I Reads You Review: PANIC X PANIC VOLUME 2

Creator: Mika Kawamura; Joshua Weeks (translation and adaptation)
Publishing Information: Del Rey Manga, paperback, 202 pages, $10.99 (US), $11.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-0-345-51462-2 (ISBN-13)

Panic X Panic, a manga from Mika Kawamura, focuses on childhood friends and rivals, Mitsuki Kamishiro and Kakeru Kuon. Mitsuki’s family operates a shrine and Kakeru’s family runs a church across the street from the Kamishiro Shrine. The two discover that they are descended from a group called the “Holy Workers,” who banished demons back to their world and sealed them there 2000 years ago.

The demons returned, and when one attacked Mitsuki, Kakeru came to her rescue. Mitsuki realizes that they both have magical powers, but they must work together to save the world from the demon invasion, even while bickering like an old married couple.

In Panic X Panic, Vol. 2, Mitsuki and Kakeru travel back in time and discover the misunderstanding that led to their rivalry. Then, the androgynous demon, Yō Kuroha, makes a move to possess Kakeru and neutralize his power. Now, the clueless Mitsuki has to discover the conspiracy in time to stop a new demon invasion.

I liked the first volume of Panic X Panic, and I like the second volume even more. So I was disappointed to discover that this is the final volume of the series.

Although Mitsuki and Kakeru are the co-protagonists in this series, the story is told through Mitsuki’s eyes. Creator Mika Kawamura does a good job of helping the reader feel Mitsuki’s sense of wonder, her confusion and fear, and her lack of understanding about the supernatural that has suddenly come into her life. It can also be frustrating to follow a character that can be so clueless, but it is also fun rooting for her as she confronts dilemmas with pluck and imagination.

Readers who enjoy manga like St. Dragon Girl, another shojo manga about a magical girl, will also enjoy the delightful Panic X Panic. Del Rey Manga rates it as being for teens, but this series is appropriate for younger readers, who may enjoy it more.

A-

http://www.delreymanga.com/

I Reads You Review: PANIC X PANIC, VOL. 1

Creator: Mika Kawamura; Joshua Weeks (translation and adaptation Publishing Information: Del Rey Manga, paperback, 202 pages, $10.99 (US), $13.99 CAN
Ordering Numbers: ISBN: 978-0-345-51463-9 (ISBN-13)

Panic X Panic, a new manga series from Del Rey Manga and created by Mika Kawamura, is not aimed at any demographic group to which I belong. So I imagine that I enjoyed it so much because it is simply a delight to read.

Panic X Panic, Vol. 1 introduces childhood friends/rivals, Mitsuki Kamishiro and Kakeru Kuon. Mitsuki’s family operates a shrine and Kakeru’s family runs a church across the street from the Kamishiro Shrine. What neither knows is that each is descended from a group called the “Holy Workers,” who banished demons back to their world and sealed them there 2000 years ago.

Well, the demons are back, and when one attacks Mitsuki, Kakeru comes to the rescue. Mitsuki discovers that she, like Kakeru, has magical powers, but she and Kakeru must work together to save the world from the demon invasion. The question is can they work together when they bicker so much?

Although it fronts a teen love story featuring a bickering couple, Panic X Panic presents Mitsuki Kamishiro as the true lead. Readers experience the story through her eyes, and Mike Kawamura tells the story in such a way that the readers share Mitsuki’s sense of wonder, her confusion and fear, her ignorance, etc. about the supernatural that has suddenly come into her life.

The Supernatural aside, Panic X Panic is high school shojo manga, with all the social and political aspects
that entails. This series also has an interesting and eclectic supporting cast, which includes some demons as “good guys.” Even this early in the series, it is clear that the supporting players will drive much of this series, both in terms of storytelling and tone. It looks like a fun time will be had.

http://www.delreymanga.com/

Buy Panic X Panic 1