#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 21

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 21
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9381-4; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 21 (Chapter 118 to 123) opens, King Su-Won continues his advance into the rival nation of Sei.  Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe were betrayed and became prisoners of Sei, working as slave labor on one of two forts being built along Sei's border with Kohka.  After their devastating siege of Lord Hotsuma's fort, Su-Won and company move on to Lord Kishibi's fort after not finding either princess at Hotsuma.

But Yona and Princess Riri have been separated, and Yona is alone and injured in a nearby forest.  Meanwhile, Lord Kishibi prepares to execute Riri!

[This volume includes a bonus chapter, “From Good Morning to Good Night.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  I find the Yona of the Dawn manga to be a hugely-enjoyable historical shojo romance manga, which is one of my favorite genres of manga.  I also like that it uses elements of Chinese history and mythology.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 21 is a typically fantastic entry in this series.  In the case of this series, I think being “typically fantastic” is just “Jim Dandy!”  Seriously, despite the action of violent battle, creator Mizuho Kusanagi takes time to delve into the relationships between her core players.  Kusanagi also takes some time to further develop the steadily growing relationship between Hak and Yona.  It's intense and hot!  Let's keep reading, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
9 out of 10

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


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#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 18

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 18
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9745-0946-5; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One-Punch Man is a Japanese superhero franchise that began as a webcomic created by the writer-artist ONE.  Later, ONE joined artist Yusuke Murata to create a digital manga remake of One-Punch Man, and it began publication on Shueisha's Tonari no Young Jump website in 2012.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the digital manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning in 2015.

One-Punch Man focuses on Saitama, who wants to be a hero.  Beginning his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, he becomes a hero when he is 25.  He really does not look like a superhero, with his lifeless facial expression, bald head, and unimpressive physique.  But he beats the snot out of super-villains with one punch, and he even has his own disciple, the young cyborg, Genos (who really does not need any training).

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 18 (Chapters 88 to 90; entitled “Limiter”) opens, the civilians clash.  Some humans want to give in to the Monster Association.  They have formed the “Worship Party,” and plan on regularly offering human sacrifices to the monsters as a way to regulate monster predation of humans and perhaps, to stave off human extinction.  Meanwhile, human criminality rages on as there is an increase in crimes like robberies and break-ins.

Elsewhere, members of the Hero Association continue to search for Garo, the so-called “Hero Hunter.”  Garo, however, continues his bid to prove himself to the Monster Association as a potential member.  To that end, monster boss, Gyoro-Gyoro, sends two heavy-hitter monsters, “Insect God” and “King the Ripper,” to test him.  Now, Garo must fight these powerful, homicidal monsters and protect that sniveling brat, Tareo.

Plus, Saitama finds himself in the most awful predicament.  He might have to dine-and-dash!

[This volume includes bonus illustrations and bonus comics, entitled “Oops.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  Yes, dear readers, One-Punch Man manga continues to be my favorite superhero comic book.  Like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, it is a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  And both are superior to American superhero comic books in many ways.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 18 offers battle manga, but not to the extent that the two previous editions, Vols.16 and 17, did.  The Garo vs. Insect God and King the Ripper battle is quite exciting.  The rest of Vol. 18 is comprised of Saitama's humorous troubles and also plenty of theory on what makes a monster and on the concept of the “Limiter.”  This isn't one of the better recent volumes, but it does reveal Garo to be an increasingly superb character.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of shonen battle manga and of superhero comic books will want to try the “Shonen Jump” title, One-Punch Man.

A
8.5 out of 10

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


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#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS Volume 33

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 33
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0992-2; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma is a shonen manga series written by Yuto Tsukuda and illustrated by Shun Saeki.  Yuki Morisaki also works as a contributor, providing the recipes for the series.  Food Wars! was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series from August 2014 to June 2020 under two imprints:  first, “Shonen Jump Advanced” and then, “Shonen Jump.”

Food Wars! focuses on teenager Soma Yukihira.  He grows up cooking in his father's Yukihira Family Restaurant.  The 15-year-old wants to be a better chef than his father, Joshiro Yukihira (Saiba), so he hones his skills day in and day out.  His father decides to enroll him in a classy culinary school, Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate.  If Soma Yukihira really does not want to attend Totsuki, how can he succeed?

As Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 33 (Chapters 282 to 290; entitled “The True Value of the Noir”) opens, Soma confronts his father, Joshiro, about his connection to the mystery man known as “Asahi Saiba.”  Saiba is connected to a group of underground chefs known as the “cuisiniers noir” that have invaded Japan.  Saiba has also been masquerading as Totsuki's newest teacher, “Mr. Suzuki.”

Joshiro not only tells Soma about Saiba, but he also hands his son an invitation to the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world.  But this year, for the first time, traditional chefs will clash with “underground noir” chefs.  Soma, eager for a rematch with Asahi, heads to a certain famous old castle in a famous city.  There, he will face the first of three gates of challenge.  Meanwhile, Saiba continues to romance the young woman he kidnapped, Erina Nakiri, and tells her his origin story.

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga continues to delve into the mysteries of the “cuisiniers noir.”  As the series moves towards its conclusion, our heroes are in deeper peril.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 33 is just the antidote that we need to find out if our heroes will escape that peril.  Writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki give the “shokugeki” (cooking battles) of this new story arc unique twists at every turn.  Every dish is a challenge, and even Soma is dealt a surprise.  Vol. 33 is the best of the recent volumes, which have all been pretty darn good themselves.

Adrienne Beck's translation is the perfect plate upon which to serve readers these piping hot dishes of intrigue and gamesmanship.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman letter the utensils which the readers will use to taste this shonen battle manga plate by plate and move by move.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers hungry for good manga will want the “Shonen Jump” title, Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A
10 out of 10

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

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#IReadsYou Review: PSYCHODRAMA ILLUSTRATED #2

PSYCHODRAMA ILLUSTRATED #2
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS – @fantagraphics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Gilbert Hernandez
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Gilbert Hernandez with Paul Baresh
24pp, B&W, $4.99 U.S. (June 2020)

“Mercy and the Devil”

Gilbert “'Beto” Hernandez is the prolific half of the comic book creating duo, Los Bros. (the other half being his brother, Jaime Hernandez).  Gilbert and Jaime are the creators of Love and Rockets (Fantagraphics Books), the seminal alternative comic book series, and perhaps, the greatest American comic book series of all time.

Gilbert has produced a number of solo projects including (the infamous) Blubber, Yeah! (with writer Peter Bagge), and Twilight Children (with the late Darwyn Cooke).  Gilbert's latest solo comic book project is the recently launched series, Psychodrama Illustrated.  According to publisher Fantagraphics Books, Psychodrama Illustrated is a new Love and Rockets spin-off focusing on the classic character, Rosalba Martinez, best known as “Fritz,” and on her extended family, especially Fritz's grand-niece, Dora “Killer” Rivera.  The series will feature stories about Fritz’s film career “that bend Fritz’s reality” and the “reality” of the comic book itself.

Psychodrama Illustrated #2 (“Mercy and the Devil”) opens not in the life of Fritz.  Instead, it opens in “Mercy and the Devil,” a strange movie about an ex-adult film actress (played by Fritz) and her grifter daughter, “Mercy” (played by Killer).  Mom and Mercy's relationship is played as if they are as all-American as... well, as mom and apple pie.  However, the specter of murder looms, and both mother and daughter have a penchant for taking men for the money.  But is one of the women taking men's lives as well as their money?  Or are both of them killer dames?

THE LOWDOWN:  As I wrote in my review of Psychodrama Illustrated #1, I was and am a huge fan of Beto's Blubber comic book series.  I found Blubber to be in the tradition (or at least in the spirit) of Underground Comix with its brave and bold depictions of raunchy sex and surreal sexuality.

On the other hand, Psychodrama Illustrated comes across, if not personal, then, as the work of a visionary free to commit to paper whatever the hell he wants.  After all, the main narrative of Psychodrama Illustrated #2 takes place entirely inside the narrative of a film.  This is not the first time that one of Gilbert's stories takes place inside of a movie; many have, and some still do in Love and Rockets.  And this is a good thing, because Gilbert does it so well.

Gilbert is doing what he wants at his pace and in his way.  I find myself drawn to this series, and more so than with first issue.  I did not want Psychodrama Illustrated #2 to end.  After all, there is a strange allure to the combination of sex and death, and I am sure many men and women dream of engaging in sexual congress with a dangerous, even homicidal woman.  Yeah, the way Gilbert draws Fritz's gargantuan breasts annoys the f*** out of me, but in this comic book, I felt the most drawn to her that I have ever felt.

I am in love with “Mercy and the Devil,” and I want to experience... more of this particular kind of work from Gilbert.  I want whatever he wants do draw when it comes to Psychodrama Illustrated... and I could use some more right now.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Gilbert Hernandez's Love and Rockets comics will want to try Psychodrama Illustrated.

9 out of 10

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


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#IReadsYou Review: NOT YOUR IDOL: Volume 2

NOT YOUR IDOL, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Aoi Makino
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Nancy Thislethwaite
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1517-6; paperback (September 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
168pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Sayonara Mini Skirt is a shojo manga written and drawn by Aoi Makino.  The series has been serialized in the Japanese manga publication, Ribon Magazine, since August 2018.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language adaptation of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, entitled Not Your Idol, under its “Shojo Beat.”

Not Your Idol focuses on high school freshman, Nina Kamiyama, who wears slacks and has cut her hair so that she looks like a boy.  You see, Kamiyama was once “Karen Amamiya,” the “center” of the “miniskirt” pop idol, girl group, “Pure Club.”  In the wake of a brutal assault by a male fan, Kamiyama quits Pure Club, shuns her femininity, and starts dressing as a boy.  At Kaito High School, she keeps to herself, but fellow male student, Hikaru Horiuchi, realizes who she is.

As Not Your Idol, Vol. 2 (Chapters 4 to 6) opens, Horiuchi is under suspicion!  Is he really the stalker who attacked Nina six months ago when she was Karen Amamiya a.k.a. “Ren-Ren” and a member of Pure Club?  No, he's not, Nina insists, and she Horiuchi begin a serious relationship.  Still, someone else at Kaito High knows who Nina was once, so is she really safe?

Meanwhile, their classmate, Miku Nagasu, who is obsessed with getting the attention of boys, schemes to get Horiuchi all to herself.  Nagasu plans to do anything she can to get him, even if it puts herself in danger.  But when is dangerous just too dangerous?

[This volume includes a message from the author and an illustration.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The first volume of the Not Your Idol manga is one of the most shocking manga that I have read this year.  Its themes of violence against women and of obsessive fans captured my attention and yielded a lurid first volume.

Not Your Idol Graphic Novel Volume 2 is just as stunning.  On the surface, creator Aoi Makino offers tales of catty girls, determined pop idol handlers, and horny high school boys.  Underneath this tale of high school love triangles is a burning hot story of friendship and exploitation.  Friends do whatever they can to help one another, but the exploiters are like predators, using others for their own selfish ends with gusto.

Makino, however, almost seems to suggest that the exploiters may not really know what they want, which can also be said for the star couple of Nina Kamiyama and Hikaru Horiuchi.  The final 30 pages of Vol. 2 encapsulate this malaise of confusion, fear, and indecision.

Once again, the translation by Tetsuichiro Miyaki and the English adaptation by Nancy Thislethwaite yield a story that is hard to stop reading.  Inori Fukuda Trant's lettering conveys Not Your Idol's interior torments and slashing emotions.  Yes, you will want more, too, dear readers, when you try Not Your Idol.  This is one of those times that I can say that a really good second volume actually surpasses a really good first volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of edgy shojo high school dramas will want the Shojo Beat title, Not Your Idol.

10 out of 10

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


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

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