Comics / Manga

Shiki Tsukai: Volume 2

By Leroy Douresseaux
January 11, 2008 - 10:54

Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the image.

The Shiki Tsukai are supernaturally powerful people who wield the seasons – warriors who protect the planet’s natural order.  Teenager Akira Kizuki has recently discovered that he is one of them.  In fact, he may be the great “shinra,’ the warrior with power over all seasons.  His partner is Koyomi Sakuragi, a Shiki Tsukai of March, who can transform herself into a sword that Akira will use in battle against his enemies.

In Shiki Tsukai, Vol. 2, Akira is in the camp of the Shiki Tsukai of winter.  They are in conflict with the Shiki Tsukai of summer who are determined to protect the earth from further abuse by humanity, at all costs.  The Shiki Tsukai of winter are plotting how best to take advantage of Akira’s powers and how best to train him.  Meanwhile, the most powerful Shiki Tsukai of summer, the beautiful, blonde bombshell, Nanayo Rangetsu of July attacks.  She wants Akira dead and has the power to get what she wants.

THE LOWDOWN:  Not long into reading Shiki Tsukai what becomes obvious is that this concept reads like a card-playing manga, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Dragon Drive being examples.  The story, by To-ru Zekuu, is occasionally flat.  Artist Yuna Takanagi is somewhat weak in cartooning the human figure, especially for scenes of quiet drama and conversation between characters; her figure posing is mostly awkward…

Then, the bodies do indeed hit the floor.  When it is time to depict combat and wild magic, this manga explodes to life, as if it were another book entirely.  Suddenly, Zekuu composes volatile, earth-shaking fights in which powerful warriors recite delicate and complex incantations.  Takanagi unexpectedly becomes a master illustrator capturing the torment, ferocity, and unexpected power of the seasons.  These are epic fight scenes that make you want to tear through this book to get to them.

In addition, Del Rey piles on the extras as usual.  This volume contains illustrated character bios, character sketches, recaps, glossaries of terms, a detailed explanation of calendars and seasons and how they are used in Shiki Tsukai.  There are even a few sections on the incantations the warriors use.  It’s manga as DVD!  Shiki Tsukai may be a little confusing at times, but overall this is good stuff.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Fans of action fantasy will enjoy this, especially those who enjoyed Marvel/Lionsgate’s recent Doctor Strange animated feature film.

B+

 

Shop the seasons at the Amazon aStore.

 

 

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12