Showing posts with label Tsugumi Ohba. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tsugumi Ohba. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: PLATINUM END: Volume 10

PLATINUM END, VOL. 10
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1054-6; paperback (December 2019); Rated “M” for “Mature”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Platinum End is a Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Jump SQ, since November 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since late 2016.

Platinum End focuses on Mirai Kakehashi.  He attempts suicide by jumping from the roof of a building simply because he is tired of living.  Instead of dying, however, Mirai is saved by an angel named “Nasse.”  Through her, Mirai learns that 13 humans have been chosen as candidates to replace God, who plans to retire in 999 days.  Each candidate has a guardian angel, and Nasse is Mirai's, and the two have befriend another candidate/angel duo, Saki Hanakago and “Revel.”

As Platinum End, Vol. 10 (Chapters 32 to 36) opens, Kakehashi, Saki, and Minamikawa continue to search for other god candidates.  In a suburban house, they meet Shuji Nakaumi and Ogaro, the Angel of Darkness.  All Shuji wants to talk about, however, is committing suicide!  Plus, Minamikawa has a big announcement!

Meanwhile, police agent, Mr. Hoshi, and his subordinate, Ms. Yumiki, who are both secretly working with the god candidates, are at the center of a plan to gather all the remaining living candidates.  But no one knows who the sixth remaining candidate is.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Platinum End manga is another odd and alluring and oddly alluring manga from the mangaka super duo of writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata.  Their previous work includes the controversial Death Note and the illuminating industry insider manga, Bakuman。.

Platinum End Graphic Novel Volume 10, like Vol. 9, somewhat eschews the darkness and edginess of Vols. 7 and 8.  Ohba and Obata move the series away from the homicidal machinations of the murderous mastermind, Metropoliman.  They also offer a shocker when one of the angels reveals some information to the candidates that they need to know, but perhaps, should not know.  The creators also tease the sixth candidate, which is an example of why the more I read, the more I feel I have to keep reading

As usual, readers get another excellent translation by Stephen Paul that is filled with engaging dialogue that clearly conveys the new secrets revealed.  Also, the lettering by James Gaubatz deftly establishes conversational tone, and tone, as usual, turns out to be quite important here.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for good comic books will want to read Ohba and Obata's latest “Shonen Jump” title, Platinum End.

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 reprint and  syndication rights and fees.



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Friday, January 31, 2020

I Reads You Juniors January 2020 - Update #85

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From BleedingCool: The 2020 winner of the most prestigious award in all of comic books, "the Grand Prix d’Angoulême" is 56-year-old Emmanuel Guibert ("Brune," "The Photographer")

COMICS TO FILM - From Newsarama:  An actress is organizing a short film based on Terry Moore's comic book, "Strangers in Paradise," as a tryout for a feature film.

MANGA-TV - From Deadline:   Netflix has given the greenlight to a live-action TV series based on the worldwide smash hit manga, "One Piece."  The 10-episode series will be produced by Tomorrow Studios and the Shueisha, the publisher of "One Piece."

From THR:  POW! Entertainment, a company co-founded by the late Marvel Comics icon, Stan Lee, has asked a California federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by Lee's daughter, JC Lee.

THE BATMAN - From YahooFinance:  Filming is underway on Matt Reeves' "The Batman."

From Newsarama:  The full cast for Matt Reeves' "The Batman" has been confirmed.
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From Newsarama:  Jerry Craft's "New Kid" graphic novel has won the prestigious "John Newbery Medal" for the most outstanding contribution to children's literatur in 2020.  This is the first time a comic book has won this honor.

From BleedingCool:  "The Beat" has separated from publisher, Lion Forge, and is once again an independent new source.

MARVEL TV - From TheWrap:  The animated Marvel series, "Howard the Duck" and "Tigra & Dazzler," are not moving forward at Hulu.  The decision was apparently Marvel Studios'.

COMICS-TO-TV - From THR:  Amazon has picked up the rights to Rick Remender's comic book, "Fear Agent" (Image Comics).  Meanwhile, Remender and his production company, Giant Generator, has signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Actress Rosario Dawson has snagged the lead in HBO Max's pilot for "DMZ," the TV adaptation of Brian Wood's comic book that was published by DC Comics.  Oscar-nominee Ava Duvernay is directing the pilot.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book artist Dan Fraga will relaunch his 1990s comic book, "Black Flag," by launching a crowdfunding campaign in April 2020. Fraga is generally known for his association with Rob Liefeld.

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  J.J. Abrams' "Bad Robot" production company is apparently developing film and TV ideas based on DC Comics' "Justice League Dark."

From CBSNewYork:  The Schomburg Center’s 8th annual Black Comic Book Festival is a black comic book festival that celebrates the art of science fiction, fantasy, and storytelling.  The event was held Fri., Jan 17th to Sat., Jan 18th, 2020.

MARVEL-HULU - From Newsarama:  Marvel reveals voice cast members for its animated series, "M.O.D.O.K." which will stream on Hulu.

From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing will publish a new comic book miniseries based on the late TV series, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."  "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Too Long a Sacrifice" begins in April 2020.

From JerusalemPost:  The Israeli team of Guy Lenman and Nimrod Frydman won the 13th Japan International Manga Awards.

DC CINEMA - From CheatSheet:  Zoe Kravitz will play Catwoman in Matt Reeves "The Batman," but she also provided Catwoman's voice in 2017's "The LEGO Batman Movie."

SONY MARVEL U - From GamesRadar:  Maybe you are intrigued by the recent teaser trailers for Sony's summer release," Morbius," based on the Marvel Comics character.  This articles tells you who Morbius is, what his powers are, and looks at his comic book history.

COMICS TO STREAMING - From BloodyDisgusting:  Netflix has released a behind-the-scenes video featurette for its upcoming series, "Locke & Key," which is based on the long-running IDW Publishing comic book by writer Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez.

From BleedingCool:  For what its worth, the site "Cash Lady" says that "Black Panther" is the most popular superhero in the United States.

From BleedingCool:  The 100 most ordered comics ("Doomsday Clock #12) and grapic novels ("House of X'/"Powers of X" hardcover collection) of December 2019.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics' upcoming series, "Children of the Atom," introduces a new class of teen mutants.

COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  "The Walking Dead: World Beyond," the second spin-off of "The Walking Dead," is scheduled to debut April 12, 2020.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics will republish its classic and seminal graphic novel, "God Loves, Man Kills" ("Marvel Graphic Novel #5), as a two-issue miniseries, beginning April 2020.  The original storytellers, writer Chris Claremont and artist Brent Anderson, will create a new story for the miniseries, which will act as a modern day framing device.

From Newsarama:   Former "Saturday Night Live" performer, Taran Killam, will writer the three-issue comic book miniseries, "Empyre: Spider-Man."

FILM TO COMICS - From THR:  Dark Horse Comics will adapt the late Dan O'Bannon's original screenplay for the film, "Alien" (1979) as a five-issue comic book miniseries.  They will use O'Bannon's original work, not the screenplay heavily rewritten by producers Walter Hill and David Giler.

COMICS TO TV - From Newsarama:  TNT has released a teaser trailer for its upcoming TV series, "Snowpiercer," which is based on the French comic, "The Escape," which was also adapted into an acclaimed 2013 from director Bong Joon-Ho.  "Snowpiercer" is scheduled to premiere May 31, 2020.

DC TV - From USAToday:  Daniel Lindelof has made it official that he will not work on a second seaxon of his critically acclaimed HBO series, "Watchmen."  And HBO seems unlikely to do a second season with him.

From Newsarama:  Image Comics publisher, Eric Stephenson, says that there are too many comic books being published for comic book stores to handle...

From 2000AD:  Rebellion Publishing has launched a line that will reprint important and popular Judge Dredd comics.  "Essential Judge Dredd" will launch September 2020.

MEMORIAM - From 2000AD:   Longtime British comic book letterer, Ellie deVille, died at the age of 72, Tuesday, December 24, 2019.  She was working up to the time of her death and was one of the longest serving and most prolific letterers for the venerable British comics magazine, "2000 AD."

From CBR:   2015's "Star Wars #1" was the top selling comic book of the last decade.

TRAILER - From Newsarama:  There is a new international trailer for Columbia Pictures' "Bloodshot," which based on the Valiant Comics' character.  The film is due March 13, 2020.

From TVO:  Canadian indie comics publisher, Koyama Press, is closing, so what will that mean to Canadian indie comics artists?

From FastCompany:  Manga artist are among the artists that produced poster art for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

From BleedingCool:  Leah Williams and David Baldeon will revive "X-Factor" for the second wave of "Dawn of X" comic books.

TRAILER - From YouTube:  Here is the first trailer for Sony's "Morbius," which is based on the Marvel Comics character.  The film is due July 31, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Wildstorm's acclaimed comic book, "Ex Machina," is headed to the big screen, but reportedly under a new title, "The Great Machine."

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Joker" becomes the second film based on a comic book to earned a best picture Oscar nomination.  That it was of 11 nominations for the film, which include best director (Todd Phillips) and best actor (Joaquin Phoenix).  Last year, Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" earned the first best picture Oscar nomination for a comic book film.

From BleedingCool:  Popular artist David Finch may be preppring an original graphic novel that will be published by Image Comics.

DC CINEMA - From EsquireUK:  The run time on "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" will be 108 minutes, making it the shortest "Worlds of DC" film to date.

From Newsarama:  DC Comics Publisher, Dan DiDio, said that the company will not solicit any new "DC Black Label" titles until they are sure that the material will come out as scheduled.

MANGA TO STREAMING - From Summary:  An animated version of the manga, "Beastars," is apparently headed to Netflix this year.

From BRProud:  In Livingston Parish, a rural Louisiana parish (county), the Denham Springs-Walker branch of the Livingston Parish Library system is having its own "comic-con" on Sat., Feb. 15th, 2020.

G.I. JOE - From Newsarama:  The upcoming film, "Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins," is a reboot of the "G.I. Joe" film franchise and not a prequel to the previous two films.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  FX's "Y: The Last Man" TV series has gotten a reboot with new showrunners.  The show has not, however, gone into production.

From THR:  Marvel Comics had seven of the top ten comic book releases in the American comic book Direct Market in 2019.  DC Comics had five of the top ten collected edition and graphic novel releases.

From Newsarama:  The nominations for the 2020 / 31st Annual GLAAD Media Awards  have been announced.  One of the categories is "Outstanding Comic Book."  The winners will be announced March 19, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Director Andy Muschietti says that his movie based on DC Comics' character, "Flash," will be based on the comic book miniseries, "Flashpoint." but not the way fans might expect.

From THR:  BOOM! Studios will publish Ryan North and Albert Monteys' comic book adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's novel, Slaughterhouse-Five.  The first issue is due September 2020.

From ComicBook:  The creators of the infamous "Death Note manga, "Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, are working on a one-shot chapter to the series.  The 87-page story will appear in the Feb. 4th issues of "SQ Jump" in Japan.

From BleedingCool:  The first looks at DC Comics upcoming "5G" event and the new timeline will appear in the first three months of 2020.

DC TV - From EW:  Actor Dennis Haysbert will provide the voice of "God" in the fifth and final season of "Lucifer," which moved from Fox to streaming on Netflix.  Author and comic book writer, Neil Gaiman, provided the voice of God in Season 3 of "Lucifer."

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Todd Phillip's "Joker" won two awards at the 77th Golden Globes.  One was for "actor in motion picture-drama" (Joaquin Phoenix) and the other was for "score-motion picture" (Hildur Guðnadóttir).

FOX X-MEN UNIVERSE - From YouTube:  A new "official" trailer for "The New Mutants" has arrived.  The film is due April 3, 2020.

DC CINEMA - From CBR:  Take a look at the first set photos from director Matt Reeves' "The Batman."

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Laura Hudson, the former editor-in-chief of "Comics Alliance," has joined the staff of the HBO Max TV adaptation of the comic book series, "DMZ."

From Newsarama:  Rob Liefeld says that he will revive his "Prophet" comic book in time for a milestone issue, "Prophet #20."

COMICS TO FILM - From TheStage:  Oscar-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal is producing a film version of the award-winning graphic novel, "Fun Home."  Alison's Bechdel's original graphic novel has already been turned into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

DC CINEMA - From DigitalSpy:  Director Zack Snyder says that his version of the 2016 film, "Justice League," may have more than one "Green Lantern."  Will fans ever see Snyder's version of "Justice League," after the public release of Joss Whedon's version of the film.

DC CINEMA - From YahooEntertainment:  Actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson confirms that he has started training for his DC Comics film, "Black Adam."

From BleedingCool:  Mark Millar says that he has begun writing the third series in his "Jupiter's Legacy" series, "Jupiter's Requiem."

TOY NEWS - From Newsarama:  Todd McFarlane unveils the first wave of McFarlane Toys' line of "DC Multiverse" collector figures.

From Newsarama:  Ms. Marvel has a new "living costume."

DC CINEMA - From Deadline:  Director Todd Phillips says that he and actor Joaquin Phoenix "haven't really decided" on doing a sequel to their smash hit film, "Joker."

MANGA TO GAMES - From SyFyWire:   A prototype has emerged for SEGA Genesis' cancelled game based on the legendary manga, "Akira."  The movie was originally scheduled for a 1995 debut.

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JANUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  January 2020 comics solicitations from 26 publishers
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Box for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for January 2020
From Newsarama:  HarperCollins for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Titans Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vertical Comics solicitations for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for January 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  February 2020 comics solicitations for 25 publishers
From Newsarama:  01: First Second for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybook for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for February 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Random House for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for February 2020

MARCH 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  March 2020 comics solicitations for 23 publishers
From Newsarama:  :01 First Second for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Artists, Writer and Artisans for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Book for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for March 2020

APRIL 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Media for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2020


MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.

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Monday, October 24, 2016

Review: PLATINUM END Volume 1


PLATINUM END, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9063-9; paperback (October 2016); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

Platinum End is the new manga from the mangaka team of writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata.  They are best known for their bestselling and controversial manga, Death Note, and also for the insider manga, Bakuman。.

Platinum End, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 3) introduces orphan Mirai Kakehashi.  He is tired of life and attempts suicide by jumping from the roof of a building.  Instead of dying, Mirai is saved by an angel named Nasse.  Through her, Mirai learns that 13 humans have been chosen as candidates to replace God.  Each has a guardian angel, and Nasse is Mirai's.

Nasse gives Mirai the “angel's arrow” which can make anyone, male or female, hit with that arrow love Mirai for 33 days.  She gives him wings that allow him the freedom to go anywhere he wants.  The problem is that these new powers and this God candidate contest both have a dark side.

The Platinum End manga, like the Death Note manga, is shockingly edgy.  It is obvious from the beginning that this new manga by the Ohba-Obata team will be dark, but by the end of this volume's three chapters (which are rather longish), events reveal a sinister mood that is beyond the obvious.

Platinum End Volume 1 is the kind of first volume that practically forces the reader to return for more.  And I love this sinister.  Dear reader, I should admit that I am a huge fan of Ohba and Obata's Bakuman。and plan to read it again.  I think that Obata certainly deserves his nickname, “the god of drawing;” he is that good.  Trust me, however; Platinum End is going to be a helluva manga, and it has a heckuva first volume.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Review: BAKUMAN Volume 20

BAKUMAN。, VOL. 20
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5370-2; paperback (August 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
176pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

I remember when I first started reading Bakuman three years ago – sometime in early August 2010.  It was the start of a beautiful reading friendship.

Bakuman is a manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, and was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, from August 11, 2008 to April 23, 2012.  VIZ Media has just published the North American edition of Bakuman Volume 20, the graphic novel collecting the final chapters of the series.

Bakuman is about two boys with a dream to make it in the world of manga.  Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi meet in middle school.  Mashiro loves to draw.  Takagi is an aspiring writer, who discovers Mashiro’s talent.  Takagi convinces Mashiro that they should unite to create manga.  Working under the penname, “Muto Ashirogi,” the boys achieve success over the next decade by getting their manga published in the magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump.  The duo’s newest series is Reversi.  How long can these two young men make it in the manga-publishing world?

A decade ago, two young men set about to create manga.  One of them, Mashiro, promised a fellow student, Miho Azuki, that he would marry her when both their dreams came true.  His was to create a manga that would be adapted into an anime, and hers was to be the voice actress who would play the lead role in that anime.

Bakuman, Vol. 20 (entitled Dreams and Reality – Chapters 169 to 176 – the final chapter) opens with dreams imperiled.  Miho takes to the radio to address the scandal that threatens to destroy her career and possibly Muto Ashirogi’s.

Muto Ashirogi’s latest manga hit, Reversi, is being adapted into an anime series.  Miho seemed destined to play the role of Reversi’s female lead, Naho Minadori, until a controversy.  Now, the audition for the part will be broadcast live and has been turned into an Internet contest with a fan vote determining which actress wins the part.  Will Miho win the part of Naho, and if she does, will that mean that Mashiro and Miho’s dreams will finally and completely come true?  Are there wedding bells in their future?

The Bakuman (stylized as Bakuman。) manga has reached its final volume.  There is a happy ending, but Bakuman Volume 20 offers both the present and hints about the future, without going into every detail.  This is sort of “make your own happy endings and assumptions,” and that is a good thing.

This is the way of Bakuman’s creators, writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata, the masterminds behind the Death Note manga.  Ohba offers fiction, but plays so close to reality.  Visually, Bakuman’s storytelling belies its realist streak.  Obata’s quirky graphic style suggests the fantastic and surreal nature of cartoons, but his draftsmanship plays it straight.  It is as if Bakuman’s masterminds want to say that this series is true – in a manner of speaking.

Bakuman is one of the great recent works of insider fiction, and is likely the best workplace comic book ever produced.  I highly recommend Bakuman and look forward to reading it again.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux




Monday, August 27, 2012

Review: BAKUMAN Volume 13

BAKUMAN, VOL. 13
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Julie Lutz
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-4208-9; paperback; Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Takeshi Obata is a Japanese manga artist. In his published work, he has been the artist in collaboration with a writer. Tsugumi Ohba is a writer of manga whose identity/gender is a secret (although I refer to Ohba as “he” or “him”). Ohba has twice collaborated with Obata, first on the controversial series, Death Note. The second is Bakuman, a shonen manga. This slice-of-life comedy/drama/romance is about two ninth grade boys who set out to become manga creators.

Akito Takagi is an aspiring writer. Moritaka Mashiro likes to draw. After the two meet in high school, Akito begs Mashiro to join him in creating manga, and they eventually become the manga team, “Muto Ashirogi.” They achieve success by getting their manga published in the magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump. After having two series cancelled, this duo creates its longest-running hit, PCP: Perfect Crime Party. But do these young men have what it takes to make it in the manga-publishing world?

As Bakuman, Vol. 13 (entitled Fans and Love at First Sight) opens, Moritaka and Akito learn that PCP is unlikely to become an anime, which was their goal for the series. Each begins thinking about his next move. One of their assistants, Shun Shiratori, is working on a proposal for his own series, entitled “Loveta & Peace.” Moritaka enters Weekly Shonen Jump’s “Love Fest” contest, which is to create a one-shot manga with a romantic theme, but without his writer, the young artist struggles. Plus, Muto Ashirogi gets to judge new talent and comes across a stunning new series proposal.

Practically every time I review the Bakuman (stylized as Bakuman。) manga, I write that it gets better. I like it so much that I just can’t stand it anymore. I find myself slowly reading it so that I can savor each page as if it were a delicious bite for the mind. Actually, Bakuman is one of several VIZ Media titles of which I receive review copies, so I can’t be playin’ around and taking my own sweet time with reading and reviewing.

Of all the comic books and books I’ve read about creating comics (fiction and non-fiction), this is my favorite. What makes it work is the superb character writing by Tsugumi Ohba; this series is a joy to read when you buy into the lives, conflicts, and desires of the characters.

The other reason Bakuman is such a success is artist Takeshi Obata, who is one of the best comic book artists working today. He is a master at composition and at fitting style and pace to capture the setting, plot, and mood at any point in the story. Some artists have trouble changing direction just once in a single issue or chapter. Obata can change multiple times on a single page. Bakuman is the work of supreme manga creators who have mastered their art.

A



Saturday, February 19, 2011

VIZ Media and Deleter Manga Shop Present the "Bakuman" Contest

TAP YOUR INNER MANGA ARTIST FOR THE OFFICIAL BAKUMAN。ART CONTEST

Love To Draw? Win Valuable Prize Packages Of Art Supplies From The DELETER Manga Shop, Sakura Of America, and More!

VIZ Media and SHONEN JUMP Magazine invite fans and artists to participate in a new art contest inspired by the hit manga (graphic novel) series BAKUMAN。. Contest submissions will be accepted until April 29th and may be mailed to:

BAKUMAN Fan Art ContestC/O VIZ Media P.O. Box 77010 San Francisco, CA 94107-9913 A release form must be signed and included with each submission. More information and the release form is available at: www.ShonenJump.com/bakumanfanartcontest. Winners will be announced on June 7th.

One First Place winner will receive a DELETER Manga Manga Tools Set ST, a Sakura Pigma Manga Comic Pro 8 Piece Set and a Manga Studio EX 4 software package. Three runner-up winners will each be awarded a DELETER Manga Tools Set ST along with a Manga Studio Debut 4 software package. Special Honorable Mention awards will go to five other winners who will each receive a Sakura USA Pigma Manga - Comic Pro 6 Piece Set.

BAKUMAN。(Rated ‘T’ for Teens) is written by the author of DEATH NOTE, Tsugumi Ohba, with artwork by Takeshi Obata, the artist known for series such as DEATH NOTE, HIKARU NO GO, and RALΩGRAD. The story follows average student Moritaka Mashiro, who enjoys drawing for fun, but when his classmate and aspiring writer Akito Takagi discovers his talent, he begs Moritaka to team up with him as a manga-creating duo. But what exactly does it take to make it in the manga-publishing world?

For more information on BAKUMAN。 or other Shonen Jump titles, please visit http://www.shonenjump.com/.

Since 1984, DELETER has manufactured an innovative line of high quality manga art supplies and accessories, including pens and markers, paper, screentones and instruction books. The company’s products are sold in Japan and 25 other countries. More information is available at: http://deleter-mangashop.com/.

Sakura of America supplies art products exclusively from their parent company, Sakura Color Products Corporation of Japan (founded in 1921), whose history of product innovation and superior product quality is recognized around the world. Product brands include Cray-Pas® oil pastels, Pigma® Micron® fine line pens, Gelly Roll® pigmented roller pens and Solid Markers. More information may be found at: http://sakuraofamerica.com/.