Toriko: Volume 39 manga review

Manga
Toriko: Volume 39 manga review
By Leroy Douresseaux
September 3, 2017 - 19:37

Viz Media
Writer(s): Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro Christine Dashiell
Artist(s): Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro
Letterer(s): Erika Terriquez Pado Gattone Chiara Antonelli
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9336-4
$9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK, 208pp, B&W, paperback
Rating: T (Teen)

Toriko Volume 39 cover image

Rated “T” for “Teen”

There is a savage, alternate version of Earth where the pursuit of the most delicious foods is most important. Practically everything... and everyone is on the menu. Ultimate Gourmet Hunter Toriko, one of the Four Kings, is on a life-long quest to create the perfect full-course meal. With young IGO chef, Komatsu, at his side, Toriko has an Ultimate Hunter-Chef partnership, as he faces every beast in his way, putting some in his bottomless stomach.

As Toriko, Vol. 39 (entitled The Creature Known as Neo!! Chapters 350 to 359) opens, the Gourmet Eclipse is quickly approaching! The coming of God is at hand! Neo's spawn is ready to challenge Toriko and Starjun (also one of the Four Kings) for a taste of the mysterious “king of ingredients!” Can Komatsu prepare “Another” before the darkness of the Back Channel devours him and his friends? Wow, all that and the history of Neo.

THE LOWDOWN: The Toriko manga challenges its readers with more craziness of the imagination. The series digs into the return of food legends like Acacia (the gourmet god), Neo, Jiji, Ichiryu, and others.

Toriko Volume 39 offers some interesting internal mythology, giving the main plot line of the series – the pursuit of the ultimate full-course meal – a decidedly dark edge. History and back stories abound, and as usual, the imagination of creator Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro impresses. In future volumes, things may get stranger still, and fans will want to be there.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Readers looking for the best in shonen adventure will want a big taste of the Shonen Jump manga, Toriko.

B+
7 out of 10

Rating: 7/10