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Manga Books sorted by Average customer review: high to low .

Usagi Yojimbo Volume 21: The Mother of Mountains (Usagi Yojimbo)

Published in Paperback by Dark Horse (2007-07-11)

Author: Stan Sakai

List price: $15.95

New price: $9.01
Used price: $6.99

Average review score:

Another home run for Sakai

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-05-22

Stan Sakai's "Usagi Yojimbo" has no shortage of fans, many of whom can do this book greater justice than I, so I'll keep this review brief. I've been a fan since 1998 when I first read "Daisho," and this latest installment just shows how Sakai's skills have improved over the years. I can't recommend this book highly enough, if just for the deeper look into the life of Tomoe.

Usagi Yojimbo Volume 21

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-24

I have all the previous volumes so i knew what to expect out of it, i love the saga and the charachters. Nevertheless I found it more enjoyable then ever in some aspects and the plot is fantastic. My only suggestion is to start from the beginning of the serie ( I mean volume 1, 2 etc.) because it's a long long long story that developes and continues in every book!

Consistent quality

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-17

I'm a fan of all the UY books, and this one is no different. However, I wish it was a LITTLE different: this is another "Usagi and friends foil conspiracy" story.

The story continues...

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-07-30

I've read Usagi Yojimbo ever since volume 1 til now, volume 21. They're all an excellent read. I especially liked the story about Jotaro when Usagi finds out he is the father of Jotaro in the previous volumes. But this volume does not talk about Jotaro at all except to say that he still hasn't told Jotaro that he is the father, which is fine, I'm sure Stan Sakai will bring him up again in the future volumes. This volume is all about Usagi and Tomoe. The story is interesting and keeps you going as usual. I do not want to ruin the story so I won't elaborate on it but to say it's a good read and am looking forward to the future volumes.

Vagabond , Volume 2 (VIZBIG Edition)

Published in Paperback by VIZ Media LLC (2008-12-16)

Author:

List price: $19.99

New price: $13.59

Average review score:

A manga for a legend

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-04

Takehiko Inoue continues on the same high level with this episode of the life of Musashi. Althoug it tends to be a little to long to tell the life of one of his main contenders(7 volumes). For as much interesting as Sasaki Kojiro's life could be, this is a story about Musashi. That's why I'm not giving a five star rating.

A manga reader

Helpful Votes: 10 out of 10 total.
Review Date: 2003-03-21

Vagabond is one of the few stories I have read that make me sweat with anticipation before flipping to the next page. The action becomes so intense you will feel bad you're flipping through the pages and missing the superb artwork in you're haste to discover the outcome of the last few pages. Overall the action is some of the best I have seen in the manga format.

A powerful story of one man's quest to become "invincible under the sun", Miyamoto Musashi drifts through the world questioning his one principle: his strength. A raging beast in battle, Musashi, only knows what it is to fight but gradually learns of the world beyond strength, blood and death throughout the course of his duels. Some fights take up entire volumes but they are well worth it.

The one negative aspect of Vagabond would have to be that not all the volumes are translated yet, and the reader might have to wait for the next volume to come out. Maybe the age-old story of "the quest" might seem cliché to some readers but if you can stomach it, Vagabond does its take on Musashi's journey in swordsmanship incredibly well.

I am not a Samurai buff, or even a big action fan but Vagabond's has me sold. I have read most (no lie) of the English translated manga you can find in America and easily place Vagabond right up there with Nausicaa, Maison Ikkou, GTO, Akira and Ghost in the Shell. I believe that all types of comic readers can appreciate Vagabond although shojo manga (girls comics) readers might be a little put off by all the blood and death.

A must have.

Even better than the First

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2006-09-23

Vagabond is about the journey of Takezo, a young man, future master swordsman, who is in search of purpose and meaning to his life. In the first book he thinks its to become the best swordsman by challenging and defeating the best in the world. Having experienced disillusionment about people, he meets a monk (You'll love this guy) who strives to teach Takezo the value of a person, beginning with the youth. Book 2 gives us more of Takezo's background as he desends into a bestial killing machine. Can the monk help Takezo save himself? No alone.

If you like Manga that does not romanticizes war or swordsman, Vagabond should peak your interest. The storytelling is excellent in the drawings, more so than the text. I would rank such adept skill in the same arena as Lone Wolf and Cub. LWC is the standard for balancing poetic story telling and showing the hardcore grit of life as a swordsman. The Vagabond sereis starts with a youth, a teen, not a man with a child. So Takezo maturity is not yet there. What drives him to succeed and overcome his past makes this series promising. The characters show a range of emotions in this manga, and the situations they deal with does an excellent job of targeting a mature audience. Takezo struggle for "his" truth becomes ours to learn from his journey about becoming complete.

Read each book like a wine, one delicious sip at a time, enjoy the flavors.

Follows the book! OUTSTANDING!!!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-08-14

I just found out about these titles, bought and read them before I could throw out the box they came in. Being a martial artist and student of Iaido (Japanese sword drawing), I am very Familiar with the Musashi story. Yet these books (vol I & II ) are told from a fresh perspective that keeps you tuned in. I can't wait for the rest of the series to follow.
The artwork alone makes these books worth buying.

Also worth a look are the Lone Wolf and Cub Series...

Vampire Hunter D Volume 8: Mysterious Journey to the North Sea, Part Two (Vampire Hunter D)

Published in Paperback by Dark Horse Books/Digital Manga Publishing (2007-09-05)

Authors: Hideyuki Kikuchi and Yoshitaka Amano

List price: $8.95

New price: $4.66
Used price: $4.67

Average review score:

refreshing

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-01

This book was refreshing, there were a lot of elements, characters involved. D finally gets pushed around and tricked and even dies, again. But man, that left hand is great, I can't wait to see if the future books will give us a flash back book about when D was a bit younger and how he met up w/ Lefty. Most likely, I feel like Dracula left Lefty just for D and for D's purpose (to finish off the Nobility, and I feel that Dracula doesn't actually have a blood lust/thurst, and he's dissapointed @ his creations because he probably expected something else.) I think he is now in the process of creating new life forms w/out blood lust and D's job is to clean up his messes. Just a few words for thought. this was a great read. Movie....I don't know....mini series....ohhh yeah.....

Great ending to the first part; D gets more personality than ever before

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-02-13

This is the eighth book in the Vampire Hunter D series by Hideyuki Kikuchi. This book picks up right where the last book left off; in the middle of a fight.

D struggles (as much as he ever struggles) to protect the pearl from the evil people that plot to steal it from him. He also is protecting Win-Lu from all of the people going after the pearl. There are numerous battle and even more evil-doers than ever before. You finally find out what the pearl is and why it is so important.

As I mentioned when reviewing part 1; this book is somewhat different from the other books in the Vampire Hunter D series in that D is more "human" than ever before. D shows emotion and shows that he has faults like everyone else. Win-Lu is a strong character with a dry sense of humor that makes the book fun. You get to spend a lot more time with D's left hand and his hand also has a sense of wit to rival Win-Lu's.

This was a great book with non-stop action. You are actually left wondering at points if D will give up his wandering for a bit and make this town a temporary home. This book gives some nostalgic insight into how things were with the nobility before disaster struck. Of course more mystery is presented regarding who, and what, D is. Some hints are given as to D's origin but nothing is answered for sure.

I look forward to the next book in the series. Although there is a long way to go in this series. I read somewhere that in Japan book 18 was just released. Good thing I like these books because it looks like I will have a lengthy relationship with them :-)

http://karissabooks.blogspot.com/

A good ending

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-21

This book provided a good, though not decisive, ending to the story begun in volume seven. The theme of this book is mostly about finding acceptance for the things you have done in the past as well as finding a place to belong in the future. Su-in finds out why the vampire in the sea holds such a fascination for her and one or two of the bad guys gets mostly redeemed.

Character development for D takes a suprising turn when we see him consistantly on the losing end of battle-- to the point of being parted from left-hand. While there are few clear defeats there are enough battles that end in a draw that one begins to wonder if D is really invested in the fights. Couple that with the fact that the "bead" that brought about the whole tale turns out to be a non issue, you begin to wonder at the direction this installment seems to be leading the series. I, for one, can't wait for Rose Princess to be released to find out.

Out with a bang

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-07

Wow, I have to say this book was far better than any of the other ones so far. A perfect blend of drama and action, some of the more relevant art work yet, and is the first in a huge leap in characterization. The main heroes and villains are all well developed throughout the story(with the exception of two-ish)and with so many villains your always kept guessing what's next. It is a fitting end to Kikuchi's first run, before rebooting the franchise in 1995 with the Rose Princess. In his post-script he describes it as one of his favorite projects, and it's easily one of his best. There is one thing though, the amazon rating system is very flawed. Former D books have been given 4-4.5, so I had to give such an exceptional volume a 5, but in actuality it is really a 4.3 on my scale, as the average D book would be a 3 and a better one a 3.5.

Vampire Knight, Vol. 4 (Vampire Knight)

Published in Paperback by VIZ Media LLC (2008-04-01)

Author:

List price: $8.99

New price: $4.87
Used price: $4.93

Average review score:

Addictive!!!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-16

Great story, hot guys!! Highly addictive!!!! Since I saw the first chapter of the anime I've been searching in the web all the products related with Vampire Knight: manga, fanfic, translated chapters.... I strongly recommend VK, even for people who do not usually like manga. And sorry for my bad english!!!

The new transfer student.

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 7 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-18

The new night class female member Maria shows her true purpose for transferring to the academy.

Vampire love

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-05

This manga has a good story, it has romance and the darkness that one would get from a vampire story, not to mention the cuteness that one would get from a Shojo manga. All the main characters have an explanation of there beings and the artwork is completely beautiful. I would recommend this story to anyone that like dramas of vampires, it kind of reminds me of a manga version of a teen novel I used to read called Vampire Diaries, so if you haven't checked that out, please do you'll enjoy, that is if you don't mind stories with no pictures.

I don't wanna grow up...

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2008-04-25

...but I don't want to be a vampire!

Volume 1 of Vampire Knight introduced us to sweet Yuki, angsty Zero, and mysterious Kaname. They make quite a triangle and could carry the story all by themselves. Books two and three introduced more interesting characters, from a vampire hunter to...Well, I don't want to ruin the plot but Volume 4 delves into Zero's past. Get this series! You will not be disappointed.

Wild Act, Book 1

Published in Paperback by TokyoPop (2003-07-08)

Author: Rie Takada

List price: $9.99

New price: $5.00
Used price: $3.69
Collectible price: $59.95

Average review score:

Wild Act: One Wild Ride

Helpful Votes: 17 out of 17 total.
Review Date: 2004-01-01

First off, Wild Act gets better with each Volume, unlike most books or manga where the quality is great for the first couple, and then drops off after that. Nope, Wild Act is first-rate manga. And here's why:

The cover may decieve you, but don't let it.! The first Volume we are introduced to Yunika, a total fanatic of the late actor Akira Nanae, the first and only Japanese Actor to ever really cross-over into America. Yuniko is on a mission to get back EVERYTHING that Akira Nanae EVER owned, and to do so, she must steal his belongings from homes, studios, and banks. On a mission to gain Akiras Golden Academy Award, she attends the awards, but she set up the wrong dressing room, because she never thought Ryu Eba(The New Nanae), would win the award. And so they meet, and at first it seems he is just out to cause her trouble and annoy her by throwing obstacles left-to-right to keep her from gather her idols belongings. Soon Yuniko is worried she may be getting off-focus of collecting Akira's belongings, because her mind keeps going back to Ryu.

To find out the rest, you have to read it.! I really CAN'T do the series justice by summarizing this first volume, but just trust me, give the series a shot, I love it(I'm a girl), and my brother and his friend love it too. There's plenty of action and twist in the plot to keep guys interested, and a love story for the mushy headed girls. :D

God Bless & *Enjoy* ~Amy

Good one!

Helpful Votes: 2 out of 2 total.
Review Date: 2003-07-16

Unique story, likeable characters, awesome drawings...what more can I say? Wild Act by Rie Takada is on my top five list!

Yuniko Sakuraba is your typical teenage girl- one who has an obsession for her favorite actor. In Yuniko's case, her idol, Akira Nanae, passed away sixteen years ago in a plane crash. Yuniko has a thing for his prized possessions- even if it means having to obtain some help from her genius friend Tokio Niwa, steal from high-security places, land on foot from three stories high, and deceive popular actor Ryu Eba. Ryu Eba is the so-called "New Nanae", who goes from being one of the people on Yuniko's black list to someone on the top of her list.

I must applaud Rie Takada!

Offers more than expected!

Helpful Votes: 4 out of 4 total.
Review Date: 2003-08-13

Suprisingly cute story with more heart than the premise might indicate. An obsessive fan finds clever ways to steal personal items belonging to a famous movie star that died young. There's actually a heartfelt reason for her obsession and a disturbing secret that is waiting for her behind closed doors. [...] Drawn and written for girls, but with plenty of smart-alec humor and intense theif action that could attract a wide audience.

Funny, great, sexy love story

Helpful Votes: 6 out of 6 total.
Review Date: 2004-06-07

Wild Act trully gets better & better after each volume. The first volume is merely an introduction of Yuniko & Ryu's initial meeting, & for you to get to know each characters. I have to admit when I first read the first few chapters of the first volume, I thought it was a manga about some silly obsessed star struck girl!

However, I am glad I really gave it a chance & purchased all 5 volumes! After each volume you really get to understand Yuniko's obsession with Akira Nanae's personal things, why she wants to have all of them so badly.

Ryu Eba's encounter with Yuniko did not end after Yuniko succesfully stole Ryu's award for being best actor & being labeled as the new Akira Nanae. It looks like Yuniko didn't just succesfully steal Ryu's award, but his heart as well. But will Ryu ever get to win Yuniko's heart who is so obsessed with Akira?

Yuniko & Ryu's relationship develop, their bond gets stronger with each volume. You will deffinitely laugh & cheer for Yuniko & Ryu!

Great manga!!!!

Winter Demon Volume 3 (Yaoi) (Winter Demon)

Published in Paperback by Yaoi Press (2008-03-11)

Authors: Yamila Abraham and Le Peruggine

List price: $12.95

New price: $7.39
Used price: $8.00

Average review score:

Fantastic!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-19

Might just be the best one yet. Great story - loved how they brought in the other demon to help out our heroes in this book - great love scenes and I LOVE the growing relationship between the Monk and the Winter Demon. Love them. So good - if you are into the series, or thinking about reading the series - you should!

Happy Dance!

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-16

YES! It's finally here, and OMG this one was GOOD! I really fell in love with this series after volume 2. I didn't think they could top that one, becuase I just kept reading it over and over. There's nothing so great as to have a volume be even better than your all-time favorite volume. This story was great! The art was awesome!

Ok, Winter Demon seems to be getting into an episodic sort of pattern, with Hakiun and Fuyu having a different adventure in each volume where their love for each other grows. Last time they had to visit a healer. This time they had to get Fuyu's weapon fixed. The priest they go see to fix it can't do it so they have to see his mentor, just the priest and Hakiun go.

Spoiler Alert! This is important to the story, so don't read the next paragraph if you don't want want this twist spoiled for you. The rest of the review doesn't have spoilers, so just skip that next paragraph and read the rest if you want.

It turns out that the priest's mentor is a holy-woman who was one of the girls 'sacrificed' to Fuyu back when he lived in the mountain. By sacrificed I think you know what I mean. So this woman is out for revenge on Fuyu and uses Hakiun against him. Now Fuyu has to rescue Hakiun, but he doesn't have his weapon and he's a weakling without it. So he needs our old friend Figaru (this demon was in the first volume with the wood-cutter story, then in the second volume when he broke up with the wood-cutter. He's an incubus who needs to get laid periodically or he loses his power and gets sick) to help him. Of course, Figaru is really sick from lack of loving and the cover pretty much tells you what happens there. Though not when Fuyu's trying to rescue Hakiun. This was a really good part of the story, Figaru got seriously hurt saving Fuyu and Hakiun so he really earned what he gets later. It was all set up perfectly. It was just a damn good story!

It's hard to say if the art improved from volume 2, because it was seriously good in volume 2. The quality is still there. The artists really know how to handle the characters. I love Fuyu's facial expressions! If you compare it to the first volume it's just so much better with these artists. They make the characters totally three dimensional. Fuyu is kind of spoiled, whiney and emotional. Hakiun is all kind and self-sacrificing. Figaru is mega-honorable and a gentle giant.

This is my favorite series, hands down. It had better keep going. I wish it could be like some other series out there and come out six times a year! Anyway, there's still a reason to read the next volume. A big check was written to readers in this volume that's going to be cashed next or I will have a fan-girl hissy. Eeee I can't wait! Great Job Yaoi Press!

Winter Demon Better and Longer

Helpful Votes: 3 out of 3 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-12

In Winter Demon 3 Not only do we see Fuyu and Figaru come together it makes for an interesting pairing. The artwork follows Volume's 2 example and the storyline is written just as well. There is one extra story at the end that deals with two other characters that will be introduced next one a beautiful healer and the other a demon lord. There's also a preview on Dark Prince's Volume 2. I recommend this book for all Winter Demon fans it's more dynamic and interesting than the last and still has surprises left in store. I'm now going to wait for Volume 4!

Better and better...

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-18

I enjoyed the first two volumes of this OEL western yaoi enough to keep buying. The story was different and the art pretty good. However, this volume kicks it up a notch, making the series must-read. The story of a monk who must join forces with the winter demon who once raped him takes on new twists and angles in this volume. The encounter with Figaru leads to an astonishing revelation for Fuyu and the "action" is hotter than in the first two volumes. The scene between the two demons was particularly singe-worthy! Beyond the hot yaoi content, the story itself became richer. While the first two volumes were more a series of incidents, this one ties the bits into a full plot. Though this wasn't a cliff hanger ending, it was close and now we must wait for the final volume.

I hate waiting.

My only gripe - I hate text bubbles on the cover art.

Wish #3

Published in Paperback by TokyoPop (2002-12-10)

Author: Clamp

List price: $9.99

New price: $2.30
Used price: $0.50

Average review score:

A wonder to the comic world

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2005-07-18

I just finished reading this book the other day and found it to be beautiful. Our young angel has still not figured out her love for the doctor and she has been called back to heaven! Also included are two extra stories. One about the devil who loves to hate our favorite angel. the other tells the tale about how Hisui meets her devil of a lover. This tale about Hisui is a great story for Wish lovers and people who just love the romance that Hisui is not aloud to have. Enjoy=)

I think this might be my favorite volume...

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2004-08-09

In this volume, Kohaku has to go back to heaven. Their time apart makes Kohaku and Shuichiro realize how much they want to be together. This volume may be my favorite volume in this series. I love how the characters interact, and my absolute favorite line of the series, the one that makes me laugh every time, is in this book. I also loved the bit at the end of the volume that explains how Hisui and Kokuyo become a couple, even though it's not a very developed part. It just happens to be very sweet. I would recommend this volume to almost anyone, although it would probably help to have read some of the previous volumes. However, when I started this series, I started with volume four, and I could still follow along well enough.

WISH- The best anime/manga comic by far!

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2003-10-06

Readers of ANIME and MANGA books will love WISH. Other comics have gross pictures in it, but not Wish. In Wish 3, the angel master of water sends that scary-rabbit-thing Usyagi to get Kohaku back. But Kohaku won't go until finally Suichuro does some dumb talking, making Kohaku think she isn't needed. (that's not what Suichro meant though.) Kohaku goes back to Heaven, where she just ends up crying for Suichuro. Suichuro thinks about what Hisui says and it turns out (BIG SUPRISE!)that he really likes Kohaku more than he thinks. There's some pretty graphic extras I'd recommend to read cautiously.

I enjoyed this one a bit more

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2002-12-26

I haven't been too involved with this one yet, other than it being Clamp, but this volume was better because it's starting to heat up some. Love the kitties & there's lots of chibi action as Kohaku & Shuichiro head to an amusement park only to be tailed by Koryu with a potion that shrinks Kohaku to chibi form for a day. The whole mystery behind Shuichiro's gets a bit extreme as every time Kokuyo tries to tell someone, something interrupts. It was cute seeing Usyagi captured & caged in a mild rebellion to keep Kohaku at Shuichiro's, but returning her to heaven allows a bit more development since we get to see what such a bubblehead does & why she's soooo important(& why God's going to be upset at that next bridge meeting) & it also allows the aloof Shuichiro to realize how much the angel means to him.

Xenon, Volume 1: Heavy Metal Warrior (Xenon)

Published in Paperback by VIZ Media LLC (2002-12-16)

Author:

List price: $12.95

Used price: $4.95

Average review score:

Nothing is more powerful than conviction

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-24

Resurrecting the past returns Xenon to the way he felt in Volume 2, but even he cannot stray from his goal for long. The teamwork is working and the end can be seen but Ichimura (who likely never sleeps so that he can Best Gramps) puts it all together into something that works and can be sold by the Bloody Sea. The mastermind (Kanzaki) throws another twist because `someone' has yet to deal with their inner demons. All the questions are answered and Kanzaki (one who likes to tease the reader) ends with a new question that would make us think there is a sequel. Take Xenon's lead and come up with your own explanation because I have yet to see the sequel. Read what I said about Volume 2 and 3 - Kanzaki makes a great story and the translations are on the ball.

It takes more than one person to achieve

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-24

If chemically enhanced humans can't overcome Xenon, then overwhelm him with monsters with low IQ whose sole purpose is to destroy. Xenons and Gramps' are working together and therefore they are becoming a stronger force. Yoko and Ryuji become stronger members of the team (Ryuji is still his distant self) and they help gather information on the Bloody Sea. They begin to attack the Bloody Sea and shut down their production. Ichimura develops a new technology to find a way to beat Xenon and that means Xenon's once invincible status becomes reduced to - well - nearly invincible status :) Kanzaki does great work revealing the past / origins of Xenon, Yoko and Gramps in this volume. Gramps' old rival is Ichimura who considers defeating Xenon as a `personal' mission (based on what is revealed) which intensifies the showdown. Kanzaki does terrific work at making it all seem real. This story goes to the next level of manga and brings in emotions of everyday life. The artwork is fluid and the translation is clear.

Using inner demons for gain

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-24

After the coming-to-grips-with-who-you-are of volume one, this book deals with using-your-inner-demons-for-rectification. If you believe every weakness can turn into a strength, Xenon is for you. Kanzaki continues to delve into his characters making it easy to identify with them or see the character in people you know. The Bloody Sea moves from a `hitman' to an organized attack to destroy Xenon. Xenon has also improved in the way of commitment plus now he has others supporting his cause. He faces the Demon Three who is truly morally sick as they will do anything to get the upper edge. I have to say Kanzaki is gifted with creativity (and the translators were top notch). Kanzaki did a fantastic job at the artwork giving the reader nothing to impede the story. He must be extremely talented because he goes outside of the norm and simplifies his style to express the bumbling of the characters (totally unintrusive). This is the next level of manga; it goes into character depth and emotions beyond fights. I believe if you are a person who likes to be a part of the story, Xenon is perfect. This is one of the hidden gems.

Using inner demons for gain

Helpful Votes: 1 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2000-09-24

After the coming-to-grips-with-who-you-are of volume one, this book deals with using-your-inner-demons-for-rectification. If you believe every weakness can turn into a strength, Xenon is for you. Kanzaki continues to delve into his characters making it easy to identify with them or see the character in people you know. The Bloody Sea moves from a `hitman' to an organized attack to destroy Xenon. Xenon has also improved in the way of commitment plus now he has others supporting his cause. He faces the Demon Three who is truly morally sick because they will do anything to get the upper edge. I have to say Kanzaki is gifted with creativity (and the translators were top notch). Kanzaki did a fantastic job at the artwork giving the reader nothing to impede the story. He must be extremely talented because he goes outside of the norm and simplifies his style to express the bumbling of the characters (totally unintrusive). This is the next level of manga; it goes into character depth and emotions beyond fights. I believe if you are a person who likes to be a part of the story, Xenon is perfect. This is one of the hidden gems.

Xxxholic

Published in Library Binding by Topeka Bindery (2005-05-31)

Author: Clamp

List price: $20.40

New price: $15.91

Average review score:

Fun and Interesting

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-20

I started buying Manga for my classroom. My students are mainly Korean, Chinese and Japanese so it made sense for me to encourage them to learn to read English in something they loved and enjoyed. But I didn't know where to start! Kids help me with their opinions but I haven't liked much of the Manga out there. Then the Amazon Vine program sent me a DVD of XXXHolic for review. I liked it and have become addicted to the books. Clamp is great and I really like their women orieted stories. It's still classic Manga but there is a sophistication to it that a lot of Manga doesn't have. I like it! I read it! So the girls in my class.

Magnificent!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2007-01-11

Okay...Clamp rules.Their art is spectacular and their stories are brilliant. This series ties in with the Tsubasa series and is a bit more complex than any of their prior works. It's no light read but is still a great book.

xxxholic - can't wait for the anime!

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2005-08-30

this is a great manga and i really enjoyed this volume. the anime is about to be realeased in Japan so i can't wait to start watching too!

What a suprise!

Helpful Votes: 5 out of 5 total.
Review Date: 2005-06-11

Just got my issue of xxxHolic #5 in the mail and all I can say is "Wow!". Not only do we get more well written stand alone supernatural stories with subtle character developments, we are also treated to a HUGE leap forward in the xxxHolic story with the biggest suprise this series has revealded and I never would have guessed: There's a bad guy!

What started out as the usual strange ghost/monster/spirit storyline turned into something much larger (maybe global?) that is literally eating people's souls and what's more, we see Yuko take a stand and use her powers to fight what the villian is doing and add extra meaning to all those butterflies we see in all the previous xxxHolic pictures (go ahead, have a look! No we know what they are... kind of).

There's also a subtle piece of info regarding the black Mokona (he has two stomaches!) and a crossover with CLAMP's other new work Legal Drug #2 as well as lots of talk and some mailing of a gift to the Tsubasa team and some Valentine's Day vengeance!

Great art. Suprising story. Buy it now. Seriously. This series rocks!

Xxxholic 10 (Xxxholic)

Published in Library Binding by (2007-09-30)

Author:

List price: $19.95

New price: $19.07

Average review score:

Feelings Collide and Lives Intertwine

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-06-24

This is the best volume yet of XXXHolic. I can hardly wait to read another volume and love it. It is getting very exciting with Wantanuki, Domenki and Himawari becoming much closer and intertwined together. All three are now in debt to Yuko for wishes. The story is very moving and likeable.

An Integral Volume

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 0 total.
Review Date: 2008-03-02

This volume has to be the best so far. We finally see why Himawari-chan poses danger to Watanuki-kun. Haruka-san and Kohane-chan also make appearances and play important roles in their relationships with Watanuki-kun. We also get some more emphasis on Watanuki-kun's process of change and growth. CLAMP has done some great work in this novel. If they keep up the series like this, then it will sure be worth the read. Can't wait for Volume 11!

Finally a few answers but still more needs to be revieled

Helpful Votes: 0 out of 1 total.
Review Date: 2007-10-29

All in all a good read, If you ever wondered what was up with himari-chan this volume will tell you...and good old watanaki(sp?) acts like his same old selfless self

Blood and Tears

Helpful Votes: 11 out of 11 total.
Review Date: 2007-09-25

This critical volume of xxxHOLiC changes everything for the three teens as Watanuki's crush on Himawari leads to a disastrous result.

It begins as usual with a strange assignment for Watanuki, who this time has to make several trips to a well to extract water. While he's most concerned about trespassing as the well is on private property, Domeki seems more worried than usual about him, especially after Watanuki has another chat with the spirit of Domeki's grandfather Haruka in the dreamworld.

It turns out he has good reason. Throughout the series, Yuko has been warning Watanuki that Himawari might be bad for him. Now, we finally find out why as a shattering secret Himawari has been keeping leads to a horrific accident - and Himawari and Domeki both become Yuko's clients at last as they each pay a terrible price for Watanuki...

The volume finally gives depth to Himawari, who turns out to be in an even worse predicament than Watanuki himself. We may not like that she's kept what she has from the boys, but it's also very hard to blame her too much under the circumstances she discloses. We also feel for Domeki, who's now going to be afraid to leave Watanuki alone with Himawari for the rest of their lives - something likely to cause alot of tension as the series continues.

And of course, there's Watanuki himself, who in the midst of what must be one of the worst periods of his life still exhibits the unfailing goodness and purity that make him worth what Himawari and Domeki are willing to do for him.

A bittersweet volume that takes the series to a place from which it probably can't come back again.