, protector of a magical pact between humans and dogs, in the first book of this humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel series.

Frankie knows who they are. They're a drummer, they're nonbinary, and they're.. . the Dog Knight? One day Frankie is a relatively normal middle schooler, with relatively normal challenges, like finding the perfect outfit to wear during their upcoming drum solo. Then, they save a friendly golden retriever from bullies and wake up in a giant magical doghouse, with a funny looking helmet, talking to a group of dog superheroes called the Pawtheon. If Frankie can prove that they possess the six dog virtues of loyalty, kindness, honesty, justice, stubbornness, and smell, they will be named the Dog Knight and be given the power to fight the forces of chaos. Maybe there is more to Frankie than they thought?

The Final Girls TP - Cara Ellison & Sally Cantirino

When the world's most powerful working hero asks her retired peers for help, they secretly agree to deal out punishment on another hero in the public eye. But when the weapon of publicity is wielded, it threatens to kick up all of the personal traumas of the heroes, past and present . . . Collects the original digital series for the first time in print!

What does justice look like when violence isn't enough?

Frankenstein: New World HC - Mike Mignola & Peter Bergting

Safely tucked away inside the hollow earth where humanity survived after Ragna Rok, precocious young Lilja receives visions of a new darkness taking root on the surface. Defying her elders, Lilja awakens the timeless oracle--once known as Frankenstein--to investigate the warnings and, perhaps, even explore the new world above.

Ghostlore #1 (of 12) - Cullen Bunn, Leomacs, Brian Hurtt & Leomacs

We've all heard of ghost stories... but what stories do the ghosts themselves tell us? An estranged daughter and her pastor father wander a haunted land; they only have the restless spirits, each with its own story to tell, as company along the way. After a deadly accident of which they were the only survivors, Lucas and Harmony Agate can see the dead-an overwhelming amount of the deceased, all with their own warnings, cries for help, and malevolence alike. But Lucas and Harmony aren't the only ones with this ability; there are other nearly-deads, some of which have malicious motivations...

The Incal: The Dying Star HC - Dan Watters & Jon Davis-Hunt

Things are not going well for Commander Kaimann. Luz, the love of his life, is dead, his home of Tortuga destroyed, his crew ghostly apparitions, and his crocodilian mutation taking over more and more of his body, Commander Kaimann is fighting for his life on multiple fronts. Just when it seems like despair may overtake him, a chance encounter with a strange violin connects him to Aurora, a woman living in a future where she is staring down almost certain destruction. With his passions renewed, Kaimann hatches a bold plan to find a cure for his mutation and a future with his newfound love. However, Kaimann's past is catching up with him, and Aurora's future faces imminent doom from an approaching hostile fleet. Two timelines tick towards tragedy, and only an act of pure love can save them!

Kong: The Great War #1 - Alex Cox, Tommaso Bianchi & Bryan Hitch

The World at War! While men of all nations fight on foreign shores, an Imperial German U-Boat is lost at sea! The crew now faces terror beyond imagination! Monsters from creation's dawn! Gruesome, blood-stained death from above and below! Impossible beasts, reigning by fear and violence in the South Pacific! And looming over all, the gargantuan ape-god that knows no master! These brave men have faced death before, but now they must contend with...Kong!

Lost Falls Vol 1 TP - Curt Pires, Antonio Fuso & Pierluigi Minotti

When Detective Daniel Pynchon Wakes up in Lost Falls, on the shore with no recollection of how he got there, he struggles to piece together the events that lead him there. As he investigates the phenomenon surrounding his memory loss and the town itself, he discovers horrors both human and otherwise. Collects the original digital series for the first time in print!

Murder Inc: Jagger Rose #1 (of 6) - Brian Michael Bendis & Michael Avon Oeming

From the creators of the Eisner Award-winning, bestselling POWERS comes this brand-new world of historical crime fiction like you've never seen before. Discover a world in which the five families of organized crime never lost their stranglehold on the United States. Now, half the country is a smorgasbord of sex and sin ruled by loyalty and "family values" and the rest of the world looks on in awe, rage, or jealousy. Join us as newly "made" Valentine Gallo and Jagger Rose rise through the ranks of the notorious Bonavese family. No spoilers, but Jagger has already proven herself one of the greatest assassins of all time. And, uh, the Pope would like a word. Yeah, that Pope. Huh.

Pet Peeves GN - Nicole Goux

In this horror graphic novel, the new dog that aspiring musician Bobbie has adopted is cute, but also stealing her life. Bobbie's life is going nowhere fast. She's working at a bar, wanting to play music but never having the time or energy. The only bright spot is her dog-always cheerful, always cuddly, and always there for her. As the relentless day-in, day-out of work piles up, music and roommates and social plans begin to seem less and less important as Bobbie struggles to make rent and have any time to be creative. The only thing she has time for outside her job is her dog... and her dog is going to do everything he can to keep it that way. This debut solo graphic novel from breakout author Nicole Goux explores the struggles of a young artist, haunted not only by debt and society, but by more sinister (though adorable) canine forces.

Soloist In A Cage GN Vol 1 - Shiro Moriya

Chloe and her baby brother Locke were born in a prison the size of a city: a walled-off collection of ramshackle buildings full of dangerous criminals who live bleak and isolated lives. Their parents are gone, leaving Chloe to care for her brother. When a trio of soldiers manage to break out of the prison, Chloe goes with them but loses Locke during the escape. After years of training, Chloe returns to the prison city with one goal: to find her now 11-year-old brother and get him out of that hellhole, no matter what it takes.

Something Epic #1 - Szymon Kudranski & Tony S. Daniel

IMAGINATION IS REAL. Outside our perception, creative thought takes physical form, with only a handful of individuals known as Epics able to interact with this wondrous hidden world. But for fourteen-year-old Danny Dillon, accepting these responsibilities himself won't be easy-or safe. Lose yourself in a world of endless fantasy and creativity, where superheroes, monsters, magical creatures, and cartoon characters live and breathe alongside us.

ThunderBoom GN - Jack Briglio & Claudia Davila

Logan's going on the train to see the Santa Claus parade. Logan loves parades and trains. But Logan isn't like most 11-year-olds - he can't speak, and he mostly lives in his head. This adventure means facing his greatest fears: masks, dogs and the unknown. When he's separated from his parents at the parade, Logan goes where he's the bravest version of himself - his imagination. Transforming into superhero ThunderBoom, Logan is ready to stomp through any challenge! A fresh take on dealing with life's difficulties. Kids will be rooting for their new favorite superhero: ThunderBoom!

Twilight Out Of Focus GN Vol 1 - Nisioisin & Oh Great

Second-years Mao Tsuchiya and Hisashi Otomo make three promises: 1) That Mao will never tell anyone that Hisashi is gay and has a boyfriend, 2) That Hisashi will never think of Mao "in that way," and 3) That they'll always knock before entering, in case someone is having some "private time." The two's ground rules should ensure a peaceful life together in their dorm, but life is never as simple as it should be, and some things are not so easily promised...

We Are The Smurfs: Bright New Days! GN - Falzar Culliford, Peyo & Thierry Culliford

Welcome back to Smurf Village in the third installment of this early reader comic series! With the help of Papa Smurf, Smurfette, Hefty Smurf, and Brainy Smurf, young readers will learn how to process big feelings such as impatience, rejection, and grief, while learning how to take better care of themselves, their communities, and the Earth around them. With three all-new, full-color stories, and back matter dedicated to helping children explore and better understand their emotions, this book is the perfect option for newly independent and reluctant readers alike.

Wolf Girl & Black Prince GN Vol 1 - Ayuko Hatta

High school girl Erika may be on Kyoya’s leash, but she’s determined to break free and unleash his heart! Fed up with being hopelessly single, high schooler Erika makes up a boyfriend to fit in. When her lies start to unravel, her schoolmate Kyoya offers to be her pretend boyfriend—for a price. With no other choice, Erika finds herself at the mercy of a blackhearted prince! But is Kyoya truly as blackhearted as he seems?

Whatcha scooping up this week, Fantom Fam?

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