Hell Girl Volume 1 By Miyuki Eto Publisher: Del Rey Manga Genre: Supernatural Rating: Teen (13+) Price: $10.99 Rating: Summary: Hell Girl is a girl named Ai Enma who has recently transferred into a middle school. She will come to people who want revenge on their enemies via a strange, eerie website named Hell Corresponce that appears only at midnight. She will bring those people down to Hell. The only price is your soul; you will suffer in hell after you die. What did I like about it: I liked the ever-so-beautiful Hell Girl’s looks and actions. Graceful and kills enemies with her phrase. The drawings and vocabulary were perfect as well. There was also one story I liked, which ups the rating. What did I dislike about it: The stories were interesting but it was disgusting because of what happened to the people that were about to be sent to hell. Also, the death of a puppy displeased me, as I like animals. Could you improve: No, you couldn’t improve on the manga. My reason why is because of said graphics and vocabulary. Also, by just looking at the pictures, you could somewhat tell what was going on. The…
Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation Volume 1 by Yoshiyuki Nishi Publisher: Viz MediaRating: Teen Genre: Supernatural/ActionPrice: $7.99 Rating: When the ghost of a tormented school-girl starts terrorizing subway passengers, can Muhyo and Roji resolve the paranormal crisis before it totally derails? Meet Toru Muhyo and Jiro Kusano, sole proprietors of the Muhyo Bureau of Supernatural Investigation. Muhyo is an executor, the highest rank available in the Magic Law Assosication, and the only one able to practice Magic Law. Roji (who always turns his name around, so everyone just calls him that) is Muhyo’s secretary, a second clerk and the lowest rank. In this first volume, we are introduced to the protagonists, and see what they do with Magical Law. Put simply, they exorcise ghosts by sentencing them to either above or below, depending on their crimes.
It’s time for another round of mini reviews. It’s the teen edition of Shonen Jump. Next time I’ll give some reviews of some Tokyopop titles.
Dragon Drive Volume 6 By Kenichi Sakura Publisher: Viz Media Genre: Fantasy Rating: All Ages Price: $7.99 Rating: Storyline Kohei is pushing himself to the limit. His body can’t take much more training. Meanwhile, Silver is waiting as Reiji and Hikaru go on to the trials to get Shinsaber. Meanwhile, Maiko is captured and taken to Guan-Coo, who isn’t how Maiko expected it to be. Guan-Coo seems gentle, as it acts like a baby. Review Once again, it is pretty much hilarious. The battle scene at the end gets the reader tense. It’s quite a charm. What I liked about it Guan-Coo is very funny. He’s cute and acts like a child. What I didn’t like Once again, nothing. I like it all. What you could do to make it better I have no idea. Is this suitable for children? Yes.
It’s an (almost) all animals edition this week at Manga Village. Charles Tan starts off by sending creepy fish with spiny legs to haunt your dreams with Gyo Volume 1 from Viz. Dan Polley sets off on Toto! The Wonderful Adventure Volume 1 from Del Rey. And just to be odd man out, I have Muhyo and Roji’s Burea of Supernatural Investigation Volume 3 from Viz. Then we do our Weekly Picks, which runs the gambit of card games, girls dressed as guys, vampires, bread making, and soul hunting. Come check out our choices. And for the kids, the All Ages comics list is up at Good Comics for Kids. Come find some reading material for the coming summer vacation.
While going through some old ANN news feeds, I picked up a few news items I want to comment on: DS Vision to go live in June: This just sort of passed right by in one of thier Daily Brief posts, but I want to give it more attention. This was first announced last November, and now it seems to be coming to fruition.
With Mother’s Day this Sunday, I thought I’d take a look at moms and the roles they play in manga. While we don’t get to see a lot of the parents in most teen manga, their presence, and sometimes absence can really affect the main characters development and actions. A parent can also drive the direction of the story.
We’ve got something old, some new, something shojo, and lots of shonen this week at Manga Village! Dan Polley starts the festivities off with Suzuka Volume 7 from Del Rey. Then Charles Tan gets a little D Gray-Man Volume 8 from Viz Media, but he seems up to the challenge. John Thomas takes us back to an oldie from Dark Horse’s past with Reiko, the Zombie Shop Volume 1, but don’t let that scare you. ‘Cause it’s time to get wild with some Wild Ones Volume 2 from Viz Media. Over in the colums, we’ve got our picks for the week, with lots of suggestions, but only one recommendation. Hope you got your economic stimulus check, cause you’re going to need it! Need something to keep the kids quiet so Mom has a peaceful Mother’s Day this Sunday? Then go to Good Comics for Kids and check out the new releases and picks for this week.
Kingdom Hearts Volume 1 By Shiro Amano Publisher: Tokyopop Rating: All Ages Genre: Fantasy Price: $5.99 Rating: Storyline: It’s about Sora, Donald and Goofy trying to destroy the Heartless. They go through space, and go through stories like Alice in Wonderland. What did you like about the story? I liked the characters Sora and Riku. I also liked it when this guy used a camera like the Kamehameha from Dragon Ball. What didn’t you like about the story? I was scared by Sora’s happy face. (Page 73) (Not really) Would you recommend the story to other kids your age? Yes.
Genju no Seiza Volume 4 By Matsuri Akino Publisher: Tokyopop Genre: Fantasy Rating: 16+ RRP: $9.99 Rating: After a string of animal murders are discovered throughout town, Fuuto and his guardians vow to bring the killer to justice. But after the return of Sohki leads to a startling turn of events, the young king begins rethinking what justice really is. Also, what happens when Fuuto pays a visit to the mysterious new pet shop that just opened in Tokyo? Find out in this volume’s bonus story starring Pet Shop of Horrors’ Count D! This volume is all about fathers and what it means to have great responsibility. Is helping people the right thing to do? Or should their destinies be left to fate? What is the true responsibility of a king?
This week, we not only try to entertain and spend your money, we’re gonna get you to get yer learn on! Our list of reviews starts off this week with some serious fallout in Nana Volume 9 from Viz by me. Charles Tan has some video game action with King of Fighters 2003 Volume 4 from DR Masters. John Thomas has another Tezuka classic from Vertical Inc. with Dororo Volume 1. And Charles Tan also has a novel review from Viz Media with Death Note Another Note: The Los Angeles BB Murder Cases. Make with the clicky and find out what’s the best and worst of this week. Over in our columns, John Thomas has a very interesting look at what it takes to be a translator in Japanese manga and novels, with A Peek into Translation Part 1?. And then we’ve got our picks for the week. You don’t want to miss what we’re looking forward to this week.
Dragon Drive Volume 5 By Kenichi Sakura Publisher: Viz Media Genre: Fantasy Rating: All Ages Price: $7.99 Rating: Storyline After Kohei brings the Jinryu Stone,his leader pushes it away, as it is fake. Meanwhile, Reiji is traveling on to find the dragon Shinsaber, to save the world. When he meets Koryu, after saving his life, Reiji and the mysterious Hikaru are locked up. Review Nice. It’s very funny in some points, and the cute pictures before the start of a new chapter are hilarious. “Look, time flies!” What I liked about it Three words: Hilarious and cute. What I didn’t like Nothing. It was simply spectacular. What you could do to make it better Nothing. Is this suitable for children? Maybe, but there’s a lot of blood and a dragon’s head gets cut off.