Nuestras Opiniones
Thoughts for Angels: Opinions
 

When I first saw Tenshi ni Bara no Hanataba o in September 2000, as it was being printed in the Asuka DX Magazine, I was completly happy. It'd been a while since I'd seen work by Higuri and I'd read in one of the many English shrines devoted to the manga artist that Higuri's working days were over. Although I was surprised and not too glad to see the story was not being composed by Higuri, but rather by Sakura Kai, I was happy to finally be able to purchase a new manga by my favorite artist. The cover was beautiful, and the main character possessed reddish, strawberry hair -- a new concept in Higuri's often blond central figures. The snow hat this character wears in a few pictures also struck my fancy. Even the translation of its title, roughly: the angel gave roses with thorns, made me grin. However, the manga did not.
I bought this hat in The Bronx!
Sad to say, this story was a dissapointment to me. It consists merely of two published volumes, compiled by Asuka DX. Unlike her other great work, Tenshi ni Bara no Hanataba o left me unsatisfied both because of its story and because of the character designs. Instead of original, cool characters, they look like visiting figures from her other work. The central, brash hero is almost an exact copy of Sui from Zeus, and the quiet hero is very much like Tsubasa from Zoku Cutlass. This dissapointed me a bit, since although all of her characters look the same -- as with all artists' work -- she at least could've pampered her neew characters with innovative hair styles and eye shapes.
 

Secondly, the story failed to catch my interest. Scientists and archeologists discovering babies and a severed hand in Mongolia is not my most favourite topic, nor do I find it to be Higuri's forte. The presence of alien forces and sci-fi themes jarred me when they appeared in Zeus, and they jarred me when they appeared in this manga. Thirdly, guns, ammo, snippers, thugs, and chases were not alluring spices to ad to this stew either. This metal, leather coolness didn't work out for me in Zeus either. I simply think Higuri's forte is historical manga, or at least fantasy manga. If you look closely at the drawings and inspect the love in her designs and pencil strokes, you can tell she must also feel this.

Kira? Oh... wait. I'm not Sui. Your Sei... and I'm Kyoya.
Fourthly, the fact that the hero becomes a girl with unshapely breasts, which seem to be balloons inside her shirt, was not my cup of tea.This character was simply not interesting; his hair seems all wrong and his female counter part feels useless. Lastly, the nemesis is not Higuri's style either. He, in his female shape, comes across as too sexy and brainless, exposing breasts and being overly callous. Usually, Higuri's female roles try their best to show brains and be interesting.
 

I think I sound too harsh when I state I dislike this manga. I, however mean I sound, adore Higuri's art. I bought this book because I wish to own everything with her name on it, even if it's not her best work. However, I know when to dissern between her master pieces and her not-so-wonderful pieces. This does not mean I loathe the manga, nor that I will beat up anyone who buys it. Heavens! Some unknown fan out there right now might be discovering this manga and finding tears on her or his eyes, screaming "how beautifully wonderful!" No. If you like this manga, and find Higuri's work in Zeus great, you are free to think so. We at Team Bonet think she's capable of much better work, but will continue to follow her no matter what she chooses to illustrate.
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