Baka & Gogh

Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:25 pm

So, finally we've gotten around to following up on National Quiz with more Kato goodness! I think this title will be popular with fans of G Senjou Heaven's Door; it has a similar emphasis on its strong characters and contains much of the same human drama. This first chapter is a perfect taste of the series. Its hefty enough to be satisfying, and we decided that it was probably originally drawn as a one-shot, which he liked enough to continue (or was cajoled into continuing) as a serial. It gives you a good sense of the personalities at play between the central characters, although as I mentioned in the update, it's a bit lighthearted and cheesy. Kato will throw in a much wider range of emotional moods throughout the course of the story.

Things that I like or want people to notice:

- The physical comedy of Sakai charging 100 yards to deliver a punch on p.15
- The improved range of artistic styles and varying levels of detail that Kato has gained since NQ, which was originally from '93 or thereabouts.
- Cameos! Notice K-I K-Ichi hosting the band festival, and pay attention to the goofy looking guy with the helmet on p.27. This is Isamu, the main character of the first one-shot at the back of the book (Isamu's Diary), which is probably my single favorite Kato work.
- The heavy, dire hallucination sequence on pp.35-36. Though the particular details are unimportant, it is most definitely foreshadowing a darker part of our friends' lives in the story ahead.

This is really just a wonderful, heartwarming story and I'm very excited to be sharing it with other people. It's gonna be great!

Fan Boy Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 26

Alright, so my immediate impression: The main cast is all very charming, and I'd say they've already won me over. And yet, as you're already mentioned, this has most definitely been a cheesy first chapter, so I'm not totally sold just yet. I do, however, have faith that I'll come around as things progress, so I'm still very much looking forward to getting more, and I'm eager for those one-shots too. So... so far so good, I guess.

Of course, the art deserves special mention; I'll be damned if that isn't some of the most attractive manga artwork ever. I was won over by Kato's style in NQ, but he's really taken his game to another level here

Roadie Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 58

the_clicky_pen wrote:

Of course, the art deserves special mention; I'll be damned if that isn't some of the most attractive manga artwork ever. I was won over by Kato's style in NQ, but he's really taken his game to another level here

Wait till you see Ranman

myanimelist profile · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:09 am

I guess I love cheese.

The 100 yard punch was one of my favorite moments of this chapter as well.
And Gogh is just beautiful.

Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 2:41 am

i totally love the style of Goghs handmade clothes/gadgets...remids me a bit of Paradise Kiss but is even more stylish, imo. and the idiot-in-love face Sakai makes is pure quality... :]
about Ranman...you better finish B&G quickly and start it already!

Fan Boy Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 26

bukuwawa wrote:

the_clicky_pen wrote:

Of course, the art deserves special mention; I'll be damned if that isn't some of the most attractive manga artwork ever. I was won over by Kato's style in NQ, but he's really taken his game to another level here

Wait till you see Ranman

oh god yes.

Roadie Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 58

petr wrote:

about Ranman...you better finish B&G quickly and start it already!

you may not have to wait that long

we shall seeeeeeeeee

Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2007 7:45 pm

Very slick art as expected. Those character/costume designs are way out there, and by way out there I mean from 1975.

And yes, the 100-yard punch was awesome.

Fan Boy Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 11 Location: Ireland

Just read both chapters of this tonight. Pretty gaddang good. Thanks for your work on this project.

Fan Boy Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 15

You dudes are probably on IRC chattin' away but I think I'll show my appreciation here:

Man, I cannot even begin to describe to explain how glad I am about the recent update. Much love and thanks.

Personally, I find his artwork awe-inspiring and it's doing a lot to keep me drawing or, on a slightly more morbid note, living.