Manga Review: IM: Great Priest Imhotep, Volume 3, by Makoto Morishita

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: May 2020

Volumes: 11.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

The Ennead Priesthood has given Im a new objective: Return to Egypt and use "Damnatio Memoriae" to wipe the record of Prince Djoser clean from the record of the world. But when Djoser suddenly shows up-in the flesh?-the plan is forced to change. How will Im cope with seeing his friend again...when his only option is to kill him...?

 

Review:

 

Im is being put into a bad position, where he has to decide to ruin his best friend yet again, only it's even more important this time. He wants to fix things between him and Djoser, only to find out that that's not really an option for him. Not quite in the way that he expected, though.

Most of this volume was taken up with the friendship and feud between Im and Djoser. Im has regrets from his past, but he's also being put into a situation where he is forced to see what's happening in a new perspective and make a choice.

I'm not following this closely, but it's an interesting read. The characters are good and odd, and I find the Egyptian mythology/history really interesting. In the second half, Hinome gets to see Im playing at being a student, getting some carefree time. It's not something he's been able to experience before, and she discovers that he never got the chance to play and dream like a kid.

This has a surprising amount of depth, and I appreciate that.

 

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

Manga Review: Black Torch, Volume 3, by Tsuyoshi Takaki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2019

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ninja and animal lover Jiro Azuma’s life is changed forever when he finds himself in the middle of a war of ninjas vs. demons.

Jiro Azuma is descended from of a long line of shinobi, and he also can talk to animals. One day, he rescues a very unique black cat named Rago, a supernatural being, and is dragged into a secret supernatural war.

Inside the illusory world generated by Fuyo, Jiro and Rago face off against a giant mononoke named Amagi. In the Edo period, Amagi attempted to recruit allies to fight back against the newly formed government ninja squad, but Rago refused to join him! What secrets lurk in the depths of Rago’s lost memories? And what’s behind the sudden string of mass murders happening in the real world?

Review:

Jiro's test about his inner demons ends up being taken over by Rago's past, which makes sense.

After that brief test, the group gets to go on their first real mission together. A part of town is being controlled and attacked, and the three split up to take care of the people in control of it. Rago gets personally attacked during it, and then Reiji discovers a person from his past involved as well.

I like Ichika's fight in this, as her battle ended up being interesting to me. During all of this, Rago discovers something about his connection with Jiro, which worries him more than Jiro. I'm curious to see how they handle it, but also to see what Rago does. Despite being a powerful mononoke, and how he possibly tried to stay away from humans, he seems to grow attached and protective, and I like that. I also find it interesting, given the connection between him and Jiro. They seem like a good match.

I haven't read many action-based shonen in a while, and I'm enjoying this one so far. I'm liking the characters, at least, so far.

Manga Review: Bleach, Volume 71, by Tite Kubo

Rating (Out of 5): ~2.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2017

Volumes: 74.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1-2-3. 68. 72.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Part-time student, full-time Soul Reaper, Ichigo is one of the chosen few guardians of the afterlife.

Ichigo Kurosaki never asked for the ability to see ghosts—he was born with the gift. When his family is attacked by a Hollow—a malevolent lost soul—Ichigo becomes a Soul Reaper, dedicating his life to protecting the innocent and helping the tortured spirits themselves find peace. Find out why Tite Kubo’s Bleach has become an international manga smash-hit!

As the war between the Soul Reapers and Quincies heads for a climactic conclusion, Mayuri finds himself up against the weirdest enemy yet. Can his daughter Nemu step in and finish a foe that refuses to die?

Review:

This series has moved so far beyond anything I remember of it, it is so hard for me to follow. I read very little of this series, and watched rather little of the anime, and now I have no idea who any of the characters are, I don't know what is happening in the plot, I barely know how the series works anymore. And, honestly, I gave up on the series, a long time ago, for a reason, I now understand.

There are several fights happening throughout this volume. There are some very interesting metaphorical things happening, some really pretty representations of what's happening to the characters. Then there are some very odd, and rather disturbing, creatures that show up. Some relationship bonds come into play as the fights get bad.

For a long time, I wanted to catch up with this series. But all this shonen action, crazy plots and volumes filled with fighting and so many characters you confuse them, isn't really my kind of series. Which is probably too bad, because some of the symbolic things in this volume did intrigue me.

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

Manga Review: Black Torch, Volume 1, by Tsuyoshi Takaki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2018

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ninja and animal lover Jiro Azuma’s life is changed forever when he finds himself in the middle of a war with ninjas vs. demons.

Jiro Azuma is descended from of a long line of shinobi, and he also can talk to animals. One day, he rescues a very unique black cat named Rago, a supernatural being, and is dragged into a secret supernatural war.

Although he may appear rough-and-tumble, Jiro Azuma’s compassionate side emerges when it comes to the furry critters he can communicate with. But Jiro's soft spot for animals gets him in major trouble when a suspicious stray cat fuses with him, granting him exceptional power but also dragging him into humanity's hidden battle against powerful Japanese spirits, mononoke.

Review:

At the start of this volume, it gave me the feeling of Black Cat and Bleach. The former I've read none of, and the latter I've read very little of. But in a good way. Sometimes action shonen are just fun.

Jiro is a ninja who can talk to animals, and he stumbles into a fight between Mononoke. This has a surprising twist that I didn't expect, but that I appreciate. Jiro meets his to-be-boss Ryosuke, and his potential partner Ichika, but then he has to finish some things, take care of some loose family ends, before he agrees to join them.

I really enjoyed this first volume. It's very action, supernatural shonen, and I liked that. I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

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

Manga Review: 07-Ghost, Volume 3, by Yuki Amemiya and Yukino Ichihara

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Media (Previously Go! Comi)

Release Date: 2009

Volumes: 17.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The series' third entry leads Teito to the dark secrets kept by the man who raised him. Teito, an orphan and former slave, attends the swanky Barsburg Academy where, much to the amazement of his classmates, he aces the graduation exam. Things are looking up for the lonely orphan boy, until a chance meeting with the man who murdered his father changes his life forever. Fleeing to another empire, Teito is soon embroiled in a war between an evil god and seven ghosts. He's also in possession of a mysterious new power that could have devastating repercussions for the future of the planet -- and for Teito's own past. While Teito tries to uncover the truth about the Father and the apocalyptic Pandora's box, Ayami's faithful follower, Kuroyuri, frames Frau for a crime so heinous it could mean Frau's execution. Can Teito rescue his friend in time, or will a betrayal among the faithful lead to everyone's downfall?

Review:

I really want to catch up on this series, but it’s rather hard to find right now. Annoyingly enough. I’m also annoyed that Go Comi’s editions have colored pages, and yet VIZ’s new editions don’t. What’s up with that?

There’s a lot of serious stuff happening right now. Fighting, and running, and getting caught. New enemies being introduced, more showdowns.

I like the main character a lot, and I like his friendship with the reincarnated creature, as well as the relationships forming with the other characters. The artwork is nice, and the story is very interesting. The humor is also quite funny to me.

I want to read more, and I hope to get my hands on more of the series soon.

Manga Review: Dengeki Daisy, Volume 13, by Kyousuke Motomi

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December, 2013

Volumes: 16

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 12. 14.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A New York Times’ bestseller with a romantic storyline that is unique, funny and touching.

After orphan Teru Kurebayashi loses her beloved older brother, she finds solace in the messages she exchanges with DAISY, an enigmatic figure who can only be reached through the cell phone her brother left her. Meanwhile, mysterious Tasuku Kurosaki always seems to be around whenever Teru needs help… Could DAISY be a lot closer than Teru thinks?

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for teen plus audiences.

Review:

“‘Someone who never wavers isn’t necessarily strong. To question what’s right, to worry and search, to have the courage to do that, is the mark of true strength.’” 

This is a great, solid series. It’s sweet, it has a lot of action, there’s a lot of serious plotline focus, and there’s also a good mix of the romantic plot, and it’s funny. The art is hard-edged and sharp, but really nice. I’m really enjoying this series, and I’m excited to see how it ends, since it’s only three volumes away.

There were a couple of sweet moments between Teru and Kurosaki. They’re so cute and shy together, I love them. I would really like more of those moments, but that’s alright.

There was some movement of the main plot; things are getting interesting there. I’m not going to get into too much detail, though, and honestly it’s a little messy in my mind, but I am interested. I also really like how everyone is involved, and how they tell each other everything, they don’t hide things because it’s “better for everyone else”. And I like how Teru doesn’t take a smaller part, or cower when something bad happens. She gets intense and will hurt someone if she has to, and she (nor any of the other students) isn’t treated as less important just because she’s younger. (Although I guess they are actually closer in age than they look, huh?)

Then the last chapter was really funny and sweet, with a lot of mention of Teru’s brother. It was needed for the characters, and important to the plot. It was really nice. 

I’m excited for the next volume, and then the proceeding two. I really want to see how it all ends, and I really want more Teru and Kurosaki time. I just can’t get enough of them.

Manga Review: Attack on Titan, Volume 6, by Hajime Isayama

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: August, 2013

Volumes: 12+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

TITAN ON THE HUNT

On the way to Eren’s home, deep in Titan territory, the Survey Corps ranks are broken by a charge led by a female Titan! But this Abnormal is different – she kills not to eat but to protect herself, and she seems to be looking for someone. Armin comes to a shocking conclusion: She’s a human in a Titan’s body, just like Eren!

Review:

I am just plain enjoying this series at this point.

It’s good, exciting, interesting, surprising, action-packed, includes character death and depth, the world itself is intriguing. I love it. I’m so glad I picked it up, and am really hoping to pick up the other volumes soon. I want to catch up, but at the same time, I know once I’m completely caught up, I’ll have to wait for each volume. I don’t want to do that. But I will. Plus, there’re the spin-offs (and this one) and the guidebook to look forward to.

This volume continued with the titan fight, which is intense and a little frightening. We’re finding out some new things about the titans. And the ending leaves off to some very interesting discoveries for the next volume.

The best part with this series, I think, is the surprises. Any character could really die, no matter how close you’ve grown with them. It’s unlikely that one of the three (possibly four) main characters will die, but one of the others could. Some of them already have. I love that, so much. It gives a whole new level of excitement that most series lack.

I’m enjoying Armin’s growth, as well as Erin’s. I like Levi, but some of his fight tactics, or maybe just their fight tactics to begin with, is harsh and makes me a little uneasy. 

I’m really enjoying this series. It’s brutal and intense and exciting. Very different from what I usually read, and I’m loving it. Also, I love the humorous previews at the end of the volumes. It’s a nice little reprieve, and I like being able to laugh a little with the characters.