"Grand Blue Dreaming" is a Japanese manga series written by Kenji Inoue and illustrated by Kimitake Yoshioka.
When you encounter the title of the manga for the first time, what thoughts immediately goes into your mind? Well for me without looking at the genre of this manga, I first thought that this manga is like a fantasy genre or an action packed manga, where the main character goes through a lot of struggles and self-realizations to beat the crap out of an enemy. But no HAHAHAHA, it's kind of the opposite from what I thought. This manga is somewhat a slice of life anime and a comedic one at that.
(These are scenes of Iori's first arrival in the Grand Blue diving shop)
If I will describe this manga, I will put it into one word and that is the word "Hilarious". Comedy? Friendship? Scenery? Fan Service? (Mwehehehe) Character Development? You name it, Grand Blue Dreaming has them all.
Grand Blue Dreaming is a manga series that has left me thoroughly satisfied and entertained. This manga's unique combination of humor, adventure, and college life has garnered a dedicated fanbase (including me of course) and recieved a lot praise for several reasons that make it an enjoyable and unique manga.
(This was the time when Iori woke up literally in school, half-naked, after the night that he got drunk.)
One of the reasons that brings great satisfcation is the humor. Grand Blue Dreaming consistently had me bursting into laughter with its witty, slapstick, absurd comedy. It is a breath of fresh air in the manga world, offering a perfect escape from reality. The manga's humor is the kind that stays in your mind long after you have put it down, and I found myself revisiting scenes and even the whole manga itself for a good chuckle once in a while.
The story's setting, centered around scuba diving and college life, is a one of a kind. It introduces readers to a world rarely explored in manga and offers an immersive experience which makes you feel like you are part of the manga itself. The underwater adventures, college friendship, and hilarious humor all work together in unity and harmony to create a satisfying and unique narrative that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
In terms of the character development it is adequate. Iori's (the main character of this story) transformation from being more of a reserved and sheltered person to a more confident and chaotic one in the process, due to the influence of the people around him, specifically the "Peek-a-Boo" squad. The transformation in his personality and behaviour is a reminder that growth and self-discovery are an important part of the college experience.
Now let us discuss about the artwork, especially during the scuba diving scenes, is visually stunning. It adds another means of satisfaction to the overall experience. The little details in the illustrations of underwater landscapes and marine life is truely commendable. It is as if the manga allows the readers to experience the beauty of the ocean through the artwork.
(Iori casually spending time and having fun with the "Peek-a-Boo "squad) Source for this particular image
Overall, I really enjoyed my precious time reading this manga. The way it delivers humor, visually stunning scenery, the development of the characters, newfound friendships and of course we can not forget about the fan service (mwehehehehe). All of these elements combined, creates a masterpiece of a manga.
I would definitely recommend this manga to anyone. Truly a 10 out of 10 for me. Wether you're a fan of comedy, adventure and even the slice of life genre, "Grand Blue Dreaming" will not disappoint you and it will leave you eagerly looking forward to the next chapters. After you finish reading the manga, well at least the current chapters because it is stil on hiatus right now, I suggest you watch the anime for a better experience. Watching the anime would likely enhance your overall experience, as it gives a more captivating and visually engaging storytelling, allowing you to fully appreciate the breathtaking animation, character development, and dynamic sound design that contribute to a richer narrative experience compared to the manga.
This the end of my feedback. I hope you enjoyed reading my review. Stay safe and look forward to my next blogs.
"You will only know you're good,
If people tell you you're good."
-Arthur M. Nery