masterpieces (encompasses all genres)

heals my child-like heart. it feels geared towards younger girls, given the optimistic undertones. the magic system is formulaic but can be used in creative ways. the author put a lot of thought into for sure. character writing is solid for all charas. lore is fascinating, detailed, and full of wonders, and the beautiful art style really brings it to life and immerses u in. visual storytelling is A+.

would be one of my top picks to turn into action anime. panelling is good, art is visually stunning and immersive, pacing is perfect, battles are epic, worldbuilding is unique, monsters are grotesque and legitimately terrifying, chara development is great, and the emotional moment actually hits. very few flaws/dislikes, but it's subjective.

amidst the backdrop of cultural, political, and technological development in japan after the Russo-Japanese war, the story follows various opposing parties that clash and collide in pursuit of a hidden stash of gold, each with their own agendas... the story seamlessly weaves peak comedy and ainu culture/info into a thrilling action/adventure story. it references historical facts and fictionalizes several real-life figures and events. the side charas are so distinctively interesting and bizarre.

not explicitly Shounen Ai, but definitely had romantic undertones with ash and eiji's bond. but it's so much more than that. what else could i say that isn't already said about this phenomenal heartwrenching work? the storyline's engaging and thrilling, the characters's complex, the action's fast-paced, and the politics' smart. the core plot is mostly about crime, drugs, gang violence, and politics, but the subplot about the bonds they developed was well-written. the ending tore my heart apart.

pros: smart charas, diverse chara cast with their own talents, various team dynamics, teamwork + logical and creative battle strategies, easy-to-understand power system that is used in creative ways, engaging battles with lots of unpredictable factors, mc is definitely not the strongest or smartest, sense of community
cons: updates are slow ;-;

a story that delves into complex human nature and the multi-faceted dynamics between ranks within a controlled environment-- a more digestible version of the systematic society in which the rich/powerful dominate the lower masses. suji, a bold and clever girl who becomes a victim of this vicious ranking game, endeavors to cause chaos and internal conflict and ultimately collapse the game with her wits and a solid grasp of manipulation, and by allying herself with a kind outcast.

one of the best webtoons on Webtoon in terms of drama, action, thriller, and horror. the paneling is great, conveys a sense of movement, and delivers the fast-paced action well. without spoiling too much, it's a story about doppelgangers appearing on earth to take over their earth counterpart. it's unfairly rated low here.