Post by crowhats on Jan 16, 2012 15:24:36 GMT -5
Lament of the Lamb is one of the least known works I have reviewed within this series of vampire based titles. Despite this though it is definitely the best vampire based manga I have had the chance to read or watch. This is largely due to the fact that it uses the least traditional, and most realistic approach to a vampire story. It surprises me that this work has been so overlooked, since it does such a great job handling it’s dark subject matter. This work is definitely head and shoulders over the typical vampire based work, and doesn’t focus upon the usual vampire based cliches. That I can finally actually review something of quality with a vampire theme (even if that theme is underplayed) is a major relief to me (especially since this is the last review on this theme).
The art for Lament of the Lamb is very good in quality. While it isn’t one of the best examples of artwork I have ever seen, it is definitely is above average in quality. The work as a whole sets itself apart with a art-style that is distinct, and unique. I was really impressed by it’s ability to paint a melancholy mood with it’s art. The characters have facial expressions that are expressive, and revealing of their morose feelings. The backgrounds, and shading also does a excellent job of illustrating the inner emotions of the characters. The art in this work is definitely worthy of praise for it’s unique style, and paints the emotions of the characters using detailed facial features, and moody backgrounds.
Even though I’m putting this in my series about vampires, I would actually categorizes this more as a medical drama. The story follows Kazuna who considers himself an average high school student, besides the fact that he lives with only with his aunt. He goes to school where he has many friends, and even is beginning to develop a mutual crush on a girl in the art club You Yaegashi. This all starts to fall apart though when he begins to have attacks, and spasms at the site of blood and the color red, a problem which can only be cured by drinking blood. Things only get more complex for him when he realizes that a sickly schoolmate, Chizuna Takashiro is actually his sister. As Kazuna’s condition worsens he begins to retreat more and more from society, because of his fear of hurting those close to him. At the same time he becomes closer to his sister who is also suffering from the disease, and is the only one he feels safe around. Meanwhile his sisters heart problems are worsening from the medicine she takes to suppress her own condition.
This is a tragic tale about isolation caused by a physical/mental medical disorder. As long as you don’t go in expecting much cheer, or supernatural elements in this gloomy story of heart break it’s not that hard to enjoy it. It does a excellent job at portraying the fear, and isolation caused by a illness, and the Kazuna’s reliance upon his sister for help. It purposefully brings into question whether, or not the characters take the appropriate actions, and if the leads are making the right choices or not. At the same time though it isn’t preachy, and leaves these questions almost always as ambiguous ones.
I found it interesting as to how this manga handles the theme of vampirism. In Lament of the Lamb vampiric qualities are not considered supernatural, or positive in any way. These qualities are treated like a psychological disease, and/or a addiction, rather then a primarily physical ailment. The damage this condition causes is mostly psychological in nature, is mostly caused by a separation from the world, and the fear of hurting the ones you love the most. The biggest threat the characters face is the fate of loneliness. Due to the fact that they try to avoid harming the rest of the world they end up hurting themselves and those close to them the most. These elements make this series a slow moving, and moody work where the threat of trauma is just as frightening as the drama caused by the actual vampiric urges.
Like any manga with a dark, and complex plot it is the characters that can make or break the story. Lament of the Lamb thankfully is rich in complicated characters with very complex relationships. The main character Kazuna feels like the victim of the story, and is the character that moves along the plot. His normal world, and life crumbles around him, and he is unsure of where to turn. He struggles to understand his feelings for his sister and girlfriend, and to understand why he was separated from his family. He pushes away his aunt and friends, and separate himself quickly from his old way of life. He does this to protect those he cares for, but also ends up hurting them with his sudden disappearance. He realizes more and more that his sister is the only one who can understand him, and who he can safely be around. He also wishes to save his sister from her condition, just as she likewise wishes to save him. This inner conflict is what keeps his character interesting, and creates complex questions through out the story.
The best character of this series is his sister Chizuna. Though she suffers a immense amount of guilt, she is actually mentally the strongest member of the cast. Chizuna is a blunt, stubborn, resolved, and brutally honest character who really leads her household, though she is physically very weak. Even when she is most vulnerable physically she will do whatever she can to protect her brother’s well being. She develops slowly, and eventually even becomes a more dominant character then Kazuna, as she helps to protect him from his condition (whether this protection is right or wrong is another interesting question though). It is this complexity, and powerful attitude she has that makes her such a mysterious and interesting character.
Though this story is definitely about the Kazuna and Chizuna, the supporting cast does a great job at supporting the two leads, and standing on their own. Doctor Minase is Chizuna’s doctor, and harbors his own complex set of feelings toward Chizuna and Kazuna. He seeks to help protect Chizuna, but also realizes deep down that he is also in need of some saving from his own inner demons. He also realizes that Chizuna’s condition is fragile, and feels he most do what he can to protect her. Chizuna and Kazuna’s parents are also major characters, despite both being gone they both play important major parts in Chizuna’s back-story and her actions (too much about them would go into spoilers). You is also an important and interesting character that plays a major role within the story. You at first is confused by Kazuna’s sudden disappearance, rejection of her, and his attacks. She tries at first tries to heed the warnings to stay away from Kazuna, but has trouble emotionally dealing with these requests. She tries to convince Kazuna to inform her of what is happening, but he turns her away causing her anguish. There are a number of other important minor characters such as Kazuna’s best friend, his aunt and uncle, and a suspicious nurse, but they are more minor cast members used mostly to drive the plot (though they are still very realistically written though and fit into the story).
Lament of the Lamb is a very different, dark and smart vampire tale. Instead treating the vampire as a supernatural being with mystical powers, it takes a much more humanistic and tragic approach. It is the first manga I have read to treat vampirism as both a deep physical and mental ailment, and to go into the effects caused by the ailment. This manga really focuses both on those with the condition, as well as those related to them. If your looking for a more typical vampire story, or more upbeat work then this manga isn’t one you should read. If you can deal with the subject matter of this title, however then the great art, realistically conflicted characters, and the deeply innovative and tragic story definite make this work worth picking up. While it’s publisher Tokyopop has gone business, it should still be easy enough still to find all of this series for not too much online for a good price.