Sgt. Frog is quite possibly the cutest, funniest manga character I've ever encountered. It's difficult to explain to the general public what is so appealing about Japanese animation/graphic novels-- you really have to read it for yourself. But I'll try.

What appeals most to me in this medium is the intensity Japanese artists achieve. If something explodes, it doesn't just burst into flames. It shakes the fabric of reality, shredding pavement and buildings on a sub-atomic level. If a character is fast, he's not just speedy. His movements defy natural laws and distances in ways that boggle the mind. If a creature is cute, it's not just big eyed and fuzzy. It's pure, distilled uber-cuteness that makes you wish you had one so you could hug him and squeeze him and call him George!

Such is the case for Sgt. Frog. And he's not just drawn cute. He thinks cute. I found myself laughing out loud repeatedly over his antics, his attitude, his quirks. I thoroughly enjoyed the short hour it took to finish the book. You do not have to be into this genre to enjoy it- it's entertaining enough to stand on it's own.

Here's a really good review from Grotesque Anatomy.

"The concept of a gun-toting, alien Kermit was so bizarre I just had to try out the book. (Perhaps this is part of the reason behind manga's success: Manga does a better job of capturing that elusive "I have to know what the story behind that odd yet compelling cover is" effect that American comics have, for the most part, lost since the Silver Age. Or in other words, manga's not afraid to be goofy, silly fun.)

The good news is that the book doesn't disappoint: It's funny in a surreal, madcap sort of way, with plenty of jokes that work largely because of the comic pacing and staging of creator Mine Yoshizaki. The basic premise is simple: Sergeant Keroro, a tiny alien advance scout who strongly resembles a frog, is discovered and adopted by the Hinata family (brother Fuyuki, sister Natsumi, and mother Aki). Much of the humor comes from the comic contrast between Keroro's adorable appearance and his militaristic mindset (he's here to prepare Earth (known to his race as Pokopen) for invasion, you see). Seeing the cute Keroro alternate between plotting against his human family and obediently helping with household chores provides plenty of opportunities for humor both dark and sitcomish. And making this megalomaniacal mercenary so minuscule is comedy genius: Sgt. Keroro easily joins the classic comedic ranks of other deluded, diminutive alien conquerers, such as Marvin the Martian."

I let him do all the hardwork. Why review, when you can cut and paste!!

Gerro Gerro!!

Happy Friday, everybody.