Stellvia is also a rather good series in my books spanning over two manga volumes (Althrough I wish there were many more), a 26 episode anime series and several games. This series appealed to me due to its storyline, after all, who would not like to go to an academy in the stars?
Artwork: The artwork in this series is basic, with mostly white or plain walls with small alterations with it. It does however offer the artstyle of both characters and technology rather highly, offering comedic representations of the characters as the storyline requires it. I personally see the graphics as not being serious and breaking the seriousness of the issue through the use of comedic designs.
Characters: There are plenty of characters shown in this first volume from the programmer who wants to be a pilot to the stict but kind flight instructer. There are so many different characters to comment on but each of them have a different mood and personality to each other which does help progress the storyline along with their different personalities both supporting and hindering each other.
Storyline: This is what I love about the series so much. The fact that there could quite possibly be an academy in space which teaches skills like flight and programming just really makes me look forward to what the future could be like. The storyline features Shima Katase, who wants to “see the stars” despite being a terrible pilot. So it follows her and her friends facing the conflicts of studying while a supernova brews threatening to destroy them all if they fail. Excellent storyline in all, although with just two volumes, volume one doesn’t offer as much as it could to deliver a full storyline.
Extras:
- Colour contents page
- 4koma
- Advertisments
Not bad
The rest of the series: The other volume, I may do a review of, but the rest of the series includes the supernova wave and what occurs. A great stepping stone for the anime!
Overall Score:
Artwork: 3.5 (B)
Characters: 4.5 (A)
Storyline: 4.5 (B)
Extras: 3.5 (B)
Rest of Series: 4 (A)
Overall: 4 (A)
Manga Information:
Total # of Chapters: 7, not including extras
Total # of pages: 192
English Publisher: DrMaster Publications Inc
Publisher Website: http://www.drmasterbooks.com/stellvia_v1.html
Producer: Xebec & Ryo Akitsuki
Rating: 13+
Description: Stellvia is a space academy and one of the Space Foundations dedicated to saving Earth from a second wave of supernova explosions that is scheduled to hit the planet in 70 days. Shima Katose is a newly-enrolled student at Stellvia with exceptional skill as a programmer and lackluster talent as a pilot. Her dream is to be chosen as one of the elite pilots needed to help save the Earth. This is Shima’s story of struggle and perseverance. A touching story of friendship amongst unbeatable odds.
