Showing posts with label Tite Kubo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tite Kubo. Show all posts

Friday, January 29, 2021

#IReadsYou Book Review: BLEACH: Can't Fear Your Own World

BLEACH: CAN'T FEAR YOUR OWN WORLD
VIZ MEDIA

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

ORIGINAL STORY: Tite Kubo
AUTHOR: Ryohgo Narita
TRANSLATION: Jan Mitsuko Cash
COVER/DESIGNER: Jimmy Presler
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1326-4; paperback (July 2020)
256pp, B&W, $14.99 US, $19.99 CAN, £10.99 UK

Bleach is a shonen manga series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo.  Bleach was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, from August 2001 to August 2016 and was comprised of 686 chapters, which were collected in 74 tankobon (like a graphic novel).

Bleach focuses on Ichigo “Strawberry” Kurosaki, a teenage boy born with the ability to see ghosts.  Joining the “Soul Society,” Ichigo becomes a “Soul Reaper.”  He dedicates himself to protecting the innocent from a kind of malevolent lost soul known as a “Hollow,” and also to helping these tortured spirits find peace.

Bleach is also a media franchise, spawning a long-running anime television series (“Bleach”), four feature films, OVA (original video anime) episodes, video games, stage musicals, merchandise, and spin-off novels.  After the manga ended, Tite Kubo and various authors began producing novelizations of the Bleach series.

Kubo and Japanese novelist and manga writer, Narita Ryohgo, also produced a new Bleach novel, Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World, with Kubo providing the story and Ryohgo writing the novel.  It began serialization in Japan in April 2017, and it was collected in three paperback “light novels,” published between August 2017 and December 2018.  VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World as a series of paperback novels under its “Shonen Jump” imprint in July 2020.

The central story line of Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World opens almost a year after the end of the Quincie's Thousand Year Blood War, in which Ichigo Kurosaki and his allies defeated the Quincy leader, Yhwach.  The embers of turmoil still smolder in the Soul Society, and incidents in the past threaten to worsen the unease.

The story focuses on Shuhei Hisagi, the assistant captain of the Ninth Company, who loves guitars and motorcycles from the world of the living.  Hisagi was once a reporter for the newspaper, the “Seireitei Bulletin,”and his late mentor, Kaname Tosen, was the editor-in-chief.  Now, Hisagi has been made the newspaper's provisional editor, and he is confronted with a mystery Tosen left behind.

Tosen once had a confrontation with Lord Tokinada Tsunayashiro, a minor aristocrat in the Tsunayashiro family, one of the “Five Great Noble Clans” and a clan said to be involved in the creation of the Soul Society.  Tokinada has recently become elevated to head of his family after a slew of assassinations take out every other claimant to the title of head of the clan.  Now, he has a grand plan to create a new “Soul King,” and it involves a very powerful child named Hikone Ubugino, who worships Tokinada so much that the child is practically his slave.

Tokinada's dark ambitions are sowing the seeds of disquiet throughout of the Soul Society, and may lead to a new total war.  The one Soul Reaper who unknowingly holds the key to stopping Tokinada is that very assistant captain and reporter/provisional editor, Shuhei Hisagi.

[This book contains spot illustrations, drawn in Tite Kubo's style; a four-page illustrated character guide; and a full-color mini-poster insert.]

THE LOWDOWN:  Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World is a strange novel.  Technically, readers don't have to have read the Bleach manga in order to read the novel.  To understand and to comprehend the story, plots, characters, and settings, readers will have to understand the world of Bleach, with which they will be familiar via the manga and/or the “Bleach” anime series.

So I write this review in that context.  If you understand Bleach, you can understand this novel and also enjoy it, to one degree or another.  Ryohgo Narita delves deeply into the personalities of the characters and explores the motivations of some of the characters.  That tends to slow the narrative, but I get the sense that this novel was written to tantalize Bleach fans and not to offer impressive prose.

The main story is linear, mostly, but the entire novel jumps around between many pasts and the present so much that I want to call this a non-linear narrative, although it really is not that.  Also, this novel is just the first volume, and it reads like one long prologue that introduces the central conflict (Shuhei Hisagi vs. Tokinada Tsunayashiro?) and the supporting players, of which there are way too many, as far as I am concerned.  Still, I have to admit that I am intrigued enough by Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World that I want to read “Volume II.”

This book contains several spot pencil art illustrations that are either drawn by Tite Kubo or by an assistant in Kubo's style.  I love that beautiful illustration that is the book cover art and is also used for the mini-poster insert.  The cover art is eye-catching, and it may tempt Bleach fans that have never read a Bleach light novel to give this one a try.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Bleach will want to read the novel, Bleach: Can't Fear Your Own World.

7 out of 10

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


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

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Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Review: BLEACH Volume 74

BLEACH, VOL. 74
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Tite Kubo
TRANSLATION: Joe Yamazaki
LETTERS: Mark McMurray
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9602-0; paperback (October 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Bleach is a shonen manga (comics for teen boys) series written and illustrated by Tite Kubo.  Bleach was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, from August 2001 to August 2016 over 686 chapters.  The series became a media franchise, spawning a long running anime television series, four feature films, OVA (original video anime) episodes, video games, stage musicals, light novels, and merchandise.

In Japan, the 686 chapters of the Bleach manga were collected in 74 tankobon (book) volumes.  VIZ Media has been publishing the Bleach manga in English in a series of graphic novels since 2004.  The first week of of October 2018, VIZ will publish the 74th and final graphic novel volume of their publication of Bleach.

Bleach focuses on Ichigo “Strawberry” Kurosaki.  He is born with the gift that is the ability to see ghosts, a gift he does not want.  However, this ability introduces Ichigo to the world of the Soul Society.  After his family is attacked by a Hollow, a malevolent lost soul, Ichigo became a Soul Reaper.  He dedicates himself to protecting the innocent from tortured spirits and to helping those spirits find peace.

Bleach, Vol. 74 (entitled The Death and the Strawberry – Chapters 675 to 686) is the conclusion of the final story arc.  Yhwach, the leader of the Quincies, is the most powerful adversary in the series.  Also known as “The Almighty,” Yhwach wants to unite the Soul Society and the living world into one entity, which apparently will cause the end of death.  Now, it is up to Ichigo to engage and to defeat Yhwach in a final battle, but he will need the help of some surprising allies, which includes the unexpected return of a number of infamous figures.

The Bleach manga is a visually striking graphic narrative.  Although it can seem repetitive, both visually and graphically, at times, Bleach was and is a fantastic and invigorating read.

I don't know what to make of Bleach Graphic Novel Volume 74.  The graphical storytelling is not as explosive and as kinetic as it was during peak periods of the series.  The storytelling is almost impressionistic, whereas creator Tite Kubo, in the past, drew as if he were trying to capture lightning in a bottle.

The last two chapters of this volume are about cleaning up and about the next generations, and in some ways, Kubo is sweeping up the last swaths of energy.  A few classic characters even make a cameo to do their last things and to say their goodbyes.  Kubo gives us a happy ending, but the truth is that Bleach was at its best when it was in battle royale mode.  And that will always be its best.  We had to say goodbye sometime, but we can go back and revisit the good, the bad and the peak strawberry of Bleach.

A
8 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 syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, July 31, 2018

I Reads You Juniors July 2018 - Update #73

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.

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From TheSun:  Britain's long-running and venerable children's comics magazines turned 80 years old, yesterday, Monday, July 30, 2018.

From ComicBookBin:   New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #171 in English.
From ComicBookBin:   New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #171 in French.

SDCC - From PublishersWeekly:  New Fans, New Books: Change Comes to San Diego Comic-Con 2018

From BleedingCool:   First Look at Alejandro Jodorowsky and José Ladrönn’s Sons of El Topo OGN

From THR:  DC Comics publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio talks about the company's strategy going forward.

From Farlaine:  Preorders open on Vol. 7, the final volume of the acclaimed fantasy comic book series, Farlaine the Goblin."

From BloodyDisgusting:  Tom Holland wrote and directed the original "Fright Night" film.  Now, he is returning to the world of that film with a new novel and possibly a comic book series.

From Polygon:  Comedian Jim Jefferies (of Comedy Central's "The Jim Jefferies Show") takes on comic book Klan troll, Richard C. Meyer.

SDCC - From THR:  Big Marvel and DC comic book reveals from Comic-Con you may have missed.

From BleedingCool:  The acclaimed science fiction comic book, "Saga," from Image Comics is going on hiatus after issue #54.

From BleedingCool:  The full DC Comics catalogue for October 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #170 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #170 in French.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  "X-Men: Black" will be a weekly series of one-shots focusing on X-Men villains.  Chris Claremont will write the Magneto one-shot.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #169 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #169 in French.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Comic-Con yields more details on IDW's upcoming line of young readers Marvel Comics superhero titles.

From BleedingCool:  John Byrne drops some gorgeous pencil art in his classic "X-Men" style.

From CBR:  Marvel Comics is reviving its "What If?" series.

SDCC - From CBR: Scott Snyder's big Friday Comic-Con announcement is a massive DC Comics crossover event for 2019, but no title was revealed.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Actor Isaiah Washington and actor-screenwriter Kevin Grevioux talk about their graphic novel, "Bison," at Comic-Con's "Black Panel."

SDCC - From THR:  The winners of the 2018 Will Esiner Awards
From ComicCon:  The 2018 Will Eisner Awards for Excellence in Comics
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SDCC - From CBR:  Venerable comics journalism, commentary, and interview magazines, The Comics Journal, is returning as a print magazines.

SDCC - From CBR:  DC Comics confirms the Geoff Johns/Jason Fabok/Brad Anderson "Three Jokers," which will be released on DC's "Black Label" imprint.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Top Cow Marc Silvestri has longed been rumored to working on a Batman comic book.  It has been officially announces as the six-issue miniseries, "Batman/The Joker: Deadly Duo."

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Stargirl is the latest DC Comics character headed to a TV series on the streaming service, "DC Universe."

SDCC - From YahooEntertainment:  Grant Morrison to write new Hal Jordan Green Lantern comic book series, "The Green Lantern."

From Newsarama:  Subscription pre-orders for the streaming universe, "DC Universe," are now available.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Gail Simone is now the "chief architect" of comic book publisher's Lion Forge's "Catalyst Prime," its line of "diverse" superhero comic books.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics announces a bunch on new DC Ink and DC Zoom titles, including one written by Louise Simonson.

SDCC - From Fantagraphics:  Fantagraphics goes to San Diego Comic-Con 2018; here is their "Signing Schedule."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is putting Jack Kirby's world of disaster ("Kamandi") into the DC Comics "Rebirth era" via a new comic book, "Electric Warriors" a six-issue miniseries written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Travel Forman.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Scott Snyder will announce his new DC Comics project on Friday at Comic-Con International 2018.

SDCC - From TheComicsReporter:  Twenty-Five Tips For Surviving + Thriving During Comic-Con 2018

SDCC - From MarketInsider:  Critical Entertainment LLC is a new comic book and graphic novel publisher debuts at San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #168 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #168 in French.

From CBR:  Renowned science fiction author wrote a screenplay for what would eventually be the film "Alien 3"  It was not used; now Dark Horse is producing a comic book adaptation of it.

From BleedingCool:  Greg Pak and Marc Laming prep an ongoing "James Bond" comic book for Dyanmite Entertainment.

SDCC - From CosmicBookNews:   Marvel Comics' 2018 San Diego Comic-Con International schedule, panel, and autographs.

From CBR:  Comics book villains will show up in Season 2 of Freeform's TV series, "Cloak & Dagger," says executive producer Joe Pokaski.

From JapanTimes:  An article about the enduring appeal of the manga, "Akira."

From Newsarama:  The "Blade Runner" film universe is coming to comic books courtesy of Titan Publishing.

From BleedingCool:  Spider-Gwen will return as "Ghost Spider" in a new comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Artist Cary Nord will join G. Willow Wilson when she begins her tenure as writer of "Wonder Woman."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Black Label" imprint will debut with the oversized "Batman: Damned" from Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo.

From Newsarama:  R.L. Stine, the creator of "Goosebumps," is writing a series of original "supernatural middle grade" graphic novels to be published by BOOM! Studios under its Kaboom! imprint.

From JakartaPost:  Elderly emerging as star characters in new manga genre

From BleedingCool:  "Avengers Halloween Special" arrives in October 2018.

From BleedingCool:  Netflix release a poster for its adaptation of Archie Comics' "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

From TechDirt:  Police Union Upset Not All Books Paint Cops As Heroes, Calls For Removal Of Titles From School's Reading List

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  Viz Media Licenses JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Manga & Live-Action Film, Golden Wind Anime

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Full Details of All 254 Friday Panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2018

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #167 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #167 in French.

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RIP - From Deadline:  Legendary comic book writer-artist Steve Ditko (The Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Strange) died sometime in June, but the news just came to light today, Friday, July 6th, 2018.  The NYPD found his body on June 29th, 2018, and believe he had been dead a couple of days when they found his body.

RIP - from TCJ:  The Comics Journal offers an excellent (fantastic even) overview of the recently deceased Steve Ditko.
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RIP - From BleedingCool:  Andy Mangels remembers California animation industry veteran, Darrell McNeil, who died Wednesday, July 4th, 2018.  He became the young African-American in the animation business Hanna-Barbera hired him at the age of 18.

From ComicBook:  Veteran comics writer, artist, and publisher, Bob Layton, thinks that Marvel/Disney and DC Comics/Warner Bros. will eventually leave comic book publishing behind.

From TheSource:  Black Comic Books Matter: Sony Pictures Acquires Film Rights To Black Fantasy ‘Skyward’ Comic

From CBR:  A look back at the Ultraverse's "Video Comic Books."

From Gamespot:  Story details about the sequel to the popular "Fairy Tail" manga have been revealed.

From SiouxCityJournal:  Meredith, New Hampshire, will erect a bronze statue of a hometown boy, legendary Archie Comics artist, the late Bob Montana."

From TheBeat:  The Book, “DC Comics Before Superman.” looks at Wheeler-Nicholson’s Time as the Original Publisher

From TheVillageVoice:  Carol Cooper offers a fantastic obituary and overview of Harlan Ellison, the speculative fiction and television writer, who died June 28, 2018.  Ellison wrote several comic books scripts and penned numerous introductions and pieces for comic books and trade paperback collections.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing to offer high-end exclusives at San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From ComicBook:  Marvel Comics announces it plans for San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From LRMOnline:  Boom! Studios has announced a new comic book series based on Joss Whedon's short-lived FOX TV series, "Firefly."

From WGNRadio:  In this audio clip, Nicole Hollander talks about her comic book, "We Ate Wonder Bread."

From BleedingCool:  Catwoman #1, debuting tomorrow, will lead DC Comics' switch from glossy to non-glossy paper.

From YouTube:  Jim Broadbent and Dix talks about their graphic novel, "Dull Margaret."

From ChicagoTribune:  A profile of Carol Tyler and discussion of her upcoming Beatles "diary," "Fab4 Mania."

From ComicBook:  Black actors portraying characters on TV that are "white" in the comic books talk about how they handled racists comic book fans online.

From SchooLibraryJournal:  This article reviews two volumes of Fantagraphics Books well-received "Disney Masters" series.

From ComicBook:  "Bleach" creator, Tite Kubo, reveals new manga, "Burn the Witch," which will reportedly be a one-shot.

From JapanToday:   Popular Japanese baseball manga series "Dokaben" ended its 46-year history with its last episode published in a weekly comic magazine released Thursday.


Monday, March 21, 2016

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Wednesday, April 17, 2013