MJ (of Manga Bookshelf) and I have often talked about our ardent love for shounen manga. Shounen manga’s actually what got MJ into the medium in the first place, and I’ve lately been enjoying a reading spree through my library’s Shonen Jump collection. Unfortunately, our conversations have been somewhat limited because neither of us has read the other’s favorite series. Awesome as it is, there’s only so much fangirling one can do over a mutually adored title like Hikaru no Go. With that in mind, the idea for Shounen Sundays was born.
Here’s how it works: each Sunday in June, MJ and I will post a review of a shounen manga that is new to us, two that are among the other’s favorites and two of our own choosing. For MJ I have recommended Slam Dunk and One Piece, and for me she has chosen Fullmetal Alchemist and Claymore. (Yes, we know none of these actually ran in the real Shounen Sunday.)
The goals of our experiment are multifarious. As manga reviewers, there’s the desire to be at least familiar with as many different series as possible. To an inveterate hoarder like me, there’s the guilt-assuaging opportunity to actually read the things that I own. And to a couple of enthusiastic friends, there’s the anticipation of introducing someone to a story that you really, really love and hoping with fingers crossed that they’ll love it, too.
We hope you’ll check back with us throughout the month. This post will be kept updated with the latest entries in our endeavor.
WEEK ONE:
Michelle: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vols. 1-2
MJ: Arata: The Legend, Vols. 1-2
WEEK TWO:
Michelle: Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning, Vols. 1-3
MJ: Slam Dunk, Vols. 1-2
WEEK THREE:
Michelle: Claymore, Vols. 1-2
MJ: Black Butler, Vols. 1-2
WEEK FOUR:
Michelle: Saiyuki, Vols. 1-3
MJ: One Piece, Vols. 1-3
Great idea you two! Michelle, I’m a total hoarder like you and I tend to hoard shonen much more than other types of manga (right now I have FMA, Claymore and Tsubasa just waiting for me). FMA should be interesting on a number of levels (I was a big fan of the first anime, so I think I’ve waited this long to try to make the manga as “fresh” an experience as possible). Of course, now I’m also curious about Brotherhood, the second adaptation, but too many versions of a story can really water it down so I think I’m going to stay with the manga. For now.
I’ve never seen any of the FMA anime, so I am coming into the experience almost completely unspoiled. I know about one yet-to-be-introduced character’s existence, and that is it. It’s pretty awesome.
I’ve fallen quite behind on Tsubasa. I read through volume 18, though I have up to 26 (hoard!). Now I wonder if I oughtn’t just wait for the final two to come out and take the remaining ten all in one awesome marathon.