Immortal Rain (Immortal Rain)

Rating:
Summary: GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: (...) this is one of the best manga I have read, my first was kill me, kiss me which is great as well, but this one surpassed my expectations, great artwork and some valuable sayings, I advise anyone to read it!

Rating:
Summary: An amazing look at immortality and the human psyche
Review: Immortal Rain is one of the best manga I've ever read. The characters are extremely diverse, and the entire plot is intricate and fascinating.

From the start, the manga catches you in its spell, introducing Rain Jewlett as "an immortal who plays a violin so badly that the heavens weep." With a bittersweet humor that makes you want to laugh and cry at the same time, Immortal Rain is lovely and enthralling, something I'd read over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Superb
Review: Immortal Rain was the very first Manga book that I have ever read.At first, reading a manga book can be quite confusing because of the right-to-left reading pattern. Once you get the hang of it these books become very enjoyable. I found Immortal Rain to be absolutely wonderful. What Can I say about it? It has the elements that many look for in a good book. It has action, drama and even some comical moments! It contains a well put together story-line and talented artwork.
Rain Jewlitt is 624 is an immortal man known as Methuselah, whose only possession is a violin that he plays so badly that the heavens cry. Rain is much like an eternally young hippie. He is being hunted by people who either want to collect the bounty on his head or study him and unlock the secrets of his immortality. Machika Balfaltin, an energetic, tomboyish 14-year-old girl is one of his pursuers who just wants him dead. Upon the death of her grandfather,she sets out to kill Methuselah, the one bounty her assassin grandfather, Zol the Grim Reaper, couldn't kill. Instead, however, Machika ends up being saved by Rain repeatedly from other aspiring bounty hunters attacking them both. This seems to form the bonds of the ultimate odd couple.
Meteor Methuselah (as it is called in Japan) is a great read for teens and adults of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: Been there, read that.
Review: The three stars are for the art work--which is stunning. However, since I buy books to *read*, the story has to support the art. IMO, the story of "Immortal Rain" doesn't. Now, Rain himself is a fascinating character, and if we were allowed to follow *his* journey alone, "Immortal Rain" would indeed be a five-star book. Instead, the story is cluttered up with frankly annoying characters, most of whom have motivations I cannot at all take seriously. The female characters are blindly fixated on a single goal--annoying enough in a male character, but when it appears in *every* female character, it borders on insulting. There are plenty of hints dropped about Rain's mysterious past, and just what made him immortal that could make for very interesting reading, but that promise just isn't fulfilled. And the line about "playing the violin so badly the heavens weep"? Typical throwaway line spoken by a character aiming for a sarcastic jab. It represents a character trait meant to keep Rain from appearing "too perfect". It's not a great metaphysical truth--it's a joke! "Immortal Rain" tackles some pretty heavy themes, and *some* humor is needed to prevent the story from sinking under the weight of its own angst. Unfortunately, the humor is as heavy as the themes, and it sinks anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Great choice in manga.
Review: This is a great book. Don't take my word for it, just read it for yourself! I just wish it was more popular and known than it is now.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful work of art
Review: This is a wonderful story that just happens to also be a manga. It takes a good look at humanity through the themes of immortality/mortality and relationships, though it has the typical manga humor and sap thrown in to keep the tension from becoming too much. The artwork is gorgeous, ranging from typical manga style to beautiful lines and details. Overall, I love this story and am glad I'm reading it. It just gets better with each volume! I'm waiting impatiently for the fourth volume in January.