Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal – Vol. 1 by Shin Yoshida and Naohito Miyoshi (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 24, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is a manga series with card battles that young fans and even older fans may enjoy. Featuring likeable characters and a cool gaming card battle concept, if you are a fan of card gaming and also a “Yu-Gi-Oh!” fan, “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is recommended!

MANGA TITLE: Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal – Vol. 1

STORY AND ART BY: Shin Yoshida and Naohito Miyoshi

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Teen

RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2012

In a futuristic city, augmented reality Duels are all the rage. Duelists, using devices called D-Gazers, can interact with their environment and their opponents as never before. With more awesome monsters and unbelievable cards, the future of Yu-Gi-Oh! starts right here!

No one loves Dueling more than Yuma Tsukumo, but unfortunately for him, no one is worse at it either! This isn’t going to stop Yuma from trying, though. When Yuma calls on the memory of his parents during the Duel, a strange being called Astral appears, and the encounter is the start of Yuma’s amazing Duel journey!

In 1996, Kazuki Takahashi would create a manga series about card games known as “Yu-Gi-Oh!”. Wanting to create a battle manga that was unique and not about fighting and a fan of tabletop role-playing games, Takahashi did not imagine how popular the series would be among fans worldwide.

With the original manga serialized in Sept. 1996 through 2004, the games have been popular among anime, manga and of course, the card gaming fans in America and also around the world. The series would spawn off various series (featuring manga adaptations by other artists/writers) such as “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX” (2005-2011), “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” (2008-2011) and most recently with “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” (2011-2012).

And now “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is now released in America courtesy of Viz Media.

What is “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”?

“Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” continues the card battling theme that the original series was most popular for. First featured in 2010 and then later serialized on “V Jump” magazine in 2011, the fourth “Yu-Gi-Oh!” series has received an anime adaptation and is currently airing in America on the Cartoon Network’s Saturday morning cartoon block, Toonzai, Vortexx and now on Nicktoons.

In vol. 1, we learn that Yuma is being raised by his older sister who does not like him participating in duels. His prized possession is this necklace that his parents gave him that resembles a key. Yuma’s parents are adventurers and during a trip, they were never heard from again.

While Yuma has a good heart, he is not good in card battles, he’s not good when he tries to “Jet” but he is persistent and keeps on trying no matter what.

One day, his friend Tetsuo (who had beaten Yuma many times in card battles), lost his deck to a rival named Shark. Upset that Shark took Tetsuo’s deck, Yuma challenges Shark to a match. But Shark knows that Yuma doesn’t have a great deck and when he said he would battle if he has something that he cherishes most and wants to put up for a bet, Yuma thinks about his necklace but in no way, would he ever lose that. But Shark takes it and breaks the key.

Upset about what Shark has done, the battle between both Yuma and Shark is to happen, a mysterious spirit known as Astral appears before him (no one else can see him) and gives him advice on how to win.

Astral explains that he needs Yuma’s help as he has lost all his memories, which have been transformed into 99 XYZ Monster cards known as Numbers and have been scattered all around the globe. It’s imperative they find the Numbers as duelist who possess them can gain abilities to combine their forces using the power of Zexal (the ability to combine monsters to create a more powerful monster) which can be dangerous in the wrong hands but also, each card can help bring back Astral’s memories.

While Yuma does not like to listen to Astral, Astral tries to find ways for Yuma to listen to him in battle and learn how to use the XYZ cards and also how to battle effectively. And both know they need each other for assistance, but it all comes down to if Yuma is willing to work with Astral. Will he?

Find out in vol. 1 of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”!

The characters of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”:

Yuma Tsukumo – The main protagonist and a boy with a never give-up attitude. Unfortunately, he is also an underachiever when it comes to school and duels. He dreams of becoming the Dual Monsters champion and he is able to work with Astral, a unknown being that assists him during battles.
Astral – A mysterious spirit from another plane of existence who can be seen and heard by Yuma. He has lost his memories, which have been turned into Numbers cards and scattered around the world. He is unsure of his true purpose but by working with Yuma, he hopes he can help Yuma with his battles, while Yuma helps him by acquiring numbers to help regain his memory.
Kotori Mizuki – Yuma’s childhood friend and classmate. She doesn’t like to duel but she has a crush on Yuma. She is very smart with computers.
Tetsuo Takeda – Yuma’s friend and a skilled duelist who has beaten Yuta in dueling many times before.
Takashi Todoroki – The class president of Yuma’s class and a friend.
Tokunosuke Otomeura – A kid who has been bullied as young child, it has led to him playing dirty to win duels at times.
Cathy – A shy girl who looks like a cat and has a crush on Yuma.

The concept of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is one that will appeal not only to fans of the original series but those who are familiar with RPG video games such as “Shin Megami Tensei” (especially the “Persona” series), as the goal is to combine monsters and in this case, using monsters and creating an overlay network via Zexal and creating something new and powerful.

Volume 1 introduces us to Yuma and Astral as both must work together in beating opponents that use Number Cards, cards that are needed for Astral to regain his memories.

But as Astral knows he needs Yuma’s help to get access to those Number Cards, for Yuma, he’s still at a point where he feels he can do everything himself, but also learning that working with Astral, who is much more knowledgeable about the card battles can give him an edge against difficult opponents.

Vol. 1 features two major battles as Yuma must take on Shark who has access to a Number card, but also a boy named Tokunosuke who has been burned by people in the past who want to hang out with him because they have an agenda (by hanging out with him, they feel they can get free Zexal cards which Tokunosuke gave to people he thought were his friends) and now Tokunosuke doesn’t know if he can trust anyone.

The manga also comes with a bonus story with a glimpse into the future for both Yuma and Astral and how their partnership is destiny.

It’s important to note that with each volume purchased of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”, an exclusive card is featured. In this case, an ultra rare Kachi Kochi card is included with volume 1.

Overall, “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is a manga series with card battles that young fans and even older fans may enjoy. Personally, I enjoy the complexity of the battles and the strategy of combining monsters to make one powerful but also how certain monsters are strategically used, in the case of both Yuma and Astral, and how the writers are able to present something that seems so complex, but explained in a way that it’s fascinating and interesting.

If you are a fan of card gaming and also a “Yu-Gi-Oh!” fan, “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Bleach Vol. 57 – Story & Art by Tite Kubo (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 24, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

An exciting action-packed volume from Tite Kubo, “Bleach” vol. 57 features the epic battle of Soul Reaper leader, Captain Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai vs. Quincy King Yhwach to the battle of the death. As other Soul Reapers also engage the Stern Ritter elite in a battle to the death. Highly recommended!

MANGA TITLE: Bleach Vol. 57

STORY AND ART BY: Tite Kubo (久保宣章)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: July 2, 2013

With Ichigo trapped in Hueco Mundo, the Soul Society comes under attack by a mysterious group of warriors calling themselves the Vandenreich. The Soul Reaper captains valiantly stand up to the invaders, but this is a battle they might not be able to win!

The Quincies via the Vandenreich have attacked the Seiretei and hundreds of Soul Reapers have been massacred. Yhwach, the leader of the Quincy’s is wanting revenge for leading to the extinction of their race, the Quincies have found a way to absorb a Soul Reaper’s Bankai, rendering them useless in battle and easy to kill.

But there is hope for the Soul Reapers as the Vandenreich have not been able to nullify Ichigo Kurosaki’s Bankai for some unknown reason. But as Ichigo tries to go back to the Soul Society, the Vandenreich tries to prevent him from doing so.

And not wanting to see any more of his people get slaughtered, Captain Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai prepares for battle to fight the King of the Quincy’s, Yhwach.

Find out what happens in “Bleach” vol. 57!

What is “Bleach?”

For those who are not so familiar with “Bleach”, “Bleach” has a strong fan following and since its run began back in 2001, series creator, writer and illustrator Noriaki “Tite” Kubo has been hard at work, continuing to crank chapter after chapter for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan and with the success of the series extending out to films, OVA’s, feature films and video games and other merchandise.

Because of its airing on the Cartoon Network and it being featured on Shonen Jump magazine, “Bleach” has gone on to become a fan favorite in America but also fans all over the world.

A Brief History of what “Bleach” is about

“Bleach” is a story about a guy named Ichigo Kurasaki who has a gift in which he can see spirits. One day, he saw a Soul Reaper (one who can govern the flow of souls between the human world and the afterlife) named Rukia Kukichiki who has come to find a Hollow (a lost soul). She ends up being wounded in battle when she tried to defend Ichigo and so she illegally transfers her reiatsu (spiritual pressure) to him, so that he can defeat the Hollow. But during the process, he nearly takes all of her energy and becomes a Soul Reaper himself and defeats the Hollow quite easily. So, the first storyline arc features Rukia now powerless stranded in the human world until she has the time to recover her true powers, while Ichigo fills in and battles Hollows in her place. And with each fight, Rukia starts to notice something special about Ichigo’s abilities.

The second storyline arc of “Bleach” features the Soul Society wanting to sentence Rukia to death for transferring her powers to Ichigo. His friends also begin to develop special abilities. His childhood friend, Orihime Inoue, is given special abilities courtesy of her loving brother who has turned into a Hollow. Yasutora “Chad” Sato is Ichigo’s tall friend (who is half Japanese/half Mexican) who suddenly becomes aware of spirits and develops an ability to have a special armored right arm that has special abilities. And Ichigo’s rival/friend, Uryu Ishida, who is a descendant of a hollow hunting group known as the Quincy and are enemies of the Soul Reapers.

As their adventures have continued, we have seen Ichigo and his friends getting stronger, developing new abilities and taking on their most difficult foes yet but also earning the respect of his friends and the Soul Society, having saved their lives time and time again. But this time around, there comes a new enemy that may be so powerful that Ichigo may not be able to take them on…

Enter the Vandenreich!

The Current Storyline

We have only heard of how the Quincies had perished after a long feud with the Soul Reapers. The Soul Reapers which believed in having the soul of a hollow crossover to the Soul Society, while the Quincies believed in the total destruction of the hollow’s soul. And while the two had tried to work out their dispute, in the end, it let do a war in which the Soul Reapers vanquished the Quincies.

With only Uryu Ishida thought to be the last Quincy alive, in volume 55 of “Bleach”, it was revealed that one of the deadly Quincy’s from the past, Yhwach, was not killed and has assembled a group known as the Vandenreich to eliminate all Soul Reapers and destroy the Soul Society.

Many have gone missing in Karakura Town and while the Vandenreich have made their presence known to Captain Yamamoto by killing 1st Division Lt. Sasakibe. Also, Hueco Mundo Arrancars have been attacked by the Hueco Mundo Army led by Quilge Opie who are trying to force the Arrancars to join them or else be killed.

As Nel goes to the human world to beg for Ichigo to save Hueco Mundo, Ichigo, Kisuke Urahara, Chad and Orihime hurry to Hueco Mundo to see what is happening. And with the distraction caused in that area, Yhwach orders the Vandenreich to attack the Soul Reapers in their home area inside the Seiretei and the top Quincy combatants of the Vandenreich, the Stern Ritter continues their destruction by trying to kill all Soul Reaper captains.

In vol. 57, as Ichigo tries to hurry back to the Soul Society, he is encased in some object and is unable to escape from it. Meanwhile, Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai take on Stern Ritter’s “As Nodt”, Shuhei Hisagi takes on Stern Ritter’s “O” [The Overkill] Driscoll Berci and it looks like that without using their Bankai, the Soul Reapers have no chance.

Until Division 1 Captain, Shigekuni Yamamoto Genryusai, the most power soul reaper decides it is time to intervene and try to kill all of the Stern Ritter.

Leading up to a battle between Soul Reaper leader Captain Yamamoto vs. the King of Quincy’s, Yhwach.

For the longest time, watching and reading “Bleach”, we have always wondered about how powerful Captain Yamamoto is? How did the Quincy’s become extinct?

And in volume 56, we learned quickly of how the Soul Society is unable to take on the elite Stern Ritter as the Bankai of a soul reaper is absorbed by the Quincy rendering a Soul Reaper powerless. We learned more about the Quincy’s and why the Soul Reapers felt it necessary to eliminate them.

So far, we have seen the Soul Reapers being eliminated, certain characters getting killed and the hope of the Soul Society that Ichigo Kurosaki, the one man in which the Stern Ritter have been unable to absorb his Bankai, can come and help them.

In vol. 57, we see how Ichigo has been encased in some mysterious prison that he is unable to get out of. and unfortunately, all he can hear are people through his cell phone, screaming and getting killed or disconnected. And as hard as he tries, he is unable to free himself.

With only a few Soul Reaper being able to fight and defeat their opponents, one man is guaranteed to finish what he never did many years ago and that is Division 1 Captain Yamamoto. The leader of the Soul Reapers and their most powerful leader who is determined to kill all Stern Ritter.

But for Captain Yamamoto, he will be lead to fight the man he was supposed to kill, Yhwach, the King of the Quincy’s.

And while we have seen glimpses of Captain Yamamoto’s power, volume 57 features the battle between Captain Yamamoto and Yhwach and we get to see how powerful Captain Yamamoto really is and also what his Bankai is and what it does.

For longtime fans of “Bleach”, this exciting battle between the Soul Reapers is absolutely shocking as certain Soul Reapers that have played a major part in “Bleach” are either killed or severely maimed. And with the Vandenreich declaring that the Soul Reapers and Soul Society will be destroyed, it appears that for now, they are unstoppable. But with Captain Yamamoto in the battlefield, it has inspired the Soul Reapers to fight their opponents.

It is important to note that with the release of volume 56 of “Bleach”, the USA releases has now caught up with the Japanese release. While the US release is still released a few months after the Japanese manga release, “Bleach” readers are no longer far behind from the Japanese release.

As always, the artwork by Tite Kubo is fantastic. His action illustrations are wonderful and he has been doing it long enough to know what works and how to get the reader interested when there is so much action that takes place in a page. Granted, action-paced manga with a lot of fighting does make the reading go quickly but fortunately, there are some major surprises in store with this volume that makes things manga volume worthwhile.

For longtime “Bleach” fans, “Bleach” Vol. 57 is highly recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal – Vol. 3 by Shin Yoshida and Naohito Miyoshi (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 23, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” pits Kaito and Astral against Thunder Spark and Princess Cologne! Will they endure? Find out in another thrilling card battle volume of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” volume 3!

MANGA TITLE: Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal – Vol. 3

STORY AND ART BY: Shin Yoshida and Naohito Miyoshi

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Teen

RELEASE DATE: June 4, 2013

In the Heartland theme park, Yuma (with a little help from Astral) has managed to defeat Captain Corn in an amazing duel, but there are more challenges yet to come! Mr. Heartland is out to capture all of the powerful Numbers cards and destroy Astral’s world. If Yuma and his friends won’t join him, Mr Heartland will crush them!

And now “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is now released in America courtesy of Viz Media.

What is “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”?

The series is set in the near future in a place called “Heartland City” and features a teenager named Yuma Tsukumo who wants to become the next “Duel Monsters” champion, but he has a while to go as he is only an amateur. One day after dueling against his rival Shark, a mysterious spirit known as Astral appears before him (no one else can see him) and gives him advice on how to win.

Astral explains that he needs Yuma’s help as he has lost all his memories, which have been transformed into 99 Xyz Monster cards known as Numbers and have been scattered all around the globe. It’s imperative they find the Numbers as duelist who possess them can gain abilities to combine their forces using the power of Zexal (the ability to combine monsters to create a more powerful monster) which can be dangerous in the wrong hands but also, each card can help bring back Astral’s memories.

And as the both Yuma and Astral form a partnership, unbeknown to the two is that a Numbers Hunter is going around battling people possessing a numbers card, but not only hunting down their card but also taking their soul.

This leads us to the second volume of “Yu-gi-Oh! Zexal”. We are introduced to the Numbers Hunter named Kaito, and find out that he is working with Mr. Heartland, who in turn is working with Dr. Faker who want to use the Numbers cards for their own selfish needs.

Dr. Faker and Mr. Heartland have Kaito trying to collect 100 Numbers as they said it would help make his young brother Haruto normal again. But in truth, he is being used by both Dr. Faker and Mr. Heartland.

As Yuma learns from his sister, details of a Numbers Hunter causing problems, one day both Yuma and Astral come across Kaito, the Numbers Hunter who has stopped time and challenges Yuma to a duel.

But both are quick to realize that Kaito is not just someone more powerful than Yuma when it comes to Zexal battles but Kaito also may be more powerful and knowledgeable about the game, even more than Astral.

And during their battle, Kaito easily demolishes Yuma (with Astral’s help) but before Kaito can end the game and defeat Yuma, he receives news about Haruto and thus Kaito ends the game early.

With Yuma depressed over his loss and knowing he does not have the cards to defeat Kaito, his friends Tetsuo Takeda, Kotori Mizuki, Tokunosuke Hyori, Takashi Todoroki and Cathy decide to form the Numbers Hunters Club and together with Yuma, help search for Numbers cards that will help get him the cards needed to take on Kaito, if they are ever to meet again.

But in order to do that, each of them must put themselves in harms way to get access to a Numbers Card. Are these young teens ready to take on the challenge?

In vol. 3, Mr. Heartland confronts Yuma and friends and reveals that he can also see Astral and that his plans are to acquire the numbers which hold a terrible power and want to destroy the Astral world. He also reveals that Astral is a messenger from the evil world, which Yuma does not believe to be true.

So, Mr. Heartland sends out the Speed Field Ride Mascot – Thunder Spark to battle against Yuma and Astral, but this battle is different as both must participate in a race and also take part in a card battle at the same time.

And Mr. Heartland also has another waiting in battle, just in case, Yuma and friends beat Thunder Spark, the doll known as Princess Cologne.

With two battles ahead of them, will Yuma and Astral have what it takes to beat them?

Find out in vol. 3 of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”!

The characters of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”:

Yuma Tsukumo – The main protagonist and a boy with a never give-up attitude. Unfortunately, he is also an underachiever when it comes to school and duels. He dreams of becoming the Dual Monsters champion and he is able to work with Astral, a unknown being that assists him during battles.
Astral – A mysterious spirit from another plane of existence who can be seen and heard by Yuma. He has lost his memories, which have been turned into Numbers cards and scattered around the world. He is unsure of his true purpose but by working with Yuma, he hopes he can help Yuma with his battles, while Yuma helps him by acquiring numbers to help regain his memory.
Kotori Mizuki – Yuma’s childhood friend and classmate. She doesn’t like to duel but she has a crush on Yuma. She is very smart with computers.
Tetsuo Takeda – Yuma’s friend and a skilled duelist who has beaten Yuta in dueling many times before.
Takashi Todoroki – The class president of Yuma’s class and a friend.
Tokunosuke Otomeura – A kid who has been bullied as young child, it has led to him playing dirty to win duels at times.
Cathy – A shy girl who looks like a cat and has a crush on Yuma.
Kaito – The Numbers Hunter who is trying to save his sick brother, Haruto by collecting 100 Numbers Cards. He is knowledgeable about the battles and overlaying Numbers cards.

For example, Kaito summons a level 3 Light Serpent and a Level 3 Plasma Ball, overlay the two level 3 monsters to create a rank 3 Giga-Brilliant monster with a larger attack. But also with Kaito’s skills and owning multiple Numbers cards, he is able to release two summon two monsters with attacks over 2,000, releasing them and summoning them to create Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon with a 3,000 ATK.

Not only does this up the level of the game (especially those playing the actual real world game of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”) and also make it more challenging but it’s definitely an intriguing twist for “Yu-Gi-Oh~” card gaming fans.

And because with each battle he wins, he acquires those cards and is able to use them in battle against other foes and become part of his strategy.

In volume 3 of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”, Yuma and Astral must participate in two different battles. One involving a race against Thunder Spark and the only way that Yuma can utilize his cards is only if he is ahead of Thunder Spark, the master of the Speed Field Ride. The second battle is a doll who had been tossed away into the wastes of Heart Land and in order to survive, she must do what Mr. Heart Land says and that is to destroy Kaito and Astral.

It’s important to note that with each volume purchased of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” an exclusive card is featured. In this case, an ultra rare Zombiestein card is included with volume 3.

Overall, “Yu-Gi-Oh!” is a manga series with card battles that young fans and even older fans may enjoy. The third volume focuses more on the different types of battles that Yuma and Astral must partake in and how risky these battles are but how they need to work as a team in order to fight their opponent.

Another thrilling volume in the “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” manga series, volume three is recommended for “Yu-Gi-Oh!” fans!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Bakuman Vol. 19 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 22, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Mashiro and Miho have worked hard in their career and for their longtime promise to get married if an anime adaptation based on Muto Ashirogi’s manga series happens, now is to become reality in “Bakuman” vol. 19. But when the identities of Muto Ashirogi is revealed and also the relationship between Mashiro and Miho are made public, how will they react and will this news destroy their hard-earned careers? Find out in the latest 19th volume of “Bakuman”!

MANGA TITLE: Bakuman vol. 19 (バクマン)

SERIES BEGAN IN: 2008

WRITTEN BY: Tsugumi Ohba (大場つぐみ)

ILLUSTRATED BY: Takeshi Obata (小畑健)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Weekly Shonen Jump

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media

RATED: T for Older Teen

RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2013

With their new series, Moritaka and Akito start beating Eiji Nizuma in the Shonen Jump rankings for the first time. But in the actual book sales, Eiji is somehow still on top. The duo is as determined as ever to achieve their dreams, but a new scandal will threaten to destroy everything!

Story by Tsugumi Ohba and Art by Takeshi Obata.

Back in grade school, Mashiro Moritaka and Miho Azuki made a promise that they will marry each other if Mashiro can create a manga that will be adapted into an anime series, while Miho would work hard as a voice actress. The two would not have contact, will not see each other and can only contact via text message.

Many years have passed since Mashiro and Miho have made that promise but they have worked hard to make sure their careers would happen, but most importantly, they strive to work hard so they can finally be together.

With Muto Ashirogi’s “Reversi” doing well in Shonen Jump, as with their rival Eiji Nizuma for his manga “Zombie Gun”. And both receive word that one of them will get an anime adaptation.

For Akito Takagi and wife Kaya wanting desperately for an anime adaptation to happen, so Mashiro and Miho can finally be together, everything seems to be pointing to a happy ending… until a fellow voice actress posted on her blog that Muto Ashirogi is actually two people and Mashiro Moritaka is dating a famous voice actress. And in an industry for voice actress, similar to idol singers, their relationships are kept secret or they don’t have a relationship at all. But with this news coming out, it has made tabloid news and causing a stir in the entire manga and anime industry.

What will happen with Mashiro and Miho and is their relationship doomed?

Find out in the latest volume of “Bakuman” Vol. 19!

What is “Bakuman”?

For writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata (“Hikaru no Go”, “Blue Dragon”, “Castlevania Judgment”), both are known for their collaboration and their work on the popular series “Death Note”.

While Obata is known to collaborate with other writers, after the success of “Death Note”, it’s no surprise that many fans have wanted to see these two together. Having worked on “Death Note” from 2003-2006, the two have returned with a more upbeat storyline titled “Bakuman”…which is a play on the word “bakuhatsu” (explosion) and “baku” (a mythological animal that eats dreams).

With a total of 20 volumes having been published in Japan and a 25-episode anime series that aired in 2009, needless to say, both Ohba and Obata have once again achieved success with their second project together since “Death Note”.

“Bakuman” revolves around two teenagers. Moritaka Mashiro is a junior high student who has a crush on his classmate Miho Azuki. One day, his classmate Akito Takagi tries to persuade Mashiro to become a mangaka (a manga artist) while Takagi writes. But Mashiro is not so interested as his uncle used to be a manga artist and died from overwork because he tried to get back into the industry and regain his top status as a mangaka.

As for Takagi, he is an intelligent student who prefers to write manga than focus on school. Takagi really wants to write a manga but hopes Mashiro can illustrate.

But Mashiro is also a bit tense about being involved with Takagi because he thinks that he is in love with Miho, but in truth, Takagi was doing all he can to bring Mashiro and Azuki together. Mashiro proposes to Azuki and she accepts…but with one condition, they will marry once they achieve their dreams, he as a successful mangaka and she as a voice actress. But for now, the two can’t see each other or communicate until they make their dreams come true.

So, knowing this… Mashiro will do all he can to illustrate a manga with Takagi and become a professional mangaka as soon as possible.

As both young men have proved that they can become a fantastic writing/illustration manga duo, having experience success and failures, both decide to start anew under the name Muto Ashirogi and they meet success with their manga series “PCP”. But because the storyline is not a candidate for an anime series, Mashiro and Takagi create a new series that they are hoping will receive an anime adaptation and that is “Reversi”.

And through their career, they have worked hard to beat the #1 mangaka at “Shonen Jump”, Eiji Nizuma and Eiji has always seen Muto Ashirogi as his friendly rival. And as the two push each other to do better in competition, both are given the chance to have their new series turned into an anime series. Nizuma having experience it with his top hit series “Crow”, also wants “Zombie Gun” to be a manga series, but for Mashiro, this opportunity is so important as it may lead to he and Miho finally getting married.

Will it happen?

With one final volume left of “Bakuman” after this 19th volume, the longtime buildup since the beginning of the series was everyone working hard to make their dreams come true. Mashiro’s dream is to create a manga series, that can be made into an anime and have Miho cast as one of the star voice actress in a series he and Takagi have created.

And all seems good, until a fellow voice actress accidentally blogs about the true identities of “Muto Ashirogi” and it automatically gives those on the Internet a chance to research and find out that Mashiro is dating Miho.

And while at first it doesn’t seem like a big deal, the two underestimate the power of the Internet and the rage of fans who feel betrayed that Miho, a talented voice actress is dating a mangaka (which relationships are probably not accepted by fans, similar to idol singers in Japan) and that the reason why she may have gotten the parts was because her boyfriends influence.

With the anime, manga and voice acting industry suddenly thrust into the tabloid spotlight of this relationship, will it become detrimental for this young couple who have waited and worked so hard for many years to finally be together?

“Bakuman” continues to give readers insight to the manga industry. And with this latest volume, you get the sense of rivalry between friends in the manga industry but also learning a little how things are in the voice acting (seiyuu) industry and how their situation of “no dating” rule is similar to idol singers. But also how fans can get angry over a relationship that a voice actress may have.

So, a storyline that readers have been waiting for a long time, finally starts to happen but now a wrench has been thrown as (former) fans of both Muto Ashirogi and Miho are becoming vocal and calling the offices of where they work with hate and disgust over their relationship.

But will Mashiro and Miho’s love for each other remain strong or will their dedication to their work, be put on the priority over their relationship?

Tsugumi Ohba has done a wonderful job in creating layers of detail amongst the primary characters. His writing is well-done and while some Japanese readers feels he overstretches arcs a bit too much, I don’t mind. He takes his time and feels no need to interject so many characters for the sake of it. He uses characters that are integral to the storyline and so far, the character development involved in building these characters have been wonderful and a lot of fun to read.

As for illustrator Takeshi Ibata, he includes so much detail into his panels and the artwork is just phenomenal. It’s one of the manga series I always take my time looking at because his panels are so well-detailed.

And so far, the biggest plus for me was getting some insight on the manga world. It’s one thing to read manga but for those of us living outside of Japan, rarely do we get to see how things are done in Japan and how difficult or challenging it is for one to break into the industry. And in the beginning, we got to see how the industry works through the lives of Takagi and Mashiro but now, the series has grown to show us perspectives among the editors and the artists involved and the series has mature quite well with each volume!

For any manga fan, “Bakuman” is an exiting, addictive and fun series that goes into the life of those who work in the manga industry. One more issue left and we will finally find out if all the hard work done by Muto Ashirogi finally paid off, or will these tabloid news destroy their manga career which they have worked hard for?

“Bakuman” vol .19 is highly recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice by Momota Inoue (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 22, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

A manga adaptation of the 15th Pokemon movie, “Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice” features an entertaining coming-of age story about a young Pokemon who is willing to challenge the mighty Kyurem in order to be a member of The Sword of Justice! An enjoyable story that Pokemon fans of all ages will definitely enjoy!

MANGA TITLE: Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice by Momota Inoue

ORIGINAL CONCEPT by Satoshi Tajiri

SUPERVISED BY Tsunekazu Ishihara

SCRIPT by Hideki Sonoda

STORY & ART by Momota Inoue

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shogakukan, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: For All Ages

RELEASE DATE: April 2, 2013

Ash and Pikachu, along with their friends Iris and Cilan, are on a train headed to the next stop on their journey. From the train, Ash spots an injured Pokemon – one he’s never seen before. He’s trying to figure out how he can help when the train is attacked by the Legendary Kyurem, a Dragon-type Pokemon with immense power! Ash and the others barely manage to escape the rampaging Kyurem’s attack, and as the dust settles, they turn their attention to the injured Pokemon.

Their new acquaintance turns out to be the Mythical Pokemon Keldeo, and it’s on a mission to rescue its friends – Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion, the Legendary Pokemon known as the Swords of Justice – from Kyurem’s icy clutches!

But Kyurem’s rampage isn’t over, and it’s drawing power from Reshiram and Zekrom, changing into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem to make its attacks even stronger! Why is Kyurem attacking Ash and his friends with such unrelenting fury? How will they be able to overcome this danger?

In Japan, right after the film “Pokémon the Movie: Black – Victini and Reshiram and White – Victini and Zekrom” in 2011, audiences were teased with a new Boundary Pokemon known as Kyurem, but also teased with new Pokémon such as Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion and the newest Pokémon, Keldeo.

By the summer of 2012, the 15th Pokemon film titled “Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice” (or “Kyurem vs. the Sacred Swordsman: Keldeo”) was released in theaters to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Japanese manga publisher Shogakukan. And by December 2012, American audiences were treated with the latest Pokemon film!

And now “Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice” was released on DVD and manga courtesy of Viz Media.

The manga mirrors the animated film with a few slight differences.

The story revolves around a young Pokémon named Keldeo who has been training with Sword of Justice Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion (three Pokemon that are protectors against evil Pokemon). But during training, he wants to learn how to use the move “Sacred Sword” so he can become part of the group and fight against Kyurem. But the three feel that Keldeo is just not ready to be a Sword of Justice just yet.

That night, Keldeo sneaks out and goes to the Full Court to challenge Kyurem. He pretends to be a member of the Sword of Justice and challenges Kyurem to a duel.

During the battle, Kyurem easily beats Keldeo and breaks off his horn. The three Sword of Justice comes to Keldeo’s rescue but Kyurem transforms to White Kyurem and uses his power to freeze them, shocked about what has transpired, Keldeo runs away in fear. While Kyurem, chases after him to let Keldeo know that their battle is not over.

Meanwhile, in another city, Ash and his friends Iris and Cilan are on the train and take a brief stop in Windy Station to try some Darumaka boxed lunches. They are interrupted when they discover an injured Keldeo on the train. They rush to his aid but Keldeo tells them that Kyurem is coming and he collapses. Iris recalls being told a story about Kyurem from an elder, that Kyurem is a dragon Pokemon and is the living corpse of the ancient dragon that Reshiram and Zekrom split from after the original owners of the dragon Pokémon had a conflict. Meanwhile, Kyurem arrives and tries to attack all of them but everyone manages to escape.

The three take Keldeo to Roshan City’s Pokemon Center for rehabilitation and Nurse Joy explains to them about who Keldeo is and how he is training to be a Sword of Justice.

Learning about how the Sword of Justice are protectors of Pokémon in danger, Ash and friends come up with a plan to help Keldeo free the Sword of Justice but also giving him the confidence that he can also be a member of the Sword of Justice one day.

Primary differences between the manga and animated film is the film introduces us to Keldeo and the other Sword of Justice and establishes how Keldeo is a bit hard-headed, especially when it comes to listening to the three Sword of Justice members. In the manga series, the story doesn’t showcase those little details and goes straight to Keldeo going against Kyurem.

But the main storyline is pretty much intact. As it the manga series is a coming-of-age story about Keldeo needing to discover his true self and to be confident in battle and to prove that he is worth of being a “Sword of Justice”.

The artwork by Momota Inoue is very good for a children’s manga and having read this and also having talked to my 10-year-old who has also read it, he enjoyed the manga and also the character design and artwork by Inoue.

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal – Vol. 2 by Shin Yoshida and Naohito Miyoshi (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 12, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is a manga series with card battles that young fans and even older fans may enjoy. The second volume starts to incorporate more characters, also establishing the storyline of Yuma’s key rival and antagonist, Kaito and feature more strategies of gameplay. So, the storyline does get a bit more exciting now that characters, storyline and the game are becoming more established. If you are a fan of card gaming and also a “Yu-Gi-Oh!” fan, definitely give “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” a chance!

MANGA TITLE: Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal – Vol. 2

STORY AND ART BY: Shin Yoshida and Naohito Miyoshi

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Teen

RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2012

Yuma finds out that the only way to help his brother return to normal is to collect all one-hundred Numbers Cards. The power these cards give to the Duelist who wields them is immense, and many other Duelists are seeking them. Yuma must face these “Numbers Hunters,” starting with the mysterious Kaito!

And now “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is now released in America courtesy of Viz Media.

What is “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”?

As Yuma learns from his sister, details of a Numbers Hunter causing problems, one day both Yuma and Astral come across Kaito, the Numbers Hunter who has stopped time and challenges Yuma to a duel.

And during their battle, Kaito easily demolishes Yuma (with Astral’s help) but before Kaito can end the game and defeat Yuma, he receives news about Haruto and thus Kaito ends the game early.

But in order to do that, each of them must put themselves in harms way to get access to a Numbers Card. Are these young teens ready to take on the challenge?

The characters of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”:

Yuma Tsukumo – The main protagonist and a boy with a never give-up attitude. Unfortunately, he is also an underachiever when it comes to school and duels. He dreams of becoming the Dual Monsters champion and he is able to work with Astral, a unknown being that assists him during battles.
Astral – A mysterious spirit from another plane of existence who can be seen and heard by Yuma. He has lost his memories, which have been turned into Numbers cards and scattered around the world. He is unsure of his true purpose but by working with Yuma, he hopes he can help Yuma with his battles, while Yuma helps him by acquiring numbers to help regain his memory.
Kotori Mizuki – Yuma’s childhood friend and classmate. She doesn’t like to duel but she has a crush on Yuma. She is very smart with computers.
Tetsuo Takeda – Yuma’s friend and a skilled duelist who has beaten Yuta in dueling many times before.
Takashi Todoroki – The class president of Yuma’s class and a friend.
Tokunosuke Otomeura – A kid who has been bullied as young child, it has led to him playing dirty to win duels at times.
Cathy – A shy girl who looks like a cat and has a crush on Yuma.
Kaito – The Numbers Hunter who is trying to save his sick brother, Haruto by collecting 100 Numbers Cards. He is knowledgeable about the battles and overlaying Numbers cards.

For example, in volume 2, Kaito summons a level 3 Light Serpent and a Level 3 Plasma Ball, overlay the two level 3 monsters to create a rank 3 Giga-Brilliant monster with a larger attack. But also with Kaito’s skills and owning multiple Numbers cards, he is able to release two summon two monsters with attacks over 2,000, releasing them and summoning them to create Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon with a 3,000 ATK.

If anything, this volume shows how smart Kaito is as an opponent because he can keep combining/releasing Numbers cards in order to gain something even more powerful. And the fact is that Yuma and even with Astral’s help, does not have enough Numbers cards to go on a one-on-one battle with Kaito effectively.

It’s important to note that with each volume purchased of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” an exclusive card is featured. In this case, an ultra rare Blackship of Corn card is included with volume 2.

Overall, “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” is a manga series with card battles that young fans and even older fans may enjoy. The second volume starts to incorporate more characters, also establishing the storyline of Yuma’s key rival and antagonist, Kaito and feature more strategies of gameplay. So, the storyline does get a bit more exciting now that characters, storyline and the game are becoming more established.

If you are a fan of card gaming and also a “Yu-Gi-Oh!” fan, definitely give “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” a chance!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

PSYREN Vol. 10 by Toshiaki Iwashiro (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 7, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Toshiaki Iwashiro’s “PSYREN” is exciting and action-packed! Find out the truth behind the the game and get some long awaited answers in “PSYREN” volume 10! Recommended!

MANGA TITLE: PSYREN Vol. 10

STORY AND ART BY: Toshiaki Iwashiro (岩代俊明)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shueisha, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: T for Older Teen

Available on May 7, 2013

Welcome to Psyren! Phone in and then…FIGHT TO GET OUT!

Ageha Yoshina just got transported to a warped alternate dimension where you’ve got to fight your way back to our world–or die trying.

When No. 7 was a child, she and her twin brother Miroku Amagi were subjected to inhuman experiments at the hand of the Grigori Project, a government project to study children with Psionic powers. Ageha and his friends must travel back to their own time to stop Miroku before he brings about the end of society as they know it…but the attentions of the media and the police aren’t making things any easier!

Ageha and Sakurako learn the truth behind the game that has brought them to the future. As the two talk to the mysterious woman known as “Research Subject 7″ who was kept in the top secret federal research project, The Grigori, the only way the two are going to stop this game is by going to their present time and stopping the Grigori project.

But before they go home to their present time, they must find their other friends to find out their status. Meanwhile, Sakurako’s memory may have appeared to be wiped, but what is most frightening for her is that inside, a more colder, darker version of herself is trying to emerge.

Find out what will happen in the thrilling Toshiaki Iwashiro action manga series, “PSYREN”!

What is “PSYREN”?

The manga series which is featured in Japan on Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine (as well as the American edition) and is reminiscent of manga such as “Yu Yu Hakusho”, “Gantz” and “Bleach” is full of action as a group of high school students are whisked into a futuristic, apocalyptic version of Japan. The only way they can get back home is by reaching a gate, but between that gate and their starting point are monsters and things waiting to kill them.

“Psyren” focuses on Ageha Yoshina, a high-school student who is known to take people’s money (10,000 yen) to provide his service and he will take care of their problem. Known for getting into fights and being a troublemaker, helping people is his good side and even at times not charging the pretty students at school for his services.

But not so supportive of his fighting is his older sister Fubuki, his guardian who is a pretty strong fighter herself and will not put up with him being late or getting in trouble.

One day, while Ageha is coming home, he hears a payphone ringing. He goes to answer it but hears nothing, but sees a phone card inside with the words “Psyren” but thinks nothing of it.

The following day, he sees his old former childhood friend Sakurako Amamiya coming into class and thinks about the old days when she was popular, friendly, social and caring. But now she’s anti-social, often coming to class with bruises and cuts and he can only wonder what is going on in her life.

Later in the day, he sees a few female students stealing her stuff and hiding it. As he goes to see what they have hidden, he realizes that the girls stole her wallet which has her “Psyren” card. As he goes to return it to her, she notices that she was frantic. As Ageha reminds her that for 10,000 yen ($100 bucks) he can help her, she cries out “Save Me” which startles him.

The following day, Sakurako had stopped showing up to school.

His friends tell him that Sakurako has been caught up with the whole “Psyren” legend and that there is a secret society and people have been disappearing. He also learns that for anyone with an unused Psyren card, people are willing to pay 5 million yen for one.

Worried about Sakurako, Ageha chooses to use the card and suddenly he is asked all these questions. The next day at school, men posing as police men are going after him, men who want his Psyren card. As he fights these men, the two are overpowering him and he runs away. While running away, his cell phone rings and while he is being chased, he disappears and ends up in an unknown location.

While he walks around the devastated area, he sees a giant caterpillar going after a man who screams for help. As Ageha goes to help, Sakurako with her sword comes out of nowhere and defeats it.

But Sakurako is very sick and before she faints in Ageha’s arms, she tells him that they need to clear the stage before they can get back home. And she asks him to please clear the stage with her.

As Ageha carries Sakurako, he seeks shelter in a building where people are gathered. He quickly realizes that the people gathering are a bunch of punks who have been wanting a Psyren card for the purpose of making money.

And within this group, each seem as if they will kill each other for the sake of making money.

When the phone rings, the group are told that they need to find a gate and everyone except Ageha and Sakurako go out and search for this gate. But when Sakurako awakens and finds out that everyone has headed towards a dangerous area, she fears that all of them will be slaughtered and feels that they need to be warned.

So, now Ageha and a sick Sakurako must hurry and get to the group before they are slaughtered. Will they make it in time?

In volume 3 of “Psyren”, Ageha, Hiryu and Sakurako are joined by two more members, Oboro Michizuki and Kabuto Kirisaki. As Oboro is out temporarily due to him developing his Psy power, an unknown being and a large worm is standing in their way of getting to the gate.

The unknown being appears to be the classmate and best friend of Hiryu Asaga who was whisked into the world of Psyren, but it is not known if he is the same person, as the guy that Hiryu knew was weak-minded and not a good fighter. The person that is awaiting them has a weapon that charges on Psy power and he is quite deadly.

But as part of the game, Ageha and friends must find a way to get to the gate and study their enemy. But if this unknown person is Hiryu’s best friend Tatsuo…the person he has been looking for all this time, will they need to kill him?

In volume 3, Ageha managed to activate the power known as Melzez Door, a pitch black sphere of blast energy that consumes energy completely and can kill everything in its path. Knowing that Ageha can probably be killed (along with his friends), Sakurako goes to Matsuri Yagumo for help.

In volume 4, as Ageha and friends are trained by these powerful children with psionic powers, during their next entry to Psyren, Kabuto Kirisaki looks for his uncle’s underground facility (which his uncle stayed in, as he feared of disaster hitting Japan). Because he was underground, Kabuto along with the others hope their may be details of what happened to Tokyo in the future and when the catastrophic disaster took place. And what they find is a video of these kids fighting against an evil group known as W.I.S.E.

Which leads us to volume 5 of “PSYREN”. In the video, one person of W.I.S.E. manages to kill the children with his sephiroth move. But while the group are watching the video, Dolkey of W.I.S.E. shows up and it leads to the first battle between Ageha and friends vs. W.I.S.E. With their new psionic powers and training, will they be powerful enough to take on a member of W.I.S.E.?

In volume 6, W.I.S.E. are shocked that Ageha defeated Dolkey and now want him to join their group. Meanwhile, having transported back to the present time, as they try to find a way to prevent the children from being killed and Tokyo from being destroyed, Kagetora Hyodo is on a mission to hunt down corrupt psionists and asks Ageha to join them. Ageha turns him down because of his goal to save the future (and he is unable to reveal the future as he or any of his friends will be killed by Nemesis Q if they reveal to anyone outside of their group of the future).

But when Kagetora Hyodo goes to hunt down the corrupt psionists, he is unaware that the group may have ties to the group that will one day become known as W.I.S.E.

Also, as Ageha tries to find what he is allowed to do to save the future without being killed, he is revealed by Nemesis Q that it is a psionic program being controlled by some other entity. But who?

In volume 7, as the group manages to rescue Kagetora Hyodo, they also run into Miroku Amagi, the leader of W.I.S.E. who intends to destroy the world in order to create a new slate.

While, Ageha and the children managed to escape and Kyle managing to be healed, because the children had contact with W.I.S.E. in the present, has now altered the future. And on the video that originally showing the children being killed by Miroku Amagi’s “Tree of Sephiroth”, the video has now changed from the children being killed by Junas and Dolkey. But on the video, they mention grandma Elmore Tenjuin dying on a plane accident in July and interesting enough, during the present time, it’s July and Elmore is about to go on a flight.

Fearing that Elmore is going to die that very day, Ageha and friends do all they can to rescue Elmore Tenjuin but because it goes against their rules of warning someone from the future, Nemesis Q appears and tries to prevent them from rescuing her.

Will Ageha and friends manage to send a message to Elmore in time and prevent her death? Or will Nemesis Q get to them first?

In volume 8, Ageha and friends are not sure if they were able to get a message to grandma Elmore in time but now being whisked to the future to fight a new Dolkey and Shiner, the crew are separate and because their power is well-known,

Ageha and Kabuto are left to fight against Dolkey, unaware if their friends are dead or alive. But with Kabuto nearly dead and Ageha’s leg being blown off, out of nowhere comes the Elmore Wood gang, the psionic children now grown up.

That can only mean that Ageha and friends were able to stop grandma Elmore from being killed and that the children would survive. But will Elmore’s orphans, now young adults, be powerful enough to take on Dolkey and Shiner?

In volume 9, after Ageha and Sakurako come into contact with now an older group of the Psionic Kids who are now teenagers, Ageha is surprised to see Kyle, Mari, Fredrika and Shao now older.

But the group is unaware that a man known as Master Amakusa has built an empire in the future with a private militia to maintain control of the food distribution system and its own caste system and are working on their own plans. Meanwhile, Ageha and Sakurako must leave to Dreameater Island to save Nemesis Q and its creator, but they end up confronting Master Amakusa’s own psionist.

But Amakusa’s plan is to kill Nemesis Q and its creator!

In volume 10, after rescuing the woman known as Research Subject 7, she reveals that she and her brother were part of the top secret federal research project, Grigori. As the government experimented on them, she was confined in a research announcement in Tokyo and moved to Dreameaster Island where she was left alone.

Before her life was to end, she created the Nemesis Q program. But also wondering why her brother, Miroku Amagi chose a different path to destroy the world.

Meanwhile, both Ageha and Sakurako try to look for their friends. We find out that Hiryu Asaga is working on another mission with a few new friends that he had met, while Oboro Mochizuki has changed somehow. While Kabuto Kirasaki is recuperating from his injuries and has come into contact with his subconscious known as Yoyo.

But knowing they must find this Grigori lab, Ageha and Sakurako head back home, but Sakurako’s battle wtih Amakusa reveals her memories are slowly disappearing and inside, a colder, darker version of herself wants to be released.

“Psyren” features the following characters:

Ageha Yoshina: The tough troublemaker in school who will help people with their problems for 10,000 yen. Although, he tends to not take money from pretty girls at his school. He lives with his sister Fubuki who is very tough on him. One day, while walking home, Ageha hears a payphone ringing and discovers a Psyren telephone card. Very good at fighting. He has shown amazing Psi powers, especially the devastating Melzez Door…but at this time, unable to control it.

Sakurako Amamiya: She was once a popular, smiling, sociable student. Now she has become anti-social, no longer smiling and comes to school looking as if she was beaten up. One day, a group of girls steal her purse and inside is a psyren card. Fortunately, Ageha finds it but when he returns it to her, he tells her that if she needs him, he’ll be there…for 10,000 yen. Her request to Ageha was to save her. Sakuro is the most knowledgeable when it comes to Psyren and is a powerful fighter.

Hiryu Asaga – One of the tough guys that Ageha meets when he enters the Psyren world. Hiryu has been searching for his friend and agrees to help Ageha, who saved his life in the Psyren world.

Oboro Mochizuki – One of the newer students whisked into Psyren and is developing his Psy powers. In reality, Oboro is a popular idol in Japan. Looked at as unusual by his teammates (wanting to hug them), he has the ability to cure them with they are injured.

Kabuto Kirisaki – One of the newer members in Psyren to join Ageha and friends, selfish unless it comes to helping a beautiful girl, Kabuto.

Matsuri Yagumo – A famous concert pianist and a veteran of Psyren. She was able to escape the final gate from Psyren and now tries to help those who are battling in Psyren. She is the person who helped train Sakurako and is now training the other members in controlling their powers. She wishes she can go back to Psyren.

Kagetora Hyodo – A friend of Matsuri and he adores her. He has the appearance of a yakuza member and is quite powerful. He takes part in the physical combat training of Ageha and friends. He is unaware of Psyren and was born with his psi powers.

Ian – A superior psi cure user but is not aware of Psyren. He is unfriendly and only cares about Matsuri.

Fubiki Yoshina – Ageha’s older sister and guardian. She is very strict with Ageha and doesn’t like him being late or getting into trouble. She is also a fighter and adores the idol Oboro.

Nemesis Q - A mysterious being that is sent from the future to find people worthy of using PSI and teaching them about the future and stop Psyren from occurring. Revealed to also be a psionic program to kill any helpers who threaten to reveal the future.

Elmore Tenjuin – A wealthy old woman and a clairvoyant Psychicer who’s husband Koper was disintegrated when he told her about Psyren. She now raises orphaned children with Psi abilities.

Shao – A Chinese boy who can track people and also sense their power level, as well as their true nature. He is being taken care of by Elmore Tenjuin.

Frederica – A spoiled young girl with the power of pyrokinesis. Ageha was inspired by her ability to control her devastating power. She is being taken care of by Elmore Tenjuin.

Mari – A shy girl who uses telekinesis. Often picked on by Frederica and is taken care of by Elmore Tenjuin.

Kyle – A mischievous but powerful boy who later looks up to Ageha (as they are both brash). He is being taken care of by Elmore Tenjuin.

Van – A quiet and kind boy who can heal. He is being taken care of by Elmore Tenjuin.

Dolkey – The Fifth Star Commander of W.I.S.E. who is impulsive and the first to attack Ageha and friends.

Shiner – The Third Star Commander of W.I.S.E.

Junas – Second Star Commander of W.I.S.E.

With the battle of W.I.S.E. and Ageha’s friends having been displaced around the apocalyptic Earth of the future, the two manage to rescue a woman who has answers to why they are in the future and why they have been playing this game.

A woman without a name, a telepath who has shed her emotions after being experimented on by the government, along with her twin brother, two individuals who have seeked different paths. One to destroy the world, while one tried to create a game for sheer enjoyment.

But what if there was no lab to experiment on these two individuals, would the world be rescued? That’s what Ageha and Sakurako are betting their life on and both know they must return to their own present time to stop it. But as the mysterious woman allows them, through Nemesis Q to check on their compatriots, they find out they are busy on their own, some for the good, some maybe for the bad.

To make matters worse, Ageha realizes that Sakurako’s mind may have been damaged in their last battle and now her memories are fading fast. But also someone colder/darker is trying to emerge within her.

Overall, I’m really enjoying the series and Toshiaki Iwashiro’s ability to focus on the character’s development overtime. And for volume 10 alone, what I enjoy about this series is the balance of story and action, where action-driven manga series tend to be focused on action and less story. So, it’s great to have a manga series that is driven with its storyline first and then the action. Illustrations are well-done, but it’s one of the few manga series out now where you find that good balance of story and action and once you start reading it, it’s a series that will easily captivate you and leave you craving for more!

Also, “PSYREN” is a series that is not too long (with only a total of 16 volumes) plus a two-volume “PSYREN -Another Call 2-”, so unlike action manga such as “BLEACH” or “NARUTO”, there is no worry of trying to catch up with 40-60 volumes. By the first volume, you are instantly hooked and the storylines just get better and better with each volume afterward!

Find out the truth behind the the game and get some long awaited answers in “PSYREN” volume 10! Recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Naruto volume 61 by Masashi Kishimoto (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 7, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Kabuto’s past is revealed! And a partnership that no one expected…Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha vs. Kabuto? Find out why in “Naruto” volume 61. Recommended!

MANGA TITLE: Naruto Volume 61

STORY AND ART BY: Masashi Kishimoto (岸本斉史)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga

RATED: T for Teen

RELEASE DATE: May 7, 2013

The world’s most popular ninja comic!

Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He’s got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world’s greatest ninja!

As Madara uses his dominating power to fend off the Five Kage, Sasuke is reunited with his brother Itachi. Can the brothers put aside their differences and help each other out? When they come face to face with Kabuto, the man who revived Itachi from the dead, they’ll have to team up if they have any hope of survival!

For long time followers of “Naruto”, we have seen Sasuke in his pursuit of his brother, Itachi. We have seen Sasuke kill his brother. But now, Sasuke pursues his brother, who has been brought back to life through reanimation, demanding answers of why he chose to work with the Konoha ninjas and wipe out the Uchiha clan except him.

But before any answers, Itachi is in pursuit of Kabuto, who is responsible for bringing the dead back to life. And if Itachi can find a way to defeat or kill Kabuto, will it end Kabuto’s control over him?

Find out in volume 61 of Masashi Kishimoto’s “Naruto”.

What is “Naruto” all about?

The popular manga series “Naruto” has been going strong since its debut in Shueisha back in 1999 via “Weekly Shonen Jump” magazine.

The manga by Masashi Kishimoto is about a young ninja named Naruto Uzamaki, a ninja of the Konoha leaf village who grew up facing prejudiced within his fellow ninjas because the evil nine-tailed fox was sealed inside him. But throughout the series, we have seen how Naruto is a kind-hearted boy who has worked hard in protecting his friends and staying true to his word with the goal of someday becoming the next Hokage of the village.

In the beginning, Naruto was part of Team Kakashi, alongside Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno and as a team, have grown up together taking on missions and also, joining with other teams of Team Konoha as well as other villages in taking on other major missions as well.

But now years have passed since those earlier years of Team Kakashi and Naruto and his friends are much older and his teammate Sasuke has left the village to pursue his brother Itachi for revenge of killing everyone of the Uchiha clan but worst of all, Sasuke is in search of the traitor of the Konoha village, the evil Orochimaru, in order to obtain more power.

During Naruto’s last confrontation with Sasuke, it appears that a black evil curse has consumed him. But as a promise to his teammate Sakura, Naruto will do what it takes to bring Sasuke back despite whether or not Sasuke has become evil.

What has happened in the last volumes of “Naruto” so far?

In the previous volume of the “Naruto” manga series features the beginning of the Great War as the ninja villages have united to take on the dead, past Gokage and deceased Akatsuki members as well as the revival of deadly ninjas by Kabuto.

The dead know they have been revived but are not able to control their bodies (which is being controlled by Kabuto). The goal of capturing Naruto for his nine-tail powers continues, but the ninja villages were able to hide Naruto in a moving island. Meanwhile, Naruto is unaware of what is going on the outside world, as the Gokage have him fighting in an enclosed space and being trained from Killer Bee.

Meanwhile, as ninja units of the Allied Shinboi Forces have been assembled to take on the resurrected and legendary ninjas that have been revived.

In volume 56, the Kage have been resurrected and Darui must take on the most dreaded ninja brothers of all time, Ginkaku and Kinkau a.k.a. The Gold & Silver Brothers. Two brothers who are not only powerful but having been eaten by the nine tails (and escaping it) and living within it’s belly and feeding off the Nine Tails inside, they were let out of the Jinchuriki’s body because of the harm they have caused and because they fed on the nine tails, they now have his chakra inside them. And Naruto is beginning to feel that something is wrong (and sensing his chakra on the outside). Meanwhile, Mifune must take on the resurrected second Tsuchikage, Hanzo and also Asuma has been resurrected and now Shikamaru, Choji and Ino must fight their former master to to the death.

In volume 57, the Allied Shinobi Forces have kept Naruto in the dark as much as they can. By telling him he’s on a major mission and keeping him hidden inside an island, with various members of the Forces to prevent his escape, with Naruto’s new found power of tapping into the power of the nine-tailed fox, he can now sense death around him.

And with Naruto now knowing that something is terribly wrong, both Naruto and Killer Bee want to show Madara and the Akatsuki that they are going to fight back and no way will they be stripping the power of the jinchuriki away from them. But knowing how important both Killer Bee and Naruto are for the Allied Shinobi Forces, under orders, ninjas of various villages must try to block the two from escaping.

So, badly that Raikage and Lady Tsunade are called into stop both Killer Bee and Naruto.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, as night time comes, both sides take a break and try to recuperate from their injuries. But what the Allied Shinobi Forces don’t know is that their camps have been infiltrated by ninjas that can assume a form of one of the Forces’s Shinobi. With an unknown enemy killing doctors and important people in the Allied Forces camps, they must find a way to capture and kill these hidden enemies before more ninjas of the Allied Shinobi Forces are killed.

In volume 58, Naruto and Killer Bee have been able to seal away the previous Raikage but now with the Akatsuki infiltrating all Allied Forces camps and no one able to tell who is friend and foe, more and more allied forces are being injured or killed by the impostors.

And only one person can help them…Naruto. Who must create shadow clones of himself with is new power to sniff them out.

Which leads to volume 59 as the battle continues to escalate as Gaara, leader of the Sand Village and Ohnoki, leader of the Stone Village must continue to fight against the great Mizukage of the Mist Village, who was resurrected.

But also, another battle will begin as Madara Uchiha finally strikes back and as for Naruto and Killer Bee, they find themselves in another battle with Tobi of the Akatsuki.

And now here we are with volume 60, as the Allied Shinobi Forces are making their comeback, the revived masked Madara Uchiha unleashes the six jinchuriki to fight and kill Naruto and Killer Bee.

With Killer Bee and the eight tails injured, Kakashi and Guy go into assist Naruto and Killer Bee.

But while the jinchuriki are being controlled by Madara, all biju are able to communicate with each other telepathically and somehow the six jinchuriki are confronted by Naruto for the very first time, but instead of wanting to take control of them, Naruto is intent of saving them. Never seeing this kindness ever before the biju are able to see Naruto’s kindness towards them.

And during battle, Naruto activates his Biju Mode and is now able to access the Biju Psyche Plain to be in the consciousness of the jinchuriki and a little of the history of biju is revealed.

In volume 61 of “Naruto”, as the Fourth Great Ninja War continues, all ninja leaders must take on the resurrected and powerful Madara Uchiha and for Madara, his goal is to kill Lady Tsunade, a descendant of the first Hokage Hashirama.

Meanwhile, the story shifts to Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha. Itachi who was killed by Sasuke earlier has been resurrected by Kabuto’s forbidden jutsu. Sasuke had previously learned from Tobi that his brother secretly was working with the Konoha Leaf Village and his mission was to kill everyone in the Uchiha clan. This has fueled Sasuke’s resolve to destroy the Leaf Village.

But as Sasuke goes after Itachi to get some answers, Itachi is busy trying to pursue Kabuto and find a way to separate himself from Kabuto’s control. But as Sasuke arrives, who will he help…Kabuto or his brother Itachi?

For many long time readers of “Naruto”, the relationship between Sasuke and Itachi has been complicated and we know that Sasuke has been filled with rage for years because of his brother murdering the entire Uchiha ninja clan except him. But now he has been fueled by rage knowing that Itachi has been working under the Konoha Leaf Village in eliminating his clan.

And while Itachi was killed by Sasuke in battle prior to learning the truth about his brother working with the Konoha, his brother has been resurrected and now he can get the answers he has been looking for.

The problem is, they would have to go against Kabuto, who appears to have surpassed his former master Orochimaru.

As Sasuke is promised that he will receive answers if they defeat Kabuto, both estranged brothers agree to team up against Kabuto.

And as for Kabuto, the evil genius pulling the strings behind-the-scenes, we are introduced to his history for the very first time. What has made this young man turn evil?

While there is no Naruto and much focus on the battles in the Fourth Great Ninja War as in previous volumes, it is very important because it provides readers with a background on Kabuto but also the Itachi brothers teaming up for the very first time in battle.

A well-written but also necessary story that “Naruto” fans have been waiting for and still a good amount of action, “Naruto” volume 6` is an important manga volume for longtime readers! Highly recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

PSYREN Vol. 9 by Toshiaki Iwashiro (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

April 22, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Toshiaki Iwashiro’s “PSYREN” is exciting and action-packed! As Ageha and the Psionists try to save Nemesis Q, they find out that another mysterious group of human survivors are out there with a leader that Ageha may be familiar with. The action continues in volume 9 of Toshiaki Iwashiro’s “PSYREN”!

MANGA TITLE: PSYREN Vol. 9

STORY AND ART BY: Toshiaki Iwashiro (岩代俊明)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shueisha, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: T for Older Teen

Available on March 5, 2013

Ageha must assemble a team of fellow Psionists to travel to the mysterious Dreameater Island to help the master of the enigmatic Nemesis Q. They’ll have to battle monsters and enemies on the treacherous journey. And their progress is being matched by Usui, a Psionist intent on destroying Nemesis Q!

With Ageha and friends changing the future and ensuring that the Psionic kids survived the future, they must act quickly and assemble a team to go to Dreameater Island in order to help Nemesis Q, but what the group doesn’t know is that there is another group out there aside from W.I.S.E. and that Ageha may know the group’s leader.

Find out who this mysterious group is in volume nine of Toshiaki Iwashiro’s action manga series, “PSYREN”!