Issunboshi: A Graphic Novel

This book simply put … is beautiful. Lang’s story and art are one of a kind. As an artist myself I’ll be studying his format with panel layouts and color. The light he uses with the black and white art was a nice touch. The story is wonderful and would definitely recommend this graphic novel.

Great story, great art, and AMAZING use of comic book layouts!

The story felt very rushed but the art was to die for!!!!

A fantastically cinematic graphic novel adaptation of a Japanese folktale that I cannot stop myself from describing as "Action Thumbelina, with demons". Not only is the art exciting, kinetic, and beautiful, but the story is a great deal of fun and has a lovely, kids'-movie-ready message.

Overall this was a well done graphic novel that moved quickly, was action-packed, and speaks to how we all have the opportunity to be heroes, no matter what that looks like. This felt like a feudal Japan twist on Ant-Man and Thumbelina and I absolutely loved it!

First, let me start with what is good about this graphic novel: it is gorgeous. Even in black and white, the art is absolutely breathtaking. The character design is top notch and I’ve never seen movement like this in a graphic novel. It feels like an animated movie.Unfortunately the characters felt very one dimensional and I was told to be interested in them but I never was. The story was boring. I knew exactly what was going to happen and there was never any real agency. I know this was based on a myth and it felt like a myth being told around a campfire, good triumphs over evil and that’s it. It’s been done a million times and there was nothing to make this telling interesting or stand out. Also, I wish it was in color.This is a book I’ll keep, but I’ll never read it again and I won’t recommend it to anyone unless someone just wants some really gorgeous art to look at.

A good entertaining story, a bit short but nice content, loved the art.Looking forward for a follow-up series. X

Issunboshi which was based on a classic Japanese folktale, was a nicely written graphic novel with fast pace, some really beautiful art and good action sequences. The story's pretty straightforward and easy to understand. The characters were likeable and though I would've wanted a bit more background for the other supporting characters, were unique and interesting.The artwork did an excellent job in expressing the emotions of the character and in making everything feel vivid and alive. The world felt rich and believable with the lore explained in a manner that was easy to digest and worked wonderfully for the tale being told. It was easy to get lost in the story once one started reading. It was definitely an enjoyable adventure.I do recommend giving Issunboshi a try.