Swan Vol. 1.Swan Vol. 1 By Ariyoshi Kyoko. Wildstorm Productions, DC Comics, 2005. Paper, $9.95 The manga maNga is a popular Turkish nu metal/rapcore band. Their music is mainly a fusion of alternative metal and hip hop music, with a touch of Anatolian melodies; with heavy use of turntables, invoking comparisons with modern American nu metal bands. (Japanese comic book comic book Bound collection of comic strips, usually in chronological sequence, typically telling a single story or a series of different stories. The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. ) Swan tackles the challenges of the ballet world through the illustrated story of Hijiri Masumi. A passionate ballet student, Masumi earns an opportunity to study with the most talented dancers in Japan. The characters are idealized i·de·al·ize v. i·de·al·ized, i·de·al·iz·ing, i·de·al·iz·es v.tr. 1. To regard as ideal. 2. To make or envision as ideal. v.intr. 1. , but they deal with situations familiar to any serious dance student. Their Samuraiesque personalities reflect the intensity of striving in ballet and flesh out their story with a cultural dimension. For example, the main character, after failing to win a competition, is shamed by the insult her loss represents to her mentor. She vows to train harder to embody em·bod·y tr.v. em·bod·ied, em·bod·y·ing, em·bod·ies 1. To give a bodily form to; incarnate. 2. To represent in bodily or material form: the beauty and discipline of ballet and bring honor to her country. The dramatically drawn panels may be familiar to anyone who has seen anime cartoons, vacillating between twee and psychologically dark. The manga also throws in occasional lessons in history and technique. Swan has swept Japan, resulting in higher enrollments at ballet schools there. It is a sympathetic and entertaining book that will definitely amuse a·muse tr.v. a·mused, a·mus·ing, a·mus·es 1. To occupy in an agreeable, pleasing, or entertaining fashion. 2. and possibly inspire American readers.--TAMARA JOHNSON |
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