Title: Platinum End
Volume: 1 (of 4+)
Creator: Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata
Format: Right-to-Left
Original Publisher: SHUEISHA
US Publisher: VIZ
Release Date: 11/1/16
Pages: 192
ISBN: 1421590638
MSRP: $9.99
Genre: Shonen Jump
Rated: M (Mature)
Description: Troubled Mirai’s life changes when he gains the power of an angel, but he may need to become a devil to survive in the battle against others just like him!
As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.
Contains Chapters 1-3:
- #1: Gift From An Angel
- #2: Man's Nature
- #3: Hero of Justice
Review:
Cover: The cover for the first volume of the series, features our main protagonist, Mirai, in a laying back position. He is surrounded by white feathers which span the majority of the cover, with a red halo ring around his neck. The series title is across the center with the volume number between the words. The layout of the series title is very unique, as it has each letter overlapping each other. There's also another title under it which clearly spells out Platinum End, in case the reader can't read the way the title was intentionally placed.
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's summary on the left side, with a cool alternate angle of Mirai from the front.
I absolutely love this cover! From the front to the back it draws me in. The imaging of Mirai with the angelic feathers around him, but the darkness of him just shows that this series might not be all about good little angels. The cover also has a really cool holographic shine to it, making it pretty much sparkle and pop even more. Future volumes are gonna have to be just as good with a cover, as this one shines right off the press!
Artwork: If your familiar and love the art style of Death Note, this series will feel right at home. Since the artist is the same artist as the above mentioned, and due to the nature and tone of this series, Platinum's End's style is very similar. It does have a bit more of a mature flare to it as well, so expect quite a bit more skin then Death Note had, or pretty much any other Shonen Jump line title.
Translation: Character names, places, cultural references, and lore are left intact. Still have the sound effects though changed to English.
Extras: N/A
Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): Our series starts with our hero, Mirai, yet he may not be a hero yet as we don't really know in what direction this series will truly go. Mirai has the worst life imaginable. His biological parents are dead and he's living with his aunt and uncle, who really are only using him for his money.
One day, he tries to commit suicide by jumping off the top of a building, when he is rescued by what appears to be an angel. The angel is apparently his guardian, and is there to make Mirai happy by bestowing onto him powers that will essentially make his life better. The powers so far revealed are Wings to help him steal. And two types of arrows; red to make people fall in love with him and white to cause instant death.
Mirai doesn't believe in these abilities, until he uses one on his aunt, who reveals that it was her and her husband who were responsible for killing Mirai's family years ago, and he was supposed to have died as well. When his uncle arrives home, he finds out what has happened and things go from bad to worse for this family (I won't reveal the outcome here as it is bittersweet).
Mirai now begins a life on his own and the remaining volume we learn that there are more guardians on Earth that have bestowed 12 other humans with similar powers. These humans are being judged in a sense to possibly become the God to watch over the planet. The angels are used as guides to these humans, but can't get too involved with them as they must prove themselves that they are capable of ruling.
I really don't want to spoil much more for this first volume. All I can say is, yes there is a cliffhanger that will leave us pretty thirsty for more. The series starts right off the bat with a unique premise. I love how its similar to Death Note in terms of people playing god on Earth, but in this incarnation these humans are in somewhat of a battle royale to prove they can actually become God. Platinum End shows tons of promise and I can't wait for the next installment to see where Ohba and Obata will take us.
Objectionable Content:
Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 4/11/17
Cover: The cover for the first volume of the series, features our main protagonist, Mirai, in a laying back position. He is surrounded by white feathers which span the majority of the cover, with a red halo ring around his neck. The series title is across the center with the volume number between the words. The layout of the series title is very unique, as it has each letter overlapping each other. There's also another title under it which clearly spells out Platinum End, in case the reader can't read the way the title was intentionally placed.
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's summary on the left side, with a cool alternate angle of Mirai from the front.
I absolutely love this cover! From the front to the back it draws me in. The imaging of Mirai with the angelic feathers around him, but the darkness of him just shows that this series might not be all about good little angels. The cover also has a really cool holographic shine to it, making it pretty much sparkle and pop even more. Future volumes are gonna have to be just as good with a cover, as this one shines right off the press!
Artwork: If your familiar and love the art style of Death Note, this series will feel right at home. Since the artist is the same artist as the above mentioned, and due to the nature and tone of this series, Platinum's End's style is very similar. It does have a bit more of a mature flare to it as well, so expect quite a bit more skin then Death Note had, or pretty much any other Shonen Jump line title.
Translation: Character names, places, cultural references, and lore are left intact. Still have the sound effects though changed to English.
Extras: N/A
Content (Warning: May Contain Spoilers): Our series starts with our hero, Mirai, yet he may not be a hero yet as we don't really know in what direction this series will truly go. Mirai has the worst life imaginable. His biological parents are dead and he's living with his aunt and uncle, who really are only using him for his money.
One day, he tries to commit suicide by jumping off the top of a building, when he is rescued by what appears to be an angel. The angel is apparently his guardian, and is there to make Mirai happy by bestowing onto him powers that will essentially make his life better. The powers so far revealed are Wings to help him steal. And two types of arrows; red to make people fall in love with him and white to cause instant death.
Mirai doesn't believe in these abilities, until he uses one on his aunt, who reveals that it was her and her husband who were responsible for killing Mirai's family years ago, and he was supposed to have died as well. When his uncle arrives home, he finds out what has happened and things go from bad to worse for this family (I won't reveal the outcome here as it is bittersweet).
Mirai now begins a life on his own and the remaining volume we learn that there are more guardians on Earth that have bestowed 12 other humans with similar powers. These humans are being judged in a sense to possibly become the God to watch over the planet. The angels are used as guides to these humans, but can't get too involved with them as they must prove themselves that they are capable of ruling.
I really don't want to spoil much more for this first volume. All I can say is, yes there is a cliffhanger that will leave us pretty thirsty for more. The series starts right off the bat with a unique premise. I love how its similar to Death Note in terms of people playing god on Earth, but in this incarnation these humans are in somewhat of a battle royale to prove they can actually become God. Platinum End shows tons of promise and I can't wait for the next installment to see where Ohba and Obata will take us.
Objectionable Content:
- Language: Yes
- Violence: Yes
- Nudity: Yes
- Sexual Situations: Yes
- Cover: 10/10
- Artwork: 10/10
- Translation: 7/10
- Extras: N/A
- Story: 10/10
Where Purchased: Barnes and Nobles
Original Review Date: 4/11/17
