Manga Books

I've read the 1st 3 volumes of Saiyuki reload and I absolutely love it! I just can;t wait for the 4th, 5th and 6th volume! While I must say the anime is really good too, the mangas always seem to shine more. The artwork is splendid as usual. (see Sanzo!) And the storyline stays in tact. Loads of reminiscing their past and defeating youkai, as usual, but it always adds a touch of humour to it.

Buy this!

The anime never did the Manga justice. Certain episodes in Gensomaden Saiyuki came close. In Reload 3, the story arc, "against the stream" ends and the new story arc, the astounding "burial" begins. In "burial" we have all the elements of Saiyuki we love - great characterization, deeply emotional story lines and of course the poignant humour and wit. It is also from here the anime and manga deviates and of course nothing can ever beat Minekura's manga version.
Just found out that the "burial" story arc will be made into OVA this year and this is definitely something to look forward to.

This is the volume of Saiyuki Reload where things finally get back on track. In the last two books it was mainly the guys playing around or getting sidetracked- something even they comment on in the book. It might not be super accurate to say things got going again in volume 3, because a good half of it is all about the past. But everything's back to being lyrical philosophy with a sting in the tail, and the characters with thier hybrid dark/funny personalities are doing stuff relevant to the overall scheme of things.

The first section is a wrap-up of the last episode-kou and his party struggling with how to handle his brainwashing and thier feelings of loyalty. Next up- a look into the FAR past, long before the Sanzo group ever came face to face. These solemn vignettes come to the surface after being buried in memories of the dead or unreachable- a hauntingly beautiful example of dramatic irony, as the Sanzo group is unlikely to discover such truths. Highly significant events involving Sanzo's master and a certain villain are revealed to the reader. Following that is a story about Sanzo, likely containing the key moment when he became the shamelessly callous and brutal person he is now. After that is a short and sweet shot of Sanzo and Goku's first meeting. And lastly, a small gag section about the journey reaching its one year anniversary.

Saiyuki Reload has hit its stride. The characters are being thier manic selves, simultaneously hilarious, poetic, murderous, and saintly. The art is as clean as it has been for the past few books, and the script has Minekura's usual wit. With everything in place, the only thing left to say is that the wait for #4 is on.

Usagi Yojimbo is the kind of quality work that transcends time, genres, demographics, and even age groups. It crafts a delicate and beautiful balance between honor and savagery, cute innocence and dark brutality, simple heart-warming stories and multi-part epics that shape a dense continuity. Whether or not you've ever been a fan of feudal Japanese culture, furry anthro characters, or independent, non-superhero comics, Usagi Yojimbo is a comic that can't help but impress even the harshest critic.

"Seasons" (book 11) lays careful groundwork for so many things that follow this volume, all while delivering fantastic tale after fantastic tale. The stories contained within are:

"The Withered Field," which introduces Koji and his conflict with Usagi's mentor. It's a classic samurai story delivered in the way that only creator Stan Sakai could accomplish. The action and drama are both deliciously high, and the foreboding conclusion is fantastic.

"The Conspiracy of Eight," a great story on its own, but it's also an important set up for "Grasscutter," Usagi's most renowned storyline to date (which fills all of the next volume).

"Return to Adachi Plain" is a moving story in which Usagi relives the moment that ended his old life as a vassal/samurai. It also tells the story of the scar over his left eye.

"The Crossing" features Jei. For those of you who are familiar with the character, little more needs to be said about such a story.

"The Patience of the Spider" is a unique story in that it does not feature any of the regular Usagi Yojimbo cast, but it is a highly memorable and powerful story worth reading. It introduces General Ikeda, a major player in "Grasscutter".

"A Promise in the Snow" is a classic touching Usagi stand alone story that is guaranteed to move you.

"The Lord of Owls" introduces a mysterious figure who will become important later down the road.

"The First Tenet" introduces a major turn of events for the Neko Ninja Clan which will prove to be a defining conflict for Chizo down the road.

Finally, "The Obakeneko of the Geishu Clan" brings Usagi, Gen, and Tomoe together for a classic adventure.

All in all, this is an amazing collection of stories in their own right, but there's also a lot of important set up for "Grasscutter" and several other story lines to follow. That makes "Seasons" a must read.

As usual, we are able to enjoy the brilliant, drawing, writing and plotting of Stan Sakai in the 11th graphic novel of the Usagi Yojimbo series. This collection includes a story, "Return to Adachi Plain" inked by none other than Sergio Aragones. This, of course, is icing on the cake. In this book, we journey with Usagi as he almost killed by a Ronin (masterless samurai) who actually bests in him in a duel (a rarity in Usagi's universe) in "The Withered Field", watch as he encounters a beneficial ghost in "A Promise in the Snow" and an evil one in "The Obakeneko of the Geishu Clan" and step back in time to his childhood in "The Courage of the Plum". Included is one of Stan Sakai's non-Usagi stories set in the same time period "The Patience of the Spider." This is one of the most poignant stories of Sakai's that I have read. A general defeated in battle becomes a farmer to hide from his enemies. When his chance for revenge comes years later, the long and difficult jouney has changed the general into an even greater man than when he went into hiding. I would highly recommend this book to the Usagi fans and novices alike.

This story continues themes that wind all through the Usagi tales. Characters that have shown up in the past recur here and foreshadow further appearances. Jei wanders through, a consipiracy is uncovered, a power struggle in the Neko Ninja begins, a showdown is planned for the future (which should appear in the next Usagi book to be published after Shrouded Moon), several Hikiji plots are dealt with and two new characters are introduced. There are a couple stand-alone stories, but most link to characters and tales from the past and to the future. An excellent book that lays the groundwork for the sagas to come.

For those who followed the Shadow Star manga series up to the end of volume 6, there was always a sense that something bigger was coming. Something dramatic and dark that will send chills down your spine. Perhaps a deep secret, perhaps a death or two, perhaps an unexpected revelation about the shadow dragons. But not even the most dedicated, forward-thinking devotees could have imagined this, for Victim's Eyes, Assailant's Hands has all of this and more. This is where it's all been leading up to, and only the content of the later volumes can come close to matching this one in terms of sheer revulsion. Fans have numerous nicknames for Shadow Star's volume 7 (volume 6 in Japan due to the arrangement of chapters in the English publication): "the sammichy stuff", "the emo volume", and "unlucky number seven" are just a few I use with my close friends who also read the series. And there's no doubt that any others out there are quite fitting. "But why?", you may ask--and the answer is that all who may consider buying this installment would do well to heed the word of their fellow readers. From start to finish, it chills to the bone and makes you wonder what shockers may come with the turn of the next page.

Back to the plot, young heroines Shiina Tamai and Akira Sakura set off for normal school days which soon take a crueler turn. High schooler Akira's mind is prodded at, ever so subtly, by high school bullies who find her weaknesses and exploit them with the sheer fact that she's the only one sitting alone, completely quiet. There are people at every school who deserve such shunning, but she's certainly not one of them. When she collapses in class and ends up in the school nurse's office, escorted by a spirited male classmate who has had quite the crush on her for a few years, neglected Akira pounces at her chance to feel loved by anyone at all. It is revealed in the beginning of this volume that even her own parents didn't treat her like decent parents should, and so with no one who gave her the affection she needed, young Ishida Toshi is the only one who she can trust in anymore. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what she tries to do next. Meanwhile, at Shiina's middle school, her genius friend Hiroko Kaizuka, who was introduced in volume 3 but never given any attention until now, is experiencing bullying leaps and bounds beyond that of a few insults or threats. I don't even want to think about how the group of bullies, who are barely younger than me, learned to be so sickeningly evil. They torment her when she does not meet their demands for poor test grades, and when she fails as they force her to, her parents scold her mercilessly. There are too many parents in the world like Hiroko's who think there is nothing more to their children's lives than perfect grades. But there aren't too many schoolgirl bullies who make their victims drink juice with worms in it and perform some rather, ahem, unconventional acts with a test tube. Poor Hiroko's life is empty of everything that makes a life worth living, and kindness from Shiina seems to be the only thing keeping her together. But--like Shiina, Akira, and several other youths, many of whom are just as emotionally unhinged as Hiroko herself--shy Hiro possesses a monstrous force locked away in her closet: a massive alien shadow dragon whose powers she simply cannot ignore any longer. In a nearly unspeakable turn of events, the angry, suffering little girl decides that the only option is a despicable revenge.

Unsurprisingly, her quest of vengeance ends in unmatched bloodshed that, despite six more volumes afterwards, remains THE number one most terrifying event in the entire manga. I don't get scared that easily even for someone outside of Shadow Star's target audience, and I personally thought the same scene in the anime DVDs was much more petrifying than even the uncensored Japanese version of this storyline, but that doesn't mean it's in any way dethroned as the champion of horror sights for all dozen of the Shadow Star graphic novels. You know that the school bullies are going to get a punishment from the moment Hiroko first gives in to their demands, but that in no way dulls down how turbulent and broken Hiro is as she passes judgment over those who made her life a living hell. This volume will make you afraid of the dark. Kitoh's art style, with its sharpness and attention to detail as well as stick-thin characters who look as mentally crooked as they act, only adds to the madness as he shows you no more than what you absolutely must see to understand. Fanservice is definitely not on the menu.

If you have been following this series for the first six parts, and can tolerate a spat of nothing but terror and anguish for over 100 pages as well as some rather mature and graphic imagery, then, by all means, do. Nothing we've seen before can match the grisly brilliance of book seven. Just make sure to keep the Prozac close at hand.

Yes, this is the one that covers the last three episodes of the anime. The sexual violence has been toned down for the English version, and while I'm usually anti-censorship this once I don't mind. I bought it in the original Japanese because Dark Horse takes so long to publish, and this volume actually made me sick to my stomach. Not a happy bit of manga. Fascinating, thrilling and utterly addictive, but not happy.

For the squeamish: This book contains major events that shatter Shiina and Akira's lives, but we don't learn anything new about Satomi and her freaky friends or any of the other mysterious characters. I suppose you could skip this book if you got someone to tell you the spoilers.

If you've come this far, you know that Shadow Star (Narutaru in Japan) is not your normal manga. Firstly, the art is a departure from the current, rather frantic style of most of the stuff we get in the west - no speed lines or big eyes here. In fact, quite the opposite. Kitoh's style is sharp, even sparse at times, though he has an eye for background and mechanical detail that resolutely grounds his fantastical creations in the real world. It helps that Dark Horse have stuck to a remarkably high-quality paper and printing for this series that really does justice to the quality and style of the art. It is the plot and themes that really set this manga apart, however.

You know it's dark, you know there's an overarching sense of menace, you know the characters are not entirely stable, but you are not prepared for this volume. Personally, I tried to make it last as long as posible knowing that it had been a year since the last one, but I couldn't, and I was an emotional wreck when I reached what I thought was the ending - then I got hit again by the last two pages. This is simultaneously the best and the most horrible installment so far, and the worst part is that I now have to wait for the next one.

The premise behind Short Cuts is simple: gag stories that last a page or two, collected in a group of about one hundred. This simple set up never gets old or repetitive, however; Short Cuts can be at times mind-boggling, hilarious, subversive, puerile, cynical, thought-provoking, eye-opening, and sexy. The humor here, even with the language barrier to separate Japanese and English readers, almost always hits the mark if you have a taste for the absurd. However, Short Cuts, while childishly funny in some instances, can also cast a stark light on not only Japanese society, but human society at large. In one of the later Short Cuts, Usamaru, in the span of two pages, weaves a poignant tale about a woman trapped in a birdcage, yearning for her freedom as she watches the apathy of her bird captors day after day. In this comic, it's never revealed whether her dream of human society is just a dream or whether she's simply mentally unsound, desperate to spread a message about the value of liberty for all mankind.

And sometimes, there are sex jokes.

I can not believe how hilarious this book is. It's full of one to two page short stories, kinda like the weekly funnies in American Newspapers. They all basically focus on "cute high school girls" or ko-gals, which as the writer says seem to dominate japanese society, think of all the anime and manga focused on teenage females.

All I can say is these are some of the raunchiest, most perverted, and sick jokes I've ever read. So in other words HILARIOUS. This is definately a 16 and up age requirement. No if ands or buts about it. These jokes are just too perverted for anyone younger.

A thing to keep in mind, while many of the jokes are universal, many are not. There are quite a few cultural references that only japanese people would understand and you're left thinking "What? I don't get it." Thankfully, though I didn't realize it till I was halfway through the book, there is a summary guide in the back that pretty much explains all the hard to understand ones. After you read it and then read that particular story again later, it does become very humorous. :D

This is a great read for all us sickos out there that like reading this kinda thing. The art is a bit different from other manga, no big sparkly eyes, and that actually turned a few of my friends away from it before they even read any of it!! That's crazy. It is drawn very nicely though in my opinion, almost like Junji Ito's Uzumaki. Anyway get this book and you won't regret it. ^.^

A great satirical look of Japanese pop culture. Definately not for kids though, lots of jokes about sex. But it helps the author to make his point thoroughly. One of the funniest things that sticks out in my mind is the daughter who commutes all the way to mars to go to the school with the cutest uniforms. I thought that was hilarious.

Great for people who like to have a critical eye turned towards Japanese pop culture.

Carrot is all worried about being the reincarnation of the god of destruction and how it will affect his friends, including the babes!! Later Carrot, Marron and Tira get trapped inside a maze.
Can Carrot survive those nasty emergency rations? Who is Crepe? and why the heck is she telling Carrot they are lovers? Plus, Tira teams up with the bad guy?! This is a cool Sorcerer Hunters book cause well, you'll just have to see what I mean on page 164.
^_^

This is my all-time favorite manga series, and with each new volume, the stories just keep getting better and better. This volume increases character development, especially in Carrot.

Anyway, onto the actual stories. The first one is about Carrot coping with the fact that he is the God of Destruction. Marron is worried about him as well. This story is short compared to most chapters of SH.
The second story, magic carpender, is all one big shot (Instead of it being split up into several chapters, like most extended stories, it is a 150 page chapter). The Sorcerer Hunters go back to work disposing of Evil Sorcerers, but this time it isn't just a Sorcerer they need to face. This has to be one of my favorite stories, and I could read it over and over. It made me cry... *snif*

If you never read the series, I highly suggest you start at the first book and go from there. You won't regret it, SH is an awesome story.

I know you didn't think it was possible. Niether did I, until now. Carrot is accualy SENSITIVE in the latest SH book. It's amazing, I know. If you have read the other SH books, or if you're just a random anime-freak, this one is a must-buy.
TTYL

Of all the Speed Racer graphic novels or comics I've seen so far this has to be the best of the best!

Gripping story line with fantastic art, others pale in comparison.

You MUST have this one if you are a Speed Racer/Racer X fan!

I think that this version and look was the best I have see for speed race yet. Its not the original but for neo-graphic styling that still accurately gives the whole Speed Racer feel, this is one of the best graphical references I have seen yet.

I purchased both of the original mini-series and couldn't wait to relive the "thrills, spills and chills" all over again.

Nearly a decade after their respective releases, the material stands the test of time. While the art by both Tommy Yune and Joan Chen is breathtaking, it is the modernization of the Speed Racer/Racer X mythos that truly astounds.

Core concepts integral to the series are re-imagined in an updated sense while still paying homage to the source material. It's obvious Mr. Yune respects the material and is also a fan of it. My only regret is that this book leaves one salivating for more, particularly in the wake of that abominable movie.

I have asked this for years and will ask one more time. Why couldn't Tommy Yune's work been used as the basis for the Speed Racer film?!?

This is the start of a great series of comics. Kia Asamiya at his best with a very intriguing Star Wars volume. Just imagine a Japanese Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and even Jar Jar Binks. Kia also captures the enemies such as Darth Maul and Darth Sideus. With the podrace beginning at the end, it just begs you to get the next one! -Sideus

This is the start of a great series of comics. Kia Asamiya at his best with a very intriguing Star Wars volume. Just imagine a Japanese Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and even Jar Jar Binks. Kia also captures the enemies such as Darth Maul and Darth Sideus. With the podrace beginning at the end, it just begs you to get the next one! -Sideus

I love manga, I love Star Wars, so it goes without saying that this is a perfect combination. The Storyline is followed great in this two part set of graphic novels and I love the animation used. Most of the characters I think were well dipicted. It was really neat to see them in a whole different style. I highly reccomend this to anyone interested.

I read the manga and its pretty good! The art is GREAT too. The manga is mostly the Street Fighter III story here! In all, if you like SF and manga, buy this manga!

I bought this book for my brother, but I was inclined to read it before I gave it over. I read it in a half hour, and it was awesome. I'm a huge fan of Street Fighter, and this showed an inspiring journey of Ryu, the main character. In his journey, he gets tutelage under the powerful fighter Oro, and battles others such as Hugo, Yun and Yang, and his toughest opponent Dudley. The book also shows Ken surprisingly surpass Ryu in becoming a "true martial artist", and under Oro, Ryu hopes to catch up to his friend and rival, Ken. Their is also a little back story on Akuma, the demon, and briefly displays others such as Elena, the beautiful and friendly African fighter, and Gill, the "supreme god". I thought the book was clever, inspiring, and artistically well done.

Finally something about SF III. At long last and its actually pretty good I liked the story the art and the characters if anything this Manga is missing is the colors but even that dosent matter with such a good read.

We know that both Godai and Kyoko are the "unlucky" people . But we also see that they get a "Happy-End" . If you feel you are in bad luck , you can see this book , you can find that you still have a chance to get your own good fortune....

Yagami, the little school girl who loves Godai, now has forced Godai to be her tutor, but to her dismay Kyoko gets in the way everytime that Yagami tries to make advances on her "Mr.G." Also, Yagami once again confronts Kyoko about her feelings for Godai, but Kyoko in her fashion cannot be true with her feelings, which angers Yagami. Yagami then begins hurling names at Kyoko. Another wonderfil volume of Maison Ikkoku.

If you are feeling sad and depressed, Maison Ikkoku will cheer you up. If you are in the mood for a laugh, it will have you rolling on the floor. If you're in a romantic mood, it will bring tears of joy to your eyes. And if your a broke college student like me, it might just give you some ideas for living cheaply! In other words there is something for everything in this touching and immensely funny series which just gets better with age. The story is, in some respects, very Japanese, but in a larger sense it is universal--this could happen to you, or me, or anyone. The chracters are great, the story is great, the series is just great! Go buy it now! ^_^

This is a second book in a series of three. The book is out of print right now and I only found it because the first edition was placed in a close out bin. It introduced me to Clamp which is more female oriented. The first book drew in and I couldn't wait to read to read the second book. It is very sophisticated and wonderful. This isn't just every day Manga, this art.

No, it's not a episode of Buffy, its the second book of Suki. In volume two we learn that Asou has a job after school, is a bad person and is just as determined to be close to Hina as she is to be as close to him. But there are different reasons. Is she falling in love with him? And what's his job after work if he's spending so much time with HER? Who is Tomo-Kun and Kizu-San? Why are they watching and why does Tomo-Kun think Hina is good for Asou? I've got to get volume three!

The first book creeped me out - I went through an internal war between my trust for CLAMP and the deeply disturbed feeling the first book left me with. But I couldn't leave it alone, so I got the second book (this one) - ok, so now I understand what's going on a little better and I'm glad I bought this book . Normally I don't like it when the writer spells out what's going on - I like to figure it out for myself - but this book comes so close to some very delicate themes (closer than almost any other book I've read), that their spelling some things out actually relieved me.

Many Japanese themes seem to deal with young girls in cute clothing, love, and danger as though it were all a big exciting joke. This one is so very different. It's well written, perfectly lined, perfectly plotted. what if someone truly innocent were in danger, and couldn't recognize it? The main character's innocence and trust for the world are so utterly complete, and her heart is so large and open, that she believes everyone around her is good and kind. You debate with yourself if this is a great and amazing gift, or a blindly stupid way of locking out fear - but you can't help wanting to protect her, worrying about her.

This is not your average Japanimation story. The only thing I can compare it to, really, and then only in terms of sheer quality, is Jin Roh: Wolf Brigade (but they're really nothing alike at all. It's just that they're both so well done.)

I'll get the third book now and see how it ends.