I really wished that Lost+Brain sprung up earlier on the time line before Death Note. Who can deny that hypnosis is definitely a more stylish way to take over the world, one person at a time, as compared to some lame notebook which falls from the sky?
The main character of Lost+Brain begins as a carbon copy of Light gone mad. Heck, he even looks like him too, which make he wonder if they really are brothers of different mothers. If you recall, Light still had some sense of purity within him when the plot began, but eventually had his soul corrupted. Hiyama of Lost+Brain, however, begins as someone who blatantly states to everyone that they are worthless and he will not associate himself with them. He only interacts with those whom he can truly utilise in his schemes, shunning the rest as idiots.
Hiyama is one hell of a selfish person, wanting to change the world only for his own desires. Light’s a selfish intellectual arse too, but he wasn’t as evil as Hiyama in the beginning. Hiyama starts off as though he is Light’s resurrected from, straight after Light dies in Death Note. Retaining all the diabolical thoughts, he’s a genius of 100% pure evil.
This can prove to be interesting for readers who just want pure evil characters without any character development, but I doubt there are many out there. Light’s overall character is far more interesting than Hiyama, since he evolves as the circumstances revolve. After all, character development is one of the most important parts of an enjoyable plot.
Overall, Lost+Brain is worth a read for fans of plots similar to Death Note. However, due to it’s glaring flaws such as shallow characters and a somewhat parallel plot to that of Death Note, it can only achieve the status as a decent read, at best. If it was released a year or so before Death Note, I suppose that its flaws wouldn’t be as blaring as it is now.
I’ve only read up to 2 chapters since that’s all I can find. However, flawed as it is, I found myself rather intrigued with the plot, so much so that I’m actually looking forward to purchase the volume soon. I guess I’m quite a sucker for such themes, even if it’s lacking in the character development portion. Lost+Brain is scheduled to run for 3 short volumes, which probably explains the lack of deep characters. Volume 2 was just released yesterday, but it appears that my local Kinokuniya doesn’t bring it in. I think I shall wait for all 3 volumes to be released before I make my purchase.
[ID Sojourner]
JUST AS KEIKAKU…?
I think it’s possible to place an order with Kinokuniya, I always do this. (:
Coming to evil characters who are the main leads, maybe check out Akumetsu or Code breaker. They’re evil in their own way but yet doing good, and society can’t do anything about them. XD
The Sojourner > Sono toori!
Hynavian > I already have quite a number of orders with Kinokuniya already. Anyway, I think that for this series, it’s better to be able to read the entire thing in one go, just like I did for Death Note. As for the 2 manga recommendations, I’ll check them out ^^
“due to it’s glaring flaws such as shallow characters and a somewhat parallel plot to that of Death Note”
I agree completely and that’s why I wasn’t too impressed when I first read it.
Hmm.. if you like good mystery manga have you read 20th Century Boys or Monster? 20CB in particular is one of my all-time favorites.
http://myanimelist.net/topmanga.php
I’m planning on checking out 20th Century Boys, especially since there’s the live action version now too.
live action of 20th century is gonna be out on 30th August. Long wait…
Yeah, I heard about that as well. I don’t think Kanna will be in it which saddens me slightly as she’s one of the most awesome characters in pretty much any anime/manga.
But, I suspect it won’t be too long before we get an anime adaption. Though considering the increasing standards of animation quality, I guess longer is better.
hypnosis..? >Geass<
similar to Death Note..
Code Geass + Death Note = Lost+Brain
Yeah, I’ve just read Lost+Brain (the 3rd chapter has been available in onemanga), I also realized this is so much like Death Note, especially it’s very Death Note style. You can see the similarity of their freaking smiles and hairstyles, even their character. Well, I like the plot, but just… you know, it feels like reading side story of Light. But as far as I see, Death Note still has more complicated plot, which I love very much!
if you knew any better, taking over the world with hypnotism is less credible than a deathnote. take this from someone who actually goes to the phsychiatrist: HYPNOTISM DOESN’T WORK ON THAT LEVEL. it can force your subconscious into doing things, but it won’t EVER make you do things that are extraodinary.
this dude looks like a cross between near and light. i hate him.
To be honest, I liked the idea of a notebook, over ‘hypnotism.’
If I wanted ‘mind-control,’ I would watch Code Geass, which is somehow more believable, because a ‘Geass,’ is something completely foreign, while ‘hypnotism,’ is a pre-established ‘power’…
And frankly, no one can replace the characters of Light, Misa, Mikami… and L >.>
sorry.
Well, there’s always Molly Moon, that’s all I can say.