A little violence and humor to start the year. We continue our manga reviews with volume 2 of Violent Action, published by Pika Edition. After a satisfactory first volume, particularly in the action sequences and thanks to the drawings of Renji Asai, although without surprise and lacking interest in his scenes of life, let’s see if the sequel manages to fully embark us.
As a reminder, the story makes us follow Kei, a friendly student and formidable contract killer, who, behind this angelic face, hides a self-confident and uncompromising professional. This time, our heroine will meet a partner in her age.
Killer(s)
This second volume of Violent Action embarks us with Kei for a new mission, without any transition. Abandoning some questions from the first volume and not connecting with the very end of the latter. We start with a flashback concerning characters still unknown to us, an unsavory antagonist and Kei’s future partner.
Encompassing most of the tome, the mission introduces us to Daria, a young sniper who has targeted her former tormentor, the flashback man. A killer like Kei, but with different backgrounds and motivations. More common in the middle, so to speak. The opportunity to witness the maturity and violence that manga can show.
If humor is present in Violent Action, and that we could forget what world we are in at the sight of Kei’s face, we are in the company of killers and killers. Without being incredible, the course of the mission of the two young women is well constructed and manages to install a little tension. It goes quite well with the antagonist who wears a relatively disturbing face, almost dehumanized and empty of emotion and whose black gaze is reminiscent of that of the cockroaches in the manga Terra Formars.
kill list
Kei will once again flaunt his extraordinary abilities and his obvious superiority. Further proof that in addition to being a killer, it is potentially one of the most efficient on the market. The work on facial expressions makes it possible to quickly grasp the emotions that run through the characters and to make the reading more fluid. A volume whose chapters are read quickly, the pace being relatively sustained, not encumbered with dead time.
The rest of the chapters will focus on three new characters. A trio portrayed as fearsome, but also rather goofy, as seen in the situations in which they are featured. Opponents that we look forward to discovering and which portend a serious threat to our heroine. Fortunately, she is supported by Daria and which is joined by an unexpected teammate, already crossed in the first volume.
A quick set-up, ending this second volume of Violent Action on a small effective cliffhanger. Too bad that the manga remains quite agreed in its proposal, especially for those who are used to reading or watching works taking place in a similar universe. In addition, some ellipses are a bit disconcerting and give the narrative a disjointed aspect that impacts the characters. While emphasizing rhythm and action, the main asset of Violent Action for the moment.
Should we fall for Volume 2 of Violence Action?
If we forget the side already seen, the action scenes are effective and Kei, although still lacking in depth at this stage, begins to intrigue. We always appreciate the very good drawings of Renji Asai, skilful in his staging and in the action, but just as capable of laying down some quality boards. The evolution of his line as the manga progresses promises.
Buy Violence Action on Amazon
Despite obvious flaws that can get in the way, Violent Action still worth a look, especially for a first step in the genre. more accessible than The Fable for example, but probably less engaging and intended for a younger audience. Because, even if violence is part of the universe, we remain on something relatively soft, for the moment in any case. Far from the realism of The Fable or the hyperviolence of a Ichi The Killer. We stay up to the character of Kei.