Dogs: Bullets and Carnage

author: Shirow Miwa
review type: manga
status: ongoing
genre: Seinen, Action

*please do read the review for the prequel first. For the review click here.


Synopsis

"In this town that has even lost the seasons, life is a light thing. Despite that the "Dogs" still keep on living." (pg.35, Chapter 1)

The manga begins with a rescue operation by Badou and Heine. They pursue a brothel owner that keeps genetically altered female juveniles as prostitutes. They get into a brawl which leads to the destruction of the brothel. Naoto, the swords woman is also on the move to discover who she really is and the killer of the parents. It is during this process that she is informed of a white hair and eye patch that also asked for such an information. Naoto pursues them and arrives at the church where they frequent.

At the church, Naoto meets Nil; the mutated girl with wings. And then are cornered by a mob that seeks to take back Nil. Naoto gets down on the action. But awaits Naoto, Badou, Heine and not forgetting the melancholic Mihai would be that they are all connected with something called the Deep Below; a place where genetically altered beasts and humans are created and tamed.

So they cross paths and team up; each with commonalities each having a reason to get to the Deep Below; a place rumored to be more terrible than the underground.



Rempits Vrooming Comment

This one is addictive. Action packed, astounding art work and a storyline that reminds you of Quetin Tarrantino. I would say for a first timer, this manga would tantalize that Seinen appetite of yours.

And another Tarrantino trademark that's evident in this manga would be you can't exactly lay a finger on each of them and label them good. It is a dark world, they are dark characters, and they don't seem to seek the light either. Just that they are getting into a more darker area and they just want to keep alive until their questions are answered. Talk about post-modern, this manga is loads of it. Which boils down to the fact that the author did an excellent job in making this a relevant and down right realistic manga. Normally you would have the good ordinary nerd bashing up seasoned gangsters and then before meeting the top boss; he comes up with a philosophy of life, bashes the boss to death with the boss tearing up and admitting that the philosophy is so true, and the either dies or ends up in prison or becomes his best buddy. So this gives you an alternative route.

All four characters have a personality. And at times it is a reminiscent of those shounen or ecchi mangas you read. Badou can be similarly compared to Agito of Air Gear, but with a more shounen-ai form and more zany and wacky character.

Naoto is a breathe of fresh air. She somewhat reminds me of Faye Valentine from Cowboy Bebop. With a lesser sexual prowess. Her character is cool, calm and balanced. Surprisingly interesting for someone whose hell bent on revenge. Which is definitely different than your shounen avenger of sorts.

Basically, this is another manga where you can comfortably slide in your "I can relate to" shoes and at the same time go WOW! I want to read it again. Action packed, stylish and all round interesting.





Rempit Rates

Originality: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Character Development: 5/5