
a review by VokuNoUno

a review by VokuNoUno
(This is the first review I've ever written. So keep in mind I may leave out some details so this review may be bad.)
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He will practice playing his saxophone during the worst conditions imaginable. On the hottest of days, on the coldest of nights. This is an aspect I like about this character. One thing of note that I found interesting is how he always remains cooled-headed when things go wrong or utterly fail.
For example, his first performance to a live audience doesn't end well. He gets called out by a disgruntled old man for being too loud. then is called off by the owner he walks off the stage in a moment he is sure to remember. He gathers his things and walks about at a park at night until he eventually sits down on a bench facing a river bank with the moon high above. I thought for sure that this moment would've been him tearing up and breaking down. Instead, I see this...

Sure this could seem like nothing to an average reader... To me, this was something special. This wasn't viewed to be such a devastating defining moment that completely demolishes Dai's passion. It's the first of many for someone who is entering the world of Jazz in an era that has moved on from it. This right here is what makes Dai such a compelling protagonist.
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In my personal opinion, the best part of this manga occurs when Dai enters Tokyo for the first time. Living with a friend of his in an unfamiliar place struggling to make ends meet as a Musician. This is where the manga really begins to shine slowly building up to the moment; he ends up forming a band with this one cocky shit-eating pianist known as Yukinori Sawabe. Unlike Dai, Yukinori's talent stems from his years of playing the piano from a young age. He too has a dream... to perform at the most prestigious Jazz club in Tokyo, "So Blue." Yukinori as a character has a lot of moments in the manga. He is one of those characters that try to trick you. He is a bit of a harsh asshole, who is very serious when it comes to Jazz. He acts more like Dai's opposite (imo). He doesn't like it when Dai suggests that Shunji Tamada (Dai's friend who lets him live with him) who's taken an interest in drums lets him play with them. To Dai, anyone who is passionate and willing to play Jazz can play Jazz even if they are not that talented. As long as there is heart to them, it's all right. Yukinori believes only talented people can play Jazz. Despite their differing beliefs between them both, it is Yukinori himself who dislikes it when people quit music. I can say that in that chapter, it was all intentional of him to act this way. To see how Dai will react. Eventually, he learns that Shunji is the only person able to keep up with them despite being an amateur. Although he acts like an online music critic. He is the driving force behind their improvement as a group in acting as an expert veteran. He is the equilibrium of the group.
Now for the other character Dai's friend, Shunji. I felt as if they had done away with him too soon. They really could've explored more with his character if not... make it better! He isn't a bad character per se... He is just not as interesting as Yukinori or Dai. He does manage to keep playing with the band even with moments of doubt. He keeps pushing through with them, forcing himself to become a better drummer to catch up to their lead. Both Dai and Yukinori admit to him that he is needed. He is a valuable member of their band a person deemed worthy to play with them. His moments really didn't mesh with me though. I suppose one great thing about this manga is that each one of them has some kind of barrier to overcome. Yukinori is told by the scout of So Blue that there is no sound to his music, pushing him to search for an answer. Dai's struggle to put himself into the world of jazz that already has a tight barrier of entry. Shunji's struggles to improve as a drummer to catch up with Dai and Yukinori.
One last point of note I can find interesting is the bonus chapters. They are paneled and structured to be that of a documentary. Which I found to be rather a unique choice. Side characters that we meet through Dai give their commentary on who he is as a person and his beginnings. I'll give the author some credit for that one.
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(I would also highly recommend reading this interview with the mangaka about his creative expression and sentiment towards Jazz. https://tokion.jp/en/2021/02/26/shinichi-ishizuka-creative-expression/)
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