By Leroy Douresseaux
November 28, 2008 - 19:16
Muhyo and Roji 8 cover is courtesy of barnesandnoble.com. |
Rated “T” for “Teen”
Muhyo and Roji are specialists in magic law, so when people have ghost problems, Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation is the one they call. Toru Muhyo has achieved the highest rank in magic law, executor – someone who can perform exorcisms. Jiro “Roji” Kusano is Muhyo’s sweet-natured and accident prone assistant/sidekick.
As Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation, Vol. 8 opens, Muhyo’s rival, Daranimaru Goryo, is a prisoner of Tomas, a member of the forbidden magic law group, Ark. Muhyo and Roji lead a small group to rescue Goryo, but they barely arrive in time enough to save Goryo’s loyal underling, Hanao Ebisu, who was valiantly trying to save Goryo. Tomas, however, proves to be a formidable foe with monstrous power, and he’s determined to “absorb” Muhyo and company, adding them to his hellish collection.
THE LOWDOWN: It’s sort of like a manga version of DC Comics’ Hellblazer. It bears a resemblance to Harry Potter by way of Ghost Busters. Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation is a unique ghost story, action, horror that is as chilling as it is weird, but it is that kind of imaginative weird that Japanese horror does so well.
POSSIBLE AUDIENCE: While it’s safe for the age group that the magazine Shonen Jump targets, Muhyo & Roji’s Bureau of Supernatural Investigation is creepy, ingenious, and adult enough for older readers.
A-