( 3 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Nov 12 2006
I have read all 32 volumes of the original Japanese Shaman King story, and have also followed the English translations since my brother started subscribing to the English translation of the Shonen Jump magazine. I must say that I find the English editions completely satisfactory, besides the fact that they don't have the original sound effects (fine by me). Having said that, here are some opinions on this volume of the manga. To start off with, the art is very good. Takei's style is highly stylized and angular, with some freakish characters that may turn off a few readers. Otherwise, the crisp, sharply contrasting black-and-white artwork is original and applied with skill. If you are jumping into the story with this volume, you may be a bit confused. I recommend starting the series from the beginning. I'll assume here that you have read everything previous or at least know the main characters: The story in this volume begins a dramatic turning point in the story. After the resolution of the conflict between Ren and his father (I won't spoil what happens!), Yoh and his shaman friends prepare for their trip to America for the second round of the Shaman Fight. A highlight of this volume for those of you who are reading/have read the Japanese version as well is that it contains a controversial, perplexing scene involving Yoh and Anna. While only slightly suggestive of anything, some fans speculate that it proves Anna to be the mother of Hana Asakura (Yoh's son in a short story created by Hiroyuki Takei). Otherwise, most of the time fans will tell you that the short story points directly to Tamao Tamamura as the mother. Completely interesting topic. Then, after these preparations and the last night with friends and loved ones, the shaman depart for the U.S. You'll be happy to see the comical, brief appearance of Silva and the rest of the Patch tribe in this volume, and to become aqcuaintanced with HAO HIMSELF! The collection of chapters closes with an ending that hungers for the next volume, and ends completely with a cute little short showing Manta Oyamada after his best friend(s) leave for America. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone even slightly curious about Shaman King. This series, stopped short in Japan for questionable reasons, well deserved to go on. It is complex--full of lovable characters representing many cultures, packed with satisfactory action and humor, and at times, it is even a beautiful, thought-provoking story. Read the story from the beginning, and you'll be happy you did.
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( 1 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Aug 25 2006
This is one of the most amazing books i have ever read! i liked the art and the story. I have read all of shaman king books but this is one of the most coolest ones. So don't hesitate to buy it whether you are a shaman king fan or not. P.S. In this volume yoh and anna finally have a good sex!!! WOW
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( 2 of 14 found this review helpful ) Posted: May 3 2004
Okay I haven't read the book yet but I've read most of the stories in it because I read shonen Jump (which awsome) I'm definatly going to buy it when it comes out. EVERYONE SHOULD READ SHAMAN KING BOOKS!!!!!!!!
