#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!" Shokugeki No Soma Volume 36

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 36
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1542-8; paperback (June 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
248pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki, a culinary researcher, also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 36 (Chapters 309 to 315; entitled “Shokugeki No Soma”) opens, the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world, approaches its conclusion.  This year, for the first time, traditional chefs clash with the “underground noir” (or “cuisiniers noir”) chefs.  Soma has been eager for a rematch with the noir, Asahi Saiba, who defeated him.

Now, the two are facing off, and the judge is the impossible-to-please “Lady Mana,” who is Erina Nakiri's mysterious mother.  Like Erina, Mana suffers the “curse of the 'Divine Tongue',” and Mana has not found a dish that satisfies her in years.  As “the Book” (highest judge), Mana has demanded that Soma and Asahi prepare a dish that represents the “five grand cuisines of the world,” which are French, Chinese, Turkish, Indian, and Italian.

Asahi has shocked the audience with his dish, the “basty,” a soup covered with a lattice pie crust, and it represents the five grand cuisines.  Even Lady Mana is so impressed by what she tastes that she both experiences “the gifting” transfers it to those around her.  And what is Soma's answer to Asahi's basty?  It's fried rice?!

Can Soma win with what seems like a rather ordinary dish?  And finally, can Soma inspire the dispirited Erina to be herself again?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga spent the last 30 or so chapters racing towards the conclusion of its narrative.  At the grand cooking tournament, the Blue, readers prepared to learn the answer to the question of who is the best chef?

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 36 is the final tankobon (graphic novel) volume of the series.  The English-language edition was originally published in June 2020, but I only recently had a chance to finish reading the last few volumes of the series.

What can I tell you, dear readers?  To the end, writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki maintained the series' mix of competition, camaraderie, and cooking.  As he has been doing since the beginning of the series, Yuki Morisaki, wrote home versions of shokugeki recipes, which, in this volume, was Soma's winning dish.  It is that consistency that kept Food Wars! an exciting read throughout its six-year, 315-chapter, 36-volume run.

To the end, Adrienne Beck's translation catches the sense of competition and of comedy-drama in all their varies modes.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman created a rhythm that kept this often dialogue-heavy story from overwhelming readers.  Of the foodie manga that I have read, I think Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is the one most likely to continue to capture the interest of readers in the decade of the 2020s the way it did in the decade of the 20-teens.  I think it is a must for fans of Weekly Shonen Jump series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
9 out of 10

The volume includes the following bonus features:

– Afterwords written by Yuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki, and Yuki Morisaki

– The three-part epilogue, “Food Wars! Le Dessert,” that was originally published in Jump GIGA Summer 2019.  The three parts are entitled  “Le Presént,” “Le Passé,” and “Le Futur.”

– “Special Commemorative Illustrations on the End of 'Food Wars!'” from Eiichiro Oda of “One Piece,” Kohei Horikoshi of “My Hero Academia,” Yuki Tabata of “Black Clover,” and Tadahiro Miura of “Yuna of the Haunted Hot Springs”

– miscellaneous illustrations

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA Volume 21

 

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 21
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Jon Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0950-2; paperback (October 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.  It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 2014.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of My Hero Academia as a paperback graphic novel series since 2015 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

In My Hero Academia, there comes a day when people start manifesting superpowers called “Quirks.”  Some use their powers to commit crime, which creates the need for heroes.  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20 percent born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 21 (Chapters 189 to 200; entitled “Why He Gets Back Up”) opens, Endeavor, the new “No. 1” hero since All-Might retired, is in the fight of his life against the just-returned “Nomu.”  The battle rages across the city as Endeavor fights to solidify his new position as the number one hero.  Hawks fights by his side, but where do his loyalties really lie?  And even if Endeavor wins, he will have to face Dabi!

Next, Midoriya has a surreal experience concerning the previous wielders of the “One for All” powers.  Plus, Class 1-A battles Class B in joint battle training.

[This volume includes characters files and bonus and miscellaneous art – sketches and chapter headings.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The My Hero Academia manga is a superhero comic book – shonen manga style.  Being quite similar to American comics in the way that it depicts superheroes and super-powers, the series is popular on both sides of the Pacific.

My Hero Academia Graphic Novel Volume 21 delves into the current “League of Villains” conspiracy with a surprising twist or two.  However, creator Kohei Horikoshi doesn't forget his star, Izuke Midoriya, and we get to see some mystery build around this wonderful character.  While we have to wait for Midoriya's turn in the battle of the classes, Vol. 21 is the kind of volume that exemplifies this series' ability to keep readers coming back.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of superhero comics and of shonen battle manga will want to enroll at the “Shonen Jump” school, My Hero Academia.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

----------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

 

#IReadsYou Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA Volume 20

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 20
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Jon Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0773-7; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.  It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 2014.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of My Hero Academia as a paperback graphic novels since 2015 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

In My Hero Academia, there comes a day when people start manifesting superpowers called “Quirks.”  Some use their powers to commit crime, which creates the need for heroes.  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20 percent born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 20 (Chapters 178 to 188; entitled “School Festival Start!!”) opens, Midoriya struggles mightily to stop the “Gentle Criminal” and his partner, “La Brava,” from ruining the U.A. school festival.  No matter how hard he fights, Midoriya can't seem to crack an attack against him that is based on his adversaries' peculiar relationship.  But is it really peculiar, or is it just strong?  And what is the nature of that relationship?  Plus, the origin stories of both “Gentle Criminal” and “La Brava” reveal two humans searching...

After the surprising conclusion of the school festival, it's time for the twice-yearly “Japanese Billboard Hero Chart.”  Everyone knows that Endeavor (Shoto Todoroki's dad) is the new “No. 1” hero since All-Might retired.  But is Endeavor, who has long coveted this spot, up to taking on its responsibilities?  He will soon get the chance to prove his worth when a fellow top ten member, Hawks, tells him about the return of the “Nomu.”

[This volume includes bonus art – sketches and chapter headings.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The My Hero Academia manga is Japan's answer to superhero comic books.  Being quite similar to American comics in the way that it depicts superheroes and super-powers, the series is popular on both sides of the Pacific.

My Hero Academia Graphic Novel Volume 20 finds creator Kohei Horikoshi offering a grand battle featuring the series star, Midoriya.  Horikoshi presents dastardly villains with poignant stories, and then, he moves us to the uproarious fun of the school festival and the fantastic show Class 1-A's puts on.  Then, readers are right back into the next big conspiracy, and the the ending to Vol. 20 is another of the most excellent cliffhangers readers have come to expect from this series.

Caleb Cook's translation and English adaptation deftly captures the many shifting moods of Vol. 20, and John Hunt's lettering is up to the task of setting one tone after another.  I always wonder if I will grow tired of My Hero Academia, but an entry like Vol. 20 comes along and keeps me and you, dear readers, coming back.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of superhero comics and of shonen battle manga will want to enroll at the “Shonen Jump” school, My Hero Academia.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA Volume 19

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 19
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Jon Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0460-6; paperback (June 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.  It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 2014.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of My Hero Academia as a series of graphic novels since 2015 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

In My Hero Academia, there comes a day when people start manifesting superpowers called “Quirks.”  Some use their powers to commit crime, which creates the need for heroes.  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20 percent born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 19 (Chapters 168 to 177; entitled “School Festival”) opens, Midoriya wonders what is up with his classmate, Yuga Aoyama.  He is acting suspiciously; one might even call it creepy.  Then, it's school festival time, and Class 1-A struggles with what to present to the rest of the school, and what they choose will be surprising.  However, in the aftermath of the recent battles, if just one more terrible thing occurs, Class 1-A's presentation won't matter because the festival will immediately by canceled!

Meanwhile, Midoriya continues to practice with All Might.  At the same time, the failed villain, “Gentle Criminal,” and his partner, “La Brava,” plot something that will put them in the big time.

THE LOWDOWN:  The My Hero Academia manga is Japan's answer to superhero comic books.  Indeed, it is quite similar to American comics in the way that it depicts superheroes and super-powers (called “Quirks” here, of course).

My Hero Academia Graphic Novel Volume 19 finds creator Kohei Horikoshi focusing on each student's personality and goals, and perhaps, on this early leg of the journey that is life.  Midoriya continues to learn about his powers as All-Might encourages him to explore more on his own.  The villains in this volume are wacky, but interesting, so Vol. 19 feels like the volume that prepares readers for the next big fight.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of superhero comics and of shonen battle manga will want to enroll at the “Shonen Jump” school, My Hero Academia.

A
8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA: Volume 18

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 18
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Jon Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0437-8; paperback (April 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.  It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 2014.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of My Hero Academia as a series of graphic novels since 2015 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

The series is set in a world where, one day, people start manifesting superpowers called “Quirks.”  Some use their powers to commit crime, which creates the need for heroes.  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20 percent born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 18 (Chapters 158 to 167; entitled “Bright Future”) opens, the battle of the heroes against Chisaki Kai, a.k.a. “Overhaul, the leader of the secretive yakuza organization known as “Shie Hassaikai,” comes to a conclusion.  As Overhaul unleashes his terrible power, Midoriya is forced to push his power, “One for All,” to 100 percent.  No matter who wins, the League of Villains plots to capture samples of Overhaul's Quirk-killing drug.

Then, Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki join Inasa Yoarashi and Seiji “Camie” Shishikura, two students from rival hero academy, Shiketsu High, for make-up licensing course training.  What will this quartet face in order to get closer to gaining their provisional hero licenses?  They will be shocked at the size of their challenge.

THE LOWDOWN:  The My Hero Academia manga is a Japanese superhero manga series that is quite similar to American comics in the way that it depicts superheroes and super-powers (called “Quirks” here, of course).  My Hero Academia is as powerful as the most powerful American superhero comic books.  And I am a huge fan.

My Hero Academia Graphic Novel Volume 18 is almost all battle manga, but not in the way that Vol. 17 was.  Like Vol. 16, Vol. 18 offers some character drama and some humor, and the battle, especially the fight that dominates the last four chapters of the volume, is a nice change of pace.  Vol. 17 was an ultimate superhero fight comic and also a shonen battle manga on steroids, and it washed over me like a tsunami, but Vol. 18 is a change of pace... for the most part.

Vol. 18 is a transitional volume, as most of the chapters that comprise it are about leading to what is the next big story arc.  Thus, Caleb Cook's translation and English adaptation are important in conveying the shifts in narration and the change of pace.  There is a good meeting of the minds between All Might and Endeavor (who is Shoto Todoroki's father), as Endeavor becomes the new #1 hero as All Might retires.  Cook captures the important moment in a way that is as intriguing as My Hero Academia's usual intrigue and conflict.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of superhero comics and of shonen battle manga will want to enroll at the “Shonen Jump” school, My Hero Academia.

A
8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Read You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.



-----------------------

#IReadsYou Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA Volume 15

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 15
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Jon Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0100-1; paperback (October 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.  It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 2014.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of My Hero Academia as a series of graphic novels since 2015 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

The series is set in a world where, one day, people start manifesting superpowers called “Quirks.”  Some use their powers to commit crime, which creates the need for heroes.  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20 percent born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 15 (Chapters 129 to 137; entitled “Fighting Fate”) opens, Midoriya is on his work study, patrolling the streets with his new mentor, the “permeation” phasing-warping hero, “Mirio Togata.”  Mirio is also the sidekick of “Sir Nighteye,” who is now in charge of Midoriya's work study.  Now, the young hero and Mirio encounter Eri, a young girl in need of help.  Suddenly, a man claiming to be her father appears.  Is he Chisaki Kai, the notorious leader of the secretive yakuza organization known as “Shie Hassaikai,” and if he is, whatcha gonna do, heroes...?

Next, the U.A. High third year “Big Three”:  “Fat Gum,” “Tamaki Amajiki,” and “Red Riot” encounter a territorial dispute among criminals.  One of them is a troubled young man who is more dangerous than he looks – much more dangerous...

[This volume includes bonus art and bonus illustrated character profiles.]

THE LOWDOWN:  People who have read my reviews of previous volumes of the My Hero Academia manga know that I really like this series.  It is one of the best (if not the best) superhero comic books in the entire world.

My Hero Academia Graphic Novel Volume 15 is a pivotal volume, as was Vol. 14.  Vols. 12 and 13 were turning point volumes.  Vols. 14 and 15 find creator Kohei Horikoshi working on the next big confrontation between the good guys and the really bad guys.  Yeah, “the League of Villains” is still at it, but with a bad-to-the-bone and bad-ass new ally.

Caleb Cook's translation captures the fun that is at the heart of My Hero Academia.  Cook's translation reads the way a superhero comic book should; there is a sense of mystery, a conspiracy, and a riveting, fast-paced narrative that forces the readers to follow along.  John Hunt powers through with lettering that conveys the pot boiling and the slam-bang action.  He helps to make Vol. 15 one of My Hero Academia's best volumes.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of superhero comics and of shonen battle manga will want to enroll at the “Shonen Jump” school, My Hero Academia.

A+
10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.



----------------------------

Book Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA: School Briefs Volume 2

MY HERO ACADEMIA: SCHOOL BRIEFS, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHOR: Anri Yoshi
ORIGINAL STORY: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION: Caleb Cook
COVER: Kohei Horikoshi with Shawn Carrico
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8271-9; paperback (July 2, 2019)
238pp, B&W, $10.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Created by Kohei Horikoshi, My Hero Academia is a shonen manga.  It is set on an Earth where 80% of the human population has manifested superpowers called “Quirks.”  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20% born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

My Hero Academia: School Briefs is a new series of light novels (Japan's version of a “young adult” or “YA” novel) set in the world of My Hero Academia.  The novels are written by Anri Yoshi, based on a stories by Kohei Horikoshi.  The first novel in the series debuted in Japan in 2016, and the series currently stands at four volumes (as of this writing).

VIZ Media, which publishes the My Hero Academia manga as a graphic novel series in North America, also publishes the light novel series.  VIZ recently released the second School Briefs novel in North America in early July 2019 under the title, My Hero Academia: School Briefs, Vol. 2 (subtitled Training Camp: The Inside Story).

My Hero Academia: School Briefs Volume 2– Training Camp: The Inside Story opens at the home of Izuku Midoriya.  All-Might's young protege is in a state of distress.  He is struggling with his math lessons ahead of final exams, and he has to pass.  Qualifying to attend the upcoming training camp is contingent on passing these final exams.  Midoriya isn't the only student stressed out by studies, so study groups abound.

Even if they make it to training camp, the students of U.A. High, “Class 1-A,” will have to share their training camp experiences with the students of “Class 1-B.”  If these aspiring heroes are lucky, they may have an opportunity to get to know each other and to cut loose.

Before I read the first volume of School Briefs this past May, it had been some time since I had last read a light novel.  I have had mixed results with light novels – some good, some mediocre.  Since my VIZ Media press representative started sending me copies of the My Hero Academia light novels, I have had a chance to enjoy even more of this franchise.

My Hero Academia: School Briefs Volume 2 offers a nice surprise.  I almost feel like I am spoiling it for you, dear readers, but, simply put, Vol. 2 is like a summer camp novel, in which readers get to know the students in a new setting.  Yes, this camp is about training and not about summer fun, but the setting allows for some of the youthful indiscretions that can occur at a summer camp.

Training Camp: The Inside Story gives readers the inside story on their favorite young superheroes-in-training.  Although this novel does tease about the trouble ahead, it treats readers to a look at the personalities of numerous characters from the My Hero Academia series, with the exception of Izuku Midoriya.  After all, we already know so much about him, as he is the franchise's star.

So as entries go, My Hero Academia: School Briefs, Vol. 2 is not just another entry.  It is a chance to expand readers' knowledge of the young characters that make up the world of My Hero Academia.  You, dear readers, will even get a chance to enter the home of a wealthy student (Momo Yaoyorozu) and to see a horn-dog boy (Minoru Mineta) in action.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Book Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA: School Briefs Volume 1

MY HERO ACADEMIA: SCHOOL BRIEFS, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHOR: Anri Yoshi; Kohei Horikoshi (original story)
ART: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION: Caleb Cook
COVER: Kohei Horikoshi and Shawn Carrico
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0486-6; paperback (April 2, 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
248pp, B&W, $10.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a shonen manga created by Kohei Horikoshi.  It is set on an Earth where 80% of the human population have manifested superpowers called “Quirks.”  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20% born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

My Hero Academia: School Briefs is a new series of light novels (Japan's version of a “young adult” or “YA” novel) set in the world of My Hero Academia.  The first novel in the series debuted in Japan in 2016 and, and the series currently stands at four volumes (as of this writing).  VIZ Media publishes the My Hero Academia manga as a graphic novel series in North America.  VIZ published the first School Briefs novel in North America in early April 2019 under the title, My Hero Academia: School Briefs, Vol. 1 (subtitled Parents' Day).

My Hero Academia: School Briefs Volume 1– Parents' Day opens at U.A. High in “Class 1-A,” the homeroom of taciturn teacher, Shota Aizawa.  He informs Izuku Midoriya and the other students that the school is holding a “Parents' Day.”  Not only are the students' parents invited to visit the school, but they will also get to hear their children read the letters of appreciation that they have written for their parents.  It is enough to make the students of Class 1-A cringe, but little do they know that Parents' Day will be a lot more tense than they could ever imagine.

I cannot remember the last light novel published by VIZ Media that I read.  It has been a few years since my VIZ Media rep has sent me one to review.  The My Hero Academia manga is one of the best comics about youngsters dealing with superpowers that I have ever read, so I was looking forward to reading a novel set in that world.

In a note at the end of My Hero Academia: School Briefs Volume 1, Kohei Horikoshi, creator of My Hero Academia, says that this novel gives readers a chance to read about the series' characters going about their everyday lives.  I have to admit that I enjoyed reading about these characters as ordinary teens, although, early in this novel, I wanted more action.

Writer Anri Yoshi is quite good at presenting the U.A. High kids as kids and teens, and Caleb Cook, who translates and adapts the My Hero Academia manga into English for VIZ Media, makes this dialogue-centric prose convey personality.  This book is aimed at an audience that is far younger than I am, but, by my reading, I think My Hero Academia: School Briefs, Vol. 1 is a good start to a book series that will hopefully show more of the civilian side of life in the world of My Hero Academia.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA: Vigilantes Volume 1

MY HERO ACADEMIA: VIGILANTES, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY:  Hideyuki Furuhashi
ART: Betten Court
ORIGINAL STORY: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITOR: Mike Montesa
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0159-9; paperback (July 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

In the world of My Hero Academia, 80 percent of the population has superpowers.  These powers are called “Quirks.”  If you want to be a superhero, you enroll in the Hero Academy, so that you can be trained and licensed.  There are those, however, who have minor Quirks or who do not have powers, so not everyone can be a hero.  Still, there are people who want to be heroes and do so without legal sanction.  Whatever they fight for, they are called “Vigilantes.”

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) introduces 19-year-old Koichi Haimawari.  He has a minor Quirk; he can “slide and glide” when he connects three of his two hands and two feet to the ground.  People call him “Mr. Nice Guy,” because he uses his powers to help pedestrians and civilians, and he even cleans litter.  Regardless of his intentions, he has no license to use his powers in public, so the police consider him a Vigilante.

Then, Koichi meets two other would-be heroes.  First, there is “Knuckleduster – Janitor of the Fist,” who beats up criminals, but who does not have a Quirk.  Kazuho Haneyama can leap great heights, so she uses her Quirk to perform impromptu events as the pop idol, “Pop☆Step.”  Together, sometimes reluctantly, Koichi, Knuckleduster, and Pop☆Step fight Quirk-powered villains, especially those empowered by a new mystery performance enhancement substance.

As a longtime fan of superhero comic books, I was delighted when my VIZ Media rep started sending me copies the My Hero Academia manga.  Like Tiger & Bunny and One-Punch Man, My Hero Academia proves that manga can do superhero comic books that are every bit as imaginative as American superhero comics (if not more).  Now, comes the spin-off, the My Hero Academia: Vigilantes manga.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes Graphic Novel Volume 1 is indeed a spin-off and not merely a byproduct of an already successful manga.  The narrative and universe of My Hero Academia gets more complicated with each volume; however, My Hero Academia: Vigilantes focuses on a trio of characters, with Koichi Haimawari at the center.  There is something refreshing about not having to remember all the cliques, clubs, teams, team-ups, culture, and politics of the original series.

My Hero Academia: Vigilantes is simple and straight-forward.  This is the story of lovable losers, three characters who are really “characters,” who deal with the fact that fate and circumstance want them to be Vigilante heroes.  The focus is both their quirky Quirks and their quirky personalities, and I must say that I am in love with Koichi's “slide and glide” Quirk.  This is definitely now in my “Top 5” powers that I want to have list.

Writer Hideyuki Furuhashi and artist Betten Court do right by My Hero Academia creator, Kohei Horikoshi.  Caleb Cook's translation and English language adaptation of this exciting manga makes this a fun read.  I highly recommend this to superhero comic book and superhero manga readers.

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors December 2017 - Update #61

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  December 28th 2017 was Stan Lee's 95th birthday and industry pros wished him a happy birthday.

From ComicBook:  Batman co-creator, the late Bill Finger, had a street in New York City named for him - "Bill Finger Way."

From ComicBook:  Dr. Strange is apparently set to become the "God of Magic."

From BleedingCool:  The Max Landis story that was removed from The DC Holiday Special 2017 is available again on digital copies bought via comiXology.

OBIT - From BleedingCool:  British comic book creator and artist, Jim Baikie, died at the age of 77, Friday, December 29, 2017.  A mainstay of the venerable British comics magazines, "2000AD," Baikie created the alien science fiction comic strip, "Skizz" with Alan Moore.  He also created with Moore the comics, "The First American," for Moore's America's Best Comics (ABC) line.

From TheBeat:  In his column, "Tilting at Windmills #266, Brian Hibbs writes an open letter to new Marvel Comic EiC C.B. Cebulski, with some good suggestions for the publisher - that will ultimately be ignored.

From BleedingCool:  A list of rumors about upcoming creator changes at Marvel, including Nick Spencer on "The Amazing Spider-Man."

From AldotCom:  Alabama.com profiles Alabama favorite son, Jason Aaron.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Weapon X" comic book could become "X-Men: Black."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics is launching an app that will allow fans to create their own comics - which Marvel will completely own.

From ComicBook:  There is a controversial "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" cover that has fans fuming.

OBIT - From Newsarama:  Veteran comic book inker, Victor Llamas, has died at the age of 41, Friday, December 22, 2017.  He broke into the industry via Top Cow and inked then emerging artists like David Finch and Joe Benitez.  There is a GoFundMe page here to help his family with expenses.

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COMIC BOOK THEFTS:
From ABCActionNews:   Thousands of dollars in comic books stolen from IDC Comics Toys & Collectibles in Avon Park, Florida.

From BostonHerald: $20,000 in comic books stolen The Hall of Comics store in Southborough, Massachusetts.

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From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #148 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullete episode #148 in French.

From BleedingCool:  Sony Would Have Liked the Rights to a Gay Miles Morales Spider-Man.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis announces that his "Punisher" comic book, "Punisher: End of Days," has been cancelled, as well as some of his other Marvel projects of which we have never heard.

From BleedingCool:  Rumor is that Brian Michael Bendis will write a Superman book in 2018.

From Mashable:  This article explains the difference between the 2003 film, "Old Boy," and the manga from which it was adapted.

From BleedingCool:  It's Alive is bringing back Trina Robbins' long out-of-print graphic novel, "The Silver Metal Lover" with a Kickstarter campaign.

From CBLDF and LatuffCartoons:  Lawyers for Turkey‘s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan pressure Twitter to delete the content of 80 of Brazilian cartoonist, Carlos Latuff's posts, including 11 of Latuff's ‘toons,

From ScienceFiction:  Gail Simone has advice for aspiring comic book writers.

From FortressofSolitude:  An embarrassing (and typical) "best comic books of 2017" list.

From NYT:  The New York Times profiles a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania comic book store, Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, that promotes diversity.

From BleedingCool:  Joe Quesada takes to Twitter to discuss Marvel Comics' recent cancellation of titles starring LGBTQ characters, characters of color, and female characters.

From BleedingCool:  Joe Glass examines the victims of the Marvel Comics cancellation bloodbath.

From BleedingCool:  Writer David L. Walker has confirmed that his "Luke Cage" series is being cancelled due to low sales.

From CBR:  The site ranks every comic book movie in 2017 from worst (Netflix's "Death Note") to best ("Logan").

From Newsarama:  The "Black Comic Book Festival" is back.  According to Newsarama:  "The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture has opened registration for its "6th Annual Black Comic Book Festival" that will be held on January 12-13, 2018 at the Schomburg Center. Registration is free and open to the public and is available at schomburgcenter.eventbrite.com."

From THR:  Joe R. Lansdale has announced a comic book prequel to his prose novella, "Bubba Ho-Tep," which inspired a 2002 cult film from director Don Coscarelli (creator of the "Phantasm" film franchise).

From WashPost:  Novelist Brad Meltzer has also written comic books, like "Justice League" and "Identity Crisis" for DC Comics.  Now, he is announcing a graphic novel about "Ghandi."

From MyAJC:  Two brothers launch a line of Black superhero comic books in hopes to catch the upcoming "Black Panther" movie wave.

From Crunchyroll:  Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the manga, "Naruto," has a new manga due next year.  Japanese fans caught to see a sneak preview of draft pages from the upcoming and still unnamed manga.

From BleedingCool:  Japan's "Shonen Magazine" (Kodansha) is running a "Marvel manga" contest to recruit new talent.

From BleedingCool:  Trade paperback and collections from Dynamite Entertainment for March 2018.

From BleedingCool:  The DC Comics imprint, "Young Animal," curated by Gerard Way ("The Umbrella Academy") will be relaunched in March with four new titles.

From JeffLemireBlog:  Acclaimed writer, Jeff Lemire, talks about his plans for 2018.

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From BleedingCool:  In Lafayette, Louisiana, comic shop owner, Teresa Moran, is trying to buy the shopping center, where her store, Acadian Comics & Collectibles, is located.  She has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise one million dollars.  [I know Teresa Moran a.k.a. "Miss Teresa," and her shop is the descendant of the comic shop I first patronized when I entered college. - Leroy]

From GoFundMe:  Teresa Moran's GoFundMe page to buy a shopping center.

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From Kotaku:  The "Terra Formars" returns to Japan's "Young Jump" next April.

From Newsarama:  Yen Press March 2018 solicitations.

From Newsarama:  A first look at "Rise of the Black Panther #1."

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #147 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #147 in French.

From BleedingCool:  Marc Silvestri's "Cyber Force" returns (again) with Matt Hawkins and Bryan Hill writing and Silvestri "overseeing" the project.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel announces a digital first Avengers comic books, "Avengers: Back to Basics," written by Peter David.

From BleedingCool:  Editorial changes are happening at DC Comics, including for the Superman line, which Brian Michael Bendis will apparently join as a writer (Action Comics?).

From Gizmodo:  The site explains Patreon's recent fee change announcement, which has caused an uproar.  The changes will affect small press and indie comics creators who use the platform.

From IrishTime:  Controversial film director Takashi Miike talks about how important manga was to his generations of boyhood.

From KotakuAustralia:  The best selling manga of 2017 in Japan - actually December 5, 2016 to November 27, 2017.  "One Piece" is #1.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #146 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #146 in French.

From BleedingCool:   An article about calculating history and the sale of the color cover proof for Action Comics #1 - the one that introduced Superman.

From IGN:  What the Star Wars comic books and novels can tell us about "The Last Jedi."

From BleedingCool:  Upcoming "Power Rangers" comic book will featuring killing off of some Rangers.

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics will release "Dave McKean: Short Film as a hardcover  book and a Blu-ray.

From ComicBook:  "One Piece" creator Eiichiro Oda makes a statement about his manga's record breaking sales.

From DangerousMinds:  A look at the comic book story that inspired John Carpenter's 1988 film, "They Live."

From ComicBook:  The "Hunter x Hunter" manga returns next year (2018) in Japan's "Weekly Shonen Jump."

From LRMOnline:  Kouhei Horikoshi, the creator of the manga, "My Hero Academia," will create a poster that brings Star Wars and his manga together.  The poster will appear in a February 2018 issue of "Weekly Shonen Jump."

From Kotaku:  "Junji Ito Collection" is an upcoming anime series that will adapt the super-creepy horror comics of mangaka, Junji Ito.

From LawOfficer:  Police officer Greg Granderson creates a comic book as an outreach to kids.

From ComicBook:  Marvel announces a six issue New Mutants miniseries, "New Mutants: Dead Souls."

From SideshowToys:  Sideshow talks to pretend comic book artist J. Scott Campbell about his new line of statues/figures from Sideshow.  They call Campbell a legend, apparently not really knowing what a legend actually is.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #145 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #145 in French.

From Twitter/BBCArchive:  This archival video is from a 1975 BBC profile of the great and influential artist, Frank Hampson, who created the classic British sci-fi comic, Dan Dare.  Hampson apparently had been experiencing hardship at the time.

From BleedingCool:  When a monthly Batman comic book artist lives on the edge of poverty.

My Hero Academia: All Might

I read My Hero Academia, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA Volume 2

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8270-2; paperback (November 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Mangaka Kohei Horikoshi created a short manga series, Barrage, that I enjoyed when VIZ Media published it in a two-volume set in 2012.  Horikoshi's new series, currently being published in Weekly Shonen Jump, is My Hero Academia, which VIZ Media is also publishing.

In the world of My Hero Academia, 80 percent of the population has superpowers called “Quirks.”  If you want to be a superhero, you enroll in the Hero Academy.  What would you do, however, if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya wants to be a hero more than anything, but has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 2 (entitled Rage, You Damned Nerd; Chapters 8 to 17) opens, Midoriya is about to enter U.A. High School.  The 15-year-old has powers because All Might shared his abilities with him.  His mother is ever at the ready, even fashioning a superhero uniform for her boy.

The first day of school means an immediate course in battle training.  Is Midoriya ready?  He better be.  One of his opponents is a childhood friend/rival.  Plus, the villains arrive!

As a longtime fan of superhero comic books, I am delighted to read the My Hero Academia manga (thanks to a review copy from my VIZ Media rep).  Like Tiger & Bunny and One-Punch Man, My Hero Academia proves that manga can do superhero comic books that are every bit as imaginative as American superhero comics (if not more).

My Hero Academia Volume 2 finds our young hero Izuku Midoriya being thrown into the fire of serious field training.  Series creator Kohei Horikoshi shows that in superhero school, classroom study takes place on the field of battle, where saving lives is every bit as important as battling bad guys.  My Hero Academia has a comic side, but the series' humor does not come from mocking the superhero genre.  Horikoshi takes seriously the idea of being a hero – personal sacrifice to help others, and youngsters trying to learn that makes for good comedy and drama. Fans of superhero comics and shonen battle manga will want to enroll at My Hero Academia.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: BARRAGE Volume 2

BARRAGE, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Kouhei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Hope Donovan
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5571-3; paperback (April 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN

Barrage, the two-volume manga series, comes to an end with the recent release of the second volume. Hopefully, the series will eventually see life in a second run.

Barrage is a sci-fi adventure set on the planet Industria, where peace has been disrupted by an influx of alien races. The alien activity causes planetary instability and begins the Warring Planets Period. Astro is a 15-year-old slum kid living in the capitol city, also called Industria. He struggles with low-paying jobs to support his surrogate family of six younger stray children.

Fate brings Astro into contact with Prince Barrage, the son of the King of Industria. Barrage looks exactly like Astro, so the prince, who wants to be free of royal responsibility, demands that Astro take his place. Astro becomes Prince Barrage and is given Orgue, the all-powerful magical spear that can help him restore peace to Industria.

As Barrage, Vol. 2 (entitled Astro of the Warring Planets; Chapters 8 to The Final Chapter) opens, Astro and tutor/mentor, Lord Tiamat, continue their adventure (journey) of freeing Industria from alien invaders. They enter the walled city of Maseille, which has been overrun by aliens and traitorous members of the Planetary Military Forces.

Astro and Tiamat meet Tiko, a belligerent girl who carries out an underground war against the forces that oppress Maseille. Her war becomes theirs, but a seemingly omnipotent power known as Dark Energy complicates matters. As Astro and Tiamat battle, they discover that Maseille’s problems are tied to Astro’s murky past.

After reading the first volume of the Barrage manga, I was delightfully surprised. This shonen manga (comics for teen boys) had a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and action that reminded me of the kind of Saturday morning cartoons that dominated television in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s like Shonen Jump meets Hanna-Barbera.

I still think that Barrage is like some of the OEL manga/graphic novels that American manga publisher, TOKYOPOP, produced before it expired (or whatever). It also makes me think of Dark Horse Comics’ short-lived Rocket Comics imprint.

After finding the first volume so appealing, I wondered what I would think of Barrage Volume 2. I think I like Vol. 2 more than I did Vol. 1. This is a fun, fantasy series with copious amount of sci-fi action and plenty of humor. What I like the most about Barrage is creator Kouhei Horikoshi’s graphic style. In terms of composition and page design, Barrage looks like other shonen manga.

In terms of graphic style, Barrage could easily find a place in European comics. The graphical storytelling speaks a universal comic book language that is not necessarily manga or much like American superhero fantasy. It is genre entertainment that could have international appeal, like Tintin or The Smurfs. Barrage Volume 2 is the last of a two-volume series. Hopefully, Barrage will return.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: BARRAGE Volume 1

BARRAGE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Kouhei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Hope Donovan
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5275-0; paperback (February 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN

Barrage is a shonen manga series from creator Kouhei Horikoshi. The series is set on the planet of Industria, where peace has been disrupted by an influx of alien races. The alien activity causes planetary instability and begins the Warring Planets Period.

Enter Astro, a 15-year-old slum kid living in the capitol city, also called Industria. He struggles with low-paying jobs to support his surrogate family of six younger stray children. Fate brings him into contact with Prince Barrage, the son of the King of Industria. Barrage looks exactly like Astro, so the prince, who wants to be footloose and fancy free, demands that Astro take his place and also Barrage’s royal responsibilities.

In Barrage, Vol. 1 (entitled The Piercer; Chapters 1 to 7), Astro becomes Prince Barrage. He also takes possession of Orgue. This spear and royal relic turns into the Piercer and activates when the wearer is threaten. Now, Astro/Barrage is under the tutelage of Lord Tiamat, the legendary knight who is Prince Barrage’s guardian. The King sends Barrage and Tiamat to go on a journey to save the people of the planet, but not all his reasons for ordering this journey are unclear.

The Barrage manga is one of the series that can leave the reader delightfully surprised, as it did to me. It is more than it seems – a shonen manga (comics for teen boys) that mixes science fiction with the spirit of Saturday morning cartoons. Barrage reminds me of some of those OEL manga/graphic novels that TOKYOPOP produced before the company expired (or whatever). It also makes me think of Dark Horse Comics’ short-lived Rocket Comics imprint.

The character and concept design are not only inventive, but are also infused with a sense of youthful adventure. It is as if creator Kouhei Horikoshi opened up his sketchbooks and let his imagination run wild. Visually, Barrage rarely repeats itself, as it seems that practically every other page offers something new. The graphical storytelling moves like a battle manga and an anime. Horikoshi pushes “the importance of family” theme past the breaking point, but that does not hurt this entertaining series.  Young readers will like the Shonen Jump Alpha title, Barrage.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux