#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 53

ONE PIECE, VOL. 53
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Lance Caselman
LETTERS: HudsonYards
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3469-5; paperback (June 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
216pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

Monkey D. Luffy dreams of becoming King of the Pirates.  Even after the enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave him the ability to stretch like rubber while taking away his ability to swim, Luffy was undeterred.  He set out to sea and gradually enlisted a motley crew:  Zolo the master swordsman; Nami the treasure-hunting thief; Usopp, the lying sharpshooter; Sanji the high-kicking chef; Chopper, the walkin’ talkin’ reindeer doctor; the secretive archeologist, Nico Robin; shipwright and cyborg, Franky; and skeleton warrior with an afro, Brook.  Known as the “Straw Hats,” these pirates sail the oceans on their new vessel, Thousand Sunny.  Their goal is the legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

As One Piece, Vol. 53 (Chapters 513 to 522; entitled “Natural Born King”) begins, the Straw Hats rumble with Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.  “Tyrant” Kuma smacks them around using his bare paw, which erases them.  They are not really being erased, however; this is Kuma’s teleportation power, which sends victims of his smack down to unknown locations.  Luffy finds himself on the island of Amazon Lily, an island where men are not allowed on pain of death!

THE LOWDOWN:  One of the most imaginative manga being offered to the North American market, One Piece takes readers from one exotic locale to another – each one populated by a menagerie of creatures, people, and creature people who almost defy imagination.  Yet this all comes from the imagination of Eiichiro Oda.  The art is drawn in such detail that very little of the page is left without something drawn on it.  Vol. 53 isn’t one of the better volumes, but it really picks up when Luffy fights the Gorgon sisters.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for wacky “Shonen Jump” fun will find it in One Piece.

B+
7 out of 10

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


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

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#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 38

ONE PIECE, VOL. 38
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Megan Bates
LETTERS: HudsonYards
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3454-1; paperback (March 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming King of the Pirates.  The enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave him the ability to stretch like rubber, but it also took away his ability to swim.  Undeterred, Luffy set out to sea and gradually enlisted a motley crew known as the “Straw Hats.”  Zolo the master swordsman; Nami the treasure-hunting thief; Usopp, the lying sharpshooter; Sanji the high-kicking chef; Chopper, the walkin’ talkin’ reindeer doctor; and secretive archeologist, Nico Robin join Luffy and sail the oceans on the Merry Go.  Their goal is the legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

The Straw Hats arrived in The City of Water on the island of Water Seven in hopes of getting Galley-La, the famed shipwrights of Water Seven, to fix the Merry Go, which was much in need of repairs.  They got only bad news.  The shipwrights told them that the Merry Go was beyond repair, which eventually led to Usopp leaving the crew.  Then, the Straw Hats were accused of trying to assassinate the city’s Mayor Iceberg, who is also the leader of Galley-La.  The real assassins are members of the Navy’s covert agency, CP9, and Nico Robin is apparently one of them.

As One Piece, Vol. 38 (Chapter 358 to 367; entitled “Rocketman!!”) begins, the Straw Hats are scattered about the island.  CP9 agents are also close to retrieving the blueprints to Pluton, a destructive ancient weapon, and they need Nico Robin to decipher them.  They leave Water Seven on the miraculous Sea Train.  Luffy and his new found allies are soon right behind them in the Rocketman.  Meanwhile, the dreaded tidal wave, Aqua Laguna, bears down on them.

THE LOWDOWN:  Reading like a manga version of a Roland Emmerich movie, One Piece also races through the streets and back alleys of The City of Water like a spy thriller.  Readers of shonen manga (comics for teen boys) want action, and One Piece always delivers.

The meticulously drawn art, which seems to capture every line on everyone and everything and every background detail brings this to vivid life.  No American comic book for young readers is drawn with this attention to detail and such craftsmanship, nor is any one written with such complicated and intricately plotted action scenes. One Piece is in a league of its own.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers of good comics will want the “Shonen Jump” title, One Piece.

A
8 out of 10

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


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

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

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#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 37

ONE PIECE, VOL. 37
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jake Forbes
LETTERS: Hudson Yards
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3453-4; paperback (March 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
232pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

One Piece focuses on Monkey D. Luffy, a youngster who wants to be King of the Pirates.  The enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave him the ability to stretch like rubber, but it also took away his ability to swim.  Undeterred, Luffy set out to sea and gradually enlisted a motley crew.

Known as the “Straw Hats,” they are Zolo the master swordsman; Nami the treasure-hunting thief; Usopp, the lying sharpshooter; Sanji the high-kicking chef; Chopper, the walkin’ talkin’ reindeer doctor; and newcomer, secretive archeologist, Nico Robin.  They sail the oceans on their ship, the Merry Go, searching for famed pirate Gold Rogers’ legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

The Straw Hats arrived in The City of Water on the island of Water Seven in hopes of getting Galley-La, the famed shipwrights of Water Seven, to fix the Merry Go, which is much in need of repairs, especially after the Skypeia adventure.  The shipwrights told them, however, that the Merry Go was beyond repair.  Luffy decided to get a new ship, which caused a riff between him and shipmate, Usopp.

Meanwhile, the lead shipwright, Mayor Iceberg, is the target of an assassination plot hatched by the World Government and carried out by agents of its covert agency, CP9.  The biggest shocker is that Nico Robin is one of them, so the Straw Hats are hunted as the would-be assassins.  As One Piece, Vol. 37 (Chapters 347 to 357; entitled “Tom”) begins, Luffy and friends battle to stop CP9.  But the World Government’s conspiracy against the shipwrights of Water Seven is an old one, as revealed in the story of the legendary shipwright, Mr. Tom.

THE LOWDOWN:  It’s another volume of raucous action and fights that rival what is found in superhero comic books.  However, much of the story of One Piece Graphic Novel Volume 37 focuses on the story of Mr. Tom.  It is a story of young men and their role models and also a story of good versus bastard.

As usual, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda is not content with presenting mere shonen thrills.  He manages to teach life lessons and spin morality tales that we might miss in this very busy narrative, but we shouldn’t miss

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for top “Shonen Jump” manga will want One Piece.

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

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

#IReadsYou Review: ONE PIECE Volume 36

ONE PIECE, VOL. 36
VIZ MEDIA

CARTOONIST: Eiichiro Oda
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions Inc.
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Jake Forbes
LETTERS: John Hunt
ISBN: 978-1-4215-3452-7; paperback (March 2010); Rated “T” for Teen
216pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 1997.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, beginning in September 2003, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

One Piece focuses on Monkey D. Luffy.  The enchanted “Devil Fruit” gave Luffy the ability to stretch like rubber, but it also took away his ability to swim, which hasn’t deterred Luffy from his dream.  One day he will become the King of the Pirates.  Now, Luffy and his very own pirate crew, known as the “Straw Hats,” sail the oceans on their ship, the Merry Go, searching for the legendary treasure known as “One Piece.”

As One Piece, Vol. 36 (Chapters 337 to 346; entitled “The Ninth Justice”) begins, the Straw Hats find themselves in trouble in The City of Water, Water Seven.  They’d gone to the island in hopes of getting the Galley-La, the famed shipwrights of Water Seven, to fix the Merry Go.  They were told that the ship was beyond repair, so Luffy decided to get a new ship, which caused a riff between him and shipmate, Usopp.

Now, the mayor of The City of Water, Iceberg, has been shot, and the Straw Hats have been blamed.  It doesn’t help that the newest Straw Hat, Nico Robin, is involved in the assassination plot.  Is this true, and how is she connected to the mysterious CP9?

THE LOWDOWN:  High adventure, action comedy, and supernaturally imaginative storytelling are what One Piece usually offers.  One Piece Graphic Novel Volume 36 switches to riveting suspense.  It’s a thriller that is on par with The Bourne Ultimatum – if that film were an action comedy.  And there is a hook ending that will drag you back for the next volume.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for imaginative adventure yarn-spinning will find it in the “Shonen Jump” title, One Piece.

A-
7.5 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/
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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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

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#IReadsYou Review: BLACK CLOVER Volume 20

BLACK CLOVER, VOL. 20
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yuki Tabata
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1017-1; paperback (March 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Black Clover is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Tabata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since February 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since 2016.

Black Clover focuses on a boy named Asta.  He and his friend, Yuno, are found abandoned in the village of Hage of the Clover Kingdom.  Both Asta and Yuno dream of one day being the “Wizard King,” the greatest mage in the land.  Asta has one big problem; he can't use magic.  When he is 15-years-old, Asta receives the rare “five-leaf-clover grimoire” (a book of magic), which gives him the power of anti-magic.  Can Asta become the Wizard King without being able to use magic?  Is he worthy of being in the “Magic Knights” squad, “the Black Bulls?”

As Black Clover, Vol. 20 (Chapters 184 to 194; entitled “Why I Lived So Long”) opens, that battle between the Magic Knights and the reincarnated elves rages on.  The souls of vengeful elves that claim to have been killed long ago by humans have taken over the bodies of members of the Magic Knights.  Now, these elves are going to use their new bodies and enhanced powers to kill humans and then, to reclaim the Clover Kingdom as their own.

The Black Bulls find themselves trapped in the magical dream world created by Dorothy Unsworth, the captain of the Magic Knights brigade known as “The Coral Peacocks.”  Dorothy is currently possessed by an elf, and she has complete control over the space she has created.  Escape is impossible, and once the trapped Black Bulls fall asleep, they will never awaken again!

Meanwhile, Asta has fallen under the “mirror magic” of a former ally.  Can outcast Black Bulls member, Henry Legolant, save the day?

[This volume includes bonus material:  “The Blank Page Brigade;” an “Afterword;” and sketches.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Black Clover manga is certainly one of the best shonen battle manga available to English-speaking audiences.  Because I have read ten volumes so far this year, I believe that I have read enough to say that.

Black Clover Graphic Novel Volume 20 continues the push into this shocking and edgy elves-possession story arc.  Nearly five volumes and 40+ chapters in, creator Yuki Tabata focuses on intense battle manga to settle this war.  Tabata has also been using this story arc to showcase the prowess of Black Bulls members other than Asta.  They are all actually quite talented, and Tabata surprises readers by giving these characters interesting backgrounds and personal stories.

It is Taylor Engel's English-language translation that captures the interpersonal character drama that Tabata squeezes into the battle scenes.  It is Annaliese Christman and her lettering that pumps up the volume on the volatile magical battles.  That is more than enough reason to keep reading.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the top Weekly Shonen Jump manga will definitely want to try the “Shonen Jump” series, Black Clover.

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/
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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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#IReadsYou Review: BLACK CLOVER Volume 19

BLACK CLOVER, VOL. 19
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yuki Tabata
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0878-9; paperback (January 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Black Clover is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Tabata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since February 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since 2016.

Black Clover focuses on a boy named Asta.  He and his friend, Yuno, are found abandoned in the village of Hage of the Clover Kingdom.  Both Asta and Yuno dream of one day being the “Wizard King,” the greatest mage in the land.  Asta has one big problem; he can't use magic.  When he is 15-years-old, Asta receives the rare “five-leaf-clover grimoire” (a book of magic), which gives him the power of anti-magic.  Can Asta become the Wizard King without being able to use magic?  Is he worthy of being in the “Magic Knights” squad, “the Black Bulls?”

As Black Clover, Vol. 19 (Chapters 173 to 183; entitled “Siblings”) opens, that battle between the Magic Knights and the reincarnated elves rages on.  The souls of vengeful elves that claim to have been killed long ago by humans have taken over the bodies of members of the Magic Knights.  Now, these elves are going to use their new bodies and enhanced powers to kill humans and then, to reclaim the Clover Kingdom as their own.

Now, at Clover Castle, Black Bulls captain, Yami Sukehiro; Black Bulls playboy, Finral Roulacase; and Black Bulls weirdo, Zora Idcalc take on the possessed Langris Vaude in a bid to save the King of the Clover Kingdom.  At the same time, Black Bulls member, Noelle Silva, is determined to prove to her brother, the snobby Nozel Silva of the The Silver Eagles brigade, that she can show prowess in battle.  Elsewhere, the elves plan to cast their ultimate spell that will overwhelm the remaining humans.  So where are Asta and the rest of the Black Bulls?

[This volume includes bonus material:  “The Blank Page Brigade;” an “Afterword;” and sketches.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Black Clover manga, with every volume, proves to be one of the best shonen battle manga available to English-speaking audiences.  Because I have read nine volumes so far this year, it has become one of my favorite titles.

Black Clover Graphic Novel Volume 19 continues the push into this shocking and edgy elves-possession story arc.  In Vol. 19, creator Yuki Tabata focuses on intense battle manga, showcasing the prowess of Black Bulls members other than Asta.  These veteran Magic Knights have to throw all their talents and skills at the powerful elves, so this volume is packed with big fights full of explosive magic.

Taylor Engel's English-language translation captures the interpersonal character drama that Tabata squeezes into the battles, especially that of the Silva family.  Also, Annaliese Christman lettering in this volume of volatile magic is simply impressive

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the top Weekly Shonen Jump manga will definitely want to try the “Shonen Jump” series, Black Clover.

A
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
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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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#IReadsYou Review: BLACK CLOVER: Volume 18

BLACK CLOVER, VOL. 18
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yuki Tabata
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0741-6; paperback (November 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Black Clover is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Tabata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since February 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since 2016.

Black Clover focuses on a boy named Asta.  He and his friend, Yuno, are found abandoned in the village of Hage of the Clover Kingdom.  Both Asta and Yuno dream of one day being the “Wizard King,” the greatest mage in the land.  Asta has one big problem; he can't use magic.  When he is 15-years-old, Asta receives the rare “five-leaf-clover grimoire” (a book of magic), which gives him the power of anti-magic.  Can Asta become the Wizard King without being able to use magic?  Is he worthy of being in the “Magic Knights” squad, “the Black Bulls?”

As Black Clover, Vol. 18 (Chapters 161 to 172; entitled “The Black Bulls Charge”) opens, the disaster that struck the Magic Knights continues.  The souls of vengeful elves who claim to have been killed by humans have taken over the bodies of members of the Magic Knights.  Now, these elves are going to use their new bodies and enhanced powers to kill humans.  

Asta, Magna Swing, and Vanessa Enotcca battle their colleague, Luck Voltia, whose body is being controlled by an elf, in order to save a village to which Luck is laying waste.  Can the three of them stop a very powerful Luck without killing him?  And will the trio accept a new ally, a member of the “Eye of the Midnight Sun, who was only recently possessed?

Meanwhile, in the capital, Black Bulls captain, Yami Sukehiro, battles three transformed Magic Knights.  As more Knights recover from the possession, the most powerful elves gather in the capital and give their movement a name, as they prepare to wipe out humanity in the Clover Kingdom.

[This volume includes bonus material:  “The Blank Page Brigade;” an “Afterword;” sketches, and the illustrated poll: “The Results of the Second Mage General Election”.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Black Clover manga, one of the best shonen battle manga available to English-speaking audiences, has become one of my favorite manga.  I have read eight volumes so far this year, and every time I read a new volume, it is like rediscovering how amazing this series is.

Black Clover Graphic Novel Volume 18 continues to push the narrative ever deeper into this shocking and edgy elves-possession story arc.  Yuki Tabata has fashioned a super-addictive story arc, probably the best thus far in this series.  Tabata has even managed to make the elves seem somewhat sympathetic and totally frickin' evil at the same time.  A concept – vengeful elf spirits – that could have been wonky has turned out to be a sign of this shonen action-fantasy's inventiveness and strength.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the top Weekly Shonen Jump manga will definitely want to try the “Shonen Jump” series, Black Clover.

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: BLACK CLOVER Volume 17

BLACK CLOVER, VOL. 17
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yuki Tabata
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0616-7; paperback (September 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Black Clover is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Tabata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since February 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since 2016.

Black Clover focuses on a hopeful boy named Asta.  He and his friend, Yuno, are found abandoned in the village of Hage of the Clover Kingdom.  Both Asta and Yuno dream of one day being the “Wizard King,” the greatest mage in the land.  Asta has one big problem; he can't use magic.  When he is 15-years-old, Asta receives the rare “five-leaf-clover grimoire” (a book of magic), which gives him the power of anti-magic.  Can Asta become the Wizard King without being able to use magic?  Is he worthy of being in the “Magic Knights” squad, “the Black Bulls?”

As Black Clover, Vol. 17 (Chapters 151 to 160; entitled “Fall, Or Save the Kingdom”) opens, disaster has struck the Magic Knights.  The souls of elves who claim to have been killed by humans have taken over the bodies of members of the Magic Knights.  Now, these elves are going to use their new bodies and enhanced powers to kill humans.  Asta and the Magic Knights are in trouble, but that doesn't mean that Asta is going to give up?  But which side is Yuno on?

[This volume includes bonus material:  “The Blank Page Brigade;” an “Afterword;” and sketches.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Black Clover manga is one of the best shonen battle manga available to English-speaking audiences.  I have read seven volumes so far this year, and every time I read one it is like rediscovering how amazing this series is.

Black Clover Graphic Novel Volume 17 moves deeper into this shocking elves-possession story line.  It just came out of nowhere, and truthfully, it could have turned out to be a disaster.  Elvish ghosts; elvish genocide; possession; revenge: yeah, that could have been a disaster.  Instead, Vol. 17 is the latest volume in a really fun to read graphic novel series.  I practically tore through this volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the top Weekly Shonen Jump manga will definitely want to try the “Shonen Jump” series, Black Clover.

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: BLACK CLOVER Volume 14

BLACK CLOVER, VOL. 14
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yuki Tabata
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0221-3; paperback (February 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Black Clover is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yūki Tabata.  The manga has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine since February 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since 2016.

Black Clover focuses on a hopeful boy named Asta.  He and his friend, Yuno, are found abandoned in the village of Hage of the Clover Kingdom.  Asta dreams of one day being the “Wizard King,” the greatest mage in the land.  He has one big problem; he can't use magic.  When he is 15-years-old, Asta receives the rare “five-leaf-clover grimoire” (a book of magic), which gives him the power of anti-magic.  Can Asta become the Wizard King without being able to use magic, and is he worthy of being in the “Magic Knights” squad, “the Black Bulls?”

As Black Clover, Vol. 14 (Chapters 121 to 130; entitled “Black and Gold Sparks”) opens, the “Royal Knights Selection Test” continues.  The Wizard King has announced the formation of the “Royal Knights” brigade, an assemblage of the best Magic Knights.  The purpose of this “ultimate brigade” is to put down the threat of the “Eye of the Midnight Sun,” conspiracy that threatens the Clover Kingdom.  Forty-eight Magic Knights, including Asta and Yuno, have been divided into 16 three-person teams.

Asta and his teammates –  Mimosa Vermillion (royalty) and the mysterious jerk, Xerx Lugner – have made it into the second round.  Now, they must fight to make the second round, and their opponent is led by none other than Mimosa's brother, Kirsch Vermillion, a snobby rich guy.  Speaking of royalty and snobbery, the saga of brothers Finral Roulacase and Langris Vaude causes this selection tournament to take a dark turn.

[This volume includes bonus material:  “The Blank Page Brigade;” an “Afterword;” and sketches.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Black Clover manga is one of the best shonen battle manga available to English-speaking audiences.  I have read five volumes so far this year, and I can't get enough.

Black Clover Graphic Novel Volume 14, like Vol. 13, offers intense battle manga.  However, creator Yuki Tabata delves deeply into one of this series' themes – the idea of the Magic Knights as a group of warriors that encompasses members from all walks of life.  While this theme has arisen in past volumes, it is in Vol. 14 that that class strife rears its most ugly head.

First, we see it in the gentle and humorous interplay between the Vermillion siblings, but the battle of brothers makes class and social differences explode in readers' faces near the end of this volume.  It also makes for a helluva cliffhanger, I promise.

Taylor Engel does some of his best translation work in Vol. 14, which is important because the subtleties of dialogue, especially in arguments, reveal the personalities and the true faces of particular characters.  Annaliese Christman keeps her lettering leaping off the page to grab the reader with exhilarating competition and the ugliness of pride and hate.  Yeah, Black Clover shows its best side in this fourteenth volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the top Weekly Shonen Jump manga will definitely want to try the “Shonen Jump” series, Black Clover.

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.


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#IReadsYou Review: KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE Volume 3

KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE, VOL. 3
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Spica Aoki
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0860-5; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
164pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Otome Kaiju Kyaramerize is a manga written and illustrated by Spica Aoki.  It was serialized in the seinen manga magazine, Monthly Comic Alive, starting in early 2018.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga in North America as a series of graphic novels under the title, Kaiju Girl Caramelise.

Kaiju Girl Caramelise focuses on an outcast girl named Kuroe Akaishi.  She is suffering from a rare, incurable illness that causes frightening changes to her body, and she spends her high school days avoiding all her classmates.  Then, she draws the attention of class idol, Arata Minami, so now, Kuroe questions the weird feelings she has when she is around this popular boy.  But Kuroe's mother, Yuriko Akaishi, knows the truth.  Her daughter is the Godzilla-like kaiju known as “Harugon!”

Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 3 (Chapters 11 to 16) opens shortly after Harugon's latest appearance.  But Kuroe's real problem is that the new school semester is beginning.  Despite her best efforts to keep her budding relationship with Insta-famous classmate, Arata Minami, a secret from her classmates, Kuroe is thrust into the spotlight.  [“Insta” is this series' Instagram-like social media app.]

Now, the socially awkward girl finds herself attracting unwanted attention from girls who are jealous of her relationship with Minami.  Luckily, she meets a new friend, a gorgeous classmate named Raimu Kouno a.k.a. “Rairi.”  But this uber-attractive girl who has a knack for make-up hides her own dark secret regarding physical transformations.

[This volume includes an “Afterword” in comics form.]

The Kaiju Girl Caramelise manga is another new title to me.  My Yen Press rep included it in a batch of titles for review.

Kaiju Girl Caramelise Graphic Novel Volume 3 won't confuse you, dear readers, if it is your first encounter with the series.  It is too damn good to be confusing.  Creator Spica Aoki hits upon themes and plots that are timeless and familiar in juvenile fiction.  Self-confidence, self-hate, the fear of unwanted attention, acceptance of peers, young love, teen angst, friendship, physical appearance, having a secret side, and more are all there in Vol. 3.

Also Aoki has created such a lovable cast of characters.  Kuroe is endearing, and her friends, classmates, and contemporaries (even the jerks) are engaging characters.  It is just a blast to read their adventures, especially because of Taylor Engel's adaptation, which captures the narrative's serious moments and its comic and sugary side.  Lys Blakeslee's lettering also goes a long way in giving each moment its correct tone.

From what I gather via my research, Vol. 3 may be the final volume of the series... for the time being.  This volume ends with a “to be continued.”  I hope so; this is the best Yen Press manga that I have read to date.

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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