Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (2018) by various Here we are at another anniversary for SKJAM! Reviews, and thus my annual review of the state of Shonen Jump. This may, however, be the last in this format–more on that anon. A quick recap for those who haven’t been here before: Shounen Jump Weekly is the top-selling manga anthology in… Continue reading Manga Review: Weekly Shonen Jump (2018)
Tag: Japan
Book Review: The World of HIstory
Book Review: The World of History edited by Courtlandt Canby & Nancy E. Gross History is a very wide and deep subject. It extends from the beginning of the universe (though much before written records is speculative at best) to just this last minute, and from the movements of great nations to what precisely people… Continue reading Book Review: The World of HIstory
Manga Review: Bakuman. Volume 11
Manga Review: Bakuman. Volume 11 story by Tsugumi Ohba, art by Takeshi Obata Moritaka Mashiro’s uncle was a one-hit manga creator whose work appeared in Weekly Shounen Jump back in the day. After the end of that series, he worked himself to death trying to come up with a new hit. Warned by this example,… Continue reading Manga Review: Bakuman. Volume 11
Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1
Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1 by Chie Shimada Hinako is looking forward to high school. She grew up in an orphanage, constantly harassed by bullies until she learned to fight back, only to get a reputation as a violent tomboy. Ever since, the rumors about her fighting skills have kept her from having any… Continue reading Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1
Magazine Review: High Adventure #73: Secret Agent “X”
Magazine Review: High Adventure #73: Secret Agent “X” Edited by John P. Gunnison Let’s take another look at this pulp reprint magazine, this time reprinting stories from Secret Agent “X” May 1934. “Ambassador of Doom” by Brent House: A secret meeting takes place in Washington, D.C. The matter at hand–whether to preserve or destroy the prototype and… Continue reading Magazine Review: High Adventure #73: Secret Agent “X”
Manga Review: Yowamushi Pedal 1
Manga Review: Yowamushi Pedal 1 by Wataru Watanabe The Sohoku High School Bicycle Racing Club has several interesting freshman members this year. There’s Imaizumi, a serious competitor whose family is wealthy, so he can afford the finest bicycle racing equipment and training. There’s the fiery Naruko from Osaka, who’s a fine sprinter despite his flashy… Continue reading Manga Review: Yowamushi Pedal 1
Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26
Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26by Rumiko Takahashi Quick recap: Rinne Rokudo is a shinigami, a psychopomp who helps lost spirits find their way to the afterlife. He’s part-human, and must use expensive tools to make up for his weak powers. Between these expenses and debts saddled on Rinne by his deadbeat father Sabato,… Continue reading Manga Review: Rin-Ne Volumes 21, 24 & 26
Book Review: Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics
Book Review: Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics by Frederik L. Schodt Back in the early 1980s, manga and anime fandom was tiny, with almost no material being available in English save dubs heavily edited for American children’s television and expunged as much as possible of their Japanese roots. It required a certain amount… Continue reading Book Review: Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics
Manga Review: D. Gray-Man Volumes 9-10
Manga Review: D. Gray-Man Volumes 9-10 by Katsura Hoshino In an alternate late 19th Century, European and Asian civilization is under attack by beings called “akuma.” These monsters (made by tricking/bargaining humans into wearing mechanical bodies that then wear the skin of the original human) are under the loose control of the Millennium Earl. He… Continue reading Manga Review: D. Gray-Man Volumes 9-10
Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One
Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One by Mia Ikumi & Reiko Yoshida At the turn of the millennium, Ichigo Momomiya is a junior high school student with a crush on her handsome, smart and athletic classmate Masaya. He seems to be a bit oblivious to her feelings though, being consumed with a passion for… Continue reading Manga Review: Tokyo Mew Mew, Volume One