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Manga Bookshelf

Discussion, Resources, Roundtables, & Reviews

July 7, 2014 by MJ, Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown and Michelle Smith Leave a Comment

Pick of the Week: Shounen Favorites

potwMJ: It’s a fairly money-saving week for me, as there isn’t anything on the docket strongly compelling me to buy (except maybe the latest 07-Ghost), but it’s easy for me to make a recommendation. This week brings us the second-to-last 3-in-1 release of Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist, a long-time favorite of mine, and one of only two shounen series to have made my personal top ten back in 2011. As Sean mentioned in this week’s column, every volume of this series is essential, and this is because Arakawa’s writing is so deft, there’s almost nothing wasted. Everything is important, and everything leads us to the series’ well-earned conclusion. If you’ve avoided this series because of its popularity, or for any reason at all, this is a great time to reconsider! I truly love Fullmetal Alchemist.

SEAN: Being a tad uninspired myself, I too shall go with an old favorite, the third omnibus of Ranma 1/2. Nothing makes me feel 23 years old again quite like Ranma, which back in the mid-to-late 90s was everyone’s favorite obsession. I’m not sure it can catch hold for a new generation, but these early omnibuses, now unflipped and with higher quality scans, are a great way to find out. Also: my god, I hate Mousse.

ASH: Well, since both Fullmetal Alchemist and Ranma 1/2 have already been mentioned (two great series that I heartily enjoy), this week I’ll pick another shounen series which shows some promise. Granted, parts of The Seven Deadly Sins make me roll my eyes a bit, but I do have a weakness for well-choreographed, epic battles.

MICHELLE: As I mentioned in the column, I’m feeling in a bit of a Takahashi mood, and the title that most appeals to me this week is volume 15 of chronically low-key RIN-NE, which I always find pleasant and undemanding. Perhaps that sounds like damning it with faint praise, but sometimes that’s exactly the sort of read I’m looking for.

What looks good to you this week?

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