Showing posts with label manga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manga. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

#IReadsYou Manga Review: WITCH OF THISTLE CASTLE Volume 1

WITCH OF THISTLE CASTLE VOL. 1
TITAN COMICS/Titan Manga

MANGAKA: John Tarachine
TRANSLATION: Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements
LETTERS: Jessica Burton and Cale Ward
EDITOR: Phoebe Hedges
ISBN: 978-1787741416; paperback (October 31, 2023)
176pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Azami no Shiro no Majo is a fantasy manga from writer-artist John Tarachine.  It began serialization in the Japanese magazine, Comic Tatan, in 2019.  Titan Manga is publishing an English-language edition of the manga under the title, Witch of Thistle Castle.

Witch of Thistle Castle, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Spirits and magic are everywhere in this city's streets – if only you dare to see it.  Marie Blackwood is the last in a long line of Witches of the Black Wood, and she is also known as “the Black Witch of Albion.”  However, Marie Blackwood lives a quiet life in Edinburgh – away from the scrutiny of the Church of London, which oversees magic.

Then, the Church thrusts 13-year-old Theo Edison into her hands for safekeeping.  Marie suddenly gains the responsibility not only of taking care of a teenager, but also of protecting the world, and Theo himself, from the amazing power that lives inside of him.  It is the power known as “the Blood of Righteous Anger.”  Is Theo Marie's apprentice or burden … or more?

THE LOWDOWN:  Beginning last month (October 2023), Titan Comics started providing me with print copies of their manga publications for review.  Witch of Thistle Castle 01 is the second.  The Witch of Thistle Castle manga is also the first title created by John Tarachine that I have read.

Witch of Thistle Castle Graphic Novel Volume 1 is intriguing simply because of the way that author John Tarachine presents magic.  In this world, magic works by negotiating with spirits that humans can't see, and even magic users need special means by which to see these spirits.  The narrative is at once playful, but there is always an air of menace about it.  Tarachine seems to use the sense of mystery and of the unknown as a lure to ensnare readers, which if fine by me.  Like me, I think readers will want to know more, much more about the world of this series.

Witch of Thistle Castle presents some of the most beautiful drawn manga art that I have seen in a while.  The figure drawing is a combination of sexy angles and playful elegance.  The detailed backgrounds are lavish and imaginative, and they serve to transport readers to this world with its unique and eccentric methods of magic and madness

My second experience with Titan Manga is also a win.  I hope to keep reading Witch of Thistle Castle.  I highly recommend this magical girl manga that is like no other.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of magical girl manga will want to try Titan Manga's Witch of Thistle Castle.

A
★★★★ out of 4 stars

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


https://titan-comics.com/
https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan
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The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Buy Witch of Thistle Castle Vol. 1 at AMAZON.


Wednesday, December 6, 2023

#IReadsYou Manga Review: ALPI - THE SOUL SENDER Volume 1

ALPI – THE SOUL SENDER VOL. 1
TITAN COMICS/Titan Manga

MANGAKA: Rona
TRANSLATION: Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements
LETTERS: Jonathan Stevenson
EDITOR: Phoebe Hedges
COVER: Rona
ISBN: 978-1787741300; paperback (October 10, 2023)
176pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Soukon no Shoujo to Sourei no Tabi is a manga from writer-artist Rona.  It was serialized by Japan's Web Comic Zenyon from 2018 to 2022.  Titan Manga is publishing an English-language edition of the manga under the title, Alpi – The Soul Sender.

Alpi – The Soul Sender, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) is set on a magical version of Earth where divine spirits are the source of all life.  These spirits are the incarnation of the Sun God's blessed power, and they take the form of animals.  However, when a spirit's life ends, a terrible curse drives them to evil.

Enter the “Soul Senders.”  They perform a “valediction” that sends the malignant spirits to the afterlife.  Alpi is a Soul Sender, a very talented one despite her young age.  She travels the land with her familiar, an older man named Perenai.

THE LOWDOWN:  Beginning this month October 2023, Titan Comics started providing me with print copies of their manga publications for review.  Alpi – The Soul Sender 01 is the first.  Alpi – The Soul Sender manga is also the first title created by Rona that I have read.

Alpi – The Soul Sender Graphic Novel Volume 1 belongs to the “magical girl” manga genre.  Rona, the series creator, tells the stories of Alpi and her adventures in a episodic form.  In this first volume, the five chapters yield four episodes.  Rona deftly uses these early chapters to shape Alpi's character and personality and also to establish the bonds between Alpi and Perenai.

In true magical girl fashion, Alpi is likable and plucky, but her demeanor belies a subtle iron will and steady determination that makes us believe that she can overcome the serious obstacles before her.  When a spirit goes foul, it is a hot, dangerous mess.  Alpi is always up to the challenge, and I think that makes the readers want to put themselves in her place.

Rona's detailed graphical and drawing style serve the narrative well when it comes to depicting the rich and varied environments in which these episodes are set – from a lush lake town to town that is a series of iron works.  Motoko Tamamuro and Jonathan Clements' translation captures Alpi's winning personality and the seriousness of her mission and vocation; it's also an enjoyable read.

My first experience with Titan Manga is a win.  I hope to keep reading Alpi – The Soul Sender.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of magical girl manga will want to try Titan Manga's Alpi – The Soul Sender.

A

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


https://titan-comics.com/
https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan
https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/
https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan


The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

PREVIEW of Page 127 (top) and Page 6 (bottom):



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Buy Alpi - The Soul Sender Volume 1 at AMAZON.


Tuesday, October 4, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: KAIJU NO. 8 Volume 2

KAIJU NO. 8, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA

MANGAKA: Naoya Matsumoto
TRANSLATION: David Evelyn
LETTERS: Brandon Bovia
EDITOR: Karla Clark
ISBN: 978-1-9747-2714-8; paperback (April 2022); Rated “T” for “Teen”
212pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 U.K.

Kaiju No. 8 is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto.  It has been serialized for free on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ application and website since July 2020.  VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of the manga as series of paperback graphic novels under its “Shonen Jump” imprint in December 2021

Kaiju No. 8 opens in a world where Japan is plagued by the giant monsters known as “kaiju.”  Thirty-two-year-old Kafka Hibino is a kaiju corpse cleanup man for Monster Sweeper, Inc., a professional kaiju cleaning company.  He wishes that he was a member of the Japanese Defense Force (JDF), which is tasked with neutralizing kaiju.  Kafka and childhood friend, Mina Ashiro, both wanted to be members of the Defense Force.  Mina is now captain of the JDF's “Third Division” and has neutralized hundreds of kaiju.  Kafka has revived his dream to join Mina in the Defense Force, but he undergoes an unexpected transformation.  Now, he has made the Defense Force's neutralization list as the kaiju code named “Kaiju No. 8!”

As Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 2 (Chapters 8 to 17) opens, some of Kafka's colleague know his secret that he is Kaiju No. 8, as he springs into action to put down other kaiju.  But now, it's time to worry about the final Defense Force tests.  Kafka fails spectacularly, but his spirit and determination get him into the JDF on a provisional basis.  Kafka isn't an officer; he is a cadet, and he has three months to prove himself.  A Honju (a “main beast”) has attacked, and if Kafka can't use his skills, he can use his knowledge to impress.  But is the latest invasion too much for everyone, including his colleagues, Reno Ichikawa and Iharu Furuhashi?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Kaiju No. 8 manga is one of many current kaiju manga.  It manages to be a standout with its many twists and turns.

Kaiju No. 8 Graphic Novel Volume 2 offers a familiar scenario – young people going through the process of joining and then making their way in some kind of monster-fighting organization.  Naoya Matsumoto does not short readers on scenes featuring tests and field exercises.  There are rivalries and also one student that really stands out.  Thus far, the most intense plot line in the series is Kafka and his Kaiju No. 8 situation.  What is he really?  It is not a matter of if more people will discover his secrets, but of when.  So what happens then?

Those questions and the intrigue make Kaiju No. 8 a manga worth following.  Plus, Matsumoto's kaiju illustrations are really awesome.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of kaiju manga will want to read the Shonen Jump title, Kaiju No. 8.

A-
★★★½ out of 4 stars

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 © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

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Friday, January 28, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: MAO: Volume 2

MAO, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA

MANGAKA: Rumiko Takahashi
TRANSLATION: Junko Goda
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Shaenon Garrity
LETTERS: Susan Daigle-Leach
EDITOR: Annette Roman
ISBN: 978-1-9747-2058-3; paperback (November 2021); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Mao is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi.  It has been serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Sunday, since May 2019.  In September 2021, VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of Mao as a series of paperback graphic novels under its “Shonen Sunday” imprint.

Mao focuses on 15-year-old Nanoka Kiba.  Eight years ago, she was in a mysterious car accident in which she and her parents died, but Nanoka continues to live on.  One day, while visiting the shopping alley on Fifth Street, Nanoka inadvertently enters a portal that transports her back to Japan's Taisho era.  There, Nanoka meets a young-looking exorcist named Mao and his helper, Otoya, a shikigami that resembles a small boy.  As they try to discover what thread of fate connects them, they'll kick demon butt along the way.

As Mao, Vol. 2 (Chapters 1 to 10) opens, Nanoka, Mao, and Otoya investigate the strange cult of Priestess Shoko in hopes of bringing her to justice.  However, diabolical forces surround her, and they will kill anyone who stand in their way.  Meanwhile, Shoko reveals a shocking doomsday prophecy.  Later, Nanoka and her friend, the boy who wants to date her, Shiraha, do some historical research and discover a cataclysmic event that is yet to occur in Mao's timeline.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Mao manga is the latest multi-genre manga from Rumiko
Takahashi.  As usual, this title pairs a young female touched by the supernatural with a youngish male whose trade is in the supernatural.

Mao Graphic Novel Volume 2 finds Nanoka hopping back and forth between timelines.  She and Mao investigate all manner of demons.  Meanwhile, a historical disaster connects the two different worlds in which they live, but history may not be entirely correct about the details of event.  The Princess Shoko story arc reveals that while both their personalities and their methods sometimes clash, Nanoka and Mao are actually a rather nice match.

As she did in the first volume, Shaenon Garrity once again offers an English-language adaptation that is a delightful read, capturing the magic that infuses this volume and also the curious and inquisitive nature of Nanoka.  I couldn't stop reading Mao Vol. 1, and by the time I finished Vol. 2, I really wanted to read more.  I heartily recommend this series to any fans of supernatural fantasy comics and graphic novels even if they have never previously read Rumiko Takahashi.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers who love Rumiko Takahashi’s manga will want the Shonen Sunday title, Mao.

A
9 out of 10

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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Wednesday, January 26, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: KAIJU No. 8: Volume 1

KAIJU NO. 8, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA

MANGAKA: Naoya Matsumoto
TRANSLATION: David Evelyn
LETTERS: Brandon Bovia
EDITOR: Karla Clark
ISBN: 978-1-9747-2598-4; paperback (December 2021); Rated “T” for “Teen”
212pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 U.K.

Kaiju No. 8 is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoya Matsumoto.  It has been serialized for free on Shueisha's Shōnen Jump+ application and website since July 2020.  VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of the manga as series of paperback graphic novels under its “Shonen Jump” imprint in December 2021

Kaiju No. 8, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) opens up in a world where Japan is plagued by the giant monsters known as “kaiju.”  Thirty-two-year-old Kafka Hibino is a kaiju corpse cleanup man.  Kafka works for Monster Sweeper, Inc., a professional kaiju cleaning company, but he wishes that he was a member of the Japanese Defense Force, which is tasked with neutralizing kaiju.

Kafka and childhood friend, Mina Ashiro, both wanted to be members of the Defense Force.  Mina is now captain of the JDF's “Third Division” and has neutralized hundreds of kaiju.  Kafka is training a new part time worker, 18-year-old Reno Ichikawa, who is determined to take the JDF's exam to join the force as a kaiju fighter.  That inspires Kafka to revive his dream to join Mina in the Defense Force, but there is one serious complication.  Kafka has recently made the Defense Force's neutralization list as the kaiju code named Kaiju No. 8!

THE LOWDOWN:  The Kaiju No. 8 manga made its North American debut this month (Dec. 2021).  With its striking cover art, the first volume may tempt fans of kaiju comics to try it.

Kaiju No. 8 Graphic Novel Volume 1 offers a familiar scenario.  A hero is forced into becoming the very kind of monster that he fights, or, in the case of Kafka Hibino, the very monsters which he cleans-up after.  Rather than treating his lead character as tragic, creator Naoya Matsumoto creates a comedy in which the hero makes the best of the situation.  That will probably lead to enough imaginative comic scenarios to keep Kaiju No. 8 running for several volumes, at least.

The translation by David Evelyn captures the moods, styles, and elements in which the manga plies its narrative trade.  Right now, the story focuses on the nastiness of Kafka's job, his growing friendship with Reno, the rigors of training, and how he faces becoming a kaiju.  So far, I like that Kafka is making the best of it.  Maybe, this manga will ultimately be about a hero who overcomes obstacles.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of kaiju manga will want to read the Shonen Jump title, Kaiju No. 8.

A
8 out of 10

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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Tuesday, December 14, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: MAO: Volume 1

MAO, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA

MANGAKA: Rumiko Takahashi
TRANSLATION: Junko Goda
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Shaenon Garrity
LETTERS: Susan Daigle-Leach
EDITOR: Annette Roman
ISBN: 978-1-9747-2052-1; paperback (September 2021); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Mao is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi.  It has been serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shōnen Sunday, since May 2019.  In September 2021, VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of Mao as a series of paperback graphic novels under its “Shonen Sunday” imprint.

Mao, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 8) introduces 15-year-old Nanoka Kiba, a third-year middle school student.  Eight years ago, she was in a mysterious car accident in which she and her parents died, but Nanoka continues to live on.  One day, while visiting the shopping alley on Fifth Street, Nanoka inadvertently enters a portal that transports her back to Japan's Taisho era, around the year 1923.

There, Nanoka meets a young-looking exorcist named Mao and his helper, Otoya, a shikigami that resembles a small boy.  When Nanoka gets back to the present, she discovers that she has some new, incredible abilities.  She returns to the past looking for answers, but only finds herself caught up in Mao’s investigation of a series of gruesome murders and of their mutual connection to a powerful cat demon named Byoki.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Mao manga is the latest multi-genre title from Rumiko
Takahashi.  As usual, this title pairs a young female touched by the supernatural with a youngish male whose trade is in the supernatural.

Moa Graphic Novel Volume 1 is the first Takahashi manga that I have read since I read Rin-ne Volume 32 twenty-one months ago.  I don't think that I had forgotten the pure joy I often feel while reading one of her titles, but I must have been in need of her work.  It has been a long time since I enjoyed reading a volume of manga this much.

The English-language adaptation by Shaenon Garrity is a delightful read, capturing the magic that infuses this volume and also the curious and inquisitive nature of Nanoka.  I couldn't stop reading Mao Vol. 1, and I like that the characters are only revealed enough to make us come back for more.  Susan Daigle-Leach's lettering looks like a perfect fit for Rumiko's work, particularly for Mao.

This is a perfect opening volume – the kind that makes me want more.  And I already have Vol. 2.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers who love Rumiko Takahashi’s manga will want the Shonen Sunday title, Mao.

A+
10 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/
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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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Friday, October 1, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: BOYS RUN THE RIOT: Volume 1

BOYS RUN THE RIOT, VOL. 1
KODANSHA COMICS

MANGAKA: Keito Gaku
TRANSLATION: Leo McDonagh
LETTERS: Ashley Caswell
EDITORS: Tiff Joshua and TJ Ferentini
COVER: Keito Gaku
ISBN: 978-1-64651-248-5; paperback (May 2021); Rated “OT 16+”
244pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN

Boys Run the Riot is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Keito Gaku.  It began serialization in Kodansha's Weekly Young Magazine in January 2020, and then moved to Kodansha's “Comic Days” manga app in September 2020.  Kodansha Comics began publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a four-volume trade paperback original series in May 2021.  Each volume of Boys Run the Riot will also be available digitally upon release across all our participating digital vendors including Bookwalker, comiXology, Google Play, Kindle, Nook and izneo.

Boys Run The Riot, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) introduces Ryo Watari, a second year high school student.  Ryo knows that he is transgender, but he does not have anyone in which to confide about the confusion he feels.  He can’t tell his best friend, Chika, who only sees Ryo as a girl who likes to dress as a boy.  He can't tell his mother, who is constantly asking Ryo why he “dresses like a boy.”  He certainly can’t tell Jin Sato, the new transfer student who looks like just another bully and a delinquent.

Ryo is into “street fashion,” and the only time he feels at ease is when he is wearing his favorite clothes.  It is then and only then that the world melts away, and Ryo can be his true self.  However, one day, while out shopping at a “pop-up” store, Ryo sees someone he didn’t expect, Jin.  The new student who looked so tough in class has the same taste in fashion as Ryo!  Ryo has someone with whom he can be open, but it is never that easy – especially when uniting with another outcast can make you even more of an outcast.

THE LOWDOWN:  Earlier this summer, I came upon either a review or an advertisement that alerted me to the existence of Boys Run the Riot.  I liked the title, and also, I have been curious about manga featuring transgender characters since I first read Shimura Takako's trans manga, Wandering Son Volume 1 (Fantagraphics Books), back in 2011.

Boys Run The Riot Volume 1 does an amazing thing.  From the moment I started reading, I only thought of Ryo as a boy.  Creator Keito Gaku only ever presents Ryo as a high school boy, and midway through the first chapter (entitled “Encounter”), Ryo declares to Jin, “I'm a guy on the inside!”  At that point, the narrative makes conveys the fact that Ryo is a guy through and through – at least to me.

I like Guka's art with its expressive faces and large, emotive eyes on the characters.  Ryo and Jin's street fashions fit them so naturally and with a sense of ease.  Guka's graphical storytelling feels at ease, but it is also capable of sudden changes and explosive displays of emotion.  Ryo and Jin's friendship is an evolving relationship, and there are plenty of bumps along the way, especially because Jin likes to tease and provoke.

Leo McDonagh's English-language translation perfectly fits the art and storytelling, while Ashley Caswell's lettering captures the many moods of the chapters contained in this first volume.  I thought that I would like Boys Run The Riot, and this first volume makes me want to read more.  The final chapter of Vol. 1 (Chapter 7: “Riot”) sets up some interesting things to come.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of transgender manga, of high school-set manga, and of comics about fashion will want Boys Run The Riot.

A
9 out of 10

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



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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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Tuesday, July 20, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: THE PROMISED NEVERLAND Volume 16

 

THE PROMISED NEVERLAND, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Kaiu Shirai
ART: Posuka Demizu
TRANSLATION: Satsuki Yamashita
LETTERS: Mark McMurray
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1701-9; paperback (August 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 U.K.

The Promised Neverland is a Japanese manga series written by Kaiu Shirai and illustrated by Posuka Demizu.  It was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from August 2016 to June 2020.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint from December 2017 to August 2021.

The Promised Neverland opens at Grace Field House, an orphanage where the children have a wonderful life... or so it seems.  The orphanage's three brightest children are Emma, Norman, and Ray, all 11-years-old as the story begins.  Like the other orphans, they enjoy the daily studying and exams, and also the delicious food and plentiful playtime.  However, the children's loving, but stern caretaker, “Mom,” hides the fact that everything is not what it seems, a fact these three bright children will discover upon turning 12.

As The Promised Neverland, Vol. 16 (Chapters 134 to 143; entitled “Lost Boy”) opens, Emma and Ray attempt to find the “Seven Walls,” and find themselves trapped in a mysterious, twisty world.  Can they escape this labyrinth and make their way to the human world?  And are they willing to pay the price required?  Elsewhere, Don, Gilda, and Hayato continue their quest to find their old demon friends, Mujika and Sonju, but betrayal is afoot.

Meanwhile, Norman has his own plans to end the human-demon conflict...

THE LOWDOWN:  In Japan, The Promised Neverland manga ended its serialization in the Japanese edition of Weekly Shonen Jump last summer.  In North America, the final volume (Vol. 20) of VIZ Media's English-language collection of the manga as a graphic novel series for young adult readers will arrive in about two weeks as of this writing.

The Promised Neverland Graphic Novel Volume 16 is the first volume of the series that I have read in almost a year.  I still find this manga to be a riveting read, but I realized, early in reading this volume, that I wasn't as into reading the series as I had been a year or so ago.  That changed and I got back into the series, full-on, when I realized that Vol. 16 was a symphony of backstabbing and betrayal.  Much of it deals with the history of Julius Ratri, essentially the human who helped to create the current status quo between humans and demons.

Satsuki Yamashita creates the translation that makes Vol. 16 deliver power via its shocks and surprises, while Mark McMurray's lettering hits all the dark and edgy notes.  They help to make Vol. 16 both an exceptional and a pivotal volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers of dark fantasy graphic novels will find a terrifying story in Shonen Jump's The Promised Neverland.

A
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
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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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Wednesday, June 30, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: NARUTO Volume 71

NARUTO, VOL. 71
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Masashi Kishimoto
TRANSLATION: Mari Morimoto
LETTERS: John Hunt
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8176-7; paperback (August 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Naruto is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto.  The series is based on two one-shot manga by Kishimoto: Karakuri (1995) and Naruto (1997).  Naruto was serialized in the Japanese magazine, Weekly Shōnen Jump, from 1999 to 2014.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a series of paperback graphic novels from August 2003 to October 2015, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Naruto tells the story of a young shinobi (ninja) named Uzumaki Naruto, in two parts, first his pre-teen years and then, his teen years.  Naruto has an incorrigible knack for mischief, and he is the biggest troublemaker at the Ninja Academy in the shinobi Village of Konohagakure.  He is an outcast because there is something special about him.  When he was a baby, his parents (father Minato and mother Kushina) imprisoned a nine-tailed fox spirit (Kurama) inside his infant body.  Now, 16-years-old and incorrigible as ever, Uzumaki Naruto is still serious about his quest to become the world’s greatest ninja and the Hokage (leader) of his village.

The Akatsuki villain, Uchiha Madara, was the true instigator of The Fourth Great Ninja War.  Reviving the monstrous tailed-beast (biju), Ten Tails, was just the part of his plan.

Naruto, Vol. 71 (Chapters 680 to 690, entitled “I Love You Guys”) opens with Naruto and his former teammate/now teammate again, Uchiha Sasuke, facing the prospect of fighting the revived Kaguya, the creator of all chakra.  That will be difficult as this mother of all can traverse time-space.

Her partner, the creature who has been plotting Kaguya's revival since time immemorial, Black Zetsu, has information to share.  He explains who he is, what Ten Tails really is, and how Kaguya will reclaim all chakra.  Also, he says that his opponents are the reincarnation of Kaguya's two sons, with Naruto being Ashura and Sasuke being Indra.  Plus, the Sage of Six Paths returns, and Cell Seven reunites to save the world.

Some of you may know that the Naruto manga came to an end in Japan last November (2014).  Here, in the states, we are just catching up to that finale via VIZ Media's graphic novel format publication of Naruto.  Naruto Graphic Novel Volume 71 is the penultimate volume of the series (which I incorrectly thought was Vol. 70).  Vol. 71 is big... big... big, but still the same size.  It is not that the battles contained herein are any more epic than the battles in previous volumes.  It is simply that Naruto creator Masashi Kishimoto puts everything or almost everything in context.  He explains basically who the “bad guys” were and are, and why they were and are.

SPOILER ALERT:  I don't yet know what happens in the final graphic novel (Vol. 72), but the good guys win in Vol. 71.  However, I think we are the losers because Naruto is gone too soon.  Still, the 72 volumes that comprise this series are so packed with narrative that we have likely forgotten much of what has already happened by the time we get to the end.  Naruto is worth reading again.

A+
10 out of 10

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


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Tuesday, June 1, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: SAMURAI 8: The Tale of Hachimaru Volume 2

SAMURAI 8: THE TALE OF HACHIMARU, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CREATOR/STORY: Masashi Kishimoto
ART: Akira Okubo
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: Snir Aharon
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1538-1; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 U.K.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru is a shonen manga series created and written by Masashi Kishimoto (of Naruto fame) and illustrated by Akira Okubo.  Samurai 8 was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from May 2019 to March 2020.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a five-volume graphic novel series from March 2020 to February 2021 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru introduces Hachimaru, a boy who has always dreamed of becoming a samurai.  Samurai carry special souls within themselves and can travel through space as easily as they walk the earth.  Only the most powerful warriors are able to transcend their human bodies and become samurai!  Hachimaru is weak and so sickly that he can’t even eat solid foods.  But one day, his father's secrets and the arrival of a samurai cat named “Daruma” combine to give Hachimaru a chance to live his dream.  With enough heart, could Hachimaru become a true samurai?

As Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru, Vol. 2 (entitled “Who and Why” – Chapters 7 to 15) opens, Hachimaru asks, “What is fate?”  Now, he begins his samurai training under Master Daruma, but he is not a good student.  However, this day will also bring new people into his life.  One is the samurai, Sir Hagamichi; the other is Princess Ann, a “princess of fate.”  Hachimaru finds a new source of confidence in Ann – his princess of fate, and he is delighted, although Ann is somewhat wary of him.  Elsewhere, Ata the Peerless, a new enemy, approaches, and he is a threat to Hachimaru's existence.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru manga is creator Masashi Kishimoto's follow-up to his legendary, smash hit manga, Naruto.  [The Naruto sequel, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, is written and drawn by a new writer-artist team.]  Kishimoto created Samurai 8 and writes the story and produces the storyboards, and newcomer artist Akira Okubo draws it.

Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru Graphic Novel Volume 2 has a perfect title, “Who and Why.”  The first volume was quite a read for all the wild and inventive characters and concepts it introduced.  In Vol. 2, Kishimoto and Okubo give us the adversary, Ata, that will vex Hachimaru, and, as Master Daruma explains, the vast conspiracy that threatens the world of Samurai 8.  Granted that it is not until this volume's last chapter (Chp. 15), but the narrative gets there:  the conflict and the competing ideologies.  We also get the origin story and back story of Hachimaru and his father, with plenty of shocking reveals.

I like Akira Okubo drawing style, although it can tend to create cluttered panels that are difficult to read.  Okubo draws like the late Moebius, but the younger artist's compositions are not as streamlined as Moebius'.  Still Okubo and Kishimoto seem like a perfect pairing, and translator Stephen Paul does a good job making the narrative clearer.  Snir Aharon's lettering also goes a long way to creating a rhythm that captures the fun of this story.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Naruto will want to try the Shonen Jump title, Samurai 8: The Tale of Hachimaru.

A
8 out of 10

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



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Friday, May 21, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 22

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 22
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1108-6; paperback (February 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese shojo manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 22 (Chapter 124 to 129) opens, the battle against the Nation of Sei and its treacherous nobles, Lord Hotsuma and Lord Kishibi, has ended in defeat for Sei.  Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe have been rescued, and now, is the time for reunions and revelations.  For instance, Riri has a crush on a military leader … who is also a married man!  Meanwhile, is Yona ready to admit her feelings for Hak?

Later, Yona, Hak, the Four Dragon Warriors (Gija, Jaeha, Sinha, and Zeno), and Jun travel to the Nation of Xing, where trouble brews.  It seems that Princess Kouren, leader of Xing, is preparing to start a war against Kohka.  Her younger sister, the exiled Princess Tao, would prefer that Xing become a vassal state of Kohka.  Tao hopes that Yona and the Dragon Warriors, whom she believes to be beautiful and fierce monsters, can make that happen.  So what will Yona do, and can a decision come in time with all their lives in danger?

THE LOWDOWN:  It has been exactly a half-year since I last read the Yona of the Dawn manga.  I find historical shojo romance manga to be a highly enjoyable read,  The series belongs to one of my favorite shojo sub-genres, the manga that use elements of Chinese history and myth.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 22 says goodbye, for the time being, to Princess Riri and the Water Tribe.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi briefly delves into the relationship between Yona and Hak, while delivering readers a surprising development in the life of Yona.  Then, Kusanagi does what she does best – insert Yona into another conflict in which she must help a troubled young noble woman.  Of course, Yona is this series' most troubled young novel woman.  This manga may seem repetitive, at times, but it tells an absorbing story with lovable characters.

Yet, JN Productions (translation) and Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) never make it boring.  Their work makes us want to follow Yona once more into the breach and the lovely lettering by Lys Blakeslee creates the sense of a magical romantic adventure.  Once again, dear readers, I highly recommend that you also follow Yona.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
8 out of 10

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



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Wednesday, May 5, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 53

ONE PIECE, VOL. 53
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Lance Caselman
LETTERS: HudsonYards
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3469-5; paperback (June 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
216pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Monkey D. Luffy dreams of becoming King of the Pirates.  Even after the enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave him the ability to stretch like rubber while taking away his ability to swim, Luffy was undeterred.  He set out to sea and gradually enlisted a motley crew:  Zolo the master swordsman; Nami the treasure-hunting thief; Usopp, the lying sharpshooter; Sanji the high-kicking chef; Chopper, the walkin’ talkin’ reindeer doctor; the secretive archeologist, Nico Robin; shipwright and cyborg, Franky; and skeleton warrior with an afro, Brook.  Known as the “Straw Hats,” these pirates sail the oceans on their new vessel, Thousand Sunny.  Their goal is the legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

As One Piece, Vol. 53 (Chapters 513 to 522; entitled “Natural Born King”) begins, the Straw Hats rumble with Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.  “Tyrant” Kuma smacks them around using his bare paw, which erases them.  They are not really being erased, however; this is Kuma’s teleportation power, which sends victims of his smack down to unknown locations.  Luffy finds himself on the island of Amazon Lily, an island where men are not allowed on pain of death!

THE LOWDOWN:  One of the most imaginative manga being offered to the North American market, One Piece takes readers from one exotic locale to another – each one populated by a menagerie of creatures, people, and creature people who almost defy imagination.  Yet this all comes from the imagination of Eiichiro Oda.  The art is drawn in such detail that very little of the page is left without something drawn on it.  Vol. 53 isn’t one of the better volumes, but it really picks up when Luffy fights the Gorgon sisters.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for wacky “Shonen Jump” fun will find it in One Piece.

B+
7 out of 10

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


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Friday, April 30, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: OVERLORD Volume 12

OVERLORD, VOL. 12
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

SCENARIO: Satoshi Oshio
MANGAKA: Hugin Miyama
ORIGINAL STORY: Kugane Maruyama
CHARACTER DESIGN: so-bin
TRANSLATION: Emily Balistrieri
LETTERS: Liz Kolkman
ISBN: 978-1-9753-1296-1; paperback (May 2020); Rated “OT” for “Older Teen”
194pp, B&W with some color pages, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Overlord is a Japanese light novel series written by Kugane Maruyama and illustrated by so-bin.  A manga adaptation by writer Satoshi Oshio and artist Hugin Miyama began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's manga magazine, Comp Ace, beginning in November 2014.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language adaptation of the manga as a series of paperback graphic novels and is also publishing an English-language adaptation of the light novel series.

Overlord asks the question, “What do you do when your favorite game shuts down?”  The 22nd century saw the release of YGGDRASIL, a DMMORPG, or “Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game.”  After an intense twelve-year run, the YGGDRASIL game servers are about to be shut down.  Momon decides to stay logged in right up until the very end, but when the servers go dark, he finds himself transported into the game world.  Now, he's been transformed into his skeletal avatar from the game, awesome magical powers included.  But what if he's the villain of his own story?

As Overlord, Vol. 12 (Chapters 44.5 to 49) opens, the “Bug Maid” has arrived.  Now, it is up to two members of the “Blue Roses,” the knight, Gagaran, and the ninja, Tia, to defeat her... except they can't.  They will need the help of the mysterious magic user and warrior, “Evileye,” but when she gains the advantage, another player enters the fray.  He is the demon Jaldabaoth, and he is unbelievably powerful.  So, another player enters – Momon, but this skirmish is just the beginning.

At last, Demiurge's schemes in the kingdom begin bearing fruit.  Between Jaldaboath and a powerful fighter capable of manipulating insects, the beleaguered humans have no choice but to rely on the Blue Roses to save a city.

The Overlord manga is new to me.  I have never read the Overlord light novel series written by Kugane Maruyama and illustrated by so-bin.  The work on the manga, drawn by Hugin Miyama from a scenario by Satoshi Oshio, does make me curious about the novels.

Overlord Graphic Novel Volume 12 is mostly battle manga.  I can't say that I find the characters particularly intriguing, but I am interested in this story line.  The English translation by Emily Balistrieri captures the narrative's sense of conspiracy, mystery, and machinations.  There is also some backstabbing going on, which captures the imagination, so I probably would feel a little better about the characters if I read more volumes.

6 out of 10

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



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Friday, April 23, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 38

ONE PIECE, VOL. 38
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Megan Bates
LETTERS: HudsonYards
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3454-1; paperback (March 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates.  The enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave him the ability to stretch like rubber, but it also took away his ability to swim.  Undeterred, Luffy set out to sea and gradually enlisted a motley crew known as the “Straw Hats.”  Zolo the master swordsman; Nami the treasure-hunting thief; Usopp, the lying sharpshooter; Sanji the high-kicking chef; Chopper, the walkin’ talkin’ reindeer doctor; and secretive archeologist, Nico Robin join Luffy and sail the oceans on the Merry Go.  Their goal is the legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

The Straw Hats arrived in The City of Water on the island of Water Seven in hopes of getting Galley-La, the famed shipwrights of Water Seven, to fix the Merry Go, which was much in need of repairs.  They got only bad news.  The shipwrights told them that the Merry Go was beyond repair, which eventually led to Usopp leaving the crew.  Then, the Straw Hats were accused of trying to assassinate the city’s Mayor Iceberg, who is also the leader of Galley-La.  The real assassins are members of the Navy’s covert agency, CP9, and Nico Robin is apparently one of them.

As One Piece, Vol. 38 (Chapter 358 to 367; entitled “Rocketman!!”) begins, the Straw Hats are scattered about the island.  CP9 agents are also close to retrieving the blueprints to Pluton, a destructive ancient weapon, and they need Nico Robin to decipher them.  They leave Water Seven on the miraculous Sea Train.  Luffy and his new found allies are soon right behind them in the Rocketman.  Meanwhile, the dreaded tidal wave, Aqua Laguna, bears down on them.

THE LOWDOWN:  Reading like a manga version of a Roland Emmerich movie, One Piece also races through the streets and back alleys of The City of Water like a spy thriller.  Readers of shonen manga (comics for teen boys) want action, and One Piece always delivers.

The meticulously drawn art, which seems to capture every line on everyone and everything and every background detail brings this to vivid life.  No American comic book for young readers is drawn with this attention to detail and such craftsmanship, nor is any one written with such complicated and intricately plotted action scenes. One Piece is in a league of its own.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers of good comics will want the “Shonen Jump” title, One Piece.

A
8 out of 10

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



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Wednesday, April 21, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 37


ONE PIECE, VOL. 37
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jake Forbes
LETTERS: Hudson Yards
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3453-4; paperback (March 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
232pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

One Piece focuses on Monkey D. Luffy, a youngster who wants to be King of the Pirates.  The enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave him the ability to stretch like rubber, but it also took away his ability to swim.  Undeterred, Luffy set out to sea and gradually enlisted a motley crew.

Known as the “Straw Hats,” they are Zolo the master swordsman; Nami the treasure-hunting thief; Usopp, the lying sharpshooter; Sanji the high-kicking chef; Chopper, the walkin’ talkin’ reindeer doctor; and newcomer, secretive archeologist, Nico Robin.  They sail the oceans on their ship, the Merry Go, searching for famed pirate Gold Rogers’ legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

The Straw Hats arrived in The City of Water on the island of Water Seven in hopes of getting Galley-La, the famed shipwrights of Water Seven, to fix the Merry Go, which is much in need of repairs, especially after the Skypeia adventure.  The shipwrights told them, however, that the Merry Go was beyond repair.  Luffy decided to get a new ship, which caused a riff between him and shipmate, Usopp.

Meanwhile, the lead shipwright, Mayor Iceberg, is the target of an assassination plot hatched by the World Government and carried out by agents of its covert agency, CP9.  The biggest shocker is that Nico Robin is one of them, so the Straw Hats are hunted as the would-be assassins.  As One Piece, Vol. 37 (Chapters 347 to 357; entitled “Tom”) begins, Luffy and friends battle to stop CP9.  But the World Government’s conspiracy against the shipwrights of Water Seven is an old one, as revealed in the story of the legendary shipwright, Mr. Tom.

THE LOWDOWN:  It’s another volume of raucous action and fights that rival what is found in superhero comic books.  However, much of the story of One Piece Graphic Novel Volume 37 focuses on the story of Mr. Tom.  It is a story of young men and their role models and also a story of good versus bastard.

As usual, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda is not content with presenting mere shonen thrills.  He manages to teach life lessons and spin morality tales that we might miss in this very busy narrative, but we shouldn’t miss

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for top “Shonen Jump” manga will want One Piece.

A
8 out of 10

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


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Sunday, April 18, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 36

ONE PIECE, VOL. 36
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jake Forbes
LETTERS: John Hunt
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3452-7; paperback (March 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
216pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

One Piece focuses on Monkey D. Luffy.  The enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave Luffy the ability to stretch like rubber, but it also took away his ability to swim, which hasn’t deterred Luffy from his dream.  One day he will become the King of the Pirates.  Now, Luffy and his very own pirate crew, known as the “Straw Hats,” sail the oceans on their ship, the Merry Go, searching for the legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

As One Piece, Vol. 36 (Chapters 337 to 346; entitled “The Ninth Justice”) begins, the Straw Hats find themselves in trouble in The City of Water, Water Seven.  They’d gone to the island in hopes of getting the Galley-La, the famed shipwrights of Water Seven, to fix the Merry Go.  They were told that the ship was beyond repair, so Luffy decided to get a new ship, which caused a riff between him and shipmate, Usopp.

Now, the mayor of The City of Water, Iceberg, has been shot, and the Straw Hats have been blamed.  It doesn’t help that the newest Straw Hat, Nico Robin, is involved in the assassination plot.  Is this true, and how is she connected to the mysterious CP9?

THE LOWDOWN:  High adventure, action comedy, and supernaturally imaginative storytelling are what One Piece usually offers.  One Piece Graphic Novel Volume 36 switches to riveting suspense.  It’s a thriller that is on par with The Bourne Ultimatum – if that film were an action comedy.  And there is a hook ending that will drag you back for the next volume.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for imaginative adventure yarn-spinning will find it in the “Shonen Jump” title, One Piece.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


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Friday, April 16, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 35

ONE PIECE, VOL. 35
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Megan Bates
LETTERS: Elena Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3451-0; paperback (March 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda.  It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

One Piece focuses on Monkey D. Luffy, who wants to become the King of the Pirates.  The enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave him the ability to stretch like rubber, but it also took away his ability to swim.  Not deterred from his dream, Luffy set out to sea and gradually enlisted his very own pirate crew, known as the “Straw Hats.”  They sail the oceans on their ship, the Merry Go, searching for the legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

One Piece, Vol. 35 (Chapters 328 to 336; entitled “Captain”) finds the Straw Hats in The City of Water on the island of Water Seven.  They are going to use the gold they found during their Skypeia adventure to repair the Merry Go.

The gold nets them 300 million berries, but all that money earns them the attention of the Franky Family, a band of ship dismantlers and part-time bounty hunters.  Meanwhile, the newest Straw Hat, Nico Robin, goes missing, and Luffy makes a shocking announcement that puts him at odds with shipmate, Usopp.

THE LOWDOWN:  At less than 190 pages of narrative, One Piece Volume 35 reads like a graphic novel twice its size.  Featuring visually potent art, this volume of One Piece has intrigue, superhero-like fights, an assassination attempt, a shocking announcement, and a fight between brothers.  The weirdo characters and outlandish settings are in abundance, and there’s the ever-present cliffhanger that will make you return for another volume of pirate goodness.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for top “Shonen Jump” titles will want One Piece.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, April 14, 2021

#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"


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The text is copyright © 2021 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).