Saturday, June 23, 2012

More Girls Who Pwn


So I haven't been very good about blogging, but I will spare you my lame explanation as to why I haven't because there really isn't an explanation.

BUT! I have been reading a lot of manga recently and a lot of it is...crap. Some of it, though, is pretty amazing.

I want to write about 1/2 Prince, a Chinese manhua by Yu Wo and Choi Hong Chong. It's the story of my life.

If you have ever played MMORPGs like WoW or Second Life, you will appreciate the references.

Basically the story takes place in the year 2100AD. Feng Lan is a university student who makes a bet with her brother that she can succeed in this brand new fantasy MMORPG (also called Second Life) without using her female wiles. No getting a free ride from burly strong male players by batting her pretty eyelashes. Detail: it seems players are fully immersed in the game's universe, so they feel what their characters feel (Can you imagine having to lug around that sword or mace forrealz?). Anyway, Feng Lang manages to be the first player to log into the game, and as a reward gets to have a wish fulfilled. She wishes to play as a male character (which isn't allowed- no gender bending, according to the rules of the game) and thus becomes "Prince," an Elf.

As Prince Fen Lang basically pwns the game. She is ruthless, immune to the charms of female players, and slowly makes a name for herself, acquires quite a fan following, and inevitably runs into people she knows in real life...

I've been enjoying this a lot because I enjoy gaming and I find Feng Lan/Prince funny, engaging, and the relationships and friendships formed amusing and sweet. It reminds me of the old saying, "Sometimes you have to lie to tell the truth." Feng Lan is at times over her head, but through Prince she helps people in all kinds of interesting ways.

It's an ongoing manhua, so I am waiting to see what'll happen next...


Prince, aka The Blood Elf is really...



adorable Feng Lan...