Book Review: Gran Familia – Kenji Hamada
It’s rare I review a manga novel on the blog. However, as an emerging fan, I wanted to share Gran Familia with you as it’s just published and you don’t want to miss out!
I really enjoyed Gran Familia and that shows in how quickly I devoured it. Seriously, I read this book in two sittings within 24 hours. I was intrigued by the character dynamics and truthfully, I’m already looking forward to seeing more from these characters.
Let’s recap the details of the book/comic and then I’ll share my thoughts!
Gran Familia – Kenji Hamada
Genre: Manga
Pages: 192
Audience: Adult
Publisher: Titan Manga
Publication Date: 14 Nov 2019
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Dive into Gran Familia, where powerful vampire clans, hidden demi-humans and a dangerous turf war collide in a dark, action-packed battle for supremacy. Perfect for fans of supernatural crime thrillers.
In Gran Familia Volume 1, the delicate balance between humans and demi-humans teeters on the edge of collapse. In a world where super-powered beings, like vampires, werewolves, and other demi-humans, are forced to hide from human persecution, the legendary Grand Familia vampire clan controls the criminal underworld with an iron fist. But their reign is far from unchallenged.
Leo, the young heir to the Grand Familia, dreams of a future where both humans and demi-humans can coexist peacefully. However, when a violent turf war erupts between rival factions, the fragile peace between the two worlds is shattered and Leo is thrust into a dangerous conflict that could have devastating consequences for everyone involved.
As Leo grapples with the legacy of his powerful family and his own ideals, he must confront a world filled with betrayal, shifting allegiances, and moral dilemmas.
With each faction seeking dominance, the underworld becomes a battleground of supernatural forces, where loyalty is tested, and the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred. Amidst the chaos, Leo faces the most pressing question of all: can peace truly be achieved, or is war the inevitable price of survival?
Gran Familia Volume 1 sets the stage for a thrilling five-volume saga filled with action, suspense, and intricate family drama. A must-read for fans of supernatural crime stories, dark fantasy, and complex character-driven narratives, this volume begins an epic journey into a world on the brink of collapse.
My Thoughts
For a first volume, Gran Familia strikes a good balance of introducing the characters and locations. Neither light touch nor heavy-handed, I initiated myself into this world very easily and I wanted to read on to learn more!
This doesn’t come at the expense of plot. The action in the book facilitates us learning about the characters, setting and events taking place. As can only be expected in a manga, the action is key to the storyline and the graphic novel leans into exaggerating these to maximum effect.
The character dynamics in this book are the big driver for me in terms of plot. Imagine a mafia with supernatural abilities – that’s what comes together in this graphic novel for some fierce rivalries. However, what the author already made apparent in this relatively short page count is that the protagonist isn’t a one-dimensional, stereotypical character. As a result, this was achieved in the short space of time the author captured my attention. I hope this comes out more in future volumes. There is clearly more to Leo than we first appreciate through his actions and reputation.
Manga is naturally very different to read from prose, and again from traditional western media. It’s read the other way around, for starters (right to left, back to front). It’s so unlike my usual reading material that it made a refreshing change!
Summary
I’m looking to reading future volumes of Gran Familia and I hope you are too!
This was a fun manga series to start and I hope the wait isn’t too long for the next one.
What is the latest manga novel you’ve read? Has Gran Familia caught your attention?
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