MangaCast Review: Hero Tales, vol. 1

During my unplanned hiatus, not only was i♥manga ignored, but so was MangaCast, another great manga blog where I occasionally provide reviews. But, I'm back with my latest post—this time around, I took a look at Hero Tales, vol. 1. Here's an excerpt of what I thought:

Brother and sister Taitou and Laila are heroes of their town, fighting the Imperial Army as it tries to impose its will upon the people. But, things are not what they seem—when the master of the temple gives Taitou a mysterious sword following his coming-of-age ceremony, it is quickly stolen away by an even more mysterious man named Shimei. ... With its shonen roots showing, Hero Tales hits the ground running with quick action and a larger plotline laid out in the opening chapters. With a mythic tale connecting several characters, there’s something familiar in this unique story.

To read the rest of my review, check it out here. Hero Tales is available in the U.S. from Yen Press.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Yotsuba&!, vol. 4

As noted in previous posts, this is a review of the ADV release of Yotsuba&! and not the newer release by Yen Press.

The story: It's summertime and the livin's easy for Yotsuba and her pals! From punishing games of rock, paper, scissors and summer fishing trips to a grocery-shopping trip and the pain of heartbreak, silly protagonist Yotsuba is squeezing every last drop of fun from her vacation. At volume's end, there's some breaking news and a major lesson learned when it comes to that signature summer pest, the cicada!

Reaction: What kid doesn't love summer? And if there's anything that exemplifies childhood, it's spending summer vacation goofing off with your friends. Of course, Yotsuba enjoys every last minute of her time with her new friends and I was happy to follow along. There were some great little moments here, my favorite being Yotsuba's roshambo with her dad, a shopping trip involving eggs and tomatoes "for kids" and the creation of the Yotsuba Times.

Deep thoughts: When it comes to humor, it doesn't always translate; what's funny to one group, might not be as funny to another (see: Jerry Lewis or puns). But, in advertising research, the kind of humor that does translate is unexpected humor, where a situation ends differently than what's expected. And that's something that you see in Yotsuba&! quite a bit. Whether it's Yotsuba saying or doing something unexpected for her age (like giving love advice to Fuka), it's a universal joke that anyone can relate to and doesn't require insider knowledge.

Artwork: There's a great visual play on words throughout this volume, involving tsuku-tsuko-boshi, or cicadas; and in another chapter, I really loved the competitiveness between Jumbo and Yotsuba's dad when they played badminton. But, the first opening pages of this volume are my favorite -- everyone's faces are so expressive as Jumbo watches Yotsuba and her dad play rock, paper, scissors. While much of it amounts to facial expressions resembling Japanese emoticons, there's also a smooth pace set along with perfect side-by-side panels showing "before and after." It's little things like this that make the reading this such a delight.

The verdict: Required reading. Another ab-fab volume from Kiyohiko Azuma! Yotsuba's earnestness, combined with the personality quirks of her father and others, makes for an entertaining, giggle-worthy diversion from the everyday. Yotsuba&! is available in the U.S. from Yen Press.

To Terra, vol. 1

The story: In the future, Earth's environment has been destroyed by the industry of man. Hoping to make the planet once again hospitable, the planet's leaders decide to usher in an era of Superior Domination where computers raise children instead of people in space colonies elsewhere in the galaxy. Raised in a socially controlled environment, Superior Domination creates logically superior humans who can better steward the planet. Unfortunately, this engineering of the human race has also led to a genetic mutation, where people develop extra sensory perception, or ESP. The Mu, as these physically disabled mutants are known, have extra sensory perception and, because of this, are exiled from the rest of the human race. When the normal and healthy Jomy Marcus Shin fails to pass his adulthood exam, he transforms into the most powerful Mu in space and helps his people return to Terra.

Reaction: This combines some of my favorite themes from science fiction literature -- a dystopian future, genetic mutation a la the X-Men and an all-knowing "Big Brother" (or, in this case, a mother). There's action in spades and a subversive attitude that automatically endeared the Mu to me, despite their initial arrogance towards ordinary humans. Jomy is the central character here, but Keith Anyan plays his human counterpart -- superior in nearly every way with an increasingly interesting background. While it almost seems that Keith is a villain, he seemed like more of an anti-hero to me, paralleling Jomy's journey of self-discovery.

Deep thoughts: The era of Superior Domination is positively Orwellian and echoes the novel 1984. While it's not a totalitarian party watching and controlling things, there are so many similarities between George Orwell's vision of the future and this series by Keiko Takemiya. From the sterile surroundings to Eliza, there is a controlling and eerie tone to this manga that starkly realizes the loss of personal freedoms.

Artwork: As a product of the late 1970s, To Terra carries many of the visual hallmarks of that era. I saw a lot of similarities between this series and Swan, another manga from the time frame. While To Terra is set in the future, the settings and costumes reflect that, but the layout of panels, hairstyles and basic character designs are similar to its shojo counterpar. Oddly enough, the costumes do carry other hallmarks of the disco era, like wide, butterfly collars. Otherwise, Takemiya builds an industrialized, sterile and computer-filled world with a varied assortment of easily identifiable characters.

The verdict: Highly recommended. This is a fascinating series that combines exile of a fictional race with a controlled police state, to good effect. It makes for a strong commentary on modern life and the importance of protecting the environment, in addition to the dangers of genetic engineering and mutation. To Terra is available in the U.S. from Vertical.

Yotsuba&!, vol. 3

As mentioned previously, I'm reviewing the ADV release of this series, as opposed to the new re-release by Yen Press.

The story: When Asagi gives Yotsuba a tasty gift, our green-haired heroine goes on the hunt for a suitable souvenir for her neighbor. Later, Jumbo's job is revealed and his father is introduced. When Yotsuba and her dad come into an abundance of flowers, courtesy of Jumbo, Yotsuba decides to go play "flower cupid" and gives them away to strangers. In between, Yotsuba learns the fine art of badminton and reciprocal gift-giving. At volume's end, a summer fireworks show and festival make for more memorable moments between Yotsuba and her friends.

Reaction: There are some hilarious one-liners in here, particularly when Yotsuba yells "I don't need your pity!" to a carnie who offers her a free prize when she doesn't win. There's also a lot of innocence on display, whether it's on Yotsuba's part or whenever Jumbo interacts with his best friend's female neighbors. Although he's a large guy, Jumbo seems pretty inexperienced when it comes to the ladies, young and old. And, while you'd think he'd know a thing or two from hanging out with the tiny and strange Yotsuba, he continues to make the same date-related mistakes.

Deep thoughts: This volume makes mention of Japanese bon festival (alternately known as obon), where the living remember the spirits of their ancestors. During the three-day festival, families honor the dead by visiting and cleaning their loved ones' grave sites. Interestingly, it's held during different times of the year in different regions, depending on whether they follow the Gregorian, lunar or solar calendar. The celebration is very similar to Mexico's Dias de los Muertos.

Artwork: It seems odd to say this, but there's a lot of "life" in this volume -- from the bouquets of flowers to the animals at the zoo, there's a lifelike amount of detail built into each panel. And while I haven't noticed it before, I really felt that there was an amazing sense of place in this volume. Whether it's Yotsuba's neighborhood, or the aforementioned zoo, Kiyohiko Azuma take great care in immersing the reader in Yotsuba's world.

The verdict: Required reading. This is consistently one of the most entertaining series I've read in some time. No matter what, I can always count on Yotsuba and gang to bring a smile to my face! Yotsuba&! is available in the U.S. from Yen Press.

Yotsuba&!, vol. 2

Happy New Year! With the new year comes a renewed commitment to posting blog reviews everyday. For the past few months, I had a hard time keeping up, what with work and graduate school commitments. Nonetheless, the past is behind me, so look forward to daily posts reviewing the latest manga, manhwa or graphic novel I'm reading. Hopefully, I can keep up with my self-imposed schedule through 2010!

In acknowledgment of my last post of 2009, I think it's only fitting that I continue my reviews of Yotsuba&!. As mentioned in my first review of this series, I'm reading through the ADV-published version of this series and not the newer re-release by Yen Press.

The story: Little Yotsuba loves drawing, but she's disappointed when her latest masterpiece gets some pointed criticism from a new friend. Later, she goes on an hilarious and imaginary rampage in search of revenge. In other tales, Yotsuba alternately learns the joys of cake, the "daddy dance," swimming pools and frog catching. There's also a glimpse of the neighbors' life when Yotsuba isn't around.

Reaction: This is such a fun manga to read! I always find myself laughing at something ridiculous Yotsuba has done -- I was in stitches during her search for revenge and couldn't help but giggle at her magic marker moments, especially since it reminded me of a time when my younger sister and I did something similar to our own dad. There's also a great new character in Miura, a tomboy of sorts who doesn't initially "get" Yotsuba's many quirks.

Deep thoughts: One chapter, titled "Revenge," shows Yotsuba watching a violent TV show with her dad and Jumbo. Immediately afterwards, she grabs her squirt gun and starts exacting revenge on the neighbors' house. This is a nice portrayal of media effects, or the theory that what we see in media influences how we act. Here, Yotsuba sees a violent act and then mirrors it. While it's obvious Yotsuba is pretending, it's a pretty clear cut cause-and-effect example of the theory in action.

Artwork: There's a lot of playful emotion here and some great facial expressions. Yotsuba's eyes can communicate a lot, something that other mangaka would do well to learn from. Otherwise, this is situational comedy at its best and Kiyohiko Azuma does a great job at showing the physical comedy at play and characters' reactions to whatever goofy thing Yotsuba is up to.

The verdict: Required reading. This is such a fun series -- I can't imagine someone not liking it. If you're looking for all-around simple laughs at the hand of a kooky grade schooler, Yotsuba's your girl! Yotsuba&! is available in the U.S. from Yen Press.

Best New Series of 2009

It's that time of year again where everyone puts out their "best of" list. Of course, this is by no means a comprehensive list of the best new manga series released in 2009 -- I don't know anyone who has read everything that came out this year and I'm certainly not one of them. This is simply a list of the best new series that I happened to read and review this year. So, read through and let me know what you think!

Children of the Sea: This series was the first published online as part of Viz's new IKKI website. I was immediately drawn in by the realistic art and the mystery behind Sora's and Umi's connection to the sea. This is a series that quietly sucks you in deeper and deeper, much like the tide along the ocean's edge. While I haven't reviewed the online chapters in some time, I've been able to keep up with this intriguing mystery. Children of the Sea is available in the U.S. from Viz.

Detroit Metal City: DMC is a laugh-out-loud comic filled with obscenity and profanity -- and I loved every minute of it! This series doesn't take itself seriously, but it does take the business of satire seriously. In a send-up of death metal bands, Soichi is a pop-loving, sweet country bumpkin who is also lead singer of Tokyo's raging death metal band, Detroit Metal City. While I haven't gotten around to the second or third volumes, I will be doing so soon! Detroit Metal City is available in the U.S. from Viz.

The Name of the Flower: Quietly poignant while illustrating the depth to which some people sink emotionally, this story is about love's power to save people just as much as it is about the main characters' depression. With reclusive writer Kei and teenage schoolgirl Chouko growing closer each day, how will they resolve their unexpected love story, or is a tragic ending truly too fitting? If you've tired of formulaic shojo romance, then please pick up this manga. The Name of the Flower is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Ooku: The Inner Chambers: In this period piece featuring an alternate history of Japan, woman literally rule. By turning the tables on men, interesting parallels are drawn and a medical mystery begins. Fumi Yoshinaga's latest work is heavy on the narration, but the characters are unsurprisingly compelling. If you're yet to explore this prolific mangaka's work, this is a great introductory series! Ooku: The Inner Chambers is available in the U.S. from Viz.

RIN-NE: While it's yet to be seen if this will be as popular as Rumiko Takahashi's older works, there's certainly a great foundation laid in this comedic shonen manga where a "sort of" shinigami and his classmate Sakura help the undead move on to the other side. While it took me awhile to get into this story, I'm glad I've kept up with it online via Viz's Rumic World website. RIN-NE is available in the U.S. from Viz.

Venus Capriccio: Tomboyish Takami gets dumped by her latest boyfriend, when her best friend, pretty boy Akira, tells her how he really feels. In a parallel to their piano duets, this pair deepens their relationship as they learn how to play together. I was pulled in by the quiet tension in this sweetly romantic shojo story. Venus Capriccio is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Yotsuba&!: While some might quibble over whether or not this is "new," I couldn't help but add it to the list. Yen Press picked up this previously lapsed ADV license and published seven volumes of the wacky adventures of the ever-goofy, green-haired, 6-year-old Yotsuba, including the first five volumes originally released by ADV. If my experience is any indication, Yotsuba's childhood innocence and vivid imagination will have you giggling in no time! Yotsuba&! is available in the U.S. from Yen Press.

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, vol. 8

The story: This time around the gang attempts to recruit some new club members, with mixed results. Later, they hire a part-timer and encounter a wedding planner who works for both the living and the dead -- not to mention yakuza. In the last tale, dead infants are abandoned at the local hospital and the gang is determined to find out why. All the while, Sasaki and Karatsu unknowingly grow closer for inexplicable reasons.

Reaction: There was a lot of Japanese culture on display in this volume, mostly in the chapter involving a marriage ritual for the dead and the yakuza thugs who profit off of it. It was interesting to learn about rural traditions and other Far East customs. Otherwise, this was a good volume, but perhaps not as good as the last one.

Deep thoughts: In the same wedding story, the yakuza are shown shooting and killing someone. This is unusual because Japan has a strict gun control policy in place. Unlike the United States, handguns are increasingly rare and rifles and shotguns highly restricted. In the democratic world, Japan has some of the most stringent laws in place.

Artwork: Some truly lonely young people are introduced in this volume, one of whom looks like a female version of Yata, carrying the same constant eye-shielding bangs. Unfortunately, she ends up having a particularly gross death. And on the "eww" scale, this book is definitely leaning towards the truly icky when we're shown and given a narration of how to clean a person's body following death.

The verdict: If only... This may not be Eiji Otsuka's and Housui Yamazaki's best volume, but it's certainly better than a lot of other shonen manga out there. Regardless, I'll still be reading the next volume as soon as I can get my hands on it. Here's to hoping they expand on the resident hacker's and psychic's connection soon! Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is available in the U.S. from Dark Horse.

Yotsuba&!, vol. 1

While Yen Press picked up the lapsed license for this manga and started printing it earlier this year, I actually reviewed a volume by the previous publisher, ADV Manga.

The story: Yotsuba is an energetic, curious and pig-tailed 5-year-old who has just moved into a new neighborhood with her dad. After meeting her neighbors, the Ayases, she has goofy adventures from learning about the dangers of global warming and air conditioners to catching cicadas with her dad's best friend, Jumbo, and one of her new neighbors. Along with her dad, Jumbo and the Ayases, every day is a new experience for Yotsuba.

Reaction: This is one of those series I've been meaning to read and I'm glad I finally got to it. Yotsuba is a curious little girl and everything she does reminded me of the innocence and wonder of childhood. Each chapter is an unrelated and humorous story, usually where Yotsuba discovers something remarkable and hilarious. Interestingly, her dad seems like a slacker, even if he does work from home as a translator. The only thing that surprised me was his apparent nonchalance when Yotsuba got lost in their new neighborhood. Of course, my surprise disappeared once I learned a bit more about Yotsuba.

Deep thoughts: It's barely mentioned, but Yotsuba is adopted by her father. While it's not a big deal in the manga, there is a social stigma attached to adoption in Japan, whose adoption laws haven't changed since the 1940s following World War II. However, a traditional adoption practice has been held over -- the adoption of grandchildren by older people without descendants. In order to pass on the family name, inheritance or company, an older person without children might adopt an adult into the family to keep their name alive.

Artwork: I love the character design here -- from Yotsuba's green, pigtails-cum-four-leafed clover 'do to Jumbo's impressive height and gaudy Hawaiian shirts! It's very shonen in its design, at times reminding me of Full Metal Alchemist (perhaps it's Yotsuba's surprised and aghast little face à la Edward Elric). Kiyohiko Azuma's paneling paces the story along nicely, rushing us along after Yotsuba and her latest adventure.

The verdict: Required reading. This is the perfect "gateway manga" for anyone unfamiliar with Japanese comics. It's unassuming and endearing in a way that sneaks up on you without blinding you with its cuteness -- kind of like Yotsuba herself! Yotsuba&! is available in the U.S. from Yen Press.

Kusosagi Corpse Delivery Service, vol. 7

The story: Our fab five(and a half)some is back with another slew of funny, if not zombie-filled, mysteries. In the first story, the boys are being exploited by the girls and get a painful gig moving gravestones. Thankfully, a trio of engineering students lend a robotic hand, but things go from bad to worse when the robot goes on an "hideous mission of otaku slaughter!" The second arc in this volume gets readers one step closer to the mystery that is Karatsu's spirit guide, Yaichi, when a jinmenso, or a haunting where the face of a murdered person appears on their killer's face, becomes bait for the two. The third and last vignette features a director ready to kill for the perfect film -- but, little does he know about the Kurosagi group's true skills!

Reaction: I really liked this volume; it might be my favorite from the series. The first story of a video game-loving, otaku-killing robot had hilarious lines that made me giggle openly and it definitely reminded me of one of my favorite zombie movies, Shaun of the Dead. In terms of overarching storyline, it was interesting to see the Shirosagi Corpse Cleaning Service return, this time with a hidden purpose. But most surprising was the development in Aoi's and Kuro's relationship.

Deep thoughts: At one point in this volume, freegans are mentioned. Freegans are a dumpster-diving subculture of anti-consumerism; the New York Times had an article on the lifestyle named for a portmanteau of vegan and free. While freegans believe what they do is a natural extension of an ethical lifestyle, in this volume it's used as an excuse for stealing dead bodies -- a none-too-ethical choice. Can we say irony?

Artwork: Visually, this volume is much the same as its predecessors. However, I must note that Housui Yamazaki does a particularly good job with the jinmenso tale, especially in his recreation of an "earmouse." And there's some great physical humor in the otaku-killing robot tale. Of course, there are plenty of realistically gruesome deaths, all of them grotesque in their own way.

The verdict: Highly recommended. As I mentioned previously, this is my favorite volume yet -- it has that perfect balance of seriousness and laughs, the hallmark of this series. Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is available in the U.S. from Dark Horse.

MangaCast Review: Deka Kyoshi, vol. 1

Another one of my guest reviews is up at MangaCast, a blog dedicated to manga news and reviews. This time around, I review Deka Kyoshi, vol. 1. Here's an excerpt:

After an elementary school teacher supposedly commits suicide, detective Toyama goes undercover to investigate. One of his students, a young boy named Makoto Miyahara, sees emotional manifestations that appear as monsters, later dubbed “synthes.” Once Makoto learns Toyama’s secret, the detective enlists the young boy as an assistant of sorts. ... It’s hard to ignore this story’s parallels with the Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy Kindergarten Cop. But, outside of the funnier moments and the undercover cop plot, that’s where the similarities end.

To read more about what I thought of this new series, click here. Deka Kyoshi is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Great Manga Gift Guide

It's that time of year again! While there are some great gift guides out there, those that focus on graphic novels have seen fit to ignore manga entirely (for shame!). So, to rectify the situation, manga readers across the blogosphere are suggesting great manga for gift-giving this holiday season. While my list didn't make the Black Friday deadline, I figured better late than never!

After some consideration, I've decided to give suggestions via genre, pointing others in the direction of a similar manga. The series I've included have 10 or fewer volumes available in English or are manga that can be purchased individually. Links to my reviews of these series are posted where available.

Without further ado, here are my suggestions:

For the adrenaline junkie: these are the folks that like an adrenaline rush -- from superheroes to ninjas to government conspiracy, they're looking for a fast-paced story with some intrigue, bloodshed or explosions along the way:

Dororo: Orphaned as a baby, Hyakkimaru has struggled his entire life due to a curse placed on him by his father. Roaming the countryside, he kills demons in order to restore his body to its true form.
Parasyte: Parasitic aliens have invaded Earth and are latching on to human hosts. When teenage Shinichi is incorrectly infected, he finds himself at odds with his body's new occupant.

For the comedian: being serious is oh-so-boring for these folks. So give 'em what they want -- a good laugh!

Detroit Metal City: Country bumpkin Soichi dreams of starting his own pop band one day. Only problem is, he's the lead singer of one of Tokyo's hottest death metal bands!

Honey and Clover: A group of art college students come of age in this manga that mixes unrequited love with slapstick comedy.

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service: Five starving college students with a special gift for helping the dead start a business together in this funny, if at times creepy, series.

For the drama addict: so maybe goofy giggles aren't your thing. If what you crave is bittersweetl drama or quietly and poignantly told stories, look no further than these manga.

Children of the Sea: It's summer vacation and Rika, a young girl, is in for a boring one after getting in trouble at school. But that all changes when two boys born from the sea enter her life and bring mystery with them.

Emma: In Victorian Era England, Emma, a maid, falls in love with a man from a well-to-do family. Is there love destined to fail, or can she rise above her social standing and marry the one she loves?
Ooku: The Inner Chambers: In this historical alternate universe, a virus has killed 75 percent of the male population, leaving women in charge of everything -- including the shogunate.

For the fantasy lover: these folks can find reality over-rated at times. So, why not indulge in "what if" stories that range from traditional fantasy to supernatural stories?

Apothecarius Argentum: Princess Primula's fictional kingdom is under seige when her former food taster, Argent, re-enters her life. As these two fall in love, just what does their future hold?
Two Flowers for the Dragon: The love life of Shakuya, heiress to the Dragon Clan (who can turn into a dragon herself), has just gotten complicated when her old fiance returns after a long absence. Only problem is, she's already gotten engaged to someone else!
Yokaiden: Yokai-loving Hamachi ventures into the yokai realm when a yokai, or demon, kills his grandmother. Just what will Hamachi encounter on his journey and will he ever find his grandmother's killer?

For the foodie: for those that love cooking and eating, learning the story of their food is an important part of the process. These tales promise to tickle the tastebuds and the mind!

Antique Bakery: It seems innocuous enough when Tachibana decides to open a traditional French bakery. But, things are not as they seem in this comedic food manga with a serious underlying plot.
Oishinbo: A reporter is on a quest to find the perfect Japanese meal -- from rice to sake to ramen and gyoza, there's a taste of everything for everyone. This series is "a la carte" and each volume stands alone.

For the indie types: mainstream is so...well, uh, mainstream. Whether it's hole-in-the-wall bars that no one else knows about to that up-and-coming band you just have to hear, these folks are independent spirits in every way.

Sexy Voice and Robo: Sexy Voice is Nico, a teenage girl and phone club operator, and Robo is toy robot-collecting 20-something Iichiro. Together, they solve random mysteries and petty crimes.
Red-Colored Elegy: Ichiro is an unhappy artist, as is his girlfriend Sachiko. Depression, death and the quarter-life crisis are explored in this alternative comic.

Fire Investigator Nanase, vol. 2

The story: Whoever killed Nanase's co-worker Tsuraga is now after Nanase, going so far as to sneak into her home to try and silence her permanently. While Nanase uses her wits to defeat her would-be murderer, she still gets saved by mystery arsonist, the Firebug, in the end. While she wonders what the Firebug has in store for her, she gets involved in another investigation. This time, it's a warehouse fire and Chief Tachibana's son is involved and Nanase is determined to prove his innocence. In the second half, more is revealed about the history and relationship between Nanase and her adopted son, Shingo. Also, Nanase gets her very own stalker, but the Firebug stops him from attacking his favorite firefighter. At volume's end, readers are left on a cliffhanger when Nanase, Shingo and dozens of other victims get caught up in a fire taking place in a newly opened high-rise building.

Reaction: While I initially liked the surprisingly independent Nanase and her success in a male-dominated field, the first chapter in the second volume featured a practically nude Nanase. Of course, she used it to her advantage, although she ended up being saved by a co-worker following an anonymous tip phoned in by the Firebug. There's also "suggestive situations" when a sexual offender stalks Nanase. While the overall storyline is interesting — Firebug's plans for Nanase and his subsequent involvement in her investigations — it still carries an air of sexual exploitation. Instead of focusing on Nanase the firefighter and rescuer, we're seeing Nanase the victim.

Deep thoughts: After seeing the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, it was difficult to not draw parallels between that tragedy and the last chapter in this volume, titled "Towering Inferno." On the evening of the grand opening of the Astro Tower, several fires break out and it's presumed to be arson committed by a group of individuals. Of course, I saw several things that are strongly discouraged when evacuating a building — namely Nanase using an elevator to get to the fire instead of the stairs — that really tested my suspension of disbelief.

Artwork: As mentioned earlier, there's some brief nudity in this volume. Otherwise, we're treated to more fires and fire-related science. Firebug doesn't pull the Mission Impossible-esque mask-removing technique, but he does appear in a couple of different guises. The panels are action-packed throughout and their design and pacing reflect that. But, I did experience some confusion when the stalker character was introduced. Initially, I thought it was the Firebug — the guy does have a huge portrait of Nanase in his abandoned church-cum-lair — but it ended up being some new, nefarious guy instead. With all of the costumes that Firebug wears, I found myself wondering if each new character introduced just happened to be him in disguise.

The verdict: Meh. Again, I wasn't particularly drawn into this manga. While the fire science bits are interesting and the story itself is action-packed, I couldn't ignore the sexual exploitation of Nanase. Honestly, I think this would be a really great manga if it focused more on the protagonist's professional role and less on her being a woman. Fire Investigator Nanase is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Review copy provided by CMX.

Halloween Manga Reads

Since Halloween is this Saturday, I thought I'd list some of my reviews of appropriate manga reads with "creatures of the night" and other creepy situations. Click on the links to see what I've thought of these series so far — there's something for everyone whether you're a shojo lover or seinen fiend!

Ballad of a Shinigami: From murder to suicide, this shojo manga takes an up-close look at the ways people die and how those left behind must deal with the aftermath. From tragic to sweet, this shinigami, or death god, has seen it all.

Black Bird: This supernatural romance features the aforementioned yokai and a young girl who sees demons, ghosts and the like. When she her life is endangered, she finds herself becoming an unwilling "demon's bride."

The Embalmer: Dealing with dead bodies isn't for the faint of heart, but this story is mostly about those left behind after the death of loved ones. Not the most Halloween-specific of the bunch, but a good read nonetheless.

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service: Maybe actual zombies are more your speed? Then look no further than this funny, mysterious and often creepy series. While the episodic stories are usually in the spotlight, there's a common thread that's built through the series, too.

Me and the Devil Blues: RJ, an aspiring guitarist, wants to play the blues so bad, he's willing to sell his soul to the devil. While he's gotten what he wanted, the devil is waiting to get his due from the traveling bluesman at any cost!

Millennium Snow: This unfinished series comes from the mangaka behind Ouran High School Host Club and features a love triangle between a vampire, werewolf and the girl they've come to love. While it could easily go down an angsty trail (again, see: Twilight), it's mostly fun and funny, with a few touching scenes thrown in here and there for good measure.

Monster: This thriller is in the vein of perennially popular films featuring homicidal killers. Of course, there's no denying that Naoki Urasawa's masterpiece will draw you in!

Parasyte: Aliens invade the Earth in this Invasion of the Bodysnatchers-esque manga that is equal parts creepy, gruesome and thoughtful. Will they take over the world, or will Shinichi save the day?

Vampire Knight: This series is a vampire-centric story in the same vein as the Twilight series, with a love triangle, teen angst and plenty of blood-sucking fun. And don't say I didn't warn you — it's a guilty pleasure of mine for a reason!

Yokaiden: Ever wonder what those "bumps in the night" are? Well, in this tale, it's most likely caused by a yokai, or Japanese demon. From possessed lanterns to monsters that cut the bottoms of feet off of misbehaving children, there's a monster for everyone!

Edit: Eep — I just realized I forgot a couple of other Halloween-friendly manga (and manhwa) reads, so I've included a couple more below!

The Antique Gift Shop: In this Korean manhwa, be careful what you wish for! Bun-Nyuh, the reluctant shopkeeper, can see spirits and her mysterious store is a burden she's looking to shed.

RIN-NE: The newest series from famed mangaka Rumiko Takahashi follows "sort of" shinigami Rin-ne and his friend, Sakura, as they deal with lingering ghosts and evil spirits.

Yurara: High school Yurara has the ability to see spirits and ghosts, but she's always kept the ability to herself. When two of her high school classmates learn her secret, she's in for more than she bargained for!

Fire Investigator Nanase, vol. 1

The story: As an investigator for the fire department, Nanase is still looking for redemption after her parents died in a fire many years ago. She has a passion for saving lives and figuring out arson; she's also the only person to have ever seen the elusive Firebug, an arsonist, after saving him from a fire three years ago. While Firebug owes her for saving his life, he's also got another agenda and, for some reason, is helping Nanase solve a recent spate of arson cases. Why is Firebug helping Nanase and what is he hoping to gain in return?

Reaction: Considering that Japan is a heavily masculine country, not to mention the fire fighting profession's inherent "manliness," I found Nanase to be a character unique in her independence and strength. Much like Apothecarius Argentum, there's a heavy dose of procedural crime scene science, in a CSI kind of way. The common theme of Firebug was initially interesting, but eventually became a gag of sorts, with Firebug and his Mission Impossible-like masks becoming predictable by volume's end.

Deep thoughts: As I've mentioned before, Japan is a very masculine countries in several respects; from valuing traditional male traits to rigid social roles, the country's women have a hard time being recognized even in the modern day. Because of this, Japanese women have few long-term career options, making Nanase's success all the more intriguing. While Japan is considered highly masculine, the United States ranks somewhere in the middle, while northern European countries, like Sweden and Denmark, are considered highly feminine.

Artwork: The art here reminds me of Rumiko Takahashi's work -- marked by cartoonish character design with a shonen sensibility. Given the Firebug's penchant for identity-hiding masks, Tomoshige Ichikawa is successful in making a common thread in Firebug's guises apparent. Unfortunately, there's a good deal of fan service early on; in one scene, Nanase removes her emollient-doused clothes, to be left clad in only her underwear and fainting right into the Firebug's arms. Lastly, there is a burnt body or two, making it a gruesome read for some.

The verdict: Meh. While this wasn't a particularly bad story, it just didn't do it for me. While there's the reference to Firebug's plans for Nanase, I was a little creeped out by his devotion to her. However, I will say that those who are fans of CSI, Bones and similar programs will most likely enjoy this book. Fire Investigator Nanase is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Review copy provided by CMX.

MangaCast Review: Broken Blade, vol. 1

Be sure to check out my latest review on MangaCast, a manga news and reviews site. This week, I reviewed Broken Blade, vol. 1. Here's a short excerpt:

In the land of Krisna, nearly the entire population has the inherent ability to power up quartz, which runs all the machines. Nearly everyone that is, except, Rygart Arrow. Arrow, who was born without the ability, is an “unsorcerer,” making him unable to power even the most basic machinery. ... This is CMX’s first foray into the ever-popular mecha genre, which encompasses such series as Mobile Suit Gundam, Escaflowne, Code Geass and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Honestly, I’m not all familiar with the genre outside of my cousin’s long-held fascination with all things Transformers and Gundam. Nonetheless, I still found Broken Blade compelling with its mix of political intrigue, old versus new technology, and a collegial friendship that has somehow gone awry.

To see more of my thoughts on this new mecha series, be sure to check out my review! Broken Blade is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Review copy provided by CMX.

MangaCast Review: The Battle of Genryu: Origins, vol. 1

I just reviewed The Battle of Genryu: Origins, vol. 1, for MangaCast, the home for all things manga, including news and reviews. Here's a snippet of what I thought of this manga:

Jin’s your everyday, irresponsible, always-hungry teenager. But, there’s something lurking beneath the surface—something that gives him an enormous amount of physical prowess and power about once a month. ... Jin’s once-a-month power-ups are fairly novel and this manga seems like it might have a humorous bent were it not for a flashback showing a younger Jin surrounded by a pile of bodies. The real story here is the mystery behind Jin’s capabilities, nothing of which is revealed in this first volume.

Interested in learning what I thought of this manga? Then check out the rest of my review here. The Battle of Genryu: Origins is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Review copy provided by CMX.

Genghis Khan: to the Ends of the Earth and Sea

The story: Temujin is born into a family of nomadic tribesman, wandering the steppes of Central Asia. When he meets another young boy while hunting in the forest, he and Jamuqa decide to become blood brothers. What they never anticipated was that Temujin would grow to become Genghis Khan, fighting Jamuqa until the bitter end in order to unite all of Mongolia under his leadership. As Genghis Khan's family grows, he sees echos of his own past in his eldest son, Jochi, whose heritage is constantly under question, even by his own brothers. As his tribe attempts to survive its depleted numbers, how will Temujin transform into Genghis Khan?

Reaction: This is a manga, based on a film, based on an original book. And it shows in the odd pacing, large and confusing cast of characters and opaque plot. While this is supposed to serve as a biography of the Mongolian leader, it only looks at two very specific points in time, revealing only a small piece of who he was. As the narration jumped back and forth through time, I had a hard time understanding what was going on and following the storyline. In the end, it served as a sobering tale of what one had to sacrifice and do in order to rule in those times.

Deep thoughts: I'm not sure how much of this manga is truly historically accurate, since I have no frame of reference for Mongolian tribesman. As far as language goes, I didn't read anything too egregious. But, writing a biography of an historic character strikes me as particularly difficult and requiring quite a bit of research. Unfortunately, since there were no written records in Genghis Khan's time, it's hard to know what his early life was like. While the manga illustrated Temujin's birth, I didn't fully understand the omens being pointed out. It wasn't until I read more about Genghis Khan that I realized that it was a blood clot in baby Temujin's fist that signified his future greatness. It was small things like this that made this manga seem almost esoteric at times.

Artwork: Considering its source material, it should come as no surprise that this manga has a fairly cinematic layout. The panels follow a camera's viewpoint, starting a wide shot and moving closer in a subsequent panel, or vice versa. There are also a few flashbacks that are indicated via filling the space surrounding panels with black; it works well as a visual cue. The cast of characters is fairly vast, due to the tribal nature of Temujin's family, with many of similar appearance. But, it was the additional art at the end of the book that served as a nice surprise—there are early character sketches, a nice "thank you" page by an assistant and the afterword by Nakaba Higurashi.

The verdict: Meh. Maybe it was the historical nature of this manga, or the source material used, but I really couldn't get into this story. While I'm sure the film is truly beautiful, especially with the ability to show, in color, the expansive vistas of Central Asia, this manga was not. It seemed derivative at best and failed to capture the true greatness of Genghis Khan, especially since it examined a very specific time in his life. Genghis Khan: to the Ends of the Earth and Sea is available in the U.S. from CMX.

Review copy provided by CMX.

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, vol. 6

The story: We're getting closer to the mystery behind Karatsu's guardian spirit. This volume is split into two main stories—the first deals with the death of an older woman and the daughter she kept hidden in her attic. The person connected to the older woman's murder is a man with a scarred face—much like that of Karatsu's spirit, but also someone familiar to Mr. Sasayama. While the reason for the daughter living a hidden life is never revealed, Karatsu seems intent on finding out the truth. At the end of that chapter, all we hear is a dead spirit shouting "Yaichi, Yaichi!" In the second story, titled "Kunio Matsuoka Demon Hunting Side Story," we travel back in time to the Meiji era. Here a monk with the same name and appearance as Sasayama is escorting a young boy named Yaichi from Kurosagi village to help investigate the gruesome murders of women in Matsuoka's city.

Reaction: While much of this volume focuses on the growing competition Kurosagi is facing, towards the end of this volume, there's a sense of urgency to figure out what's going on, especially since Karatsu is left in a cliffhanger ending. The side story added another layer of mystery with its character and content connections to the modern-day storyline. I found myself hoping I'd learn something that would help the puzzle pieces fall into place, to no avail. I'm hungry to know the meaning of those scarred faces and what connection Sasayama has to everything that's been going on. Of course, the side story could simply serve as a diversion from the main plotline and have no meaning at all.

Deep thoughts: Again, the Japanese language never ceases to amaze me with a specificity not seen in English. For example, in the first story, we learn about the term netsuki miko, or a rooted priestess. While, on the surface, she seems to have the same powers as Karatsu, she actually only has the ability to speak to "particular spirits of the land." Within two words, we find out what would be an entire phrase in English. It's amazing and shows the inherent difficulty in translating Japanese to English.

Artwork: I'll admit, the scarred doctor that Sasayama knew way back when reminded me of another, more popular scarred doctor—Black Jack. While I wouldn't call the resemblance uncanny because of the rather different art style employed by Housui Yamazaki, I will say that the similarities can't be ignored: black hair with a white patch above his right eye, a patchwork of scars covering his face and a great deal of skill in wielding a scalpel. I also enjoyed the historical setting of the side story; it was interesting to see the Western influence on Japan during the Meiji era. There's a balance of Victorian-era England with classic Japanese details and costumes.

The verdict: Highly recommended. I can't wait to read the next volume, especially after being fed small scraps of story regarding Karatsu's spirit. Besides that, there's all the other companies infringing on Kurosagi's business—will Kurosagi survive or will they be beat by the competition? Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is available in the U.S. from Dark Horse.

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, vol. 5

The story: The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service seems to be diversifying its business with this volume. This time around they discover a dead body while volunteering at an old folks' home, then try to return the man to his village, which seems to have been wiped off the map. Later, they encounter a fake mummy and try to figure out who's behind the mystery with the help from their old "friends" at Nire Ceremony funeral home, who are diversifying their own business by providing ancient Egyptian-like burials reminiscent of the pharaohs. In another chapter, the group becomes professional mourners for hire and yet another layer of intrigue is laid regarding Karatsu's guardian spirit. Lastly, the gang encounters a cryogenic facility and its ever-youthful proprietor.

Reaction: I was so interested in the professional crying woman. Everyone simply called her "grandma," but she seems to know more about Karatsu than she's letting on. There were also some creepier little mysteries, like the mummy-like embalmer working for Nire Ceremony. There was also a laughably whimsical ending to the cryogenic story. While I don't want to give anything away, it seems that the fraudulent owner finally got his and in an entertaining way!

Deep thoughts: I thought it was interesting that there are actually professional mourners. While I've attended several funerals over the years, I never thought that there would be a need for professional mourners. The way Yata talks about it, it seems that professional mourners were popular in ancient Egypt and Rome, and, up until a few decades ago, were still popular in India, China, Korea and Japan. Surprisingly, professional mourners are still employed in the Middle East and in Africa. There's even an award-winning Filipino comedy, Crying Ladies, that revolves around the lives of three women employed in Manila's Chinatown.

Artwork: There are some jarring close-ups in this volume, from a mummified corpse come back to life to the sobbing face of an old woman to the gold-toothed grin of a severed head. The instantaneously recognizable expressions distill the mood in each scene and provide a shorthand of sorts for what other characters are feeling. I also appreciated all of the Egyptian details in the second story; there was an obvious deal of research done both for the content and the art, lending it a believable amount of credibility.

The verdict: Highly recommended. While there's not an obvious line of continuity here, I feel like we're getting closer to the reveal of the meaning of the spirit that follows Karatsu. She's become a silent seventh member of the group and I'm wondering what her larger purpose is in the story. Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is available in the U.S. from Dark Horse.

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, vol. 4

The story: This volume is another collection of episodic stories, including the gang's assistance in a rural town's alien-based tourism effort, a Chinese company's involvement in a traveling exhibit showcasing preserved whole and partial human bodies, a woman's possession by her best friend's (and murder victim) spirit and how a parasitic snail is involved in the apparent suicide of people across Japan.

Reaction: There was a lot to absorb in this volume, none of it too telling with the exception of more being revealed about the spirit that constantly accompanies Karatsu. I also liked Yata's unapologetic attention to detail when it came to producing alien-like crop circles. Unfortunately, the last story seemed to introduce a needless buxom blonde from the U.S. This character, Reina Gorn, studies forensic entomology and proves helpful in this one episode. She seems to be a walking stereotype, from her lack of real clothing (she wears a bikini top instead of, you know, an actual shirt of some sort in one scene) to her awful accent. Honestly, I could have done without this character entirely, or at least a more reasonable semblance.

Deep thoughts: I was reminded of Parasyte with the last story because a parasitic snail seems to have evolved enough to infect an entirely new species. It's a great illustration of evolution and what species will do in order to proliferate and continue their life cycle. While the parasite causes some fairly appalling physical effects, its ingenuity is pretty amazing considering the influence of instinct. These creatures aren't thinking about how to infect another species, it simply happens out of necessity.

Artwork: While I've never been compelled to view the BODIES exhibition that's been traveling across the country, I will admit I was impressed by Housui Yamazaki's keen eye for human anatomy. Having such a consistent and reliable recreation of different layers of human tissue is fairly remarkable in my opinion and made this chapter all the more interesting in an almost clinical way. On the other hand, I absolutely could not stand the character design for Reina Gorn. Can we say fanservice?

The verdict: If only... I certainly enjoyed a great deal of this manga, but couldn't get past the seemingly thrown in American character. While she acted as a source of information on entomology, she was a constant eyesore and distraction for me. Hopefully, this is a momentary mis-step and I won't have to see Gorn ever again. Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is available in the U.S. from Dark Horse.