Manga Vizions Special Manga Page 8G
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Manga Vizions Special: Manga Page 8G

On this page I will review some translated Japanese manga featured in Manga Vizions.
Note that the quality of the images, reproduced here for bona fide review purposes, has been affected by the scanning and compression processes, so if you want to see how the originals look, you'll have to buy the magazine!

Reviewed:

REVIEW
Manga Vizions (Viz Comics), 80pp, $4.95, 18x26cm.
This is Viz's monthly general manga anthology; probably the first translated manga anthology to appear in English. It has been unusual in including a significant amount of shoujo manga, and some stories by Rumiko Takahshi, as well as the more predictable violent stories for boys. Some back issues bear the legend "North America's only Monthly Manga Anthology" - please bear in mind that this is NOT currently true: as well as Viz's own PULP, other monthlies and bimonthlies, eg. MixxZine, exist. The large pages display the artwork to advantage. The only advertising,asides from a Viz catalogue inside, is on the front inner and back covers. Inner pages are B&W on newsprint type paper. Usually, there are 3 episodes in each volume, but as up to 4 stories are running at any one time, some stories skip an issue or two.
For more info, contact Viz or J-Pop. (GC).

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REVIEW
STEAM DETECTIVES by Kia Asamiya, 24 page episode, MV.vol.3, no.10.
A new story by the creator of Silent Mobius, set in a city where, with only coal available as a fuel, an incredibly advanced steam technology has developed. The city is frequently shrouded in vapour and smoke, and there are even steam robots. The "Steam Snatcher" kills women and drains their blood, and Detective Narutaki is hoping to find the killer, not least because most of the victims are acquaintances of his. (GC).

Steam Detectives, MV.V3#10, p.12. (Tr.by Yuji Oniki)
An intriguing tale, with sophisticated art layouts.


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REVIEW
 BLACK JACK by Osamu TEZUKA, 24 page episode, MV.vol.3 no.10.
A famous story series (also an anime) by Tezuka, the God of manga. Black Jack is a skilled but unlicensed surgeon who only takes on a case when he is offered a large sum of money, so his clients tend to be criminals, the rich or the desperate. The stories often have a fantastical character, but at the same time display a great interest in medicine. Tezuka himself trained as a doctor.
(GC).

Black Jack, MV v3#10, p.35 Tr. by Yuji Oniki
The art style may look a little odd these days but it's still effective, and the stories remain intriguing.

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REVIEW
 SPRIGGAN by Hiroshi Takashige & Ryoji Minagawa, 30 page episode, MV.vol.3,no.10.
There are relics of an ancient civilisation which discovered god-like powers, including the control of volcanoes. In this episode (the final one) Mt. Fuji erupts, and opposing characters battle it out to decide the fate of the world. (GC).

Spriggan, MV.V3,#10, p.71 (Tr. by Yuji Oniki.

This is a familiar kind of tale, with young heroes and plenty of action.

Get original scan (higher resolution, 202K)

REVIEW
 SAMURAI CRUSADER Story by Hiroi Oji, Art by Ryoichi Ikegami, 23 page episode, MV.vol.2 no.11.
A fantastical Martial Arts story, set in the early 20th Century and featuring Ernest Hemingway as a character. The hero, Kumomaru, battles to prevent a sword of symbolic value falling into the hands of corrupt militarists. The location moves between Japan, Paris, and China.
Samurai Crusader, MV. V2,#11, p.9 (Tr. by Hudnall &Olsen.)

You may be reminded of 'Crying Freeman', which Ikegami drew. This is the kind of stuff one either likes a lot or soon finds tiresome.

Get original scan (higher resolution, 102K) (GC)

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REVIEW
 OGRE SLAYER by Kei Kusonoki, 24 page episode, MV.vol.2 no.11.
A nameless young man wearing a winter school uniform wanders the land slaying ogres with his sword 'Ogre Slayer'. The ogres are called into being by humans uttering bad wishes or curses, and once in existence they cannot be sent back - except by 'Ogre Slayer'. The nameless hero never ages. He senses where an ogre attack is ocurring and suddenly appears. The ogre attacks are usually gruesome and very bloody.
Ogre Slayer, MV.v2,#11, p.59 (Tr. by Burke & Shikita)

This is an excellently drawn manga with some attractive images; it's also somewhat disturbing in its dark view of human nature; even nice high school girls can wish their granny was dead, and conjure up an ogre. Recommended. (There is also an anime).

Get original scan (higher resolution, 172K)

Other Titles in Manga Vizions vols 1-3
A,A' (Moto Hagio);
various shorts by Rumiko Takahashi;
Jewels of the Seaside (Keiko Nishi);
The Skin of Her Heart (Keiko Nishi)

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[G. Cowie, 26.11.98]