Let's Be Perverts (Manga Review)

Title: Let's Be Perverts
Author: Youjung Lee
Illustrator: Youjung Lee
Number Of Volumes: 4
Pages:667


Story - Perverto is just a regular 17-year-old...with the unavoidable nickname, "pervert." Unlike his namesake, he's actually quite naïve when it comes to sexual matters; his first and only youthful romance having ended terribly. To escape his bad reputation, he transfers to a new school for a fresh start. But on his first day there, he's falsely accused of groping a girl named Hongdan on the subway. To make matters worse, she happens to be another new student who has just transferred to his new school, to his very class.

The story is well written. The characters are very well developed. Perverto is a just your normal teenage guy fighting with his hormones, and trying to find his place. Youjung Lee has written a Manga with characters that many can relate too. The story starts off very light hearted and you will laugh at the first volume. However as the story progress it gets dark, dealing with issues such as cheating, rape and student teacher relationships. As well crafted and executed this story is, the ending felt rushed and you will feel like Lee lost steam towards the end. My favorite character is the main character Perverto. He is misunderstood by the ladies and has to go through awkward moment after another to get the girl he desires. I also love how dark his frustration gets when he finds out his recent girlfriend did something. Another interesting character is Hongdan. Hongdan is the Perverto love interest. She is a tough girl, that is kind of a tomboy. What makes her interesting is her inner battle with herself. She was in a relationship with a girl, and is trying to move on to be with Perverto. However the past keeps following her, as her ex is trying to win her back. Overall the story is fun, dark and you will re-read it over and over. Just a heads up there is plenty of fan service.

Art


The art has a lot of fan service. There is enough boobs and pantie shots to make you say "I see why this is the title." There also some use of real photos of real girls in a section of the book. I really love the facial expressions in this. There are some close up shots of Perverto that will have you laughing. The art really shines during the emotional points of the story. You can really feel the pain of each character and it's great detail.

Final Grade B+/8.5 - "Let's Be Perverts" is funny, dark and gets emotional in some points. The theme of teenage insecurity is explored greatly. Fun characters and a whole lot of inner conflict makes this Manga a worthy read. Final Grade B+.

Geek Fashion :: Suggestions from a Kid!

This week, I'll take some time to welcome Ja'kiyah (Little MISS Madness). To welcome her to Team Artistic Sole and because she's a mini fashion guru, I asked her to tell the people what she feels about geek fashion, her suggestions for rocking it, & some pics we found as examples of her "approved" geek wear while perusing the inter webs ...

This is what she had to say about the matter ::

IKB: What's your take of "geek fashion"?
LMM: I usually think glasses , comic books, computers,  and video games.


IKB: The average "geek" is simple in dress, a tee & jeans type of person,what would you suggest we geeks do to look fashionably clever?
LMM: I'd say jazz up the poindexter look and make it look more fashionable, with sttrroooong geeky roots! The good thing about geek fashion is that you can mix geek chic with other styles too: Like Emo, preppy goth, Urban, Hippie, Indie & more!


Little MISS Madness is the newest member to my team. If you see her around, please be sure to say hey! She's what she like to call "in training to become a better artist"!

If you'd like to share your cool geeky fashion, please email us at ipbrand@artistic-sole.com

Til next time,
~je t'adore!

Marvel vs Capcom 3 Launch Party


Whats up everyone. Im still recovering from the Marvel vs Capcom party, it was great. I spoke to so many great ppl. I also had a nice chat with Seth Killian the community manager for Capcom. Seth didn't reveal much but he did say we may see Birdie and/or Sodom make a return to the Street Fighter series....well at least I put the bug into his ear.

Check out the footage I took with my itouch.

TokiDoki How I LOVE Thee!

So, it's no secret that I'm a ginormous fan of Tokidoki. Recently, I got a sneak peek to their Spring 2011 bag collection. *le siiihgh* Usually, I'm excited to see Legno's characters overlap to but this bag was way less than what I've ever expected of the brand. The design wasn't "whack", in my opinion. I just think the punchline wasn't their ... like they put out an idea that they're going to build on.

Hmmm ... now that I think of it, I hope that's what they're planning on doing. If so, oh boy that's be a brilliant way to bait people in. "Why?", you ask. Well, because I know I'm not the only one in this world who'll still continue looking at Tokidoki and following the brand, even after this (in our eyes) miss.



Well, I'll remain hopeful. For now, I was able to discuss the artistic perspective of this with two of my artist friends, Terry Biddle and Darryl Bennett. Here's what they think of the brand and how they felt about sneak preview.

IKB: When you think TokiDoki, what comes to mind?
DB: Superflat style, bubble gum pop
TB: Japanese influence without "mimicry"

IKB: What's your favorite tokidoki piece (that you own or admire) and what about it do you like?
DB: I like there bags and purses where they are covered with Tokidoki characters, I love that collage of their characters.
TB: I just own one hat, but I love his t-shirts (Simone Legno). I find his artwork to be really inspirational. I'm really into creating characters (I have been since I was a kid), and I have a real interest in producing apparel, toys and other merchandising featuring my characters.
I work as a designer full time, and an illustrator/artist in my free time...so I'm really inspired by people that seem to straddle the line between those worlds. That's the happy medium I'd hope to someday achieve.


IKB: What do you think of the sneak peek in comparison to products you've seen? What would get you to buy it?
DB: I just seen this cheap looking purse with these sparrows on it, it kinda looks like he is trying to re-invent Ed Hardy stuff, which i have no issue with cause he is taking a idea thats been done and making it his own, but the build of the purse just looks like some mall kiosk embroidery stuff.
TB: This looks more tattoo inspired than his other work. As a dude, I'd probably only buy it if my wife wants it. ;)



until next time!
~je t'adore



Anime Plushies Pt.2

Well I'am back with more cool Anime Plushies that I found at Amazon.com. I' am starting to become a plush collector. While I was browsing these plushies caught my eye. These are really adorable! Which one do you think I should get? Cloud is so cute with his eyes, holding Aerith. I'am a huge Soul Eater fan and I have Maka, maybe I should finish that first. I know our friend Jamila would love L Eating Plush. Anyway like Pokemon I want to collect them all. Anime Rules!!!