[REVIEW] All You Need is Kill

title: All You Need is Kill
author: Hiroshi Sakurazaka (story); Takeshi Obata (illustration); Ryosuke Takeuchi (storyboard)
genre: manga, science fiction
published: November 4, 2014 by Viz Media, LLC
format: Paperback, 550 pages
purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Fully Booked
rating: 4.5 / 5 stars
goodreads

When the alien Mimics invade, Keiji Kiriya is just one of many recruits shoved into a suit of battle armor called a Jacket and sent out to kill. Keiji dies on the battlefield, only to be reborn each morning to fight and die again and again. On his fifth iteration, he gets a message from a mysterious ally—the female soldier known as the Full Metal Bitch. Is she the key to Keiji's escape or his final death?

Highly recommended even if you don't usually read manga.

I read this NOT because this is the story which the film Edge of Tomorrow is based on but because of TAKESHI OBATA. That artist is my fave! He illustrated both Death Note and my fave manga of all time, Bakuman. However, art isn't the only thing that defines a manga. All You Need is Kill is amazing in its own way.

All You Need is Kill follows Keiji Kiriya as he ends up in a time loop between the day before he debuts as a soldier and kill the aliens called 'mimics' and his death. The first chapter strongly opened the story and I was instantly hooked. You don't have to be a fan of manga to fall in love with this kind of story. You just have to like science fiction.

Keiji's reaction to the time loop is honestly good -- I felt his fear, his desperation, and his tiredness. I like how he just tries things out in the beginning and after so many painful inescapable deaths from the hands of the mimics, he finally strategized. It was such a difficult thing to do -- tiring, painful, and ultimately mentally exhausting.

Rita's character, on the other hand and her role in the story was nicely done. The development of her character, her relationship with Keiji, and how things ended up for the two of them made me go hands-down to Hiroshi Sakurazaka. He's such an amazing writer making one plot twist after another. He created such a thrilling story that makes you want to learn more about this world.

I cannot comment much on how well this was adapted from novel to manga but I have to commend Takeuchi for making such a thrilling storyboard. Combine this with Obata's outstanding illustrations (aka the artist of Death Note and Bakuman.), All You Need is Kill's art is, in a lost for words, amazing. It's full of details, effects, and atmosphere. I was also astounded by Obata's ability to create action scenes involving machines and robots which is something I've never seen from him before.

OVERALL, All You Need is Kill is thrilling science fiction manga packed with edge of your seat revelations, well-written characters, and outstanding art and illustrations. This is easily one of my favorite reads this year and I love how it just combined time-loop, aliens, and (oops!) romance. This is such a thrilling and lovely story. Highly recommended if you enjoy science fiction!

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