#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!" Shokugeki No Soma Volume 36

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 36
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1542-8; paperback (June 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
248pp, 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, a culinary researcher, 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. 36 (Chapters 309 to 315; entitled “Shokugeki No Soma”) opens, the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world, approaches its conclusion.  This year, for the first time, traditional chefs clash with the “underground noir” (or “cuisiniers noir”) chefs.  Soma has been eager for a rematch with the noir, Asahi Saiba, who defeated him.

Now, the two are facing off, and the judge is the impossible-to-please “Lady Mana,” who is Erina Nakiri's mysterious mother.  Like Erina, Mana suffers the “curse of the 'Divine Tongue',” and Mana has not found a dish that satisfies her in years.  As “the Book” (highest judge), Mana has demanded that Soma and Asahi prepare a dish that represents the “five grand cuisines of the world,” which are French, Chinese, Turkish, Indian, and Italian.

Asahi has shocked the audience with his dish, the “basty,” a soup covered with a lattice pie crust, and it represents the five grand cuisines.  Even Lady Mana is so impressed by what she tastes that she both experiences “the gifting” transfers it to those around her.  And what is Soma's answer to Asahi's basty?  It's fried rice?!

Can Soma win with what seems like a rather ordinary dish?  And finally, can Soma inspire the dispirited Erina to be herself again?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga spent the last 30 or so chapters racing towards the conclusion of its narrative.  At the grand cooking tournament, the Blue, readers prepared to learn the answer to the question of who is the best chef?

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 36 is the final tankobon (graphic novel) volume of the series.  The English-language edition was originally published in June 2020, but I only recently had a chance to finish reading the last few volumes of the series.

What can I tell you, dear readers?  To the end, writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki maintained the series' mix of competition, camaraderie, and cooking.  As he has been doing since the beginning of the series, Yuki Morisaki, wrote home versions of shokugeki recipes, which, in this volume, was Soma's winning dish.  It is that consistency that kept Food Wars! an exciting read throughout its six-year, 315-chapter, 36-volume run.

To the end, Adrienne Beck's translation catches the sense of competition and of comedy-drama in all their varies modes.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman created a rhythm that kept this often dialogue-heavy story from overwhelming readers.  Of the foodie manga that I have read, I think Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is the one most likely to continue to capture the interest of readers in the decade of the 2020s the way it did in the decade of the 20-teens.  I think it is a must for fans of Weekly Shonen Jump series.

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

A
9 out of 10

The volume includes the following bonus features:

– Afterwords written by Yuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki, and Yuki Morisaki

– The three-part epilogue, “Food Wars! Le Dessert,” that was originally published in Jump GIGA Summer 2019.  The three parts are entitled  “Le Presént,” “Le Passé,” and “Le Futur.”

– “Special Commemorative Illustrations on the End of 'Food Wars!'” from Eiichiro Oda of “One Piece,” Kohei Horikoshi of “My Hero Academia,” Yuki Tabata of “Black Clover,” and Tadahiro Miura of “Yuna of the Haunted Hot Springs”

– miscellaneous illustrations

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!" Shokugeki No Soma Volume 35

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 35
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1258-8; paperback (April 2020); 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. 35 (Chapters 300 to 308; entitled “The Divine Tongue's Despair”) opens, the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world, rages on.  This year, for the first time, traditional chefs will clash with the “underground noir” (or “cuisiniers noir”) chefs.  Soma, eager for a rematch with the noir, Asahi Saiba, who defeated him, heads to a certain famous old castle in a famous city where the event will be held.

Totsuki's brightest:  Soma, Megumi Tadokoro, and Takumi Aldini, as well as recent Totsuki graduate, Eishi Tsukasa, have joined the competition, but they are swiftly dispatched – except for Soma.  Now, their classmate, Erina Nakiri, who got to skip the early stages of the “Blue” because of her past achievements, is forced to face off against multiple opponents.  But who is doing the forcing?  Who is “Lady Mana,” and what does she have to do with the “curse of the 'Divine Tongue'”?

Plus, Soma finally has his rematch with Saiba!

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga races towards its conclusion.  The narrative prepares to answer the question of who is the best?

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 35 is the second-to-last (or penultimate) volume of the series.  There are some surprise reveals in regard to Erina Nakiri's past, and one of them is the answer to an obvious question.  Writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki usually delve into the details of recipes, the processes of cooking, and the skills of the competing chefs.  In Vol. 35, they seem more intent on moving onto the final confrontations, so this volume lacks the full fun of the cooking battles that we have been getting since the very beginning of this series.

However, Adrienne Beck's translation catches the drama and conflict between characters in the raw and with edgy intimacy, so that takes the sting out of having only one cooking battle presented in some detail.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman expertly close in on the focus on the dialogue and the exposition that prepares for the grand finale.

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

A
8 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

-----------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 19

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 19
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9745-1170-3; paperback (March 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
232pp, 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. 19 (Chapters 91 to 94; entitled “All My Cabbage”) opens, the Hero Association gathers its forces before it launches its most important mission.  The Monster Association has kidnapped Waganma, the son of Mr. Nakiri, a man who has some kind of influence over the Hero Association.  Nakiri has already seen his “Nakiri Private Force” torn apart during its mission to rescue his son.  “Class S” heroes will lead the mission, with Class A and B acting as back-up, but some previously respected Class A heroes are not wanted on this mission... including a familiar face.

Elsewhere, Garo, the so-called “Hero Hunter,” invades the Monster Association's underground lair in order to rescue another kidnapped child, the sniveling, always-in-the-way, Tareo.  The boy, however, has already been chosen for some torture fun and games.  And Garo's rescue mission will bring him face to face with the most powerful monsters, including the top two monsters.

Meanwhile, Saitama is at home wondering why he has to share his hot pot with uninvited guests.  And it seems as if they are going to eat all the cabbage in the hot pot.

[This volume includes the bonus manga story, entitled “Reality Punch.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  As the year 2020 approaches its end, I can say that I have dedicated myself to the One-Punch Man manga.  It is my favorite superhero comic, and I have read at least seven volumes this year.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 19 offers the usual battle manga.  However, of late, creators, writer ONE and artist Yusuke Murata, have focused on the half-human/half-monster, Garo, who is known as the “Hero Hunter.”  He is a great character, and I dare say as good as Saitama.  It pains me to write that because I really like Saitama, and I always look forward to him punching out a giant monster.  Still, Garo is quite the unstoppable force himself, and I find him to be as attractive an anti-hero as Marvel Comics' Wolverine once was (before Marvel Comics overexposed the character via a flood of comic book publications).  So I am recommending One-Punch Man because it has two great characters, and I wouldn't be surprised if ONE and Murata gave us a third great character sometime soon.

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
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


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: FOOD WARS! Volume 34

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 34
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1171-0; paperback (February 2020); 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. 34 (Chapters 291 to 299; entitled “Crossed Knives”) opens, the “Blue,” a world-renowned cooking tournament for the best of the best young chefs from around the world, continues.  This year, for the first time, traditional chefs will clash with the “underground noir” (or “cuisiniers noir”) chefs.  Soma, eager for a rematch with the noir, Asahi Saiba, who defeated him, heads to a certain famous old castle in a famous city where the event will be held.

Much to the chagrin of the noirs, some traditional chefs have survived the “three gates” challenges and are now in the finals.  They are Totsuki's brightest:  Soma, Megumi Tadokoro, and Takumi Aldini, as well as recent Totsuki graduate, Eishi Tsukasa.  They are joining their classmate, Erina Nakiri, who got to skip the early stages of the “Blue” because of her past achievements.

Now, these traditional young chefs must take on the “freakishly” talents noirs.  First up, Soma faces “Sarge” of the cuisiniers noir!

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations and two side-stories (“Treated Like a Child?” and “A Christmas Recipe”) and a bonus short, “Yukihara the Diligent.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga races towards its conclusion.  The narratives continues to delve into the mysteries of the “cuisiniers noir.”

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 34 is pure shokugeki shonen battle manga.  Writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki offer some of their most surreal and oddly crazy cooking battles to date.  It is hard to tell, though; this manga has always been packed with crazy cooking competition, but Vol. 34 offers a baker's twist.

Adrienne Beck's translation keeps up with the crazy, and letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman create the fonts for the unusual declarations of these unusual battles.  Dish by dish, Food Wars! continues to be both a unique and an entertaining reading experience.

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

A
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


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

-----------------------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#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"


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


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

------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

 

#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"

https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


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

------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!" Shokugeki No Soma Volume 32

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 32
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0947-2; paperback (October 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, 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. 32 (Chapters 272 to 281; entitled “A Subversive Visitor”) opens, the mystery of the “underground shokugeki” continues.  It is apparently connected to a group of underground chefs known as the “cuisiniers noir” that have invaded Japan.  Behind the invasion is a mystery man known as “Asahi Saiba.”

Meanwhile, Totsuki has a new teacher, Mr. Suzuki, a cheeky young chef with his sights set on Erina Nakiri.  Soma finds himself foiled by Suzuki, but he can't worry about that now.  It is time for the first semester final examinations for the second-years, and, of course, failure means expulsion from Totsuki.

[The volume includes recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga jumps right into its next big story arc.  As usual, the fate of our heroes is on the line as the series moves towards its conclusion.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 32 finds the creative team of writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki introducing a new threat to our young heroes and heroines.  After establishing what I call the “NTO,” the new Totsuki order, the creators do not dwell on the characters' new exalted status.  They instead introduce a new adversary, one that is more than a match for the series' favorite characters.

Adrienne Beck's translation serves readers a piping hot dish of intrigue and gamesmanship.  Letterers James Gaubatz and Mara Coman set the tone for a volume that offers conflicts and challenges on several fronts.  Even as it moves towards the end, Food Wars! is as tasty a read as ever.

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

A
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


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: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 17

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 17
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9745-0461-4; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
216pp, 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. 17 (Chapters 88 to 88; entitled “Because I'm the Bald Cape?”) opens, Gara, the so-called “Hero Hunter,” has recovered from the beating he got from the heroes, “Bang” and “Bomb.”  Still, Gara's wounds are life-threatening, so he is in need of a rescue.  Enter the centipede mega-monster, “Centichoro!”  Bang and Bomb are powerless against this kaiju, and even Genos struggles against the creature.  Enter the legendary hero, “King,” with his pal, Saitama.  Which one will stop Centichoro's unstoppable rampage?

Meanwhile, at Hero Association headquarters, Mr. Nakiri rages that his son, Waganma, the child kidnapped by the Monster Association, remains a captive.  But can his “Nakiri Private Force” do more to free his son than the heroes have done?

[This volume includes a bonus manga chapter, “Confidence,” and also bonus illustrations and bonus comics.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The One-Punch Man manga remains my favorite superhero comic book.  Like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, it is a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  As much as I like My Hero Academia, I am crazy in love with One-Punch Man.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 17, like Vol. 16, is pure battle manga.  However, Vol. 17 contains one of the most exhilarating sequences featuring Saitama in action that this series has ever had.  The ten-page “Se-Ri-Ous Punch!” sequence exemplifies artist Yusuke Murata's impressive skill.  I'm not sure anyone is as good at drawing fight comics as he is right now.

John Werry's translation for the chapters contained in Vol. 17 reveal the complicated nature of the relationships on both sides of this hero-monster battle.  No one is pure to his cause, and many cannot be trusted.  Some characters may be more neutral than anything, and Werry brings out the increasingly gray nature of this group of flawed characters.  So, yes, this is a joy to read, as both a superhero comic and as a shonen character melodrama.

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

A
9.5 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.



----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS: Shokugeki No Soma Volume 31

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 31
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0774-4; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, 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. 31 (Chapters 263 to 271; entitled “The New Totsuki Institute”) opens, the fifth and final bout of “the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki” has ended.  The Régiment pitted three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance won the Régiment, they would reinstate their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lost, all students connected to the Resistance would be expelled and Soma's father, Joshiro, would become a slave... of sorts.

Well, the Resistance won, and Soma and his friends are now second-year students.  The administration of Azami Nakiri, Erina's father, has ended.  Erina is the new dean of Totsuki, and Soma is the Council of Ten “First Seat.”  As the boss, Erina eventually has a mission for Soma, one that includes Council of Ten “Tenth Seat,” Megumi Tadokoro.  Erina sends the two on a “business trip” to a resort town with ties to Totsuki.  The business is the mission to discover why a traditional inn, Kazami Baths Inn & Bathhouse, suddenly closed without warning.  Even the owner can't be found.

This mystery will turn weird and dark as Soma and Megumi discover an “underground” connection.  And Soma will be shocked to find a connection to himself!

[The volume includes bonus manga, “Special Short: An Elegant Evening Banquet,” and also recipes and miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga finally reached the end of the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that decides many fates of many students.  While the winner was declared in Vol. 30, there is some moping up to do.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 31 finds the creative team of writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki establishing what I call the “NTO,” the new Totsuki order.  They don't dwell on that, however, as they jump right into the next great story arc.  Considering that Vol. 31 is the first of the series' final six volumes, they waste no time delivering one of those ultimate shockers.  Adrienne Beck's translation is right there with us to deliver this volume's reveals and surprises with sparkling dialogue.  It is enough to make me race to the next volume.

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"


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



----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS: Shokugeki no Soma Volume 30

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 30
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0638-9; paperback (June 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, 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. 30 (Chapters 254 to 262; entitled “The Way They Do Things”) opens, the fifth and final bout of “the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki” begins.  There were three cards in the previous four bouts of the Régiment, pitting three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance wins the Régiment, they save their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lose, all students connected to the Resistance are expelled and Soma's father, Joshiro, becomes a slave... of sorts.

In the final bout there are only two cards, but each side's two competitors must work together, one producing a dish that is an appetizer and the other a dish that is the main course.  Representing Council of Ten are the Council's top two chairs, Eishi Tsukasa (Chair #1) and Rindo Kobayahsi (#2).  Representing the Resistance are Erina Nakiri and Soma, and Erina's father, Azami Nakiri, is the lead judge.  And he wants his daughter to lose!

While Tsukasa and Kobayashi work together, Erina and Soma argue over which of them will create the main course, because both consider creating the appetizer an admission that he or she is the lesser chef of the two.  After Tsukasa and Kobayashi finish their dishes first and blow the judges and the audience away with the appetizer and main course, can Erina and Soma finish bickering long enough to do the impossible... and cause an episode of “the Gifting” that is beyond anyone's experience?

[The volume includes a recipes, miscellaneous illustrations, and bonus comics.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga finally reaches the end of the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that will decide the fates of many students.  And the dishes produced during this great competition made me want to eat each page of this epic story.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 30 is a pivotal volume in the series.  Not only does it end “the Régiment de Cuisine,” but it makes us wait for the aftermath.  The entire focus of Vol. 30 is about the actual kitchen battle, with some of the story devoted to why the major players think the way they do about cooking.

Adrienne Beck's translation captures the character nuances, but also gives the competition depth and weight.  This story arc isn't just another fight; it shapes the direction of this narrative's final quarter.  So it is a must-read for fans of the series.

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

A
9.5 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.



----------------------------

#Yaoi Review: ESCAPE JOURNEY Volume 1

ESCAPE JOURNEY, VOL. 1
SUBLIME MANGA/Libre Publishing – @SuBLimeManga

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Ogeretsu Tanaka
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0131-5; paperback (September 2018); Rated “M” for “Mature”
266pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S. (6.99 digital), $17.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Escape Journey is a yaoi manga from manga creator, Ogeretsu Tanaka.  Yaoi manga is a subset of boys' love (or BL) manga, which depicts amorous situations between male romantic leads.  Yaoi manga usually features explicit depictions of sex between those male leads.  Escape Journey focuses on two former high school lovers forced back together when they attend the same university.

Escape Journey, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5 plus “Last Escape”) introduces Naoto Hisami and Taichi Hase.  In high school, they were lovers.  Naoto thought they were dating, but during a heated argument, Taichi tells Naoto, “You're nothing but a fuck buddy I blow off steam with sometimes.”  That leads Naoto to dump Taichi's ass.

One year later, Naoto is a student at a liberal arts college, and he is still angry about what Taichi said to him.  So Naoto is shocked to discover that Taichi, a science track student, is also a student at this liberal arts college.  The two soon find themselves forced together, again, with Taichi being an aggressive seme (top) to Naoto's submissive uke (bottom).  Taichi pounds Naoto's ass until it is raw, and all Naoto can do is howl and pant in pain and pleasure.

Taichi, however, is not verbal about his true feelings concerning Naoto.  Does he want them to be a “couple,” again?  Naoto begins to wonder about their future when he discovers that a young woman and fellow student, Fumi Matsuyama, has a crush on Taichi.  Will this discovery finally end the slowly mending relationship between Naoto and Taichi?

[This volume includes “Escape Journey Bonus Story” and “Afterword.”]

Yaoi manga is not pornography.  Explicit depictions of sexual intercourse may be inevitable in this genre, but yaoi mangaka deliver boys' love stories that are about drama, character, and romance.  In the best of the genre, the creators also take their characters' careers, professions, jobs, and/or social status seriously.

Still, Escape Journey Graphic Novel Volume 1 features some of the most explicit depictions of sexual intercourse between two men that I have ever seen in manga.  The artist includes full depictions of Taichi's penis penetrating Naoto's anus, but there is often a white stripe right at the point of penetration.  Sometimes, a series of three white stripes will cover portions of an erect penis in a pattern-like fashion.  Also, sometimes, the erect cock and balls are entirely in white silhouette.

The “bonus story” contains this volume's most explicit depictions of sex... by far.  That is saying a lot, because the main chapters have plenty of intense sex, including a scene that would probably qualify as rape in the real world.  The last three pages of the bonus story are... a riot.

That aside, there is a sweet and edgy side to the romance in Escape Journey.  It is the story of boys who don't quite understand the emotional side of their relationship, although the sexual side is quite prodigious.  This first volume is about the journey Naoto and Taichi take to understanding the inevitable relationship that they will share.  I have to say that this is a rich rewarding read, both as a romance and as a sex romp.

9 out of 10

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

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at SubBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, Tumblr at http://sublimemanga.tumblr.com/, and Instagram at @sublimemanga/.


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS! Shokugeki no Soma: Volume 29

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 29
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0510-8; paperback (April 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.  The manga was serialized in 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 its “Shonen Jump Advanced” and “Shonen Jump” imprints.

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, 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. 29 (Chapters 245 to 253; entitled “Final Battle”) opens, the “fourth bout” of the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki begins.  There are three cards in each bout of the Régiment, pitting three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance wins the Régiment, they save their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lose, all students connected to the Resistance are expelled and Soma's father becomes a slave... of sorts.

First, the Council's Momo Akanegakubo battles the Resistance's Erina Nakiri with “brown sugar” as the ingredient.  Then, Satoshi Isshiki takes on the Council's Eishi Tsukasa and the ingredient is “rabbit meat.”  In the final card of the fourth bout, the Council's Rindo Kobayashi meets Takumi Aldini in a battle of “spear squid.”  All is going well until someone powerful decides to crash the judges table!

[The volume includes a recipes, illustrations, and a bonus story, "Our Golden Days On Moon's Shadow."]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga is moving towards the end of the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that will decide the fates of many students.  That's just fine because this manga is usually at its best during the cooking battles.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 29 is rolling along as it has been the past several volumes of this battle between the resisting students and the school's ruling council.  Then, writer Yuto Tsukada and artist Shun Saeki throw the readers for a loop with a suite of surprises in the last three chapters of this volume.

These surprises are the kinds of delights that hit shonen battle manga offer as tidbits and treats to keep readers coming back for more.  In Food Wars!, there is always another delicious dish.

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

A
9.5 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: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 16

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0461-3; paperback (May 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
216pp, 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 one 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 needs no training).

As One-Punch Man, Vol. 16 (Chapters 81 to 84; entitled “Depleted”) opens, Gara, the so-called “Hero Hunter,” has a man-to-boy talk with Waganma, the child kidnapped by the Monster Association.  It seems that the boy has the latest edition of the “Hero Guide,” the publication that offers information on members of the Hero Association, including their rankings within the association and a detailed explanation of their powers and how they work.  Gara needs that because outside of that hideout is a group of eight heroes looking to take him down.

But Gara thinks that even by himself he can defeat this group of mostly “Class B” and low-rank “Class A” heroes.  What will happen, however, when Genos comes racing in...?  Or what happens when a powerful duo that is familiar with Gara visits?  Plus, Saitama fights his toughest battle to date – trying to beat King at video games.

[This volume includes the bonus manga, “Growth Process,” and also bonus illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The One-Punch Man manga is my favorite superhero comic book, right now.  Like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, it is a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  As much as I like My Hero Academia, I am crazy in love with One-Punch Man.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 16 is pure battle manga.  Vols. 14 and 15 were sheer joys to read, but Vol. 16 just wants to pound your face with page after page of fight comics.  The narrative does not move forward with this volume, but we can enjoy Yusuke Murata's amazing battle manga art.

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

A
8 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.



-----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: FOOD WARS!: Shokugeki no Soma Volume 28

FOOD WARS!: SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA, VOL. 28
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
CONTRIBUTOR: Yuki Morisaki
LETTERS: James Gaubatz; Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0254-1; paperback (February 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 Japanese 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.  The manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from November 2012 to June 2019.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2014, first, under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” imprint and then, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

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, 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. 28 (Chapters 236 to 244; entitled “First-Year Kid”) opens, the “third bout” of the Régiment de Cuisine Shokugeki continues.  There are three cards in each bout of the Régiment, pitting three members of Soma and his allies' group, known as “the Resistance,” against Totsuki's “Council of Ten.”  If the Resistance wins the Régiment, they save their expelled classmates and gain seats on the council.  If they lose, all students connected to the Resistance are expelled and Soma's father becomes a slave... of sorts.

In this crucial “third bout,” Soma will take on the Council's Somei Saito in a battle with butter as the theme ingredient.  In a duel of the sweets, Megumi Tadokoro takes on the Council's cutie-pie, Momo Akanegakubo, in a contest of apple-themed dishes.

Now, it is Takumi Aldini vs. the Council's Etsuya Eizan in a beef battle.  So how will Takumi beat Eizan, after the latter designed his artichoke and beef dish so that it will neutralize the flavors of the former's dish?  Well, Takumi answers with a half-beef and half-cheese pizza!  Say what?!

[The volume includes a recipes and illustrated character profiles and character poll results.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Food Wars! manga continues the great shokugeki – a battle of chefs – that will decide the fates of many students.  This manga is almost always at its best when the kitchen is the battleground and cooking is the weapon.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Graphic Novel Volume 28 offers a new delight – the ingredient as a blade in a battle of samurai warriors.  Writer Yuto Tsukada and artist Shun Saeki continue to blend character histories and personalities with almost supernatural cooking techniques and inventive chefs.  In Vol. 28, the blade metaphor resonated with me; it is something that sticks out in this volume and makes it memorable.

I am a fan of all three theme ingredients in the third bout:  butter, beef, and apples.  One of the many things that Tsukada and Saeki do so well is make readers believe they can smell the scent of cooking wafting from the pages of a Food War! graphic novel.  Oh, lawd!  The smell of butter melting in a hot skillet is divine.  I love sinking my teeth into a crunchy, crispy apple, and I certainly enjoy apple-based desserts.  And beef, literally and metaphorically... can be so satisfying.  Vol. 27 was a volume to savor, but as the third bout theme ingredients carried over, I found Vol. 28 to be the most savory.

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

A
9.5 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.



-----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: ONE-PUNCH MAN Volume 15

ONE-PUNCH MAN, VOL. 15
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: ONE
ART: Yusuke Murata
TRANSLATION: John Werry
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITORS: Jennifer LeBlanc; John Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0223-7; paperback (January 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
216pp, 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 that 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.  He begins his superhero training when he is 22-years-old, and he becomes one 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 needs no training).

One-Punch Man, Vol. 15 (Chapters 76 to 80; entitled “Pulling the Strings”) finds Saitama in a funk.  Despite just finishing a martial arts tournament and then, obliterating the supposedly unbeatable monster, “Goketsu,” Saitama feels empty inside.  He believes that he is simply too strong, so can the hero known as “King” help lift Saitama's spirits... by whuppin' his ass at video games?!

Meanwhile, the Monster Association makes its boldest move against the Hero Association to date.  They have not only kidnapped Waganma, the son of Narinki, an esteemed supporter of the Hero Association, but a monster has also infiltrated Hero Association with a message.  Is it a message about an armistice or a message of death... or both?

[This volume includes the bonus manga stories, “Threat Level” and “Sighting,” and also bonus illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The One-Punch Man manga is, like the shonen manga, My Hero Academia, a Japanese take on the American superhero comic book.  As much as I like My Hero Academia, I am crazy in love with One-Punch Man.

One-Punch Man Graphic Novel Volume 15 is a sheer joy to read, as was Vol. 14.  I must admit to being onboard with ONE and Yusuke Murata's take on Saitama's boredom.  If the One-Punch Man is really unbeatable because of his mega one-punch, bring on the bad guys or, in this case, the Monster Association.  Other than that, Vol. 15 is filled with one of this series' signature elements, and that is inventive and imaginative characters.  And, as usual, I can't wait for the next volume.

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

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: CASTE HEAVEN Volume 1

CASTE HEAVEN, VOL. 1
SUBLIME MANGA/Libre – @SuBLimeManga

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Chise Ogawa – @ogawaccc
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Deborah Fisher
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1245-8; paperback (March 2020); Rated “M” for “Mature”
220pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Caste Heaven is a yaoi manga from mangaka, Chise Ogawa.  Yaoi manga is a subset of boys' love (or BL) manga, which depicts amorous situations between male romantic leads.  Yaoi manga usually features explicit depictions of sex between those male leads.  Caste Heaven focuses on a group of high school students who play a cruel game that determines class rank... and who's on top.

Caste Heaven, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1-6) introduces Class 2-1.  The students in this class play a secret game called the “Caste Game.”  Students hunt the campus for playing cards that will determine the class' rigid hierarchy.  The highest value card is the “King” card, and the lowest card is the “Joker.”  The one who finds the “King” card becomes the king (or queen).  The one who finds the “Joker” card becomes “the target” or “the bullied one,” and is subject to extreme pain and humiliation from all the other students – especially from the king.

The past school year, Yuya Azusa, has been the king.  Ruthless and arrogant, he lorded his status over the other students.  This is a new school year, however, and it is time to play the Caste Game again.  Azusa plots to be king again, but after he is betrayed, he may have to accept a new position – the new king's bitch!

[This volume includes bonus story, “Behind the Game,” and an “Afterword.”]

The Caste Heaven yaoi manga tells a story in the spirit of many manga.  There is an implausible scenario, but if the author (or mangaka) can weave a captivating story from that implausible premise, the result can be a winning manga.

Caste Heaven Graphic Novel Volume 1 starts off from its first page with a ridiculous concept.  Honestly, I didn't think that I could finish this first volume, but then, I started to enjoy the struggle that creator Chise Ogawa depicts.  Azusa and the other characters in these first chapters struggle with what they really want, with what they really think, and with whom they really want.  There is a conflict between what they present to society at large (in this case, their high school class) and what they reveal in intimate settings when they are with the person they (might) love... or the person that makes them hot and horny.

Adrienne Beck's translation expertly captures the inconsistencies, the vagaries, the fickleness, and the angst.  Beck reveals how this series moves from raunchy lust to love and hot sex... that could end up being real love...”?

7 out of 10

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

SubBLimeManga.com


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: SEVEN DAYS: Sunday-Monday

SEVEN DAYS: SUNDAY–MONDAY
SUBLIME MANGA/Taiyoh Tosho Co., Ltd. – @SuBLimeManga

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Venio Tachibana
ART: Rihito Takarai
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Deborah Fisher
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0927-4; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
372pp, B&W, $16.99 U.S., $22.99 CAN, £10.99 UK

Seven Days is a boys' love manga from writer Venio Tachibana and artist Rihito Takarai.  Boys' love (or BL) manga depicts amorous situations between male romantic leads.  There is a sub-set of boys' love manga known as “shounen-ai,” that usually does not feature graphic depictions of sexuality.  Seven Days is essentially shounen-ai.

Seven Days was serialized in the Japanese yaoi manga anthology magazine, Craft, from 2007 to 2009.  The story was released in two parts, Seven Days: Monday–Thursday and Seven Days: Friday–Sunday.  Seven Days was collected in two tankobon (graphic novels) under those titles, Seven Days: Monday–Thursday (published in Japan in 2007) and Seven Days: Friday–Sunday (2009).

Digital Manga Publishing's (DMP) imprint, Juné Manga, released an English-language edition of the first graphic novel in 2010, and the second in 2011.  In March 2019, VIZ Media took over English distribution rights.  In December 2019, VIZ published both Seven Days graphic novels in a single, English-language paperback omnibus edition (a “2-in-1 edition”), entitled Seven Days: Monday–Sunday, under its SuBLime Manga imprint.

Seven Days: Monday–Sunday introduces two male students attending Hoka Private Academy.  The first is Yuzuru Shino, a bored and disillusioned third-year high school student.  The second is Toji Seryo, a popular first-year student at school.  Yuzuru has heard the rumor that Toji will accept anyone who asks him out on a date at the beginning of the week (on Monday), and that he ends the relationship after seven days of dating (on Sunday).

On a lark, Yuzuru decides to ask Toji out as a half-hearted joke, but, to his surprise, Toji accepts the offer.  Over the course of seven days, Yuzuru's feelings for Toji grow, and although Toji seems sincere, Yuzuru does not quite trust this erstwhile playboy.  Still, Yuzuru begins to dread the impending day when Toji will inevitably end their relationship.

[This volume includes a bonus story, “Goodbye for Now,” and an “Afterword” and an “Author Note.”]

The Seven Days: Monday–Sunday manga may or may not be “shounen-ai” as I have labeled it.  However, it is such a gentle, puppy-love type, high school romance that I could also label it as quasi-shojo manga, which are essentially comics for teen girls.  The primary audience for BL manga is female readers.

The Seven Days: Monday–Sunday Graphic Novel is rated “T” (Teen), and although I have previously read BL manga with a “teen” rating, I have not read many.  Thus, it is jarring to see two teen males starring in a BL manga and not “getting it on.”  Talk about non-graphic depiction of a sexual relationships; Yuzuru and Toji do not engage in sexual intercourse.

Still, creators Venio Tachibana (writer) and Rihito Takarai (artist) present a story that is so oddly endearing.  Every time, I picked up the Seven Days: Monday–Sunday Graphic Novel, I felt an urgency to keep reading so that I could see where Yuzuru and Toji's relationship was going.  Obviously, I was hoping to eventually come across some good-old fashioned male-on-male action of the yaoi manga variety.  However, a part of me wanted to see if their love was real, or see who would dump whom.  Would Yuzuru break-up with Toji before he could break-up with him?  Or was Yuzuru simply going to wait for the inevitable and proverbial “shoe-to-drop?”  That is when Toji would say to Yuzuru, “I'm sorry. I couldn't fall for you. Let's break up.”

Well, there is a happy ending, so there... I have spoiled it for you, dear readers.  Seriously, Adrienne Beck's translation makes this cool story simmer by turning awkward dialogue into conversations full of longing, searching, and yearning.  Deborah Fisher's lettering gives this story a steady pace and keeps the dialogue from seeming too measured and too cool.  So, the English-language edition of Seven Days: Monday–Sunday is not the greatest boys' love story of all time.  Still, it finds a way to make a seven-day romance seem like the most important thing in the world – simply because readers will end up rooting for the romance to lunge past the seven-day mark.

7 out of 10

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

www.SubBLimeManga.com


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: DON'T BE CRUEL Volume 8

DON'T BE CRUEL, VOL. 8
SUBLIME MANGA/Libre – @SuBLimeManga

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Yonezou Nekota – @yonekozoh
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Vanessa Satone
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0832-1; paperback (October 2019); Rated “M” for “Mature”
188pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $17.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Don't Be Cruel is a yaoi manga from popular mangaka, Yonezou Nekota.  Yaoi manga is a subset of boys' love (or BL) manga, which depicts amorous situations between male romantic leads.  Yaoi manga usually features explicit depictions of sex between those male leads.  Don't Be Cruel focuses on a playboy, Hideyuki Maya, who forces a studious classmate, Takahashi Nemugasa, into a sexual relationship.

As Don't Be Cruel, Vol. 8 opens, Maya awakens to find himself in a strange bedroom!  Oops, this is the apartment of his friend, Ruka, but nothing happened between Maya and Ruka... right?  So why does Maya later lie to Nemugasa about his whereabouts?  After Maya changes the subject, Nemugasa begins to wonder if his lover's playboy days are coming back.  When Maya agrees to help Ruka in planning a special event to promote a movie, Nemugasa becomes really suspicious and worried.  Can Nemugasa find out the truth, and what will he do when he does?

[This volume includes the bonus story, “Bath Oil is Slippery,” and an “Afterword.”]

It has been over three years since I last read the Don't Be Cruel yaoi manga.  It was in a 2-in1 edition that collected Don't Be Cruel Volumes 1 and 2 that I received from my SuBLime Manga media rep.

Don't Be Cruel Graphic Novel Volume 8 also arrived as a copy for review.  I did not have a difficult time catching up to the current status of the characters.  Nemugasa is still needy and insecure, and Maya is still handsome, a good lover, and attractive to other men and women.  I think that Don't Be Cruel is one of the longer running yaoi manga because creator Yonezou Nekota creates new problems for her star couple, even after she puts their old problems behind them.  Nemugasa and Maya's relationship makes good melodrama because Nekota treats them like a real-world couple experiencing the ups-and-downs and the ebb and flow of any relationship between two people, especially between those who happen to be lovers.

Nekota's pretty art depicts the emotional state of the characters through their emotive eyes and vivid facial expressions.  Adrienne Beck's translation captures the affection of romance, but also the edgy and sometimes combative nature of romantic relationships.  However, I have to say that I think Vanessa Satone's lettering is the most effective storytelling element in this English-language edition of Don't Be Cruel.  The lettering conveys the subtlety and the range of emotions, both in the dialogue and in the overall story.

7.5 out of 10

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

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at SubBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, Tumblr at http://sublimemanga.tumblr.com/, and Instagram at @sublimemanga/.


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.


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