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Is This A Zombie? Combo Pack – Anime Classic (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 28, 2014
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Is This A Zombi?Title: Is this A Zombie? DVD/Blu-ray Complete Series – Anime Classics

Director: Takaomi Kanasaki

Studio: Studio Dean

U.S. Distributor: FUNimation Entertainment

U. S. Re-Release Date: March 25th, 2014

Format: DVD / Blu-ray / 12 episodes / OVA / 325 minutes

Genre: Comedy, Harem, Supernatural, Romance

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

Some guys have no luck; he’s got no pulse. That’s life for unfortunate, undead Ayumu. First, he was murdered by a serial killer. Total bummer. Then he was resurrected as a zombie by a cute little necromancer. That seemed pretty cool until she moved into his house, refused to speak, and forced his rotting carcass to do all the cooking. After that, a magical girl in a pretty pink dress used her matching chainsaw to chop his corpse in half.

Luckily, the necromancer’s powers of resurrection trumped those of the chainsaw chick, so instead of dying (again), Ayumu became the world’s first magical girl zombie. There’s also a voluptuous vampire ninja who thinks zombie boy’s a pervert – and a hideous crayfish demon who wants to devour him. Confused? All you gotta know is this: zombies, frilly dresses, demons, and moe chainsaws. Pink. It’s the new dead.

Commentary:

Being added to the Anime Classic line at Funimation doesn’t happen for every series, in fact very few make it.  Is This a Zombie? is one of those titles that deserves to be amounts those other titles that have been designated Anime Classics if for no other reason than it is one of the funniest harem animus out there. It is also one of the more unique harem titles released in North America.

The entire premiss is rather silly, but for what it is there are plenty of laughs. The real strength of the series lies in the characters. Even thought everyone is presented early on and somewhat full developed there is a rather absurd quality to each one of them that makes it all work. Silly as it may be once you get past the concept and allow the series just play out in its own way things fall into place and the humor is able to shine through. I can see why it is popular with the male audience and even see how some of the female fandom would get into it, but I think that taking a little off the sexual innuendo out of the series could have made it even more popular with the under 17 crowd.

Overall Grade: B+

If you have never see Is This a Zombie? this re-release is your chance to pick it up at a reasonable price. So, if you are in the mood for a funny perverted supernatural harem that makes fun of everything including itself then Is This a Zombi? is for you.

Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 28, 2014
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Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutorreview provided by Katie and Andrew

Title: Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor-The Complete Series Plus OVA “Shugaku Toshi Keppu-Roku”

Director: Series-Koichi Ohata  OVA-Rion Kujo

Studio: Series-TNK  OVA-Arms

Author: Series-Koichi Ohata  OVA-Koichi Ohata

U.S. Distributor: Funimation Entertainment

U.S. Release Date: March 11, 2014

Format and Length: DVD / 12 Episodes + 1 OVA / 300 Minutes

Genre: Action, Ecchi, Martial Arts, School, Super Power

Industry Age Rating: 17 and up

Overall Personal Rating: C

Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Ikki-Tousen

Synopsis:

The fourth season of Ikki-Tousen delivers double the ditz when Hakufu gets a disciple. But training a pupil is tiring work and catching some sleep at random times puts a delay on her dreams of combat conquest. Hakufu is ready to rumble when word of a tournament gets around and that is when a sinister force sabotages the rival schools’ into submission. Can Hakufu muscle her way to victory and save all her friends from repeating their fatal past? You will have to watch Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor-The Complete Series Plus OVA to find out.

Commentary:

I can only describe Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor-The Complete Series Plus OVA as more of the same that you come to expect from the series. The story line, however small it was, moved at a very fast pace and I was lost most of the time. There are many flashbacks right off the bat in the first episode that can confuse you if you have not watched the first season of Ikki-Tousen lately.

However, they did decide to introduce two new characters, Kentei the self-proclaimed “True King” and Mouki Bachou, Hakufu’s disciple.  Kentei is the one planning a new tournament for the Great Fighters so he can force them to fulfill their destiny from eighteen hundred years ago. He lures each fighter with a Magatama to an island under the name of Nanban High School where may hardships await them. Mouki Bachou’s main objective is to fight and win a battle against the person who killed her precious older brother and that person is Sousou Moutoku , the head of Kyoshou Academy. Mouki can be described as being reckless, oblivious to her own limitations, and a leaping and kicking disaster in pink sneakers. I saw her as the comedic relief among the massive amounts of fan-service.

The characters were drawn well and the fight scenes were interesting. However, the fight scenes overpowered everything else in the series because they took up most of the episode time. The rest of the time was spent filling the screen with fan-service aka shirt shredding and looking up skirts for panty shots. The plot is Ikki-Tousen classic, girls from different schools fighting until their clothing shreds apart. Nothing special there but with the two new characters added in this season we do see some character development, but not much.

The OVA, Shugaku Toshi Keppu-Roku, the three major schools are off to Kyoto seeking spiritual energy tokens called Tsubas. You also finally get an explanation for why there are no innocent bystanders hurt during the battles. Shugaku Toshi Keppu-Roku is supposed to be the sequel to Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor-The Complete Series but it feels more like an abbreviated retelling of the series.  Nothing special in the plot or characters but it was nice to get a refresher for the series.

Extras:

Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor-The Complete Series Plus OVA includes “Six Dreamy Views,” promotional videos, clean opening and closing animations, Japanese commercial, U.S. Trailer, Funimation Entertainment trailers, and episode commentary as Special Features. Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor-The Complete Series Plus OVA has English and Japanese languages with Japanese subtitles.

Overall Grade: C

Ikki-Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor-The Complete Series Plus OVA has an extreme amount of fan-service and it takes away from the story line. However, it is an okay anime for what it is.

 

Yu-gi-oh! Zexal 4 manga review

Posted by :Joann On : March 23, 2014
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Yu gi oh zexalTitle: Yu-gi-oh! Zexal volume 4
Author: Story by Shin Yoshida
Art by Naohito Miyoshi
Distributor: Viz Media/ Shonen Jump
American release date: January 7th, 2014
Format: Traditional Manga
Genre: Action, Shonen
Publisher Age Rating: T ( for teen)
Review Rating: B-

Synopsis:
Shark always seemed like a bad guy. But when one of the Numbers Hunters, Luna, offers Shark a position in the group, he barely hesitates before accepting.

Meanwhile, Yuma’s friends show him  the headquarters for the Numbers Club. With all of this technology, the club can research all of the events that might be related to the Numbers cards. They also research Shark’s past in order to discover why he would join the Numbers Hunters.

Commentary:
Yu-gi-oh! has come a long way. From an island for duelists, to a school dedicated to the study of dueling. Zexal goes back to the original set up. It was refreshing. Although I feel like this group is just too young.  I’ve enjoyed Yu-gi-oh! since I was young, and now that I’m in my 20’s, following the story of 13 year olds just doesn’t connect with me(especially because this groups looks like they could be 10 years old).  But the strategy these kids use is along the lines of some real life tournament level players. Compared to the original series (and the previous series), the players follow actual rules. It gives the manga a closer connection to the actual card game, which makes it easier to understand and enjoy.

I started off with the anime, and only pick up the manga when I need something to read. The art style is a bit to detailed in manga format, but works well for anime or in color. The way the characters are is a great example. They are so intricate that to really get their design you need to see them in color.

Overall grade: B-
I quite enjoy Yu-gi-oh! as a series, and Zexal is a good comeback from 5D’s. However, it isn’t as good as the original series, and I find it makes for a better anime than a manga. But Zexal is still worth the read.

Aria The Natural Season 2 part 2 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 23, 2014
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Aria The Natural part 2Title: Aria The Natural Season 2 part 2

Director: Jun’ichi Sato

Studio: Hal Film Maker

U. S. Distributor: Nozumi / Right Stuf

U. S. Re-Release Date: March 4th, 2014

Format: DVD / 13 Episode / 325 Minutes

Genre: Slice of Life, Sci Fi

Age Rating: 13+

Overall Personal Rating B+

Synopsis:

Akari, Aika and Alice continue to strive toward their goal of becoming Neo-Venezia’s top gondoliers. As their skills improve, they find themselves faced with new challenges. On their journey to become Primas, the girls will have to paint a palina, serve as hostesses at the Festa del Redentore, and even learn how to be brave in the face of a dangerous passenger!

Even with all the drama there is still time for friends and festivities. Will the girls be able to handle the added pressures that come with their trek toward becoming the successors to their teachers who are known as the 3 Fairy Gondoliers of Neo-Venezia?

Commentary:

As we work our way through these 13 episodes it becomes very clear that this series is not just about the friendships that these 3 young ladies have developed, but rather the bigger picture of what it means to become an adult. Of course, the fact that Neo-Venezia provides a very nurturing environment makes a big difference. Even so, there is plenty for them to learn and discover on their own.

For as much as I see the ease and beauty to this series I also see the limitation that it has placed upon itself. With such a soft and easy general appearance tied to a rather gentle grace that flows through all the episodes Aria provides a supportive environment that showcases the coming of age of these characters, but at the same time gloss over some of the confusion and distress that adolescence tend to struggle with. I do appreciate the way the address some of the questions and at the same time became a little less enamored with the way in which they were presented.

I can’t really say that this series is meant for that adolescent audience. The real audience is the pre-adolescent girl who is still somewhat dreamy and living in the world of happy wonderlands. This is not to say that others can’t enjoy this series, I think that most of us would love to live in a world just like Neo-Venezia. A world where all of the problems of just moving through life a simplified by just being in such a peaceful loving place.

Overall Grade: B+

Aria: The Natural part 2 is still a happy easy anime to watch. I can’t really discredit for giving us a picture of life in a world that most of us would enjoy having. I just think that it manages to make light of the coming of age for these young ladies. As a older viewer I like this easy escape form reality and I would guess that many younger viewers under the age to 10 just might find it romantic, but for those who are currently at the same age as the 3 protagonist I think it would be frustrating to watch. Anyway, I still like Aria and see it as a highly idealized world that I would love to live in.

One Piece volume 70 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 18, 2014
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One Piece 70Title: One Piece volume 70

Writer/Artist: Eiichiro Oda

U. S. Distributor: Viz Media

U. S. Release Date: March 4th, 2014

Format: manga paperback / 192 pages

Genre: shonen, adventure, comedy, action

Overall Personal Rating: B

Publisher Age Rating: T for teen

Synopsis:

The battle on Punk Hazard heats up as Luffy faces off against the diabolical Caesar Clown. Meanwhile, can the rest of the Straw Hat crew escape the deadly gas that is spreading all over the island?! The goal of capturing Caesar may be realized but the real goal of bringing Doflamngo to his knees might be even a bigger deal.

While trying to make it all work the crew manages to save some kids and at the same time give some Marines a reason to question how much they hate Pirates. Now with the battles winding down will things get even more interesting? Will Luffy finally get that great meal he’s been waiting for or will dinner be interrupted? What is going on in the New World and how does this effect the plan to bring down all four Emperors? I guess you will just have to read volume 70 to get back on the path of understanding.

Commentary:

Eiichiro Oda has one of the most active imagination I have ever come across and proves that there are very few people that can pull off this absurd of a story with the simplistic comedic touches that make it so popular. Personally, I have never been a great fan of One Piece, but as I get further into this story I can say that I respect Oda’s talent. He sure can weave a story together and at the same time come up with some of the craziest ideas. I know that his creativity and story telling is what keeps all the fans coming back, but what amazes me is that he just keeps pulling it out of nowhere. No matter how tiresome I find some of the characters I have to recognize Oda for being very talented.

Now as for the characters and their tiresome ways, I must be very clear that Luffy is by far the worst of the bunch. I get the fact that he comes cross as a simpleton who just might be a lot smarter than everyone else, but it would be great to see him take on an air of awareness that makes him look a lot less stupid. Most of the others have good and bad moments except for maybe Usopp who is the second least favorite character. I don’t mind it when some of the secondary characters are simpletons but when they reach the main group it is nice to see them have something other that naive or dumb written on their foreheads.

Overall Personal Grade: B

Volume 70 of One Piece sells the story well and keeps the action moving. It is a show case of Oda’s creativity and at the same time gets off the island. It also helps take this arc to the next level and sets up some rather interesting premisses. Of course there is no clear end to this arc in sight which could honestly become a real detriment to its development. I am hopping to see more in volume 71, but because of the way Oda typically move through these arcs, I don’t have much hope for any real enlightenment.

Anyway, One Piece 70 is a very fun read and plenty of great stuff happens to give this one a solid grade. I am looking forward to volume 71 and can only hope we learn even more once it is delivered. All you crazy One Piece fans enjoy it is worth it this time.

Phantom Thief Jeanne 1 Manga Review

Posted by :Joann On : March 17, 2014
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Phantom Thief Jeanne 1Title: Phantom Thief Jeanne 1

Writer/Artist: Arina Tanemura

U.S. Distributor: Viz Media

U.S. Release Date: March 4th, 2014

Format: manga / paperback/258 pages

Genre: Magical Girl/Romance

Publisher Age Rating: T for Teen

Overall Personal Rating: B-

 

Synopsis:

Maron Kusakabe is a 16 year old high school student. She is part of the gymnastics club, lives by herself in apartment next-door to her friend Miyako, but most notable is that she secretly steals paintings under the name Phantom Thief  Jeanne. One day they meet a new neighbor, a guy named Chiaki Nagoya  who is transferring to their school. He is the kind of guy all the girls seem to fall for, Maron and Miyako are no different.

Maron as Jeanne, steals paintings that have been cursed and infect their owners. The demon lord wants to take over the world . He created the paintings and cast demons into them. Whoever’s heart is moved by the painting becomes possessed by the demon. Jeanne can capture the demons in the paintings because she is a reincarnation of Jeannne DArc. She is guided by a little angel named Finn, who gives her the assignments of what painting to find. During a mission, she encounters another phantom thief, Sinbad. Finn tells her that he is an enemy.

Chiaki keeps flirting with Maron and Miyako is quite jealous. But is he stringing her along? It seems that he has a commitment from his past. They take a trip to an amusement park. Once inside the hounded house, something goes wrong and there is a demon posing one of their classmates.  Suddenly the whole park goes dark…

During a gymnastic tournament, one of the competitors is acting strangely, Maron suspects she is possessed. But when she trying to capture the demon, she is injured, Sinbad comes to her aid.

 

Commentary

Phantom Thief Jeanne  is a magical girl genre of sorts, with the transformation and powers.  It was originally published in America under the name Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne.  This new edition will be released in 5 volumes instead of the original 7. It doesn’t appear that we loose content because this volume one is much thicker.

In this volume, things move pretty quickly. We jump directly into the story, Maron is already Jeanne and working with Finn.  Bits  of information will get revealed later. I didn’t find it as complex as Sakura Hime by the same author(which I can’t help compare it too as the main characters look so much alike). Phantom Thief Jeanne was originally written first, 10 years earlier. There has definitely been a progression of skill in both the story and artwork that is produced

I have a few minor complaints. It was totally easy to figure out who Sinbad is, why can’t Maron figure it out? I wish it hadst least been not so obvious to us, or rather Maron get her first inklings right away. His secrets are revealed by chapter 3 to us, although there is more to come I’m sure, like his motivation. Something I found odd and don’t understand why it is in the stories, is that Janne and Sinbad send out notices when they are going to take a painting. Polite maybe, but doesn’t that make it more difficult?

There are somethings I waiting for and expect to be revealed is how they are actually capturing the demons it isn’t exactlty clear. It goes rather quickly and it seems that they are sealed into chess pieces. Also, reading a little too much background online, somethings are going to be changing. I look forward to getting deeper into the mystery part of the series.

The artwork is the best part of the book, and that is what Arina Tanemura does best. It is this flowing, linear work, sort of like art deco, but not quite. The faces (and some of the figures) seem a bit dated with the pointy chins and way over the type giant eyes, but this is the artist’s style. I guess it was good that ribbons and hair give the chance to really create the beauty.

Overall Grade: B-

 

Arata: The Legend volume 16 Manga Review

Posted by :Joann On : March 16, 2014
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Arata 16

Review written by CEVS

Title: Arata: The Legend volume 16
Author: Yuu Watase
Distributor: Viz Media/ Shone. Sunday
American release date: December 10th, 2013
Format: Traditional Manga
Genre: Action, Shonen
Publisher Age Rating: T ( for teen)
Review Rating: C
How do you fight something you cannot see?

Synopsis:
Arata and his companions are now ready to take on the six sho. His first opponent is Kikutsune. Before they can make him submit, Arata must defeat the five kagura, Kikutsune’s musicians. Since the Sho have taken power, all instruments have been banned. Only the karuga’s instruments, and the treasured “first” instruments exist.

As soon as Arata enters the town, they get a taste of the karuga’s music. A drum beat fills the air, taking the hearing of all who hear it. Arata was listening to his iPod, so he wasn’t effected, but the rest of his party was. When the drum beat stops, Arata hears another sound, a flute. He goes to the source to find a girl playing a homemade flute. She is able to restore the hearing of Arata’s friends. She then takes them to an old woman who tells them about the “first” instruments. They have been scattered, and are all hidden in their own “dungeon”. Arata and his friends have to collect the instruments before they can even think of challenging Kikutsune.

Commentary:
We’re down to the final stretch. And I mean stretch. We now have to wait for Arata to find five instruments and defeat the karuga before he can even think about the first sho. I was looking forward to the first sho battle, so I can see how strong Arata has really become, but this new mission just seems redundant. I get why Yuu Watase is doing it, but I think this is going a little too far. Luckily, this only lasts this one volume, and by the end of it we’re back on track.

I’ve always liked music, and I thought that fighting with music was kind of a cool concept. When it comes to manga however, I thought it was going to be a little too difficult to illustrate music in a way that wasn’t confusing or cluttered the page. That wasn’t the case here. Showing the characters holding or playing the instruments really helped get the point across that they were fighting with sound and not a physical weapon. I would’ve actually really enjoyed the battles if it wasn’t for the fact that most of the protagonists ended up losing most of their clothing by the end of the battle. It was very distracting and made the whole thing almost feel like a joke.

The thing that I found most interesting was at the very end of the volume there was a couple of pages of original concept art for the different personifications of the weapons.  You really could get a good look at them,  which was kind of cool.

Overall grade: C
The series is far enough along that it needs to get a little more serious. However, I did enjoy some of the new fighting concepts in this volume.

Robotics;Notes part 2 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 15, 2014
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Robotics;Notes part 2Title: Robotics;Notes part 2

Director: Kazuya Nomura

Writer: Jukki Hanada

Studio: Production I. G.

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date: March 25th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray /DVD/ 11 Episodes / 235 Minutes

Genre: Sci Fi, Thriller, Romance

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: A-

Synopsis:

Kaito, Akiho, and the rest of the Robot Research Club have finally completed their dream of building a giant robot, only to discover they’ve still got a ton of work to do. As they draw up plans for a new model, strange things start happening around them. A robot uprising wreaks havoc in Tokyo, a network-based AI crosses over into the real world, and the Kimijima reports foretell of an impending apocalypse.

The real questions are what is up with Misa, Akiho’s big sister? Who is Ko Kimijima and what is his role in all of this? Will Gunvarrel make it to Tokyo? What is the story behind Aire? What makes Frau Koujiro so freeky?  These and many other question are answered in part 2 of Robotics;Notes, or are they?

Commentary:

The first thing that stood out in the conclusion of Robotics; Notes was the tone of the series. With no real surprise, the series took on a much more serious flavor that took it from being a light high school club series to a dramatic  Sci Fi that has hidden romantic undertone. This shift in focus is also very reminiscent of Steins; Gate, but the plot twist imbedded in the series is not as convoluted. The fact that it comes across somewhat simplistically just might be the reason it doesn’t have as high of an impact as Steins; Gate.

Robotics; Notes is a very good series that turns a Sci Fi mystery into a conversation on our reliance on technology and the future that could prove to be very challenging. The one thing that I was expecting, but did not get in part 2 was a bigger story and more leaps of faith between the story and the viewer.  No getting that pushing of plausibility is a real disappointment for me but it does not mean that there aren’t plenty of classic anime physics benders in Robotics; Notes, I just didn’t see any that made me question the sear nature of things.

Overall Grade: A-

Robotics; Notes delivers a solid package that is full of fun and entertainment and continues to showcase why anime is so much different than western cartoons. There were parts in this 22 episode series that I felt is dragged a little and in doing so it detracted from the story, it didn’t have that negative of an effect.

So, if you are looking for a fun story that intertwines Sci Fi, Romance, and a Thriller with the world at stake then Robotics; Notes is for you.

Mardock Scramble The Third Exhaust (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 14, 2014
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Mardock Scramble The Third ExhaustTitle: Mardock Scramble The Third Exhaust on Blu-ray

Director: Susumu Kudo

Writer: Tow Ubukata

Studio: GoHands

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks / Section 23

U. S. Release Date: March 25th, 2014

Format: Blu-ray / Feature Film / 66 minutes

Genre: Cyberpunk, Sci Fi, Drama, Action, Adventure

Age Rating: MA

Overall Personal Rating: A

Synopsis:

Rune Balot’s struggle to bring the man who killed her to justice continues amid the world of high-stakes gambling and glamour at the Eggnog Blue Casino. The odds are stacked heavily in the house’s favor, and even with the aid of Dr. Easter and Oeufcoque, a universal item capable of turning into anything and everything, Rune’s chances of winning are slim. But winning the golden chips containing Shell Septinos’ memories is only the next step on a long and treacherous road.

Run will still have to live long enough to bring those memories before the court, and even that isn’t the end of the journey. Rune’s search for answers to the questions that haunt comes to a shattering climax!

Commentary:

Finally we have the chance to see how the animated form of Tow Ubukata’s dark Sci Fi thriller Mardock Scramble. Coming to the anime after reading the 750 page novel several years ago brings plenty of expectations and desires, but in the end this anime managed to take on a life of its own without letting me down. This last installment and third film brought Rune Balot’s personality to full fruition and completed the connection between her and the AI weapon that is her partner, Oeufcoque.

As this story developed it brought together a look at humanity in both its darkest and lightest at the same time. There is also a very eastern approach to the dark side that allowed it to have a small but intense sense of honor and love. That does not say that most of the antagonist have something honorable, but there are one or two that bring some added baggage along with their external personas. The yin and yang within the characters adds so much death to the story it makes it all worth while.

Overall Grade: A

This final installment of the Mardock Scramble films does exactly what it needs to do. There is very little waist to the story and also develops a rather deep and enlightening interaction for Rune  that results in a very special aspect of the human condition. Mardock Scramble is something very special in the way it is constructed and executed. Tow Ubukata gives a look at ourselves in a raw and brutal way that goes straight to the core of our existence. I’m not sure that I can do justice to the fine story in this rather weak review, but if you have any interest in the underbelly of humanity and are looking for an honest approach to this genre that provides a hero, or should I say heroin who struggles with her own demons and hatred just to become stronger in order to defeat not just the person but ideals of that dark world. Then you should pick up these movies and enjoy each film. My only complaint is that it took so long to produce and distribute them. Now, I guess it is time to package them all together.

If you are looking for a real treat, be sure to read the novel and them watch the film. I think you will find the translation worth while and get a real treat in seeing for once a genuine translation that gives us two visions of the same story and succeed with both.

This is not for everyone and it doesn’t hold back when showing off the darker side of our species, but if you are looking for a insightful Cyberpunk story that says more than most in a way that leaves you thinking rather seriously about the world we live in and where we are headed, then Mardock Scramble is for you.

Case Closed vol. 50 (manga review)

Posted by :Patches On : March 13, 2014
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Case Closed 50Title: Case Closed vol. 50

Writer/Artist: Gosho Aoyama

U.S. Distributor: Viz Media

U.S. Release Date: April 8th, 2014

Format: manga / paperback/192 pages

Genre: Mystery, Comedy

Publisher Age Rating: T+ for older teen

Overall Personal Rating: A-

Synopsis:

A reporter is found dead just before an interview with the Junior Detective League. Conan is determined to close the case… but with his teacher watching, he has to do it without letting on that he’s smarter than the average first grader!

Then, flash back to one of Jimmy’s first cases! When a death takes place at a ski resort, everyone believes a legendary ghost has struck again. But two middle schoolers think otherwise: young Jimmy Kudo and young Harley Hartwell! Which boy genius will solve the mystery first?

Commentary

As with most volumes of Case Closed the mysteries are relatively striate forward and at the same time interesting enough to hold your attention. Not being a big fan of detective stories I find the Case Closed stories to be fun enough to make we relax and go with the flow. The real reason for this ease is due to the writing. Gosho Aoyama proves time in and time out that he has got the talent for telling a store and leaving the reader with a felling like they just had a great conversation with a friend. That is the hallmark of a great writer and I don’t care if the media is manga / graphic novels or more aligned with the serious novels that end up on the short list for a Pulitzer Prize. Tell a good story is what it is all about.

Volume 50 of Case Closed takes on more than just a current mystery, there is also a flashback to the case that started it all. This is fun but it is were any weakness is found in the volume. I thought it was just a little pandering to the Jimmy fans and maybe it would have been more interesting to flashback to a more significant case rather than the first one.  With that being said, I still found the story to be entertaining fun to read.

Overall Grade: A-

Case Closed is a series that can and does have very wide appeal, even if it is more appreciated by the Japanese. I would at least hope that the American readers that grew up with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys show give this series a chance. I have a feeling that they will be shocked as to how much better . Of course there is no comparison to Scooby Doo. So, if you love this level of mystery or detective story this Case Close is the place to go for fun and mystery.