Alabaster

I am a fan of Tezuka, but it felt like he was trying REALLY hard to be dark in this. I just finished reading The Vampires, and I actually rather liked that one, but Alabaster feels like it's rather forced. It's not TOO terrible, but it could've been much better. Actually, Tezuka seemed to be pretty pained making this. The best part was Rock's shoujo eyes. The end.

I am increasingly eager to read more and more Tezuka, and I am glad to have read this, despite feeling like I was doing something I should not because of the author's lack of interest in it.  It's not a masterpiece, but I found it entertaining and sometimes thought provoking.

Regarding a previous comment, I guess different people expect more from main characters, especially villains.  I understand and appreciate some of their thinking.  It could have been a great work if more focus had been given.  However, I do not like to always expect to be so satisfied, I suppose that for me, it sometimes breaks the realism (or what very little there is).  I often finding myself loathing well-formed characters, plots and tidy ends because they feel thought out by a Plot God.  But, I admit my tastes are known to be eccentric.  I can deal with a romp through chaos.

Strange to find myself relating to the main antagonistic characters and also at such odds with them.  For example, I felt fearful for the models--I've dabbled in their work.  I know well how people loathe and envy what they or any others the "have nots" perceive as the "haves." On the other hand, I've been through intense periods of the philosophical dumps.  I've come to despise what many who are "good" value, and very frustrated with many things in general about life, culture and existence.  In the news, I see people who possess what I never, ever could--the will to counter this anger, frustration or even loneliness with physical action.  And even though I disagree with them, I understand their feeling backed into a corner, or the willingness to play the villain role when despised.  I think that there is a lesson in Alabaster for us to ponder, whether it was intended or not.  How should we treat the people we dislike?  What are the future implications?  As I hear people announce they will ostracise those who disgust them, I see no good done.

I feel this could have gone a whole lot better. The story was lost in the madness of the characters, and their twisted actions and ideals. Alabaster was too inhuman. If the author could have shown his incessant fall into madness, his anguish and disgust could have been justified. However, it falls short, and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. If your gonna make a villain your protagonist, then in the end, he must taste that awful despair; the horror, and loathsome beauty that has driven him mad, thrust in front of him to spite him, and curse his futile efforts. overall, this was a "meh" at best. not one of his best works, but if adapted to a more modern style and story, it could rival death note in popularity.