A little late, but I’m off to Wales soon, so this is the only point I can manage it. SO LETS....
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Awesome banner provided by the masterful VGsounds of mangahelpers. Anyway, I'm back, rejuvenated, and with a slightly improved FTP, that will improve with each month! Hopefully with good feedback too! LET'S GO!
BURN BABY BURN! DISCO INFERNO!
Claymore vol.5
Why Flip the Pages?: Well what can I say? I've been dying for another excuse to big up the epic known as claymore for a while, and the post granted me another opportunity. This volume of Claymore finalises it's status as perhaps the best manga out on the Shonen Jump Advanced label, and with good reason. The volume kicks off with the stunning end of the Theresa arc, bringing with it a revelation in what can happen if a claymore 'awakens', and closes with Clare and a team of other claymores fighting a male awakened, which apparently hold terrific strength. But to say much more would surely ruin the book for you. Either way, this volume ups the art to a new level of unique superiority, and the story..... well, the story is just beyond fantastic. The introduction of new claymores and the 'awakened' just improves what could have become a repetitive plot two books back. Two of these claymores are worth mentioning in reference to uniqueness as well, mainly for one's.... shall we say elongated abilities, and the other's ability to regenerate. The inclusion of such uniquely equipped characters (not even to mention the personalitys!) is just pure genius on Norihiro Yagi's part, and signifies bright things for the series future.
Why Slam the Book Down?: Well, to say that Claymore is a positive happy go lucky affair would be to lie out my ever loving arse, so I'll get down to brass tacks: a lot of people will be upset or find some events too tragic in the story. There, it's out there. if you can face a tragic event, then this is for you. otherwise you're just freakin' weak. My only other grievance is gonna be the less obvious one. There is some nudity, uncensored. But anyone who actually finds it erotic is freakin' weird in the head, and needs execution. And sadly i believe that the population of manga fans does carry a fair few of those.
FTP Rating: 96%
Other Releases
Beck vol.6
Why Flip the Page?: I'd be lying if i expected you to want this for what it can look like on first glance. Y'know, Tokyopop, Music, Coming-of-age story, etc.; but it's what you discover if you get past your misconceptions and delve straight into the story! This is a story that cannot be bettered by anything on the tokyopop label, and the art style screams at you to look at it. Anyway, Beck (also known as Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad) is the tale of bored teen Koyuki, who had nothing exciting in his life, at least until the day he encountered the english speaking Ryusuke, a dude who's lived in America alongside the lead member of a band called The Dying Breed (not real) and his dog Beck. Through this random encounter Koyuki's life becomes more exciting, eventually befriending Ryu and becoming involved in his new band, of which gets named by the singer Chiba. And what name would he give it? Beck, the dog's name. It's the touches of highly intentional comedy and powerful scenes that carry the series, and it constantly shows in every aspect of the manga.
Why Slam the Book Down?: Music based manga might not be your thing. you might not be able to move past first impressions. Whatever the reason, if you think it's a good reason, stick to it. If not, read the damn book. You might get confused in the moments that ryu talks english and Koyuki can't understand him (keeping in mind this was originally japanese). That can be jarring at first. And ye olde curse, this be the 6th volume. You may not follow from here if you haven't read the first 5.
FTP Rating: 90%
Fruits Basket vol. 15
Why Flip the Pages?: Honestly, I'm running out of positive things to say about Furuba. Sure, it's pretty flawless plotwise, and the art improves with this volume, but sometimes you just wish the plot would move forwards instead of sideways and backwards.... This volume explores Yuki more, and introduces his new crush, Machi. It's all very sweet and nice, but.... what happened to the main plot? Where did it go? That's what i wanna know....
Why Slam the Book Down?: Well, i guess i could go the obvious way. VOLUME FIFTEEN PEOPLE! And the subtler way is to say i find the art displeasing, and the lack of... plot that actually, y'know.... moves affects it greatly. It's gotta get better before it loses me completely. I imagine people will empathise with this view, no matter how enlightening the flashback is.
FTP Rating: 70%
Buso Renkin vol.3
Why Flip the Pages?: If you're a regular here, you'll have noticed that Buso Renkin really pisses me off. I mean, here we have a sound series by Nobuhiro Watsuki, and i just can't find flaws in it. And i'm sure there are some. Somewhere. And finally i know where they are, making this review somewhat easier. Anyway, Buso Renkin improves a little this volume, following on from what may well have seemed like a complete 2 volume series. The introduction of more humanoid homunculus bodes trouble for the already saddened Kazuki, until an old DEAD face turns up again to liven up his spirit again. There are a fair few revelations here, and the introduction of CAPTAIN BRAVO really brightens the whole affair up. He's just compliments the nutty nature of Kazuki, and improves upon it afterwards! There's a decent fight or two thrown in here to help show characters off, and it pays off, making Tokiko seem more than just another 'Rukia from bleach when she lost her powers', which doesn't make sense if you consider that Tokiko has always had her powers...
Why Slam the Book Down?: I KNOW WHY! I KNOW NOW! Buso Renkin seems flawless (but by no means great), but it is far too clean and child safe for a series on the Shonen Jump Advanced Label, and it burns brightly as something that perhaps could do with some better fight scenes. If these were improved upon, i really would get angry as sin.
FTP Rating: 85%
O-Parts Hunter
Why Flip the Page?: Don't say it. Just don't even point out the surname of the Manga-ka. Yes, this is the work of the Naruto guy's younger twin brother, but if you dwell on that you'll end up ruining the series through endless nerdy comparison. Anyway, 666 SATAN- OH NO AMERICA! I SAID THE UNCENSORED NAME! I'MA GONNA GO TO HELL! HELP ME! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!
*ahem* Anyway, 666 satan is the tale of Jio, a young boy who is capable of using O-parts, weaponry which can eb refined and have abilities when a persons spirit is poured into it. Little does Jio know that he in fact emobodies SATAN! *stares as Viz Media's christian workers collapse and die* nice. The art style is amazing, and the plot starts off slow (read 'three chapters in this volume, and they move so freakin' slow) but by no means let that put you off. 666 Satan is an investment as such, where you know the money will pay off with awesome future plots.
Why Slam the Book Down?: If you haven't figured it out, Viz approached this with a censor title stick that obviously adjusts the content somehow. I honestly don't understand why you should change the title when it has a main character who embodies SATAN! If you can get past this, it moves freakin' slowly, and almost painfully so in places. And of course Ruby starts off as a complete whiney brat as such, and that just fits the stereotype too much. So basically a painful start.
FTP Rating: 79%
Sadly this is it for this month. I know all releases are from December, but the postal service let me down, and as i have stated, I have to get going to Wales in the morning, so it isn't too convenient to do this.
STILL, I'm back next month earlier than usual, with a BUMPER edition of Flip the Page, incorporating more additions to the layout and RETRO MANGA REVIEW! IMPORT MANGA REVIEW! AND a section on what releases to keep your peepers on this year! SEE YA IN FEBRUARY!
By-Max Barnard
