Review: Manga Math Mysteries #2-8 · 12:30pm Jun 4th, 2016
No, it doesn't have little ponies, but it is something to review. And, since tabletop games and mathematics are tangentially linked educational media I thought it would a give me an excuse to set up a foundation (or at the very least an objective basis) for comparative media. Assuming, that is, I ever get around to reviewing the Ponyfinder campaign, kingmaker, friendship is roleplaying, failure is awesome, and by extension royal decree. To this end I am also reading Conquering Math Phobia, Math on Call, Algebra Unplugged, and assorted manga guides by Ohmsha ltd. So that I might overcome any repressive blocks, fugue, and confusion caused by reading 'Figuring: the joy of numbers' which was in itself an attempt at head cannon review and maintainance that drove me to a hissy fit that couldn't be resolved by 'Painless Algebra' or 'Calculus for Cats.' Somehow I believe reading GURPS supplements, a Wheel of Time D20 campaign manual, and going over the official rules for assorted Role playing systems will fix my insomnia better than reading more psychologically based homiletic media... it's certainly a lot less boring and crazy making. Plus, my dreams are so much more enjoyable with dungeons, dragons, bunnies, and burrows...mobs, superpowers, political intrigue, and the like.
That being said, on a whole, if PBS ever decided to revive 'Square One' or 'Between the Lions' I'd argue Manga Math Mysteries might be something to consider as a supplement to Fluff and Fold's fantastic interstitial adventures. The world created by Melinda Thielbar (and others) is every bit as enjoyable as Friendship is Magic. It features a cast of recurring characters, but the darlings of the series are obviously the (presumably) adopted Carter siblings and Stacy the child prodigy. Which is ironic because Joy is their defacto leader. In that sense it's a bit like Arthur the aardvark's animated series (or at least the episodes I've seen of it) where the main character is just sort of present in the lives of those in his close circle of friends and their rivals (frienemies?) the tough customers. Although, using the same series as a model, I could just as easily argue Joy is a lot like Molly MacDonald, there in the background appearing to this one and that one like a pooka but never with any of her other flunkies. She's just sort of there when they need an extra for character balance or counsel.
Most stories, except for the first two manga math mysteries, in the series are self contained how-catch-who-dun-it? use math! why ask? mysteries that require little to no previous knowledge of character or subject to enjoy. Issue seven is a bit of a chore to read through, but the others are excellent and the writing shows the author's gift for incorporating nostalgia in her straight forward explanation of operations. My favorite mystery in the series was number eight, which discusses probability without mentioning Pascal Blaze or how the lottery was developed by the great librarian, clown, and fugitive Cassanova. In fact, if you buy only one issue, #8 would be the one to buy with a guaranteed five star rating. I actually lived the experience of number #7 as both student, builder, and the one evaluating performance. As such, I have to assume the reality the comic is grounded in is about as mundane and fantastic as Encyclopedia Brown or Veronica Mars.
My thirty odd year sensibilities want to give it an average 4 maybe 3.5 out of five stars, but I really stopped liking mathematics teachers in general once I entered middle school. However, I do like puzzles, games, and mysteries so there is that bit of enjoyment.
