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Story

Four short stories combine to weave a tale from a dark world. Crime, betrayal and revenge are commonplace here. A place where the word underworld has more than one meaning, and both of them are dangerous.

Four characters come together here. Stories of desperation, longing, misfortune and revenge.

My Opinion

Dogs was an impulse choice. I liked the art when I flipped through it and the story description on the back sounded interesting. I’m glad I followed that impulse, Dogs is a good manga.

It reminds me a lot of Black Lagoon in several ways. The stories revolve around people who are part of an illicit world. From brokering information to a life dedicated to murder, these are people that live outside the law.

Each character has their own reasons for being a part of that world. Not everyone is a part of it by choice. Some are living lives profoundly changed by the actions of others. Ripped from a world they once knew.

There’s also a bit of a sci-fi element to it. Genetic engineering has apparently been developed, practiced and is now restricted. I can’t tell how deep the sci-fi will go at the moment. The world seems to be very similar to our own for now. That could change later.

Dogs is rated M for mature. It’s got nudity, language and violence enough to earn that rating.

Is it worth it?

Dogs is worth checking out. Shirow Miwa combines good action, a few laughs and an interesting story with moody art that helps express the characters emotions.

I’d recommend this one to all the mature readers. I’m going to be looking for more volumes myself.

Manga, Reviews, Viz, Shirow Miwa, Dogs, Volume 0, Mature Readers, Rated M

Kamehame blah

With a mixture of excitement and dread I rented Dragonball: Evolution. Going in with low expectations can help sometimes. I’ve been surprised by movies that I thought would be horrible before. I was hoping that I would be pleasantly surprised this time too.

I wasn’t.

It wasn’t as bad as I feared it would be. There’s a decent sci-fi martial arts movie in there somewhere. It’s just not a Dragonball movie. It’s like Dragonball, but it’s not Dragonball.

I think it ended up being a Dragonball facsimile in an attempt to make more money. Not content to turn Dragonball into a movie, the makers tweaked it. Not a single character in the movie escaped being adjusted.

It doesn’t matter that Dragonball is one of the most popular manga and anime franchises of all time. Forget that Dragonball is one of the reasons that anime started to become mainstream entertainment. Nah. What we really need is a high school action comedy. We’ll just shove the characters into generic character molds and no one will notice.

Not All Bad

There are moments scattered throughout the movie that give you a glimpse of what a real Dragonball movie would be like. A scene here, a shot there or a line delivered perfectly tease the fandom part of the brain. We’re seduced into believing that the movie is about to correct it’s previous mistakes and become what we all had hoped to see. Dragonball in live action.

Then the moment fades.

The times when things are right are so few that they only serve to highlight the areas where the movie didn’t live up to it’s potential.

Is it worth it?

I recommend renting Dragonball: Evolution. There are enough good bits to make it worth renting. You’ll have to decide for yourself if you think there are enough of those good bits to purchase a copy of your own.

Live Action, Reviews, Movie, manga, Anime, Dragonball, Dragonball: Evolution

Story

Nozomu Itoshiki views the world in a very negative way. Always looking on the bad side, he always expects the worst. It’s no wonder he’s constantly trying to kill himself. In between suicide attempts he has a job as a teacher to a class of students that are almost as strange as he is.

The girl who always sees the bright side, his polar opposite. The stalker girl, the shut-in, the obsessive compulsive and even the illegal alien all wind up in his class. The only student that really stands out is the ordinary girl.

My Opinion

The story summary can’t do justice to this manga. Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei is a wonderfully twisted comedy manga. The first volume starts off with a wonderful splash page of an aborted suicide and just gets stranger from there.

The art work is beautiful. The combination of the wonderfully detailed backgrounds and the bold character design make this manga a joy to read.

The manga’s real strength is in the array of warped characters that make up the class. It seems like all the students have some sort of mental illness that pushes them to enact some fairly bizarre behavior. On top of that, the one person they have for a role model is always telling them how horrible the world is and continues looking for a way to kill himself.

And it’s funny.

This manga is so filled with jokes there are about 10 pages of notes in the back just to list the jokes you probably missed.

Is it worth it?

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei Volume 1 is worth picking up. I loved the humor in this manga. I highly recommend checking this one out.

Manga, Reviews, Comedy, Dark Humor, Del Rey, Sayonara Zetsubou-Sensei, Koji Kumeta

Story

The competition between Uryû and Ichigo intensifies. The number of hollows attracted by the Quincy’s bait just keeps growing. Things could get out of hand very quickly if this keeps up.

Meanwhile Chad and Orihime are learning some surprising secrets from the strange and enigmatic shopkeeper Urahara. They’re going to have to make some tough choices about their newfound powers soon.

Back at the battle things have gone from bad to worse. The gathered hollows have attracted a Menos Grande, a gigantic hollow that can single handedly destroy the balance of the universe. The situation doesn’t look good.

Quincy or Soul Reaper, it doesn’t matter who wins now. If nothing is done about the menos, everyone will lose.

My Opinion

This volume of Bleach has lots of action, but it also marks a turning point in the direction of the story. Several things happen in volume 6 that changes how the rest of the story plays out. As an example… During the last few pages we meet Renji and Byakuya. They’ve come for you know who.

I’m really enjoying the Bleach manga. It shouldn’t surprise me, since I love the anime. I think the surprise is because I love the anime so much. I’m enjoying the differences between the characters in the anime and manga. Probably because I don’t see it as differences in the characters, but in how they’re presented in the story.

I only wish I’d started seriously reading the manga earlier. I have some catching up to do. On the bright side, I have 20-some-odd volumes just waiting to be read.

Is it worth it?

Bleach Volume 6 is worth picking up. Bleach is always good.

This is an important point in the story. Things are about to get really good.

Manga, Reviews, Bleach, Action, Adventure, Humor, Spirits, Viz, Shonen Jump, Tite Kubo, Bleach, Volume 6, Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Uryû Ishida, Uryu Ishida, Renji Abarai, Byakuya Kuchiki, Soul Reapers

Story

Rino Rando is alone in the world since her mom passed away. Well, alone except for her friend Pucchan, who is a puppet.Then there is her pen-pal and benefactor Mr. Poppit, a very mysterious guy.

Mr Poppit offers to enroll her in the prestigious Miyagami Academy. Since she has nowhere esle to go, she accepts. When she arrives, she finds that she has no place to live.

Lucky for her the Miyagami Academy Maximum Authority-Wielding Best Student Council have an opening. They also get to attend the school and live in the school dormitory for free.

My Opinion

Best Student Council is an odd anime, not bizarre, just odd. it’s also pretty darn good.

The beginning reminds me of a slightly yuri-fied version of Azumanga Daioh. The real storyline kicks in a bit later. It’s probably a good thing that the first few episodes allows you to get used to the odd quirks of some of the characters. By the time you start to piece together the big picture you’ve become accustomed to the eccentricities of the Best Student Council.

Watch It Now

The sub is on Crunchyroll. Dub fans can find Best Student Council streaming on Netflix in English, but you have to sign up for the service.

I’d recommend watching it on Crunchyroll.

Anime, Review, Online, Best Student Council, Comedy, Slice of Life, Yuri, Azumanga Daioh

Story

When we last saw Tsukune, Moka and the gang they were on a field trip to the Human world. Things looked pretty bad. They were trying to stop a witch on a rampage of revenge. That witch has her showdown with Moka, but will it be the end of Ruby?

Back in Yokai Academy the newspaper is doing well, but not as well as Tsukune. It seems Tsukune has another girl interested in him. This one is more of the stalker variety, and she has her own baggage.

Someone else is after Tsukune, and this stalker is most definitely not his soulmate. Saizo Komiya attacked Tsukune when school started. Looks like he’s back in school and looking to even the score. if that wasn’t bad enough, Tsukune is having problems staying human.

My Opinion

I think I would have liked this volume of Rosario+Vampire a bit better if the witch storyline had been wrapped up in Volume 4. Volume 5 starts with a little action, then it’s mostly wrapping up the story. The other stories in the volume would have stood better on their own.

We get to meet a new character in volume 5. Mizore Shirayuki shows up to cause a little trouble. Then she just hangs around being cute, and she does it very well. I like Mizore. She’s probably one of my favorite characters in the whole series.

Is it worth it?

Rosario+Vampire Volume 5 is worth it. The leftover cliffhanger story in the beginning is a bit awkward, but the rest of the book makes up for it. We meet new people and we get some hints that things are really gonna get exciting at Yokai Academy. I can’t wait to read the next volume.

Manga, Reviews, Comedy, School Life, Monsters, Supernatural, Rosario Vampire, Rosario+Vampire, Volume 5, Mizore Shirayuki

Story

Soichi Negishi loves indie music. His dream was to be in a Swedish pop band. He worked hard on his music and went to college in Tokyo. His hard work and dedication paid off… sort of. He’s a star, but he’s not playing pop music.

Soichi is better known as Krauser II. He’s the lead guitar and vocalist of the biggest Evil-Core Death Metal band in Japan, Detroit Metal City. Instead of writing songs about frolicking on the beach, now he’s writing songs about murder, rape and all manner of atrocities.

It might not be such a problem if he weren’t so darn good at his job. When he’s on stage the energy of the crowd and the excitement of performing cause him to become Krauser II. When he’s not on stage he gets into trouble with his foul-mouthed manager for not being metal enough.

Caught between two worlds, Soichi will play the part of Krauser II and hope for his big break into pop music.

My Opinion

Kiminori Wakasugi’s Detroit Metal City is most definitely for mature readers only. This one is not for kids by any means whatsoever.

Clear?

There will be those who are extremely offended by this manga. Most of the songs are horrible diatribes about murder and rape. people of a sensitive nature, or of strong religious beliefs may want to avoid DMC altogether.

Yes, the songs and persona of the band is extremely offensive. It’s meant to be that way. Listen to a few metal albums. Taken in context the manga isn’t that bad. Get past the foul language and the songs themselves, or at least the English translations thereof, are pretty darn funny by themselves. It’s all about context.

The plight of poor Soichi is freakin’ hilarious. Inside this poor meek little indie poser music nerd lives the spirit of a metal god. The persona of Krauser II lets him express his darker side, and sometimes even do good in the process.

Is it worth it?

Detroit Metal City is not for everybody. It is not for kids. Anyone easily offended should just stay away. This book is not for you.

If you’re a mature reader that won’t faint at the sight of 4 and 5 letter words used in abundance, then DMC might be for you. I would recommend it to anyone that enjoys metal and manga.

Manga, Reviews, Music, Metal, Death Metal, Swedish Pop, Indie, Viz, Detroit Metal City, DMC, Kiminori Wakasugi, Soichi Negishi, Krauser II

Story

Maki Aikawa is a former Olympic gymnast who uses her acrobatic skills in a new sport, street fighting. Her high flying gymnastic fighting style earns her the name “Air Master”. Maki becomes obsessed with pushing herself to her physical limit, taking on stronger and more skilled fighters. As she battles her way through more talented adversaries her skills improve and become more deadly.

My Opinion

I originally thought Air Master was older than it is because of the art style used. It was made in 2003-2004, but it looks like it was made in the 80s. That might turn some people away. That’s a shame because this is a great anime, and the dated look only adds to to it’s charm.

The opening theme really reinforces the dated feel. It looks like an opening that would fit in on television 20 years ago. The ending theme wouldn’t. I’m not sure it’d fit in anywhere. It’s a weird running sequence with some rockin’ music playing. It’s downright strange, but kind of addicting.

Air master is your basic fighting anime with each episode or two featuring a a battle with a different street fighter. Some of the fighters are fairly realistic, using real world fighting styles, but quite a few have strange costumes and outlandish fighting styles.

Is it worth it?

Air Master is worth checking out. The fights are cool and ending rheme will grow on you. I’d recommend this one to anyone. Even if it takes a little while to get used to the old school style, it’s well worth it.

You can find Air Master on Crunchyroll and on Funimation’s streaming video page.

Anime, Reviews, Action, Fighting, Street Fighter, Funimation, Crunchyroll, Air Master, Maki Aikawa

Story

Ichigo finds out who that mysterious guy he’d met really was. It turns out he was in his class at school. Uryû Ishida is a Quincy, whatever that is, and he’s got a problem with Soul Reapers.

When Ichigo finally tracks him down, Uryû challenges him to a contest. Uryû breaks a container of hollow bait and tells Ichigo that the town will be swarming with hollows. Whoever kills the most wins.

Ichigo isn’t the only one drawn into the competition. There are others in Karakura that can see spirits. They’ll have to deal with the hollow invasion in their own ways.

My Opinion

Bleach Volume 5 does a great job of putting the characters in bad situations. Chad has to deal with something he can barely see, while Orihime has to deal with a hollow that doesn’t even do it’s own fighting. How they get out of those situations will affect the rest of the story.

One of Tite Kubo’s talents is showcased very well in this volume, the cliffhanger ending. Kubo finds the point that the action really becomes intense then stops the story in such a way that the reader has to get the next volume. It can be frustrating sometimes, but I’m always looking forward to the next part.

Edited to add:

I know I’ve mentioned the endings before. I don’t want to sound repetitive, but I tend to think of it as part of Tite Kubo’s signature style.

Is it worth it?

Bleach is an amazing manga, and Bleach Volume 5 is no exception. It’s well worth picking up. I highly recommend the Bleach manga series.

Manga, Reviews, Bleach, Action, Adventure, Humor, Spirits, Viz, Shonen Jump, Tite Kubo, Bleach, Volume 5, Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Yasutora “Chad” Sado, Uryû Ishida, Uryu Ishida, Soul Reapers, Quincy

Story

This volume start with Kon striking out on his own. Declaring his independence he sets off on an adventure to find the place where he belongs, or a cute girl. Whichever comes first.

There’s a new hit TV show sweeping the nation. Seems like everyone Ichigo knows is a fan. The only people who don’t like the show are Ichigo and his sister Karin. The show is “Spontaneous Trips To Spiritual Hot Spots” (or just “Spontaneous Trips” for short) staring the new century’s premier spiritualist, hell’s messenger… Mr. Don Kanonji. Ichigo thinks the guy is a fake. Ichigo finds out just how wrong he is when “Spontaneous Trips” comes to his home town.

My Opinion

It’s been long enough since I’ve seen the earlier episodes of the Bleach anime that the memory of it doesn’t interfere with reading the manga. Not that it really interferes, but the differences between the manga and anime aren’t as glaring.

I’m enjoying reading about Ichigo’s early days as a Soul Reaper. I also liked the short adventure with Kon and his first encounter with Yuzu Kurosaki. There are a couple of good introductions in this volume too. We get to meet Don Kanonji as well as getting out first look at Uryû Ishida.

The only problem is, now I want to sit down and read all of ‘em. That’s gonna take a while. Even if I could drop $100 on the manga box set, that only covers the story up to Volume 21.

Dang.

Is it worth it?

Bleach volume 4 is worth it. If you’ve seen the anime you know it’s a great story. Check out the manga and get a new look at Tite Kubo’s work.

Manga, Reviews, Bleach, Action, Adventure, Humor, Spirits, Viz, Shonen Jump, Tite Kubo, Bleach, Volume 4, Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, Uryû Ishida, Uryu Ishida, Soul Reapers

Story

The Narcotics Control Division continues to pursue Ryugen. The investigation of a popular entertainer provides some insight into how the criminal orgainization works. That may be all they can get from the case however, because Hal is still injured and Kai is in serious trouble.

One of the NCD’s Substance Analysts gets the chance to go undercover. Kai doesn’t want to dress like a girl and the club that their target hangs out will only admit mixed gender groups. Kai and Hal need the help of a female agent, and Miss Mari Kuzui wants a date with Kai. Can someone accustomed to the lab handle the danger of an undercover investigation?

Later Hal and Kai infiltrate a high school in search of a gang of drug dealers. They’d better be careful though, there’s more going on in Teito Academy than they expected.

My Opinion

I enjoyed the second volume of Switch better than the first. There seemed to be a bit more humor in this volume. That helped to lighten the mood when things got a bit too dark.

I particularly enjoyed the story which featured Mari Kuzui. Her infatuation with Kai was both funny and sweet. I hope she finds her way into future stories.

The cover of Switch Volume 2 isn’t tainted by laws of nature alien to our world. Take this brief respite and cherish it. The gaze of those who wait may have passed by us for now, but beware… it could return.

Is it worth it?

Switch Volume 2 is worth it. The humor of Mari’s crush on Kai really helps offset the drama.

The absence of a cover that causes insanity is also a plus.

Manga, Reviews, Viz, Older Teen, Drama, Humor, Police, Drugs, Mari Kuzui, Teito Academy, Naked Ape, Saki Otoh, Nakamura Tomomi, Switch, Volume 2

Story

Ral, Grad and the others have to face off against the Red Pheonix before they can get to Opsquria. It’s going to be a tough fight because the Pheonix is a special fusion type, just the same as Grad and Gannet’s White Tiger.

Even if they can get past this opponent, there’s still the Black Rhinoceros and Clear Human to deal with. The final 2 special fusion types are still a mystery. If they’ve decided to side with the Queen of Darkness things can only get worse.

Don’t forget, Opsquria herself has a few dangerous tricks up her sleeve. She commands the shadows for a reason. Her power is nothing to be overlooked.

Can Ral and Grad overcome all of those obstacles and put an end to the war?

They’re certainly gonna try.

My Opinion

Ral Grad Volume 4 delivers lots of action with some very interesting surprises. It’s just a shame that it’s the last volume of the story.

Yep, this is the last one. The story wraps up so quickly that is seems a bit rushed. The notes about how the story was changed since it was first published don’t do anything to dispel the feeling of hurried completion. I was disappointed that the story wouldn’t be continuing, but even rushed the ending tries to live up to the rest of the series.

The first half of volume 4 is good, the second half is the manga equivalent to a going out of business sale. They’re just trying to get things packed up and out the door before the lights are turned off.

Is it worth it?

Ral Grad Volume 4 is worth reading, if for no other reason than to get to the end. My recommendation is based mostly on the previous 3 volumes.

Manga, Opinion, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mature Content, Ral Grad, Volume 4, Tsuneo Takano, Takeshi Obata

Story

Sachie and Rakuto need to give some thought to the future. Their Career Planning Sheets need to be turned in, but they’re both blank. Sachie is being indecisive, but what’s up with Rakuto? Does this mean his future depends on Sachie’s choices?

Sachie’s choice may not matter. Rakuto’s teacher decides to get to the bottom of the blank planning sheet. Miss Kinoshita tells Rakuto that it’s time for a home visit. That means trouble.

A pair of tickets to an amusement park puts Sachie in the middle of a three way date with Rakuto and Azuma. Rakuto and Azuma wind up in a competition to see who’s more compatible with Sachie.

Sachie isn’t the only Yakuza granddaughter in town. When Sachie runs afoul of another “heiress” she risks getting the entire clan into a feud. There might be a way to prevent that though. Sachie’s rival, Midori Tokiwa, has fallen for Rakuto.

My Opinion

Whew! Looks like volume 7 of Wild Ones is just packed with action. Not only do we find out a bit about Rakuto’s past, but we meet some new characters. There’s also a clue about the one Sachie might end up with.

I had some reservation about the new characters when I read this volume. I wondered if new characters were being introduced because the main story was running out of steam. Now, I don’t think that’s the case.

Is it worth it?

Wild Ones Volume 7 is worth it. This volume has a lot going on. New characters as well as a deeper look at Rakuto and his life in the Asagi Clan.

It looks like things are going to get even better.

Manga, Reviews, Shojo, Comedy, Romance, Yakuza, Wild Ones, Volume 7, Shojo Beat, Kiyo Fujiwara, Asagi Clan, Midori Tokiwa

Story

Chiaki Togu falls in love with a boy she doesn’t know, all because of his back. He looks so tense on the bus that she’s just dying to give him a massage. Chiaki is a member of her school’s Massage Research Society. Not only that, but she’s the best in the club. That makes sense, because massage is just about the only thing Chiaki is interested in.

It turns out the back that she fell in love with belongs to Yosuke, the hottest guy in school. When he finds out about her massage crush, he makes a deal with her. He’ll let her give him a massage… if she can make him fall in love with her!

My Opinion

The Magic Touch is a bit odd. A massage club is interesting enough, but when you add a love bet things can get flaky. Shoot, that’s why I had to buy the book. I couldn’t resist, I had to find out how such a weird story would be handled.

The answer is, pretty well. I was pleasantly surprised by the cast of characters. Chiaki, the massage otaku, isn’t the only one with an interesting description. Her twin sister Sayaka is a truly horrible person, but that makes her a perfect villain. I couldn’t believe some of the things Sayaka did in this book. Her older brother Takeshi, who is also a Massage Research Society member, also brings quite a bit of humor. I enjoyed his story most of all.

Is it worth it?

The Magic Touch Volume 1 is worth checking out. The odd set up and weird characters really do make for some interesting stories.

Manga, Reviews, Viz, Shojo Beat, Izumi Tsubaki, The Magic Touch, Oyayubi Kara Romance, Humor, Drama, Romance, Massage, Older Teen

Story

Rock and Revy are caught in the middle of a gang war in Japan. It seems the negotiations between Hotel Moscow and the local yakuza have broken down. Things are getting very bad, very fast. The path that Rock is on continues to descend into a black and uncertain future. Can rock really keep the darkness from eating away at his soul when he sees the way it has consumed those around him?

Caught between his past and his present, Rock has to lose something. Will it be the life he gave up but still clings to, or will it be the life he’s trying to build? Which side will Rock choose? Will they stand by old business associates or new friends? Oh, one more question.

How many will Revy take out when things go bad?

My Opinion

I’m amazed at how depressing Black Lagoon can get, and how glad I am about it. Rock and friends really do seem to wind up in the worst possible situations. That’s part of what makes this manga so darn good. Conflict drives drama, and there is no shortage of conflict in Rei Hiroe’s manga.

I can’t help but wonder what Rock will be like at the end of the line. Will he be able to hang on to any human decency or will it be ripped from him bit by bit? I’m not even sure if he’ll survive the manga. I remain hopeful, but hope doesn’t count for a lot where Rock lives.

Is it worth it?

Black Lagoon 005 is worth it. This volume is action packed and full of drama. It makes me want to start on the next one as soon as possible.

Manga, Reviews, Action, Adventure, Pirates, Yakuza, Guns, Explosions, Viz Media, Rei Hiroe, Black Lagoon, Rated M, Mature Readers, Violence, Adult Themes, Adult Language