#IReadsYou Review: SERAPH OF THE END: Vampire Reign Volume 17

SERAPH OF THE END: VAMPIRE REIGN, VOL. 17
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Takaya Kagami
CARTOONIST: Yamato Yamamoto
STORYBOARDS: Daisuke Furuya
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Sabrina Heep
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0781-2; paperback (June 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Seraph of the End is a Japanese dark fantasy manga written by Takaya Kagami and illustrated by Yamato Yamamoto, with storyboards produced by Daisuke Furuya.  It has been published in the manga magazine, Jump SQ, since September 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language adaptation of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, entitled Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, since June 2014.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign is set in a world in which the trumpets of the apocalypse proclaimed the fall of humanity in the year 2012.  Vampires rose from the shadows and began their reign over the Earth.  A mysterious virus killed almost all adult humans, sparing those younger than 13 years of age.  The children were subsequently enslaved as livestock for vampires.  In 2016, the orphan, Yuichiro “Yu” Hyakuya, stepped forward, seeking revenge; his goal was and is to kill each and every vampire.

As Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, Vol. 17 (Chapters 64 to 69) opens, Lt. Guren Ichinose has captured the angel that was summoned with the original apocalypse.  Now, Yuichiro and the angel have a lot of crap to say to one another, although Yu wants to save the angel.  Plus, Asuramaru, the demon spirit of  Yu's possessed weapon, is struggling with memories.  He tell Yuichiro that he doesn't want the memories, but when we see them, we'll want to know more – much more.

[This volume includes an “Afterword,” miscellaneous text, and a full-color mini-poster insert.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga is one of my favorite vampire comics.  With its tales of military politics and demonic possession, it also offers unique character drama built on secrets and lost memories.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign Graphic Novel Volume 17 does all those things.  I don't think that Vol. 17 starts off as a promising volume, but then again, I did not expect the kind of secrets that would be revealed.  I want to be a spoiler, but that would be wrong because this is so good.  I think Vol. 17 is certainly one of those payoff volumes for longtime readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire manga will want to try of the “Shonen Jump Advanced” series, Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: TWIN STAR EXORCISTS Volume 15

TWIN STAR EXORCISTS, VOL. 15
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yoshiaki Sukeno
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Bryant Turnage
LETTERS: Stephen Dutro
EDITOR: Annette Roman
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0522-1; paperback (May 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

Sōsei no Onmyōji is a shonen manga series written and illustrated by Yoshiaki Sukeno.  The manga has been serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Jump Square (Shueisha, Inc.), since October 2013. VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a series of graphic novels, entitled Twin Star Exorcists.  VIZ released the series first under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” imprint, and then, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since July 2015.

Twin Star Exorcists focuses on Rokuro Enmado.  He did not want to be an exorcist, but he met a mysterious girl named Benio Adashino.  This 14-year-old was serious about being an exorcist, and she wanted to fight the monstrous creatures called Kegare.  Because their destinies are intertwined, Rokuro and Benio are called the “Twin Star Exorcists.”  They are fated to marry... and to conceive the “Prophesied Child.”

As Twin Star Exorcists, Vol. 15 (Chapters 53 to 56) opens, Benio is in Magano, the realm of the Kegare.  She must begin the ritual to claim her spiritual powers... and her true form – that of a Kegare.  When she is attacked, however, who in Magano will help her?

Meanwhile, on Tsuchimikado Island, Rokuro and his recently formed “Enmado Family,” prepare for their first mission into Magano.  This is the “Yuto Punitive Expedition.”  Rokuro hopes to get revenge for the killing of his friends long ago, but he and his family are really just support for the expedition.  Well, that is until everything goes... unexpected.

[This volume includes bonus concept art and comics, “Shueisha Jump SQ: “Airweave Collaborator Project, Special Chapter!”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Twin Star Exorcists manga is usually in a constant state of flux, as creator Yoshiaki Sukeno introduces new characters and new subplots at a steady rate.  Sometimes, however, the narrative goes still and focuses intensely on violence and combat.

Twin Star Exorcists Graphic Novel Volume 15 focuses on the stars, Rokuro and Benio.  Each is entering one of the most intense states of their struggle, and Vol. 15 is the payoff for longtime readers.  I can only say that this is a not-to-be-missed volume, as it introduces some great things to come.

Once again, Tetsuichiro Miyaki (translation) and Bryant Turnage (English adaptation) deliver a strong English adaptation with another ending that will force readers to come back for more.  And Stephen Dutro's lettering is perfect for this volume of utter surprises and loud shocks.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of action-fantasy, shonen manga will want to try the “Shonen Jump” manga, Twin Star Exorcists.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: WE NEVER LEARN Volume 9

WE NEVER LEARN, VOL. 9
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Taishi Tsutsui
TRANSLATION: Camellia Nieh
LETTERS: Erika Terriquez, Snir Aharon
EDITORS: John Bae; David Brothers
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0951-1; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

We Never Learn is a Japanese shonen manga series written and illustrated by Taishi Tsutsui.  It began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in February 2017.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since December 2018.

We Never Learn focuses on Nariyuki Yuiga, a high school senior who comes from an impoverished family.  He is eager to secure a full scholarship, known as “the Special VIP Recommendation,” to college before he graduates.  His principal agrees to give him the scholarship, but there is one stipulation.  Yuiga must tutor the three smartest girls in school:  Rizu Ogata, Fumino Furuhashi, and, Uruka Takemoto, so that they can get into their target colleges.  However, each girl wants to focus on a subject area in which she is practically an utter failure!

As We Never Learn, Vol. 9 (“The Flow of [ X ] Never End...”; Chapter 70 to 78) opens, Yuiga and Ogata are going to have a study session, but find that study hall is packed with students.  Ogata comes up with idea of using the empty biology lab, but it's supposedly haunted.  When evidence of an actual haunting manifests, Yuiga is determined that the easily frightened Ogata not see the haunting – even if he has to act inappropriately to keep her from doing so.

Then, the teacher, Mafuyu Kirisu, is substituting in a home economics class, but Kirisu is bad at cooking on a whole new level.  When Yuiga attempts to help her with her cooking, the kitchen becomes a place of inappropriate behavior.  Plus, Uruka gets some life-changing news that may affect her relationship with Yuiga.  Plus, what happens when Yuiga gets a hold of the wrong gift bag.

THE LOWDOWN:  The We Never Learn manga blends academics and teen romance, being a kind of high school comic romp and romance.  Like the Nisekoi: False Love manga, We Never Learn features a boy with several girls from which to choose.

We Never Learn Graphic Novel Volume 9 does not offer any story arcs, rather, it is a collection of single-chapter episodes of comic situations.  We Never Learn is a sitcom of a thousand situations, and most of them are quite funny.  Even without a multi-chapter story in Vol. 9, creator Taishi Tsutsui manages to drop a bombshell that will shape the overall narrative moving forward.  Translator Camellia Nieh once again does stellar work in bringing out the funny in this delightful series that seems to have as close to a perfect English-language translation of a manga comedy that we can get.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen high school comedies will want to learn about the Shonen Jump title, We Never Learn.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.



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