Reporting my thoughts on the manga series as a whole:
'Amazing Agent Luna' - I have now read all five omnibuses, which can be consumed in one day.
I was so enthralled.
I can confidently say that 'Amazing Agent Luna' is one of the most charming, likeable, sweet, dramatic, and clever manga that I have come across in a long time. I am genuinely sad that it seems to be over - this almost never happens to me with anything I read or watch nowadays - and that I would have to say goodbye to these characters.
It SHOULD be an animated show - it was made for it. Heck, if it was a nineties video game it would join the ranks of kids' nostalgic classics such as 'Mega Man', but with a female protagonist, and with a subtle feminist twist.
Every single character to grace 'Amazing Agent Luna' with their presence is distinguishable, interesting, well developed, and super endearing - no one stays in the exact same point from their introduction. Every plot thread moves forward very well; nearly every one of them concludes, in my opinion, in a satisfying manner. People are joined together in a happy family, even if they are separated.
The American manga is very well written, and can be read by anyone of any age, and they'll enjoy it considerably. It has something for everyone - it's a wonderfully balanced mixture of spy mystery thriller/drama, science fiction, action, comedy (oh the comedy is excellent), and relationship soap opera. Yeah, there are love triangles, a trope which I loathe in every medium, but I still love this series because, if nothing else, they happen briefly and don't take over everything in the story, including the action packed, secret agent mystery plot. Where there are a lot of secrets, and not everyone is who they appear to be. Each element is written competently; 'Amazing Agent Luna' is smart and respectful to its audience. Thankfully nothing about it is lazy, cliched, overly contrived, or cringeworthy; even if it might appear so at first.
(Great message, too, about distrusting or at least questioning authority, governments and bureaucracies; and that rulers, good and bad, should be scrutinised and second guessed.)
And as 'Amazing Agent Luna' goes on and reaches its beautiful conclusion (the last two volumes are the best in my opinion), the reader will realise that it isn't only about Luna, our lovely spy girl protag. It's as much Control Agent Jennifer Kajiwara's story, if not more so. She might be the best, most well developed character here. I practically never see an arc like hers be given to a female - an adult female - character. Without going too far into spoiler territory, I'll say that she starts off as a cold, emotionless and obedient tool of the government; then she ends her emotional journey overthrowing the patriarchy. She has many, many talents, as well as layers. She is not to be underestimated in any field, and she will be rewarded for all of her efforts by trying to make a fairer, less violent bureaucracy. Don't let her questionably drawn breasts fool you; Jennifer is a figure of female empowerment. She is not a fanservice prop. The story wouldn't exist - much less thrive - without her, end of discussion.
I can't wait to pick up the prequel series, 'Amazing Agent Jennifer', despite my hatred of prequels. She is as amazing as Luna, with no genetic enhancements.
I strongly recommend all of 'Amazing Agent Luna'. It's highly underrated and I wish to give it more attention, even now nearly twenty years since it originated. Its themes of family, friendships, and love coming first are timeless. Female friendships are valued as much as male friendships; perhaps given a bigger focus than the romances (most of the players are paired up with someone by the end, which, because they are so likeable, is cute instead of annoying and eye roll inducing). Platonic relationships are shown to be important, too. How subversive and insightful - and stealthily understated, making it all the more profound.
What fun times to be had with 'Amazing Agent Luna' and its colourful cast!
For a less vague and rambling review, read my thoughts on Amazing Agent Luna Vol 1 here, which started my obsession.
This has been Artemis Crescent, with my non spoiler overview of 'Amazing Agent Luna', over and out.
Final Score: 4/5
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