New Releases: Week of 9/30/2015

Big week of Manga releases this week:

• ASSASSINATION CLASSROOM GN VOL 06
• CASE CLOSED GN VOL 56 
• CLAYMORE GN VOL 27 
• DEADMAN WONDERLAND GN VOL 11
• DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE GN VOL 02
• FOOD WARS SHOKUGEKI NO SOMA GN VOL 08
• KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA GN VOL 14
• LIBRARY WARS LOVE & WAR GN VOL 14
• MAGI GN VOL 14
• MY LITTLE MONSTER GN VOL 10
• MY LOVE STORY GN VOL 06
• NARUTO GN VOL 72
• POKEMON ADV BLACK & WHITE GN VOL 09
• POKEMON ADV FIRERED & LEAFGREEN EMERALD BOX SET
• SECRET CODERS GN VOL 01
• SEVEN DEADLY SINS GN VOL 10
• SILENT VOICE GN VOL 03
• SO CUTE IT HURTS GN VOL 03
• TOKYO GHOUL GN VOL 03
• TORIKO GN VOL 30
• TWIN STAR EXORCISTS GN VOL 02
• VINLAND SAGA GN VOL 06
• WORLD TRIGGER GN VOL 07
• YU GI OH 5DS GN VOL 08

The ones in bold are the ones I will be purchasing. The Pokemon Box set will probably be bought later on, but it is in the list of things I will one day buy. From these, Magi and Naruto will both get reviews. Naruto may be a little while, as I am still working my way through the last few volumes trying to play catch up.

Next Review, Besides the TBT Review that IS coming this week, will be Final Fantasy Type-0. It's a One-Shot manga, so there wont be more then one volume. You guys have seen a lot of 10s from me recently, but this one will break that streak.

See ya all soon! 

Review: One-Punch Man V.02

Title:One-Punch Man

Volume: 2 (of 9+)
Creator: ONE and Yusuke Murata
Format: Right-to-Left
Original Publisher: Shueisha
US Publisher: Viz
Release Date: 9/1/15
Pages: 208
ISBN: 1421585650
MSRP: $9.99
Genre: Shonen Jump
Rated: T (Teens)

Descrption: Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem - he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! He's easily taken out a number of monsters, including a crabby creature, a malicious mosquito girl, and a muscly meathead. But his humdrum life takes a drastic turn when he meets Genos - a cyborg who wants to uncover the secret behind his strength!

Contains Punch 9-15:

• Punch 09: House of Evolution
• Punch 10: Modern Art
• Punch 11: The Secret of Strength
• Punch 12: Parasiders
• Punch 13: Speed
• Punch 14: I Don't Know You
• Punch 15: Fun and Work
• Bonus Manga: Brushing Up

Review:

Cover Art: Another awesome cover with this title. VIZ went and decided to use the original artwork, barely altering any of the original cover design. The front cover has Genos, Swinging his arm upwards at our reader. The Series Title is presented in orange letters across the top. The volume number, mangakas, and the Shonen Jump imprint are on the lower left corner.

The spine from top-to-bottom has the Shonen Jump logo, series title, volume number, mangakas, a profile shot of Genos, and the VIZ logo.

The back cover has Saitama dropping water over the side of a building, onto an enemies lit bomb. There is a kid drawing with chalk next to Saitama (its an image of a butt chin faced man). The lower third of the cover has the series title and volume number, followed by the volumes description in an orange box. 

My only real complaint here is the back cover's volume description. The black letter on the orange is a bit rough on the eyes to read. Overall though, this is pretty much near perfection!

Artwork: The volume's artwork is pretty much the same as the first volumes style, which I absolutely loved to begin with. This series is very heavily action oriented, so there are tons of fight scenes, stuff exploding, people dying. There is also times when the artwork is toned down and more silly, when the mood is appropriate for it. The action is what really draws me into this series so much as it isn't just your this day in age shonen series, it brings back the nostalgia factor from some of the mangas of the past few decades.

Translation: This series' translation is not really altered. We do get the usual sound effects that are changed for the English readers that VIZ normally does. Character names, attacks, and the references used by our characters were all retained to keep to the original feel of the source material.

Extras: This volume contains another bonus chapter on our main hero, Saitama, before became the One-Punch Man. I am really enjoying these chapters as we get to see the backstory of our main character and what he went through before he got the extraordinary power he somehow inherited.

There is also a page with a few translations of some of the Kanji that was left unchanged so readers can get an understanding of what certain text means.

Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): The volume continues from the first volume. Our heroes, Saitama and Genos, head into the House of Evolution's Headquarters to confront the monsters masters who attacked them previously. When they arrive they have do deal with another Evolutionary Monster, Carnage Kabuto. Carnage Kabuto makes quick work of Genos, but he is still no match for Saitama's One Punch moves. All the leaders want to know is how Saitama got his powers, but it isn't easy to get that answer out of our hero.

After the first story concludes, a new chapter begins when a new enemy known as the Paradisers shows up. These guys all have shaved heads and begin wrecking havoc in local towns around Saitama's home. Saitama isn't about to get involved until he realizes that they are bald like him and with the people of the cities against him, they might go after him when he goes out bargain shopping since he is bald.

We are also introduced to a new character, Sonic. He is an assassin out to stop the Paradisers. He also runs into Saitama and thinks he is a Paradiser and the two have a fight as well, but he is no match for Saitama.

With the Paradisers defeated, a new threat shows up from a mystery organization. The leader of the Paradisers stole from them, and they want revenge.

The volume ends with Genos telling Saitama that they can register to become official heroes. The two decide that it might be the best thing to do with the confusion with all the citizens of the world that they might be confused as enemies.

I really enjoyed this volume. It had all the goodness of the first volume and then some with all the extra action and new characters being introduced. I can't wait to see what comes out of the Hero Registration that Saitama and Genos are going to try to obtain. If you haven't started reading this yet, it is a must for all shonen fans.

Objectionable Content:

• Language: Yes
• Violence: Yes
• Nudity: No
• Sexual Situations: No

Overall Rating: 10/10

Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 9/27/15

Review: One-Punch Man V.01

Title: One-Punch Man
Volume: 1 (of 9+)
Creator: ONE and Yusuke Murata
Format: Right-to-Left
Original Publisher: Shueisha
US Publisher: Viz
Release Date: 9/1/15
Pages: 208
ISBN: 1421585642
MSRP: $9.99
Genre: Shonen Jump
Rated: T (Teens)

Description: Nothing about Saitama passes the eyeball test when it comes to superheroes, from his lifeless expression to his bald head to his unimpressive physique. However, this average-looking guy has a not-so-average problem - he just can't seem to find an opponent strong enough to take on! Every time a promising villain appears, he beats the snot out of 'em with one punch! Can Saitama finally find an opponent who can go toe-to-toe with him and give his life some meaning? Or is he doomed to a life of super powered boredom?

Contains Punch 1-8:

• Punch 01: One Punch
• Punch 02: Crab and Job Hunting
• Punch 03: Walking Disaster
• Punch 04: Subterraneans of Darkness
• Punch 05: Itch Explosion
• Punch 06: Saitama
• Punch 07: A Mysterious Attack
• Punch 08: This Guy
• Bonus Manga: 200 Yen

Review:

Cover Art: The cover uses the original art of the Japanese Tankoban. We have Saitama throwing a punch outward at our reader. He's carrying a bag of groceries, and it appears there is an enemy in the background who he just put a fist through. The series title is in big black letters across the top, with the volume number and mangakas listed in a red rectangular box on the lower left corner.

The spine from top-to-bottom has the Shonen Jump logo, the series title, the volume number, the mangakas, a not so serious shot of Saitama, and the VIZ logo.

The back cover has an action sequence featuring Saitama and his disciple Genos, chasing after an enemy, destroying buildings as they go. The bottom 1/3rd of the cover has the series title and volume number, followed by the volume description. The text is black and it is all on a yellow background.

I really love the look of this cover. The front has an amazing style of artwork that really pops out when a buyer sees it on the shelf and the rest of the entire artwork using a bit more of a toned down style of art really fits with the overall feel of the entire series. 

Artwork: Since this is a shonen jump series, expect lots of action. The series takes place in a more futuristic style planet. There's lots of explosions, fighting, and more explosions! It does have quite a bit of humor as well, but the art style is consistent. What draws me in so much is it reminds me of some of the classics; Dragon Ball, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, and Fist of the North Star. It isn't what fans of today's Shonen Jump series like Naruto and One Piece would be used to, and that is a good thing!

Translation: The translation is pretty spot on for this series. Character names, places, and plot has been left intact. The only thing that some people would probably complain about would be the sound effects are changed to make them English.

Extras: We have a bonus chapter in this volume. It deals before Saitama got his powers and how he was picked on in school. There's also a page that explains a few of he kanji symbols on a couple of the pages. 

Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): The series starts off with a few chapters of just non-stop action, mainly the first four chapters are used to show our readers that this series is going to be filled with fists flying, explosions, humor, and a lead character who just wants to do anything that is not boring. It isn't until the fifth chapter that our story really begins.

Genos, an android that doesn't know who or what he was built for goes up against a crazy mosquito queen person, thing.... He's supposed to be the strongest being in the world, that is until Saitama shows up and steals the show by beating the mosquito queen with a single punch.

Genos asks Saitama to be his mentor, so maybe Genos could one day be as strong as Saitama. But before Saitama can respond, more monsters show up and interrupt our two heroes. But it still seems nothing can stop the invincible Saitama.

The volume doesn't really end with a real cliffhanger, but it is still amazingly good that will just make the reader want to read the next volume as soon as possible. Luckily, VIZ decided to release the first two volumes on the same day. Like I previously stated above in the rest of the entire review, this series is GOOD. It really brings back a nostalgia factor on some of the best shonen series from the 90s, before the whole Pirates vs Ninja generation came out. I definitely recommend this as a read, and a purchase!

Objectionable Content:

• Language: Yes
• Violence: Yes
• Nudity: No
• Sexual Situations: No
• Overall Rating: 10/10

Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 9/5/15

Been Busy...

Sorry, it has been a very busy week. Force Friday and the release of Disney Infinity has kept me from a lot of reading. I did manage to finish One-Punch Man V.01 and am working on it right now! Expect it up in a couple hours, or tomorrow at some point!