Anne of Green Gables

Adapted by Crystal S. Chan with art by Kuma Chan

A manga for readers in grades 4 and up reviewed by Kalyna

        

This manga adaptation of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables follows an orphaned girl named Anne, who has fiery red locks and a beautiful imagination. Anne is sent to the Cuthbert’s family home, but there has been a terrible mistake: the Cuthberts wanted a boy, not a girl. But, the Cuthberts find a way to love Anne's charmingly annoying personality and keep her. Anne experiences the troubles of going to school, making friends, and so much more. 

I believe this manga was the perfect adaptation of the real book. I loved the art and how the characters were drawn in such perfectly fitting ways.

Dr. STONE Volume 1

Written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Boichi

A manga for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Shayne

In the first volume of Dr. STONE, a big flash of light petrifies the whole world. The petrified include a scientist named Senku Ishigami, a really strong highschooler named Taiju Oki, and the strongest high school student, Tsukasa Shishio. After 3,700 years, Senku wakes up to find out everyone else is petrified. Not long after, Taiju wakes up and sees Senku in a big treehouse, which he created on his own. After that, the two work together to make revival fluid, which consists of alcohol and nitric acid. Taiju does all the heavy lifting, and Senku performs the scientific tasks. After they complete the fluid, Senku and Taiju revive Tsukasa, who becomes the series’ main antagonist.

I really like the first volume of Dr. STONE and the entire Dr. STONE series because of Senku and Taiju’s relationship. Taiju doesn't know anything about science, which is funny because he doesn’t understand Senku half the time. Even though that's the case, they really work well together. Tsukasa slows down their progress, but they still move on. The antagonist, Tsukasa, is also a really good character because he is just trying to find his sister. We learn that she was braindead and Tsukasa was participating in MMA matches to pay for her medical insurance. Overall, his journey to find her is great. He also believes that only youthful people can run the new world they now live in, since the ones who ran the old world didn't do so well.

Bleach Volume 40: The Lust

Written and Illustrated by Tite Kubo

A manga for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Melissa

    

This book takes place during Bleach's Arrancar Arc, during which the main villain, Aizen, is planning on destroying Karakura Town. The squad captains of the Soul Society try to stop Aizen’s plan.

 

While the captains handle Aizen, Ichigo goes up against one of the strongest Espada, one of Aizen's strongest Arrancars (or Hollows who gained "soul reaper" like powers by ripping off their masks). Ichigo will have to defeat the Espada to protect those he cares for, as well as to leave Hueco Mundo and go back to save Karakura Town.

 

I picked this book up because I watched the Bleach anime adaptation and wanted to see how the story is depicted in the original manga. This book was very hard to put down due to the very intense and shocking fight between Ichigo and Ulquiorra, which was both emotional and jaw-dropping. I felt the manga made me emotional in all aspects because it shows the determination of the characters. It also shows Ichigo's morals, as well as his reason for fighting (which is to protect those he cares for the most).

 

I would highly recommend this book to those who watch the Bleach anime and/or are interested in reading the Bleach manga before watching the anime. I would also recommend this book to those who like more intense, emotional, and action filled manga.

Death Note Volume 1: Boredom

Written by Tsugami Ohba and Illustrated by Takeshi Obata

A manga for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Melissa

    

This book is about a boy named Light Yagami, a very nice, smart, and caring student whose life changes when he finds a notebook. This notebook is known as the Death Note, and anyone whose name is written in it dies.

Light tests the boundaries and extent of the Death Note among individuals by writing their names inside it. Although he tries to stay undercover, the police begin an investigation to uncover his identity. But, due to his father being the chief of the Japanese National Police Agency, Light has access to the information that the police have obtained on the Death Note holder, who the public have named Kira.

I read this book because I was interested in its story, as well as how it has an anime adaptation. It was very interesting in that it showed how individuals may seem nice and caring on the outside but are actually far from it on the inside. Throughout the book, characters carry out sinister and inhuman acts, and the plot has many twists and turns.

I would highly recommend this book to those who watch anime (specifically teens) or those who are interested in reading manga before watching an anime like Death Note. I would also recommend this book to those who like more sinister and unpredictable manga.

Since the book reads from right to left rather than left to right, it might be confusing to read at first. However, over time, it becomes easier to follow.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations Volume 1

Written and Illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto

A manga for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Melissa

    

This manga is set many years after Naruto and Naruto Shippuden. Naruto Uzumaki, the main character of Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, was a young shinobi who dreamt of one day becoming the Hokage of Hidden Leaf Village. Naruto became Hidden Leaf Village's Hokage, but this series follows Boruto Uzumaki, who is Naruto's son.

Boruto depicts the lives of a new generation of future shinobi, as well as the hardships they must face to achieve their goals. Volume 1 introduces Boruto, who is perceived as a spoiled troublemaker. But, although he is seen negatively, Boruto is loyal. He is willing to do whatever it takes to keep people safe and stop them from being treated unfairly. In particular, he is willing to sacrifice a very important milestone in his life to keep his friend protected from harm.

I read this book because I was interested to see how the characters from Naruto and Naruto Shippuden changed years later. I also wanted to know how the Boruto manga differs from the anime. I liked how Boruto was written with similar characteristics to his father. Although Boruto is angered by his absence, he seems to have the same morals and values as Naruto when it comes to protecting people. I would highly recommend this manga to individuals who have watched the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden anime series, as well as those who have read the Naruto and Naruto Shippuden manga.