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and so it goes, on and on
You know what? I nearly didn't post this. Tumblr and its "this shit is problematic and you're problematic for liking it!" attitude has really made me wary. Not because I willingly ignore problems within media I enjoy, because I don't. But because it's so prevalent over the site, and I'm sick of seeing it. I'm not stupid, I know problematic shit when I see it, but it's not going to stop me from enjoying a thing if the problematic thing is not what the whole thing's about.
So yes, I know this has off-putting content. I'm well aware of it. I don't excuse the character's behaviour AT ALL.
(I'll stop being defensive about it eventually; the longer I'm away from tumblr, the better).
~
Today I want to talk about From Eroica With Love, because I want to share the absurdity I've been reading recently.
However, it comes with a couple of caveats:
1. Klaus is a raging homophobe and, on those grounds alone, I'd recommend you didn't read it. (I don't like the fact that he is, or that it's part of his character). And when I say raging, I mean raging. It gets a little better as the series progresses, in that he's not flinging homophobic insults right, left, and centre, but it never entirely goes away (and there's at least twice where he punches Dorian for daring to flirt with him).
2. While the series did start getting translated into English officially, only fifteen volumes (of 39 in total) were done by the time the company doing them closed down a few years ago. As far as I can figure out, no-one else has the rights to carry on with the translation.
2a. The series has been scanlated BUT only about two-thirds of it exist to be read. Presumably scanlation ceased for some time because of official translations, but then started again. On any place where you can read it, volumes 11, 13 and 14 are missing (after a complete run up to 10), 24 - 30 are also missing, as are the final four. The English versions for 12 -14 and the raws for the rest exist, they just haven't been translated. I have heard it said that it doesn't matter that parts are missing, as there's no overarching plot (true-ish), but there are callbacks to previous events (though they're minor).
3. The plot's really repetitive. It does vary in location/exact conclusion but generally once something kicks off, you know what will happen next (though what's keeping me going is how it happens and is resolved).
ON THE OTHER HAND!
Do you like spies? Do you like parodies? Do you like art thieves? Do you like the seventies? Chances are you will probably like Eroica, then.
(Also do you like characters who look like rock stars? Because Dorian's looks are based on Robert Plant's and holy hell does it notice. Though I guess this depends how familiar you are with Led Zeppelin...)
I'd honestly say if the above caveats haven't already put you off not to read it if you don't like the seventies style of manga, either. I love that sort of thing (as I've mentioned before), which is partially why I started reading. The other part is that I might just have the tiniest crush on Klaus (something I have in common with Dorian, who's the other main character ;) ).
Where was I? Oh yes, trying to be positive about this!
It's not set in Japan! None of it! (As much as I love the place, I only have passing familiarity with it through things I've read, so this is a refreshing change to me. I mean, I'm not familiar with some parts of Germany or Alaska, but I at least know London to some degree). Dorian is an English lord with scads of money who steals things because he can! (Or because he wants them. Generally it's down to this than the former). Klaus (in case you hadn't guessed by his name) is a workaholic German spy working for NATO! He gets to do lots of exciting spy things and beat up Russians! (He is also loaded and lives in a castle because why not).
There is also breaking of the fourth wall! (and it isn't used so often that it becomes a gimmick, either).
There's cool moments where Dorian and Klaus team up for the greater good, and that honestly makes me think they could actually get along if, you know, Dorian weren't so vocal about how much he adores Klaus (because he really does. At the point I'm at he's said more than once that he loves him. Klaus does not return his feelings in any way, shape, or form - which is where the homophobic insults come in).
It's completely ludicrous, in that it's clearly not meant to be realistic but that's what I like about it. It's nice to read something that isn't all doom and gloom. You read one story, and the next one ups it by being slightly more ridiculous, and you find yourself wondering how much more ridiculous it can get. And it does get pretty ridiculous.
I don't really have a conclusion, this is mostly me writing down stuff so I can remember it (I don't do that enough).
So yes, I know this has off-putting content. I'm well aware of it. I don't excuse the character's behaviour AT ALL.
(I'll stop being defensive about it eventually; the longer I'm away from tumblr, the better).
~
Today I want to talk about From Eroica With Love, because I want to share the absurdity I've been reading recently.
However, it comes with a couple of caveats:
1. Klaus is a raging homophobe and, on those grounds alone, I'd recommend you didn't read it. (I don't like the fact that he is, or that it's part of his character). And when I say raging, I mean raging. It gets a little better as the series progresses, in that he's not flinging homophobic insults right, left, and centre, but it never entirely goes away (and there's at least twice where he punches Dorian for daring to flirt with him).
2. While the series did start getting translated into English officially, only fifteen volumes (of 39 in total) were done by the time the company doing them closed down a few years ago. As far as I can figure out, no-one else has the rights to carry on with the translation.
2a. The series has been scanlated BUT only about two-thirds of it exist to be read. Presumably scanlation ceased for some time because of official translations, but then started again. On any place where you can read it, volumes 11, 13 and 14 are missing (after a complete run up to 10), 24 - 30 are also missing, as are the final four. The English versions for 12 -14 and the raws for the rest exist, they just haven't been translated. I have heard it said that it doesn't matter that parts are missing, as there's no overarching plot (true-ish), but there are callbacks to previous events (though they're minor).
3. The plot's really repetitive. It does vary in location/exact conclusion but generally once something kicks off, you know what will happen next (though what's keeping me going is how it happens and is resolved).
ON THE OTHER HAND!
Do you like spies? Do you like parodies? Do you like art thieves? Do you like the seventies? Chances are you will probably like Eroica, then.
(Also do you like characters who look like rock stars? Because Dorian's looks are based on Robert Plant's and holy hell does it notice. Though I guess this depends how familiar you are with Led Zeppelin...)
I'd honestly say if the above caveats haven't already put you off not to read it if you don't like the seventies style of manga, either. I love that sort of thing (as I've mentioned before), which is partially why I started reading. The other part is that I might just have the tiniest crush on Klaus (something I have in common with Dorian, who's the other main character ;) ).
Where was I? Oh yes, trying to be positive about this!
It's not set in Japan! None of it! (As much as I love the place, I only have passing familiarity with it through things I've read, so this is a refreshing change to me. I mean, I'm not familiar with some parts of Germany or Alaska, but I at least know London to some degree). Dorian is an English lord with scads of money who steals things because he can! (Or because he wants them. Generally it's down to this than the former). Klaus (in case you hadn't guessed by his name) is a workaholic German spy working for NATO! He gets to do lots of exciting spy things and beat up Russians! (He is also loaded and lives in a castle because why not).
There is also breaking of the fourth wall! (and it isn't used so often that it becomes a gimmick, either).
There's cool moments where Dorian and Klaus team up for the greater good, and that honestly makes me think they could actually get along if, you know, Dorian weren't so vocal about how much he adores Klaus (because he really does. At the point I'm at he's said more than once that he loves him. Klaus does not return his feelings in any way, shape, or form - which is where the homophobic insults come in).
It's completely ludicrous, in that it's clearly not meant to be realistic but that's what I like about it. It's nice to read something that isn't all doom and gloom. You read one story, and the next one ups it by being slightly more ridiculous, and you find yourself wondering how much more ridiculous it can get. And it does get pretty ridiculous.
I don't really have a conclusion, this is mostly me writing down stuff so I can remember it (I don't do that enough).
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How weird is that? Whereabouts are you up to?
I really love how ridiculous (and at the same time, well researched) it is!
Same here :)
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I have not been going anywhere much actually, but I was occupied with some rather dark thoughts that I'd rather not go online for a while in fear of lashing everything out ^^;; I'm glad to see that you are doing well though! <3 It makes me feel bright inside as well!
At first I was afraid that I might not get the references in the manga but it proved me wrong? I'm not really familiar with west side of history and culture except for the ones being taught in world history... but this manga somehow managed to educate me and made me read up on a lot of things!
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*nods* I get that - there's still things I don't understand in manga set in Japan, but it is surprising what you can learn, though.
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And you shouldn't be made to feel wary or worried about posting something on it. You think that's right on an open page? Fuck that. Post it and tell those losers to fist themselves when they get butthurt. I just stopped using it at all but guaranteed if I ever touch it again the sole purpose will be to just troll those types of people. =/ might as well, they get upset over everything anyway, might as well have some fun with it.