One Piece, Vol. 73 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (722–731) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōOne Piece, Vol. 73 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (722–731) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Dressrosa Arc. The final block of the Corrida Colosseum begins after Cavendish stopped the crowd from jeering Rebecca, which she manages to defeat her opponents by tripping them out of the ring. The defeated fighters of the previous block are dumped on in a pit full of toys with the others. Later on, Luffy and Bartolomeo meet someone who has been long believed to be dead.
Meanwhile, Zoro and Kin'emon try to find a way to enter the Colosseum to save Luffy, while Violet helps Sanji return to the Thousand Sunny to reunite with Nami and the rest of the crew. Sanji begins a fight with Doflamingo, but was defeated immediately. Before delivering the killing blow, Trafalgar Law came to deflect Doflamingo's attack and returned both Sanji and Caesar back to the ship, telling everyone to go to Zou as soon as possible.
Ricky reveals himself to be Riku Doldo III, the former king of Dressrosa. While Thunder Soldier tells the Straw Hats how the former King Riku lost his throne and the respect of his people – ten years ago.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. It continues the Dressrosa Arc, which is divided into three main stories – the Battle Royale that Monkey D. Luffy enters. The second story deals with the Straw Hats and their continuing mission to destroy the SMILE Factory. Lastly, there is a flashback history about Dressrosa and how the king of the island lost the respect of his people.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 73 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
One Piece, Vol. 72 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (712–721) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōOne Piece, Vol. 72 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (712–721) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Dressrosa Arc. Sanji fall victim to Viola, one of the officers within the Donquixote Pirates, along with her subordinates. Meanwhile in Green Bit, Doflamingo and Fujitora arrived and confront Trafalgar Law into a standoff.
Fujitora attacks by bringing a meteor down to the ground. As the Straw Hats prepare to destroy the SMILE Factory, Usopp lies to the dwarves about being Montblanc Noland's descendant, and they respond by making him their leader in their battle against the Donquixote Pirates, dubbing him Usoland.
Meanwhile, back in Dressrosa, the Battle Royale for Block C has began, with Luffy excited to win the prize, the Flame-Flame Fruit. Luffy tames the Fighting Bull, which Hajrudin crushes and Luffy gets revenge by knocking Hajrudin out. The battle continues as more fighters are eliminated, and Luffy loses his helmet. Chinjao rushes toward Luffy, eager to end him, and the two clashes with Haki, knocking everyone out of the ring except them.
Luffy meets with the other gladiators after his victory and goes to eat with Rebecca. Rebecca shows him several prisoner gladiators who are forced to fight 1000 matches or until they die. Rebecca reveals that Thunder Soldier is her guardian and remembers how he took care of her and taught her to fight after her mother was killed. Rebecca then heads toward the ring as Block D is about to begin.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. It continues the Dressrosa Arc, which is divided into two stories – the Battle Royale that Monkey D. Luffy enters and eventually wins his block. The second story deals with the Straw Hats and their continuing mission to destroy the SMILE Factory, which just happens to be under the coliseum that Luffy is fighting in.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 72 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
The Red Maze is a graphic novel co-written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel and co-illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun and theThe Red Maze is a graphic novel co-written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel and co-illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun and the third book in the 5 Worlds series. In their continuing quest to rekindle the giant beacons that will save their worlds from eco-catastrophe, sand dancer Oona Lee and friends travel to Moon Yatta, an industrialized superpower that is being taken over by a corrupt demagogue.
Oona Lee, An Tzu, and Jax Amboy travel to another distinctive world inhabited by a polychrome array of residents both humanoid and far otherwise. Though significant portions of the information-filled endpapers are covered by jacket flaps, the interior panels depict fully realized settings ranging from inner-city neighborhoods to remote desert, and they lay out a complex tapestry of local practices, politics, and values – many of which come into play as Election Day approaches.
One candidate in particular, tycoon Stan Moon, whips up fears of both foreigners and a reviled minority group of shape-changers. To accomplish her mission Oona must penetrate the well-defended jungle of power stations that have grown up to feed off the beacon while staying out of Moon's clutches.
The Red Maze is written and constructed rather well. The sub-plots in this volume were especially strong, focusing on Jax's evolution from android to something more and on the plight of the Yattan Shapeshifters, who have been cruelly subjugated in recent decades. As usual, the artistic direction is incredible with more exotic locales and a furthering of an extravagantly diverse cast.
All in all, The Red Maze is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderfully series....more
One Piece, Vol. 71 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (701–711) of the on-going manga series.
This taOne Piece, Vol. 71 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (701–711) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon begins the Dressrosa Arc. The Straw Hats arrive at Dressrosa and split into groups. Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Sanji, Franky, and Kin'emon go to a diner, where they meet a blind man who is exceedingly powerful, which would be later revealed to be Marine Admiral Fujitora. Luffy and Franky confront a Donquixote servant, who reveals Doflamingo is holding a tournament at the Corrida Colosseum, and the prize is the Flame-Flame Fruit, which once belong to his deceased brother – Portgas D. Ace.
Not wanting the fruit to go into wrong hands, he signs up for the tournament under an alias. Luffy meets fellow gladiators Cavendish, Rebecca, and the Chinjao Family, and learns there will be four block battles. Rebecca shows him the statue of Kyros, a legendary gladiator.
The Block A battle concludes very quickly, with Jesus Burgess claiming victory. The Block B battle begins as Bartolomeo is introduced, who seems untouchable, because he had consumed a devil fruit that can create barriers.
Meanwhile, Law's group battles their way across the bridge to Green Bit. They then find the mysterious force believed to be fairies, which Robin reveals are actually dwarves. Robin and Usopp are captured by the dwarves, but are easily freed due to the dwarves' gullibility. At the exchange site, Sanji contacts Law and reveals that Doflamingo never quit the Shichibukai, as Doflamingo and Fujitora head toward Law.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. It begins the Dressrosa Arc, which has the Straw Hats, Law, Kin'emon, and Momonosuke head to Dressrosa with a captive Caesar to broker a deal with Doflamingo, to destroy his SMILE Factory, and free the samurai's comrade Kanjuro. However, Luffy manages to discover that there is a tournament going on and the winner would receive the Flame-Flame Fruit, which once belong to his deceased brother.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 71 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
One Piece, Vol. 70 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (691–700) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōOne Piece, Vol. 70 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (691–700) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon concludes the Punk Hazard Arc. Shinokuni enters the facility, and Caesar Clown merges with it. Monkey D. Luffy then rushes at him and prepares to attack, whom he eventually defeats and Baby 5 and Buffalo arrive to retrieve him.
Franky attacks Baby 5 and Buffalo with the Franky Shogun, while Caesar prepares to stab Smoker's heart. Monet receives orders from Doflamingo to activate a weapon which will kill everyone except Caesar, including her. However, the heart Caesar stabs is actually Monet's, preventing her from destroying the island.
As the Straw Hats and Marines escape the facility, Doflamingo decides to go to Punk Hazard himself. The Straw Hats and Marines escape the facility, and Baby 5 and Buffalo attempt to retreat with Caesar. However, they are defeated by Usopp and Nami.
Meanwhile, Kin'emon is revealed to be alive as the Straw Hats and Marines have a party and get ready to leave. Trafalgar Law reveals that he and Luffy intend to take down Kaido. The Straw Hats and the Marines part ways as more of Law's plans are revealed. Law contacts Doflamingo, stating Doflamingo had to quit the Shichibukai if he wanted to regain Caesar and avoid Kaido's wrath.
Law reveals the plan to weaken Kaido by destroying the SMILE Factory on Dressrosa, and Kin'emon wants to rescue a comrade there. Doflamingo arrives at Punk Hazard and easily defeats Smoker, but is stopped from killing him by Kuzan.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. It concludes the Punk Hazard Arc which covers forty-six chapters over five tankōbon. It is revealed that Trafalgar D. Water Law and Buggy the Star Clown have become part of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Kin'emon and Kozuki Momonosuke – the samurai are introduced and the Heart Pirates have been become allies.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 70 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
The Cobalt Prince is a graphic novel co-written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel and co-illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun anThe Cobalt Prince is a graphic novel co-written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel and co-illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun and the second book in the 5 Worlds series. It has sisters reunite to lead the charge against a disembodied, mind-controlling evil in this second installment.
Following a string of chases, captures, escapes, and visits to several worldlets, young Oona Lee and her older sister, Jessa catch up to one another on Moon Toki to reaffirm their bond and to employ their Sand Dance magic to prevent the Mimic from freeing its long-captive heart.
The Cobalt Prince is written and constructed rather well. Already notable for exotic locales and an extravagantly diverse cast, which includes among the new characters are some plant people and a frisky but helpful blob of sacred oil named Ram Sam Sam. However, some panels are still too small to hold the dialogue and larger-scale action comfortably, but the pacing is quick and fluid, and the dancing carries a suitably otherworldly setting.
All in all, The Cobalt Prince is a wonderful continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderfully series....more
One Piece, Vol. 69 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next twelve chapters (679–690) of the on-going manga series.
This taOne Piece, Vol. 69 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next twelve chapters (679–690) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Punk Hazard Arc. Caesar Clown receives a report that Monkey D. Luffy, Trafalgar Law and the G-5 Marines have entered the building. He then orders to close down the way that leads to Section B and have a wall to be blasted in order for the Shinokuni to enter Section A.
Meanwhile, the Straw Hats and Kin'emon ride on Brownbeard's back in order to enter Section B. Behind them, Tashigi and the remaining G-5 Marines are being attacked by the smaller dragon. The Marines celebrate the arrival of Vergo, but are shocked when he uses Shigan on his subordinates.
Luffy briefly fights Caesar, but Monet stops him from doing so and letting Caesar escape. Smoker leaves them to find and confront with Vergo. Monet tries to weaken Luffy through using her devil fruit abilities to make a ten-layered snow hut. Luffy tries to attack it, but he rather falls into the basement. In Section B, Chopper in his Monster Point tries to control the berserk children from the Biscuits Room.
Law enters Section D, which contains the SAD production room. Meanwhile, Vergo contacts Doflamingo who is in Dressrosa. Upon hearing that Law has reached the production room, he tells Vergo to kill Law. He also sent two of his subordinates, Buffalo and Baby 5, to Punk Hazard. Vergo defeats Smoker, but Law manages to recover his heart and gets the opportunity to defeat Vergo, slicing him in half, along with the SAD room and the whole mountain the process.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. Matters are looking grim on Punk Hazard as deadly gas set off by a mad scientist envelops the island. Monkey D. Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats are on a mission to both take down Caesar Clown and escape the island before the gas could do them harm.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 69 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
The Sand Warrior is a graphic novel co-written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel and co-illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun andThe Sand Warrior is a graphic novel co-written by Mark Siegel and Alexis Siegel and co-illustrated by Xanthe Bouma, Matt Rockefeller, and Boya Sun and the first book in the 5 Worlds series. A sudden attack on the world of Mon Domani and its inhabited moons drives a young dancer, a street urchin, and an illegal android together.
Oona Lee's older sister, Jessa, was their planet's most promising sand dancer before she disappeared. As for Oona, she is awkward and can’t even control the sand figures she summons. Their planet, Mon Domani, is beset by cascading environmental crises, and Oona and her classmates are meant to help light an ancient beacon that may bring the galaxy back into balance.
However, Toki, a rival moon, chooses this moment to attack. In the chaos, Oona finds two allies: An Tzu, a fiercely loyal thief from the planet's slums, and Jax Amboy, a sport superstar, who recognize gifts in Oona that she doesn't see.
The Sand Warrior is written and constructed rather well. Explosions, attacks, and evildoing are relieved by neatly timed interludes in tranquil settings. The main characters share an unglamorous, pre- adolescent look, and the authors seize the opportunity to explore issues of race, class, and scarcity.
All in all, The Sand Warrior is a wonderful beginning to what would hopefully be a wonderfully series....more
One Piece, Vol. 68 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (668–678) of the on-going manga series.
This taOne Piece, Vol. 68 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (668–678) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Punk Hazard Arc. Monkey D. Luffy accepts Trafalgar Law's proposal, and Law returns Franky and Tony Tony Chopper to their original bodies. The Straw Hats and Law set their objectives, while some centaurs release a slime creature.
Meanwhile, Roronoa Zoro, Sanji, and Brook recover while the samurai is rendered immobile due to his torso being submerged in water. Caesar Clown reveals the slime was created from the incident four years ago, while the Straw Hat Pirates and the Marines attempt to break into his base.
Luffy battles Tashigi and Smoker as the invasion begins, but balls of slime begin to rain down and split themselves. Caesar then reveals himself, but Luffy manages to grab him, to his shock. Luffy battles Caesar, who reveals that he can become and control gas. Luffy has the upper hand at first, but he suddenly collapses.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. Many things happen in this tankōbon as Monkey D. Luffy and Trafalgar Law forms an alliance to defeat one of his enemies. Meanwhile, the rest of the Straw Hats are trying and successfully put back together a samurai who has been split apart. While doing this, the Marines Tashigi and Smoker are attacking Punk Hazard for their own reasons.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 68 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
One Piece, Vol. 67 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (657–667) of the on-going manga series.
This taOne Piece, Vol. 67 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (657–667) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Punk Hazard Arc. While Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Nico Robin, and Usopp visit Punk Hazard, Franky, Vinsmoke Sanji, Nami and Tony Tony Chopper discover a living head belonging to a samurai named Kin'emon who is searching for his son Momonosuke. The four escapes into a children's room called the Biscuits Room and attempt to release the giant children imprisoned there. Meanwhile, Brook discovers the samurai's torso.
A group of naval officers, led by Smoker and Tashigi, arrive at the island as Luffy and the others confront a group of creatures along the way. Meanwhile, Smoker and Tashigi are confronted by Trafalgar Law, who has become a Warlord. Law swaps the hearts of Franky, Sanji, Nami and Chopper while Luffy and the others are rescued by Brownbeard, a pirate living on the island.
Luffy meets Law once again, just before the Warlord swaps Tashigi and Smoker's hearts. Luffy and the others learn about the history of Punk Hazard: once the experiment facility of Dr. Vegapunk, the government scientist involved in one of his failed experiments, sealed off the island and fled.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. The Straw Hat Pirates has finally entered into the New World and they encounter things that they have never seen before, which include dragons and samurais. They would eventually discover the mystery behind Punk Hazard Island and meet the warlord of the island – Trafalgar Law – who has the ability to switch people’s hearts.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 67 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
She Who Became the Sun is the first book in The Radiant Emperor series written by Shelley Parker-Chan. It gives the historical Red Turban Rebellion a She Who Became the Sun is the first book in The Radiant Emperor series written by Shelley Parker-Chan. It gives the historical Red Turban Rebellion a grim-dark fantasy twist.
After bandits kill Zhu Chongba's father in 14th-century China, Zhu dies of grief without ever having fulfilled the destined greatness that was foreseen at his birth. Instead, his purposefully never-named sister takes on her brother's identity and his fate.
The new Zhu's tenacious will to survive and desire for glory leads her to become first a Buddhist monk, then a commander in the rebel army attempting to overthrow Mongol rule of China and results in continual clashes with an antagonist to whom her fate is inexorably intertwined – the eunuch General Ouyang.
For his part, Ouyang is not about to let a no-name monk distract him from a revenge plot a lifetime in the making, leading to a Machiavellian series of bargains and battles between the two.
She Who Became the Sun is written rather well. Parker-Chan has created a wonderful Asian-inspired historical fiction, which successfully takes the reader back in time. However, her unrelentingly grim view of humanity does bogs down the middle of the narrative, though her nuanced exploration of gender identity and striking meditation on bodily autonomy set this fantasy apart.
All in all, She Who Became the Sun is written rather well and is a wonderful beginning to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future....more
One Piece, Vol. 66 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (647–656) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōOne Piece, Vol. 66 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (647–656) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon concludes the Fish-Man Island Arc and begins the next one. After Shirahoshi stops Mokey D. Luffy from destroying Noah, Jimbei gives his blood to a dying Luffy and tells the citizens that the law on Fishman Island is a farce. As Luffy recovers, Hordy Jones, Vander Decken, and the New Fishman Pirates are sent to jail and all charges against the Straw Hat Pirates are dropped and celebration ensues.
However, Caribou steals the kingdom's treasure and Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, and Sanji chase him and take it back. Afterwards, Luffy intercepts a call from Big Mom, one of the Four Emperors, to her henchmen and tells her that he ate the candy originally for her, and challenges Big Mom to a fight before giving the treasure to Big Mom in place of the candy to Nami's dismay.
Shirahoshi makes the Straw Hats promise to see her again before the Straw Hats and the Fishmen go their separate ways. Using a group of whales, Luffy and the others finally reach the New World. Over the Transponder Snail, a man asks for help before he is attacked. Reaching the burning island Punk Hazard, the Straw Hats go their separate ways to visit the island.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. Two-thirds of the tankōbon concludes the Fish-Man Island story arc, which features the crew in their first major adventure after their two year separation. It is interesting to read how the Straw Hat Pirates have improved over the span of two years and how they now work together in their first major adventure.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 66 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
One Piece, Vol. 65 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (637–646) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōOne Piece, Vol. 65 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (637–646) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Fish-Man Island Arc. As the Straw Hats fight the New Fishman Pirates' leaders, Monkey D. Luffy stops Shirahoshi from sacrificing herself and flies up to the Noah with her and Fukaboshi.
Hordy Jones betrays Vander Decken IX and defeats him before challenging Luffy. As Luffy fights with Hordy, Decken falls unconscious, consequently destroying the bubble. As everyone in Fishman Island is evacuating, Fukaboshi reveals to Luffy that Hordy was created from the resentment against humanity.
Encouraged by Fukaboshi, Luffy proceeds to fight with Hordy as the Ammo Knights launch a bubble to cover the Noah again. Luffy defeats Hordy and attempts to destroy the ship to save the island. Meanwhile, the Straw Hats manages to defeat Hordy’s subordinates.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. It more or less finishes the battle between the Arlong Pirates and Fishermen Village with the Straw Hat Pirates in the middle, protecting the village Monkey D. Luffy and Hordy Jones fights each other, with Luffy being the ultimate victor.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 65 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
One Piece, Vol. 64 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (627–636) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōOne Piece, Vol. 64 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (627–636) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Fish-Man Island Arc. Back in the present, Nami forgives Jimbei for his actions and reveals that she only resents Arlong, the captain of an all fishmen crew. Everyone panics as Hody announces to Fishman Island via Transponder Snail the coup d'etat to take over the kingdom and his intention to kill the Straw Hat Pirates for defeating Arlong.
Monkey D. Luffy decides to go rescue the rest of his crew, but Jimbei conceives a plan. Jimbei, Shirahoshi and Megalo rush to the palace and it is revealed to Jimbei that Hody Jones was responsible for assassinating Otohime. Using Nami's Mirage Tempo technique, the Straw Hat Pirates appear before the people of Fishman Island, and the Fishman Pirates' prisoners are freed. They then reveal that they have the Celestial Dragon's letter and Otohime's petition.
In the ensuing fight with Hody, Luffy and the Straw Hats take out most of Hody's men. However, in a desperate attempt to destroy the island, Vander Decken IX uses his devil fruit powers to hurl Noah, an ancient ship, in an effort to destroy everything around it.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. It continues the Fish-Man Island arc, the civil war between the Arlong Pirates and those loyal to their deceased monarch escalates and Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hats Pirates are in the midst of things.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 64 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
One Piece, Vol. 63 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next twelve chapters (615–626) of the on-going manga series.
This taOne Piece, Vol. 63 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next twelve chapters (615–626) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon continues the Fish-Man Island Arc. Vander Decken IX, a fishman with the power of the Mark-Mark Fruit, and Hody Jones, the leader of the New Fishman Pirates, join forces to start the complete destruction of Fishman Island.
Meanwhile, Monkey D. Luffy befriends the island's princess Shirahoshi, and he and most of the Straw Hats flee to regroup with Jimbei. They learn that Jimbei released Arlong into the East Blue, and also learn of the island's history.
In a flashback, the Sun Pirates, a pirate group led by Fisher Tiger which includes Jimbei and Arlong, become infamous. After discovering an enslaved girl named Koala, the pirates travel to her hometown. However, Tiger dies after being attacked by the Marines on a trap and refusing a blood treatment. Jimbei replaces Tiger as the Sun Pirates' captain and Arlong decides to go his separate ways.
After becoming a Warlord by the World Government, Jimbei disbands the pirates. In her attempt to help ban discrimination against fishmen and humans, Otohime is assassinated and has her three sons and her daughter protect the queen's ideals before her death.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. It continues the Fish-Man Island arc, where Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew are trying to fight for their freedom. Meanwhile, the history of the place is revealed in a flashback.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 63 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
Tidesong is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Wendy Xu. It centers on a legacy of magic, which binds two aspiring hopefuls from different worTidesong is a graphic novel written and illustrated by Wendy Xu. It centers on a legacy of magic, which binds two aspiring hopefuls from different worlds together.
Aspiring witch Sophie Wu is determined to nail her Royal Magic Academy audition. She is part of the Wu clan, whose lineage included a dragon-human pairing, and whose descendants retain powers over storm and sea.
Sophie is excited to spend a year studying in Shulan, a quaint harbor town accessible by ferry, with her contemptuous great-aunt, Auntie Lanny, and young, ever-patient, feline-like aunt Sage – an Academy alumna. However, Auntie's harsh discipline amplifies Sophie's deep desire to prove herself and in the midst of an ill-advised ocean-side experiment, Sophie's magic becomes entangled with that of Lir, the horned, amnesiac son of a powerful dragon, who now can't shift back from his human form.
Tidesong is written and constructed rather well. In fluid, Studio Ghibli inspired graphic panels, scenes of smartly paced action follow Sophie's continuing pattern of mishaps and self-recrimination, and she encounters the first stirrings of wholesome romance with gentle, refined Lir. Though the magic tutelage theme is familiar ground, Xu gives her solo debut fresh allure with richly evoked Chinese mythology.
All in all, Tidesong is a fun and fantastical adventure for a middle-grade graphic novel....more
One Piece, Vol. 62 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (604–614) of the on-going manga series.
This taOne Piece, Vol. 62 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next eleven chapters (604–614) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon begins a new story arc. As the Straw Hats near Fishman Island, they are attacked by the New Fishman Pirates, a crew of hostile fishmen, and fall overboard. Though separated again, the Straw Hats are able to make it to shore thanks to the friendlier fishmen and mermaids of the island.
Monkey D. Luffy immediately begins to seek out the rest of his crew, while reconnecting with friends he has not seen in two years and exploring the island. When Madam Sharley, a fortuneteller, predicts that Luffy will destroy the island, the Straw Hats are invited to the royal palace. However, this was a ruse, as it is revealed to be a plot to detain them and save the island – preventing them to fulfill the prophecy of destruction.
When the Straw Hats assembled there learn of this they are forced to defeat the island's king Neptune and his royal guard and take control of the palace to avoid capture.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. After two years, the Straw Hats are finally beginning their undersea journey to Fish-Man Island. When a local fortuneteller predicts Monkey D. Luffy destroying Fish-Man Island, the Straw Hats are falsely accused as criminals, which don’t sit well with them.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 62 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
Believe Me is a novella from the Shatter Me series written by Tahereh Mafi, which serves as an extended epilogue and coda told through the perspectiveBelieve Me is a novella from the Shatter Me series written by Tahereh Mafi, which serves as an extended epilogue and coda told through the perspective of Aaron Warner. This novella takes place after Imagine Me and should be read after reading the core series.
Juliette Ferrars and Aaron Warner fought hard and suffered much to take down the Reestablishment once and for all. However, life in the aftermath isn’t easy for them and their friends at the Sanctuary as they are working extremely hard with limited resources to stabilize the world. Through all this chaos, Aaron Warner wants to be married to Juliette Ferrars since his proposal to her a fortnight earlier. However, with the reconstruction of the world, finding a time to get married or even plan for the wedding is difficult at best.
Believe Me is written rather well. Mafi returns to writing in from the perspective of Aaron Warner as readers follow his thoughts of planning his wedding through the chaos of reforming the world to the state before the Reestablishment took over. Mafi not only returns with another story about these characters, but to provide a better and extended ending that was frankly rushed in the core series, which was done rather well. Aside from the romance, which was plenty, Mafi spends much space in the plans for the reconstruction of the world, where many dystopian series usually gloss over.
All in all, Believe Me is a well written novella about the ending that many aficionados of the series that would approve. While not necessarily needed to read for the core series, it is a worthy addition to the Shatter Me universe – enriching it just a tad more....more
One Piece, Vol. 61 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next nine chapters (595–603) of the on-going manga series.
This tankOne Piece, Vol. 61 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next nine chapters (595–603) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon concludes the interim story arc. Before being separated, the Straw Hat Pirates had planned to meet up after three days. However, Monkey D. Luffy's message amends that to two years through the attack on Marine Headquarters. Although they wish to reunite with Luffy and comfort him about his brother, Portgas D. Ace's, death, they instead take advantage of the opportune locales that Bartholomew Kuma sent them all to improve their skills – Luffy himself trains with Silvers Rayleigh.
Two years later, the Straw Hats gather on the archipelago where they were last together. A similar Marine force that caused them difficulties years ago tries to detain them, but because of their growth they easily flee. Together again, they resume their adventure by setting sail for Fishman Island, an underwater island.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. Two years have passed since the crew was separated and the Straw Hats have trained vigorously since then. They are now set to reunite and pick up from where they left off on their journey.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 61 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more
One Piece, Vol. 60 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (585–594) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōOne Piece, Vol. 60 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next ten chapters (585–594) of the on-going manga series.
This tankōbon concludes the Post-War Arc. After Sabo is assumed to have been killed by a Celestial Dragon for being so-called human garbage, Monkey D. Luffy and Portgas D. Ace vow to look out for each other always. With Ace now dead, Luffy believes he has nothing to live for until he remembers that he still has his crew, and makes plans to go return to the archipelago where they were last together.
Silvers Rayleigh, having tracked Luffy down, advises against this as not only would they be defeated again, but the World Government is now after him because of his recent actions. Rayleigh suggests an alternative approach – they go and briefly assault Marine Headquarters, something that becomes a major news story.
The other Straw Hats, having been sent to different parts of the world by Kuma, quickly learn of this and find hidden meaning in Luffy's return.
This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Eiichirō Oda. For the most part it is written and constructed rather well. The world reels from the death of Whitebeard, causing chaos to ripple all across the Grand Line. While Monkey D. Luffy is struggling to cope with Portgas D. Ace's death and remembers he has something just as important to him – his crew, but finding them now would be pointless as the World's Government has their eyes on him. So, he sends a message to his crew via the most outlandish plan possible – attacking Marine Headquarters.
All in all, One Piece, Vol. 60 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more....more