Itsuwaribito: It's MY Kaiten Party

I read Itsuwaribito , Vol. 11

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which has free smart phone apps and comics and Indiegogo campaign; follow me on Twitter.

Case Closed: Junior Detective League in the News

I read Case Closed, Vol. 50

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics that have an Indiegogo campaign), and you can follow me on Twitter.

Magi: Alibaba and Cassim

I read Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, Vol. 5

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (where I talk about my Indiegogo campaign), and follow me on Twitter.

Manga Review: HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER Volume 23

HAYATE THE COMBAT BUTLER, VOL. 23
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Kenjiro Hata – @hatakenjiro
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERING: John Hunt
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3906-5; paperback; (February 2014) Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Hayate the Combat Butler is a Japanese shonen manga (comics for teen boys), written and illustrated by Kenjiro Hata.  The series debuted in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Sunday (October 2004), where it is still being published as of this writing.  Hayate the Combat Butler has yielded an anime film and several anime series, with the most recent airing in 2013.

Hayate the Combat Butler is about a boy who starts a new job as a butler and the events he experiences with his employer.  Hayate Ayasaki’s degenerate parents sold their son’s organs to the yakuza to cover their gambling debts, just before they disappeared.  Hayate worked various part-time jobs to pay off those debts.

Then, fate brings Hayate to teenaged heiress, Nagi Sanzenin a/k/a “Ojô-sama.”  She is the frequent target of kidnapping plots and various schemes by people trying to get her money.  Hayate becomes Ojô-sama’s butler, zealously protecting her, while she falls in love with him.

As Hayate the Combat Butler, Vol. 23 opens, Hayate and Nagi and their friends:  Hinagiku, Isumi, Ayumu, Segawa, and Nishizawa continue their Golden Week vacation in the Greek Isles.  For Hayate, the vacation gives him an opportunity to reunite with Athena Tennos a/k/a “Ah-Tan,” a childhood friend.  He reveals his love for Ah-Tan to Hinagiku, who is actually in love him.

Hayate finally gets a chance to reunite with Athena at her estate, but standing in the way is her combat butler, Makina, and he can kick ass.  Hayate finally enters Athena’s mansion, but there is more fighting to do.  Hayate will have to make some tough choices regarding women and a giant skeleton hand.

It took a while, but over the last year, I have become a fan of the Hayate the Combat Butler manga.  Created by Kenjiro Hata, Hayate the Combat Butler spoofs, mocks, and also gently makes fun of the conventions of anime and manga.  Everything in the otaku wheelhouse is up for some “joshing.”

I consider this latest graphic novel, Hayate the Combat Butler Volume 23, to be a reward for all my reading efforts.  Strictly in the context of the story, Hata summarizes Hayate’s relationships with Nagi Sanzenin and Athena Tennos and how these relationships work.  There are responsibilities and consequences and ties-that-bind to the past.  This series that doesn’t take itself seriously is seriously good.  Readers looking for comedy that pokes fun at the elements of manga and anime can find laughs in the Shonen Sunday manga, Hayate the Combat Butler.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Manga Review: RANMA 1/2 2-in-1, Volume 1

RANMA 1/2 2IN1, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Rumiko Takahashi
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Gerard Jones, Matt Thorn
LETTERING: Deron Bennett
EDITOR: Hope Donovan
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6594-1; paperback (March 2014); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
368pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Ranma 1/2 or Ranma ½ is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi.  It was originally serialized in Shogakukan’s manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Sunday, from September 1987 to March 1996, and later collected into 38 tankōbon (graphic novel) volumes.  Ranma 1/2 spawned anime series and films and recently a live-action special.

VIZ Media is the North American publisher of Ranma 1/2 and recently began publishing the series again in its “2-in-1 editions,” which collects two tankōbon (graphic novels) in one paperback edition.  Ranma 1/2 2-in-1 Edition, Vol. 1 collects Ranma 1/2 Volume1 and Ranma 1/2 Volume 2.

Ranma 1/2 introduces a 16-year-old boy named Ranma Saotome who was trained from early childhood in martial arts.  While on a training mission in China, Ranma and his father, Genma, dive into some cursed springs at a legendary training ground.  As a result, whenever he is splashed with cold water, Ranma turns into a girl, while hot water changes him back into a boy.  His father transforms into a panda.  What happens to the life of a half-boy, half-girl?

The story really starts years ago when Genma Satome promised his old friend, Soun Tendo, that Ranma would marry one of Soun’s three daughters:  19-year-old Kasumi, 17-year-old Nabiki, and 16-year-old Akane.  The girl picked to be Ranma’s bride doesn’t seem to like him, and she also seems to have a lot of suitors – many of them being quite combative.  Plus, an old rival of Ranma’s returns looking for revenge.

A truism about the work of mangaka (manga creator) Rumiko Takahashi is that her work mostly defies easy classification.  Her manga, for the most part, don’t really belong to one genre.  If I were forced to pick one, I would say fantasy, because of the various fantastical elements that permeate Rumiko’s work.  In addition to elements of fantasy, Rumiko’s manga incorporate comedy, romance, and martial arts.  There is a bit of an edge and a small undercurrent of darkness in her manga, just enough to let the reader know that all is not fun and games.

Ranma 1/2 is a delightful concoction of martial arts comedy and comic teen romance.  It is light-hearted and free-spirited, as exemplified in the way the characters so easily leap and levitate through martial arts battles.  I found myself in flight with these characters.  Ranma 1/2 2-in-1 Edition, Volume 1 allows readers to experience this unique and classic manga in big chunks, and it still might not be enough, once you get hooked.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Rin-ne: Renge Shima Wants You

I read RIN-NE, Vol. 14

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Magi: Fanaris Girl Not Interrupted

I read Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, Vol. 4

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Case Closed: Fanboy and Sidekick

I read Case Closed, Vol. 49

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Arata: The Legend - Into Tsuguchi

I read Arata: The Legend, Vol. 16

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free comics).

Itsuwaribito: Onihime – Demon Princess

I read Itsuwaribito , Vol. 10

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Rin-ne: Crescent Moon Hall

I read RIN-NE, Vol. 13

I posted a review at ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Case Closed: The House of the Evil Spirit

I read Case Closed, Vol. 48

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Hayate the Combat Butler: I'd Remember Even After 1,000 Years

I read Hayate the Combat Butler, Vol. 22

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free comics - or buy those comics).

Arata the Legend: Ama No Iwakura

I read Arata: The Legend, Vol. 15

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which as free comics).

Review: MAGI: The Labyrinth of Magic Volume 1

MAGI, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Shinobu Ohtaka
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Steve Dutro
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5951-3; paperback (August 2013); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic is a fantasy and adventure shonen manga (comics for teen boys) from creator, Shinobu Ohtaka.  The series made its debut in Japan in Weekly Shonen Jump back in June 2009.  The manga made its American debut this week.

Magi is a manga set in an alternate recreation of the ancient Old World (perhaps, ancient Persia).  About 14 years before the story begins, several magic castles (of various architectural styles) began to appear.  Full of treasures and traps, these mysterious ruins are known as “Dungeons.”  Two new friends are about to embark on a dangerous and deadly adventure into a Dungeon to find fortune and glory.

Magi, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 7) introduces Aladdin, a scruffy young boy, who travels the world.  In his possession is a metal flute, and when he blows on it, out pops a headless, muscular, behemoth named Ugo; he’s a djinn.  Aladdin meets Alibaba Saluja, a young man who seeks his destiny in a dungeon.  Together, Aladdin and Alibaba enter Dungeon No. 7: Amon, which is inside the Oasis of Qishan.  Jamil, who is Lord of the Oasis of Qishan, is also interested in that same Dungeon.

The early chapters of the Magi manga were not particularly interesting to me.  Once Aladdin meets Alibaba, the story picks up its pace and also gains a purpose – the Dungeon quest.  When the main characters reveal their goals and obstacles, the story starts to get interesting.  Magi Volume 1 also gives a glimpse the adversaries to come for Aladdin and Alibaba.

The style of the art by Magi creator Shinobu Ohtaka is similar to the art of Yuuki Iinuma, creator of the Itsuwaribito manga.  That’s where the comparisons end, as Magi lacks the edginess of Itsuwaribito.  The rating for Magi is “T for Teen,” but the tone of the story will make it more attractive to middle school and ‘tween readers and not so much older teen readers.  Magi is a straight-forward, fun to read adventure, part Prince of Persia and part Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Readers looking for treasure-hunting adventure will want to try Magi.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Case Closed: Mr. Masakage's Disciples

I read Case Closed, Vol. 47

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Rin-ne: The Black Cat Ranking Exam

I read RIN-NE, Vol. 12

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.

Bakuman: Decision and Joy

I read Bakuman., Vol. 19

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Arata the Legend: Ghosts of Muroya

I read Arata: The Legend, Vol. 14

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).

Cross Game: The Final Volume

I read Cross Game, Vol. 8

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.