manga

REVIEW: Sumomomo Momomo

Rob Leave a Comment

By Jeff Steward

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3OY0H102O_c/TyGvkm87hzI/AAAAAAAAAbk/in2rddmiQGY/s1600/Sumomomo+Momomo.gif

Sumomomo Momomo: The Strongest Bride on Earth


Written by: Shinobu Ohtaka Published by: Yen Press(USA) Young Gangan(JPN) Genre: Martial Arts, Romantic Comedy Volumes: 12

Synopsis: Momoko is the only child of the Kuzuryuu clan, a powerful martial arts family with inhuman strength. But strong as she is, her father fears a woman will never be able to master the skills of the family. Unless Momoko marries and bears a capable heir, the Kuzuryuu line is doomed to weaken and die off! With this mission in mind, Momoko is sent to the rival Inuzuka clan, where she is to marry the son of their mighty leader. But Koushi Inuzuka abandoned the martial arts long ago. Now committed to his legal studies, the last thing Koushi has on his mind is marriage — especially not to the world’s strongest bride!

Review:

So I picked up the first five volumes of Sumomomo Momomo when Borders was closing down having no real idea what the series was about beside marital arts. I like romantic comedies and I like marital arts but somewhere along the line the story just kind of died for me, it felt like a loop for about two volumes. Someone shows up they fight, girl proclaims loves for boy, and boy rejects girls’ advances… Blah blah blah… Luckily it picked back up and the story got interesting but by that time I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. The art work is solid and the characters are well drawn. Fight scenes are cool and have some nice action but nothing is outstanding about them. Sumomomo Momomo is a decent love story and a decent marital arts story and doesn’t bring anything new to the table or do anything to overly impress. OtakuStew.net gives Sumomomo Momomo: The Strongest Bride on Earth…

The whole thing is just kind of average, I was hoping more from the story and even though it’s not a great series I will continue to read it.

 

Follow Jeff on Twitter @CrazedOtakuStew

Review- The Immortal

Rob 1 Comment

image

By Chuck Suffel

Demon in the Blood #1

Writer: Ian Edginton, Penciller: Vicenç Villagrasa Inker: José Luis Río Colorist: José Luis Río, Dan Jackson Cover Artist: Long Vo

“This book is due out 12-21-2011, so please be aware some of the things mentioned here could constitute spoilers! I have done my best to avoid mentioning anything specific that wasn’t in the solicits.”

Japan 1859, the rule of the shogun is fading and along with it the samurai. The ancient culture slowly eroded by the encroaching world, the wonders of the Steam Age challenging the ancient magic of the past. But Amane Ichinose, a samurai, will soon find out the ancient magics are still strong and his life will be forever changed by them. Branded a traitor and left for dead his life is saved by a tattoo artist and the immortal “oni” Amane is now linked to. What life will this ex-samurai now apprentice tattoo artist have, what price will the gift of life he’s received cost?

This was a very basic issue one, we meet the cast of characters follow the setup and are left to ponder the inevitable “what’s next”. The story is well told, the art is really good with characters that are well thought out and easily recognizable from one panel/page to the next. I was especially impressed with the depictions of the “oni”. I’m not a huge fan of Japanese stories per-say but this one has my interest. If you’re a completion-ist then by all means pick this up but I have a funny feeling issue 2 will have a decent recap and hopefully give us a clue as to where are protagonist will head on his new path.

Adapted from the Japanese novel URA-ENMA by Fumi Nakamura.

Publication Date: December 21, 2011 Format: FC, 32 pages Price: $3.50 UPC: 7 61568 19207 0 00111

Come see me @ http://charlessuffel.com

NYCC 2011:Naruto Shippuden

Rob Leave a Comment

By Cass Pineda

There was quite a line-up to see this panel all about the world’s most popular orange jump-suited ninja. There is a lot of exciting news concerning Naruto and his friends, including the release of a new movie, a video game, and DVDs.

Naruto Shippuden: Bonds will be available on BluRay, DVD, or download-to-own, starting on October 25th. All of the previous movies will be streaming on Hulu until the 23rd, which makes it a perfect time to sit down and marathon all of the fast-paced ninja action until your eyes fall out. The ninth box set of the anime is set to come out in January of next year, and a new video game, Ultimate Ninja Impact, will be released for the Sony PSP on October 18th.

Everyone loves toys, and Toynami will be shipping out new Bandai figures of favorite Naruto characters. Naruto’s Japanese voice actress Junko Takeuchi made an appearance and received a warm welcome from her American fans.

NYCC 2011:Aniplex of America

Rob Leave a Comment

By Cass Pineda

Speakers: Hideo Katsumata, Koichiro Natsume

 

Renowned anime distribution and production company Aniplex had quite a number of exciting announcements to make at their panel on Friday, including some re-releases that will excite fans of old classics and streaming deals that will thrill fans of new shows.

Streaming anime online has become more common in recent years, and Aniplex announced that they several of their shows will be available on Hulu, Crackle, Crunchyroll, and Niconico. This includes their hit series Blue Exorcist, which just wrapped up this month, as well as Star Driver, Oreimo, and the much anticipated Type Moon prequel Fate Zero will begin simulcasting on Niconico.com with subtitles this month.

They also announced the DVD releases of several series, new and old. Action classic Rurouni Kenshin (known by some as Samurai X) is due out on Bluray, along with the movies and OVAs. Limited editions will be available, but you’ll want to reserve your copies online, since they’ll no doubt sell out quick. Blue Exorcist will be coming out on DVD, released in four parts. Magical girl favorite Madoka Magica will be released in three parts, beginning in February 2012. The limited edition box set will contain the Bluray, DVD, soundtrack, booklet, poster, and of course, a coveted collector’s box. Pre-orders begin on October 17th.