After reading the first volume of Read or Die, I have no doubt in my mind that writer Hideyuki Kurata probably has a dungeon somewhere filled with all sorts of kinky fetishes. It's too hard to walk away from the book and not ponder what was going on in their head when Read or Die was conceived. As for the quality of the book itself, if you're a big fan of books and reading, you'll likely dig the subject matter and be enthralled with the adventures of Yomiko.

Yomiko Readman loves books. I mean, she really loves books! I love books too, but I've never gone orgasmic reading one, which is more than I can say about Yomiko. Yomiko has a deep fondness and appreciation for books, as she regards them as living, breathing entities filled with memories and emotions poured into them by the author, and she engulfs herself into the works so thoroughly she uses all her senses to experience them instead of just merely her eyes.

Due to the bond she shares with books, she has developed the abilities to harness paper to do her bidding, and earning her the moniker of Paper in the process, which she is called while working for the Library of England in order to procure rare works of literature. Yomiko's special abilities allow her to control paper at a whim, using it to turn rigid and block bullets and cut chains, or do things such as creating makeshift bridges or paper airplane flying daggers. Basically, if she has paper at her disposal, she can about do anything she wants.

The first volume deals with Yomiko protecting a young author she particularly admires, who is attacked by two thieves using Scotch tape (I kid not) to kidnap her and take her to their master.

Read or Die #1

Read or Die is an interesting book thanks to the way it uses literature as the central theme of the series. Out of all the art forms still left in the world, actual literature is one slowly falling to the wayside and disappearing, so it's nice to see it talked about so lovingly, even if it is put into a bad light from time to time. Read or Die is a love letter to literature fans, as it takes the usual stereotype and ratchets it up a notch to make Yomiko even more outlandish. Despite the exaggeration of her character and love for books, you'll find a little of yourself in her character if you enjoy reading as well.

The story concerning the abduction of author Sumiregawa Nenene is the most interesting aspect of the first volume, and how heroine Yomiko shares so many qualities with the man who kidnapped Nenene. It's a great way to shine the light on the reader, showing just how fanatical fans can become when they find a writer to become attached, and yet it asks the question, "Why do we become so close to them?" What is it about a book that makes us associate so closely with an author?

The artwork by Shutaro Yamada is a mixed bag in this volume, mainly because it's hard to see what's going on in many of the panels. The character sketches are great, such as the look of Yomiko, who manages to balance being nerdy and dorky with sex appeal and great courage. The problem I have is that since Yomiko uses paper for almost all of her attacks, it's often hard to make heads or tails of what's being created or how it's being used. Over and over again I had to just sit and stare at the page, wondering what it was I was looking at exactly. Is that a giant roll of tape the thieves are using? Is that supposed to be a huge piece of paper? If a few of the panels were enlarged and not so small, maybe it wouldn't be as big a problem, but as is it does hamper the book.

Read or Die's first volume isn't perfect, but I am intrigued enough to keep reading the series. As a huge reader and big fan of literature, the subject matter just draws me in and won't let me go, even if it is a little creepy and almost fetish like in some parts. I'm not lovingly embracing the book like Yomiko would, but I love flipping its pages.

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