Volume: 2 (of 3)
Creator: Nobuaki Enoki & Takeshi Obata
Format: Unflipped
Original Publisher: SHUEISHA
US Publisher: VIZ
Release Date: 4/5/16
Pages: 192
ISBN: 1421585677
MSRP: $9.99
Genre: Shonen Jump
Rated: T (For Teen)
Description: In order to curb the crime running rampant in the elementary school system, a new solution has been enacted in the form of the School Judgment System. Now the young students themselves will be responsible for solving the issues that befall them. But are they up for the task?
A Masked Dude has been distributing a magical powder to the children of class 6-3 to put on their boring food. The powder makes regular food so addictive that the children who are hooked get sick if they don’t eat it. Pine finds Reiko Shiratori, the school’s Madonna, at the Masked Dude’s hideout and accuses her of distributing the powder. Can Abaku argue Reiko out of this not-so-sweet situation?
Contains Chapters 8-16:
- Chapter 8: Beware of the Magical Powder (2)
- Chapter 9: Beware of the Magical Powder (3)
- Chapter 10: The Inu-Saru Reunion
- Chapter 11: Civil Trial Arc (1): The Investigation
- Chapter 12: Civil Trial Arc (2): The Courtroom
- Chapter 13: Civil Trial Arc (3): The Staircase of Truth
- Chapter 14: Evil Spirit 5-Meters Deep (1)
- Chapter 15: Evil Spirit 5-Meters Deep (2)
- Chapter 16: Evil Spirit 5-Meters Deep (3)
Review:
Cover Art: This cover features many characters this time around. We have our main protagonist, Abaku Inugami, front and center. Behind him is the class president, Shuichi Higashide, and his childhood friend, Kotaro Sarutobi. There is a pair of scales on the upper left corner. This is all on a black background that fades to white towards the bottom. The series title is towards the bottom, followed by the volume number. There is also a tiny blurb towards the top that lets readers know that this series was created by one of the creators of Death Note.
The spine from top to bottom contains the Shonen Jump brand logo, the series title, the volume number, the mangakas, and the VIZ company logo.
The back cover has the volume summary on the top half of the cover. The bottom half is a collage of many of the characters who have huge roles in this volume.
This cover I enjoyed more then the last; the character poses and colors used really stand out a lot better. The imaging used on the back was also very intense seeing all these characters looking menacing as they were in the volume as well. My only complaint, which isn't probably that big of a deal, is I wish there was some kind of imaging on the spine. Most the shonen Jump mangas have some kind of image, so it is still a bit sad to see nothing on this series; to me it makes a cover stand out on bookstore shelves with some kind of imaging.
The spine from top to bottom contains the Shonen Jump brand logo, the series title, the volume number, the mangakas, and the VIZ company logo.
The back cover has the volume summary on the top half of the cover. The bottom half is a collage of many of the characters who have huge roles in this volume.
This cover I enjoyed more then the last; the character poses and colors used really stand out a lot better. The imaging used on the back was also very intense seeing all these characters looking menacing as they were in the volume as well. My only complaint, which isn't probably that big of a deal, is I wish there was some kind of imaging on the spine. Most the shonen Jump mangas have some kind of image, so it is still a bit sad to see nothing on this series; to me it makes a cover stand out on bookstore shelves with some kind of imaging.
Artwork: I love the artwork from this series! Since the artist is the same guy who did Death Note, it has similar distinctions to his other works. Because of the type of manga this is however, it looks a bit more along the lines of manga like Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V and Pokemon Adventures. The art is also very consistent as well; not much change from scene to scene, which is a huge plus when everything runs fluidly.
Translation: The translation for the most part is completely accurate. Character names, places, and cases are all left intact. Things that were changed were pretty much the sound effects, which is common for most of VIZ's mangas.
Extras: After every chapter is some sort of translation notes and character files related to each case. There is also an afterword and a glossary section. Stuff like this really makes me happy in terms of extras, especially when the writer goes into detail more into their work.
Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): This volume continues with the case that was started in the previous volume. I will do my best as well to not give away the outcomes to not spoil directly how the cases all end. Abaki goes to court finally to figure out who was selling that highly addictive Magical "Sugar" Powder to students around the school. It's eventually revealed that the masked man has a dog allergy and is colored blind and Abaku easily finishes the case. We also learn that the Magical Powder isn't actually addicting at all so the masked man gets a sentence not as severe as he should have.
The next case introduces Sarutobi, a friend of Abaku's from his previous school. He is also a classroom lawyer. The next case turns out to be a Civil Case so it ends up being Sarutobi and Abaku each taking on their own clients to prove who was right and who was wrong. This case deals with Plagiarism; two students who both supposedly created the same work of art for their art class but only one of them is the real artist, or maybe it is someone else (hint, hint). What really makes this case stand out is Sarutobi's introduction. We begin to learn a bit more about the Bloody Classroom Session Tragedy that left Abaku, Sarutobi, and another student the only kids left alive in their classroom. The three were all blamed with the murders of their entire class and were forced to go through a correctional facility school till they were rehabilitated. To this day no one still knows what happens as the three students pushed the memories far back into their heads so they couldn't remember. Maybe by the final volume we will meet the final child and they might have the answers.
The last story deals with Abaku's other rival, Pine, about to change schools as she will be moving soon. There is a new mystery that needs a case to be solved about a ghost that lives in the deep end of the school pool. Pine's dad shows up at the school and decides he will be the one to go up against Abaku to solve who actually is causing the mysteries at the deep end of the pool. When Abaku finds out that Pine's dad is taking her out of the school, he proposes if he wins, Pine gets to stay; if Abaku loses however, he must stop being a lawyer entirely.
The volume pretty much concludes the case, but no spoilers from me. The stories are rich and compelling, which I absolutely love. Abaku's past is also very intriguing to me and the story within the story is what really draws me into this title more. I really want to see how this Classroom Murder really happened, and I really think it has to do something with the third student who we have not seen yet. I really recommend this series so far. There is a ton of content compared to other Shonen Jump titles like Naruto and Bleach. It's rich with mystery and humor; its just an all around fun title.
- Language: No
- Violence: Yes
- Nudity: No
- Sexual Situations: Yes
- Cover: 8/10
- Artwork: 10/10
- Translation: 8/10
- Extras: 10/10
- Story: 8/10
Overall Rating: 9/10
Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 5/24/16
Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 5/24/16
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