Manga Review: Blue Exorcist

Welcome to the 2nd Edition of Kids Korner

I had my son (10 years old) do a review of this as he wanted to pick it up. It was something I had him do while out of school at the beginning of his vacation. He needs to read more and I thought this would be a fun way to get him involved.

Manga: Blue Exorcist
Story & Art: Kazue Kato
Distributor: VIZ Media
Reading Level: for Older Teen
Page Count: 200 Pages
Number of Volumes: Unknown - so far 2 volumes are out

Back Cover:

Raised by Father Fujimoto, a famous exorcist, Rin Okumura never knew his real father. One day a fateful argument with Father Fujimoto forces Rin to face a terrible truth – the blood of the demon lord Satan runs in Rin’s veins! Rin swears to defeat Satan, but doing that means entering the mysterious True Cross Academy and becoming an exorcist himself. Can Rin fight demons and keep his infernal bloodline a secret? It won't be easy, especially when drawing his father’s sword releases the demonic power within him!

What made you buy this book?

Because in Manga Issue 5 [Shonen Jump Volume 5 - 2011] you get a preview.

What is the Story about?

This book is about a boy named Rin [and] how he finds out that he's 1/2 demon. When he sees Satan, [he] said "Lets got to Gehenna". But Rin said 'No!'. Satan tried to force him, but he got out.

Who are some of the main characters and who are they?

Rin - a person with a special personality
Yukio - a true Cross Academy Exorcism Teacher [and Rin's brother]
Mesphisto - President of the True Cross Academy

Who is your favorite character and why?

Rin, because of his "love to fight".

How do you rate this book (5 being the best) and why?

5 - Because of the illustration is great. This book made you want to read it over and over.

Will you buy the next volume?

YES!! :) and he actually did picked up volume 2

Where will I buy my Manga?

I have been reading reports of Borders financial woes. I was disappointed when they sold the store right by us in Florida. Now that we are in Maryland, we have a Borders near us once more. We usually go once a week to see what new came out and if any specials.

I end up heading straight for the Manga/Graphic Novel section, my son runs towards the kids books and my wife ends up around the Fantasy/Romance books. This it is the only store near us that sells currently released stuff. There are other stores, but usually only old stuff :(

Why should the closure bother us, well. here are some numbers that came as a shock to me. Several years ago, it seems that Borders held 40% of the Manga book market. Now however, it has dwindled to just about a little over 20% of the market.

This is still a large number considering things for a single outlet. As for their overall book stats, they have an 8% share, so you can see that this is a big deal if they were to close down. It has even caused the Manga Distrubuters to wonder what will happen as well - who will pick up the lost slack?

I guess with everyone going to Amazon (affiliate myself) to order stuff, this could be one of those things that hurt their sales. I would rather review the series in person and enjoy that wonderful paperback smell before I buy.

Because of this, we do belong to their Border Rewards program and even pay $20 year for the Rewards Plus plan version. With the amount of books we get, the additonal 10% off all purchases really has paid for itself. The discount coupons are a great way to save additional money as they are usually 25 - 40% off an item.

In fact, this past weekend I picked up Side Story: Dive in the Vampire Bund and Tegami Bachi, Letter Bee v5. My son actually picked up Blue Exorcist which he read part of in Shonen Jump.

The real ugly truth about all this is that some of the Distrubitors have pith their shipments on hold. Since they filed for Bankruptcy protections and have not paid their bills in a couple months, you can understand why. Add in the ever so declining sales of Manga the last 3 years, this does not bode well.

I have not even touched on the Manga available online for free, but that is a whole different issue upon itself.

Do you have a local bookstore that you get your Manga from or do you purchase mostly off the internet sites?

Source: ANN | ICV2

UPDATE: If they can't find a buyer for the company in the coming weeks, it could be the end for them. They did get some bites from Barnes and Noble, but they just waned the data, website and 10 stores :P

What of you mean you hate Akira?

There was a great article on Anime News Network that had been written by Jason Thompson [LINK] about Akira (Manga). I had written this off many, many, many years ago. However, after reading this, I will be seeing if my local library has a copy to read.

I have to explain something about Akira from my own perspective - IT SUCKED!

>>> Waiting for all the flamers to come our and attack me now for saying this <<<

Well, to me the anime version sucked, so I never picked up the manga due to this same reason.

Here is the history of all of this craziness for me:

As I watched it, I found myself dosing off. For some reason, this did not grab my attention nor did I even like it. I found the whole thing too busy and the story was not fluid enough for me to follow it. The characters just yelled at each other and shit blew up a lot. I yawned when they were running around on the motorcycles and was like, what the hell have I rented. Who in their right mind thinks this anime movie is 'da bomb'?

If I remember correctly, I did watch it fully and was disgusted by the whole thing. I felt like this was the fucking dumbest anime ever. I was not sure if I would ever rent another anime again. I felt like I have been deceived and it was a waste of my money. When I returned it, I just wanted to throw it at the clerk.

Luckily, I did rent another anime - Ghost in the Shell - which brought me back from the abyss to once again enjoy anime movies. Thus, here I am today - many, many, many years later, watching anime like a drunk looking for that next bottle of booze.

This now bears the question to you my Readers:

Have you ever had such an experience in your life that cause you to almost change what you enjoy doing now?

Manga Review: DARKSTALKERS / RED EARTH: MALEFICARUM

Title: DARKSTALKERS / RED EARTH: MALEFICARUM
Volume: 1
Artist:Mami Itou
Writer: Mami Itou

Publisher: Udon

Price Point: $12.95

Ripped from the Back Cover:

"DARKSTALKERS / RED EARTH: MALEFICARUM is a video game Manga at its funniest.

The sexy seductresses and vicious monsters known as the DARKSTALKERS burst out of the night as Morrigan, Lilith, Demitri, Talbain, Jedah, and more battle for control of the demon dimension!

Plus, experience the adventures of RED EARTH, a unique fantasy world of ninjas, withces, and lions that battle dinosaurs, knights, and sorceresses, with excitement around every corner!"

What is Cool about it:

It has Morrigan in it - so what more of a reason to get it. I love seeing how both her and Demitir get into it right at the beginning. The best story is with the Werewolf however near the end of the book. There is a brief intro with Lilith and of course Jedah. Should prove an interesting story if they keep it all together.

The artwork is quite stunning and does have a 'gaming' feel to it. Red Earth does have some interesting elements with it. When they get to a part that resembles Egypt, I couldn't help but think of Yu-Gi-Oh!. You get an intro to most of the characters from Red Earth. It does give you the feeling of wanting more at the end of the story arc which is good.

I like the 'Comments' pages as they go into more detail of the artist and some more insight to how it was put together.

What Suckles about it:

Stories are a bit jumpy for my tastes. You start with Darkstalkers, then go to Red Earth and finish with Darkstalkers. Sometimes the artwork overwhelms the story line and I get lost at some points. Not really crazy about the jumping around between stories. If you start with one story, keep it till the end before jumping to a different one. I was enjoying the story start with Morrigan and Demitri and then it jumps to Red Earth - WTF!


It has a 2 page 'sneak review' of the ninja - we love ninjas and should of been more. Guess we will see more in volume 2?

I think both are great on there own, but  when they are combined and mixed, not so much. Red Earth was by far better than the Darkstalkers arc.

Some Interior Art:

Here is some limited Color Art - Red Earth

Red Earth

Morrigan and Wolfie

Morrigan and Demitri

Final Words:

It is an okay read, but I really wish they would of separated the stores a bit better. I guess if I follow the art a bit better, it would make it easier for me to read. Guess I am getting old and too much excitement in a manga is bad for me now

Overall Rating: D

Keep or Throw: Throw

Weekend Shenanigans

It was nice not driving around on Saturday House Hunting. Was able to watch some morning cartoons and relax a bit. I had to drop off a package to be shipped to Australia, but was back in time for Bakugan.

I finally got the wife out of the house later in the day and we drove around shopping. I wanted to stop at an Antique store and check it out. I was quite surprised to see Sailor Moon items. WTF were these doing in a antique store??? I know that they are an older series, but in an antique store?

They had some old VHS tapes, Manga and Card sets. What really took me by surprise was some bathroom items. I looked close and saw a Sailor Mercury hair brush and 2 Sailor Mars toothbrushes. Not sure I would use them myself, but still nice for a collector.

Just then I looked up and saw 2 Sakura Cardcaptors dolls.Both were the same doll, just different packaging from what I could tell. They were $12.95 each and to me was not a bad price for the condition. Still though, not for me.

Rest of the day was more shopping. We stopped by Wonder Books and I got 2 Manga books - Jing: King of Bandits, vol 6 & 7. I wanted to get more as they had a sale that if you bought one, you got one free on Graphic Novel and Comic books. Since this is a second hand shop, there was not much around to buy that peaked my interest. I was able to get both these for a little over $6.00.


I have been wanting to get a new figure for the longest time. I keep adding stuff to my shopping cart at Wal-Mart and then put it back. This time however, I was determined to get something. I finally got a Transformer to satisfy my cravings called Terradive. I have a love of planes and I really liked the design of this one. One I saw it had a trident as a weapon, I was sold. I hope to have a posting up soon of it un-packaged and transformed.


Anything exiting this weekend for you?

Crazy Dan's Manga and DVD Sale

Felt like I would have some fun as I am a bit crazy (well, actually psychotic - crazy is for normal people).

I have been milling around the idea to sell some of my collection again as I hate carrying boxes. Especially boxes of books - my back hates me when I move them. These are some completed series, but mostly ongoing series of Manga that I own that I would like to sell to a good home.

I am even going crazy with the pricing, but I am only selling the sets and not individual manga. I want to give people who have not started a series or want one that they can pick them up at a stupid price.

I am even offering this to the International community as I know these are not easy to come at these prices. Sets will be sold at $4.00 USD per book per set (if you have 5 book set, cost is $20.00, 3 book set = $12.00 . . . ) plus shipping costs (which will be as close to actual costs as I can get). Now the more sets you get, the more I take off ALL the Manga.

What I mean by that is that for each set you buy, I will drop $0.25 off the cost of each book. This stops at $3.00 per book minimum as I can't give them away. Here is the breakdown for ya:

• 1 set = $4.00 per book per set
• 2 sets = $3.75 per book per set
• 3 sets = $3.50 per book per set
• 4 sets = $3.25 per book per set
• 5 or more sets = $3.00 per book per set

This is my way of helping you get some great reads at ridiculous prices. Here is the Manga I have to sell:

• Soul Eater ~ vol 1 - 5
• Dance in the Vampire Bund ~ vol 1 - 9
• 20th Century Boys ~ vol 1 - 12
• Nightschool, the Weirn Books ~ vol 1 - 4
• Tegami Bachi ~ vol 1 - 4
• Rosario + Vampire ~ vol 1 - 12 (complete set)
• Rosario + Vampire, Season 2 ~ vol 1 - 4
• Yokai Doctor ~ vol 1 - 3
• Sayonara, Zetsubou Sensei, vol 1 - 5
• The King of Debris ~ vol 1 - 2
• Gunsmith Cats, Revised Edition ~ vol 1 - 4 (complete set)
• Ral Grad ~ vol 1 - 4 (complete set)
• Hero Tales ~ vol 1 - 4
• The Dark Hunters ~ vol 1
• Jing: King of Bandits - Twilight Tales ~ vol 1
• Dorohedoro ~ vol 1 - 2
• Eureka Seven - Manga Collection ~ vol 2
• Shaman Warrior ~ vol 1 - 9 (complete set)
• Shoulder - A - Coffin ~ vol 1 - 2
  

Now for the DVD's, I am selling these by the sets as well. I decided to just make these easier and just charge a flat price for each. I have noted the prices next to each one on sale.

• Appleseed Limited Collector's Edition ~ $3.00
• Appleseed ExMachina Collector's Edition ~ $3.00
• Vexille
• Final Fantasy VII, Advent Children ~ $3.00
• Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie, Conqueror of Shamballa, Special Edition Set ~ $4.00
• Ragnarok - The Animation ~ vol 1- 3 (complete set) ~ $6.00
• Magic Knight Rayearth2, DVD Memorial Box Set ~ vol 1 - 7 ~ $8.00
• Future GPX Cyberformula Complete Collection ~ vol 1 - 8 (dubbed only) ~ $8.00
  

There may be some shelf wear or spine creases for the large manga. All of these come from a smoke free home and are in Like New condition. They have all been read or watched, so they are not new, but lovingly used :)

Leave a comment here with your desires as it is first come first get. Also drop me an email at bluedrakon (at) gmail (dot) com so I can review the shipping cost with you. If in the US, it will be Media Mail, International will be First Class if possible.

Shonen Jump 100th Issue Spectacular!

Just finished reading all the great Manga editions in this 100th edition of Shonen Jump. Well, some of it is great while others are - well - so so.

>> There are Story Spoilers Here <<

What was in this edition to make is to 'SPECTACULAR'?

1. Dark Magician card 'signed' by Kazuki Takahashi
2. Full Color Glossy Dragon Ball Z Puul out poster
3. One Piece x Dragon Ball Cross Epoch Manga

The regular featured manga of Naruto, Bleach and One Piece is the greatest thing about this mag in my opinion. I really look forward to reading the book (after my son does) for each of these stories each month.

My son enjoys the free cards along with Naruto, One Piece and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's stories.

I am glad they got rid of Ultimo manga as the story was blah, but they replaced it with Psyren. That is even worse that Ultimo and not sure why this was even added in.

I think the real winner this month was the added short manga One Piece x Dragon Ball Cross Epoch. From what I was able to find, this was a Special one-shot collaboration to celebrate One Piece's 10th Anniversary. I was taken back by who they had paired together in this, but think they did a pretty good job.

The obvious one was Luffy with Goku and Zolo with Piccolo. I am not that much a fan of the Dragon Ball saga anymore (to damn overdone). However, this short story was a very nice read. They got all the main characters into the story while keeping the flow from getting crazy. They kept with the wonderful fancy of how One Piece stories are told which I really enjoyed. Hell, they even got the Dragon in on that act.

Here are the rest of the tag teams for you to check out:

• Chopper and Krillian
• Nami and Bulma
• Sanji and Master Roshi
• Nico Robin / Usopp and Vegeta / Trunks
• Buggy the Pirate and Emperor Pilaf

Ending to the Cross Epoch

What do you think of the team ups in this short story?

Would you make any changes of what characters got together?

Weekend Shannagins

We went car shopping again this weekend as my wife's car is in the crapper. It looks like she will be getting a Subaru. Probably a Outback or Outback Sport. It really depends on if they can get it into our price range. It sucks as this is another car payment and money taken away for the house hunt :(

On to the fun stuff that we got this weekend.

I forgot to get my arse out of bed to watch Bleach and Kekkaishi on Adult Swim. That sucked, but I was tired from a long week. Since we are using one car, I have to get up at 5:30am to beat my wife in the shower. If I don't, I get a cold shower - burrrrrrr.

I am not sure what came over me, but we did pick up the new DSi game Pokémon White game version for my son. Now he can get Victory Pokémon Victini by using his Liberty Pass I got him in the new game. My wife decided to get Death Jr. game for the Wii Root of Evil. She is always trying to find a game that the 2 of us can play. It kind of is a perfect match for us as I am always fascinated by death and she loves boxes. I am not as much into gaming as she is, but it is a good time for us to get together for fun. We are even ordering the Official Game Book off Amazon for $16.66 instead of the $29.99. The store kept trying to shovel this down my throat to buy, but know I could get it cheaper.

My son was getting a bit upset that our local Borders store had the 100th issue of Shonen Jump in, but his has not made it to the mailbox. After 2 weeks of him looking at the bagged up version of Manga on the shelf, I bought it for him. I swear the only thing he wanted was the Yu-Gi-Oh! card again. They had a 'signed' edition of the Dark Magician card that was 'shiny' and stuff. I did write to Shonen Jump and make them aware of the issue. It will take 4-6 weeks for us to get it in - WTF, by that time, we would have moved on - oh well.

I will have to do a review of it this week as they do have a cross over Manga with Dragon Ball and One Piece. This should be an interesting edition to read.



What fun did you have this past weekend?

Pick up anything to read or watch?

Weekend Fun and Manga

I know it is Wednesday and a bit late for some weekend fun we had, but I was busy in the earlier part of the week.

I took my son to GameStop this weekend so he could get Celebi for his DSi Pokemon Soul Silver game. It is still available until March 6th. You needed one of several Pokemon games to get this download. It is cool because you use your wifi setting in the game to get a 'mystery gift' that you have to pickup at one of the shops in the game.

I actually pre-ordered Pokemon White Version for him so he can get the next download as seen in the poster.

I went back to the Hallmark store closing up and got some more acrylic displays. My son wanted some more and helped me pick them out. I was able to find 2 extra large ones for on top of my cases.

He had a blast making int Gundam Gashapon display and even used on of my old stands. He was so proud of himself and it turned out nice.

He even got one to make his Mega Blok Dialga Pokemon look like it was flying. I was amazed at how inventive he was in doing that. I have to hide the rest of them as I am sure he will be back in to grab even more of the displays for his other stuff.

We even picked up some Manga this weekend at Borders and Wonder Book. Borders had a couple I have been looking for like Soul Eater 5 and Tegami Bach 4. I did also pickup a book called 'Your Chinese Horoscope for 2011' as I love astrology. I am a Wood Dragon myself and loved reading about what is coming up for me this year.

Wonder Book is a local book shop which reminds me of your hometown book store. They even have rentals which included to my amazement - Anime. Mostly older stuff, but some I could get into to back fill some time as needed. I finally found the Manga on the furthest side of the store.

Not really anything new, but will be worth picking through as you can see in the photo above. I did manage to get a Jing, King of Bandits Manga to tied me over for a while. My son got some Duel Masters books and other fantasy reading books. Here is a shot of our 'haul' this weekend in Manga this past weekend:


Did anyone have some fun adventures this weekend as well?

~Dragon Ball

❤All credits to the cosplayers and photographers❤
















❤All credits to the cosplayers and photographers❤

~Perfect Girl Evolution

❤All credits to the cosplayers and photographers❤
OFFICIAL Website


Sunako Nakahara 中原 スナコ


Kyohei Takano 高野 恭平

Takenaga Oda 織田 武長

Yukinojo Toyama 遠山 雪之丞

Ranmaru Morii 森井 蘭丸 ,

Noi Kasahara 笠原 乃依

~Fullmetal Alchemist 鋼の錬金術師

❤All credits to the cosplayers and photographers❤

OFFICIAL Website

Edward Elric エドワード・エルリック

Alphonse Elric アルフォンス・エルリック

Winry Rockbell ウィンリィ・ロックベル

☆State Military

Roy Mustang ロイ・マスタング

Riza Hawkeye リザ・ホークアイ

Alex Louis Armstrong アレックス・ルイ・アームストロング

Olivier Mira Armstrong オリヴィエ・ミラ・アームストロング

Maria Ross マリア・ロス

☆Ishbal

Scar スカー

☆Homunculi

Lust ラスト