Stratovarious Arc (#1-#4) | Gouda Reads GTW (Patreon)

Before we start, I just want to mention mt modus aparandi with this and future GTW reviews. I'm doing a little experiment to look at and critique my past work through the lens of a writer whose now removed enough from their earlier work to properly critique it. As a probable fan of GTW, do not let this tell you how to feel. These are my opinions and experiences, and you can still enjoy GTW in whatever way you feel.

Let's get started.

CHAPTER 1 (7/10) : Honestly, I feel I can pat 2018 me on the back a bit. It's actually a fairly solid chapter. Granted, I read the newer version of it, so a lot of the dialogue was tweaked and fixed, making it an easier read, but it doesn't take away from the fact that there's some solid storytelling there.

CHAPTER 2 (6/10) : Though not as good as Chapter 1, it's a decent continuation of it. Builds on Bengus and the other characters more, moves the story foward. I should say this wasn't edited like Chapter 1, so the dialogue is alright at best and odd/awkward at worst. At the time, I was trying to fix the old problem I had of not making normal information unclear but having characters just say stuff like "What? Bengus is related to Allegro and Madam and they are family? What?". It's pretty cathardic to see Bengus just destroy Madam. It starts with chapter 1, but this solidifies the biggest strength of GTW-- The emotion and catharsis. It's always cool seeing heroes give villains what they deserve.

CHAPTER 3 (4/10) : This chapter is indicative of the problems of my writing at the time. Poor dialogue, awkward pacing and structure, and strange characterization. Unlike Chapters 1 and 2, this one just doesn't hold up. While dialogue could be fixed in the future, it's got to justify Bengus's odd actions that were simply put in there to fill the arbitrary 31 pages of an arc that didn't have to be 4 chapters long. That idea though. Filler. This might be a problem later, but we'll see.

CHAPTER 4 (6/10) : This chapter is fine. The strange characterization of Bengus comes back for this chapter, as well as the odd dialogue, but it's simply here to wrap up the current story and set up future ones. Allegro wanting a rematch and Anzai wanting marriage, though fairly standard directions to go, are still good ones. It's about what you'd expect from a sports action series like this. As long as no one dies, it seems like characters can be redeemed. There is a weird little detail that I had completely forgotten. What are the "Three Holy Families?" Considering the later chapters, nothing, I guess.

OVERALL (6/10): GTW has a fairly strong opening chapter, but it kind of drops the ball in the later ones of this arc. While not impossible to make good work, 21 years old might still be too young to consistently make quality stories. It could be worse though. If the plot, characterization, and dialogue can be tightened, it could make for a solid, fun manga. Clearly, the strength of GTW are it's emotional and cothardic moments, and the elements of the story should all be in tandem to elevate said emotions. When they do, it works well, creating cool, memorable moments. When it doesn't, it makes those moments just feel awkward. That might be the best way to describe this arc. Awkward. It was definitely a nice attempt, 2018 me. Maybe you can learn from this in the next arc.