RIGHT TURN ONLY!!
TP Attack
by Liann Cooper,
Buy It Now!  Tokyopop Story & Art by Natsuki Takaya $9.99 US Tohru Honda is a lucky, lucky girl. She gets to spend her days living under the constant care of cute guys who, when hugged change into animals of the zodiac. So far Tohru has met the rat, cat, dog, rabbit, boar, and dragon. Volume three introduces yet another member of the Sohma family – Haru, the cow. After picking a fight with Kyo and confessing his love for Yuki, it becomes evident that Haru's personality (not just his hair) is split as clearly as black and white. Introductions aren't the only things happening in this volume; Valentine's Day has come and gone, and in honor of White Day, Momiji and the other Sohmas decide to treat Tohru with a trip to the hot springs. Save the *groans* for Comic Party Volume 1 Released By Tokyopop Story & Art by Sekihiko Inui $9.99 Anyone who's ever attended an anime convention has seen them - rabid fangirls who claw each other to get the last copy of “Viz Story & Art by Nobuhiro Watsuki $9.99 US Red hair, cross-shaped scar, “Oro,” reverse-blade sword - yeah, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, be ashamed... be very ashamed. Thanks mostly to Suki: A Like Story Volume 3 Released by Tokyopop Story & Art by CLAMP $9.99 Teddy bears and a guy with a Lolita complex - if that doesn't entice you, I don't know what will. What if we throw in a happy-go-lucky girl, some suspense, and gorgeous CLAMP guys? Yup, I knew that would reel you in. All questions are answered in the final volume of this short, but sweet series. Asou-sensei is still working hard to secretly protect a naive Hinata and Hinata is still blissfully in love with her teacher. After kidnappers manage to capture both Hinata and Asou-sensei, Hinata's feelings are put on the line when the true identity of Asou-sensei is revealed. A fitting conclusion to a loveable story, you may find yourself wishing that Suki were just a couple volumes longer. But, isn't that the case with all CLAMP titles?  The Demon Ororon Volume 2 Released by Tokyopop Story & Art by Hakase Mizuki $9.99 US Fashionably-dressed, androgynous characters with lanky limbs having gory battles in the name of Heaven or Hell - hey, what's not to love? I found myself drooling with every page turn while reading this novel. What Demon Ororon lacks in aesthetics, it sure makes up for in substance. Daughter of a human and the archangel Michael, Chiaki has been shunned by her family and regarded as a crazy freak. Meanwhile, Devil King Ororon would rather die than return to his royal position in the Underworld. Having fallen in love and bound by the promise to be Hikaru no Go Volume 1 Released by Viz Story by Takeshi Obata $7.95 US Who knew that a book about the game of Go could be so entertaining? Hikaru no Go is about a young boy, “surprisingly” named Hikaru, and his relationship with a Go-crazed ghost named Fujiwara-no-Sai. Having been denied the opportunity in his past life, Sai's greatest desire is to perform the “divine move.” It's only after he plays that move that Sai will be released from his spiritual prison and into Shonen Jump titles - mainly because they're incredibly long, repetitive, and I lose interest after about five volumes - but, as with anything, there are exceptions. With Hikaru being such a likeable character combined with Sai's ridiculous pleas to play Go (mixed with little *hearts*), you can't help but thoroughly enjoy every moment of this book. Granted, it's only the first volume so my attitude could change, but for now I say “Yea” and place it in the “Buy It” pile. Borrow It  Bleach Volume 1 Released by Viz Story & Art by Tite Kubo $7.95 US Look! It'Immortal Rain Volume 1 Released by Tokyopop Story & Art by Kaori Ozaki $9.99 US For some reason, no matter how many times I look at the title, I always read “Immortal Rain” as “Purple Rain.” Thankfully, you won't see verses to “When Doves Cry” or pictures of a gyrating, 90lb. man within these pages. Instead, you'll find the melancholy story of an eternal being named Rain Jewlitt – or “Methuselah” as he's more commonly called – and his fateful encounter with the young bounty hunter, Machika. For centuries, Rain has been hunted so that the secret to his immortality can be uncovered. Many have tried to kill him with no success; included in the many was Machika's grandfather – “The Grim Reaper Zol.” Vowing to avenge her grandfather's death, Machika sets out to kill Rain. But when she encounters the feared “Methuselah,” she discovers that he is merely a man who wants nothing more than to die. Immortal Rain feels a little "empty" with its light artwork and underdeveloped characters, but there's still room for improvement. If you're looking for something to tide you over until the next volume of Trigun comes out, Rain and Machika's adventures may be right up your alley.  The Seikai Trilogy: Crest of the Stars Released by Tokyopop Original Story by Hiroyuki Morioka Composition by Toshihiro Ono $9.99 US Set against the sprawling backdrop of a sci-fi space epic, Deus Vitae Released by Tokyopop Story & Art by Takuya Fujima $9.99 US Put down that copy of Maxim, because Deus Vitae has more than enough titillating action and hot women to satisfy your appetite. Granted, the women are androids, but when they're getting naked and moaning in orgasmic delight all while trying to “connect” with a human male... do you really care? The year is 2068 and Earth is under the rule of a supercomputer named Leave. In order to make room for her superior android race, the Selanoid, Leave has eradicated most of the human race. Despite Leave's "cleansing," a small group of humans – led by a young man named Ash - has managed to survive and they want nothing more than to overthrow Leave and reclaim Earth. When an attempt at breaking into the “mother system” results in Ash's capture, he is left with no choice but to rely on the help of a young Selanoid named Winslet. I really, really wanted to like Deus Vitae. It has gorgeous artwork and the interesting premise of man vs. machine. However, once machines start saying things like, “Become one with me, Ash,” and, “I'll be gentle... my body is strong and such a snug fit,” it becomes painfully evident that artwork can only go so far. |
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