VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
MANGAKA: Akira Akatsuki
ORIGINAL STORY: Nisiosin (novel)
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Hikaru Nakamura
TRANSLATION: Nathan A. Collins
LETTERS: Mark McMurray
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0250-3; paperback (October 2018); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
188pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
Juni Taisen is a Japanese illustrated light novel written by Nisio Isin (or NisiOisiN) and illustrated by Hikaru Nakamura. Published in 2015 by Shueisha, Juni Taisen (which translates to “12 Wars”) depicts a war fought by twelve deadly mercenaries, each one with a name and power that corresponds to an animal in the Chinese zodiac.
Akira Akatsuki, who has collaborated on manga with Nisioisin, produced a manga adaptation of Juni Taisen in 2017. VIZ Media is publishing that manga as a four-volume graphic novel series, entitled Juni Taisen: Zodiac War. It will be released on a quarterly schedule in both print and digital (including for the VIZ Manga App).
Juni Taisen: Zodiac War, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens in a city of half a million people, a city gone dark for a coming epic tournament. Every 12 years, 12 fighters take the form of the Chinese zodiac animals and engage in a battle royale. Using their strength and mysterious super-powers, these mercenaries fight to the death, and the sole survivor is granted the ultimate prize – any wish he or she wants. This is the twelfth Zodiac War, and one of the combatants has been killed by a competitor before the tournament even begins!
[This volume includes a sketchbook section.]
VIZ Media sent me a review copy of the Juni Taisen: Zodiac War manga. Prior to this manga, I was not familiar with any of the creators. I am familiar with the term, “light novel,” a kind of Japanese version of the young adult novel, and I have read a few. My experience with manga adapted from light novels has been good, an example being Library Wars, a VIZ Media published manga adapted from a light novel.
Juni Taisen: Zodiac War Graphic Novel Volume 1 features some absolutely gorgeous art. It is heavily layered and textured with rich toning and lushly detailed inking. The story seems a little weird at first, but that are so many shocking turns of events that the narrative is hard to ignore. After the first shocker, I could not stop reading this first volume of Juni Taisen: Zodiac War. I think readers who enjoy “battle royale” manga and also fight comics will want Juni Taisen: Zodiac War. I cannot say that this will be an exceptional character drama, but the death and bloody mayhem look to make Juni Taisen a quite invigorating read.
7.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint syndication rights and fees.
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