Animanga Nation

Review by: Sophie Stevens

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Kanoko Sakurakoji
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shojo Beat Manga)
MSRP: $8.99 US
Rating: T+ (Older Teen)
Release Date: Now Available

The love lives of demons.

Like a moth to a flame, I’m drawn to shoujo titles that offer a less than conventional kind of love story. I’ve seen them all, mind you, but sometimes there’s a familiar story that is told with a gifted storyteller’s own personal touch that sets it apart from those titles we‘ve picked up before many times. Black Bird is the type of shoujo manga that doesn’t seem original but thanks to Kanoko Sakurakoji’s style, it actually works wonderfully enough.

We are introduced to Misao Harada, an attractive 16-year old High school student who carries the burden of being the target of demons that wish to devour her or want to marry her. You see, it is rumored that every few years a person is born that demons cannot help but seek out. It is said that if a demon was to drink this human’s blood they would be granted a long life and if you were to devour them they would gain eternal youth. It is also said that if a demon was to marry said human that the demon’s clan would prosper. So you see, Misao is a tempting target.

While Misao’s classmates see her as a clumsy and somewhat scary girl because – to the normal eyes – she seems to stare off into space but the truth is that Misao sees demons all around her. Some are too small to cause any major damage (unless you count getting tripped every now and then) but it isn’t until she is called to an isolated corner of her school by the cutest boy that she comes to realize her life might be in danger. You see, the cute boy turns out to be a demon attempting to devour her and even draws blood.

Then, she is saved by a handsome dark-haired young man with black wings who she instantly recognizes. Years ago, as a child, Misao once has a crush on a boy named Kyo slightly older than her. This dark-haired boy was more than just a mere child … he was something else and on the day he left he told Misao that he would come back and make her his bride. While Misao dismissed this a promises only children tend to make and never follow through, the handsome young man with black wings is Kyo and he intends to keep that promise. Oh, and he’s also a kind of demon called a Tengu.

If the demons coming after her wasn’t enough, Kyo keeps insisting that Misao give herself in to his charms … and grabby hands. To make things even more complicated, Kyo heals her by licking her wounds. I know, totally steamy but Black Bird doesn’t use Kyo’s nimble tongue healing as a gimmick because Misao begins to question her handsome savior’s intentions. Does he love her or does he want to marry her because of the rumor that doing so would make his clan prosper? Things get more complex when Kyo shows up as the new teacher in her school.

As Misao attempts to make sense of her feelings as well as Kyo’s insistence on protecting the girl he had promised to marry, a handsome Kitsune demon named Kuzunoha who is also out to marry Misao rather than devour her. This, of course, places Kyo in a rivalry to win Misao’s affections … a rivalry that turns out violently as the two demons battle each another.

Volume 1 of Black Bird is not a bad beginning for a shoujo manga ripe with juicy seduction and bloody fights but, more importantly, it’s a well-written story with an interesting cast of characters. As I mentioned, this manga might not feel uniquely original but it is handled well enough to make the story a fun read that s worth checking out if you like your shoujo manga on the racy side.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: B+
Misao Harada has always had fond memories of her first childhood crush who went away and, as fate would have it, he makes an appearance again as her teacher. While this sounds like a simple premise, the twist is that Misao is the target of demons trying to either eat or marry her and the boy she loved is actually a demon himself who promised to make her his bride.

ART: B
Sakurakoji’s art is familiar stuff but that doesn’t mean it’s not good stuff seeing as the backgrounds and characters do look decent enough.

OVERALL: B+
While not an original concept, Volume 1 of Black Bird is a surprisingly fun and deliciously racy love story that is a rather good start for a series that promises to be even more exciting. With solid art and decently written characters, Black Bird is definitely a series we will continue following.

Review by: Clive Owen

Publisher: Dark Horse Manhwa
Author: Park Joong-Ki
Genre: Graphic Novel (Manhwa)
MSRP: $12.95 US
Rating: Unrated
Release Date: Available Now

The Shaman make a last stand.

Much like one of my favorite manga series, Dragon Ball Z, I came late to the Shaman Warrior manhwa by Park Joong-Ki. Having picked up Volume 7 of the series, I managed to track down the first six volumes and now I am hooked. The bad news is that the series ends with Volume 9 but, if you were following this series from the beginning then you know it has been a wild, action-packed ride while it lasted. Volume 8 of Shaman Warrior reaches a stunning conclusion as the story is coming to a most interesting end.

The Shaman Warriors had once been the protectors and servants of the kingdom of Kugai when the very same kingdom made the existence of these warriors illegal. Outlawed and no longer bound by their kingdom, the warriors fled but only one of them, a young girl named Yaki, harbors hatred for the death of her father by the hands of a Death Lord as well as the General that ordered her father to die. We followed Yaki as she has become a skilled fighter as well as a cold-blooded assassin.

In Volume 8 of Shaman Warrior, Yaki and the few allies she has left are confronted by the brother of Master Gogu who sees them as the responsible party for said Master’s death. In the desert town of Maruchette, he goes up against Yaki in a fight that is quickly stopped by Master Gogu’s daughter, Bokara. It is Bokara who has now inherited her father’s land as well as agreed to accept the Shaman Warriors of Kugai and not hate them.

Unfortunately, Sakai isn’t going to let his niece ruin his plans to reclaim his deceased brother’s land for him alone. It’s clear from the company of assassins that Sakai keeps, which also includes assassin Yoku, that the man is willing to do what is necessary to claim the land. He decides to enter Maruchette and murder Bokara. Meanwhile, in the outskirts of the dusty wasteland, skilled bounty and assassins begin their battle against the remaining Shaman Warriors in the vicinity. Batu is attacked by two of them in a vicious blood-spurting skirmish.

As Sakai enters his brother’s land, the killing begins but with Yaki still hanging about she confronts Sakai and his band of killers in a fight to protect Bokara. At last we witness Yaki take on Sakai in a close-quarters combat setting as the remaining assassins fight against the Shaman Warrior who has promised to stay by Bokara’s side seeing as she made the decision to stay in Maruchette.

Things get interesting when two familiar bounty hunters are spotted by Genji’s seemingly dim-witted by hilarious friend. Genji recognizes the descriptions of the two bounty hunters, one of which is a white-haired woman with a scar that Genji herself had inflicted with her whip. When they do show up, the female warrior takes on the dangerous pair with nothing more than her whip, a few explosives and her skills. Believe me when I say that Genji’s fight against the bounty hunters is one of the more exciting, action-packed and intense moments that outshines the earlier fights in this volume.

It’s good to see that after eight volumes the series manages to keep up the same action-packed momentum and having watched Yaki evolve to the woman she is now is proof that Park Joong-Ki not only knows how to tell a story but also develop the characters enough that you’ll actually care about them. On top of that there’s the gorgeous art that makes the fights look absolutely stunning.

Volume 8 of Shaman Warrior is yet another outstanding volume in a series that just raises the bar in terms of storytelling and action sequences. If there’s anything disappointing about this series it’s that it is going to end with Volume 9. Yes, it’s that good that you’ll wish the story kept going and that is the sign that we have a manga worth every dollar. If you haven’t checked out this series you should definitely do that right away.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: A
With the death of Master Gogu comes a flood of violence by Sakai who sees this as an opportunity to claim his dead brother’s assets from his niece. Yet Yaki and her Shaman Warrior companions stand against the hired muscle as the warriors go up against the most dangerous foes hunting them down.

ART: A+
Joong-Ki’s art is exquisite and has progressively gotten better and better with each volume. He also knows how to make action sequences look spectacular.

OVERALL: A
With the series coming to an end with Volume 9, this eighth volume of Shaman Warrior is utter manga gold as the story takes an interesting turn that will surely lead to an epic climax. As the Shaman Warriors of Kugai face off against those who have been hunting them down, Yaki’s fate is becoming clear to her as the end is near.

Review by: Edward Zacharias

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Masashi Kishimoto
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shonen Jump Manga)
MSRP: $7.95 US
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Now Available

The mysteries of Pain and the last message of a true master shinobi.

Disbelief … this is what I felt after I put down Volume 42 of Naruto.

As far as the latest Naruto volumes are concerned, the surprising twists and turns as well as the demise of various characters hasn’t affected me until the final chapters that chronicle the last moments of the Pervy Sage. Jiraiya’s last stand in enemy territory is exactly what we would expect from a man that – while easily distracted by attractive women – is the type of man willing to lay his life on the line in order to gather Intel on the enemy that threatens the village he loves.

In Volume 44, Naruto – who is haunted by the last words Itachi Uchiha ever spoke to him before Sasuke killed him – is summoned to Lady Tsunade’s office. It is there that Naruto receives the most shocking news. At first, he isn’t able to fully understand what is said to him. When he arrived he noticed that Jiraiya’s Sage Frog friends were in attendance as well as the elderly frog Lord Fukasaku … one of the two Great Sages of Mount Myoboku where Jiraiya once trained to become a Sage. Then they tell him that his mentor, the very man that was a lot like a grandfather to him, has died in battle.

Oh, but there’s more news. It seems that the Pervy Sage has managed to secure three key details during his dangerous mission. One of which we do not get to see but the other two are instrumental in unlocking the mysteries of the one called Pain as well as the Akatsuki threat. One thing is unmistakably clear, though, and that is that time is running out and the Hidden Leaf Village is in trouble.

While Sakura as well as Lady Tsunade’s trusted assistant, Shizune, are heading two separate investigations, Lady Tsunade entrusts Shikamaru with deciphering a numeric coded message Lord Jiraiya had managed to send before he met his demise. Shikamaru turns to the Cipher Corps to help him try to unlock the secret of the code. Meanwhile, Naruto isn’t dealing with the death of his mentor all too well as he begins to sulk. It isn’t until Iruka-sensei and Shikamaru comes along that he realizes there’s work to be done.

As Naruto and Shikamaru work on the coded message, Sasuke Uchiha is carrying out the plan that Madara Uchiha and the rest of the Akatsuki had set up. Sasuke and team Taka seek out Eight-Tails, an oddball Jinchuriki who won’t be headlining with hip-hop artist Jay-Z anytime soon. While seemingly clumsy and strange, Eight-Tails manages to keep up with Sasuke and his team in battle.

Meanwhile, in Konoha, the coded message is finally deciphered and it still doesn’t make much sense to the others. Pain might still be a mystery but there is still the two last clues left and the village must prepare itself for an Akatsuki assault. As Lord Fukasaku sees it, there’s something about Naruto that Jiraiya had seen in him and so he makes Naruto the deal of a lifetime. He is to come to Mount Myoboku to train in the Sage arts and only then will he be powerful enough to stop Pain.

The training, it seems, will not be easy seeing as there are consequences that might mean Naruto’s life. Of course, Naruto goes for it anyway but this time he’s not training for the obvious reasons … this time he trains to protect the village and to avenge his fallen teacher. On the other end, the Akatsuki are ready to make the journey to the Hidden Leaf Village. Yes, things are definitely going to get more interesting.

Taking a turn for the more dramatic, Volume 44 of Naruto marks the beginning of some dark times for Konoha as the mystery behind Lord Jiraiya’s death is slowly being deciphered. As the people most important to Jiraiya mourn his passing, time is running out for the village and yes Naruto goes back to train for what is surely going to be one some more interesting times ahead for this series.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: A
As news of Lord Jiraiya’s death by the hands of the mysterious Pain reaches Lady Tsunade and Naruto, Shikamaru and Sakura lead an investigation with the only clues the Pervy Sage left with his toad companions. Meanwhile, Sasuke and his Taki teammates set their sights on the Eight-Tailed Jinchuriki and Naruto sets out to train with the Frog Sages.

ART: A+
Who would have thought that the most impressive and visually stunning fight sequences belong to Sasuke? Kishimoto’s art is still among the best.

OVERALL: A
The painful loss of a irreplaceable mentor and a trustworthy friend takes center stage in Volume 44 of Naruto while a thorough investigation begins to unravel Jiraiya’s code. On top of that, Sasuke is on the move and so is Pain so the next few volumes will be ones you will not want to miss. You did it again, Kishimoto-sensei.

Review by: Sophie Stevens

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Karuho Shiina
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shojo Beat Manga)
MSRP: $8.99 US
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Now Available

A scary kind of love story.

It’s not easy being Sawako Kuronuma as we can see in Volume 1 of Kimi ni Todoke: From Me To You.

Sure, there’s a pretty girl underneath the straight black hair and unwelcoming expression that makes her classmates want to run for the hills but Sawako is a very awkward girl. Sure, it doesn’t help that all the students call her “Sadako” since she looks like she stepped out of a Japanese horror flick like “The Ring” or “The Grudge” but this is the kind of girl who wants to do a good deed every day and to become closer to her fellow classmates.

Of course, it’s not easy for her seeing that the girl has the tendency to creep up to people and, on top of that, her smile looks like a disturbing grin. Besides the fact that the girl comes off as creepy, classmates and other students have circulated rumors that if you look into her eyes for more than three seconds you become cursed with bad luck. Oh, they also think she can summon ghosts for some reason. So you can see why when she opens her mouth, students tend to run away from her.

That is until fellow classmate Shota Kazehaya attempts to have a conversation with her. He’s the only boy in school who greets her with a warm greeting each morning with a smile and while he just isn’t able to look her in the eyes he is clearly not afraid of Sawako. Our creepy girl begins to admire Kazehaya and her admiration for him goes well beyond the fact that the boy is handsome and quite popular. For the first time, Sawako is finally having a pleasant conversation with somebody and that somebody even invites her to an event he planned for his classmates … which turns out to be a test of courage at night.

Because she is seen talking to the most popular boy in class, people slowly begin to approach her. When two classmates, Yoshida and Yano, come up with the idea that somebody (preferably Sawako) show up at the event and play the role of a ghost, it is Sawako who does volunteer. In doing so she wins major points with the two girls who suddenly begin to lighten up around her. The fact is that despite looking like the meanest girls you will ever meet, they have a soft spot for Sawako’s plight. They are even touched by her desire to become friends with everyone.

Meanwhile, Kazehaya doesn’t only want to help the creepy girl become more friendly with everyone around her but he actually wants to see more of her. Before the summer break he even tells her that he’d like to see her again. When he finds a lost puppy, he feels like he found a way to keep seeing her. Soon, other students who would never had approached her want to sit next to her. She even helps her fellow classmates understand their homework. Everything seems to be coming together for the quiet girl but nothing good lasts very long as we can see from the final chapter in the volume. What possible obstacles will come between Sawako and Kazehaya remains to be seen as Sawako comes to realize why the cutest boy in class doesn’t even have a girlfriend.

On the surface, Volume 1 of Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You feels all too familiar. The creepy-girl-who-is-really-cute plot has been done before in manga like The Wallflower but somehow this one manages to be agreeable and actually kind of cute. The characters are even likeable, although we have yet to see how they develop in future volumes. One this is for sure, though, we will certainly follow this one thanks to Karuho Shiina’s decent art and fun storytelling style.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: B
Aside from looking like the evil entity from the movie “The Ring,” Sawako Kuronuma isn’t the most approachable of girls. Then she meets the handsome, outgoing and friendly Shota Kazehaya who changes the way people see her. Suddenly, this girl everyone is scared to talk to becomes more popular.

ART: B-
Karuho Shiina’s art is nothing original. In fact, it looks way too familiar but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look good and it certainly works well for this series.

OVERALL: B
The first volume of Kimi ni Todoke begins what appears to be a familiar formula that has been done before but the more you read it the more you come to like this series that is actually a fun shoujo read. The characters are actually likeable, although it’s still too early to tell if they will develop into characters you will come to appreciate. Either way, this is a shoujo series we will keep our eyes on for a good reason.

Review by: Edward Zacharias

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Masashi Kishimoto
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shonen Jump Manga)
MSRP: $7.95 US
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Now Available

The secret life of Itachi Uchiha.

Hatred can be a powerful motivator as we can see in the case of Sasuke Uchiha. He has harbored a hatred for his older brother, Itachi, who had – mysteriously – slaughtered nearly all the members of the Uchiha clan including his own parents. While Itachi let Sasuke live, the boy was dead inside and thought only of the day that he would stand before his big brother and slay him to restore the Uchiha name. This hatred had him abandon his friends, the village where he lived and even turn to the treacherous snake Orochimaru.

In Volume 43 of Naruto, Sasuke’s hatred has led him to the day he has been waiting for and now, with the power of the fallen Orochimaru, he leaps into the most fierce and personal battle of his life. Of course, Itachi’s strength and ability is beyond Orochimaru’s own power and he pulls no punches and does not hold back any Jutsu as they fight. Even when Sasuke thinks he has him, Itachi manages to push back with everything he has in order to take Sasuke’s eyes.

As the battlegrounds crumble and the nearby forest catches on fire, Sasuke calls upon lightning to try to bring his brother down. The power is enormous and it is devastating but Itachi still remains on his feet. It isn’t until Sasuke calls upon another power that Itachi truly comes to life. You see, that power is none other than that of a certain somebody we thought was completely dead. Revealing an even better Jutsu, Itachi is the one that finally takes care of that said somebody once and for all.

With their chakra spent, however, it is Sasuke who pushes himself to his very limits when he notices that his brother suddenly weakens. Could his attacks finally injured the older Uchiha or did something else cause his brother to suddenly cough up blood? Either way, the young Uchiha takes advantage of this and strikes but a barrier protects the shuffling, bloodied thing that is slowly heading Sasuke’s way. This leads to one of the greatest moments connected to Sasuke and one you will not forget anytime soon.

While the battle makes up this beefy 241 page volume’s most action-packed and moving chapters, it pales compared to what happens after the fight. Exhausted and badly injured, Sasuke is rescued by the most unexpected source … the Akatsuki member known as Tobi. Without spoiling the surprise, we come to learn that Tobi isn’t who he says he is and on top of that he turns out to be somebody connected to the Uchiha clan. Although Sasuke doesn’t want to listen, the mysterious figure who also possesses the Sharingan tells him everything about the Uchiha clan and about Itachi.

I would be doing readers a major injustice if I revealed even half of what the mysterious figure tells Sasuke. What I will say is that he tells the story from the very beginning, mentioning the exploits of Madara Uchiha that Itachi mentioned in Volume 42. He tells the story of the Uchiha clan and their rivalry with another clan during troubled times of war and later the formation of villages like Konoha. Then he drops another bomb, mainly about Itachi’s real mission that includes the reason he slaughtered his clan and why he did not kill Sasuke. You must really read this volume for yourself.

Volume 43 of Naruto is a shocking volume that is both tragic and surprising enough that you will probably want to read it again. Yes, the story focuses on Sasuke and Itachi’s confrontation but there’s a big revelation in the later chapters that is tragic, shocking and sure to replace Sasuke leaving the Hidden Leaf Village as one of the most monumental Sasuke moments. Plus, it’s one of the thickest volumes yet at a regular price tag.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: A
Sasuke’s confrontation against his older brother, Itachi Uchiha, continues in a take-no-prisoners show of power between the two siblings. The destructive power of the two brothers is beyond impressive but the fight comes to a most astonishing end. Oh, but the real surprise comes later as we learn about the history of the Uchiha clan and the secret behind Itachi’s betrayal.

ART: A+
Sasuke’s battle with his brother is simply one of those visually stunning and rare treats that really makes Naruto, Volume 43, an utter delight for the eyes.

OVERALL: A
All we ever wanted to know about Itachi and the Uchiha clan is finally revealed in one fat volume that you will not want to put down until the very last page. Volume 43 changes everything for Sasuke as he comes to understand the truth behind the events that lead to the fall of his clan by the most unlikely source. It’s manga like this that makes me glad I’m a manga junkie.

Review by: Brenda Gregson

Publisher: CMX Manga (Flex Comix)
Author: Tamio Baba
Genre: Graphic Novel
MSRP: $9.99 US
Rating: T+ (Teen Plus)
Release Date: Available Now

I can see inner demons!

I have to admit that I’m a sucker for mysteries and I love manga like Case Closed that offers different cases in each volume. This is what drew me to Tamio Baba’s interesting manga series, Deka Kyoshi, and why it took me by surprise despite the fact that its premise is like the movie “Kindergarten Cop” but with a supernatural twist.

The shocking death of a teacher at Fuka Elementary School has the police baffled. Did Shimizu-sensei jump out of her condo’s balcony or was their foul play? In order to find out, Detective Kohei Toyama is ordered to go undercover as Shimizu-sensei’s replacement as the new teacher of Class 2. While the prospect of having to teach a group of fifth graders is appealing to the big man, the Police Chief reminds him that this is only a temporary gig until he solves the case.

Class 2 seems like a typical fifth grade class with a class bully, a shy girl, a really tall and mature-looking girl and a number of other troublemakers. What doesn’t make this your average bunch of rowdy fifth graders is Makoto Miyahara … a boy with an unusual secret that makes him not only a jumpy kid but also the target of bullying. When Toyama – who is so tall that he literally breaks the top frame of the doorway – bursts into the room he does so to come to the defense of Miyahara who is being bullied by the class bully named Naoki Kimura.

Looking into his case, Toyama finds out that Shimizu-sensei had considered Miyahara something of a liar as well as somebody with an overactive imagination. The truth is that the boy sees people the way they are inside and the sight is ghastly and monstrous. You see, Miyahara can see a person’s inner demons that manifest in a grotesque way when something bad is about to happen. After Miyahara realizes that Toyama-sensei is the type of teacher that cares about his students, he tell him his secret and Toyama believes him! So begins the strange partnership between an undercover cop and a boy with a rare gift.

Together, they solve the inner demon problems of Kimura the bully, an event that makes Miyahara believe that the inner demons can be chased out of a body by having the person face his or her own demons. To top it all off, the boy also comes to learn Toyama’s true occupation and the reason he came to Class 2. What he doesn’t know is that Toyama’s investigation reveals that Class 2 is in trouble and might be targeted by some unknown entity that might be behind the death of the class’ teacher.

Along the way, though, they solve other cases involving the other students of Class 2 … a few with the aid of the beautiful school nurse, Reiko Narita. In one case they discover that the tall girl in the class feels less and less like a child thanks to a growth spurt. One case involves a student who is shoplifting manga from a bookstore. In another case, the quiet girl in class might just be a wrist cutter and finally the students dare themselves to check out the school at night when rumors that the ghost of their dead teacher might be roaming the school halls.

Of course, what makes this a unique series is Miyahara and his ability to see a person’s “Synthe” – as Toyama and Miyahara call it – and what they to do make it go away. Despite the dark tone of many of the cases, the series never really takes itself too serious. In the case of the manga shoplifter, both Narita and Toyama are disgusted by manga only to find themselves actually enjoying the confiscated copies. Because of his height, it’s funny to see that his students have nicknamed Toyama as “Mr. Big” and laugh as his attempts at swimming.

Volume 1 of Deka Kyoshi is the start of a series that is actually fun to read despite the fact that the series feels all too familiar. The supernatural twist is a good one and the characters are almost immediately likeable without being too cartoon-ish. The different cases are even interesting with the final one being emotional and beautifully written. If the series continues on its course we might just be looking at another rare favorite.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: B
The sudden death of a teacher in Fuka Elementary School begins an investigation by Detective Toyama who goes undercover as a teacher. Little does he know that there is something unusual going on at the school and only a boy gifted with the power to see a person’s inner demons can help solve the crime and help the students of Class 2.

ART: B
Tamio Baba’s artwork is serviceable but not extraordinary in any way but the style does suit the story well enough and the monstrous inner demons do look great.

OVERALL: B
Deka Kyoshi is a manga series with a lot of promise and was can see from Volume 1 and in the same way we love series like Case Closed we find ourselves drawn by each individual case. The characters do stand out as well, which is what makes this a surprisingly pleasant series with a lot to offer.

Review by: Clive Owen

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Tite Kubo
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shonen Jump Manga)
MSRP: $7.95 US
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Available Now

La vida loca de Hueco Mundo.

Stop me if you heard this one before, Ok?

Ichigo Kurosaki has a female friend who is whisked away from the world of the living and he – along with his close friends – crosses over to the other world to rescue said female friend from the ones who had taken her. This time, of course, we’re not talking about Rukia Kuchiki nor are we talking about the Soul Society. In Bleach, Volume 28, Ichigo and his friends infiltrate the world of the Arancars called Hueco Mundo to rescue their friend, Orihime.

Of course, when they get there they trigger an alarm that warns the guardians who immediately attack the trio. This time it isn’t Ichigo who shows off his training but it is Uryu and Chad who step up and fights the impressive guardians. It’s clear that the two of them have been training hard and Uryu shows off his powerful new Quincy abilities as well as his new spirit bow … Ginrei Kojaku. Chad, on the other hand, reveals that he’s become more comfortable when it comes to flexing his muscles in combat. Their fight with the guardians even impresses Ichigo.

As they manage to get past the defeated guardians and escape a trap that was meant to bury them all alive, the three manage to head to the surface only to find that Hueco Mundo is not as lively as the Soul Society. In fact, it’s a lifeless desert where even the trees look dead. Just when they think that there is hardly any life in the place, three very unusual characters pop out of the sand. We meet the Great Desert Brothers, a trio of really low-level Arrancars. The smallest of the bunch is Nel Tu, a cute little girl who forms an attachment to Ichigo after they get over a misunderstanding.

Nel and her two brothers, Dondo Chakka and Pesche, help Ichigo and the others reach a distant structure by way of their giant pet worm. Meanwhile, Lord Aizen calls his Espadas to a meeting to tell them that they have intruders and that they shouldn’t be underestimated. After all, these are the same intruders that made short work of various Soul Reapers in the Soul Society. News of the intruders also reaches Orihime who still swears her allegiance to Lord Aizen.

Speaking of Orihime, Lord Aizen shows her one of the other reasons he asked her to join them. It’s a familiar object that even Orihime recognizes off the bat seeing as she was present during Rukia’s near execution where Aizen stunned all the Soul Reapers with his staged rebellion. Orihime finally begins to realize that she has a new purpose.

Ichigo and the others are joined by two other allies during their journey. Rukia and Renji have come from the Soul Society to aid their friends, a fact that surprises Ichigo who gets a fist to the face by both Soul Reapers. Unaware that they are being watches, the group finally makes contact with the structure and punch a hole in the wall. When they discover branching paths, the group decides to split up.

It doesn’t take Ichigo long to encounter his first foe, an Arrancar with a three-digit number that classifies the strength of the Arrancar. Yes, regular Espadas have only two-digits but this Arrancar – a flashy opponent named Dordoni – was an Espada but was demoted. Now this is his chance to redeem himself. He might be a weirdo and seem more of a clown than a threat but Ichigo quickly finds out that this opponent is far more powerful than his appearance leads us to believe. The other are also confronted with enemies but we won’t know what they’re like until Volume 29.

Don’t let the familiar tone of this story arc fool you, Volume 28 of Bleach makes this rescue mission feel just as fun and as interesting as the breach into the Soul Society story arc. Cute new characters aside, the enemy in this story gives us something to look forward to in terms of battles and yes we cannot wait to see what Aizen has in store for Ichigo and his friends. Things are really going to get good in the world of Bleach.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: B+
Ichigo, Uryu and Chad discover that there’s more to Hueco Mundo than meets the eye and having met three of its most unusual inhabitants it’s good to see two familiar allies joining them on their mission. Meanwhile, Orihime is given a look into Lord Aizen’s most powerful weapon. On top of that, her friends must deal with guardians and foes looking to redeem themselves.

ART: A
While Hueco Mundo is a stale, lifeless place, Tite Kubo’s art definitely isn’t and his elaborate fight sequences and insane character design for the enemies is proof of that.

OVERALL: B+
Volume 28 of Bleach is reminiscent of the Soul Society infiltration chapters but Tite Kubo still manages to make the trip to Hueco Mundo a worthwhile story arc that way too much fun to want to put down. It’s also great to see new enemies as well as the Espadas that await Ichigo and his friends in the upcoming volumes. We are definitely on board for Volume 29.

Review by: Kiki Van De Kamp

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Hinako Ashihara
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shojo Beat Manga)
MSRP: $8.99 US
Rating: T+ (Older Teen)
Release Date: Available Now

Two is now officially the loneliest number.

It’s hard to escape the ghost of your one true love and most especially if it happens to be your first one true love like in the case of Ann and Daigo. Both have emotionally connected in ways that made their relationship something altogether difference than just a coming-of-age romance. They found comfort in each another but, like everything in life, nothing lasts forever as we can see in Volume 6 of Sand Chronicles.

Having called it quits with Daigo, Ann has spent the many months away from him with Fuji who continues to live in Tokyo. In the opening chapter of Volume 6, Ann has finally decided to start dating Fuji and taking comfort with the young man who genuinely loves him. Comically enough, Ann never really tells Fuji that she decided to date him but rather he hears it from Ann’s friend, Asada, who spoils Ann’s moment to tell him in her own way.

When Ann’s friends suggest a study trip to the beach, it’s Asada that sees this as a chance for both Ann and Fuji to hook up. While the others have a blast out in the beach resort town and Fuji helps Ann with her studies, the opportunity for Fuji and Ann to be alone comes thanks to Asada who leaves a day early with the rest of the group. Ann tells herself that Fuji is right for her but she’s not that convinced. Then she tosses out the hourglass that Daigo gave her and decides to give into Fuji’s love.

Oh but that darn ghost of the first true love comes back to haunt her on that very beach and Fuji realizes that he just can’t compete with Daigo or even come close to replacing him. He does the most sensible thing he can think of and that is walk away. He takes the opportunity to come back home to Shimane only to find out that his sister Shika has come to the decision to travel to Canada and study abroad. Still riddled with guilt over trying to steal Daigo away from Ann, she also can’t get over the fact that her life has been a lie and that she is the result of an adulterous affair.

Meanwhile, a friend from Shimane comes to Tokyo and visits Ann. She has always admitted having a massive crush on Fuji so when she hears that Ann is dating him the girl drops the news that Daigo is also dating somebody. In fact, she tells him that the girl Daigo is dating is none other than Ayumu Narasaki – the girl that nearly got her killed a long while back during summer camp. You can imagine that Ann does not take this news well.

The truth is that while all his friends think he is in a relationship with Ayumu, Daigo doesn’t see her in the same romantic light. Even when he hears that Fuji is dating Ann, all he could really think about is Ann. At one point, he does encounter Fuji in Shimane and the two talk but Daigo’s expression says it all even though he tells his rival that he is good for Ann.

When Fuji returns to Tokyo, he tells Ann that he is Ok with being second best but Ann sees right through the lie. They continue to see each another but Fuji makes no romantic gesture towards Ann and thus makes her feel all the more lonelier. Then it’s Ann’s father that drops a major bomb on her. I will not spoil the surprise but it involves Kaede, her father’s Doctor friend. In the same chapter, Kaede also reveals something meaningful about Ann’s mother. We catch a glimpse of how Kaede met Ann’s mother. It’s definitely one of the more moving chapters of this volume.

One of the more dramatic volumes to come along since the first volume, Sand Chronicles, Volume 6, is so juicy that you can’t help but savor every page. Watching the ups and downs of the relationships in this series is actually a joy and even more so in this volume as broken hearts break just a little more and Ann begins to feel even more lonely than before.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: A
After much hesitation and dancing around it, Ann has finally decided to start dating Fuji. While the blooming romance started out rather well, Ann just can’t shake the ghost that is Daigo that continues to haunt her. Meanwhile, news that Daigo is dating a girl she knows hurts her and Ann’s father drops one hell of a bomb.

ART: A+
I simply adore Hinako Ashihara’s art ever since I picked up this manga and continue to love it even in the series’ sixth installment.

OVERALL: A
The drama is so thick in this one that you can cut it with a knife but Volume 6 of Sand Chronicles knows how to do drama so right that you’re sucked into its intricate and thoroughly enjoyable story. As Ann and Daigo move on with their lives, their hearts tell them that they just can’t get over the love they share. Once again, Ashihara definitely has us impatiently awaiting the next volume.

Review by: Edward Zacharias

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Masashi Kishimoto
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shonen Jump Manga)
MSRP: $7.95 US
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Available Now

The secrets of Pain and brotherhood are revealed!

Groundbreaking, colossal and unforgettable are words that come to mind after you finally put down Volume 42 of Naruto. Not since Naruto’s return to Konoha in Volume 28 has a volume joined the ranks of past memorable moments of recently such as the death of Orochimaru by Sasuke’s hand or the demise of Master Asuma by the Akutsaki. Yet in Volume 42 of Naruto, there are two monumental moments that make this particular volume the one that earns the series its “World’s Most Popular Manga” title.

Having infiltrated the enemy stronghold and faced off against the more powerful members of the Akatsuki, Lord Jiraiya did not fall back nor did he want to because somewhere among those robed men are the children he once mentored. Even when the enemy tore his arm off and send the Master Shinobi reeling back from their blow, Jiraiya stayed to discover the secret of Pain and the Akatsuki. As all the faces begin to seem familiar to him, he comes to the realization that he has – at one point in his life – come across each of the present Akatsuki.

Not wanting to run with the little information he has obtained, he sends Ma Toad out of the battlefield and makes her remember a message he wants transmitted back to the Hidden Leaf Village. He just doesn’t know the true identity of Pain until the unthinkable happens during the battle. Suddenly, a flood of memories begins to resurface as Jiraiya begins to despair and remember the failures in his life that include not being able to help his own mentor, stop his close friend turning to the dark side or saving his best pupil. Speaking of said pupil, an interesting revelation is made in one of his memories that concerns Naruto. It becomes apparent to Jiraiya that he didn’t fail in one aspect of his life.

I won’t go into what happens at the end of this chapter but I will say that Jiraiya does come to identify Pain and he transmits this information to Pa during one of the most darkest moments of the chapter. Really, this is by far one of the defining moments in this series and one that will simply not fail to make you read it all over again. Meanwhile, Naruto and the others come across an Akatsuki enemy who challenges them. It’s really a distraction to keep the inevitable meeting between Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha right on schedule.

That’s right, Sasuke finally catches up to his older brother, Itachi. Sasuke is not merciful and doesn’t even show a flicker of emotion towards his brother. Their fight is so intense and jaw-droopingly enthralling that it definitely stands as one of the greatest fights in the series. It becomes clear to Itachi that Sasuke’s skills have come a long way and he even sees right through Itachi’s Genjutsu. Just when Itachi thinks he has his brother by the throat, Sasuke manages to upstage him.

It seems Sasuke was prepared for his showdown with his brother but what he wasn’t prepared for was the answer to his question of why his brother killed off their parents and the rest of the Uchiha clan. At last, we get a straight answer out of Itachi and what he reveals is startling. You see, Itachi is after something only the Uchiha clan possesses as well as the legend behind that something. While that is some shocking news, the most astonishing fact comes in the form of another revelation concerning their clan.

Their battle doesn’t stop there as the two brothers finally drop their gloves and attacks at full force with the power of the Uchiha. Even an Akatsuki onlooker is taken aback by the sheer force of their power and just as things get really good the chapter ends.

As I said, Naruto, Volume 42, is a volume that will be very difficult to shake from your mind. A lot is revealed in this volume and a lot happens that will help shape the future events in a series that simply doesn’t stop to amaze us with the powerful storytelling that continues to make the Naruto series one of the best shonen manga around. Drop what you’re doing and pick up a copy of this volume immediately.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: A+
As Jiraiya decides to take a stand against his Akatsuki opponents, the Pervy Sage finally learns the dark secret about Pain and we learn something about Naruto from his mentor’s memories. After one of the most unbelievable chapters in Naruto history, the moment we’ve been waiting for his here as Sasuke confronts his brother Itachi to learn a dark secret about the Uchiha clan.

ART: A
Once again, more is said with one detailed panel than a whole dialogue balloon and this is clearly evident in this particular volume. The cover has my vote for Best Naruto Cover Ever.

OVERALL: A+
It isn’t a surprise that the Naruto series just keeps getting better and better with every volume but Volume 42 of Naruto goes well beyond just another great volume. This is the volume that will not only change the face of the series but also be engraved in your mind. This is the one we’ll be talking about for years to come.

Review by: Sophie Stevens

Publisher: VIZ Media
Author: Chica Umino
Genre: Graphic Novel (Shojo Beat Manga)
MSRP: $8.99 US
Rating: T+ (Older Teen)
Release Date: Available Now

At journey’s end, the only truth is that love will guide you home.

Pedaling across the open fields and through villages and towns unknown, Yuta Takemoto continues to bike his way onwards to a destination that is not clear to him. All he knows is that he doesn’t know who he is and what he wants out of life and that maybe somewhere out there lies the answer. In Honey and Clover, Volume 7, Takemoto reaches the end of his journey and makes a discovery.

As you can imagine, Takemoto’s delivery bicycle is falling apart and when it does he finds himself worn out and takes a nap not far from a temple. When he wakes up, he is surrounded by a motley crew of workers who have come to restore the temple. They not only invite him to eat with him but also come to work with them long enough for him to buy a new bicycle so he could continue the journey. Takemoto agrees and takes on the task of cleaning their clothes, cooking their meals and performing small chores in restoring the temple. Of course, there’s one young fellow he immediately despises Takemoto for obvious reasons.

As Takemoto impresses the crew with his efficiency, Yamada manages to make an impression on somebody the young girl never thought she would get to meet. You see, hanging out in the offices where Mayama use to work is Rika-san … the very woman that Mayama is in love with and thus the reason he pushes Yamada aside. As Yamada stammers and tries to find something to say to the older woman, it is Rika-san who begins the conversation and inquires about Yamada’s beautiful pottery work. As the young girl attempts to avoid Rika, it is the older woman who comes looking for Yamada to hire her on for a project. Yamada’s answer surprises even Mayama.

As the complexities of the love triangle take a most dramatic and hilarious turn (one that leaves Morita in the hospital), Hagu gets an offer to teach grade school children art. She accepts reluctantly and, seeing as she’s physically not much bigger than the kids in her classroom, she actually makes a good teacher. One of her students in particular wants more instruction to win an art prize and when Hagu discovers why she begins to weep (which makes her student weep) and finally shares a moment with him that inspires the youth. It’s clear that Hagu has found a place as a teacher.

Takemoto, on the other hand, thinks he found his place among the temple restorers and ends up realizing that he’s still just as clueless as to who his is and what life has in store for him. He discovers that one of the workers was on the same journey of self-discovery as well until he found the same workers. Offering him his old bike and maps, the crew sends Takemoto back on the road. It isn’t until the young man reach land’s end that he comes to understand that there is a place where he belongs and it is back him where his friends are and where she is waiting.

Needless to say, Takemoto’s return is monumental. He makes it his priority to see Hagu first and she is genuinely glad to see him … as are the others who see the change in the young man. While Takemoto says he didn’t really find himself, the reality is that he has found something even more valuable. What it is becomes apparent when he sees Hagu again to make his confession to her.

It’s good to see the gang together again as it was since Volume 1 and yes it’s a real hoot watching the five of them go about their wildly fun antics of the past. Even more so, it’s great to see more bonus chapters and in this volume we are introduced to Ninzaburo, a beloved mascot who managed to steal the hearts of even the coldest and meanest ruffians. You just have to read this bonus chapter, Honey and Clover fans.

Volume 7 of Honey and Clover, like past volumes, speaks from the heart and this time it is Takemoto who takes center stage. The fractured love triangle that is Mayama, Yamada and Rika-san comes to a fascinating collision as the three come together and yes we are dying to see what happens next with Volume 8. Once again, Chica Umino takes this story to a different and genuinely pleasing new heights.

MANGA REVIEW BREAKDOWN

STORY: A+
On his continued journey to find himself, Takemoto is discovered by a group of temple restorers who offers him a job that Takemoto takes on with much enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Yamada comes face-to-face with the woman who has stolen Mayama’s heart for so long. When Takemoto finally does come back home to the others, he makes a confession to Hagu who has taken up teaching art to grade school children.

ART: A
Ok, now Chica Umino is just playing with us because just when we thought she has made the perfect Honey and Clover cover she goes and outdoes herself again. Volume 7 has a truly gorgeous cover and once again her art is one of the highlights of this manga.

OVERALL: A+
There are certain moments in every manga series that fans are waiting and hoping would happen and in Volume 7 of Honey and Clover that moment is here when Takemoto finally comes home. His journey of self-discovery has led him down many interesting paths but the lessons he takes with him make this volume deep stuff, indeed.