About Heroes

Blade of the Immortal vols. 18 &19
Story & Art: Hiroaki Samura
Translation: Dana Lewis
Lettering: Tomoko Saito
Publisher: Dark Horse

Blade of the Immortal seems to be the only manga that is still stuck in the 90’s. It’s printed in comic book format, reprinted in TPB format, printed from left to right, and has a price tag that is high for a manga. The thing you have to remember that much work goes into the translation of this manga. Each panel has to be cut and re-pasted on the new pages in order to capture the real essence of Samura’s art style. The sound effects have to be as close to the original as they can make it, because sometimes the sounds are part of the art style. To put it bluntly; it’s worth the admission price. It’s been a long time since I read the last volume of Blade of the Immortal, almost a year to be exact. Be that as it may, it still feels like I haven’t stopped reading the book. It was good to see Rin take another spotlight and learn of Doa’s and Isaku’s past. But do we really need three books focusing on trying to find the secret of immortality by chopping off cannon fodder’s arms and legs? It seems like Rin and Manji have been apart forever and it starting to feel like Rin will never get her revenge. When Isaku gets captured and seems to be taken to the same place the shogun are experimenting on Manji, it’s up to Rin and Doa to rescue both of them. Hyakurin wants to help, but Rin knows about her pregnancy so instead she sends Ozuhan to assist the girls. The artwork is excellent as always and has more diverse locales now that the action has taken a step back. Samura’s art always has been one of the best amongst the seinen category. There is a huge glossary for terms used in volumes 1 through 19 that help out remembering names and places. These last two volumes are used as a set up for the next volume, which I hope has plenty of action, because honestly I’m ready for Manji to get out of those chains and cut loose. B

Bleach vol. 23
Story & Art: Tite Kubo
Translation: Joe Yamazaki
Adaptation: Lance Caselman
Publisher: Viz

From the very first page when Ulquiorra rips his eye out to show master Aizen what happened in the real world, I immediately knew this was going to be a kick-ass story. The first third of the book is simply humor and drama as the Soul Reapers get used to living on earth and going to school. There is a wonderful scene between Matsumoto and Orihime and I’m with Kon on that one. It’s definitely a forbidden garden scene. Now the real danger begins when Grimmjow Jaegerjaques leads a group of Arrancar to earth to destroy anyone that might pose a threat to them. It was nice to see Rukia get her powers back and show her true skills and the fighting was top notch between the Soul Reapers and the Arrancars. But who really stole the show was Ikkaku Madarame, with his intense fight against Edorad. Without a second thought, Ikkaku unleashes his Bankai, unbeknownst to not only the readers, but according to him; his friends and comrades. There are also three small chapters in the end entitled Bleach Zero, which focuses on stories from Rukia and Ichigo’s perspective before the series started. While the art remains untouched from the original Japanese release, there is one part where one of the characters has their middle finger removed from one of the chapter titles. I have to say, I haven’t enjoyed a Bleach volume this much since volume 13 and I eagerly await the next installment. A+

Kamichama Karin Chu vol. 1
Story & Art: Koge-Donbo
Translations: Althea Nibley
Adaptation: Athena Nibley
Publisher: Del Rey

The name Koge-Donbo rung a bell the entire time I was reading this book and not until the end did it finally hit me that this was the same lady that did Digi Charat. At least I feel better now, because it really would have bugged me where I knew the name from. Anyway, Kamichama Karin Chu is a sequel to Kamichama Karin. I have never read the original series, but what I gathered from this series is that Karin is a reincarnation of the goddess Aphrodite and can transform using a ring left to her by her parents. Nya-Ke is her pet cat/goddess, but every magical girl has to have a pet-sidekick. Kazune and Himeka are some kind of reincarnated versions of her husband and daughter who also posses powers and are now living with her. If that doesn’t catch up, I really don’t know what will. Threat comes in the form of Karin’s and Kazune’s future child Suzune who tells them to look for three noble Gods who can bear new rings to stop evil from taking over in the future. So, as far as the plot goes, Kamichama Karin is a rather generic “magical girl” story where an ordinary girl suddenly gains magic powers and is forced to fight evil. It feels really weird to be reading a book like this where the main two characters are completely in love and even live together and then I’m reminded that they are in middle school. I understand that the infatuation with this idea in Japan, but I still feel a little odd reading it. I found it interesting that the end of the book had the episodes that filled in the gap between this series and its predecessor. The art, much like Digi Charat is very cute and that is the main focus, every character keeps getting cuter and cuter, except for the villains (they get no love). The story reminded me of Sailor Moon and Kamikaze Kaito Jean, but I couldn’t get into it. I will give the second book a try, but I don’t think there is much for me here. However, if you were a fan of the first series or are completely into magical girl stories you are going to love this book. C+

The Key To The Kingdom
Story & Art: Kyoko Shitou
Translation: Sheldon Drzka
Lettering: AndWorld Design
Publisher: CMX

At first glance, I thought this was a new Ceres volume, because the artwork on the cover reminded me of Yuu Watase covers. However, after reading this book it’s really more like Basara and Orfina more than anything. When the king and prince are killed in battle the country of Landor is left without a ruler. Now the future of this country has fallen on Asta, the 13 year old last surviving member of the royal family. Unfortunately for Landor, Asta is not interested in ruling Kingdoms or hot chicks, but would rather read his books. At last resort the advisors and elders go back to a legend that will unify the land. Whoever finds the legendary Key to the Kingdom will inherit the throne. This peaks Asta’s interest, because he wants to find out why his brother and father wanted to find this key. Along with his protector Captain Baddorius Urius (or just plain Badd), he will go on this journey that will take him through great Peril to find the secret that his brother was hiding from him. My only gripe with this book is Asta, because he really doesn’t look like a boy, not even a pretty boy. He just looks like a girl and I guess in a way that kind of makes sense because he is very spoiled and comes off like a brat. However, he does have a good heart and means well and Badd is a great partner for him, because their characters really play off each other. The book is full of action and the attack on the wyrm really got my attention. Shitou seems to have a range of art style drawing some badass dragon fights and some almost too pretty boys. However, you can count me in for this ride. B+

Kujibiki Unbalance vol. 1
Story: Kio Shimoku
Art: Koume Keito
Translation: David Ury
Publisher: Del Rey

I thought the name sounded familiar when I read the title. I have only read Genshiken volumes 1 and 2 and highly enjoyed them. The majority of manga and anime references made in Genshiken are on the fictitious series known as Kujibiki Unbalance which was a stereotypical romantic comedy. I always found it funny that Kujibiki Unbalance was likely originally conceived to avoid potential copyright problems from referencing another series too heavily, but it is now a full fledge manga series. The story focuses around Chihiro and his bad luck, who wins a lottery that, allows him to enter at Rikkyoin High School. It seems that everything is decided by chance at this school including the positions for student council. It’s completely insane when every day members of this council must risk their lives to save the school from evil forces. From giant robots, that look like right out of the pages of Ghost in the Shell to a demon possessing sword. This book was an otaku’s dream come true. I got addicted to this book thanks to girl-genius Renko and Keito’s gorgeous artwork. Sure it’s cute, but it’s so damn detailed and engaging it’s hard to not say kawai at every little girl. It’s a stand-alone story that requires no knowledge of Genshiken so new readers are welcomed. A

Yonen Buzz: Plastic Chew
Story & Art: Christina Plaka
Translation: Nina Olligschlaeger
Adaptation: Zachary Rau
Publisher: Tokyopop

According to the solicitations of this book, this serves as a prequel to Plaka’s Yonen Buzz, so lucky for me I haven’t read that book and I have no idea how this one is going to end. This was not a story I thought I'd enjoy, but it really surprised me. This is a tale of a struggling rock band, searching for a new lead singer. Jun, who happens to be the backup vocalist and guitarist, now, has to be very picky when it comes to a new lead singer. Enter Sayuri, who is a young girl that wants to be nothing short of a rock star. Now, all four of the band members have to live together to get over their pettiness. Just as soon as Jun and Sayuri start getting together, he learns that she is a runaway and that pushes him away. Jun is an orphan and understands how important parents can be. Now it’s up to Keigo and Atsuhi to keep the band together before their big break! This is why the book kept my interest. It has a range of diverse characters and real life insecurities and complexes that come with being young. Beyond the repetitive character designs and the over exaggerated limbs there is a lot to like about the artwork. There is a good sense of flow to the book. Plaka is not afraid to break panels and vary spacing to create different emotions, but the movement of the page is never hindered. She seems to be inspired by western comic art and breaks the mold from the standard Japanese comic. Of course this might be because this is a German title. B+