387 pages
by Motoro Mase, 232 pages Fujimoto admits to himself that his faith in the National Welfare system has been shaken, though he's willing to be reconciled to it, given the chance. But as internal affairs inspectors begin to "observe" department staff on the job and conduct "thought exams" in the wake of the Kubo incident, he finds it harder and harder to accept the system as it is and keep his niggling doubts under wraps. As he dutifully delivers two more ikigami, the pressure from the exacting inspector mounts and puts Fujimoto's already frayed nerves to the test.
This time around, one of the unfortunate recipients is a talented photographer torn between the time-consuming art of analogue and the business-friendly convenience of digital photography. The other is a gifted dancer who loses site of his dreams under the weight of parental expectations. Both young men struggle in the gap between generations, only finding the right balance when fate gives them no other choice but to act or be idle.
Once again, I've sniffled my way through one of these. I don't want Fujimoto to get in trouble, but I don't know how else he (or the status quo) is going to change. As much as he'd like to believe in the system, I don't see him able to be the National Welfare cheerleader the scary inspector wants. Happily, he's finally as aware of this as the reader. The series so far has pretty much kept to a structure of two ikigami deliveries and a glimpse of Fujimoto's stubborn but subtly shifting mindset. It works, but the deeper in we get, the more I'd like to see the bigger picture, as well. I can only hope that the sudden scrutiny on the department is a reaction to increased instability in the system, but as we're usually (but not always) limited to the Chosen's and Fujimoto's perspectives, it's hard to know what's going on elsewhere in the government or in the hearts and minds of the people.
by Hiroaki Samura, 230 pages Rin, Manji, and the Mugai-Ryû keep vigil over the roads out of Edo in order to spot Anotsu before he leaves the area. But since only Rin's ever met the man, and he may be in...disguise...picking him out of the crowd won't be easy. As she watches out for their target, Rin also observes her mysterious new comrades and mulls over her feelings regarding their sudden alliance.
I suspected as much last volume, but I now officially hate Shira. Hate, hate, hate him. He's not some cold, untouchable machine, but conscienceless, cruel, and terrifying in the most horribly human way. Everything he does or says is filled with unchecked malice. More than just a misogynist, Shira's a sadistic misanthrope, and I don't think his jaded world view lets him truly enjoy anything, however much he may cackle over his own sick jokes (disturbing precisely because he's not joking) and the misery he so readily inflicts on others. His motley Mugai-Ryû colleagues are just doing their jobs--some of them are funny, some cool, some both--and, as with the Ittô-Ryû, I find myself having a hard time deciding whom to root for when the conflicts come down to individual human beings. Everybody's got their own motives, their own pain, their own ideals and uncertainties, and I feel a little for all of them, even if I don't think what they're doing is right. But I spare no such thought for Shira. He just needs to die. *swears she's a pacifist* :)
Until he's dealt with, I'll be fantasizing about Manji, Rin, and Magatsu (my favorite unhateable Ittô-Ryû) putting aside their differences and taking Shira out permanently. Clearly, Samura's got me wrapped around his skilled, Eisner Award-winning finger, since I've bought into these characters enough to be afraid for them (or afraid of them, as the case may be). However much I may worry about what happens next, I still want to know....
by Ben Hatke, 187 pages When Zita's curiosity about a mysterious gadget with a red button gets her friend Joseph sucked into another world, she only frets a few moments before she bravely dives in after him.
Sweet and funny and even a little moving, Zita's rescue mission is filled with danger, interesting characters, fun dialogue, and a handful of unpredictable twists. The odd assortment of characters (humans, aliens, robots, giant mice, pipe cleaners [hairy, Henson-esque beings that live in the pipes and compulsively pop out to do repairs whenever they hear a leak--hee!]) with individual personalities is particularly refreshing. There are a few issues of panel continuity (e.g., she's got the gadget in her hand, then she doesn't, then she does again), but kids aren't likely to be too bothered by them when there's so much other fun stuff to latch onto.
by Kazu Kibuishi, 211 pages Young Emily, a newly awakened stonekeeper, has come to the fabled city of Cielis to seek the help of the powerful Guardian Council in her fight against the evil Elf King. But as she's shuffled around, separated from her friends and family, and forced to compete against other stonekeepers just to get an audience with the Council, she begins to fear that helping her is the farthest thing from their minds.
Amulet may be a little dark for a children's comic, but it's still cool. There are houses on mechanical legs, flying ships, loyal robot companions, family bonds, enemies who become friends, kiddos with courage, and lots of magic. The more realistic approach--people die, betrayal happens, relationships are inherently complex--just means the story appeals to grown-ups as much as it does to older / mature kids. Kibuishi's art is clear and colorful, and while his characters may be a little on the cartoonish side, his fantastical backgrounds are especially detailed and lovely, making for an interesting, not unappealing contrast. I've grown to like this series quite well, though I do think it would be a more satisfying read published as one complete story instead of installments, given the way the plot generally runs from one volume to the next. This one, in particular, ends on a bit of a somber (though hopeful) note, so I'll just have to think of it as a series of chapters rather than discreet books and wait as patiently as I can for the next one.
Incidentally, Warner Brothers has a film adaptation in the works, so it'll be fun to see how it compares to the original.
by CLAMP, 171 pages Subaru has gone missing as the other Seals try to keep it together and keep one another alive.
Both sides in this conflict are learning (or will be learning soon) to better appreciate the bonds (some stronger, some weaker, than expected) that unite them. Yay for Sorata and Arashi's mutual understanding, but I worry that now they'll be prime targets for tragedy. And I don't know what's going to happen to poor, untethered Subaru....
