Prigioniera

La balade de Yaya #2

by Jean-Marie Omont

Cina, 1937. I Giapponesi attaccano Shangai e la popolazione si dà alla fuga. Nella confusione, la piccola viziata YaYa, promettente pianista alla vigilia di un importante concorso, viene separata dai genitori, e sarebbe davvero nei guai se non fosse per Tuduo, ragazzino dei bassifondi schiavo del racket dell'accattonaggio, che la prende sotto la sua protezione. Ma il malvagio Zhu, l'uomo che tiene il ragazzino in schiavitù, farà di tutto per impedire la fuga dei bambini, sperando di ottenere un forte riscatto dal rapimento della piccola.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Bande Dessinée, Historical Fiction, Comic Book, Juvenile, Manga

96 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 2011

Reviews

[Josh 谢翊杰 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork is stunning and great representation of the era. The plot is growing more interesting, pulling me in. I can't wait to see where this series of events takes Yaya and Tuduo.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels very Studio Ghibli

[RVGSteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

We continue following the exploits of our titular heroine, 8 year old Yaya, and her friend Tuduo as they are held prisoners of the evil gang lord, Zhu. This installment was much more action packed than the first entry, as we find out heroes caught up in a most sticky predicament. Luckily, our angry antagonists are just dumb enough and our plucky protagonists are just resourceful enough to even out the score a bit. The colors in this one, with pages washed in blue and orangey hues of a late afternoon 1937 Shanghai sky are absolutely jaw dropping.

A dramatic movie like climax closes this entry and makes reading volume 3 a top priority. Two volumes in, I am totally hooked and impressed by the cinematic nature of it all so far. It really feels like I am watching a top flight animated movie unfold before my very eyes! I’m all in with Yaya and Tuduo, and hate anyone who wishes to harm them. Don’t you dare!!!

Off to Hong Kong we go…

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Ballad of Yaya books are so, so short, but they pack some great art and real pathos. Yaya and Tuduo are trapped in the den of the villainous gangster, Zhu. Tuduo convinces Zhu that it's in the gangster's best interest to send Tuduo to Yaya's home. Meanwhile, Yaya cleans the basement and makes some surprising friends. I definitely forgot Yaya can talk to animals (odd!). The ending of this second volume is quite rough, but it strongly sets up Yaya and Tuduo for further adventures. I should note, for all the goofy, anime art, The Ballad of Yaya series features some pretty dark moments.

[Buj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is just as beautiful as the first installment, making it feel like an animated film, but the pacing is still rather rushed and certain panels and layouts only confuse the pacing further. There's childish humor despite how brutal the narrative can be, and it continually throws me for a loop.

It's a quick read with amazing art and a simple narrative despite its flaws. Definitely recommend for cartoon fans.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tiny 7×5" size somehow reads very smoothly despite such detailed and encompassing material squeezing within the 1-4 totally freestyle panels per page. I wish his art was given the size to finish the panels going outward from the focus- it so often seemed that excessive cropping had been done to border¦bursting scenes!

[Dean Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the plot is a bit more thinly spread in this volume, the visuals remain strong (with some breathtaking pages and panels) - plus a surprise or two.

[Graziano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Per bambini

[Μιχάλης Δαγκλής · Rating 5 out of 5]

Έπος

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yaya and Tuduo have been captured by the evil Zhu, who uses children to run his street crime rings. Zhu forces the children to work for him out of fear and threats of physical abuse (which he readily carries out, even if they haven't done anything). Yaya is desparate to get away and be reunited with her family who were headed to board a ship as the fighting grows closer to Shanghai. Tuduo wants to help because it was his fault she was caught by Zhu. Is there any hope for them?

Ooo, I really don't like Zhu. Not that you're supposed to. But, boy, is he a piece of work. I'm happy with the way this volume ended, though of course I want to find out what happens to Yaya and Tuduo next. There's an interesting development in this book when Yaya discovers she can talk to more animals than just her pigeon friend. It's a twist I didn't see coming. I totally forgot through this that Yaya is supposed to be French. She looks just like the Chinese characters (blame it on the manga-ish illustration style). Though the characters in this are younger, I'd say the story is aimed more at young adult readers. The child slavery and physical abuse are a bit much for middle grade. Hand this to WWII story fans and manga lovers.

Notes on content [based on ARC]: No language issues (some mild name calling). No sexual content. There's several instances of physical abuse of children and adults by Zhu. There's a whipping and several hits. One vehicle accident (no view of the final results). One animal bite.

I was given an ARC of this title by the publisher with no strings attached.