supernatural ↘↖
Light Novel Review: Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei
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Since the conclusion of World War Three in 2064 and the outlaw of nuclear weaponry magicians, now known as a Magic Technicians, have become the focus of the current arms race. ”Supernatural Power”, which were once unique to an individual, become the focus of study from both Western and Eastern powers. Now, in the form of “Magic”, “Supernatural Power” is accessible for the masses. However, like the arts and the sciences, talent is required to attain the mastery of magic necessary for use professionally. It is now 2095, fifty years after World War Three started, this year marks the start of four turmoilous years for Japan and the world during which Magic Technicians replace nuclear weaponry as weapons of mass destruction. Perhaps not so coincidentally, this is the same year that Miyuki Shiba and Tatsuya Shiba enter the most prominent magic high school institution of Japan.
Manga Review: Yamada and the Seven Witches
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from this series when I first started. I thought I was about to read a generic gender swap manga, but I was wrong. What I got was a charming story of magic with the complications of high school relationships. This is the story of Yamada, a generic delinquent, and the seven witches of his high school. On day, while on the way to class Yamada falls down the stairs with Shiraishi, the smartest girl in the grade, and they switch bodies. Turns out they kissed upon landing and that a kiss is the key for witches use their abilities. Witches? Yeah, there are perpetually seven witches in Yamada’s high school, although the people change their powers transfer upon their graduation. With little else to do Yamada, Shiraishi, and their slowly growing group of friends start a club to research the witches’ abilities and their holders.
Manga Review: Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist
In 800 B.C. King Solomon gathered an army of demons with the power of his blessed ring. Thousands of years later in near-modern times his descendant, and bearer of his soul, is plunged into the power struggle of the same demons from the ancient army. Lucifer, like every powerful demon, must sleep for a hundred years in order to keep his longevity. In his absence a ruler is elected to control hell. This time, the one choosing Lucifer’s replacement is Solomon’s descendant, William Twining, who is a seemingly normal human who is a stubborn realist refuses to believe in the existence of God, demons, angels, and the like.
Manga Review: Tokyo ESP
Following the sucess of Ga-rei, Hajime Segawa-sensei launched his next series Tokyo ESP. While Ga-rei was a story of the supernatural Tokyo ESP is based on ESP*, Extra Sensory Perseption. Both stories are based in modern Tokyo with their respective twists. If you like one, you will like the other. Although both works are simular there are distincty differences.
Manga Review: Arago
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Arago and Ewan Hunt witness their parents death at the at hands of a mysterious being known as the “Patchman”. Fifteen years later the brothers live drastically different lives until their paths cross again following the trail of the Patchman’s latest victims. Their latest encounter with the being left both at the edge of death. But the Patchman wouldn’t have that, he needs one of them to be his new body. Using parts of Ewan, he revives Arago only to have his powers stolen by him. With his brother’s death weighing on his heart Arago dedicates his life to saving others with his new powers. By day, a detective, by night fighting demons and spirits until the line between his double life blurs.
Manga Review: Trinity Blood
In the post-apocalyptic world there are three species of beings. The first, humans, populate the earth in various cities and hide behind the Vatican for protection. Protection against who? The second, Methuselah, commonly known as vampires. Vampires can be sporadically found nestled in human populations or in their capital. Just as Methuselah feed upon the blood of humans the third feeds on the blood of vampires. The third, Crusniks, are immortal and all powerful beings. Trinity Blood follows the one of the few Crusniks on his path of redemption for sins from 900 years in the past.
Manga Review: To Terra
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Winner of both the first Seiun Award, a prestigious award for science fiction, and the Shogakukan Manga Award for shonen/shojo manga.
To Terra, directly translated as Toward the Terra, is a three volume series about the future of the Earth, known as Terra, and the future of humans. In this future Terra has fallen into ruin because of human neglect. Becoming uninhabitable, humans left to colonize other planets. Some left the galaxy and were never heard from again, others settled nearby.
The humans that settled earn Terra wanted to bring Terra back into a livable and vibrant world. They figured that humans were what caused Terra’s ruin and so created machines to rule over and control the humans. The lead machine called, Grand-Mother, brain washes humans and breeds them in vitro. Although Grand-Mother control the genes that create humans a certain gene always pops up. This gene lead to a new species called Mu. The Mu have weak bodies but are blessed with physic abilities and are hunted down by Grand-Mother. This is the story of their quest to return to Terra told from both the Mu and the Human sides.
Manga Review: Otogi Matsuri
In the quite little town of Miyakono life takes a drastic turn for many residents. The residents have forgotten the old traditions and have abandoned the gods. By destroying the mountain and filling in the rivers an ancient charm was broken. This charm protected the town from the onslaught of the ten Kenzoku. These ancient and monstrous creatures gather the souls of their victims to resurrect their creator. The only humans that can fight these beings are those who have been chosen by the four gods guarding the town. These gods are: Suzaku, who protects the south, Seiryu, who protects the East, Genbu, who protects the North, and Byakko, who protects the West. Upon contact with the gods the chosen must give up their most precious thing in exchange for a jingi, a sacred weapon. They, along with the few who have spiritual sense, are the only ones who can see the Kenzoku and thus must fight together to save the greater population who are unaware of the danger. Still, the Jingi users are only human and their weakness causes many deaths, some unavoidable, some harrowing.
Manhwa Review: Ciel: The Last Autumn Story
In the world of Ciel: The Last Autumn Story Arc Dragons are linked to the forces of nature. They are, in essence, nature personified. The Fire Dragon gave humans language and magic. Now some of the dragons regret this decision as they now fear for the planet’s future. Upon his birth, the Sky Dragon, who can predict the future, predicted that the world would become a barren waste land. The dragons can’t help but think that this will be due to humans. With the turmoil between dragons and the political turbulence linked with having magic power Yvienne, her partner Lariatte, and their friends Daughter and January must do more than just study in the Lockwood Institute, a school for wizards and witches. They must battle demons, monsters, and other fowl creatures while being socially and politically active.
Manga Review: Island
From the manhwa writer that wrote Shin Angyo Onshi and Defense Devil comes a story of demons, death, history, and vengeance. Island centers around Won Miho who, ever since she came to Cheju Island, has attracted the attention of the native demons. Her only line of defense is Pan, a serial killer who hunts these demons. This mysterious man uses Buddhist chants and his jade dagger to defeat both god and demons alike. He is unpredictable, to say the least, and Won has to resort to money in order to keep Pan defending her. However, these demons are the least of Won’s worries as she gets caught in a history of hate between Korea and Japan which manifests itself in supernatural killing and battles.
