Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai By Ryo Takamisaki Publisher: Viz Media/VizKids Age Rating: All Ages Genre: Game/TV Tie-in/Action Price: $7.99 Rating: Storyline: Ash and his friends have discovered that they’re walking toward the ancient Alamos Town after befriending a girl named Alice. Once they’ve arrived, they find out that the sacred garden of Alamos town has been ransacked, the mysterious Darkrai appears, appearantly not pleased and tells Ash and everyone else to leave immediately. Strange things have been happening as well… What I liked about this manga: Practically everything. The best parts were Brock (he’s so loveable) and the Palkia, Dialga and Darkrai battle scenes. Being that I’m a great Pokemon fan, that adds to the liking of this manga. What I did not like about this manga: Almost nothing. The great graphics and how it’s extremely alike to the movie makes it hard not to like the manga. Although, the character’s scripts make it really obvious to what just happened. It makes me want to say “Dur da durrr.” Nope, not even a script change. Baron Alberto is quite annoying, however.
Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai By Ryo Takamisaki Publisher: Viz Kids Age Rating: A (All Ages) Genre: Game/TV tie-in/Action Price: $7.99 Rating: What is the story about? It’s about Ash, Pikachu, and Darkrai. Darkrai fights both Dialga and Palkia before he disappears into space. What did you like about the story? I liked the fight against Dialga and Palkia. I also like the pokemon Dialga. What did you dislike about the story? I hate it when Baron turned into Lickilicky, because it is freaky. I also hate the way they drew Infernape. Would you recommend the story to kids your age? Yes.
Kat & Mouse Volume 1: Teacher Torture Story by Alex de Campi / Art by Federica Manfredi Publisher: Tokyopop Age Rating: 8+ (Tween) Genre: Mystery Price: $5.99 Rating: What is the story about? Kat moves in to a new city and a new school. She meets someone named Mouse and makes friends with her. What did you like about the story? I liked Kat and Mouse’s style. I liked the story. It was ineresting. There was a weird mystery going on. I thought the experiment would be fun to do. What did you dislike about the story? There was nothing I disliked about the story. Would you recommend the story to kids your age? Yes.
Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl Adventure! Volume 1 By Ihara Shigekatsu Publisher: Viz Media Genre: Action/Adventure Rating: All Ages Price: $7.99 Rating: Storyline: Hareta, a ten-year-old boy who has been living in the wild for four years, starts his journey with Mitsumi, who is Rowan’s assistant. Hareta accidentally woke a sleeping Onix and sends out Piplup, though not in a ‘friendly’ action. Onix calmed down after many attempts to stop Onix without Piplup. Then, the day after, it seems that Hareta has reached Piplup’s heart with his attempts to stop the same Onix, who seems to be under a spell. After bringing it to it’s senses, Hareta, Mitsumi and Piplup start their journey to reach the legendary Pokemon, Dialga! What I liked about it: Everything about it, actually. The way Hareta was eating Piplup on accident was funny and, all the chapters after it were hilarious, as Hareta throws Piplup’s ball far off, into trees, into a lake, and possibly more. Also, in the second chapter, “Hareta’s Very First Pokemon Battle!!”, he flings it into an uncomfortable spot for both the camera man and Piplup. It was pure funny, especially because of the fact that it’s on TV. Could you make…
In 1985, there came Vampire Hunter D, an orginal video animation, adapted from a novel by Hideyuki Kikuchi, about a world overrun by vampires and the vampire hunters who sought to bring them under control. It became a classic, not just because it is one of the best animated vampire movies around, but because of the compelling story, interesting visual style and wonderful characters. Now, Saiko Takaki is bringing Hideyuki Kikuchi’s novels to the printed page. To date, there have been 17 novels featuring D and the world of the far, dark future and hopefully, all of them will be manga-ized. Hideyuki Kikuchi’s Vampire Hunter D Manga Volume 1 Adapted & Illustrated by Saiko Takaki Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing Age Rating: Young Adult 16+ Genre: Horror Price: $12.95 Rating: In the far future of 12,090 A.D., mankind has ruined the planet. Through nuclear attacks and pollution, mutants have arisen, including the return of supernatural creatures like vampires and werewolves. It is the vampires, incredibly, that actually save mankind and return order to the world where they reign as nobles for more than 5000 years. However, the nobles have largely become corrupt and decadent over the years, living in luxury and…
Magical Pokemon Journey Volume 1: How Do You Do, Pikachu? by Yumi Tsukirino Publisher: Viz Media Rating: All Ages Genre: Game Price: Only available used Rating: What is the story about? A new trainer named Hazel that started without a pokemon. Soon, she goes into the grass and finds a Pikachu. She trys to draw Pikachu but fails. What did you like about the story? I liked it when Hazel yelled at the Ekans. I loved how they drew the pokemon. I also loved how they made the Clefairy act. What did you dislike about the story? I hated when Pikachu was knocked out. I also hated the way Hazel drew Pikachu. Would you recommend the story to kids your age? Yes
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…
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.
Phantom Volume 3 By Ki-Hoon Lee/Seung-Yup Cho Publisher: Tokyopop Genre: Action Rating 13+ RRP: $9.99 Rating: Reviewed by Brian Henderson After K activates the untested Cerebus with the newly installed Aurora system, he takes on Kas Stein, the evil corporate warrior who has a mysterious past with Matilda the drill instructor in the skimpy outfit. We find that AIs like Cerebus aren’t very useful for fighting against experienced TC pilots, except this time when K and his mech sync perfectly and take out Kas at the last second. Everyone gets picked up just before the base self-destructs; K and Matilda are injured but will recover, but Kas, dragged out of his mangled TC, has lost his arm and likely his sanity.
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.
Phantom Volume 2 By Ki-Hoon Lee/Seung-Yup Cho Publisher: Tokyopop Rating: 13+ Genre: Action/Mecha RRP: $9.99 Rating: Reviewed by Brian Henderson K agrees to work for the anti-corporation organization Athena, mostly because they promise to help his girlfriend recover if he does. He goes off to their training facility in the middle of the desert to prepare to fight against the mega-corporations, still not quite convinced that the people he’s fighting with aren’t just as much terrorists as those they fight against. Unfortunately, the mega-corps discover their secret base and launch an all-out attack to cut off the head of the serpent. K and his fellow trainees are left to defend the base and allow the civilians to escape and finally, K is reunited with Cerebus, the super TC that no one but him can operate.
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.