Comics Books

Wow. This book is stunning. Let's see... Great Story, Good humor/tragedy, No bad language/unneccessary gorey violence, and it showed you can have mature themes/plots while still being kid-safe! TAKE THAT, DC! I have a good idea... instead of releasing garbage like Bruce Wayne: Murderer?, how about making Batman Adventures into an ongoing series?
Forever to Bruce Timm and Paul Dini!

Timm and Dini are the masters and this book further proves it!

Sometines scary, sometimes racy but just plain fun.

This is the first version of Harley's origin story that was ever written. It did not make it on the air of the original Batman animated series and was instead written and illustrated as a one shot by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, producers for the show.

When Batman went back into production on the WB as the New Adventures, Mad Love finally got the animated treatment it deserved. Looking back at this now it's clear they used this to storyboard the episode which work perfectly. Of course there were scenes that had to be cut for the show whether it was length or content. Read the novel to find out how Harley really made it through college and got her degree. But all in all, the episode is a pretty solid adaptation of this fantastic story and Harley remains one of the best additions to Batman in the show and in comics.

This is the original origin story of Harley Quinn, written years before she made the transition from cartoon character to mainstream DC comic book character. The Batman: Gotham Knights episode "Mad Love" was based on this graphic novel, and they are almost identical in both design and dialogue. There are a few key differences and additions to the story which were not shown in the animated episode however. For example, the ending is basically the same, but worded differently. (Personally, I prefer the wording in the cartoon, but no matter.)

Despite all the character changes, interpretations, and adaptations that have been made from Paul Dini/Bruce Timm's original vision of Harley, accept no substitutes. The original IS the best. This is Harley as she was meant to be characterized. And you will be hard-pressed to find a comic book written and drawn as vividly and engaging as this one; I own hundreds of comic books, and this is one of my very top favorites. Definitely one of Paul Dini/Bruce Timm's best works, and a testiment to why Harley Quinn became the character so intriguing that she did the impossible and made the crossover to mainstream DC continuity.

Based on one of the best of the animated Batman episodes, "Mad Love" tells how Harley Quinn, chief henchwoman and paramour of the Joker, got her warped start. Once, a respected psychiatrist at infamous Arkham Asylum, Dr. Quinn becomes infatuated with her "patient", The Joker", turns her life topsy-turvy, and allies herself with "the clown prince of crime".

After falling from The Joker's favor, Quinn plots to capture Batman, the one that she blames for her "rift" with The Joker. Her "solution" to a backfired Joker prank is priceless.

For fans of both the series and the legend of Batman, this is a visit that one must make.

I liked this book, at first it was very confusing and weird. But CC goes deeply into the dynamic characters. The two situations in the book are very realistic and lifelike making the reader either love or hate the story.

Today I just started reading the first story .For most people it would probably make them feel sad but it made me feel confused .It makes you think of life and afterdeath.And you kinda feel for her friend Asparagus because every gets teased and it can make you go insane.

Confidential Confessions is one of the greatest manga of all time because it deals with real issues. You wont find any magic, superheroes, or bishounen in this series. Instead you will read about girls who have to deal with tough issues such as bullying, rape, sexual harassment, drugs, prostitution, stalking, and suicide. I recommend that every teen read Confidential Confessions.

Vol. 1
A strong beginning to an amazing series. The first story in this volume deals with bulling, suicide, while the second story deals with prostitution.

Vol. 2
This entire volume deals sexual harassment and is an awesome follow up the first volume.

Vol. 3
The first story in this volume is great because it explores drugs and some of the reasons why kids take them, however the second story is forgettable and is overshadowed by its predecessors.

Vol. 4
The story in this volume deals with prostitution again but instead of having a protagonist go into prostitution because of bad circumstances, this girl goes into prostitution because she is very materialistic and wants money to buy brand name items. The next story revisits the issue of bullying but in more depth. Both of the stories are remarkable but the next story is (for lack of better terms) lame. It deals with lesbianism but the impact is not hard hitting because the main character seems like a stalker rather than someone who is hiding her true feelings for the same sex.

Vol. 5
This volume treads on the tender issues of rape and AIDS. This volume is magnificent and I believe it should have been the last because of the bittersweet ending.

Vol. 6
This is the weakest of all 6 volumes and is a pathetic and disappointing end to a great yet disturbing series. The first story is about stalking and the second story involves a girl who is transformed from a victim to a bully.

There you have it, the complete mini-guide to Confidential Confessions. Like I said before this is a great manga and should be read by all teens. My only complaint is that this story was meant for the Japanese and so some of the main characters actions wont make sense to Americans (you might say, "what the hell is the matter with them, why don't they speak up for themselves!?)" because the Japanese are much more reserved people who don't like to make trouble for their family of school.

The Confidential Confessions Series is something that every girl or woman should read, manga reader or hater alike. Reiko Momochi has really captured the emotions and degree of each crisis for each character in the series, from dealing with drugs to escape problems, to dealing with sexual harassment from a teacher.

You feel for the each girl in each story, weather its anger for what you feel is a stupid solution for the situation, to sadness because nothing can be done. And with each situation comes a change in the characters involved, it being good or bad depending on what they hold dear. The atmosphere my be a bit dark, but it adds to the seriousness of the situation. But with the darkness is light, in some form or another.

I highly recommend this manga to anyone who wants to read something that can hit close to home.

I would reccomend any book in this series... it delivers a good slice of the shoujo we love in an extremely realistic way with very real problems we all deal with today. Even people who aren't interested in anime would want to take a look at one of these. You don't have to collect them in any particular order becuase the series itself is a collection of short stories. There's a story for everyone... I know that in this particular book I was dumbstruck to see that the story "Forbidden Kiss" hit very close to home... I broke down crying while reading it. The stories seem to have been spread out over a period of time (the art quality fluctuates over stories) but any changes are overlooked as each story captivates and motivates you to make the world right. A must read, pick one up immediately.

This particular volume deals with catalouge prostitution (if anyone knows a proper term for this, tell me. As far as I know it's a strictly Japanese thing), corporal punishment, "hazing" and torment by other students, and a teenage girl in love with her (female) best friend.

Being big disney fans, my son really enjoyed receiving this as a Christmas gift. It comes beautifully packaged and is a great addition to his collection. Playing the cd's brings fond memories of the rides and attractions at Disneyland Park and makes you wish you were there.

You must be a Disney fan for truly appreciate this book. If that is your case, you'll love it!!. The "pockets" where some of the "souvenirs" are located are a little tight, and can tear with ease. Other than that, it is a nice idea.

I absolutely love this book! I love seeing replicas of letters, stories, pamphlets, early drawings, etc. When people come to visit they pick it up and are as fascinated as we are. It's one of the coolest books we own.

These books are like a pop up book on steroids...They are FULL of interesting little pieces that you can take out and look at, like letters from Walt to Lillian, ride tickets from the early days and all sorts of other things...These 2 books are worth every penny!!!

This book is a timeless classic, an absolute gem. For anyone wishing to get a real glimpse into the magic that is Disney this is the book.It offers historical insight and hands on replica memorabilia. I found this book full of information and fun.Beautifully presented.

This is number six in the series and it's a considerable improvement over number five. The first story concerns Jack's aborted career in Hollywood after leaving Fabletown in possession of a large quantity of stolen loot. As a talented con-man, he turns out to be a natural in the movie world and his first project -- a LOTR-like trilogy about his own fairy tale career -- is enormously successful. But he's still a louse, which is why the miniaturized Jill rats him out to Mr. Beast, Fabletown's new sheriff, and he finds himself on the road again, the least unpleasant option available to him. Then we go to the adventures of Boy Blue as he treks through the enemy-occupied Homelands in pursuit of Red Riding Hood, and to return the dead wooden body of his best buddy, Pinocchio, to Geppetto. And maybe he can do something about The Adversary while he's at it. Turns out Blue had a more-colorful-than-expected earlier career as a swashbuckling sword-swinger -- but things don't turn out quite as he expected. Then we return to the Farm, upstate, where Mowgli (a "tourist," i.e., undercover secret agent working abroad) has come back to try to spring Bagheera from the pokey. Then it's back to the tribulations of Boy Blue for a temporary resolution. There's a lot of good storytelling in this arc.

The premise of this wonderful series is to rewrite and expand the world of fairy tales. They characters of which has entered our world fleeing a great evil. Lost of fun, smart and witty, typical american style illustrations for the most part, but nice. Some similarities of premise to the Sand Man series, but not quite as inventive or as extensively research and deep. Start at #1 for the best read.

I really have to hand it to them, I wasn't that much of a fan of Jack or Blue until I read this collection. Jack's story takes place with his greatest scheme yet, which places him in Hollywood, creating a blockbuster trilogy and boom... well, you have to see. And Boy Blue's story is just fantastic as he battles his way across the Homelands to rescue Pinnochio and Red Riding Hood. A definite must.

This sixth volume of the "Fables" series does not disappoint. If you want to start the series at this point....don't. In order to fully appreciate this volume, you should start with Volume 1 and work your way forward. Storylines that have been under development for sometime are tied together at this point.

Don't even read anymore of this review! :-)

In a way, this graphic novel is about what happened to the things 'stolen' from Fabletown after the Adversary's attack and Prince Charming's election as Mayor.

The first part deals with Jack Horner and what he did with the contents of the late Bluebeard's missing treasure room. Up until now he has been portrayed as the pathetic hustler with one flawed get-rich scheme after another. Jack is the kind of guy that got your sister pregnant and then skipped town. He's the guy that's always borrowing money with no intention of paying it back. This is the loser your girlfirned dumped you for.....

Well this is one of his good ideas. Old Jack is a huge success. Even though he's set back at the end, he's still set up for his own personal series that I've reviewed elsewhere.

As satifying as the Jack tale is, it can't compare with Boy Blue's saga. He's left Fabletown stealing the Witching Cloak, the Volpal Blade and his best friends Pinocchio's body. He's returning to the Homelands to 1) Find Gepetto and see if he can fix Pinocchio 2) Reunite with his lost love - Red Riding Hood.

This is where Willingham and company's genius shines. Our nerdy trumpet-playing office clerk is really a man of cunning, brilliance, conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity. It's like Peter Parker and Spiderman. His primary motives are loyalty and love to the people closest to him. For this he risks his life in returning to the Adversary's empire, the Valley of the Shadow of Death referred to in the title. The journey is perilous and skillfully plotted with surprises and revelations along the way.

If I'm ever in jam, I'd want Boy Blue to come to my rescue.

With shadowed hints about the Homelands and how various Fables escaped this may be the volume fans have been waiting for. But upon opening the cover, they have to wait a little longer. The first two issues tell the tale of Jack. He has left Fabletown and hit the road. Now he is in California and using stolen Fabletown funds to finance a new movie industry. The idea is to make a series of movies about himself and increase his popularity/presence. But we know things do not always work out the best for Jack. I was a little disappointed in this tale as Beast now seems able to change at will as opposed to in relation to Beauty's feelings. This is just wrong, he is Beast nor Bigby.

After Jack's little adventure we finally move to the Homelands. Boy Blue has taken the Witching Cloak, the Vorpal Blade and Pinocchio's body and fled to the Homelands. Now we see what he is up to and what is going on in these fabled lands. Boy Blue is quite the unstoppable force as he secretly works his way from world to world. His quest takes him through many adventures and brings him face to face with many powerful denizens including the Snow Queen and the Emperor. But when trouble takes him to the second part of his quest, Blue and the readers learn the truth behind what has been going on in the homelands. Eventually Blue returns to the Mundane world to face the consequences of his actions and we learn even more secrets.

While Blue is on his adventures, things are not completely quiet in Fabletown. Beast is growing into his role as Sheriff while Prince Charming has his hands full as Mayor. We learn a little more about the Tourist and even meet one. We learn of a traitor and his fate. We even learn a little about hoe the Fable community plans to respond to the Adversary and his incursions into the mundane world.

All in all this volume is packed with adventure, intrigue and revelations. Like earlier in volumes there is a lot of action off-stage. This makes the story move quickly but may be disappointing to some (although they should be used to it by now). If you have been following the series you will really want to read this one. Check it out.

Wow, what a great story for the final volume in this series. Ryo and Dee have to protect a woman as bodyguards, who has entered the witness-protection program of the FBI. What complicates the matter is the fact that this woman is married to the number two man in organized crime in New York. But the woman also seems to have plans of her own...

Ok, in addition to lots of kissing and snuggling of Ryo and Dee in the other books of the series, this is the volume where Ryo and Dee finally make love. Actually they're making love twice. The first time Ryo is still unsure, but decides to throw his doubts overboard. But it takes Ryo another three weeks until he finally declares his love for Dee on a trip to Long Island. And after that they make love again. ;)

This series as a whole is simply terrific, the drawings are beautiful and sometimes hilariously funny and the characters are interesting. The love scenes in my opinion are always tasteful and sweet. I just loved this series.

I have so much love for this series. UST all over the place, heavy plot, well developed characters (even the minor ones!), good artwork, and finally, *finally* Dee and Ryo get together and wow, is it beyond good. I don't read Japanese so I don't know how good the translation is, but I like what I saw.

To really enjoy FAKE, the main thing you want to remember is that Sanami Matoh didn't know the specifics of American law or the NYPD (she admits as much in the author's notes). So just forget what you know about criminal procedure, the justice system and whatever you've seen on Court TV; if you can do that, you'll find this manga much more fun.

I've read a fair amount of yaoi manga and this is probably one of the best out there. You can't ask for much more in the way of plot and action. The characters are so well developed that they feel like real people and the artwork is beautiful. Seven volumes before Ryo finally gives into Dee, and the UST is maintained at a perfect level, just enough frustration to make you snatch up the next manga, but not enough to make you grow tired of it. And it's not really about the sex (or the lack of it; poor Dee), it's about getting to know these guys and their colleagues and figuring out each mystery they're involved in. By the time the series ends, you don't want to let them go.

If you're a yaoi fan and you (somehow) haven't read this series, it's one of the few I'd actually recommend buying instead of just checking out of the library. It doesn't get much better than this.

Yes, I know 'kool' isn't a word. Oh well, shoot me.

FAKE draws to a close in an amazingly well drawn (as always) scene of pure hearmelting bliss. I was sad to see it done, and wished that it went further. There is, actually, a short after-story for everyone else in the artbook buuuuut...it's not located in the 7th book! So sorry!

(For those who can, go find Like, like Love!)

The book on Ryo's past finally closes, the weight of his parent's death finally lifted from his shoulders. Thus he is able to finally let himself admit his love (gasp!) for Dee and they have a very erotic and amazing night together, after having one earlier in the book that had been a bit more rushed.

For those who like their yaoi/shonen-ai books light...this is still a bit graphic for those looking for sweet kisses and hugs. If you want full blown graphic sex scenes...neither are here. A subdued, cleverly shaded scene with beautiful imagery are given instead!

All in all...an amazing manga ends with the amazing finish of the seventh and last book.

FAKE, we miss you already.

(Don't forget to buy the DVD! :D)

This is my all time favorite series - even though it's only Shonen Ai it is the greatest Manga Series out there. The art is great and the story is funny and sweet in a lot of places, especially when it reveals how much the two main characters care for one another. It focuses on Dee Laytner and his persistence to get into the pants of his new partner Ryo Maclean, your average uke not knowing what to make of Dee's advances and Dee isn't the only one after Ryo, their new boss Berkley Rose is and Dee has his own admirers including one hyperactive jealous JJ, who hates Ryo. This is a must have series for any Yaoi or Shonen Ai Fan!

Oh my dear God... Thank you Sanami Matoh. This is the perfect ending to the perfect series. It's my favorite series and after finishing it I can't stop reading fanfiction about these two [In fact I can't read any fanfiction other than ones based on FAKE now!]. I feel so alive after reading this series... and i'm so happy for Dee [my fav character. HE'S SOOO HOT!!!] for finally getting Ryo after 2 long years of celibacy. He deserves it. He loves Ryo so much. They're perfect 2gether.
And, in my opinion, I love Matoh-sensei's art and congradulate her for not making Ryo into into one of those ukes with no muscles at all, it's good to see something that breaks away from the mainstream. I also love how Ryo is older. Love It!! Ryo isn't too wimpy but he isn't detached from his sentimental side - and neither is Dee. This couple is amazing and I think all FAKE-addicts should go onto the web and read some fanfictions by Wildefyre, Swordy[read the Crash and Burn Series!!!!Now!!], happyberry, and all the rest.
...And if you don't know already, the characters from FAKE all appear in a short one-shot that is based a few years after the manga ends and shows who ends up with whom. This 24-page short was featured in Sanami Matoh-sensei's artbook Monotone and was called Like, Like, Love. If you like, and are interested, if you go to fakephoenix.com [no www.], enter, and go to translations, you'll find 'Like, Like, Love' at the bottom of fakephoenix's list [no downloading involved, just click the links and there are the pics]. I <3 fakephoenix's site. She takes care of it so well, in my opinion.
This is the best manga ever, and the OAV ain't too shabby if you don't think like me. [I think the animators screwed up Matoh-sensei's wonderful art and the fact that Henry was okay after getting hit with a motorcycle (in other words, the creators of the anime didn't follow the manga all too well) weirded me out, because even in the manga Henry was carried out on a strecher because of a little police brutality... but w/e].
Yeah, well, I'm done.
DeeXRyoFFRox
Signed,
A die-hard anime/manga fan

In the fall of 1961, Jacob Kurtzberg of New York City's Hell's Kitchen York teamed with fellow Manhattanite Stanley Lieberman to put some pizzazz in Martin Goodman's monster comic book line, and came up with a quartet of off-beat heroes who would launch the Marvel Age of Comics. Today it's hard to say who is more famous, the creators or their creations.

Better known as Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, these two men largely were the House of Ideas, and nowhere did they demonstrate it better than in the pages of The Fantastic Four. Collected here are the first thirty seminal issues and the first summer annual, complete with pinups and letters columns and even in-house ads and special features, but all on much better paper and with more vibrant colors than the original stories.

Whether you're an aging Baby-Boomer whose mother threw out the dog-eared copies you used to keep under your bed, or a neophyte who never heard of Dr. Doom until the first Fantastic Four movie, this is a wonderful book that will remind (or show) you why The Fantastic Four deserved the title of "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine."

I think these are the finest comic books ever produced but I took off one star for the format. It's just too big and unwieldy when trying to read. You can only read it comfortably by setting it down on a table. The Marvel Masterworks format is much better. They only need to add the letters pages and the few little special features (There are only about 5 pages of unused artwork at the back of the book) and the Omnibus becomes unnecessary.

Really what can one say about Jack Kirby and Stan Lee's Fantastic Four. Its a groundbreaking concept that you as the reader get to watch mature in 30 + issues in one book and in color. Its different than other super hero books as these members have great emotional reactions between both the evil foes and themselves. Its a Super hero comic soap opera as every issue became a cliff hanger. Jack Kirby makes this book live with his dynamic art. Stan's no slouch with stories either. Its a decent price to pay and is put together well. Many Marvel books have gutter problems, this one doesn't. Do yourself a favor and either re-live these books or start with some timeless super hero stories, its a winner !

This includes the first 30 issues of FF plus the first annual. The book itself is hardcover, high quality glossy pages with each issue in the order it was released. The book is over 800 pages and each page is comic book size. Each issue is reprinted with the cover page and the letters page. At the back there are some alternate covers for certain of the issues, an original plot outline for the first story, as well as essays from Lee, Thomas and others.

For me, I prefer this to the dvd alternative, but that comes down to your own personal preference of reading pages or a screen, plus space to keep books as well as cost. I would love to see the entire series out in this format, even if it would run around 15 volumes. Hopefully, Marvel will at least issue a few more volumes, though.

an earlier reviewer mentioned that it's better/easier to read these issues through the DVD-Rom and I would disagree with that because it's never as comfortable to go scrolling up and down each page of a book like this when you can have each issue reproduced in mint condition and read them all at your liesure in a comfy chair or in bed and appreciate the early brilliance of Lee/Kirby. It simply does NOT get better than this. Cannot recommend it highly enough. My question is when does the next TWO F.F. Omnibuses come out? We desperately need F.F. #31 thru 65 and then #66 thru 100 to wrap up the entirety of the Lee/Kirby run. Marvel, HURRY!

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

This was my favorite volume so far. I love Haru so much he is my favorite character. I got to read more about him and I also got to read about sorry-ful Ritsu and his childhood.......I love Fruits Basket so much. This is the best manga ever written.

I love the Fruits Basket series. I love how the book is well written and the humor in it. The characters personality is perfect chosen for each character and they all fit it great! I can't wait for the next volume!

Fruits Basket book 8 is the best one so far. I've read it about 12 times. If you're a fan of Haru, you'll love this book. You also meet Ritzu in this book . it's a must buy!

Haru Sohma's personality suddenly goes black in school and he begins tearing up the classroom for no obvious reason. Yuki attempts to get the reason for these actions only to learn of some dealings with Akito that Haru has had to suffer from lately. Ritsu Sohma shows up, dressed all in a pretty kimono, this Sohma member dazzles Tohru with her good looks, and horrifies her with her inherent anxiety attacks. But the truth of Ritsu lies under the surface, and Tohru is surprised to learn it. Besides that, Ritsu is also a zodiac member, the monkey, born in 1980 I estimate. Ritsu and Tohru bond after Ritsu confesses some personality flaws to Tohru. Yuki also checks up on Haru, to see how he is doing after turning black at school.

School parent/teacher conferences are coming up, and the Sohma house is all in a panic over it. Kyo and Yuki don't know who to ask to attend, and much time is spent agonizing over what their future plans are. Tohru also breaks down a bit under the stress of all of this.

A reoccurring dream of Yuki's past puts him into a foul mood, as does a surprise visit from his brother Ayami. In an attempt to heal their broken past Ayami offers to attend the school conferences in place of Yuki and his parents.

Summer vacation begins with a trip to the haunted mansion for everyone. For Tohru this is a disturbing experience, as she is terrified of haunted houses. Haru helps her through it with some creative thinking, much to Yuki and Kyo's annoyance.

More Haru...sigh... there simply isn't enough Haru in this series I'm afraid. But fans of him will get just enough of a peek into his life to be satisfied. Ritsu is a bit annoying, but you need that to balance out the strength of all the other characters... Still in love with this series though, who isn't by this point?

I have been a fan of Fushigi Yuugi for a long time now. I have all of the manga, and have seen most of the DVDs, except the OAV (which I really wanna see xD) but it's amazing! I reccomend it!

I've been a Watase fan for about 2 years now. I have finished Ceres:Celestial Legend, Imadoki, and Alice 19. I started the Fushigi Yuugi series last year and am on the book 12. I learned that there was a prequil to the series! I was very impressed right from the beginning!The art is better than ever! And the character's are even better that what I expected. But with Watase there are always surprises!

Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden is probably my favorite Yu Watase title up to date. Takiko, the female lead, is a strong young woman who is not afriad to do what she knows is right and doesn't back down. She can handle herself and will fight to protect what she holds dear. When I first picked up the title, it wasn't because I was a huge fan of the original Fushigi Yugi. Honestly, Miaka irritated me with her generally weak and helpless behavior. To me, it seemed like she always needed to be saved. However, I could not have been more pleasantly surprised when I realized in just the first volume that Takiko was a strong, deep character with many layers to her personality and her fair share of human flaws. All in all you realized very quickly that Genbu Kaiden is significantly darker and aimed towards an older audience than most of Yu Watase's other works. Definitly a manga for you if you're a fan of the creater's work and are becoming immune to the Imadoki-style fluff. The romance in this manga is much more alluring and mature.

I'm a big fan of Fushigi Yugi. Been a big fan for years and just recently finished the manga last year, only to discover the prequel had been released!

Right from the first volume I was impressed. It's even better than the original and to me that's saying a lot.

One thing that is better about it is the romance doesn't develop right off the bat. In the original Fushigi Yugi, one thing that always bothered me (and made me laugh like mad) was the sheer corniness of the romance between Miaka and Tamahome, like how Miaka falls in love with him after first meeting him, and all the constant "Miaka!" "Tamahome!" scenes. Not to mention all the gratuitous near-rape scenes in every volume.

Takiko is a far more mature character than Miaka. She's tough, she's her own woman, and she's hilarious. Basically, she's a strong main character that, this time around, I can actually relate to--she has more of a backbone and isn't as whiny. The overall story is far more mature and refined, with the romance progressing at a more natural, subtle rate. There are no insta-romances here! It's more believeable, and in that I find it a lot more beautiful, whereas I always found Miaka and Tamahome's love cliche and forced.

The story itself is more mature, with more political issues coming into play. Really, the relationships between individual countries and cultures is more defined and more a central part of the story. Similarly, the characters are far more interesting and quirky! Really, each character fascinates me and stands on his or her own, whereas in the original there were some characters I honestly couldn't care less about.

The art is also excellent. Watase has come a long way since the original.

Overall, it's an excellent series so far! And while I still love the original and always will, even after only three volumes the prequel has already outdone the original.

Or, at least it has in my opinion. ^_~

(SPOILERS INCLUDED)
I want to start off by sayin that I'm so happy that Yu Watase made this manga. It can be enjoyed by both female and males, it has a lot of action-adventure and drama to it, and the lovy dovy stuff definetly isnt as much as the original. I always wanted to know more about the Priestess of Genbu, since she was the first priestess to get pulled into the book, and yet we know so little about her. To everyone that doesnt know yet, her name was Takiko Okuda and her Father Einosuke brougth the Universe of the Four Gods from China to Japan around 1923.This story is very much more mature and darker than the original Fushigi Yugi. Takiko is a 17 year old girl who moves to Morioka from Tokyo because her mother wanted to move back to her hometown since she's dying. Anyways she hasnt seen her father in like a year and then he finally comes home with the Universe of the Four Gods, he is obsessed with the book, and continues to translate it, ignoring both his daughter and sick wife. Takiko's mother ends up dying, so she goes to her father, who has just finished translating the book. She is filled with rage, since he hasn't stopped working on the book, and it seems that he doesnt even care about his own wifes death. Takiko tells her father that she know he wished she would have been a boy, and he says "perhaps if you were a boy maybe i could have..." and right after he says that, takiko in her rage grabs the Universe of the Four Gods and is about to start to rip it when shes pulled into it. She end up in Bei-jia a.k.a Hokkan, the Land of Genbu. She is on a snow-covered mountain, this is were she finds Uruki of the Genbu Celestial Warriors, he is a man, but when using his power, he turns into a woman, and he's chained to a wall. He is supposed to be put to death since he has killed 1000 men(most of them being assassins sent to kill him). Takiko goes up to him(he's in his female form) and just as she does, snow demons come out of the ground to feast on the humans. Takiko grabs a stick(mind you she is very skilled with the Naginata) and she trys to fight them, in order to defend Uruki who she doesnt even know. Right when she is about to be killed by the group of demons, Uruki uses his wind powers to kill them all. He is very weak after spending the night chained to the wall, and has a fever. Takiko takes him(still in his female form the whole time) to a inn, where she lays(not sex!) with him to reduce his fever. After she does, they wake up the next morning and he's in his male form. She starts freaking out, and talks about how now no one will ever want to marry her now. He thanks her and she asks him what is the animal on the wall panel, which is Genbu(a turtle mixed with a snake). He tells her about the legend of the Priestess from another world, and how everyone looks at the Priestess and Celestial Warriors as a bad omen. Since the Priestess appears when the country is on the brink of collapse. Qu-dong a.k.a Kutou whos guardian is Seiryu, is invading Bei-jia trying to conquer it since it is the biggest country of the four. We also find out that Limdo is Uruki's birthname. A bounty hunter is after Limdo and is at the inn. He trys to kill Limdo, but fails. Later on Limdo and Takiko are surrounded by a bunch of people who want to kill Limdo. When they are about to attack, Takiko blinds them all by giving off her Legendary Silver Light, which she doesnt even know how she did. Limdo escapes, and Takiko is taken away by the bounty hunter who we find out is Tomite of the Celestial warriors. Remember him from the original, he and Hikitsu guarded Takiko's Shinzaho even after dying 200 years earlier. Thats how vol.1 ends. It's a very good manga, so give it a try! Also thanks for reading my long review!

This is just one of those mangas you can't help but become addicted to. The story is SO CUTE! And it's hella funny. Kyo (the girl posing as a guy) is not your normal manga style girl, she seems to be more guy-ish (espically once you get to vol.6 and up-she seems to have a perverted mind-) It was non stop laughs when I was reading this book ( I was kicked out of my school library for laughing too loud..*cough*). The art style is also very well done, the funny expressions will catch you off gaurd :p Bottom line: TRY THIS SERIES!-you won't regret it----

I'msure if you've read the other reviews, then you know what this book is about by now.

I really loved this series. It's a bit like a modern-day Mulan, only the main character was forced to do something against her will, while Mulan was completely on her own with the important decision.

Awesome for teens. Especially if you like basketball. Highly recommended!

Girl Got Game is one of my favorite manga series. I haven't read that many series, but i still like it a lot. Its about a girl who's dad loves basketball, but when he was in collage he injured himself and couldn't play nationally, so he enrolls her as a boy in a co-ed school so she can play basketball as a guy for him.
She meets a guy who she hates at first, but eventually falls in love with, and its just a really nice story of a girl who has some problems but gets over them and falls in love along the way. I like the story most because she learns to like a guy she once hated, which shows that you can fall in love with anyone, no matter who they are, and i can personally relate to that (not with a guy i hate, but a friend who was very unexpected). So yeah, i think its a great manga, probably more for girls than guys but whatever.

Power!! (Girl Got Game) is a very good shoujo series. It's about girl named Kyou Aizawa, who ends up entering a high school known for 1. their very cute uniforms, and 2. their elite basketball team. It turns out that Kyou ended up entering the school as a GUY rather than a girl (poor Kyou, she didn't get to wear the pretty uniform>_< this was all her dad's plan).
So, anyway, when Kyou started school, she met Eniwa Chiharu, who is on the team. She didn't have a very good start with getting to know him, and later, they end up being roommates in their dorms.
Kyou has to go through many difficulties to be act as a guy and not be found out. When taking a bath, she has to make sure that the coast is clear, and that no one would come in, so she takes it while everyone else is having dinner. She has to wear the boys' uniform, and so no one will become suspicious, she also straps down her chest.
This is all I'm willing to share, for those who have not read this series. Good series, and has the same cuteness as Seino-sensei's other works, such as Heaven!!, and Suki Suki Darin (those aren't released in the US yet. I read from scanalations).
If you read this series, you will find it has similarities to Hana-Kimi. Well, good reading! Ciao! (I wanted to say that, just telling you I'm not Italian or anything of that matter.)

I started reading this manga and was very happy to find yet another good manga to read. I seem to be attracted to the whole girl-acting-as-a-guy type of manga. So the story started off good. It was about a girl pretending to be a boy so she can play basketball. But as the story continued...and neared the ending...I discovered that it was becoming very dumb. The plot kinda died and people were acting in stupid ways and I'm sorry but I do not advise you to read it. It's kinda odd to right a review like this. I'm trying to explain this in the best way possible so here you go.

Beginning = GOOD. ^-^

Ending = GAHH. WTF!?!!?!? D<

Earth shaking. Booty shaking. Think Archie for the Manga Generation and then some - that represents just one facet of this mindbending series. I picked this up on a whim but never expected how it would unfold. GTO # 1 is unassuming for the most part and as a series, truly twists and turns and reaches higher and higher - while maintaining its characters. Tohru Fujisawa is a master storyteller, who isn't afraid to use self referential, toilet humor, schoolgirl cliches, panty jokes, you name it - but keeps it relevant. Each volume is a cliffhanger which is what Manga is all about...Tohru, I salute you.

I've already watched the complete Anime TV series. I loved it so much that I did not expect that the Mange could have bin any better however the manga is much better then the TV series. It's about a punk biker who decides to become a teacher. There's comedy, action, love, brief nudity, mindless violence and everyone likes mindless violence... Just buy the damn thing.

This is the best manga ever written. The premice may sound questionable to you manga lovers out there,I know it does not have any magic but you will survive. Trust me buy it. Even if you have never read a manga before it may change your life. With its amazingly funny toilet humor and awsome well rounded characters. So just buy it, its a very quick read and very funny.

Tokyo Pop are know for quality, but GTO just blows every thing else away. The story is good, the art work is top class and it makes you laugh, but remains semi-believable. Tohru Fujisawa deserves so much respeck for both this and the rest of the GTO series. I would recommend this to everyone,I picked Vol. 1 up on a hunch and soon became a huge fan. If you like any manga and haven't read this you really have to. You will be left at the point you have to get (The 4-star rated by me and that's the worst!) Vol. 2. Get it now!

Great Teacher Onizuka, or GTO, for short, is one of the most popular mangas going, with over 37 million copies sold worldwide. I wouldn't really expect that, seeing as how it focuses on the life of a teacher. If you can imagine a cross between Marlon Brando as the Wild One and the beatnik attitude of Jack Kerouac along with the cool hipness of Japanese youth as a teacher. While being brillantly subversive, GTO succeeds as both entertainment and satire of the teaching establishment, much as Chaucer lampooned the Church in his Canterbury Tales.

Eikichi Onizuka is the 22 year old ex-leader of a biker gang who has found out that he's not going to be able to goof off his whole life. He has to find a job. Having a fetish for young girls in uniform, he decides to become a teacher. He finds out that his impulsive decision is going to take a lot more courage than he thought. This first volume is basically his origin story as he is disappointed by his dreams of becoming something great and having to reevaluate his life as he begins his teacher training. It also begins a pattern that will continue in the following books, namely that he has to use his wits to escape the plots of hateful students and a vice-principal who would like nothing more than to fire him.

This book was great. What can I say? If you are a teacher, you'll really get a kick out of seeing a cartoon character fulfill your wishes. Who doesn't want to karate kick their bonehead students sometimes? While Onizuka's attraction to high school girls seems lurid, we find out that he becomes overwhelmed with trying to help his students rather than wanting to seduce them in the end. I think it's just a Japanese thing to be attracted to girls in school uniforms. I think anyone with a sense of humor and semi-lewdness would find these manga entertaining and funny. I would especially recommend it to teachers.