Aqua Knight · review
Aqua Knight doesn't stray far from other fantasy/adventure titles in the fact that it deals with topics like friendship, courage, quests, self-improvement and the like. Yet after reading it in a single sitting you do get the sense this is unique in its own right. I for one found it a light-hearted and highly enjoyable read. The character designs are somewhat stereotypical but only to the extent that a charicature is in portraying someone's comic identity. Therefore, the art style isn't truely akin to japanese manga, as it adopts a western approach, but all the 'manga' features are still recognisable and intact. Still as itwas published in the late 90s, the style is distinctive and brings fondness to older audiences. However, if you are somewhat biased to more 'hardcore' contemporary manga artwork this might not appease the readership in this particular category... but the other categories will !
The storyline is simple at first, with a heroine pursuing her ambitions and defeating her evil foes, but as you read on this divide line begins to blur and you come to find yourself identifying with the 'evil no-gooders' as people with their own stories behind them.
Even if people find the ending to be 'inconclusive', the moral of the story is clearly revealed come the final chapter... and isn't that the purpose of a story regardless? I however secretly habour a bittersweat feeling for Aqua Knight only because I regret it not being longer!
Clearly an under-appreciated title!