Weekly Read #1: Ubel Blatt

I've decided that I'll try and review a series once a week, as sort of a cornerstone for this blog, although, I may not be able to finish the series. And soo, without further adieu..... Ubel Blatt!



Ubel Blatt is a Seinen fantasy medieval manga, in sort of a Berserk vein. Ubel Blatt has around 100 chapters now, and is serialized in Young Gangan (not released in the states yet). The plot revolves around Ascherit, who was one of the 11 heroes of the kingdom of Szaalenden, but he and 3 of his comrades were betrayed by the other seven, killed and branded as the Lances of Betrayal, while their counterparts were hailed as heroes. Ascherit, managed to survive the ordeal by devouring a fairy, causing him to appear much younger than he actually is, and makes him look quite fairylike. Now Ascherit, under the alias Koinzell, is out for revenge against his seven old comrades, and monsters, magic, and even armies wont get in his way.


Koinzell

What I Thought:

If I did a bad job of explaining the plot, thats probably because the plot is so thick, that I really only figured out what was going on 20 chapters in, and the chapters are around 40 pages long. That said, the plot is pretty compelling, Ascherit's backstory and exploits make for a constant rolllercoaster ride of fantasy action and horror, its almost like Berserk (except the plots are quite different). The difference between Berserk and Ubel Blatt, is how Ubel Blatt treads the line between fantasy and just medieval combat. I havent read the entire series, but so far there hasnt been any real explanation for some of the monsters and powers, and it really made me wonder whats going on in the houses of these "heroes" when all this dark magic and foul play is around, and I liked that aspect.

I also have issues with the manga's plot, mainly in how cluttered it is, especially in the beginning. I really never found out what was going on until at least 10 chapters in, and then the series keeps putting in the unnecessary clutter, and the author ends up leaving with a bit too many questions at the end of every chapter. Another issue I have is the secondary characters, Koinzell is fleshed out, but the rest of our protagonists, Vid, and Peepi, are quite forgettable at the moment, and this doesn't show any signs of changing. Luckily for all us readers, the antagonists are quite well done, from corrupt evil leaders, to conflicted military personnel, most of Ubel Blatt's antagonists are on point.

In terms of art design, Ubel Blatt plays it safe, lots of characters look alike, the women are unnaturally attractive at times, and there's lots of Bishounen. But even though the series plays it safe in terms of character design, the art looks crisp, and the fight scenes look really good, really, really good. So while the art may be uninspired at times, it isn't anything that makes or breaks the manga.



In closing, Ubel Blatt has a pretty unique plot, and the art is just good enough to be above average, and if you like thick fantasy novels, and don't mind not knowing everything about whats going on, this series definitely warrants a read.

My Grade:
Plot: B+
Art:B-
Total: B 8/10, whatever you take that as.
Next Time:

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