#IReadsYou Review: SERAPH OF THE END Volume 18

SERAPH OF THE END: VAMPIRE REIGN, VOL. 18
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Takaya Kagami
CARTOONIST: Yamato Yamamoto
STORYBOARDS: Daisuke Furuya
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Sabrina Heep
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1065-2; paperback (February 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

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

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

As Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, Vol. 18 (Chapters 70 to 74) opens, Lt. Guren Ichinose leads his team back to Shibuya, Tokyo.  There, he has a meeting with Kureto Hiragi, who is the cold, cruel, and ruthless heir to the Hiragi family.  But the high-and-mighty Kureto has a problem.  He led a coup against his father, Tenri, and defeated him, but the godlike being, Shikama Doji, that possessed his father now possesses him.  Kureto needs Ichinose's help, but in what way does he need it?

Meanwhile, Shikama has his eye on Yu and the demon in his sword, Asuramaru, and he won't be easily stopped.  After all, Shikama also has his eyes on possessing someone else in the Hiragi family!

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

THE LOWDOWN:  The Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga is a dark fantasy series that features lots and lots of vampires.  I like vampire comics.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign Graphic Novel Volume 18 pairs with Vol. 17, so that creators, writer Takaya Kagami and illustrator Yamato Yamamoto, can initiate major changes in the narrative.  This is a pivotal point in the narrative, but the authors make the story clear and clean.  The internal mythology and back story don't clutter so much as they illuminate.

Adrienne Beck's translation is clean and straight to the point.  Letterer Sabrina Heep offers steady lettering and emphasizes subtle sound effects.  So, like Vol. 17, Vol. 18 is certainly one of those payoff volumes for longtime readers.

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

A
9 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 reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A
9 out of 10

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


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



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

#IReadsYou Review: SERAPH OF THE END: Vampire Reign Volume 16

SERAPH OF THE END: VAMPIRE REIGN, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Takaya Kagami
CARTOONIST: Yamato Yamamoto
STORYBOARDS: Daisuke Furuya
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Sabrina Heep
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0397-5; paperback (March 2019); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

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

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

As Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, Vol. 16 (Chapters 60 to 63) opens, the battle to save the vampires, Lord Ferid Bathory and Krul Tepes, begins in full force.  They are undergoing exposure torture (via sunlight) by the “Fifth Progenitor” vampire, Ky Luc.  The plan is for Lt. Guren Ichinose and the “Shinoa Squad” to launch a series of diversions at the nearly unbeatable Luc.  That will allow Yuichiro to unleash the Seraph inside himself and to use it to overwhelm Luc.  But can Yuichiro keep himself in control long enough to do the job?  Is his power enough to defeat Ky Luc?

Later, Yuichiro is confronted by memories from his past, and even Asuramaru, the demon spirit of his cursed katana, cannot access all those memories.  What else exists inside Yuichiro, and was he part of Lt. Guren's experiments?

[This volume includes a bonus chapter, “The Demon Army of Ikebukuro;” an “Afterword;” miscellaneous text, and a full-color mini-poster insert.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga always delves in intrigue.  It is one of my favorite vampire comics.  With its tales of military politics and demonic possession, this series is as much a dark fantasy as it is a vampire manga.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign Graphic Novel Volume 16 is a pivotal volume in the series.  Like previous editions, Vol. 16 digs deep into the secrets and lies of this narrative and of its cast.  This time, however, creators, artist Yamato Yamamoto and writer Takaya Kagami, open up the can of worms that is its star character, Yuichiro Hyakuya's lost memories.  I would say that Kagami and Yamamoto have given readers another reason to keep this series close to their hearts and in their blood.  Despite Yu's blasé attitude about his memories, they hold the potential for riveting storytelling.

Adrienne Beck's translation ably serves this volume which offers a lot of dialogue in terms of revealing conversations.  Sabrina Heep's lettering conveys the intense sounds (especially the yelling and the grunting) that shape the intense battle against Ky Luc that dominates the early part of Vol. 16

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

A
9 out of 10

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


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



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Seraph of the End: Lucal Wesker

I posted a review of Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign Volume 8 at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Seraph of the End: A Test of Shinoa Hiragi's Squad

I read Seraph of the End, Vol. 7: Vampire Reign

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin.  Follow me on Twitter and Tumblr or at Grumble.  Support me on Patreon.

Seraph of the End: More Power From Your Cursed Gear

I read Seraph of the End, Vol. 6

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Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign - Hiragi Family

I read Seraph of the End, Vol. 5

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Seraph of the End: Brothers

I read Seraph of the End, Vol. 4: Vampire Reign

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Seraph of the End: Operation Shinjuku

I read Seraph of the End, Vol. 3

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

Seraph of the End: Black Asura

I read Seraph of the End, Vol. 2

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Review: SERAPH OF THE END: VAMPIRE REIGN Volume 1

SERAPH OF THE END: VAMPIRE REIGN, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Takaya Kagami
ART: Yamato Yamamoto
STORYBOARDS: Daisuke Furuya
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Sabrina Heep
EDITOR: Hope Donovan
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7150-8; paperback (June 2014), Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S. $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign is the latest VIZ Media release under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” imprint.  The series focuses on a teen orphan who borrows demonic power so that he can battle the vampires that rule over the Earth.  The series is illustrated by Yamato Yamamoto with story by Takaya Kagami and storyboards by Daisuke Furuya.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign is set on an Earth ruled by vampires.  The vampire reign began in 2012 after the trumpets of the apocalypse proclaimed the fall of humanity.  A mysterious virus kills almost all adult humans, sparing those younger than 13 years of age.  Vampires arise from the shadows to rule the earth and to enslave the children as livestock for food.  In 2016, the orphan Yuichiro “Yu” Hyakuya steps forward, determined to kill all vampires.

Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 3) opens in 2016.  It finds Yuichiro unhappy with his circumstances as an orphan, but his foster “brother,” Mikaela “Mika” Hyakuya, won’t let Yu be alone.  Together, Mika believes, the orphans will survive their world.

Four years later, Yu is a student at Shibuya High School #2, but he doesn’t want to be a student.  He wants to be a member of humanity’s most elite Vampire Extermination Unit, the Moon Demon Company.  But he will have to prove that he is willing to work in a team, which is the last thing he wants.

I am a big fan of vampire manga (although I generally have not really cared for American comic books featuring vampires).  The Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga is a thoroughly enjoyable read, although I did not think much of it when I received a review copy of the first volume from VIZ Media.

From what I can tell, it seems as if the vast majority of the series’ internal mythology is still unrevealed by the end of Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign Volume 1.  Apparently, “Seraph of the End” is an actual thing or entity that may not be revealed for several chapters (or volumes).

That aside, Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign is like the television series, “The Walking Dead,” a post-apocalyptic character drama and soap opera set in a horror-fantasy scenario.  Both are filled with genre trappings or, to use new terminology, full of stuff from the horror-fantasy wheelhouse.  However, Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign works best when seen through the characters’ hopes, dreams, desires, motivations, and conflicts.  So far, all of that seems genuine and honest – in a fantasy context, of course.  Judging by this first volume, I would call Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign a success.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.