UlasanAnime.com – The novel “Mardock Scramble” is characterized by its pervasive “egg” motif, a theme that, once recognized, significantly influences the reader’s perception of the narrative, especially for those unfamiliar with French culinary terms.
The term “Oeufcoque,” unfamiliar to non-French speakers, translates to “soft-boiled egg.” This realization, coupled with the protagonist’s name, Balut (a delicacy of a fertilized duck embryo), can be a hurdle to taking the story seriously. The author uses these names as an extended metaphor, which can be amusing or, for some, detract from the narrative’s gravity.
The reviewer notes that while such naming conventions are common in anime and manga, “Mardock Scramble” elevates them to a metaphorical level, which can lead to humorous juxtapositions, such as characters named “Mr. Boiled” and “Ms. Balut” interacting. The introduction of a “soft-boiled, half-bromance triangle” further contributes to the sense of the absurd.
However, the reviewer finds that the naming convention works more effectively when referring to the antagonists, who are named after different methods of conditioning meat. This provides a more cohesive and less jarring metaphorical connection.
The character of Balut is described as a fitting concept for artist Range Murata, whose style often features similar heroines, though it wasn’t realized in this instance.
Regarding the book itself, the reviewer feels it doesn’t entirely hold up under scrutiny, despite aiming to explore futurist moral dilemmas through a character-driven narrative. The action and drama, inspired by Hollywood, and the characters’ resilience despite their “mutilated backstories and charred personalities” are highlighted as strengths. The reviewer acknowledges the complexity of breaking down casino gambling into mathematical and behavioral components, suggesting that this aspect might alienate some science fiction or urban fantasy readers, as it occupies about a quarter of the book.
Despite this, the reviewer appreciates that the author, Ubukata, avoids the more conventional tropes often found in the genre, even if he occasionally touches upon them. The novel offers an interesting, almost pacifist message that enhances the appreciation for other works like “Heroic Age.” This underlying message also makes the casino scenes more compelling, as they serve as a proxy for violence, allowing the “half-boiled egg product” to be interpreted in multiple ways.
In a postscript, the reviewer speculates that “Bell Wing” contains multiple layers of metaphor, drawing parallels to characters from “Rio” and “Air.”
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