I had determined some time ago not to get excited about any seeming progress in this series until the last couple of volumes, but I broke my own vow with these volumes, in which our heroes get closer than ever before to defeating one of the chief obstacles standing in their way. These three volumes focus on two things: swords and defeating Moryomaru, a creation of Naraku's who … [Read more...] about InuYasha 42-44 by Rumiko Takahashi: B+
Supernatural
Black Butler 1 by Yana Toboso: B-
Twelve-year-old Ciel Phantomhive is, through as-yet-unexplained circumstances, the head of his aristocratic family. He lives in a beautiful manor house near London with his servants, led by the impressively capable Sebastian, and runs a company that manufactures confections and toys. In the first chapter, we witness Sebastian’s skill as he whips up dinner for a guest (hindered … [Read more...] about Black Butler 1 by Yana Toboso: B-
Vampire Knight 9 by Matsuri Hino: C+
After the revelations in volume eight, the world of Vampire Knight goes—please pardon my indelicacy, but this is really the only way to put it—batshit crazy. Pureblood vampire Rido Kuran (our villain) completes his resurrection and summons his followers to him. Said followers feel no compunction about snacking on the day class students of Cross Academy, so the noble vampires … [Read more...] about Vampire Knight 9 by Matsuri Hino: C+
Angel: Long Night’s Journey by Brett Matthews and Joss Whedon: C-
From the back cover: An enemy from Angel's past has come to L.A., and enlisted three powerful supernatural creatures to break Angel's spirit before killing him. In one catastrophic night, Angel has to figure out who's after him, and then bring him down, in a climactic battle above the glittering Los Angeles skyline. Review: Wow, this is really lousy. It's written at least … [Read more...] about Angel: Long Night’s Journey by Brett Matthews and Joss Whedon: C-
Sand Land by Akira Toriyama: A-
From the back cover: In the far future, war has destroyed the entire Earth, leaving only a barren wasteland where the supply of water is controlled by the greedy king. In search of a long-lost lake, sheriff Rao asked the king of the demons for help... and got the king's son, Beelzebub, and his assistant, Thief. Together, the unlikely trio sets off across the desert, facing … [Read more...] about Sand Land by Akira Toriyama: A-