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Shutterbox #1
Shutterbox Volume 1: Orientation
When Megan Amano dreams, she travels to a place called Meridian University. Traditionally, spirits travel to the University to be educated before they are reborn into the world of the living. Megan, however, is still alive and attends college in Santa Monica, California by day and Meridian University at night. One night, Megan peers through the the shutter of her camera lens and discovers a mystery so deep that she begins to question her own existence and begins her search for answers.
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2003
3 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Rosearik Rikki Simons
21 books42 followersRosearik Rikki Simons is a voice actor, writer, and artist. He is most famous for being the voice of the robot in a dog suit, GIR from Invader ZIM. As an artist and writer he is known for science fantasy graphic novels such as Ranklechick and His Three Legged Cat, Super Information Hijinks: Reality Check!, and the unfinished six volume ShutterBox fantasy series, which he co-created with his wife, Tavisha-Wolfgarth-Simons. He is also a background painter in animation, most noted for his color design on Invader ZIM. The weekly web comic that he creates with Tavisha, called @Tavicat, can be read at www.tavicat.com
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews
November 23, 2014
I originally read this series when it was still being published by TokyoPop. Even though I was never a fan of American manga I found myself enjoying this work and looking forward to future volumes. How sad it was when the anime bubble burst and this series was quickly canceled before it reached the end. Recently on a whim I looked up the series online and found that they had continued the series years later, publishing it for themselves in an online PDF format. So here I am at the start of this entertaining series again, reading and reviewing it years after I first picked up the first volume.
What made these five volumes a pleasure to read was the world setting and the art. The world is fleshed out with many interesting details and is very original in its design. In fact it can be a little overwhelming at first because it is so unlike any other world I have encountered in fantasy fiction. A little brain power is needed to follow along as the world unfolds in the story, but luckily the author includes more detailed descriptions of the world and characters at the start and end of each volume.
The art itself is also a real pleasure to examine. The work is detailed and full of ambiance that really draws out the tone of the story. This is not the work of a lazy artist. One look at the backgrounds and the lush costumes is enough to show you what I mean. What I like the best about the art myself though is how well it captures the delicate emotions of this story, such as the melancholy of the characters or the otherworldliness of the creatures and denizens of the spiritual world. Each is familiar yet disturbing and alien, enough to engage but also unsettle.
Unfortunately the story writing does not quite keep up with the art and ambiance. Even five volumes in (of this six volume arc) the plot is hard to find or connect with. While the characters can be fun what they do lacks weight and urgency. What is the bad they are trying to avoid? What is the good they are hoping to achieve? It is difficult to tell, and most of the time it doesn't even matter. If this was a simple written story, without the art to bolster it, I worry that it might become a little bit boring. Or maybe it is the art itself that is the problem because it distracts the writer from exploring the motivations and feelings and thoughts of the characters that are obviously so important to what is going on here.
While it can be enjoyable to watch the characters interact some of the characters are prone to long monologues. These monologues are meant to explain certain things but they can be difficult to slog through sometimes (even other characters complain of being bored by them). Fortunately the diary entries, written by the main character and sprinkled throughout the books, provide a useful window into what is happening and they are much easier to read and enjoy.
I recommend this series to any lovers of unusual and gothic fantasy. While the writing can slow things down the world, the art, and the characters themselves more than make up for it.
What made these five volumes a pleasure to read was the world setting and the art. The world is fleshed out with many interesting details and is very original in its design. In fact it can be a little overwhelming at first because it is so unlike any other world I have encountered in fantasy fiction. A little brain power is needed to follow along as the world unfolds in the story, but luckily the author includes more detailed descriptions of the world and characters at the start and end of each volume.
The art itself is also a real pleasure to examine. The work is detailed and full of ambiance that really draws out the tone of the story. This is not the work of a lazy artist. One look at the backgrounds and the lush costumes is enough to show you what I mean. What I like the best about the art myself though is how well it captures the delicate emotions of this story, such as the melancholy of the characters or the otherworldliness of the creatures and denizens of the spiritual world. Each is familiar yet disturbing and alien, enough to engage but also unsettle.
Unfortunately the story writing does not quite keep up with the art and ambiance. Even five volumes in (of this six volume arc) the plot is hard to find or connect with. While the characters can be fun what they do lacks weight and urgency. What is the bad they are trying to avoid? What is the good they are hoping to achieve? It is difficult to tell, and most of the time it doesn't even matter. If this was a simple written story, without the art to bolster it, I worry that it might become a little bit boring. Or maybe it is the art itself that is the problem because it distracts the writer from exploring the motivations and feelings and thoughts of the characters that are obviously so important to what is going on here.
While it can be enjoyable to watch the characters interact some of the characters are prone to long monologues. These monologues are meant to explain certain things but they can be difficult to slog through sometimes (even other characters complain of being bored by them). Fortunately the diary entries, written by the main character and sprinkled throughout the books, provide a useful window into what is happening and they are much easier to read and enjoy.
I recommend this series to any lovers of unusual and gothic fantasy. While the writing can slow things down the world, the art, and the characters themselves more than make up for it.
Read
June 1, 2015I love this! An academy for muses! What could be more delightful? The dark, gothic atmosphere, combined with the strange, semantics - based allegories, twisted word plays and puns that border on the ridiculous, the fantastical fantasy landscapes and settings, the escapist metaphors of dreams paralleled with death and suicide... oh, I REALLY love it! I think you might have to be a little weird to really get into this - but in a good way! The characters are great, I'm quite curious about Damien - I love that he's a liar, and he can't enter the Mindfield, because Khaa, the crow that's his conscience, will attack him - it's just the sort of word play and metaphor-turned-literal that gets the little hamster in my imagination to start scampering on its wheel! It's also beautifully drawn, and the dialogue is very straight forward (even when it's not!), so it is a very quick read. I was thoroughly entertained, and my own muse got a delightful play date in the realm of Meridiah! So inspiring! I'm looking so forward to the next book, I am particularly curious about Adrian, the Angel of Childhood's End ~ what a magnificently melancholy title! I can't wait!
March 15, 2020
3.75
Decided to take a break from princess Ai because I couldn't take it anymore and wow, was this a breath of fresh air: passionate authors and an interesting concept /story. There were some minor "eh" moments but I'm still seriously impressed.
Decided to take a break from princess Ai because I couldn't take it anymore and wow, was this a breath of fresh air: passionate authors and an interesting concept /story. There were some minor "eh" moments but I'm still seriously impressed.
June 11, 2010
There are 5 senses inside humans, humans are inside the 9 dimensions, the 9 dimensions are inside the universe, and the universe is inside the infinite multiverse.... and so on. This is the world of Merridiah. A world within worlds that only the dead can visit... except for Megan. She is a Shutterbox exchange student, the only living girl inside Merridiah. Her purpose? To learn how to become a muse, a living one. Unlike the rest of her peers, Megan will be about to use her powers on Earth to physically help others... to inspire them and their works.
The world that Shutterbox presents is vast and unique. And its characters are very quirky to say the least. There is the moody and mischievous Dane, the playful A.J. and a ton of other fun supporting characters that will entertain you to no end. The drawing in this volume are exquisite. Megan is almost like a living doll with her clothes being very reminiscent of Victorian period dresses.
The novel is a quick and engaging read that will capture your attention with its details and beautiful drawings. Shutterbox is sure to please those looking for adventure in another world and those who enjoy school settings with a paranormal twist.
The world that Shutterbox presents is vast and unique. And its characters are very quirky to say the least. There is the moody and mischievous Dane, the playful A.J. and a ton of other fun supporting characters that will entertain you to no end. The drawing in this volume are exquisite. Megan is almost like a living doll with her clothes being very reminiscent of Victorian period dresses.
The novel is a quick and engaging read that will capture your attention with its details and beautiful drawings. Shutterbox is sure to please those looking for adventure in another world and those who enjoy school settings with a paranormal twist.
September 3, 2007
This book is about a girl who has been invited to be an exchange student at the university for dead spirits. The university's students act as muses for people back on Earth until it is time for them to be reincarnated.
This volume deals with finding the university, realizing that it is real, and being sent out to find one of the university stewards in the "mindfields". In addition to all the stuff she has to deal with in the real world, like her self-absorbed mother, and the therapist her mom insists she see.
Now to get volume 2.
This volume deals with finding the university, realizing that it is real, and being sent out to find one of the university stewards in the "mindfields". In addition to all the stuff she has to deal with in the real world, like her self-absorbed mother, and the therapist her mom insists she see.
Now to get volume 2.
June 15, 2021
(3.5) stumbled across the manga randomly while searching for new ones to read. Solid first volume; looking forward to reading more.
October 15, 2011
Shutterbox review
Art: Highly exaggerated an American attempted at manga style coming off as more cartoony and odd good for comedy manga but to bad this is a romance/ Fantasy B-
Characters: Megan is a girl who has am messed up life blah blah blah she isn't unique there is nothing about her to make her likeable or otherwise she is just there as the MC but really why? The characters are hardly explained who's who and why Two characters meet and it seems they know each other but nothing made sense as to how the characters were dull and flat D-
Story: Another “what?” story the premies is interesting a girl goes to a magical school in her sleep this should be amazing instead its a hot mess. This whole book is nothing but an explanation of what the world is and how it works but even that it fails at. The characters are blaned and the ONE interesting thing is jossed up. This story is to many questions mainly how do the two MC's know each other as well as the mystery for the one character. Bland characters and sloppy transition it was hard to tell what was happening in a dream, present time or a flashback things that could have been foreshadowing was lost in transition and it just was a big mess of “what did you just read?” The bad language while tolerable was unnecessary and came off as the author trying to be “cool” D
Cover: A hot good looking blue haired punk with a saint statue behind him this cover is fascinating and really draws you in very goth like and eye catching sadly the story inside doesn't fit this spooky awesome cover B
Rating: T for teen
Company: Tokyopop (out of business)
My rating : 2 of 5 This was annoying and the only good thing was the question of why he killed himself but sadly the lack of proper plot, storyline, characterization, character relationships etc make this a fail that I will just (and probably have) wiki for the answer
Art: Highly exaggerated an American attempted at manga style coming off as more cartoony and odd good for comedy manga but to bad this is a romance/ Fantasy B-
Characters: Megan is a girl who has am messed up life blah blah blah she isn't unique there is nothing about her to make her likeable or otherwise she is just there as the MC but really why? The characters are hardly explained who's who and why Two characters meet and it seems they know each other but nothing made sense as to how the characters were dull and flat D-
Story: Another “what?” story the premies is interesting a girl goes to a magical school in her sleep this should be amazing instead its a hot mess. This whole book is nothing but an explanation of what the world is and how it works but even that it fails at. The characters are blaned and the ONE interesting thing is jossed up. This story is to many questions mainly how do the two MC's know each other as well as the mystery for the one character. Bland characters and sloppy transition it was hard to tell what was happening in a dream, present time or a flashback things that could have been foreshadowing was lost in transition and it just was a big mess of “what did you just read?” The bad language while tolerable was unnecessary and came off as the author trying to be “cool” D
Cover: A hot good looking blue haired punk with a saint statue behind him this cover is fascinating and really draws you in very goth like and eye catching sadly the story inside doesn't fit this spooky awesome cover B
Rating: T for teen
Company: Tokyopop (out of business)
My rating : 2 of 5 This was annoying and the only good thing was the question of why he killed himself but sadly the lack of proper plot, storyline, characterization, character relationships etc make this a fail that I will just (and probably have) wiki for the answer
January 22, 2015
Shutterbox fell in a category that I avoid when it comes to manga, gratuitously over the top. I’ve seen this series on shelves for the longest time and it wasn’t until I found a copy in my own store that I decided to try it, now I sort of wish I had left it alone.
When I say gratuitous I mean it. Megan Amano ,wants to be photographer but she’s a bit spacey when it comes to pretty much everything. She over exaggerates and freaks out at the smallest thing. The story itself has a pretty interesting concept. She finds herself at Meridian University, where spirits go to be educated before they are reborn into the world of the living. Megan is taken there while she is still alive, because apparently they have this weird exchange student program…oookay, I’ll go with it. Unfortunately I didn’t see much of an answer to any of the questions I had in this one. The characters are sort of stereotypical and sort of bland, and after 160 pages of this I’m not sure I want to know anymore about them.
Shutterbox was sort of a disappointment on numerous levels. While the art is pretty good, I just didn’t care much about anything else. The story is boring but exaggerated and the characters are just not worth connecting to. I won’t be picking up volume 2.
When I say gratuitous I mean it. Megan Amano ,wants to be photographer but she’s a bit spacey when it comes to pretty much everything. She over exaggerates and freaks out at the smallest thing. The story itself has a pretty interesting concept. She finds herself at Meridian University, where spirits go to be educated before they are reborn into the world of the living. Megan is taken there while she is still alive, because apparently they have this weird exchange student program…oookay, I’ll go with it. Unfortunately I didn’t see much of an answer to any of the questions I had in this one. The characters are sort of stereotypical and sort of bland, and after 160 pages of this I’m not sure I want to know anymore about them.
Shutterbox was sort of a disappointment on numerous levels. While the art is pretty good, I just didn’t care much about anything else. The story is boring but exaggerated and the characters are just not worth connecting to. I won’t be picking up volume 2.
October 24, 2017
I was not expecting to like this, much less get sucked into its story fairly quickly! But Shutterbox has caught me by surprise! The art is cute in a whimsical, perkigoth sort of way, and while not much happens in the plot of the story in this first volume (it's mostly just set-up and backstory) there's plenty of intrigue among the flying plot bunnies to rope you in and keep you wondering what happens next. I almost wish I'd read this when I was younger, but I don't know if I would have given it even half the credit it deserves for its creativity back then. So glad I picked this up! And you'd better believe I'm going to get the rest of volumes when I can!
February 1, 2016
Now my favorite!
June 19, 2014
Really good, and the art is pretty good as well the story flows easily and once you start you'll wish you bought the rest of them
June 24, 2019
Nostalgia reading this after I haven't in something like ten years!
May 31, 2025
I've followed Rikki and Tavisha since Super Information Hijinks: Reality Check!, but other than @Tavicat, their other works have been a bit... weirder. Cute, but not AS cute.
Shutterbox is very artsy by comparison, with one of the main characters committing suicide almost immediately (well, in a flashback), setting the tone for a much darker story than not. It's still fun, but not... FUN—there are cute Beebos and Hyperpans, but a large part of the story is about how Adrien (AJ) is the Angel of Childhood's End and that's why he "always" kills himself before he can fully "grow up."
It's like, I like it, but I don't know if I can *like* it. I'm a bit past the Goth Stage (some people don't outgrow that, and that's fine! ...but I did), so the story feels nostalgic in a way I don't miss but don't mind visiting.
The art is GORGEOUS, of course, when it's not simply cute or funny. I'm not sure who I would recommend should read this, though, which is part of the problem when trying to get them more much needed fans.
Shutterbox is very artsy by comparison, with one of the main characters committing suicide almost immediately (well, in a flashback), setting the tone for a much darker story than not. It's still fun, but not... FUN—there are cute Beebos and Hyperpans, but a large part of the story is about how Adrien (AJ) is the Angel of Childhood's End and that's why he "always" kills himself before he can fully "grow up."
It's like, I like it, but I don't know if I can *like* it. I'm a bit past the Goth Stage (some people don't outgrow that, and that's fine! ...but I did), so the story feels nostalgic in a way I don't miss but don't mind visiting.
The art is GORGEOUS, of course, when it's not simply cute or funny. I'm not sure who I would recommend should read this, though, which is part of the problem when trying to get them more much needed fans.
October 29, 2021
I picked this up because the blurb was interesting and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The subtitle "Orientation" fits this perfectly. The way it was done makes me think it's a great start to a series. Information was given while still leaving questions unanswered, setting up future volumes (at least, I hope they will be answered in future volumes). The introduction of the characters, including Megan Amano, the main character, were all a bit shallow so I hope more information is given about them. The graphics were amazing. This was an extremely quick read and because it's so out of my comfort zone I feel like it was a excellent palate cleanser. Overall, I thought Shutterbox Volume 1 was really nice and it left me intrigued. I definitely want to get my hands on the other volumes.
June 25, 2022
got the first three from this series thinking it was going to be a light read. the whole thing is so nonsensical that it was painful to get through the 160 pages of the first one. the art style hasn’t aged well either.
October 14, 2024
Intriguing but it feels like there's too much exposition leading into the meat of the story. For only a small number of volumes I think the setup was a little too long and I have too many questions. I might feel differently at the end, but we'll see.
November 1, 2021
I was only able to find chapter 1 online but I’m sure it would have been a good story to see what Megan’s sees in terms of the guy going into the ocean..
March 17, 2025
This was so confusing to read. I like the world building, though.
March 22, 2017
The premise is intriguing and fun. The art is beautiful. I enjoyed the adventure.
August 4, 2020
Authors: Rikki Simons and Tavisha
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Manga
Synopsis: On the night she graduates high school, Megan Amano begins dreaming that she travels to a remote school known as Merridiah University. Merridiah is for those in the afterlife, where they learn to become muses and whisper inspiration to those still living on Earth. Megan has been chosen as a ‘Shutterbox exchange student’, where she will learn to become a living muse. However, Megan learns that being a student in the afterlife is harder than she thought. This manga is rated T for teen, ages 13 and up.
Review: This story is told in a nontraditional manga format, i.e. it reads from left to right like a normal book; rather than in the traditional Japanese manga format or right to left. The story is unique and the artwork is beautiful and detailed. My only gripe is that with how the manga panels are placed, it is sometimes hard to read and I found I’d have to reread the panels in a different order to have it make sense. However, there is lots of side information such as drawings and random author thoughts and explanations as to what is happening in some of the panels. These can distract from the story, but I found it more useful honestly. I love how all the characters have distinct and precise personalities you see right away. AJ is laid back and just wants to be free to run among the Hyper Pans (half-goat/half-human looking beings). Damien is self-centered and highly sarcastic. While Megan is aloof and quite confused almost the entire story. Since the story is told mainly from her point of view, her confusion as to what is going on in her dreams and discovering more about Merridiah can make the reader feel confused as to what is going on as well. We only get as much information about what is going on as Megan does, which can make you feel more engrossed in the world of Merridiah, or more confused as to what the heck is going on in this book!
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Manga
Synopsis: On the night she graduates high school, Megan Amano begins dreaming that she travels to a remote school known as Merridiah University. Merridiah is for those in the afterlife, where they learn to become muses and whisper inspiration to those still living on Earth. Megan has been chosen as a ‘Shutterbox exchange student’, where she will learn to become a living muse. However, Megan learns that being a student in the afterlife is harder than she thought. This manga is rated T for teen, ages 13 and up.
Review: This story is told in a nontraditional manga format, i.e. it reads from left to right like a normal book; rather than in the traditional Japanese manga format or right to left. The story is unique and the artwork is beautiful and detailed. My only gripe is that with how the manga panels are placed, it is sometimes hard to read and I found I’d have to reread the panels in a different order to have it make sense. However, there is lots of side information such as drawings and random author thoughts and explanations as to what is happening in some of the panels. These can distract from the story, but I found it more useful honestly. I love how all the characters have distinct and precise personalities you see right away. AJ is laid back and just wants to be free to run among the Hyper Pans (half-goat/half-human looking beings). Damien is self-centered and highly sarcastic. While Megan is aloof and quite confused almost the entire story. Since the story is told mainly from her point of view, her confusion as to what is going on in her dreams and discovering more about Merridiah can make the reader feel confused as to what is going on as well. We only get as much information about what is going on as Megan does, which can make you feel more engrossed in the world of Merridiah, or more confused as to what the heck is going on in this book!
March 3, 2008
It's a great premise, and if cutesy-tootsie heroines who overcome adversity by stomping their feet and talking to birds does not make your eyes roll out of your head, this is the book for you. There's a lot of Goth themes (my mom sucks, this world is boring, wouldn't be awesome if I fell in love with a ghost, etc.) but more of a Hello Kitty attitude.
The grating character development and dialogue aside, the art is downright beautiful. The talent is in the pictures.
But, there isn't enough for me to pursue the series.
The grating character development and dialogue aside, the art is downright beautiful. The talent is in the pictures.
But, there isn't enough for me to pursue the series.
October 24, 2007
I clearly had a different response the first time I read this because I bought the next volume, which, if I recall correctly, is better. Part of the problem here is that there's a lot of setup going on but not very much explication leaving things in a bit of a confusing muddle. I finished this feeling that I still don't really know what's going on. The premise is intriguing but I'm looking forward to re-reading the next couple volumes and remembering what the heck is actually happening.
December 4, 2008
I want to like this series. There's something that makes me want to keep reading it, but there's also something that keeps me from doing so. I honestly appreciate the art and the general premise of the story, but something seems a little off about "Shutterbox."
I'm going to give it another try, someday soon, but I don't think it'll rank up there with my favorites, unfortunately.
Yeah, I know. My reviews are so detailed.
I'm going to give it another try, someday soon, but I don't think it'll rank up there with my favorites, unfortunately.
Yeah, I know. My reviews are so detailed.
November 18, 2015
I feel like there wasn't enough content for it to be rated higher than a 3 and let's be honest, it's pretty weird. I don't like any of the characters that much, including Megan.
Yet at the same time it was amusing and intriguing and it made me laugh (maybe not the most appropriate response, I don't know. I like the idea that Damien can't get into the Mindfield because his conscience is there - that was quite interesting! So yeah, I guess I'll read the next one and see what happens. :)
Yet at the same time it was amusing and intriguing and it made me laugh (maybe not the most appropriate response, I don't know. I like the idea that Damien can't get into the Mindfield because his conscience is there - that was quite interesting! So yeah, I guess I'll read the next one and see what happens. :)
May 24, 2012
A fun, promising first volume! This is an American comic done in manga style, so expect the art to reflect that. I liked the art and found it suited the tone of the story well, but it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
This first volume was nothing spectacular, but I definitely enjoyed it and I'd like to read the rest of the series!
This first volume was nothing spectacular, but I definitely enjoyed it and I'd like to read the rest of the series!
December 15, 2009
An interesting little Manga that goes in a different direction of many... the only problem is that finding the rest of the series was near impossible at the time at reasonable prices.
August 3, 2016
It's like this erotic story I read once but without the good parts.
March 20, 2017
It's interesting but a bit confusing, although nothing major happens in the first volume. Girl just finds out she's in training to be a muse and a dude always dies.
July 24, 2014
Very interesting; I definitely want to see where this story takes me.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 34 reviews