I apologies for my failure to post as of late. I could make any number of excuses but it really just comes down to a lack of discipline. As I mentioned last week, several of the series I follow released new volumes. Here are some more quick looks (warning: may contain spoilers). For background on Nura and Blue Exorcist check out my old posts. As always I welcome your thoughts.
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Volume 3: One of the things I enjoy about this series is the split plot. Since the protagonist, Rikuo, leads a double life, one as human and one as Yokai, it is only natural that there be two story-lines. The main story centers around the Yokai, Rikuo’s role within it and the ongoing turmoil in the Yokai world, as new challengers emerge to take advantage of this unrest. In this volume we see an attempted assassination by clan member Gyuki, followed by the declaration that Rikuo is prepared to become the third and lead Nura Clan. He is beginning to remember his Yokai actions when he returns to human form, but he still can’t control when he takes the Yokai form (or so he says). The second storyline that runs through this manga is that of Rikuo’s human form where is his just an ordinary 12-yr old going to school. Here is where the Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol, a school club Rikuo is a member of, dedicated to researching Yokai, come into play. They provide an opportunity to have short contained episodes within the grand plot. In this volume we learn about the legion of the Purple Mirror, also known as the Yokai Ungaikyo, which torments Kana (who is also a club member as well as Rikuo’s ‘special’ friend) on her thirteenth birthday, before she is rescued one again by the Yokai Rikuo. Club members are starting to put the pieces together as the appearance of the Yokai they refer to as the overlord always seems to appear to rescue Kana, and their friend Rikuo always disappears when the overlord is present. Rikuo fears that his cover may be blown. Meanwhile a dangerous new Yokai makes its move on Nura territory.This is a fun series and is suitable for younger teens. It takes on an almost Superman quality with the double identity of Rikuo but the wide array of Yokai keeps it interesting.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the US, you can watch the anime of Nura at Viz anime or Hulu. For the rest of us we’ll have to wait patiently.
Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan Vol. 3 by Hiroshi Shiibashi is published by Viz Media under Shonen Jump. Volume 4 will be released in August.
Blue Exorcist Vol.2 : I’ve been enjoying this series, but I'm not sure why. It isn’t earth-shatteringly original but somehow it has managed to keep me interested. The story centered around twin brothers Rin and Yukio. Rin is training to become an exorcist and his brother Yukio, already a gifted exorcist, is one of the teachers at True Cross Academy. The story has been slowly adding to its cast of characters. In the last volume we met Mephisto Pheles and Shiemi. This volume introduces Ryuji Suguro (aka Bon), a star student whose goal, like Rin, is to defeat Satan. We also meet mean girl Izumo, whose true motivation is still hidden. On the demon side we get the feeling that Mephisto Pheles, who is in charge of True Cross Academy, may actually a demon. He is overheard referring to Rin as ‘brother’, implying that he may also be an offspring of Satan. He summons another ‘brother’ named Amaimon who is known as the the king of earth. At this point we don’t know what Amaimon’s purpose is and it is unclear whether he is Rin’s friend or enemy. Perhaps he want to use Rin for another function?
I have been following the anime to this series which is has been releasing new episodes every Wednesday on Crunchyroll , which can be seen outside the US (it is also available on VizAnime which is US only). At this point the anime has gone past the Vol. 2 manga, so I struggle with whether to keep watching or wait for the next volume, then watch. There have been enough differences between the two to make both worthwhile.
Blue Exorcist is by Kazue Kato and is published by Viz Media under Shonen Jump Advanced. Volume 3 is also being released in August.
Vampire Knight Vol. 12: This was one of the fist series I followed. Yeah, I was caught up in everything vampire for a while. This was my first Shojo manga (for girls) and I had difficulty following it at first but after I figured out how to read the word bubbles properly, I found the story interesting with the day class (humans) and the night class (vampire) and two students Yuki and Zero caught in between. However, after the completion of the first 10 volumes, I feel that this series is struggling to find its new story arc. Now we know everyone’s true identity the story has lost some of its intrigue and the main characters, Zero and Kaname, have become less compelling. I found I had to read this volume twice to figure out what the actual plot was. All I could figure was that there is some short of showdown brewing between vampires and the pure-bloods and I am still unclear what role the hunters have. I hope this series can find its magic again, as it has been one of the most successful of Shojo manga genre in North America, riding on the success of Twilight, but I fear that it may be in a decline. Despite its difficulties it remains one of my favorites for the graphics, and the characters are always beautiful with highly detailed costumes. Matsuri Hino is really good at portraying the uneasy atmosphere of the story, using many interesting angles. I’ll see what the next volume brings to see if the plot-line is established.A note of interest: Viz Media is set to release The Art of Vampire Knight in September. This series also has an anime but I haven’t seen it as it is not streaming in Canada.
Vampire Knight by Matsuri Hino is published by Viz Media under Shojo Beat.