Volume 1: Tsugumi Project
The same, but different and with chicken legs.
I’ve often raved about series that know how to utilize that elusive concept of “the same, but different,” and here we have another. For anyone that’s been tuning along to MangaCraft for a bit, you’ll know that Hell’s Paradise is my gold standard, so seeing this series pitched on the back cover as “great for readers of Hell’s Paradise,” well, that got me.
Let’s get to Volume 1 of Tsugumi Project.
What drew me to this series? The cover, 100%. It looked so cool. Then I flipped it over and got the whole, “if you liked Hell’s Paradise” message, and that was all it took.
How’d Volume 1 go? So good that when I was done, Volume 2 cut in front of Go! Go! Loser Ranger. I just had to know what was coming next. The stakes are set right from the start, we settle right into a plot that is pretty much the exact same as Hell’s Paradise, except with nuclear weapons. But that works, it gets us into the story, where the unique elements (like ape tribes and giant tiger creatures) take over, and the visual—oh, the visuals—take on the brunt of the story.
Let me just say it again, and not for the last time—I’ve never seen landscape art like this series. It looks like The Last of Us, and ippatu, the mangaka, has the confidence to keep deploying that art. Magnificent.
Most compelling character? DOU DOU! It’s another situation where the protagonist, Leon, who is certainly compelling in his own right, is a bit of a straight-shooter. He’s very tense, serious, rarely (or ever, as of yet) smiles. Then there’s Dou Dou, who is all laughs, all smiles, all jokes. Not in an obnoxious way, because this is a very serious situation we’re in, but in a realistic and appealing way.
Anything unexpected? Yeah, the chicken legged girl. Didn’t see that coming. I guess I should have, since it’s on the cover, but still caught me off guard. Also unexpected how quickly I accepted it. It fits the story well.
Another unexpected thing is just how gorgeous the cityscape panels are. I mean, the sense of place that is established simply by these sprawling dystopian views is remarkable. And, again, gorgeous.
Anything you’re unsure about? Adding this question from here on out because it only seems right. The one big thing I’m unsure about here is how it will work with Chicken Legs (yes, I recognize she has a name), not being able to speak. Always curious how communication barriers will play out for any story that has them.
Will I keep reading? I believe I made this clear already.
