Manga Review: Toriko, Volume 32, by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2, 2016

Volumes: 38+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 29. 33.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In a savage world ruled by the pursuit of the most delicious foods, it's either eat or be eaten! While searching for the tastiest foods imaginable, Gourmet Hunter Toriko travels the world with his bottomless stomach, facing every beast in his way.

Toriko, his chef partner Komatsu, and the other Four Kings finally reach the first stop on their journey to the Gourmet World. Upon arrival they learn that the Daruma, Mayor of Hex Food World, is sick and the only thing that can save him is Acacia’s Salad—Air! They must travel through Hex Food World to find and prepare Air. But when Toriko comes face to face with a pregnant and cranky Nightmare Heracles, what is he to do? What will happen when Toriko faces off against this monstrous mother-to-be?!

Review:

This series is surprisingly easy to read, given that I have not been following it at all, and am only reading random volumes I receive.

Toriko has to fight this huge horse beast, as the group is struggling to read an air tree, nourishment that all of the humans needs for their big feast. Toriko ends up discovering a second, hidden part of himself while in this battle. He also gets eaten in half at one point. But in the end, the horse demon is able to have it’s baby, they find the air tree, and no one has to sacrifice themselves.

I still don’t quite understand this series. The odd monsters are interesting to me, and usually humorous. I like the odd facts about them that the author has created, and ones that fans have suggested. But then we see this huge air tree, and everyone’s talking about how they need to eat it, but it releases the air fruit once every thousand years or whatever, and how the horses usually hog it all. I don’t understand that? I just don’t get it.

But otherwise, this is actually a pretty interesting series. Odd, but interesting.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!