Title: Disgaea
Author: Arashi Shindo
Publisher: Broccoli Books
ISBN: 1597411116
Based on the video game by the same name, Desgaea is a silly romp through the underworld. Laharl has just awakened from a 2 year nap to discover his father, the King, has died. Before he can finish planning his coronation ceremony, he’s attacked (repeatedly), by challengers to the throne. Into the mess wanders the angel trainee, Flonne, who’s on a mission from the heavens; assassinate the king of Hell! With all of these interruptions, Laharl is never going to enjoy his reign of tyranny?
From the first page, Disgaea is packed with non-stop gags as Laharl attempts to protect his throne. With the help of his sometimes loyal vassal, Etna, and the ditzy angel in training, Flonne, he staves off Dark Adonis Vyers’ bumbling plots to defeat him. When Flonne’s superior forcibly drags her back to Celestia, what’s a devilish bad boy to do? Infiltrate the heavens and get her back, of course!
This is a fast-paced romp through the Netherworld. The dialog snaps across the pages, and the action never stops. Defending your throne against the inept minions of Hell is a 24/7 job, and Laharl never gets a moment’s rest. The battles are filled with sight-gags and jokes, including my favorite; Maderas special attack, a gaggle of sexy babes that give Laharl fits. Poor guy has it rough.
What didn’t I like about the book? My usual complaint with comedy manga – no plot. This is an excuse to string together a group of comedic events and nothing more. Maybe if I had played the game (it’s buried under all my manga, somewhere), I would have garnered more enjoyment from the book. It was a pleasant diversion, but the characters and the story won’t stick with me much beyond the weekend.
Grade: B-
Review copy provided by Broccoli Books
Rated for 13+
December 11, 2006 at 8:45 am
[...] Reviews: Holly Ellingwood of Active Anime reviews two volume 21s (!), Basara and Boys Over Flowers. Johanna reads Love Roma. At Manga Maniac Cafe, prolific reviewer Julie delivers her take on Disgaea, volume 2 of Beauty Pop, volume 5 of Claymore, and volume 1 of Nodame Cantabile. The Star of Malaysia takes a look at Re: Play and The Empty Empire. MangaCast takes on seinen manwha with a podcast review of Let’s Be Perverts, Banya, and YoDong’s Vampire. [...]