Manga Review: The Deathberry Returns 2 by Tite Kubo

Title: The Deathberry Returns 2
Series: BLEACH #53 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 216 Pages
ISBN-13: 9781421543048
Release Date: December 4, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s): The fact that I am so young
                   So immature
                   Seems unforgivable to
                   The decrepit
                                                                Perfect and faultless adults
                    
Summary: Ichigo is rescued from the pit of despair once again by Rukia. And she's not the only member of the Soul Society who shows up to help out. Now having finally regained his true Soul Reaper powers, Ichigo faces off against Ginjo with no restraints.

Review:

Rukia has given Ichigo Soul Reaper powers once again! Now the whole of Xcution enters the battlefield. But Ichigo's not alone in the fight. He has so friends from the Soul Society to help him out.

Urahara created a sword that enabled Rukia to give Ichigo Soul Reaper powers again. And it wasn't just Rukia's spiritual pressure that did it this time--everyone in the Soul Society helped out.

"Soul Reaper power is something that springs from within him. You couldn't steal it from him even if you wanted to! Ichigo! They must be ignorant. They think this is enough to fill you with despair! They don't know the struggles you've lived through! Show them, Ichigo! That they cannot stop you with despair!"

Okay, first of all, Ichigo has always worn his power, just as Chad had said when he saw Ichigo's Fullbring. With his Soul Reaper powers back, thanks to his friends in the Soul Society, he has the Soul Reaper shihakusho, but there are also parts of his Fullbring in his new get up. And wow, his power now is far greater than before, thanks to what he learned of Fullbring. It's off the charts!

"That power you received is the result of the changes you made in the Soul Society in all of your battles. Accept it with honor."

Renij, Byakuya, Toshiro, Kenpachi, and Ikkaku also came with Rukia to restore Ichigo's powers, but there was another reason too. The second reason was Ginjo, the first deputy Soul Reaper. Ginjo gives all the other members of Xcution some of Ichigo's stolen power and the battle begins.

It was amazing how easily Kenpachi defeated Giriko. Kenpachi definitely got the weakest of the Xcution members as evidenced by his statement, "What a bore."

Ichigo is paired up against Ginjo, of course, but he's not alone. Uryu is there to help him out, although I really don't think Ichigo needs help. But we don't see any of their fight in this volume.

Toshiro is up against Yukio, and though Toshiro is having trouble finding Yukio, it's more of an annoyance than anything else.

Rukia is fighting Riruka, and we all know how Rukia loves stuffed animals. This could be a very difficult battle for her. "Don't think you can tempt me with these things!!"

Byakuya is against Tsukishima--this battle will be interesting.

Ikkaku is pounding fists with Shishigawara. Some of the hits they make make me cringe, it looks so painful.

And Renji, who never makes the first move against a woman, is fighting Jackie.

Some of the battles start and end in this volume, while others have yet to begin. Of course, the battle I'm most looking forward to is the Ginjo V.S. Ichigo and Uryu battle. Ichigo's battles are always really awesome and I can't wait to see this one in Volume 54. I'm also curious to see how Rukia gets herself out of the trouble she's in.

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

PART OF.... 

Manga Review: End of Bond by Tite Kubo

Title: End of Bond
Series: BLEACH #52 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 192 Pages
ISBN-13: 9781421543048
Release Date: December 4, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s): Will you count with me
                   My teeth marks
                   On you
                    
Summary: Ichigo continues his training to master Fullbring and hopefully regain his lost Soul Reaper powers. But as Ichigo gets closer, Ginjo makes a startling move. Can Ginjo truly be trusted? And what lies ahead for Ichigo when he finally regains his powers...?

Review:

Ginjo has seemingly turned against Ichigo! With his friends threatened, Ichigo's Fullbring completes. But then Ichigo goes home and finds a disturbing sight. Tsukishima has invaded his family and friends. But they aren't the only ones he's gotten to--Ginjo finds Ichigo and tells him that Tsukishima got to the other Xcution members too. With his family and friends against him, Ichigo falls prey to desperation and despair. But hope arrives in the form of an old friend.

First off, Ginjo has blinded Ichigo and threatens to kill Orihime and Chad. That really gets Ichigo going and finds the strength to attack. So is Ginjo really an enemy? Turns out that it was all done to help Ichigo master Fullbring. Now that his Fullbring is complete, Ginjo has Ichigo train to build his strength and stamina to be able to handle using Fullbring. Ichigo's Fullbring is pretty cool--I like to think of it as looking like a futuristic version of a Soul Reaper. And the power he has is maybe even greater than just his Soul Reaper powers were.

It is after this that it became kind of heartbreaking for me. Ichigo's riding pretty high on his success with his Fullbring and returns home. But this is when his worst fears start coming true. Tsukishima has turned his friends and family against him. The very people he lives and fights to protect. Then Orihime and Chad, the ones who fought by his side, claim that every victory they've gained has been because of Tsukishima. "What did I regain my powers for?!!" This is when Ichigo begins falling into despair--and we all know that that is Ichigo's greatest weakness. The final piece that sends Ichigo plummeting into despair is when Uryu shows up and Ichigo can't know who he is sided with. But it wasn't Uryu Ichigo had to worry about. Ginjo shows his true colors when he takes Ichigo's newly achieved Fullbring from him. Ichigo's tears, his pain, really tore at my heart.

I noticed something that I think is significant. When Ichigo first met Zangetsu, the world was in a constant rain shower. But as Ichigo's powers increased, that rain stopped. When Ginjo took Ichigo's new power from him and he began to cry, Ichigo's world once again became a rainy day.

Although most of Ichigo's friends have been turned against him by Tsukishima, those from the Soul Society have not. Rukia once again gives Ichigo hope.

This volume is one of the most emotional volumes in the series. Ichigo's pain and despair felt so real, as if I could feel it myself. Now that Rukia hase given hope back to Ichigo, Ginjo's going to have to watch out. No one hurts those Ichigo cares about and gets away with it.

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

PART OF.... 

Manga Review: Love Me Bitterly Loth Me Sweetly by Tite Kubo

Title: Love Me Bitterly Loth Me Sweetly
Series: BLEACH #51 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 192 Pages
ISBN-13: 9781421543048
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s): Don't put your finger
                   In my heart
                  
Summary: Knowing Tsukishima is after Ichigo, Ginjo continues the Fullbring training at a secret base. Ichigo is mastering Fullbring at an incredible speed and regaining his lost powers, but is he ready to face Tsukishima just yet...?

Review:

As Ichigo is fighting Jackie and her Fullbring Dirty Boots, Tsukishima attacks! Ichigo fights him, but his Fullbring isn't quite there yet. Yukio uses his Fullbring, Invaders Must Die, to place Ichigo in a different dimension and away from Tsukishima. Ichigo's next training opponent is Ginjo himself and his Cross of Scaffold. Orihime is brought in to help with Ichigo's training. And Urahara and Isshin's plan moves forward with a little help from the Soul Society.

In Ichigo's battle with Jackie, we get a glimpse of how little they know about Ichigo's past experience as a warrior. "I was a Soul Reaper for only a short period. But in terms of experience...I got more then you guys." It's after this that Ichigo's Fullbring advances into a clad-type. "For Ichigo, wearing his power is his true form." This form of his Fullbring isn't complete, but it looks just like his shihakusho.

After Tsukishima's attack, Ichigo continues his training. His next opponent is Ginjo. Chad brings Orihime to help with this stage of training to heal Ichigo when needed. It's funny to see Riruka get a little jealous when she sees Orihime. She wants to dislike Orihime, but Orihime has a way of making everyone like her.

We see vague images of Urahara and Isshin going about their mysterious project, and with the help of a Soul Reaper. In the meanwhile, Ginjo takes drastic measures by blinding Ichigo. What is Urahara and Isshin up to? Who is the Soul Reaper helping them? What does it have to do with Ichigo? And now that Ichigo's sight has been taken from him, will he be able to defeat Ginjo? These are all questions I was left with by the end of this volume--I can't wait for the answers in the next volume.


About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

PART OF.... 

Manga Review: The Six Fullbringers by Tite Kubo

Title: The Six Fullbringers
Series: BLEACH #50 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 192 Pages
ISBN-13: 9781421543031
Release Date: November 6, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 3.5/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s): Time always approaches from behind
                   Growling and flowing past our eyes
                   Stand your ground
                   No matter how much time shows its fangs
                                                                 In order to wash you away to a beautiful past
                                                                 Do not look forward
                                                                 Your hopes creep up behind you
                                                                 Only existing in dark turbid waters
             
Summary: After a long battle, Ichigo loses his Soul Reaper powers and is now living a quiet and peaceful life. But when a mysterious man named Kugo Ginjo approaches him, Ichigo might have a chance to regain hi powers. But what are Ginjo's true motives...?

Review: 

Ichigo begins training to master Fullbring and quickly makes progress in the first stages. But while Ichigo is with the members of Xcution, Orihime is attacked by Tsukishima. And while all of this is happening Urahara and Isshin are secretly planning something.

When Ginjo explains Xcution's mission to Ichigo, he mentions an interesting fact about Hollows. Why do they have holes in their chests? They lose their hearts from the pain of not being saved by a Soul Reaper, and that lost heart becomes their mask. Each member of Xcution has their parents attacked by Hollows before they were born. They want to remove their Hollow-like powers from themselves. And to do that, they need a Soul Reaper. That's where Ichigo comes in. It's really pretty interesting when you think about Ichigo, Chad, and Orihime and how they got their powers. Sure, Ichigo already had latent Soul Reaper powers because of his dad, but I'm thinking the Hollow power he got when his mother was attacked.

"Ichigo. You may think you're hiding it. But honestly, I couldn't stand watching you since you lost your powers. You wanna fight, don't you? It hurts you that you can't protect those around you, right? You don't have to hide it. Ichigo. That's what makes you who you are."

I think Chad's words are what finally made Ichigo accept Ginjo's help in regaining his powers. This is nothing new with Ichigo. It literally hurts him when he can't protect those he loves. He doesn't want power to be able to fight for fighting's sake, he wants power to be able to fight to protect.

Riruka's first reaction to seeing Ichigo is hilarious. She's got a HUGE crush on him!

Ichigo begins his Fullbring training inside Riruka's Dollhouse. While being chased by a giant talking stuffed pig, he tries to figure out how to use Fullbring. Eventually he realizes that he needs to use his Deputy Badge, but he also needs to know how to manifest his Fullbring. Now the first stage of Ichigo's Fullbring is pretty cool--it looks like Zangetsu's guard. "Things have changed, you're no longer helpless. A glimmer of hope and you're a completely different person. Experience or instinct. Which is it? Ichigo..." Hope is Ichigo's greatest strength, while despair is his greatest weakness.

Uryu was the first of Ichigo's friends to be attacked and this time it's Orihime. Tsukishima cuts her with his Fullbring, Book of the End. It has a strange power, though. It doesn't seem to really cut someone, but plant false memories. Orihime thinks of Tsukishima as a friends after this and doesn't know why. This leads Ichigo back to Ginjo to learn more about Tsukishima. He was once the leader of Xcution, but he changed his mind and disappeared. He's attacking Ichigo's friends to get his attention and to keep him away from Ginjo and the others. All things said, it's safe to say that Tsukishima is dangerous.

Ichigo begins stage two of mastering Fullbring by fighting Jackie and her Dirty Boots. I can't wait to see how Ichigo's Fullbring evolves. Every time Ichigo gains a new power is always very awesome.

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

PART OF.... 

Manga Review: The Lost Agent by Tite Kubo

Title: The Lost Agent
Series: BLEACH #49 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 191 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4302-4 
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s):  I wonder if I can keep up with...
                   The speed of a world you're not in.
                   
 Summary: After the long battle with Aizen, Ichigo loses his Soul Reaper powers... Ichigo now leads a quiet and peaceful life until he is approached by a mysterious man. What does the man want and how does it relate to Ichigo's lost powers?!

Review:

Ichigo has lost his powers! But the world still goes round and danger is always around the corner. When one of his friends is attacked, Ichigo searches for a way to regain his Soul Reaper powers.

I thought it was pretty cool how this volume begins almost exactly like Volume One. It states the place, day, and time. Then introduces Ichigo. The only difference this time is that is says "I can't see ghosts." And the morning starts as crazy as always. Almost as if all the events prior never happened. But you can definitely see the changes they caused.

An interesting turn of events is that when Ichigo lost his powers, his younger sister, Karin's, powers increased. And now that Ichigo's not a deputy Soul Reaper anymore, Uryu takes care of the Hollows.

The thing about Ichigo and most warriors of any type in general is that, though they say they are happy with a normal life, they will always feel more comfortable in combat. In Ichigo's case, the reflexes and body he worked on as a Soul Reaper now help him in fights. This is proved when he retrieves a school bag from a thief running away with the owner chasing him.

That owner just happens to be Kugo Ginjo. Ginjo raises questions that Ichigo may not be able to or want to answer. Does Ichigo really know as much as he thinks he does about his dad? His own family? What does he really know about Urahara? This is how Ichigo is introduced to Xcution.

When one of Ichigo's friends is attacked by an unknown, Ichigo feels powerless to do anything to protect his friends. This leads him to call Xcution. Since Ginjo knows about Ichigo and his dad, he knows that Ginjo is no ordinary human, therefore he feels that Ginjo can help him. This is when Xcution's goal is revealed: For Ichigo to regain his Soul Reaper powers.

We don't learn much about the members of Xcution, only that they are humans with the ability they call Fullbring. One thing I wasn't expecting was for Chad to be one of them. If I think about it, if Chad is like them, wouldn't Orihime be too? It's definitely something to think about while reading future volumes.

Volume 49 is the beginning of The Lost Agent Arc, and though it's a slow beginning, it's bound to pick up and I doubt we'll be disappointed when it does. Tite Kubo knows how to keep his audience engaged.

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

Manga Review: God is Dead by Tite Kubo

Title: God is Dead
Series: BLEACH #48 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 209 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4301-7 
Release Date: October 2, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s):  People are all imitations of monkeys
                    Gods are all imitations of humans
                   
 Summary: As Aizen strolls through Karakura Town, Ichigo undergoes furious training in order to master the one technique that could bring an end to the conflict. But when the battle is finally over, how will Ichigo's world have changed...?

Review:

This volumes brings the Arrancar Arc to an end. With Aizen's metamorphosis complete and his advance on Ichigo's friends and home, Ichigo will need to come back with the Final Getsuga Tensho if he hopes to defeat Aizen. There are sacrifices that are life-changing, changes in loyalty, and tearful goodbyes in this conclusion to the Arrancar Arc.

I was really surprised by Gin Ichimaru. Who would have thought he'd turn his sword against Aizen? "I'm a snake. My skin is cold. I have no heart. I slither looking for prey with the tip of my tongue. I swallow the people I care about whole. That's the kind of creature I am." In some ways Gin is like a snake, but the reason why Gin sided with Aizen revealed a very noble motive. Rangiku was at the heart of Gin's motivation to side with Aizen to eventually kill him. He became a Soul Reaper to change things so that Rangiku wouldn't have to cry anymore. I never thought that I would like Gin, but in the moment that Rangiku finds him dying and is crying over him, I couldn't help but like him. This is tearful goodbye number one.

The battle between Ichigo and Aizen was pretty awesome, though Aizen was really annoying with all his holier-than-thou talk. Ichigo's just standing there like he just wants Aizen to shut it and start fighting. Ichigo's new power is really amazing and the Final Getsuga Tensho is just... I can't even say how cool it is. He literally becomes Getsuga.

Tearful goodbye number two comes during a flashback of his battle with Zangetsu. "Do you remember what I said when this fight began? That what you wanted to protect wasn't what I wanted to protect? What I wanted to protect was you, Ichigo." If Ichigo uses the Final Getsuga Tensho, he loses his Soul Reaper powers. Seeing Zangetsu cry was a powerful moment.

This is totally unrelated to Ichigo's battle with Aizen or his farewell with Zangetsu, but am I the only one who thinks the longer hairstyle really works for Ichigo? I don't know, it seems more warrior-like.

The whole ordeal with Aizen has made a lot of the Soul Reapers realize their weaknesses. Some are training, while others try to move on.

Ichigo was asleep for about a month after the battle with Aizen and losing his powers. The third goodbye isn't tearful, but it's definitely more final. This one is between Ichigo and Rukia. "Goodbye, Rukia. Thank you." They have had to say goodbye to each other before, but like I mentioned, with Ichigo having lost his powers, he won't be able to see her anymore, and that makes this goodbye harder than the first.

Now that Ichigo's more or less normal now that he doesn't have his powers, we find out in the next volume, the beginning of The Lost Agent Arc, what he's willing to do to get them back when one of his friends is attacked and seriously wounded.

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

GNA Review: The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel by HyeKyung Baek and Cassandra Clare

Title: Clockwork Angel
Series: The Infernal Devices Manga #1 
Author: Cassandra Clare
Manga-ka: HyeKyung Baek
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Yen Press, Hachette Book Group
Format: Paperback, 243 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-20098-1
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Tessa Gray thought her journey to London would be the beginning of a new life, but she never could have envisioned the dark turn that life would take...

Abducted upon her arrival, Tessa is introduced to London's Downworld, the sordid supernatural underbelly of the city, and informed that her future will be recast to service a man known as "The Magister." Only the intervention of the London Institute's Shadowhunters delivers the girl from this fate, but sinister forces are still gathering around Tessa. Even so, Tessa's attraction to two of the young Shadowhunters who have taken her under their wings may prove more dangerous by far...

Review:

This adaptation of Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel has been highly anticipated by fans worldwide, and I was no different. But I'm always wary of graphic novel adaptations of my favorite novel series, because a lot of the time the story becomes too watered down to be truly enjoyable. I've found that many adaptations published by Yen Press are very well done and the story retains its original depth. I didn't feel like I was missing anything while reading this graphic novel.

HyeKyung Baek's artwork is absolutely gorgeous. The emotions of the characters and the atmosphere of the setting are brought to visual life with the stunning artwork. The characters turned out to be pretty close to how I pictured them while reading the novel, well except for Henry (LOL). I was a little disappointed about the lack of visible runes--that's one of the things that set Shadowhunters apart from Mundanes. The stele looks more like a magical wand--I pictured the stele more like a magical tattoo gun. And the seraph blades look like regular swords, instead of a weapon of angelic power.

I know I'm being a little nit picky about the details, but I figure it's a lot more easier to draw the story as it's described in the novel accurately than it is to make a movie version. That's why I give more leeway to movie adaptations than graphic novel adaptations. It's harder to make the supernatural elements in a movie than in a graphic novel.

Aside from these finer details, I thought the character designs and architectural designs were perfect. Very appropriate to the time period.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this Clockwork Angel graphic novel. And let me tell you, those moments we all swooned at while reading the novel are a thousand times better when you can see them right in front of you.

Jem Carstairs

Will Herondale

Tess Gray

About this Author:

Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her fiance and their two cats in Massachusetts.

About this Manga-ka:

HyeKyung Baek is a bestselling manga creator in South Korea well known for her stylish flair and sense of drama. Her skills are ideally suited to bring the lives of the original Gossip Girl cast to life.

Manga Review: End of the Chrysalis Age by Tite Kubo

Title: End of the Chrysalis Age
Series: BLEACH #47 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 189 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4300-0 
Release Date: September 4, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s):  If you became a snake tomorrow
                    And began devouring people,
                    If you roared your love for me
                    With that mouth you use to devour people
                                                                 Could I still say that I love you
                                                                 As I do today?
 
Summary: Aizen's new powers are too much for even the combined efforts of Ichigo, Isshin, Urahara, and Yoruichi. But as Aizen and Gin head for the real Karakura Town, Ichigo decides to undergo intense training under his father's tutelage.

Review:

Matsumoto caught a glimpse of Gin while he was fighting Ichigo and took off running. Her feelings toward Gin are going to get her killed eventually. She was only healed enough to stay alive, and yet she's running after Gin. Not smart.

With Ichigo's lost hope, his strength diminishes. Gin states that Ichigo was a lot scarier when they first crossed swords after Gin cut off Jidanbo's arm when Ichigo first arrived in the Soul Society. This is true. Ichigo looks kind of pathetic now.

Just as Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho wounded Aizen's, so does Isshin's. But Isshin can't read Aizen's spirit energy since his transformation. Only someone in the same state would be able to. Of course, Ichigo can sense is power. And it's made even more real when Aizen takes out Isshin, Yoruichi, and Urahara. This is when Aizen prepares to open the Senkaimon Gate and invade the real Karakura Town in the Soul Society. It's also when Aizen's creepy shell--chrysalis stage--breaks apart and his transformation is complete. I have to admit, the new Aizen does look kinda cool.

With Kototsu missing from the Dangai, Isshin can teach Ichigo the Final Getsuga Tensho. Ichigo meets Tensa Zangetsu--the Bankai form of his sword. For some reason Zangetsu--and Isshin's Engetsu--don't want to teach the Final Getsuga Tensho. We don't find out why in this volume, but I'm sure there's an interesting reason why.

"This towering world of yours that was filled to the heavens with hope has been reduced to your tiny little town! The rain that once poured down on this world may have stopped, but now it's been sunk to the bottom of the ocean! All because you lost hope and stopped moving forward. Ichigo, I will not let you stay like that. I will pull out the very roots of your despair."

This is when Ichigo meets the new form his Hollow power gained in his fight with Ulquiorra. Ichigo fears this form and that is the reason he can't Hollowfy properly. Tensa Zangetsu and the Hollow are one. They both are Ichigos power. And this--both of them merged together--is who Ichigo needs to battle to learnt he Final Getsuga Tensho. The two merged together look really awesome. I can't wait to see more of their fight against Ichigo.

As Aizen enters Karakura Town, Ichigo's friends begin waking up. They make a run for it as Aizen draws closer and closer, but will Ichigo make it in time to save them all?

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

Manga Review: Back from Blind by Tite Kubo

Title: Back from Blind
Series: BLEACH #46 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 191 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4299-7 
Release Date: September 4, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Purchase Here: Paperback

Tagline(s):  It is not frightening
                    To know misfortune
                    What is frightening
                    Is to know lost happiness
                                                                 Will never come back again.

Summary: With Captain General Yamamoto giving him an opening, Ichigo goes in for the finishing strike against Aizen! But Ichigo will need the help of some new reinforcements if he hopes to defeat both Aizen and Ichimaru Gin!

Review:

Yamamoto uses a forbidden technique that can only be used by sacrificing the users body, but unfortunately Aizen only gets singed a little. But Yamamoto's sacrifice left an opening for Ichigo to launch another surprise attack. Finally Aizen receives a wound! The only problem is that the Hogyoku healed him.

This arc seems like it's going to go on forever. Would someone just kill Aizen already so the story can progress? All of this ATTACK-MISS, ATTACK-HEAL, ATTACK-OOPS, IT'S JUST AN ILLUSION stuff is starting to annoy me.

"Ichigo Kurosaki...All of your battles took place in the palm of my hand."

Apparently, Aizen was behind everything that happened to Ichigo since he met Rukia and became a Soul Reaper. Aizen was sure that Ichigo would be the best subject for his research. There is one little mistake in the dialogue when Aizen says that Ichigo had never seen a Hollow until the night he met Rukia. That isn't true. Ichigo saw the Hollow that killed his mother when he was younger.

"I've known you from the moment you were born. You were born special. Because you are human and..."

And then Ichigo's dad appears in all his Soul Reaper glory. Ichigo is half-human and half-Soul Reaper. We already knew that, but this is Ichigo's first time hearing (and seeing) about it. He's surprised at first, but he takes the news pretty maturely and tells his dad that he won't ask questions and he'll wait until his dad is ready to tell him about it.

Ichigo finally has his battle with Gin Ichimaru, while his dad attacks Aizen. Gin is one of those characters that always has his eyes closed, but you know that when they open, he's completely serious about what he's saying or doing. As they fight, Gin comes to the realization that Ichigo is going to become even stronger than he is now.

"The Hogyoku's true power is the ability to read the hearts of those around it and realize their deepest desires."

The Hogyoku is pretty much the reason for Rukia losing her powers, and Chad and Orihime gaining their special powers. The Hollowfying of Shinji Hirako and the others was an experiment to verify the powers of the Hogyoku. With his suspicions confirmed, Aizen sent Rukia to Ichigo. It's kind of scary how much power to Hogyoku has, and something that powerful in Aizen's hands really isn't good--especially since he's fused with it.

Urahara makes his entrance using  a bunch of fancy Bakudo, Kido, and Hado, but they don't really seem to have done much of anything to Aizen. He didn't come alone, though. As Urahara and Isshin (Ichigo's dad) restrain Aizen--in his new creepy form--Yoruichi attacks from above. It's getting really old seeing all these different people attacking Aizen and barely leaving a scratch.

As Ichigo watches Urahara, Isshin, and Yoruichi fight Aizen, he begins to lose hope. With lost hope comes lost strength. If Ichigo wants to protect his friends, his family, and his town from Aizen, he'll need to regain the hope that they'll defeat Aizen and make it out alive.

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

Manga Review: The Burnout Inferno by Tite Kubo

Title: The Burnout Inferno
Series: BLEACH #45 
Manga-ka: Tite Kubo
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Teen Ages 13+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Manga, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 191 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4298-0 
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 3.5/5

Tagline(s): Do not live bowing down.
                       Die standing up.

Summary: The great battle heads for a climax as Aizen joins the battlefield and faces the Soul Society's greatest captains. Captain General Yamamoto reveals his true powers for the first time, but will it be enough to stop Aizen?

Review:

You know, whenever someone introduces a new attack that hasn't been seen, you think "Oh wow, that'll do the trick." Shinji's Bankai seemed real mysterious, but of course it doesn't do much of anything against Aizen. It was really kind of pathetic, if you ask me.

Ichigo makes his big entrance into the battle at last! It was a great, dramatic entrance, but the attack, might I add SURPRISE attack, was blocked! What a wasted offensive strike!

When the captains and Visoreds make a stand to protect Ichigo so he might have his chance to attack Aizen and finish him, it was real bold and BAM! in your face, but totally deflated when they start falling one by one.

What is the difference between hate and duty? Swinging a sword for hatred is only violence, but swinging a sword for duty alone is what a captain does. Can you guess who made this statement? Well, it definitely sounds like something Hitsugaya would say. He takes his duty as Captain very seriously, but he also has a very short temper and he really hates Aizen for what he did to Hinamori.

When I first saw Captain General Yamamoto battle in the volumes when Ichigo and company invaded the Soul Society to save Rukia, I thought him incredibly strong and unbeatable. But in this volume in his fight against Aizen, he seemed incredibly weak in comparison. It was kind of disappointing.

With Yamamoto and the other captains down for the count, Ichigo enters the battle again as Aizen leaves the flames. But if Yamamoto, the strongest, most powerful Soul Reaper for a thousand years, couldn't even scratch Aizen, will Ichigo be able to defeat him?

About this Manga-ka:

The son of a town council member in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima. He never took drawing seriously until he was 17; after reading Dragon Ball he knew he wanted to be a manga artist. At the age of 18 he submitted his first concept for the series Zombiepowder but it got rejected. Zombiepowder was rejected multiple times until Kubo was 22, when it finally was accepted by Shonen Jump. It did not last long; it was cancelled after four volumes in late 2000.

His next series, Bleach, about a high school student who becomes a shinigami and fights hollows, was not such a failure. Bleach began regular publication in 2001. It has been running in Weekly Shonen Jump ever since.

Manga Review: Fate by Katsura Hoshino

Title: Fate
Series: D.Gray-man #22 
Manga-ka: Katsura Hoshino
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Older Teen Ages 16+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Advanced, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 195 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4210-2 
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Struggling with mounting turmoil over his own identity, Allen meets The Cardinal. Who is he? What is he? Why is he interested in Allen? The answers are startling, and arrive with a vision that shocks the young demon fighter to the core!

Review:

After Yu and Alma's deadly battle, Allen sends them to a place where no one will ever be able to harm them again...

As an Akuma, Alma can sense the Allen is a Noah and sympathizes with Allen. This is a sure sign that Alma is coming to his senses, at least at the end. The last image of Yu and Alma is so heartbreaking. Their fate was such a sad one. Alma's sadness was as deep as his hatred.

When the Earl said that he wanted to be by the Fourteenth's side, it made some, if not all of the Noah jealous. The Noah captured Bookman and Lavi, because they want to know the Fourteenth's weaknesses in order to kill him, even though the Earl ordered them to protect him at all costs. The Noah can be pretty scary!

I feel so bad for Allen! He always seems to end up locked up somewhere. How many times has it been now? It's like no matter how Allen proves himself to the Order, because he has the Fourteenth inside him, they will never trust him.

Allen laments his ignorance about the things going on around him. Especially concerning the Fourteenth. He knows that the Fourteenth was Mana's younger brother, but he doesn't know why he betrayed the Noah and wanted to be the Millennium Earl. There are so many things about the Fourteenth that are still unknown. We finally know his name and what he looks like, but what were his motives?

"Love. Friendship. Sorrow. Despair. No one has a deeper or more tempestuous relationship with Innocence than you. You've grown into a splendid exorcist, Allen."

The Cardinal is SO CREEPY!! He wants to become one with Allen, whatever that means. In the process, Allen sees a disturbing vision involving the Cardinal and his master, Cross Marian. I knew the Earl wanted to protect Allen, but I didn't expect him to sense the Cardinal's attack on Allen and send a couple Noah (Road and Tyki) in to help. The Cardinal turns out to be something even more creepy than just being a weirdo. He's Apocryphos--an independent-type Innocence that exists to protect the Heart. He is the closest anyone has come to the Heart in 7,000 years. I'm telling you, all the talk about "becoming one" is just too weird and makes the Cardinal sound like a pervert. And I don't even want to know what would happen to Allen if that were done.

When Allen escapes the Cardinal and the prison cell he was held in, thanks to Link, he is declared to be considered a Noah and his status as an exorcist is suspended.

"You don't know what you are and you don't really care. You just spread confusion and conflict. You're the worst of us all, Allen Walker."

This turn of events brings about the time when Allen needs to go out on his own and really figure things out for himself. He may need to fight his friends in the future, but he has accepted that. His farewell with Lenalee is really sad, but Allen has an almost hopeful air about him. It'll be interesting to see where Allen ends up.

"Whatever happens, I'm an exorcist. Whatever road I may take, that won't change. The Order is where my heart is because of all the wonderful goofballs like you."

About this Manga-ka:

Katsura Hoshino ((星野 桂 Hoshino Katsura) was born on April 21, 1980, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, as the younger of fraternal twin girls and the second of three children. She drew her first manga at twenty-one. In 1998, Hoshino moved to Tokyo. She dreamed of bringing her mother to the city and was able to in 2006.

She made her debut with her comics in July 2003 with the publication of her first manga series Continue and is known for her work, D.Gray-man, which began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in May 2004.

Manga Review: The Awakening of Alma Karma by Katsura Hoshino

Title: The Awakening of Alma Karma 
Series: D.Gray-man #21 
Manga-ka: Katsura Hoshino
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Older Teen Ages 16+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Advanced, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 189 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4077-1 
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Allen has been dropped into a flashback of his surly colleague Yu Kanda's past, where a parade of disturbing secrets reveal themselves--including one that could at long last explain what makes Yu tick!

Review:

The Millennium Earl and the Noah have attacked the North America branch of the Order, trying to awaken Yu's childhood friend, Alma Karma. While the battle rages around him, Allen sees Yu and Alma's past. But when Allen breaks through Waizurii's spell, he finds that Alma is awakening as an Akuma.

Allen feels things really deeply and it pains him when he can't protect those around him. This is one of the things that I admire about Allen. It also makes him a great exorcist.

Alma's hatred leads him into a vicious battle with Yu. The reason for Alma's hatred is never really clear--all I know is that it has something to do with the woman that Yu cared deeply for and the promise he made to her. There was a revelation about Alma and this woman that I totally wasn't expecting, though.

The Earl was really devious in this volume. He uses the pain being caused to Allen's friends because of Alma's hatred to goad him into leaving the Order. The Fourteenth, who is a part of Allen, was the Noah that tried to kill the Earl, and when Johnny asks the Earl why he wants Allen, the Earl said, "To be by his side. I want to be by the Fourteenth's side." This is an intriguing answer. I hope we find out more about the past between the Earl and the Fourteenth. The Earl's main goal in pitting Alma and Yu against each other, knowing that Allen would intervene, was to awaken the Fourteenth!

That is probably my favorite part of this volume. Each time Allen is attacked by an Innocence, the Noah memory inside him, that hatred of Innocence, is awakened, therefore awakening the Fourteenth. Seeing Allen slowly, and I mean SLOWLY, change into a Noah was exciting. Not that I want Allen to be a Noah.... It was so cool meeting Nea, who is the Fourteenth Noah who destroys everything. I was wondering what the Fourteenth would look like, and I wasn't disappointed. And the display of the Fourteenth's power when the barrier surrounding the North America branch was destroyed was so AWESOME!

Allen's great show of friendship at the end when he sent Yu and Alma through the Ark so no one could ever bother them again, was so awe-inspiring. I can't wait to see where the story will go next.

About this Manga-ka:

Katsura Hoshino ((星野 桂 Hoshino Katsura) was born on April 21, 1980, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, as the younger of fraternal twin girls and the second of three children. She drew her first manga at twenty-one. In 1998, Hoshino moved to Tokyo. She dreamed of bringing her mother to the city and was able to in 2006.

She made her debut with her comics in July 2003 with the publication of her first manga series Continue and is known for her work, D.Gray-man, which began serialization in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in May 2004.

Manga Review: Vampire Knight Volume 14 by Matsuri Hino

Title: Vampire Knight Volume 14 
Series: Vampire Knight #14 
Manga-ka: Matsuri Hino
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Older Teen Ages 16+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shojo Beat Manga, Hakusensha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 187 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4218-8 
Release Date: July 3, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: The Vampire Hunter Society has imprisoned Aido in order to interrogate him about Kaname's connection to Sara Shirabuki. Meanwhile, Yuki wants a fresh start with Kaname, but circumstances arise that may force them apart.

Review:

This is one of the most shocking volumes in the Vampire Knight series so far. We see more of the past and the connection between the progenitors and the hunters. The lines between who is more inhumane have become blurred. Zero is still struggling with his feelings toward Yuki now that she's the Kuran princess. Sara is using a pharmaceutical company for something really bad in her pursuit to become Queen. But the most shocking of all that happens in this volume is Kaname killing Lord Aido and leaving Yuki.

I can't even guess what is going on in Kaname's head. He waited 10 years for Yuki and now he leaves her?! It makes no sense! Yuki is left confused and heartbroken, and in her desperation to follow Kaname, she sprouts butterfly wings of blood. When I watched the anime, I always wondered about the blood butterfly wings shown in the opening, and now I know where they come from. The wings are a symbol of her confusion, her heartbreak, and her desperation to follow Kaname, as if she could fly to him.

Stand Out Quote:

"The let's all devour one another until only one remains. To us, who have infinite time on our hands as purebloods, this is merely a game."

About this Manga-ka:

Name in Japanese: 樋野 まつり

Matsuri Hino was born on January 24 in Hokkaido. She was a bookshop keeper who one day decided to become a manga artist, and all of nine months later, in 1995, she published her first manga title, Kono Yume ga Sametara (When This Dream Is Over), in Japan's LaLa DX magazine.

GNA Review: Fever Moon: The Fear Dorcha by Karen Marie Moning and Al Rio

Title: Fever Moon: The Fear Dorcha
Series: Fever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Artist(s): Al Rio, Cliff Richards
Genre: Graphic Novels
Elements: Fae, Shapeshifters
Publisher: Del Rey Books, Random House Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 184 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-345-52548-2
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 5/5

Tagline(s): ~NONE~

Summary: Dublin is a war zone. The walls between humans and Fae are down. A third of the world's population is dead and chaos reigns. Imprisoned more than half a million years ago, the Unseelie are free and each one Mac meets is worse than the last. Human weapons don't stand a chance against them.

With a blood moon hanging low over the city, something dark and sinister begins to hunt the streets of Temple Bar, choosing its victims by targeting those closest to Mac. Armed only with the Spear of Destiny and Jericho Barrons, she must face her most terrifying enemy yet.

In this all-new Mac & Barrons story by #1 New York Times bestseller Karen Marie Moning, we meet the most ancient and deadly Unseelie ever created, the Fear Dorcha. For eons, he's traveled across worlds with the Unseelie King, leaving behind him a path of mutilation and destruction. Now he's hunting Dublin, and no one Mac loves is safe.

Review:

I love when books from my favorite series are adapted into graphic novels, but I'm also wary because the story can end up too watered down. That is not a problem in Fever Moon. Fever Moon runs parallel to the main story in Shadowfever, as evidenced by some memorable scenes and quotes, but it's more of an off-shoot story depicting what happens after Mac meets the Fear Dorcha at Chester's and the Dreamy-Eyed Guy chases him away. So basically this is the story of the Fear Dorcha's revenge against Mac, the one who got away, by targeting those close to her.

So I was not disappointed in the story at all. I'm also glad that they included the scenes from Shadowfever, so we know exactly when these Fear Dorcha scenes happen in the Shadowfever storyline.

Now the artwork I thought was absolutely amazing. I don't think they could have chosen a better artist than Al Rio for Fever Moon. His artwork really brings out the feel of AWC Dublin. Mac looks just awesome (although I do think she's a bit too sexy-looking, if that's possible). I was a little disappointed with how Barrons was depicted. To be honest, I don't think he looks hot enough. He looks more like a thug to me. In regard to all the men in Fever Moon, they look too square and bulky--sure they are muscular, but not BOOM!! muscular. Maybe I'm just too picky when it comes to artwork depictions of my favorite characters, though.

There are some really graphic (no pun intended) scenes that should be watched out for. Especially the scene depicting Mac's rape by the Unseelie Princes that turned her pri-ya. So I definitely think reader discretion should be used when deciding whether to read Fever Moon or not.

With all that said, Fever Moon is probably one of the best adaptations for a novel series that I've read so far. I hope that Karen Marie Moning plans on more graphic novels in the Fever series in the future.

About this Author:

Karen Marie Moning (rhymes with 'awning') is the # 1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 novels, including the Rita-award winning Highlander novels and the internationally bestselling urban fantasy Fever series. Her books have been published in 21 languages, and her events draw fans from all over the world.

She divides her time between the mountains of Georgia and the beaches of Florida. 

Visit the official author's website.

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Manga Review: Blue Exorcist Volume 7 by Kazue Kato

Title: Blue Exorcist Volume 7 
Japanese Title: Ao no Exorcist
Series: Blue Exorcist #7 
Manga-ka: Kazue Kato
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Older Teen Ages 16+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Advanced, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 177 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4262-1 
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4.5/5

Tagline(s): Fight hellfire with hellfire!

Summary: Mamushi and Todo now have both eyes of the Impure King and are headed for the temple that was once the center of the Myodha sect. Mamushi wants to seal the eyes away, but may be too late to realize Todo’s true purpose—the awakening of the Impure King! Meanwhile, Rin learns more about Father Fujimoto’s connection to Tatsuma and the origin of the Koma Sword. Rin will need the weapon and all of his strength to face the terrible power of the Impure King!

Review:

As the past continues to be revealed, Todo and Mamushi take the Eyes of the Impure King to the husk that was its body. Once the eyes are returned, the Impure King will live once again. But Tatsuma won't let that happen without a fight. But as it turns out, Tatsuma (or rather his familiar, Karura) was Todo's target all along. Reviving the Impure King was just an added bonus.

When Rin come to the end of Tatsuma's letter, he wishes to help in any way he can. There's just one problem: He can't draw his sword! Rin is scared of what he is capable of and has lost all his confidence. And it really doesn't help that he's been given a death sentence for using his flame. But Rin's power is needed to defeat the Impure King, so it's up to his friends to break him out!

I don't really have much to say about this volume, but one thing stood out. While all the chaos with the Impure King is raging and Rin is facing death for using his flame, his friends realize that they couldn't bear for him to die, so they set out to free him. Shiemi realizes her mistake in only thinking of her own hurt feelings and not what Rin must be going through. I think the most powerful moment between Rin and his friends was when Rin asked Konekomaru if he would trust Rin with protecting Suguro. Konekomaru's nod yes was really important to Rin because he knows how much Suguro means to Konekomaru, and his trust is priceless to Rin.

I can't wait to see what happens next with the fight against the Impure King and what Rin's fate will be when it's all said and done.

About this Manga-ka:

Kazue Katō (加藤和恵, Katō Kazue), born on July 20th, 1980 in the district of Shinjuku, in Tokyo, is a Japanese mangaka, author of shōnen manga. She is mainly known to be author of Blue Exorcist. She also created Robot to Usakichi ( ロボとうさ吉 ), for which she received the price Osamu Tezuka Award.

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Manga Review: Blue Exorcist Volume 6 by Kazue Kato

Title: Blue Exorcist Volume 6 
Japanese Title: Ao no Exorcist
Series: Blue Exorcist #6 
Manga-ka: Kazue Kato
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels, Older Teen Ages 16+
Publisher: Viz Media, Shonen Jump Advanced, Shueisha Inc.
Format: Paperback, 193 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-4174-7 
Release Date: February 7, 2012
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5

Tagline(s): Fight hellfire with hellfire!

Summary: The heads of the various Myodha temple families gather to discuss recent events surrounding the Eyes of the Impure King. Revelations at the meeting only deepen suspicion of Suguro's father, Tatsuma, and angry accusations follow. Tatsuma's silence on the matter isn't helping either. Amid all the swirling distrust, Rin tries to make sense of things but struggles to keep his flame in check. Then Rin receives a letter that may shed more light on the current situation--and the secret past!

Includes two bonus stories!

Review:

As accusations and suspicions are voiced, tensions run high as the heads of Myodha convene to uncover the traitor in their midst. Rin has a heart-to-heart with Konekomaru that has him even more dedicated to his training, because as long as Rin is seen as a threat, Konekomaru won't consider him a friend. The traitor is found, but the right eye is still stolen. Suguro has words with his father that are reminiscent of the last words Rin said to Father Fujimoto and this causes Rin to lose control when Suguro refuses to take them back. Shura subdues Rin and locks him up in solitary confinement. Now that the left and right eye are together, a new and potent poisonous gas can result. Suguro's father leaves a letter for Rin describing past events that lead up to where they are now. What happened in the past to cause the current events?

Rin's friends seem to be coming around to accepting him again once they actually that the time to really see Rin for who he is. I think what changes their minds about Rin is his straightforwardness, his kindness, and his conviction. Rin shows that he's not a mindless, raging, uncontrollable beast, but a person who never asked to be born the son of Satan. Rin can't help who he was born to, but he can choose who he's going to be.

I'm really excited to be learning about the past; Father Fujimoto's involvement with Rin's birth, the Koma Sword, and Suguro's father's involvement in it all. These are things that only three people knew about before Rin: Mephisto Pheles, Father Fujimoto, and Tatsuma Suguro.

Revelations abound in the next volume as past secrets are brought to light. How will these new details impact the present as Rin and his friends follow Suguro's father in pursuit of the left and right eyes of the Impure King?

About this Manga-ka:

Kazue Katō (加藤和恵, Katō Kazue), born on July 20th, 1980 in the district of Shinjuku, in Tokyo, is a Japanese mangaka, author of shōnen manga. She is mainly known to be author of Blue Exorcist. She also created Robot to Usakichi ( ロボとうさ吉 ), for which she received the price Osamu Tezuka Award.

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