So what are the old debts of the last year for me, for this column, and for the elements of manga? I believe that they are an obligation to look back at the past year of manga releases and see just which ones were the ones that I would hold up as good, nay great, examples of what manga is as we go into another year of new manga, and new releases to devour. I am going to keep my list simple with only five choices, and I'm simply choosing my favorites from 2009 that came out, in English. Now none of these are new series that started this year, all are ongoing, but my reasons for choosing these are they definitely show how the elements of manga should be done.
- Fruits Basket
Volumes 22 - 23 released in 2009.Synopsis: Young Tohru Honda, orphaned after losing her mother, moves in with a odd family who adore her, but share a secret that the whole family has that is revealed anytime a member of the opposite sex hugs them and they change into a member of the Chinese Zodiac and making Tohru a caretaker of their secret and at the mercy of the family head Akito and her feelings for cousins Kyo and Yuki.
This title ended this year with little fanfare in America. It was, and still is, well-beloved by many Shojo fans for its humor, but mostly for its heart. This became artist Natsuki Takaya's breakout title and it stands as a great drama, often very dark, but also often very light that chronicles Tohru's struggle between fitting in with this weird cursed family, and trying to get them to change and become better people. Tohru touches everyone in the series and of course has a love triangle with Kyo and Yuki.
What truly sets this series apart from other Shojo series is that it is not just overly sappy, though it has its moments, but is truly heartfelt, warm, funny, and has an appropriate ending that is not a typical Shojo love triangle ending. Takaya's art is simple, flowery, and uses a minimalistic approach to convey the deep feelings the characters have. Each character is well defined, vibrant, and forced to make hard choices. Even though the books move slowly, the slow pace gives you a feel for the character and allows you to understand fully what they do and why they do it. If anything, this series more then the other four on my list, is a character study, done very well and is an epic that builds to a satisfying conclusion this year.
- Claymore
Volumes 14 - 15 released in 2009.Synopsis: In a feudal world where demons, yoma, run free and kill people, only claymores, the half human, half yoma women, charged with destroying the demons, have a chance even as they often lose themselves to the demon inside, or as the solitary Clare has, find a way to endure the yoma impulses and use her powers to protect her fellow claymore, hunt her mentor's killer, and find Raki (Rocky) her loyal but lost sidekick.
For those who saw the anime of this series know, Claymore serves a brutal and beautiful example of what a manga creator can do with a world, a group of kick-ass female characters, and a simple but detailed art style. Norihiro Yagi's skill at storytelling and art style are truly beautiful, and despite what at times may seem very minimalist, Yagi's art provides all the detail you need to visualize and see the world he has brought you into. The series has had a slow build, but is teeming with action, and in later books character. Established by book 14, Clare has become a character to care about, and the others that she interacts with are full characters as well. Also knowing the inevitable conflict that is coming once she finds Raki leaves one on the edge of their seat as each books ends. Great stuff and recommended to anyone who enjoys medieval conflict, knights, or truly empowered women in their stories. For those who loved the anime, pick up book 12 to see where the story goes after the anime leaves off.
- Berserk
Volumes 27 - 32 released in 2009.Synopsis: The Black Swordsman, Guts, seeks his former best friend and leader, Griffith, who betrayed those who followed him to gain great power, and along the way has gained a small group of loyal followers who seek to help him protect the innocent, in a world where only those who gain supernatural power can ever truly be independent.
Claymore and Berserk were close on this list and originally I had them in different places, switched actually. However, the tale of Guts won out because of the depth of these six volumes that came out this year. While Guts is not any closer to killing Griffith the plot has moved both slowly and extremely fast making you wait for what you want by giving you things you didn't expect. Griffith, once a plot device, is not a full character again, albeit a very mysterious character, while Guts' complete lack of relatability has given his supporting cast room to shine and be liked. What started off as a simple revenge story has become a story of family and redemption, though for whom we aren't sure just yet . . .
Kentaro Miura adept and super detailed art style truly gives depth and feeling to this ultra gory and violent world, and the sexuality he gives the women, and demons, sometimes is breathtaking, erotic, and scary all at the same time. Also the political intrigue amongst humans and demons is fascinating and the main villain at the beginning Griffith's character is used masterfully by Miura to change the landscape and plot over and over again. Not for the squeamish, and for anyone who loves large sweeping battle arcs. (I am saddened that now the English adaptation has caught up in 2010 meaning that only one or two volumes of Berserk will come out each year now.)
- Naruto
Volumes 34 - 46.Synopsis: Born into a village that fears and hates him, Naruto Uzumaki, has risen to become a skilled ninja who seeks to protect his friends and family against the forces conspiring against his home, and against his best friend Sasuke Uchiha who seeks power in order to avenge his family.
A lot of people hate this series. It is as Shonen as a series can get, but it is the series I am often most excited to read as it comes out, to the point I read it in Shonen Jump, in either English or Japanese, as soon as I can. Why? Characters. I like Naruto. Sure he can be annoying, and he often is in the anime, but forget that and crack open a volume to see how great Masashi Kishimoto artwork is, his character development, and that his manga-ka knows how to stage a fight! Each fight is unique and it not just "fight of the week" material in the manga. The fights mean something and rarely, only twice that I can recall, just lead to a continuation of the status quo. Characters die, my favorite character next to Naruto died in the recent volumes, and Naruto has had to grow up and adapt, but he never changes from his core beliefs. He is still the loyal, silly, and brave boy he was when you first meet him in book 1 that he is in book 46. The difference is that he has grown up, but has not lost his core values, he isn't jaded and he is determined to restore his village and friends and make sure they are happy and protected. Along with this each character under Kishimoto Sensei's pen has become a well rounded and unique personality, with often most of the side characters being as or more popular then Naruto. Also Kishimoto's ability to tie in past events that we thought we knew into current and life changing events of the now is so well done that you'd swear he planned out each surprise before he started writing the series. All the twits and turns fit so well, and the artwork is a beautiful mix of detail and facial expressions that I read it unashamed every month. If you don't like the length of the anime that's fine, but the manga is and stays awesome.
- Yotsuba &!
Volumes 6 - 7.Synopsis: Five year old Yotsuba Koiwai has moved into a small town with her father and her over active imagination, lack of understanding, and just plain cuteness launch her, and often the neighbors, into one adventure after the other.
There is no manga I recommend more then this one. Why? Because anyone can read it and enjoy it. Anyone. Yes it is cute. Yes it is simple at times, but then again it is about five year old, whose lack of understanding concerning gangster movies, riding the bus, and going on vacation, lead to one adventure after the other where she, and the audience, learns to view the world in a new way. Plus it is hilarious, perfect for all ages and can appeal to anyone I think. As a parent, I see Yotsuba's innocence in my children, and I remember perceiving things in different ways like she does as a child. Kiyohiko Azuma is masterful as a manga-ka in creating a completely real world, nothing unrealistic happens in Yotsuba's world, but her imagination and learning creates new and wonderful perspectives on the everyday world we live in. The character expressions, detail given to her world, Yotsuba &! is a masterpiece in simplicity and enjoyment. Buy it and you can see the TRUE elements of manga at work!