Comics / Manga

Rhysmyth: Volume 1

By Leroy Douresseaux
May 20, 2007 - 22:35

TOKYOPOP debuts another OEL manga (original English language) title, Rhysmyth, Vol. 1.  In this high school sports drama and romance, Rhysmyth is the name of a competitive dance game in which two players dance on a “hi-tech glass court grid,” similar to hopscotch and square dancing.

The lead character, Elena attends Highwall High School, where Rhysmyth is a competitive sport.  Elena has failed in all her other attempts at making a high school sports team, but Coach Shakes, who guides Highwall’s Rhysmyth team, thinks that Elena might have the skills and willpower to make his team.  In spite of having a few reservations, Elena accepts the invitation, and makes the team.  However, Elena finds herself in the middle of clandestine feuds, restrained rivalries, assorted mysteries, and her rival, Taylor Hamilton is also a starter on the team and superbly talented Rhysmyther.  With her friend Tina’s encouragement, Elena won’t give up, but will she be good enough to make it?

Rhysmyth is the invention of novice creators, writer Anthony Andora and artist Lincy Chan.  Chan, according to the creators bios at the back of the book, entered TOKYOPOP’s Rising Stars of Manga contest three times, and made it to the round of 20 finalists her last entry.  The lack of experience here is obvious, but not necessarily in a dreadful manner.  Andora’s writing is breezy, light, and he’s found his natural rhythm because the narrative never feels clunky or awkward.  Chan’s art is stylistically similar to Adam Warren.  Her figure drawing is good, but she’s awfully shaky on posing and moving cartoon figures – the aspects of this comic that are awkward.

There isn’t a whole lot of weight to this concept, which apparently received input from TOKYOPOP’s editorial staff during the development phase, but I could see Rhysmyth as a children’s Saturday morning TV show.  As a comic, it feels like an Archie Comics title, but without the familiarity of the characters.  Still, Rhysmyth is one of the few TOKYOPOP OEL that seems wholly appropriate for children 10 and under.

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12