beware of spoilers
story and characters
story and characters
After I watched the anime - and I've always believed this is the right order to get acquainted with a franchise that has both an anime and manga, especially if the former is based on the latter - I was fully aware that the manga story would be different. It's not possible that a 44-episode-long anime follows the original to the letter when there are only 7 volumes. However, the story in the manga surpassed all my expectations. First of all, on part of...
After thorough contemplation, I decided the author was pressed for a more daring scene by her fans or by her editor who told her the manga wouldn't sell well if she does not give a treat to her fans. And I was wrong
The lovey-dovey mood went on unspoilt, and the mangaka went on treating us, the readers, with unexpected DOKIDOKI moments, moments that made my heart beat fast together with Maron's. I discussed it with my friend +Арагорн Араторнович and we decided that it's true: older anime and manga were bolder and more romantic than many of those aired/published now. I will never cease to use 'Faster than a kiss' as an example of a manga that made me drop it. I could only stand it for approximately a half of what it lasts, a half of how long the main characters fail to - due to different circumstances or to the fact that the characters prevent themselves from it - finally express their feeling in just ANY possible way. If I am not mistaken, the relationship between the main couple in 'Skip Beat' remained dim and vague, too, for all the 200 chapters that I had the patience to read. Another great example is 'Diabolik Lovers', in relation to which most fans are completely wrong - the reverse harem that gathered around the Heroine never raped her or laid a hand on her because she was a woman, she was insulted in a completely different way, being considered simply a source of blood up to the very end (of the anime).
In contrast to works like those, 'Jeanne' presents a pretty much normal relationship, and in a manner that makes me very happy. It's not very common to see a guy constantly claiming that he wants to touch the Heroine, in other words - that physical contact is pleasant and important to him, at the same time never failing to support her morally and be near when needed, showing his caring side and being worried for the Heroine, not just to 'posing for the camera' every now and then or claiming that 'she's his and that's it'.
I'd say I was very pleased to see some funny scenes and the mischievous side of the characters, too
’What are you doing? Hey, tell me, what are you doing? - Ahaha! You damned....'
’What are you doing? Hey, tell me, what are you doing? - Ahaha! You damned....'
It's probably one of the few, if not the only, times when I see a heroine use her charms to achieve her goal. This is how it was in the anime:
- Your leg is hurt, I'll get you out of this trap
- No, I don't want to be indebted to you!
And this is how it was in the manga:
- My sweet Sindbaddy, how about you get me out of this trap?
- Stop calling me that
The Heroine getting angry when she should rather be sad and distressed, and being cool instead of blushing or being embarrassed is another highlight of a shoujo of the old generation. And it's ok if she manages to escape from a prison cell just like that.
'I beg your pardon - Ugh, okaaay...'
Not all mangakas use chibi-style wisely, and some just do that in vain because it's still not funny, like ms Enjoji in 'hapimari', but ms Tanemura did a great job. shimpai nasshingu!
However, the main difference between the anime and the manga is that the story itself flows differently. Much less attention is paid to minor characters, some of them are not introduced at all, some play a role less noticeable than in the anime. That was a pretty sad discovery. On the other hand, unlike anime, where Fin's betrayal was a real thing, even though explained by the Devil's deeds, and where the second part crossed out all the relationship that was built between Fin and Maron. Fin's behaviour in manga was much more understandable, except for the part when she admitted she was lying and returned to the side of God, which was done... Oh I can't say it. I can't say 'poorly', so I'll just say, it was not thoroughly thought over. I'd say that I liked the manga version of Fin's story, including Access, too, and the general ending better.
The other critical moments in manga were also more acute, penetrating the very heart of me as a reader.
'Maron, you were my wind'.
It's raining. Wind power is 0.
graphics
I wouldn't name ms Tanemura my favourite artist, I'd probably say the eyes of the characters are too big and there are too many frills and pink colour for me, and the Heroine's smile is too wide. However, it's the style that inspires me to draw something myself, because I truly envy those mangakas who manage to create such a strong impression on readers and maintain their own style that is impossible to mistake for anything else.
It's already obvious but I'll stress that again - even though this may look like some exaggeration, I like it when a mangaka makes a character reveal his or her feelings in an obvious way. I could count mangakas that manage to move me with fingers on one hand, and ms Tanemura certainly is one of them
You may have seen this picture from 'Jeanne' artbook, which can be frequently found in the web. The same picture in black-and-white was used as a chapter cover.
It's not that they are completely the same sides of one moment, but have a look at a picture used inside the last chapter some pages before the end.
conclusion
I usually hate happy-endings like that. All problems are solved, unlike what was in the anime, where parents' and Fin's fate were left unexplained. Even Zen's and Miyako's future stories were described in bright colours. Which means, there will be no more fighting with evil, no more adventures, just plain everyday life of two Japanese families.
However, in case of 'Jeanne', it just didn't make me nauseous, like it usually does. And it was really painful to part with the characters. It's not that 'Jeanne' is the best manga I've ever read, but I realised I couldn't make myself read the last volume for 2 days because I knew it was the last one. All the previous were ok, but when I came to the finish line I couldn't make myself read it. I didn't want it to end, because reading it, the process of reading it, was so enjoyable. Because I liked it so much.
For the conclusion, let me translate what ms Tanemura wrote as an afterword in the last volume.
And you may decide for yourself whether you would like to try to trust this author.
The other critical moments in manga were also more acute, penetrating the very heart of me as a reader.
'Maron, you were my wind'.
It's raining. Wind power is 0.
graphics
I wouldn't name ms Tanemura my favourite artist, I'd probably say the eyes of the characters are too big and there are too many frills and pink colour for me, and the Heroine's smile is too wide. However, it's the style that inspires me to draw something myself, because I truly envy those mangakas who manage to create such a strong impression on readers and maintain their own style that is impossible to mistake for anything else.
It's already obvious but I'll stress that again - even though this may look like some exaggeration, I like it when a mangaka makes a character reveal his or her feelings in an obvious way. I could count mangakas that manage to move me with fingers on one hand, and ms Tanemura certainly is one of them
conclusion
I usually hate happy-endings like that. All problems are solved, unlike what was in the anime, where parents' and Fin's fate were left unexplained. Even Zen's and Miyako's future stories were described in bright colours. Which means, there will be no more fighting with evil, no more adventures, just plain everyday life of two Japanese families.
However, in case of 'Jeanne', it just didn't make me nauseous, like it usually does. And it was really painful to part with the characters. It's not that 'Jeanne' is the best manga I've ever read, but I realised I couldn't make myself read the last volume for 2 days because I knew it was the last one. All the previous were ok, but when I came to the finish line I couldn't make myself read it. I didn't want it to end, because reading it, the process of reading it, was so enjoyable. Because I liked it so much.
For the conclusion, let me translate what ms Tanemura wrote as an afterword in the last volume.
And you may decide for yourself whether you would like to try to trust this author.
'Writing such a story will be difficult for you. And you will have to fight with prejudice, too. If you still wish to continue, I'll give you my full support'. This is what I heard from my editor when I first showed him my idea about 'Jeanne'. My answer was 'I'll try'.
There were times when I was not in my best shape, but I am happy I wrote it. It's not that I want to convey something to my readers through manga. Something, huh?
Yes, I want you to feel 'something'. I want you to feel just anything - 'to like' or 'to hate', 'friendship', 'love', 'persistence', 'lingering affection', 'effort', 'bitterness', 'pain', 'happiness', 'joy', 'sadness', even 'irritation' is OK. It's OK if you'll think 'it's boring' after you've read it. If you feel something, I'll be glad. I'll be happy. I want you to feel just something there. To know it.
Manga is a wonderful media (not just manga but songs, anime, any entertainment). You can read it as you like and throw it away as you like. And you can feel it deeply and live by it, too, taking it as a way of thinking. It depends on you.
It's my opinion, but it can be just a mere artwork to others. However for me this is the only 'reality' in this world. A person like this does exist here. I want you to not to forget it. Feeling deeply is not something to be ashamed of. It's wonderful.
I wish the 'wind' that my heart releases will make you feel 'something'.
You can even see me as a rival. I'll accept your challenge (laugh). Let your heart rest forgetting sad things with my gags, at least for a second. When you're tired, it's necessary to leave it all for some time, too. It's OK to run away. It's a kind of courage. After all, you want to do your best even more, right? It's all right if you at least have that feeling.
When you're sad, try to open a book. When you're happy, try to open a book, too. I am always near you. You're not alone. You just try to open a book. Just try to find some strength to open it.
Still, I am a 'human' and a 'girl'. No matter how I try to forget about it and feel irritated by it, it's true. So, sometimes I get tired, too. Can I read 'your' letters in such times? Can I depend on your kind words? Can I believe them?
I was scared, but I tried to dip my feet into a sea with no bottom. Hahaha, it was surprisingly shallow. And it was very warm. You cried 'I don't want 'Jeanne' to end'. Thanks to your warm tears, the ice in my heart melted for the first time. Thank you.
Arina T. 2000.6.28
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