Our cup runneth over with minis this week! So much so that we’re actually going to split them into two columns. Be sure to check back tomorrow for a special Tuesday edition of Manga Minis! Forging ahead with today’s selections, Ken gets us started with a review of volume seven of Tezuka’s Black Jack (Vertical); Jennifer is less than impressed with volume seven of B.O.D.Y. (VIZ); Sam takes a look at the eighth volume of Dragon Eye (Del Rey); Phil chimes in on volume ten of Gacha Gacha: The Next Revolution (Del Rey); and Erin shares with us her love for volume sixteen of Hikaru no Go (VIZ).

Black Jack, Vol. 7

By Osamu Tezuka
Vertical, 336 pp.
Rating: Teen

This time around we’re treated to a look into the traumatic past of Black Jack, as his reasons for becoming a doctor are laid bare. Of course, it’s not all dark and grim as Black Jack’s fondness for engaging in over-the-top surgeries in bizarre circumstances continues.

The real treat of this volume, and the tale that makes it a key book for any Black Jack fan, is “Unexploded Bomb.” It’s a tale that reveals the origins of his signature scar, while at the same time giving us a glimpse into his and past and his motivations. It’s a colder, darker side of the doctor that we haven’t really seen before but one that is also understandable at the same time. The tone of his origin story isn’t unique, as this volume is full of tales that carry a slightly more tragic edge to them. An abusive relationship between siblings leads to disturbing end in “The Grey Mansion,” while one doctor’s goodwill and distaste for Black Jack and his world has tragic consequences for several people in “Black and White.” Actually, “Black and White” is an interesting look into the moral grey area that Black Jack tends to occupy in his day-to-day life. Of course, there are plenty of happy endings as Black Jack continues to help those in need, oftentimes receiving or losing his pay through some convoluted means.

Tezuka’s visuals continue to be engaging and captivating and the various tales of Black Jack, regardless of how short or formulaic they may appear to be, remain entertaining reads. My mind boggles at the number of insane premises and set-ups that he’s able to cook up for Black Jack to operate under. While nothing quite reaches the madness of the third volume’s outback operation, there are still several moments that should leave you wide-eyed at their insane nature. All in all, Black Jack continues to entertain and does so with flair.

Volume seven of Black Jack is available now.

–Reviewed by Ken Haley

B.O.D.Y., Vol. 7

By Ao Mimori
VIZ, 192 pp.
Rating: Older Teen

Now that the mystery of why exactly Ryunosuke lives alone has been revealed—his divorced parents both work out of the country—his parents return, making things difficult for him. His mother, a medical researcher, disapproves of both her deadbeat ex-husband camping out in the apartment she pays for and her son’s relationship with Ryoko. Or so it seems. After Ryunosuke puts his foot down and his mother leaves, Ryoko runs into her on the street and the two end up in a café, with the mother asking Ryoko questions about her son’s personality and how he’s doing. It seems incongruous, what with her having so vehemently disapproved of Ryoko before. Once the absentee parents have departed once again, a new storyline begins that introduces a young woman named Izumi Hirano who becomes the teens’ new English teacher. Izumi has a past with Ryunosuke, connected with the reason he became a host in the first place, and it causes all sorts of insecurity and drama for Ryoko.

Aside from the lack of originality in the storytelling, my biggest complaint about B.O.D.Y. is that the character designs all look the same. Ryunosuke’s parents are a great example. Rather than looking like adults, they seem to be the same age as the teenagers. The facial similarities might be forgiven in the case of Ryunosuke and his father, who are at least related, but his mother and Ryoko should not look like identical women with different colored hair. Then there’s the matter of Izumi, who looks exactly like Ryoko’s friend Asuka from an earlier volume. This lack of differentiation makes the characters unmemorable—if I didn’t have the volume sitting in front of me, the only character I’d remember is the irresponsible father, who wears a little girl’s ponytail holder drawing his bangs back during his parting scene.

At times, this series can be a guilty pleasure. It can be full of soap opera melodrama and dodgy messages. This volume doesn’t even hold up to that standard, leaving me wanting for more.

Volume seven of B.O.D.Y. will be available November 3, 2009.

–Reviewed by Jennifer Dunbar

Dragon Eye, Vol. 8

By Kairi Fujiyama
Del Rey, 208 pp.
Rating: Teen (13+)

Dragon Eye’s eighth volume is an interesting but somewhat recycled read. The series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where many humans have mutated due to a virus. The remaining humans are left to survive and have formed an army called VIUS that is hell-bent on destroying the mutants, which are called Dracules. The story follows Squad Zero’s leader, Kazuma Issa, and his squad as they…well, hunt monsters. Also, Kazuma has a mysterious dragon’s eye, which I’m guessing makes him super powerful (this isn’t really explained).

Volume eight takes a break from the monster hunting, throwing the characters into a friendly (or is it?) tournament to raise morale and relations among friends. Kazuma plays more of a bystander role in this volume, where his two teammates are captured by the mysterious subordinates of what seems to be the main antagonist, Irie.

While I enjoy a good tournament, I’ve seen better. The idea of a tournament in manga is really supposed to introduce the main character to new challenges and ultimately help him grow. The book manages to accomplish this, just with another character, Hibiki Masamune. Don’t get me wrong: Hibiki’s fights are interesting and the book flowed nicely and didn’t miss a beat. I just felt cheated when Kazuma is built up as a powerful character and nothing happens.

Artistically, the style matches the tone of the writing well but the odd mix of classical Japanese culture and Steampunk just doesn’t sit right. I might pass this one up if you’re looking for some action.

Volume eight of Dragon Eye is available now.

–Reviewed by Sam Kusek

Gacha Gacha: The Next Revolution, Vol. 10

By Hiroyuki Tamakoshi
Del Rey, 208 pp.
Rating: Ages 18+

The experience of reading Gacha Gacha isn’t much different from any other series featuring sex and comedy. A contrived situation gets introduced, followed by moments of titillation, e.g., bouncing bosoms and panty shots. The action builds, but inevitably gets resolved in a dramatic fashion that restores the original status quo. Finally, the main character is usually pretty hapless, and for reasons involving either dumb luck or divine intervention, doesn’t even make it to first base with the object of his/her affection.

That pretty much describes every chapter of Gacha Gacha: The Next Revolution volume ten, as well as other titles I can think of. Indeed, as far as I can tell, the series’ only novelty is that its main protagonist, a high schooler named Hatsushiba, has the inexplicable ability to transform into a girl. Naturally, he uses this power to infiltrate the mysterious, exotic world of sisters Yurika and Anju, who are all-too-willing to hug one of their own between their developing breasts. Author Hiroyuki Tamakoshi certainly emphasizes some body parts over others, and this objectification might put off readers; however, one assumes the “squeeze” and “boing boing” sound effects are intended to reflect the sexualized nature of Hatsushiba’s adolescent brain.

Gacha Gacha: The Next Revolution might sound kind of tasteless, but it’s actually pretty harmless and fairly sweet at times. Meanwhile, the artwork is clean enough to look deceptively simple; Tamakoshi could probably have told this story without any words, relying solely on facial expressions. On the writing side, the series might not seem particularly groundbreaking, but some audiences will enjoy exactly what it offers. The first chapter, for example, is pure farce: a Valentine’s Day-themed romp featuring emotional desperation and mistaken identity, capped off with a high-speed chase sequence involving three guys and a box of candy.

Volume ten of Gacha Gacha: The Next Revolution is available now.

–Reviewed by Phil Guie

Hikaru no Go, Vol. 16

By Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata
VIZ, 200 pp.
Rating: All Ages

My review of volume 12 is here.

After failing the pro exam because he freaked over about a mistake, nineteen-year-old Isumi goes on vacation to China where he visits the Chinese Go Association. A three-day trip turns into a two-month stay when Isumi decided to study with the Chinese kids, thanks to a dorm room offer from Japanese-speaking Yang Hai. That roommate situation may have spawned a million doujin, but it’s not what’s good about Isumi’s story.

Just like a pro athlete, Isumi must learn to control his emotions during the game. Thanks to playing against a hot-headed little kid named Ping (a dead ringer for a young Waya) Isumi learns to keep a level head. It’s a great life lesson—everyone needs to control their temper from one time to another, whether it’s for dieting, working, parenting or playing poker.

If you watched the anime first like I did, you’ll remember Isumi’s side story as an aggravating break away from the drama going on in Hikaru’s life. In the anime, Isumi’s arc is interrupted with a silly side story (64: “Keicho Flower Bowls”) and a backstory episode (66: “Fateful Encounter”) which seem like interruptions from an interruption to the main arc! This volume of manga covers episodes 65, 67, 68, 69, and 70 of the anime—and it goes by incredibly fast!

The volume ends with one of the greatest last pages I’ve seen in manga.

We get the signature impossible below-the-Go-board camera angle as tears stream down Hikaru’s face. Tears on the Go board—that’s why I read Hikaru No Go!

–Reviewed by Erin Finnegan

Review copies provided by the publishers.