shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,860
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Post by shaxper on Jul 24, 2016 19:39:05 GMT -5
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Post by stillpoint on Nov 30, 2016 1:48:47 GMT -5
This is a very good story. The fight scene while Usagi and Tomoe slide down a mountain is clever and exciting and unique. Similar action sequences usually involve snow and skis. We also see some character growth from Motokazu. I'm especially gratified that Stan took a moment to mention that Motokazu's mother and sister are doing well, because I actually wondered about that. Spare a thought for mom; she's a widow who lost one son to drowning and another has gone off alone to the big city (so to speak).
The standout in this story, however, is Noriko. She is the vilest villain in the series--even moreso than Jei because she's less predictable and revels in psychological torture, not just bloodshed. The fact she has a vendetta against Tomoe rather than Usagi makes her even more interesting.
I must say that the "I'm the sibling you never knew you had who also killed your father" was over the top for me and didn't really make her a better villain. If she has ripped off her wig to reveal she was a man, that would have been a soap opera trifecta.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,860
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Post by shaxper on Nov 30, 2016 14:26:35 GMT -5
It truly was great to find out about Motokazu and his family. That was the highlight of this story fo rme. Noriko felt...generic. Probably my least favorite of Stan's antagonists to date. She just didn't seem to have a personality, just a bunch of cliches I felt I'd seen before. And I'm not sure she brought anything new out of Tomoe in contrast. This is a massive over-generalization coming, but I felt like there was a bit of a lull in Usagi around this time that began in the wake of the Jotoro story arc and ended with the tea ceremony between Usagi and Tomoe a few issues after this. Fortunately, I feel like we're in a new Golden Age of Usagi right now  |
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Post by lobsterjohnson on Nov 30, 2016 15:41:59 GMT -5
I really liked the ending of this story and how it may just have been a dream. Or was it?
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Post by stillpoint on Dec 2, 2016 2:39:51 GMT -5
It truly was great to find out about Motokazu and his family. That was the highlight of this story fo rme. Noriko felt...generic. Probably my least favorite of Stan's antagonists to date. She just didn't seem to have a personality, just a bunch of cliches I felt I'd seen before. And I'm not sure she brought anything new out of Tomoe in contrast. Yes, she borders on a mustache-twirling stereotype, but she's vibrant, capable, and has a personal connection to a major character. The usual gangster boss Usagi faces has none of those traits. Tomoe's brief "but she's my sister" moment at the end seemed entirely out of place. Showing sympathy for the person who never treated you well and just tormented you and the man you seemingly love? No way. I'll take your word for it. I'm well behind in my reading. |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,860
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Post by shaxper on Dec 2, 2016 10:53:46 GMT -5
I'll take your word for it. I'm well behind in my reading. Ever since Stan returned from hiatus pretty much every story has been exceptional. |
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Post by usagiguy on Dec 4, 2016 20:53:14 GMT -5
I was really happy with Mother of Mountains because it led seamlessly into Tomoe's Story.
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Post by stillpoint on Dec 5, 2016 1:04:52 GMT -5
I was really happy with Mother of Mountains because it led seamlessly into Tomoe's Story. Flashbacks to Tomoe's formative years in MoM, then outright origin story in TS. That was indeed pretty slick. As someone who has been reading from collected editions, Tomoe's extended presence ("Mother of Mountains," "Tomoe's Story," "The Doors," "Fox Fire," "Thief and the Lotus Scroll," "Chanoyu") was really welcome. She's one of my favorite characters and makes a much better role model for my girls than most of the princesses in pop culture. |
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,860
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Post by shaxper on Dec 5, 2016 8:27:51 GMT -5
I was really happy with Mother of Mountains because it led seamlessly into Tomoe's Story. I personally loved how seamlessly you aligned Tomoe's story with the old color specials. That was genius. |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Aug 23, 2017 21:35:42 GMT -5
This reminded me a lot of the plot of the Mask of Zorro
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Post by brutalis on Jun 24, 2019 9:16:02 GMT -5
This one really hits all of the Cowboy Western cliches in one massive storyline. Evil siblings fighting: check. Surprise to good sibling not knowing evil cousin is sibling: check. Evil sibling torments/abuses good sibling with physical AND emotional/psychological pain: check. Evil sibling just plain old bat shit crazy evil: check.
Evil sibling dies from own evil: check. Good sibling sorrow over evil sibling death: check. Main hero of title is more the sidekick within the story: check. Heroes captured due to their own honor: check. Heroes plot to free selves and other prisoners in massive escape:check. Heroes escape due to another hero coming to their rescue: check. Everything goes KABOOM in the end: check. Evil sibling not truly dead and possibly still alive to seek revenge: check.
Yet with all of these cliches: Stan tweaks and twists the plot around enough for an entertaining and also an educational story revealing more of Tomoe. Spectacular fight sequences abound and truly appreciate how the beginning and ending play off each other (in typical spaghetti western tradition) in that Tomoe is who she is: a dedicated warrior woman sparring with her life and traditions in a time when a woman was not allowed such a role.
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