Bloody Monday

I was at Books-a-Million today and ran across this title and a)liked the art style and b)thought I'd heard the name. After reading the first chapter, it turns out I watched the live action drama adaptation of it a few years ago because it looked interesting and for some reason turned up in the same search results as the live action You're Under Arrest (which rocked out with its White Hawk out, I might add).  Picked up the first two volumes and just read volume one.  If it stays as good as it starts, this one will go on the shelf beside Black Lagoon and Gunsmith Cats.  (Is it EXTREMELY obvious yet that I like my girls and my guns?)

Guns and "assets"? Holy BALLS, how did I miss this one?

Bloody Monday follows a group of high school friends (one of which is a genius hacker who uses the handle Falcon) after they uncover a plot to unleash a biological weapon.  I really dig the artwork and character design, and despite the subject matter being a little bit heavy, they're not afraid to go chibi or fanservicey when needed.  I also enjoy the fact that when Maya is thinking her mercenary thoughts while posing as a teacher, they don't feel the need to shade her face or do the sharp-eyes thing.  IMO the smiling "lah dee dah dee dah I'm a teeeeacher...and I am going to shoot or infect every one of you" is much more malevolent.

I don't know how it would do as an anime series, since the manga and live formats seem to suit it best, but I'd be first in line for the Maya and Sayuri figurines.  Speaking of Sayuri, I love her type of character and her style/personality are perfect.  In a bit of a tie-in to You're Under Arrest, the actress (and singer and gravure idol) who played her in the drama was Katase Nana, who also sang the extremely catchy theme song "Galaxy" for the live action You're Under Arrest.