Jingrock

One of the more interesting mangaka to appear on the scene in recent years is 甚六/Jingrock (jinroku); his works are understandably popular, dealing as they do with such familiarly appealing themes as sex crazed high schoolers. In the hands of a less talented artist this might lead to run of the mill eromanga, but Jingrock manages a distinctive style with some distinctive elements, as well as amusing stories.

Currently, he has two compilations released, as well as a modest variety of dojinshi. The compilations are essential reading; I don’t think there’s much to differentiate them, but ブルマママ/Bloomer Mama seems to me a little fresher with regards to story, whilst 思春期は発情期/Shishunki wa hatsujouki, “Adolesence is a sexual excitement period” (great name there, whether in English or Japanese), has slightly more refined art.

His art is definitely first rate, and possessed of a quite distinctive style (the word soft springs to mind). There isn’t much negative I can say about his works, other than hopefully the steadily increasing top heaviness of his characters can be arrested before it reaches comic proportions, for the sake of variety.

His enthusiasm for drawing the female form au naturel is one of his trademarks, along with distinctly rounded, voluptuous figures. He does these faultlessly, if at times a little predictably.

Themes covered aren’t going to put anyone off their stroke; plenty of entertaining short stories and immaculate illustration, but, on the other hand, not much to write home about.

His compilations are in print, and likely to remain so, and at any rate the works of a reasonably popular artist are unlikely to be difficult to get hold of, even when out of print.

Great art and amusing stories, coupled with content which is likely to be of broad appeal, means Jingrock is unlikely to disappoint. Perhaps some more variety would be nice, but with only two compilations published so far I think this is easily forgiven.