Volume: 2 (of 3+)
Creator: Hiroya Oku
Format: Right-to-Left
Original Publisher: Kodansha
US Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Release Date: 11/24/15
Pages: 192
ISBN: 1632361310
MSRP: $12.99
Genre: Seinen
Rated: OT (Ages 16+)
Description: Hiro Shishigami’s surprising reveal to his best friend, Ando, has made it clear that Inuyashiki was not the only person out in the park on that fateful night. Though it seems that Shishigami’s abilities will make life easier for his formerly bullied friend, his new abilities have also pushed him in a grim direction and he has now picked up a strange and deadly hobby. Inuyashiki may be the only person who can do something, but even with his new body, he’s still no spring chicken. Does Inuyashiki have what it takes to prevent Shishigami from continuing his violent pastime?
Contains Chapters 9-17:
- Chapter 9: The Other One
- Chapter 10: Hiro Shishigami
- Chapter 11: Tragedy
- Chapter 12: Plea
- Chapter 13: The Same Thing
- Chapter 14: I Will Handle Them
- Chapter 15: Across The Sky
- Chapter 16: Got Your Back
- Chapter 17: Their Powers:
Review:
Cover: The cover this time features Hiro Shishigami, the other hero who the aliens destroyed and built from the ground up. The background is orange this time with the same style used in the previous volume for the series title and volume number.
The spine from top-to-bottom contains the Kodansha brand logo, the series title, the volume number, and the mangaka.
The back cover is pretty basic as it just has the volume summary on he left side, with what looks like the inside of a computer on the right.
The spine from top-to-bottom contains the Kodansha brand logo, the series title, the volume number, and the mangaka.
The back cover is pretty basic as it just has the volume summary on he left side, with what looks like the inside of a computer on the right.
The cover this time for me I felt a bit deceived. It might be because the character featured on this cover, Volume 2, is the antagonist of the series. Usually a series would show our heroes front and center for the first couple of volumes before featuring a villain, but not Inuyashiki! However it is forgivable since their really is only one hero in the entire series so far so there is not really anyone else to represent the cover of Volume 2 unless you want to show off Ichiro again, which would be a bit boring as buyers who see the two volumes side-by-side on a bookstore shelf might think something entirely different about this series. For the most part, it works; I would like to see our antagonist looking a bit more sinister however.
Artwork: The artwork in this volume continues to impress me. Since this series is Seinen, it uses a bit more of a mature art style. If readers are familiar with Hiroya's other work, GantZ, this volume is pretty much drawn in the same style as his previous work. I absolutely love it! From the dramatic moments to the action sequences, every page is eye pleasing.
Translation: The translation for this volume is pretty spot on. Character names, references, places, sound effects, and other anime/manga works are all left intact. There is also a page of translation notes for readers to get a better understanding of what some of the many references this volume contains.
Extras: N/A
Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): This volume continues Hiro Shishigami's introduction as he visits a friend of his who was absent at school and begins to show off his new abilities that he inherited from the alien accident. He seems to have a bit more control over his powers then Ichiro does, but he also abuses them by harassing people and stealing.
He eventually ends up at a household where the family is home. Wife is cooking dinner while the father is giving their young son a bath. He kills them all as they plead for their lives. As the last member of the family arrives home, the older daughter, Hiro begins to torture her. Ichiro hears the cries for help and goes to try and save her before anymore harm happens. He arrives to late and as Ichiro sees the death and harm Hiro has caused he wants to avenge them. Hiro easily takes care of Ichiro with a single hit. Ichiro get's up and Hiro is surprised he did not kill the old man, but just decides to leave so he doesn't cause any more attention. Ichiro vows to not let anyone else die and starts to learn what his new abilities consist of to help defend the innocent.
Later, Hiro meets back up with his friend and threatens him that if he doesn't start coming back to school that he would kill him. His friend no longer wants to be his friend because of what he has done, but Hiro still does not let up, if he doesn't go to school he will find him and kill him.
In the last scene, Ichiro sees a cat that has been wounded and is in serious condition. He manages to use his ability to heal the cat good as new. Ichiro decides he will use his new found ability to heal the sick and injured.
I absolutely love this volume. The drama was intense, the action was insane. The protagonist and the antagonist are complete polar opposites which is something that makes me as a reader really choose a side fast. My one complaint is the inconsistency of certain things that happen in the story. In V.01, Ichiro had a shaking condition that he overcame after the accident but in this volume its back; it's not mentioned but the lines are there that show he is shaking again. Another thing is the jet pack Ichiro uses was shown off in the first volume as well, but he doesn't seem to realize he has one when he sees Hiro uses his and then he tries to access his own. Although the main story was amazing, things like the above mentioned do still bug me.
He eventually ends up at a household where the family is home. Wife is cooking dinner while the father is giving their young son a bath. He kills them all as they plead for their lives. As the last member of the family arrives home, the older daughter, Hiro begins to torture her. Ichiro hears the cries for help and goes to try and save her before anymore harm happens. He arrives to late and as Ichiro sees the death and harm Hiro has caused he wants to avenge them. Hiro easily takes care of Ichiro with a single hit. Ichiro get's up and Hiro is surprised he did not kill the old man, but just decides to leave so he doesn't cause any more attention. Ichiro vows to not let anyone else die and starts to learn what his new abilities consist of to help defend the innocent.
Later, Hiro meets back up with his friend and threatens him that if he doesn't start coming back to school that he would kill him. His friend no longer wants to be his friend because of what he has done, but Hiro still does not let up, if he doesn't go to school he will find him and kill him.
In the last scene, Ichiro sees a cat that has been wounded and is in serious condition. He manages to use his ability to heal the cat good as new. Ichiro decides he will use his new found ability to heal the sick and injured.
I absolutely love this volume. The drama was intense, the action was insane. The protagonist and the antagonist are complete polar opposites which is something that makes me as a reader really choose a side fast. My one complaint is the inconsistency of certain things that happen in the story. In V.01, Ichiro had a shaking condition that he overcame after the accident but in this volume its back; it's not mentioned but the lines are there that show he is shaking again. Another thing is the jet pack Ichiro uses was shown off in the first volume as well, but he doesn't seem to realize he has one when he sees Hiro uses his and then he tries to access his own. Although the main story was amazing, things like the above mentioned do still bug me.
Objectionable Content:
- Language: Yes
- Violence: Yes
- Nudity: Yes
- Sexual Situations: Yes
Overall Rating: 7/10
Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 12/25/2015
Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 12/25/2015
