Bleach Vol. 40 – Story & Art by Tite Kubo (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

May 20, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

It’s the battle that many have been waiting for… Ichigo Kurosaki vs. Ulquiorra Cifer in the battle to the death. Who will live and who will die? The battle begins in “Bleach” vol. 40. Recommended for “Bleach” fans!

MANGA TITLE: Bleach Vol. 40

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: June 5, 2012

While the Soul Reaper captains deal with Aizen’s forces in Karakura Town, Ichigo faces Ulquiorra in Hueco Mundo. To match the powerful Espada, Ichigo will have to rely on his hollow powers. But will the darkness overwhelm him…?

For the past few volumes, we have read in awe as the Soul Reapers and the Arrancars have clashed in a magnificent battle of might, power and skill. With renegade Soul Reaper Aizen sending how his army of Arrancars to destroy the Soul Society and wiping out Karakura, the Soul Reapers have stood in battle, ready to fight and win.

There have been casualties on both sides, and while the focus has been primarily on the Soul Reapers and not Ichigo and friends, there has been a build up between this upcoming battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Ulquiorra.

And now, the battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Ulquiorra Cifer begins in “Bleach” vol. 40.

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 desendant of a hollow hunting group known as the Quincy and are enemies of the Soul Reapers.

Through various chapters, the Soul Reapers learn that one of their own, Sosuke Aizen, is a traitor. It was learned that Aizen has been creating Visoreds, Soul Reapers who have obtained hollow powers (Hollowfication) and are known for their hollow masks (which look like skulls on a human’s face) and Arrancars, a stronger form of hollow which has acquired human form.

It is learned that Ichigo has a Visored that is manifesting within him that has great power. During a fight, this visored tries to take over Ichigo’s body but Ichigo is trying his best to control it and using this power wisely.

Together, Ichigo and his friends continue to increase and enhance their abilities overtime and to take on tough enemies which leads us to the Visored/Arrancar arc.

The Current Storyline

Ichigo and friends are now on a mission to stop the traitorous soul reaper, Sosuke Aizen who along with his army of Arrancars are preparing their plan to destroy the Soul Society and wiping out Karakura Town. Meanwhile, in order to protect Ichigo and her friends, Orihime willingly stays with Aizen’s group but Ichigo and friends will do all they can to save her. Meanwhile, the Thirteen Court Guard Companies head to Karakura.

In volume 38 & 39, the Soul Reapers go into battle against the Arrancars, and there are casualties on both sides.

In “Bleach” vol. 40, it is now Ichigo Kurosaki’s turn to take on an Arrancar, the deadly Ulquiorra Cifer. A powerful Arrancar with a second stage, not many know of the extent of his true power but Ulquiorra will do whatever he can to destroy Ichigo. But no matter what happens, Ichigo is determined to never give up.

For many readers who follow the “Bleach” manga series, there is no doubt that Tite Kubo has been trying to show viewers how massive this war between the Soul Reapers and the Arrancars is. Featuring so many characters engaged in battle, and many well-known characters suffering major injuries, many wondered “when will we see Ichigo and friends engaged in battle?”.

And with volume 40, it happens now. And this is an all-action manga volume featuring Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra and we also see Uryu and Orihime involved as well. But because the storyline focuses so much on this battle, I can’t really say too much without spoiling the series, but I will say that characters will suffer major injuries in this volume alone. And if anything, make you crave for what is to come in vol. 41.

As always, the artwork by Tite Kubo is fantastic but for those who prefer more story versus all-action, it’s a no-brainer that this war against the Arrancars will be more action-driven. The story is still good, that is if you care about the character’s special abilities and the fight that takes place.

But I can say that starting with this issue, the game will change from here on in for Ichigo and friends and Ichigo will not be the same after this battle. So, “Bleach” vol. 40 should not be missed. Recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

PSYREN Vol. 4 by Toshiaki Iwashiro (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

April 22, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Toshiaki Iwashiro’s “Psyren” has quickly become one of my favorite manga’s of 2012. At first, the manga series seemed a bit banal with its action/alternate world storyline but the more the storyline progresses, you realize how deep, complex and enjoyable “Psyren” truly is. Volume 4 answers the question of what happened to future Tokyo and the people who are responsible for the destruction. This is one volume that fans will definitely not want to miss!

MANGA TITLE: PSYREN Vol. 4

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 1, 2012

Melzez’s Door Ageha’s fully aware of how little he understands his newfound abilities. But when a mysterious millionaire introduces him to a group of Psionist kids who also have powers, his training ramps up and his confidence grows. Has he learned enough to survive? A glimpse into the dark future has him not so sure.

What caused the epic disaster in Tokyo and when did it take place? These questions are answered in the latest volume 4 of Toshiaki Iwashiro’s hit manga series “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” Storyline

“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?

Volume 4

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.

Meanwhile, as Ageha and friends are trained, 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.

“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.

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.

“Psyren” Vol. 4 is another exciting and possibly the most important manga volume series that fans should not miss!

Not only are a good number of characters (important characters) introduced in this volume but we also learn more about the disaster in Tokyo and who were responsible, but also who were involved in the rebellion against those who caused the catastrophic disaster in Tokyo.

While the previous volumes focused on the action and the characters in the Psyren world (future post-apocalyptic Tokyo), this volume focuses on the characters as they show their real lives but also the training and powers that the others have and also knowledge that other Psi users were born with their abilities and have no idea that Psyren exists (note: Anyone who goes to Psyren can not tell anyone about it or they will automatically be disintegrated).

But as this series starts to take shape, in the past, I have mentioned how this series reminded me of “Bleach” and “Yu Yu Hakusho” but you also now get a “Gantz” like storyline as the group are transferred to the Psyren World which there are those who use their Psi powers for evil.

So, this fourth volume is important as it introduces us to these people who were born with these powers and most likely will have an important connection to Ageha and friends as the storyline progresses.

Overall, “Psyren” continues to get better and better with each volume and while it does have slight similarities to “Gantz”, “Bleach” and “Yu Yu Hakusho”, I’m really enjoying the series and Toshiaki Iwashiro’s ability to focus on the character’s development and the actual strategy of the game and each battle. Each volume, the story gets better and better and it has now become one of my favorite manga’s of 2012.

If you are looking for a well-written, very cool action-packed manga series, “Psyren” is highly recommended.

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

PSYREN Vol. 3 by Toshiaki Iwashiro (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

February 25, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Toshiaki Iwashiro’s “Psyren” is definitely one of the better manga series available in the U.S. that manages to combine an in-depth story, battle strategy with a great dose of in-your-face action! Definitely recommended!

MANGA TITLE: PSYREN Vol. 3

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 6, 2012

Dragon Ageha returns to the treacherous Psyren world, where he and his fellow players are instantly under attack. To survive, they’ll have to use every resource they can. But Ageha’s crew are showing signs of fever, meaning their psionic powers are awakening at the worst possible time!

“Bad-ass”! These are words I describe Toshiaki Iwashiro’s manga series “Psyren”.

“Psyren” Storyline

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, Sakurako had stopped showing up to school.

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.

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

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

Volume 3

“Psyren” features the following characters:

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. Will he be any use to Ageha, Hiryu and Sakurako?

Kabuto Kirisaki – One of the newer members in Psyren to join Ageha and friends, selfish unless it comes to helping a beautiful girl, Kabuto has not developed any Psy powers and is often left behind in battle.

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.

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.

I know that when it comes to manga series, there are a bunch of stories about one brash young man who tends to get in trouble a lot in school but is also a person with a good heart and will protect the people that he cares about. It’s a typical storyline plot that we see from time-to-time in manga but “Psyren” is an intriguing concept.

I kind of liken the story to a series to “Yu Yu Hakusho” and “Bleach” meets “Gantz”…but the concept is a enjoyable and entertaining storyline as you have your strong-willed, troublesome protagonist Ageha Yoshina, concerned about his missing childhood friend, finds a mysterious card and whisked away in a new land where things look as if it has been devastated and sure enough, he finds his missing friend.

And the concept is that each time they are whisked away to this new land (which is future Japan), they must accomplish a goal and make it to the gate before they can return back home. Until the next round of Psyren begins.

With this third volume of “Psyren”, the story begins to focus on Hiryu Asaga as we get to know what kind of past that he had with his friend Tatsuo and that he was not exactly the strong guy that he is seen today. With the addition of two more members to the group, it’ll be quite interesting as Kabuto is more of the character that keeps running his mouth, while Oboro is the bishoujo character who may have a thing for Ageha.

But this third volume, like the previous two volumes of “Psyren” is full of action, maybe not as gory as volume 1 but we get to see more of what is going on in Psyren and also Nemesis Q and what he has done with some of the humans who have been defeated. But most importantly, we get to learn more about the “Enhance” power modes, a new development in Ageha’s power but also how Oboro’s power will help the team in the long run.

If you are looking for a well-written, very cool action-packed manga series, “Psyren” is highly recommended.

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

PSYREN Vol. 1 by Toshiaki Iwashiro (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

September 25, 2011 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

An intriguing action shonen manga series by Toshiaki Iwashiro receives its graphic novel release in America! Entertaining, action-packed and fun, the first volume of “Psyren” is recommended!

MANGA TITLE: PSYREN Vol. 1

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 October 4, 2011

“Save me!”

Those were Sakurako Amamiya’s last words to her friend Ageha Yoshina before she mysteriously went missing. Now Ageha’s on a quest to find her. He’s convinced that the mythical Psyren Secret Society has something to do with the recent rash of disappearances, and now he seems to be caught up as a player in their very deadly game…

Bad-ass! Words to describe Toshiaki Iwashiro’s manga series “Psyren” which will be released by Viz Media in Oct. 2011 and was featured in Japan on Weekly Shonen Jump Magazine (as well as the American edition).

Reminiscent of manga such as “Yu Yu Hakusho” and even “Bleach”, “Psyren” is one of those stories featuring a student who just tends to get himself in trouble but somehow finds his way in fighting things that are not necessarily human. It’s the basis of the manga series which revolves around the character Ageha Yoshina.

Ageha is 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, Sakurako had stopped showing up to school.

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.

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

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

“Psyren” features the following characters:

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.

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.

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.

So far, the first volume was quite intriguing but how it all plays out and if its a manga series worth following, it’s too early to say. But I do enjoy the storyline, character designs and also curious about what has happened to Japan in the distant future and why these monster or supernatural beings are in this land. Especially what this Psyren is all about?

I’m quite confident to say that I do enjoy these type of shonen manga series and if you enjoy “Yu Yu Hakusho” or “Bleach”, this is probably a manga series that will be to your liking.

Overall, “PSYREN” does have the banality of past manga series but has a plot element that makes it different and entertaining. So, I’ll give this first volume a thumbs up and I definitely look forward to the next volume!

Recommended.

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Sakura-Con 2011 Report by Michelle Tymon (J!-ENT Interviews and Articles)

June 4, 2011 by Michelle Tymon · Leave a Comment

Sakura-Con 2011 Report and Photography by Michelle Tymon

Sakura Con 2011 proved that the popularity of anime and Japanese culture are still very strong in the US and especially in Seattle. The attendance at the yearly convention grows every year and this year, it was no exception bringing in an amazing 19,040, over 1,000 more than last year’s number of 18,002. The weather also proved to be nice for most of the weekend, but because it is taking place in Seattle, there was still some rain.

However, that definitely didn’t stop anyone from going to the con. Anime fans could be seen walking up and down the streets of Seattle that weekend, rain or shine.

Kotono Mitsuishi performing with Team Dreamcatchers at Sakura-Con 2011

The guest lineup at this year’s Sakura Con was impressive as ever as they brought big names from both Japan and America. Guests this year included: Kotono Mitsuishi, Berryz Kobo, exist+trace, Daisuke Moriyama, Tony Oliver, Clarine Harp, Christopher Bevins, Tiffany Grant, Cynthia Cranz, Wendy Powell, Stephanie Sheh, and 6%DOKIDOKI.

Tiffany Grant

For a complete listing for the 2011 guest lineup, http://www.sakuracon.org/programming/guests.php

Fans can come to Sakura Con to enjoy many activities involving manga/anime, video games, Japanese music, and Japanese tradition and culture.

For those interested in manga/anime, the convention offers panels, Q&A’s, autograph signings with industry guests, a huge exhibition hall where fans can buy all sorts of merchandise, Artist Alley where artists can show off their own art, and cosplay photoshoots.

Video game fans can enjoy 24 hour gaming rooms, video game tournaments, retro gaming, DDR and other arcade games, Microsoft playtest, and the Rock Band stage.

For fans of Japanese music, there are a few concerts during the weekend they can go to (this year it was the JRock band exist+trace and the JPop group Berryz Kobo) and people can enjoy open mic karaoke, karaoke contests, and various dances. As for those interested in Japanese culture, people can go play the game “Go”, watch various cultural and traditional demonstrations or get information through various organizations like the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, the Japan America Society of the State of Washington, and the Hyogo Business and Cultural Center.

There are also various theaters at Sakura-Con including the AMV theater, anime theaters, and live-action theaters. They are not only a great way to watch great anime and movies, but also a great place to relax if you ever had free time in between events you wanted to go to and they are also open 24 hours.

Crowd outside the Exhibition Hall at Sakura-Con 2011

For the past few years, Sakura-Con has been known to bring some amazing musical guests from Japan.

On Friday night, the JRock band exist+trace held a concert. exist+trace is a visual rock band consisting of all female members. At their concert, they showed that they could definitely hold their own and rock out even harder than their male colleagues. Despite some technical problems in the beginning, they still managed to rock the house and the crowd had a great time.

On Saturday night, the JPop group Berryz Kobo performed to a packed house and even brought some of their hardcore fans from Japan with them. They started out the concert talking about the earthquake and tsunami that had just devastated Northeastern Japan and kicked off the concert with a cover of the popular 1992 song “Ai wa Katsu” by Kan.

I happened to be sitting next to four fans from Japan who were jumping, cheering, shouting, and dancing through the whole show. While looking around the audience, I also spotted another older fan from Japan who was in one of the aisles dancing the choreography to each and every song they sang perfectly. The fans from Japan definitely made themselves known among the crowed but the American fans were also full of energy and enjoyed the show.

Berryz Kobo at their Q&A

Every year at Sakura-Con they hold a charity auction. This year was no different, except this year the charity auction was for both the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as Peace Winds America, the latter to help out the relief efforts in Japan for those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in March of this year. Things that were auctioned off at both auctions were quite impressive this year.

Items included shikishi drawings done by artists attending Sakura-Con as well as other famous artists, huge Sakura-Con 2011 posters that were displayed at the various hotels, signed anime goods, anime cels, and many other items. The first two badges for next year’s convention were also auctioned off and went for about $2,000.

The package included badge #’s 1 & 2, a free hotel room for the whole weekend as well as advanced VIP seating for all the events.

Run Sasaki and a Team Dreamcatchers' member presenting Luffy's coat at the Charity Auction

During the Peace Winds America auction, very rare and amazing things were offered with the help of Kotono Mitsuishi and Run Sasaki.

Kotono Mitsuishi offered items from her own merchandise from her website; she had three bundles available which included a signed original t-shirt, cellphone charms and a handkerchief. Mitsuishi-san also managed to get other items signed by other cast members on shows she’s currently working on and auctioned them off.

One of the most amazing things that Run Sasaki auctioned off was a replica of the coat Luffy wore in the movie, “One Piece: Strong World”. Not only was the coat a one of a kind, Mayumi Tanaka (the seiyuu who does Luffy’s voice) wore it at last year’s Sakura-Con during her performance with Team Dreamcatchers and signed it as well.

One of the items that I highly regret not getting was a one of a kind “Anpanman” handkerchief. I am not the biggest “Anpanman” fan, but this handkerchief was not sold in stores and it was signed by the cast members. It being signed by Keiko Toda (the seiyuu who does “Anpanman” is also a famous actress in Japan who has done many dramas and movies) alone would make it worth quite a bit, but since it includes so many other signatures including Koichi Yamadera (another famous seiyuu whose credits include Ryoga from “Ranma 1/2″), it was priceless.

Other items included shirts signed by Ikue Ohtani (who does Pikachu’s voice in “Pokemon” and Chopper’s voice in “One Piece”) and other amazing goodies. Both charities raised thousands of dollars for wonderful causes.

For more information on either of these charities, please go to: http://www.wish.org and http://peacewindsamerica.org/

Outside the convention center

As someone who has been going to the convention since 2004, I’ve seen this convention grow quite a bit.

Every year the convention would grow in attendance and bring in even more guests and the names got bigger every year. And because of the convention’s growth each year, there have been a few minor bumps in the road along the way but this year the staff did an outstanding job keeping everything running smoothly and their hard work was very apparent.

The staff members and volunteers put in countless amount of hours every year to bring such a big event to the growing number of fans every single year. One of the biggest improvements that I saw was in dealing with the lines for the autograph signings.

In past years of Sakura-Con, the autograph signings sometimes caused frustration because there would be only an hour and some guests were so big that the line of people that would show up would be too long and not everyone would be able to get an autograph because of the time constraints.

This year the lines were still insanely long for some guests but they were better organized and the lines moved smoothly. They also held two autograph sessions at once (the room that the signings were in as huge) most of the time and also held more than one autograph signing for a number of the big guests to help everyone who wanted an autograph to get one.

One of the biggest lines that I personally witnessed for Sakura-Con was the line for Kotono Mitsuishi on Saturday. There was a slight confusion with people lining up early for the session who were given bracelets to come back later (this year the convention made a rule where people were not supposed to line up earlier than 30 minutes before the signing) but even with that, everyone there was able to get an autograph.

Cosplayers: Boa Hancock and Nami fighting over Luffy

Another bump in the road they managed to fix this year was the wait time for registration. Last year, registration took hours for some con goers but this year, registration was speedy.

The con goers I talked to mentioned that the time to get their badges this year only took minutes and every time I passed by the registration room, the lines were very short. That is an incredible feat considering the 19,040 con goers this year. Despite some frustration that may be caused, this convention really wouldn’t be possible without the staff and the volunteers.

This year they were able to show that past problems can be resolved so it really will be exciting to see what kinds of guests and events they bring us next year.

Line at the Exhibition Hall for the Berryz Kobo CD

Big guests, amazing concerts, cosplaying and tons of fun events: Sakura-Con 2011 was amazing and anime fans can definitely look forward to Sakura-Con 2012.

Cosplayer: Haruhi Suzumiya

For more pictures check out my flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28410146@N06/sets/72157626884064456/

Filed Under: Interviews and Articles

Culture Japan Episode 6 Review: “Impressive rides with anime graphics (itasha) explored” (J!-ENT Straight-Up Reviews)

May 27, 2011 by Level J · Leave a Comment

Culture Japan Episode 6. Images courtesy of dannychoo.com.

“Danny Choo’s passion for, and uncanny access to, Japanese pop culture is a big draw for me or anyone with even a slight interest in Japanese pop culture”

TITLE: Culture Japan Episode 6

TYPE OF SERIES: Japanese Pop Culture

MEDIUM: Streaming Video

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS EPISODE

OFFICIAL SERIES WEBSITE

Images courtesy of dannychoo.com.

“Culture Japan” is not only the name of the web show, it is also the name of the related website with a enormous following.

“Culture Japan” episode 6 caught my attention from the initial intro of the series.

The “Culture Japan” slogan is: “Your Portal to Japan”. Watching episode 6, I felt that I had stepped through that portal and had arrived in Japan. That portal is still open, as I have been very reluctant to cease watching the episodes in a non-stop fashion.

Danny Choo, the director and host of “Culture Japan”, has a list of accomplishment and success that strike me as very impressive. Here’s the rundown, Danny Choo resides in Tokyo and runs a small web and TV production company called Mirai Inc.

Danny Also works with Japanese companies such as figurine/doll manufacturers, anime/game producers, print publishers, e-commerce retailers to name a few.

Danny Choo resume also includes working as Computer Engineer at Japan Airlines, Website Manager on the management team at Amazon and as CGM Product Manager at Microsoft. Danny Choo also speaks Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and English.

The vision of Danny Choo for “Culture Japan” was to be a medium where he can share Japanese culture with the world. The show is currently broadcast on Saturday on Tokyo MX TV and broadcasted in Asia through the Animax Asia Network. Currently, Danny Choo is working to get it broadcasted on television in various countries but for now, people can watch it through live video streaming service, Crunchyroll.com.

A great portion of “Culture Japan” episode 6 covers the” Ita-G Festival 2010″.

The “Ita-G Festival” features cars (itasha), bicycles (itachari), motorcycles (itansha), and other transportation belonging to anime fans and otaku (fanatics).

I did mention that these vehicles belong to anime fans and otaku, right?

So, it is safe to assume that these vehicles had a special flare to them; the special flare being stickers, graphics, and memorabilia of their favorite anime series or characters which transforms them into itasha and so forth.

Danny Choo was also part of the festival with an itasha featuring his very own character: Murai Suenaga which is also available for purchase as a FIGMA action figure (and also other various Mirai Suenaga related merchandise).

Danny Choo’s passion for, and uncanny access to, Japanese pop culture is a big draw for me or anyone with even a slight interest in Japanese pop culture.

This episode was bursting with so much information and addicting coverage of the itasha culture; I immediately became engorged and addicted to this show at the same time. I am sure the episodes that follow will be chocked full of the same passion and access to the Japanese pop culture that I have quickly become enamored with.

Culture Japan covers different subjects each episode but there are reoccurring segments such as the AmiAmi sponsored figure countdown. This segment features Richard Wilson along with Danny Choo as they countdown the top ten anime and manga figures available.

After watching episode 6 of this Danny Choo Production, I would blindly recommend this show with great enthusiasm to otaku of all caliber. But not only otaku but to anyone who has even a passing interest in Japan pop culture. I honestly felt like I was watching a live version of “Newtype” magazine (a longtime, popular Japanese magazine that covers otaku culture from anime, manga, models, etc.).

While watching Crunchyroll.com, anyone can watch it for free but there will be continuous advertising that will self-interrupt the viewing for a minute and then return back to the show. Premium members subscribed to Crunchyroll.com will not have their viewing disrupted by ads.

I thought Danny Choo did an excellent job as the host of Culture Japan. I was impressed at how Choo conveyed his love and fiery passion for Japanese culture in episode 6 of “Culture Japan”. If you want to be in the know of itasha culture and enjoy following host Danny Choo as he brings Japanese pop culture to the world, I recommend to you episode 6 of “Culture Japan”.

Now if you want seconds and thirds and fourths… You get the picture. Spoil yourself by watching all the episodes available online. For now my portal to Japan will stay open.

Filed Under: Anime Related News

Blue Exorcist Vol. 1 by Kazue Kato (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

April 7, 2011 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Kazue Kato’s “Blue Exorcist” is an enjoyable, fun and dark manga series with a lot of potential. A good balance of action and humor, the first volume of the manga series is definitely worth reading!

MANGA TITLE: Blue Exorcist Vol. 1 (Ao no Exorcist)

BY Kazue Kato (加藤和恵)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shueisha Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: For All Ages

RELEASE DATE: April 5, 2011

Raised by Father Fujimoto, a famous exorcist, Rin Okumura never knew his real father. One day a fateful argument with Father Fujimoto forces Rin to face a terrible truth: the blood of the demon lord Satan runs in Rin’s veins! Rin swears to defeat Satan, but doing that means entering the mysterious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist himself. Can Rin fight demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won’t be easy, especially when drawing his father’s sword releases the demonic power within him!

An interesting take on exorcist-based storylines in manga, “Blue Exorcist” has a good balance of humor, action and an interesting concept that definitely shows us the potential of this manga series!

“Ao no Exorcist” (Blue Exorcist) is a manga series written and illustrated by Kazue Kato, who won a Tenkaichi Manga Award back in 1999 at the age of 19 and won a Tezuka Award in 2000 for his manga “The Witch and the Rabbit” and is known for his 2006 manga series “Robot Usakichi” (Space Traveler Robo & Usakichi).

“Blue Exorcist” was serialized on Jump Square Magazine by Shueisha since April 2009 and is still an ongoing manga series (as of April 2011, there have been 24 chapters released). And now this manga series has arrived stateside in the US courtesy of Viz Media.

The manga series revolves around a hotheaded teenager named Rin Okumura. Both he and his brother Yukio have been raised by Father Fujimoto at the Cross Academy Town – Southern Cross Boys Monastery. While Yuki shows great intelligence and is attending school at True Cross Academy to become a doctor, Rin is quite the opposite. He tends to get himself in trouble, fights a lot and is continually told by Father Fujimoto to find a job.

One day, he and Father Fujimoto got into an accident and Rin said some hurtful things to him. While he leaves home to find a job, he is attacked by a group of guys and one who happens to be a demon. The demon tells Rin that satan is waiting for him and immediately, Father Fujimoto is there to save him and exorcise the demon.

But now Rin is concerned of why he can see demons and Father Fujimoto tells him that he needs to hide him immediately because Rin is the bastard child of satan.

To protect Rin, Father Fujimoto gives him the Kamkakushi key, so he can hide anything. And he is also given the Koma Sword, a magic sword passed down from generation to generation and a sword where Rin’s powers have been sealed since birth. Rin’s flame resides inside the sword and is sealed by the scabbard. If he draws it, he will assume his demonic nature and will never be able to live as a human again.

But as Father Fujimoto tries to hide Rin and keep him away from his evil father, satan shows up to claim his son and attacks Father Fujimoto. It appears that satan created Rin from a human woman in order to create a container that would be powerful enough to hold him. But it’s something that Rin will not let happen.

In order to save Rin, Father Fujimoto risks his own life and he is killed in the process.

Now Rin mourns for the one person he knew as his father and when Mephisto Pheles, a friend of Father Fujimoto comes to visit, he tells him that they represent the Knights of the True Cross and they exorcise demons. And Rin has two choices, they kill him, or he kills them. Instead, Rin tells him that he could care less about being human or a demon, he wants to become an exorcist like Father Fujimoto and avenge him and that means defeating his own father.

So, from that point on, Rin must be trained to become an exorcist and will have to follow special rules (which includes not revealing his true nature). But the first thing that he will need to do is enroll at the same school that his brother Yukio attends. When Rin sees his brother, he doesn’t tell him about what happened to Father Fujimoto. While he observes Yukio, he realizes that he is a special leader that people follow at the school and he is no longer the scrawny younger brother.

But as Rin must keep his secrets in order to become an exorcist, Rin is unaware that his brother Yukio also has secrets of his known.

So far, “Blue Exorcist” has turned out to be an enjoyable manga thus far. If anything, this first volume is more to establish how Rin became an exorcist but also to show his relationship with Father Fujimoto and his brother Yukio. If anything, the series does have a little in common with “Naruto”, in the fact that Naruto has the 9-tailed fox sealed inside him and the character is not exactly the smartest, the same can be said with Rin, as he is a character that is a demon but tries to do all he can to use his powers for good.

While it’s too early to tell how this manga series will be as it progresses, for the first volume on its own, it has been an fun, dark comedy type of manga series. You get a feeling that although there is plenty of humor featured in the manga, you would not be surprised if the series ever gets darker or even more serious.

The character designs are actually pretty cool, especially the uniforms for the students. And as far as the students are concerned, because the series takes place mostly at school, there is no doubt in my mind we will be seeing a good amount of characters (fellow exorcists) being introduced in future volumes (which I hope does happen). But for now, the first volume does a good job of establishing Rin and Yukio Okumura and also their connection Father Fujimoto.

Overall, if you are looking for a fun, action-based manga series with a lot of potential, definitely give “Blue Exorcist” a chance!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

April 3, 2011 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

A manga adaptation of the 12th Pokemon movie, “Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” features an entertaining story that brings four legendary Pokemon (Arceus, Dialga, Palkia and Giratina) together in one storyline. An enjoyable story that Pokemon fans will definitely enjoy!

MANGA TITLE: Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life

ORIGINAL CONCEPT by Satoshi Tajiri

SUPERVISED BY Tsunekazu Ishihara

SCRIPT by Hideki Sonoda

STORY & ART by Makoto Mizobuchi

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shogakukan, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: For All Ages

RELEASE DATE: February 1, 2011

Long ago, Legendary Pokemon Arceus was betrayed by a human it trusted with its life. Now Arceus is back for vengeance. With the help of their new friends Sheena and Kevin, Ash and Dawn must convince Arceus not to destroy humankind.

Entertaining and fun, for Pokemon fans, to have four major Pokemon in one storyline and having them battle it out is not only awesome but it’s a story worth reading!

“Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” is the manga adaptation of the 12th Pokemon movie of the same title and both were released simultaneously. In the past, I have watched and reviewed Pokemon films and then have read books and manga of that film afterward, but this is the first time I have read the manga first before watching the anime film.

For the most part, Makoto Mizobuchi has captured the look and feel of Pokemon very well and for a children’s manga, he has been able to make the look and feel of his story and his art accessible not just to children but for adults, because they are well illustrated and enjoyable to read.

The storyline does feature Ash, Dawn and Brock and you do see a little Pikachu action in this storyline but truthfully, the focus of the story is primarily showcasing the legendary Pokemon and the fact that you see Dialga, Palkia, Giratina and Arceus in one storyline and seeing these Pokemon against each other was quite a surprise because these Pokemon are not supposed to exist in the same time and space. So, it was quite intriguing to see them fight (or nearly fight) each other.

As for parents who are considering buying this manga for their child, there is really nothing violent about the storyline. The main premise is “revenge” which Arceus wants because humans have wronged him and Ash and friends try all they can to stop him from hurting humans. It’s a pretty straightforward story and although its hinted that Arceus killed of Damos and others for their treachery, it’s not presented in a way where the word “kill” or “dead” was used. It’s only hinted and shown in a picture. But other than that, there is nothing violent or scary about this manga and it is child-friendly. It’s also a manga graphic novel that is part of Viz Media’s “vizkids” line as well.

Overall, if you or your child is a fan of the Pokemon series and loved to read the manga, definitely give “Pokemon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” a chance!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow – Volume 2 by Shunju Aono (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

January 14, 2011 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Enjoyable, hilarious and fun! A 40-year-old man quits his job in order to become a manga artist/writer. Problem is… Oguro is lazy and not exactly a good writer or artist. Can the lazy Oguro manage to get a manga published? Volume two features other slackers close to Oguro, his new young friend Shuichi and his father. Definitely recommended!

MANGA TITLE: I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow – Volume 2

STORY AND ART BY: Shunju Aono (青野春秋)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shogakukan, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: T for Older Teen

Throughout his heretofore unimpressive existence, Shizuo Oguro adopted several different – yet all equally mediocre – personas: phenomenally unintimidating street punk, materialistic yet talentless folk musician, nondescript office worker, and forty-something burger joint employee. Can Shizuo, a man with an unblemished track record for failure, eventually channel his life experiences into a publishable work that will shake the manga industry to its very core, or will he continue to feel the cruel sting of rejection time and time again?

Once in a while, I get the opportunity to read a manga that comes out of nowhere and just surprises the hell out of me.

A storyline that relies on no supernatural storyline, nor the characters being the top of their class, very rich or very beautiful or handsome. If anything a storyline that is very close to reality and for those who do read manga, these type of storylines let alone a series are often a rarity to see released in the U.S.

Here we are with “I’ll Give It My All..Tomorrow” (Ore wa mada Honki Dashite Nai dake) by Shunju Aono is one of those manga series.

Aono won the “Young Magazine 45th Chiba Tetsuya Award” in the Newcomer’s Category in 2001 and in 2005, won the 17th Ikkiman Ikki Newcomer’s Award and debuted with “Somato” (Kaleidoscope) which would eventually become his manga series “I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow” and is featured on Ikki Magazine and has had three graphic novels released each year since 2007.

The story revolves around a man named Shizuo Oguro who just turned 40-years-old. He’s a single father with a teenager named Suzuko and lives with his father. He also just quit his corporate job which he had worked as a Subsection Chief for over 15 years and is now trying to find himself.

Now, jobless and lazy, Oguro sits at home playing with his Sony PlayStation 2 and because of is lack of doing anything, angers his father.

That is until Oguro decides that his goal in life is to become a manga artist.

The problem is that Oguro is not an artist, nor does he have the focus to write a good story and each time he submits one to a manga publisher, it’s not the right content they are looking for (their nicest way to reject him).

But Oguro is determined to create a manga series and to step things up in his life by working a fast food job that will allow him to make a little money but work on his new passion in trying to create a manga.

In the first volume, Oguro continually gets chastised by his father to get a job, meanwhile he finds out that his smart daughter has been earning money by becoming a prostitute, finds a job at a fast food restaurant and because of his age, the younger people refer him as “manager” despite not being one. He also meets a younger guy named Shuichi and befriends him.

Shuichi is like a younger version of Oguro and is unable to keep a job and tends to get himself in fights.

Volume two continues to focus on Oguro as he tries to become a manga artist and prove to his father that he’s not a slacker, meanwhile Shuichi thinks about his life and wonders if he will be like Oguro.

In the second volume of “I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow”, here is a non-spoiler breakdown of each chapter:

Chapter 5: Miracle - Oguro continues to submit his manga to a publisher and see if he will finally get his manga published.
Chapter 6: Principle - Shuichi works at a bar and doesn’t like how the new employee is being treated.
Chapter 7: Our Future - Oguro gets in an argument with his father and tries to prove that he can leave home and tries to find friends that will take him in.
Chapter 8: Middle Age 101 – Oguro meets the editor Meguro and the manga publishing company and is falling for her.
Chapter 9: Smile - Shuichi has enough of how his boss is treating the new employee.
Chapter 10: Hey Master - Oguro’s father tells Shuichi a story of how he is a slacker too and how he and Oguro were after his wife died.
Bonus Chapter: Back Then – Part 1 – Shuichi’s sister Yukako talks about her life and how she has always wanted to get Shuichi’s attention and goes to visit him.
Bonus Chapter: Back Then – Part 2 - Shuichi’s sister Yukako re-evaluates her life and the things she done.
Extra: “Letters Corner” – Shunju Aono prints a few of the letters of those who have read volume 1 of his manga.

Overall, “I’ll Give it My All…Tomorrow” is quite an interesting manga. It’s protagonist is pretty much a lazy bum who plays video games all day long but he does show enthusiasm at times in trying to create a manga. If anything, he’s not a hikikkomori (depressed unsociable people who stays indoors all the time) as he is able to get out, hang out with people of all age groups, having sex with prostitute but despite having a social life, he is a guy that suffers from bad body odor and emits the aura of laziness.

So, it’s interesting to see the life around him. His daughter who wants to study abroad and makes a job decision which shocks her own father. Then there is Oguro’s father who is always on his case to do something with his life. But it’s interesting to see the people that Oguro associates with. May it be a person with a criminal record, a depressed and divorced father or a suicidal woman, he tends to attract interesting people into his life.

If anything, “I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow” is a rare treat to see here in the US. The manga is different in not just storyline and its characters but also Aono’s style of illustration and for those wanting to try something more realistic but also humorous and odd, this is one manga series I can easily recommend.

It’s important to note that because Aono has only released three volumes thus far since 2007 (makes you wonder if Aono and the character Oguro have something in common), the third volume is set for May 2011 and who knows when we will see a fourth volume.

But still, it’s a fun manga series because it’s not that farfetched. Many people quite their dayjobs to pursue something that they love at an older age, despite not being good at it. But for them, the fact that they tried it and have no regrets is important. But for Oguro and the storyline in “I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow”, the people around Oguro, young and old, are each slackers in their own way.

While one wonders if there is hope with Oguro, volume 2 tends to give us a glimmer of hope that the younger Shuichi may at least have some potential, despite losing every job he has because he has a short fuse.

Anyway, this is a manga series that is not like anything you will see out there. Humorous and enjoyable, “I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow” vol. 2 is definitely recommended!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews

Naoki Urasawa’s 20th CENTURY BOYS vol. 13 (a J!-ENT Manga Review)

January 7, 2011 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Volume 13: 16 years after the bloody New Year’s Eve, chaos has now returned but this time it has been unleashed throughout the world. This latest volume of Naoki Urasawa’s “20th Century Boys” is fantastic! Definitely one of the best manga series out there and if you want suspense, mystery and storylines that are so addicting, you can’t go wrong with this manga series! Highly recommended!

MANGA TITLE: 20th CENTURY BOYS vol. 13

STORY AND ART BY: Naoki Urasawa (浦沢直樹)

FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: Shogakukan, Inc.

PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC

RATED: T for Older Teen

Available on February 15, 2011

The Friend is dead. As the news spreads around the world, the members of the Friends’ executive committee are faced with a dilemma: Is it all over, or will the events predicted in the New Book of Prophecy still be carried out? Otcho insists that things are not over at all, and that is exactly what his old nemesis – Number 13 – tells the fractious Friends’ committee, where quite a few members are prepared to call it quits. Soon thereafter, certain members begin disappearing, one after the other.

Naoki Urasawa is well-known in the manga industry. Having created excellent titles such as “Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl”, “Pineapple ARMY”, “Master Keaton” and “Monster”, his manga series “20th CENTURY BOYS” was the winner of the 2001 Kodansha Manga Award, Winner of the 2003 Shogakukan Manga Award and Urasawa was the recipient of the “Excellence Price at the 2002 Japan Media Arts Festival”.

The manga has been made into a live film, with the first film having been released as a part of a trilogy with a budget of 6 billion yen and will feature a cast of 300 people, it’s natural to say that the manga series “20th CENTURY BOYS” will definitely be a manga classic. And now the the seventh volume of the popular manga series has been released by Viz Media.

Naoki Urasawa’s “20th CENTURY BOYS” follows a group of friends when they were as children and the present time as adults. When these friends were children, they played a group of super heroes who would take down evildoers. But first, they needed to come up with their own storyline and scenarios of the bad things the evil side would do and how they, as superheroes would have to conquer the evil bad guys.

This plot of what the evil group would do was written down in a little guide which they called “The Prophecy”. As for the group, they devised a symbol of their group. But now many years later, this symbol has re-emerged as the symbol of a religious cult who may be behind terrorist activities.

Kenji and friends tried their best to stop the Friends but something happened on December 31, 2000 and fourteen years later, Kenji and friends are seen as the terrorists and the Friends have now further permeated into society worldwide.

What we know of December 31, 2000… Many lives were lost and although Kenji and his friends did what they can to stop the Friend’s giant robot from killing people in the city. They were blamed for it and since then have been reviled as the terrorists who massacred innocent people (when it was actually “the Friends” who were responsible).

And 15 years later, the Friends have used the massacre to grow their cult and to take control of society, politics, law enforcement and have their foot in the door worldwide.

But for friends of Kenji who survived that fatal day, they will continue to do what they can to defeat their friends in the honor of their friend Kenji and save the world. The last volume featured Kanna, who is now a teenager who will never forget her uncle and is investigating any details or leads to her uncle Kenji but also her mother and possible father.

In Naoki Urasawa’s “20th CENTURY BOYS” volume 13, the story continues after the surprising death of “The Friend” who was gunned down by a former member of his circle. But the biggest shock was the big reveal of who the Friend was…Fukube, one of Kenji’s classmates and a member of his circle… or was he?

With Kenji’s friends united once again, Yoshitsune, Maruo, Otcho and Yukiji try to remember if Fukube was even one of their own when they were kids. Also, revealed is the connection between Japan’s popular singer Haru Namio and Kenji and also Kanna learns the truth about her mother Kiriko.

Meanwhile, internal strife hits the Friend’s Committee very hard and many vie for the position of their fallen leader.

“20th CENTURY BOYS” features the following characters:

Kanna Endo: The daughter of Kenji’s missing sister. She is now a 17-year-old teenager who tries to keep her missing uncle Kenji in her memories by listening to his music (rather loudly) and works at a restaurant and is very protective over her friends and her living area. Has street smarts and adopted her guardian, Yukiji’s fighting spirit and not afraid of anything.

Yukiji: The only member of Kenji’s group who wasn’t part of the New Year’s Eve devastation as Kenji left young Kanna with her to raise in case if something went bad. Yukiji is the guardian of Kanna.

Chono Shohei – A freshman detective following his grandfather’s footsteps of being a great detective and to have the name “Cho-san”. Is always interested in Kanna but she and him are like fire and water and as he tries to get along with her, he now believes in Kanna that there is corruption in the police.

Mariah – A transvestite friend of Kanna who is trying to help her.

Ujiko Ujio – Manga artists who are neighbors of Kanna.

Kakuta - A manga artist who was friends with Ujiko and Ujio who has been given prison time for his manga work which goes against the rules by “the Friends”.

Kamisama - The homeless man who had visions of what Kenji should be doing and would relay it to him but 14 years later, somehow he has become a millionaire.

Kyoko Koizumi - A high school student who selects Japan’s notorious terrorist Kenji Endo as the historic figure for her homework. She finds herself in Friend Land.

Otcho – One of Kenji’s friends who escaped from prison to reunite and help Kanna.

Yoshitsune – A friend of Kenji who used his position as a cleaner at Friend Land to spy on the Friends.

Mon-Chan - One of Kenji’s friends who died while trying to gather information on the Friend’s conspiracy.

Keroyon – Also known as “Froggy”, one of Kenji’s friends who got married and is now living in the USA.

Sadakiyo – A childhood acquaintance of Kenji who always wore a mask. At first he is thought of as the Friend but he is a guy who is the director of the Friend museum and works with them.

Manjome Inshu – Top cadre of the Friends organization and head of the Friendship and Democracy Party.

Director Takasu – A Dream Navigator at Friend Land.

Here is a brief summary of each chapter of volume 13 (spoiler-less summaries):

Chapter 1: Missing From Memory - Kenji’s friends hear about “The Friend” and his true identity and they try to figure out if he was even part of their group when they were younger.
Chapter 2: Friend’s Death - Kenji’s friends all reunite for the first time in 15 years.
Chapter 3: Round Table - Internal strife at the Friend’s Committee when they find out about The Friend’s death.
Chapter 4: Reunion - Kakuta reunites with his fellow manga friends.
Chapter 5: Revelation of 2003 - Otcho tells Kanna the truth about his mother Kiriko and Yamane-san.
Chapter 6: The Real Thing - The connection of Haru Namio and Kenji is revealed. A virus is unleashed around the globe.
Chapter 7: Beginning of the End - Kyoko Koizumi helps her friend check on her boyfriend who isn’t returning his message and finds all these people dead in the apartment complex.
Chapter 8: Revenge of the Frogdoom (1) - The story shifts to the United States to Kenji’s old friend Keroyon aka Froggy and his teenage son who discover a boy nearly dying.
Chapter 9: Revenge of the Frogdoom (2) - The boy tells Froggy about the story of how he was vaccinated by Kenji’s sister Kiriko.
Chapter 10: A Quiet Town in Germany – A story about how Kiriko was living in Germany and trying to develop a vaccine and hiding out.
Chapter 11: Creeping Fear – Chaos as many people who are healthy are trying to evacuate. Meanwhile, Kyoko discovers who was responsible for killing her friend’s boyfriend.
Chapter 12: New Command – A member of the Friend’s who was responsible for killing many by infecting people with the virus with poisoned fish goes after Kyoko and her friend.

It seems that I tend to always say with each review that each volume of “20th Century Boys” gets better and better, but its the truth. Naoki Urasawa is a wonderful mangaka and along with his wonderful artwork, his stories are well-crafted and he knows how to entice the readers with suspense.

Each chapter continues to build with more mysteries and more shocking storylines and if you thought volume 12 was fantastic, volume 13 is excellent.

Nearly every character featured from the original, earlier storyline pre-2000 are featured in this 2016 storyline as we see reactions to the death of “The Friend” but then seeing the chaos that goes within the committee as those who vie for the top position in order to take the place of “The Friend”. Some who are for it, some who are against it but all of a sudden, members of the committee are being killed one by one in accidents.

Meanwhile, we get to learn more about Kenji’s sister Kiriko who was a mysterious character throughout the series but we start to realize that her reasons for leaving Kanna behind were important. Where Yamane-san was responsible for creating a killing virus, it was Kiriko’s job to create a vaccine, an antidote. But Yamane has gone so far to create one killer virus that even she is not sure if she can stop it.

So, literally the storyline goes through one chaotic scene with people feeling the shock of the death of “The Friend” and then all of a sudden, chaos in the world as people are dying of a new virus with no antidote or vaccine.

While we get to see the reunion of Kenji’s friends, we also get to see the reappearance of Froggy, who is now living in the United States and I get a feeling that we will see more of him in future volumes.

Volume 13 of Naoki Urasawa’s “20th Century Boys” once again is exciting and a marvelous volume that I can’t wait for volume 14 because this latest volume leaves us with a cliffhanger and to see so much chaos, we wonder how are group of underdogs will manage to stay alive and continue in fighting the Friend’s and whoever unleashed the virus in the world.

With nine more volumes left of this popular manga series, this series really goes all out with this 13th volume and if you have not picked up this manga series yet, I’m telling you right now, this is one of the best out there and I highly recommend it!

Filed Under: Manga News and Reviews