Kumiko Suekane

Questions of identity and destiny drive this manga series focusing on cloning. Imagine a school populated by Napoleon, Freud, Elizabeth I, Florence Nightingale, Madame Curie, Hitler, Mozart, as well as other great personages from multiple times and multiple countries. Each clone is being educated, not only to be great students, but also to become the luminaries from whom they were cloned. Shirou, the headmaster’s son, is the non-clone from whose eyes we are introduced to this world. As the show more series progresses, action, intrigue, and conspiracy drive the plot at breakneck speed. The result is a thought-provoking tale filled with drama and action. Perfect for fans of science fiction thrillers. show less

This review refers to volumes 1-7 of the manga. The series is about a group of private school students who are clones of famous historical figures (Joan of Arc, Marie Curie, Sigmund Freus, Napoleon, and several others). They struggle with forging their own identity while living up to the potential of their originals. Over the course of the seires the students discover that their school is not the beautiful ideal that it initially appears to be. For what purpose are the clones being made, and show more what will happen to them after they leave the academy? This is a series for older teens, or maybe even adults. There is violence, nudity, and very dark subject matter. show less

I really enjoyed Blood+ Adagio. Set in the days before World War I, Saya and Hagi have come to St. Petersburg posing as cellists in order to fish out Diva. The setting and characters are wonderful and remind me a lot of Kaoru Mori's Emma. There are cute and mischievous kids as well as devious adults and people with secret agendas. A great deal of the plot is actually revealed in this volume and it really leaves you wanting more.

One thing I didn't care for is Saya's new look (her Victorian show more appearance as it were). The images from Blood+ as well as Blood 2002 from this era were all much more convincing. Saya in Adagio is given a very different appearance and personality, while Hagi really isn't. It makes sense from a chronological perspective but... it's hard to swallow.

The art is really strong and engaging with many wonderful Edwardian outfits and hair cuts. I also enjoyed how little violence and action there is in this volume compared to the rest of the series. show less

The cult of Almighty Dolly continues to spread through the school as the clones start to fear that their fates are tied to their originals' lives. As the expo approaches, the question of humanity vs. replaceable copies comes into play. More psychological than historical--and completely fascinating.