Manga Books

I totally agree with the other reviews to date - this is an addictive and surprisingly compelling series that hasn't yet disappointed! To give some contrast, other shojo series that I hold in high regard are (in no particular order) Hot Gimmick, Fruits Basket, Meru Peri, and From Far Away ... Mars is probably more like Hot Gimmick in style than it is to the other ones.

The reason I was compelled to write this review is because I noticed that the inside pages someone has loaded up to Amazon's listing for Mars #5 aren't from the 5th book, they're from the first one, so use them to see the drawing style but ignore the content.

GREAT MANGA!!!!
I'm in my twenties and this is one of the best mangas

On a suggestion from a magazine article on graphic novels, I ordered the first few translated volumes of this manga for the high school library for which I work. We are in the process of building a small graphic novel collection and this series is just the kind of teenage romance that will go over well. All of the characters have their foibles and the main romance has all that angst that the girls seem to love. The art style is very pretty and detailed without being muddy. As with all of TokyoPop's translations, this is read from right to left and back to front like authentic manga but each volume has instructions for how to do this. It's harder than it might seem.

I just got back from a trip to Florida, and while there I bought books two through five and I've already read each three times (at least). But anyway, about the Fifth.... Book five reveals yet more parts of Rei's past to Kira and a lot of Rei's perspective on why Sei did what he did when Kira spends the night. Shiori's still there (blehh), trying to get Rei back by any means nessecary, which includes pleading and a great deal of crying; which seems to be going on a lot lately. More news!: Rei and Kira's relationship is really lacking anything past hugging and kissing (catch my drift?), and Rei may start to lose interest if things dont't heat up soon!

I had been wanting to get my hands on MARS #1 for sometime now and I wasn't disappointed when I finally had it in my hands and read it. It was simply beautiful! the art isn't as flourish as CLAMP's yet it has this certain simplicity that captivates you from the very start.
The story is about how two entirely different worlds clash, starcrossed lovers meet and create this balance in their surroundings. Kira is incredibly shy while Rei is incredibly outgoing. The very start of the saga and how, given the circumstances they meet and as different they are... they are perfect for each other. What I love most about this manga is how love is portrayed as something so beautiful and simple, not with those silly vows that in the end no one commits. True undying love. This manga is filled with tension, suspense, love, fear, jealousy, admiration... I assure you won't be disappointed and will be desperate for the next volume!

A must for any shoujo-manga collector's shelf.

GREAT MANGA!!!!
I'm in my twenties and this is one of the best mangas

I read alot of mangas but I'm not really into the high school dramas but I read this one and it just captured me. It's about every high school girls students dream, to be the one that goes out with the most popular guy in school. That was not the same for Kira Aso, who just wanted everyone to just leave her alone and let her paint. That's when Rei Kashino, the most popular guy in the school starts to fall head over heals for Kira.They find out alot about each others past good and bad but that does not bother then because they love each other and nothing or no one is going to stand in there way. I don't want to ruin the rest of the story cause it starts to get really good. It's pretty much about how a hight school love can turn into something even greater. Trust me this is one manga you are going to want to read

I've gotten my friends where I live addicted to Manga books. We all went to Tokyopop.com and looked at the books and most of us wanted to read MARS. And then my friend found it in our school library and we were instanly hooked. MARS has a storyline that is simplistic and easy to follow, nothing where you have to memorize which robot is which and whose screwing who. MARS is about love, its how a good girl can chagne a bad boy forever.
Kira and Rei are the obvious main characters of the book, and the story revolves around their love. I personally love it because of the leassons they learn and the realistic problems they face (such as jealous ex-girlfriends, jealous bestfriends, and a world of sex).

My group of friends and I are really into manga books. I never really was, however. One of them handed me MARS #1 and I read it within 3 periods. I flipped out. I needed the next one. MARS was an addiction. A combination of wonderfully drawn artwork and a twisted story. I say twisted because it has everything, humor, violence, love, fear, sadness. I loved it. I still have not read 11-15 but am eager to. The cover says something about it being a story for teen girls but I am a 16 year old guy and I still liked it. I think other manga fans will too, despite their gender!

There are inumerous shojo manga (girl's comics) artists in Japan. To pick one that would describe them all would be to choose Fuyumi Soryo's Mars.
The story follows the standard good girl meets bad boy and love developes despite all odds. What could very easily fall into the "overbeaten" path has actually blazed its own way into being a highly believable and totally addictive tale. Fifteen volumes in all, TokyoPop has released about five or six volumes so far.
The story revolves around the shy and reclusive artist Kira Aso and the overly popular motorcyclist Rei Kashino. Kira has always found the rebelious Rei to be obnoxious and loud, way too much for her quiet artistic life to accept. When a chance meeting in the park ignites a stirring romance that blossoms in the very first volume, readers will become totally enthralled with every twist and turn fate deals out for the two young lovers.
Angsty and yet humorous (take a look at Tatsuya's shirts and Rei's cigarette pack for a little extra english humor...), Mars proves Fuyumi Soryo as one of Japan's great shoujo manga artist/authors. The artwork is stunning and brings the characters to life on every page (sometimes I could just 'see' the motions of the motorcyle racing, particularly in volume three). What could have been very stereotypical and very forgetable is, in actuality, simply stunning! It's a great read through and through! I would recommend this to people who like Marmalade Boy, Paradise Kiss, Maison Ikkoku, and Peach Girl.

GREAT MANGA!!!!
I'm in my twenties and this is one of the best mangas

My 2 teenage daughters love the Mars series. So far, #8 has been their favorite. I finally started reading the series myself and it is a wonderful animae teenage love story.

I guess its a very typical premise. Bad Boy/Good Girl get together and have turbulent relationship.

I've only read to volume 8(And that's only because I can't buy them all at once!). As of today I've that's what I've read. And I love it, its addictive.

And maybe the characters syart out stereotypical, but I think they break them with a lot of character development. I mean I really understand where Kira is coming from. Maybe that person thinks she's damsle-distressy. And maybe so, but some people are like that. Or wish they were(Despote all the feminime, we shouldn't be like that and are'nt like that stuff.). I mean I've been through some stuff similar to Kira. And well I guess unless you've been through it you may not think her actions are realistic or whatever. But I really saw a lot me in her.

And whether or not its a pretty overused story-line, I think Mars is a *great* Manga. The characters(Like Harumi, I thought she seemed all B**** at first, and she'd be the typical girl you love to hate, but she ends up being really nice. :D) to me are quite intrueging(And no, I'm not a sheltered little kid, I, in fact make studying people my hobby. :D). And I'm always wondering what will happen next, I figure they'll probrably end up together in the end, but maybe they wont. Either way I'm more concerned with what happens along the way.

So I say give Mars a shot, I mean its made me think a little about myself, and make me try to get over some things in the past. So it can't be all bad. :D

And well, its not for everyone. So maybe you'll hate it and maybe you wont. And there is vulgarity, violence, and sexuality. So beware.! :)

God Bless ~Amy

This series has the best qualities that you wish every story had. The plot is intersting and well formed, the characters are lovable and have alot of depth, the artwork is beautiful (especially the character designs, Rei is hot!), and so much more. I usually stay clear of most romance and shoujo(girls) manga, but I've become addicted to this series. I even got my sister (who NEVER reads anything) to read these books and she's in love with them too.
Mars is a classic series and it's easy to see why tokyopop picked this title to help launch their manga collection which has become such a huge success. (check out the publisher's other titles if you get the chance)

In this volume, Kira's past is revealed. Kira tells her boyfriend, Rei about when she was raped by her stepfather, shocking Rei. Kira reveals that their is a side of herself that she's afraid of. Kira goes to school the next day and Rei picks her up and takes her out on the beach to relax. They discuss Kira's past and Kira tells Rei about their first real meeting and how he is special to her. Rei and Kira go out at night and Kira and Rei kiss. Kira goes home, very happy, until she finds out that her stepfather, the one who raped her years ago, has returned to live with them. How will Kira react? How will Rei react? Read this great volume to find out!

GREAT MANGA!!!!
I'm in my twenties and this is one of the best mangas

This book has made me fall in love again.Not only is this my favorite book but this has one of the best pictures ,(especially the sex part).I recommend not sharing with this with kids under 13.This book is great and it's so romantic since there getting back together.

I am 12 years old, and this book was kind of innapropriate, so i suggest, that yea, while the label says 13 and up, 12 year olds who are obsessed with the series should be able to read it too. Oh, and i just wanna say, MAN!!!THAT LADY CAN DRAW!!!! But anyone under that age shouldnt be able too. I mean, i'm pushin' the bar here, but, if you have a little kid that wants to read it, no acceptions. Besides, it might be hard for them to understand anyways. Now that i've rambled, i want to say, in the series up to this point, the author has created a wonderful storyline, well developed characters, and exquisite art that should be admired by all.....people over 13 that is.....

GAWD this book was one of the best in the series. Kira and Rei! It finally happens! Sucks for Shori from earlier volumems but I digress. This book is great for Mars fans 13 or older, how ever, there are some young budding fan girls (younger that 13) for whom this would probobly be inappropriate. It is, how you say "graphic" inthe nudity depo. Not too much, but just enough that I strongly recommend adhearing to the age lable on the back. For all you appropriate readers however, GO READ IT NOW. DONT DELAY. MAY SOME RABID OTAKU SMACK YOU ON THE NOGGIN IF YOU DELAY ANY FURTHER. Well said my peice. Enjoy.

Soryo's work keeps you captivated and begging for more! After reading the first book, I not only fell in love with the story but the characters and artwork. Unlike some "manga" books, the artwork is clean and smooth, and not sex obsessed. This is the only book in the series with any sex that may not be appropriate for younger readers (under 12 or 13). At first glance this may seem like the stereotypical bad boy-good girl love story, but the twists and turns and emotions you get are something completly different! This book is more than worth it! I just count the days until I can read the next one!

While it may be over-the-top and full of ultra-violence and adult themes, MBQ has filled the niche of an American-style manga of the highest quality. Felipe Smith's style seems to be influenced by Tatsuya Egawa of Golden Boy, but his perspective is all his own.

The story is one of violence, sex, and revenge. But smack dab in the middle is a bright-eyed, naive, over-confident comic artist named Omario and we get to see his big pitch! It's a wild ride into a cynical comic artist's mind that you shouldn't miss!

This is a great comic! I've read it no less than 5 times in the month that I've had it. I'll read it again and again.

This is without a shadow of a doubt the freshest, hippest and most intelligent piece of writing and drawing I've seen in forever! Buy it before this dude becomes far too famous and his work is unobtainable. I've got a feeling about this.... the structure of stories, the factions on his characters.... all is totally believable and transports you... I dunno simply elsewhere.

Do your self a favor and buy as many as you can get your hands on. This is the start of a new era in graphic storytelling. Felipe Smith is a genius. I give it a mind-blowing 10 out of 10!!!

MBQ was a true delight to read. An original storyline with edgy, expressive, and gritty artwork, Felipe Smith carries the reader through the lives of individuals in the LA area. What truly surprised me was to get a perspective from "both sides of the track." You see the weak sides of the bad guys and tough side of the good guys. Felipe managed to create a realistic setting with incredibly believable characters.

While the cover is a bit misleading--the cutesy artwork can lead one to believe this is for a younger crowd--and I found myself a little queasy at some of the explicitness in the first chapter, MBQ is still an engrossing manga to be reckoned with. I look forward to future volumes and hope to see more of the main character and his interaction in the lives of those around him. This is a must-read for more mature readers looking for something refeshing and new.

This is a love story.

It makes no attempt to be anything else. Set during the Heian Era in Japan (an era that's proving as popular for manga/anime released in the U.S. as the Warring States), it's visually accurate (especially with regard to the clothing) and the story is just complex enough to hold an older reader's attention without confusing a younger one.

The manners, customs, and behavior of the era are captured well, and the love story is--gasp!--believable! This isn't a case of unrequited love, or bad-boy-turning good/shy-victim-girl. Aogi and Akane love each other, they know it, Akane's mother knows it, her *brother* knows it. It's cultural prohibitions that are causing their obstacles.

When I said this was a love story, I meant it on several levels. While the focus is Aogi and Akane, we also see Captain Tou's protectiveness and affection for his sister, Lady Naishinokami's love and concern for her daughter, even the devotion of Akane's servant Sayo. (We even get a few great moments with the hero-worshipping assistant lieutenant Gen and the 'snobby' omnyoji who is Tou's friend, though neither will admit it.)

Good character-driven stories with strong historical settings are hard to find. Snap this one up.

I'm not typically into romance type stories. I like a little more action and adventure but I couldn't help but love this story. The characters were intriguing and I happily followed the story of our clumsy heroine. I even noted some of her emotional growth early on which made me happy since some stories of this nature tend to drag on.

By the end of the first volume I wanted to know more and searched for the second volume.

This series is worth a look although I do find myself wondering if the company will ever release a third volume. If you don't mind waiting then I strongly suggest this series.

i loved this book. it was very interesting and funny. i recommend this book to EVERYONE! it was my first manga book, too.

Being a rather experienced anime/manga person myself, I have to say this manga is one of the best single manga I have ever read. I have enjoyed many different types of anime and manga, including Tenchi Muyo, Kenshin, Cowboy Bebop, .Hack//sign, Inuyasha (GAHHH!!!), Wolf's Rain, FLCL, and Excel Saga. As far as one manga goes, I enjoyed "Starlight" alot becasue I didn't have to read the entire series or even any other volumes to understand whats going on or to explain the characters. As far as characters go, It's difficult for me to choose a favorite as I like nearly all of them, which is a first as in all the other series I listed above I have disliked many weak or annoying characters. Most of the characters here are interesting and fun. The plot flow was nice and kept my attention, another thing some series lack.(*cough*Wolf's Rain*cough*) If I had to pick one thing about this manga that caught me the most, it has to be the setting. I love the historical Japanese setting, more so than in Kenshin, as this has less fight scenes that get exasusting to watch after awhile. The almost dreamy atmosphere of this manga was very relaxing as right before I read this, my anime world consisted mostly of the Kenshin Legend of Kyoto box set that is wonderful, yet nerve-wrecking to watch (Kenshin vs. Aoshi) and sometimes sad. (Poor Sojiro!) I was also getting a rightly amount of Wolf's Rain, which is self-explanitory to those who know it, and completely useless to those who don't. Anyway, awesome manga, I can't wait to read the second one, and sorry for rambling on and on.... Oh, and Hikoboshi was great, and this is coming from a dog person.

I happened to pick up the second volume of this manga at a scholastic book fair that was held at my school. I didn't realize that I bought volume 2 and was slightly disappointed but then after I started reading it, I found it was very easy to get into the series without actually having read the first one. I purchased volume 1 from amazon that same day.

One thing that makes this manga interesting is that Hiro Matsuba did a great deal of research before compiling ideas. The clothing designs of the Heian period and social status of the characters is very accurate which makes for a tale that's just THAT much more real-sounding.

But even more than that is the art itself. While it may not be Yuu Watase art, it's about as close as you're going to get without going overboard. It's beautiful and with the pictures you can almost feel what the characters are feeling.

The "forbidden" romance between Akane and Aogi makes for a very good story. Akane (the stereotypical clutz) and heroine of this story, has the brightest personality and seems to fit just right with Aogi. All she ever wants to do is make him happy and be with him. Although this may be demanding of him at times, it adds such a cuteness to the whole story.

I also love Hikoboshi (her cat). He may not be a main character or anything but the story would be slightly bland without him dropping a dead animal on the floor here and there. That, and he's just the most adorable thing.

So anyway, there are many cute little 'moments' in volume 1. If you're a fan of that sort of thing then I'm sure you'll love this book.

I will keep it simple and just say i really enjoyed this book. The art style is diffrent and sweet. I love the girls big cute shoes and the beautiful backround settings. I really don't think a manga/anime fan could be dissapointed with this book. vibrant pages of cute anime girls with their own names and bios make this book a pleasure to add to my collection.

I have NEVER regretted Buying This! The art style is so unique and cute. There are alot of Loli-pictures but its good for refrence material!
There is one naked girl pic in a Artclass Setting. Its not drawn in a offensize way. Theirs also quite a few girls wearing dress shirts and (...). Its still a very good Artist and Worthy of Buying~ !
Please Buy this and get Kao Yun's book too! (

I love this one of the whole entire series. I love the way the artist make characters about it and how they draw the characters. Now only if they could make a show based on this..........

i find this to be the best edition of this series so far. Not only does it have far less fan service, the art style is ver original. I love the beatiful art in this book and could look at it all day. Do your self a favor and pick up a copy.

This is by far the BEST of the New Generation of Manga Artists series. It beats them all in terms of originality and charm.

The best quality I consider in this book is Renga-san's use of backgrounds. He uses up most of his canvas in a majority of his pieces with city scenes (something I'll always have trouble with ^^;;) or images relating to the character's personality (like my favorite, a cute girl with stereo equipment).

As for the characters, most of them are girls (one or two boys are thrown into the mix). The design is very unique and appealing, especially with the big eyes; the lines up close are pretty rough, so if you're sensitive about line quality, you might not be satisfied...however, I'd say they are far from unprofessional. As I mentioned with backgrounds, Renga-san does a lot with bringing out his characters' personalities; there's bonus profiles of some of them in the back of the book.

Unlike most of this series, there's no exaggerating body parts in this edition. There is quite a bit of unnecessary underwear scenes, some so random you wonder why they're even there.>__o;; Only about three of them are near provocative. All in all much tamer then the previous artist books.

I still love this book after 2 years...still use it for reference. It says in the back comments that Renga-san might consider doing another book in the future, and I would be happy if he did. He already has a nice portfolio site (http://rengaworks.hekatoncheir.net/). Anyway, highly recommended book for any budding artist!=D

This has got to be my all-time favorite manga. This book has seven stories, some of them continuing the one before it. Each story has a good plot, and the artwork is so cute ^_^! Don't buy this just because Fuahno and Misaki are on the cover, though. They don't appear in the Manga at all. This book is one that you can read 500 times and you're not sick of it. I had a horrible cold last year (I could barely move) and I read the Sasami story at least 35 times before I could stand up again. If you think you know Tenchi Muyo, and You don't own this, you're wrong.

Oddly enough, I bought this as my FIRST manga in the series. I've seen every episode of every Tenchi series, and even two out of three movies, and this book is so good!! It's a book of 7 various stories. All seven stories are worthy of the name Tenchi Muyo, and all are very cute! Being a RyokoXTenchi fan, I loved 'Powerless', and also Washu-Chan being my favorite character, I also enjoyed 'Washu the Sleuth', and 'Petty Annoyances'. Yume has got to be a new favorite, and the only thing that got to me, was Neither Funaho, nor Misaki were in the book, *pouts and points to cover* But over all, this is now one of my favorite books. Also, you will see a familiar face in 'The Ferrous Chef', *smiles*

If you are a Tenchi fan, you will love this manga! It also portrays the characters perfectly! I found page 16 particularly funny, *snickers*...

This one is cute and pretty funny. It's constant with the TV series and doesn't go off-course with the character personalities and remains readable throughout the entire book. Buying it was pretty much worth it. It's entertaining.

The gangs all here in the 8th book of the No Need For Tenchi Serise! Yume comes to visit Washu at Tenchis Grandma's place and all heck breaks loose. Also Sasami goes to Tokyo in a cooking compition. This book is just a wonderful!!!!!!!

Chef Of Iron is the eighth graphic novel of the No Need For Tenchi series based around the first Techi anime series. It contains seven chapters telling five stories. In chapter one, Tenchi starts behaving oddly, so Washu starts spying on him. In chapters two and three, a laboratory mishap leaves Ryoko without her powers. In chapters four and five, Sasami competes in Iron Chef style show. In chapter six, we get a few thoughts about the world of Tenchi through yosho's eyes. And in chapter seven, Yume returns for a trip to the hot springs. This is a must read for any Tenchi fan and actually deserves five stars, but I took one away because the cover shows characters who don't appear in this book

i love this series. this isn't the manga, it american so its bigger, but it has more pages, and more story in them i love these books.

This book is one of the best in the entire series. Having Skuld fall for a human boy is poetic justice after the hell that she continuely puts Keiichi through for daring to love Belldandy. And letting Sayoko be possessed was great. The goddesses kept trying to convince her that they were divine, and she kept making up excuses to explain away their 'magic tricks.' And then we come to Chihiro, who hides a past that involves the motor club of Nekomi Tech and two certain members.
Get this book! Read it! Love it!

In this edition of "Oh My Goddess" skould learns what learning to be independent really is. Urd flounders up with some kinda weird squid thing that attached itself to Saoko. We also learn about the connection between Tamiya, Otaki and Chihiro. Keichi is thinking about what he really wants to do with his life in terms of careers. And Belldandy, well Bell is just herself. I really did like this book and is a must to keep track of the story line of Oh My Goddess.

Yet another great entry by Fujishima, and may wind up being my favorite in the series. Something of a change of pace from the more raucous THE FOURTH GODDESS that precedes it, CHILDHOOD'S END takes a warm and thoughtful look at its characters' struggles to grow up. Skuld is struggling with learning to use her powers without relying on her sisters to help her. She's also dealing with the pangs of first love for a boy her own age. The first two stories in the book feature her.

#3 features the return of Sayoko after a brief absence, and features her in an unusually sympathetic light, struggling with her own self-doubts and disbelieving everything she sees, thanks to her possession by one of Urd's critters. Some neat role-reversal here, as Belldandy and Urd find themselves trying to convince Sayoko that they ARE goddesses!

The final stories introduce a new character named Chihiro to the series. Chihiro is the legendary former head of the Nekomi Tech Motor Club and is held in awe (and fear!) by Tamiya and Otaki. Both Chihiro and Keiichi are struggling to deal with the future, and the meeting of the two provides some heavy inspirational sparks and a deep underlying sense that these two characters will have a great influence on one another in the future. Belldandy is right to worry, in my opinion! Chihiro is the best new character we've seen in this series, and certainly bears watching.

Skuld has been so persistent in breaking Keiichi and Belldandy up, feeling it is for Belldandy's own good.

It is possible that that might soon change, though, as Skuld begins to grow up and understand what the relationship is all about, how Keiichi makes Belldandy feel.

You will not be disappointed if you like the series so far. With the addition of movie character Chihiro Fujimi, Keiichi's life shall remain a continuous adventure!

Eiichiro Oda, One Piece: The Oath (ViZ, 1997)

It's time to conclude the Baratie storyline-- or is it? The pirate who got himself a free meal in For Whom the Bell Tolls has turned out to be a member of Don Krieg's crew-- and Don Krieg has just returned from the Grand Line, giving Luffy some much-needed information while he continues trying to recruit a cook for his crew. Meanwhile, interesting things are going on in the chapter endpieces (the "Buggy's Crew: The Aftermath" bits that you thought were just Oda having some fun doodling) that could end up having major consequences as time goes on. One Piece is as strong as ever. ****

Awsome,funny,exciting,insterting,what else can I put for it?All I got to say is...It was the funnist book I've ever read!!!!!!It was amazing!!!!!!It was soooooooo...GREAT!!!!!!!With a capital G-R-E-A-T!!!!!!!I couldn't stop smiling of laughter!!!!!"Nami,my love!!"(quoting Sanji.)that's soooo funny!!!!!I think Sanji is the funnist person in the book!!!!And he also loves another girl named Roxxanne?!!!!Ah,come on!!!!!What a ladies man!!!!!!!Also,Zolo was really brave and couragess agiants Mihawk.I'm surpriesed.He wasn't even afraid to die!!Now that's courage!!!But man!!!!!Sanji is the best!!!!!!!I reapet:Sanji is the BEST!!!!!!!!With a capital B-E-S-T!!!!!!!!Ok,I'm done.

This book is very good I just can't stop reading it, every page is cool. It has a lot of action and twists and turns to keep one your feet. I think this is the best on so far!

I can sum this up in one word: kewl. It starts out with Luffy's employment as choreboy to the Barate Oceangoing Restaurant and then the appearance of Don Krieg, leader of 50 pirate crews. He prepares to challenge "Red Shoes" Zeff for his logbook of his travels at the Grand Line, when suddenly a mysterious new character appears, the world-renowned Dracule "Hawk-eyes" Mihawk. Zoro has been waiting his entire life to defeat this man, and so he challenges him to a duel. I won't spoil it, but you have got to get yourself a copy of One Piece: The Oath. Luffy only uses two Gum-gum moves - Gum-gum rocket and giant scythe - but the swordplay is unbelievable. Zoro displays several of his best moves, Onigiri Demon Cut, Tiger Hunt, and Three Sword Style --- Secret Move Three Thousand Worlds. Make sure to pick up a coupon before you buy this manga!

Picking up from where vol. 5 left off, vol. 6 of One Piece finds the Staw Hat crew aboard the ocean restaurant Baratie, where Luffy has to work as a bus boy after injuring the head chef with a rogue cannonball.

Honestly, the Baratie arc is one of my least favorites, as there's not much variety in the scenery and the battles become very dragged out. However, vol. 6 contains a host of important plot points that are essential reading. Don Krieg, the villain of the arc, is introduced. He's one of the few villains who doesn't use devil fruit powers, and instead relies on technological weaponry. The other new pirate is "Hawk Eyes" Mihawk, one of the seven most powerful pirates on the ocean. His honour duel with Zoro is the centerpiece of the volume, and further develops Zoro's motivations while just being a really cool fight. Finally, during the chaos Nami steals the Merry Go (Going Merry) and takes off, setting up the next storyline in the saga. Oh yea and Sanji, the next Straw Hat crew, is also further spotlighted. There's a lot going on here, making vol. 6 worth picking up.