Naruto is a young ninja (or Shinobi), that has been fighting for acceptance, or even mere acknowledgement from his own hometown. He was born during a tragic event that left his hometown scarred and with him being secretly at the center of it. In the beginning, even Naruto didn't know why all the adults and most of the other children shunned him. Finally it was revealed to him, that he is the host of a powerful and destructive creature called the Nine Tailed Fox. Eventually, he does find friendship and acceptance, first, from his school teacher Iruka and later from his team mates. As the years have passed he has gone from a hard working, but often clumsy ninja beginner (called a Genin), to a still hard working, but powerful ninja sage. Technically, he hasn't actually been promoted to Chunin (a Journeyman level ninja), but in truth he's become so powerful he doesn't really fit the normal standards anyway. However, despite his strength and growing skill, he STILL isn't a master level ninja (Jonin), and has more to learn even about his own abilities. He's only recently begun to learn the truth of his own heritage, and currently in the manga, his entire world is about to enter into a Third Ninja War. It is a fun read (sometimes pretty funny), with a long and interesting story.
Bleach is about a young high school student named Ichigo Kurosaki, and he can see ghosts. This ability leads him to meet a Soul Reaper (Shinigami, or Death god), named Rukia. His encounter with her changes his life, and soon he becomes a Substitute Soul Reaper when Rukia loses her own powers to him, in an act to help him save his family. However, Rukia's act of compassion was forbidden by the laws of Soul Society (sort of like Heaven...), and ultimately this leads Ichigo to find his own Shinigami powers from within (after he lost the power Rukia gave him), and on a quest in the spirit world to rescue Rukia from execution. While in Soul Society he comes into contact with powerful foes, and he steadily grows stronger. Just as his quest to save Rukia seems nearly complete, a new danger comes to light that could threaten both Soul Society and the World of the Living (Earth). Currently in the manga, that storyline seems to have been completed, but there are new events unfolding that may challenge that assumption.
History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi is an often hilarious, but strong action/adventure manga series. Kenichi begins as a weak cowardly freshman in high school, who wants to be stronger and a better man than the bullies he often faces each day. On his first day of high school he literally runs right into transfer student Miu Furinji. She is a beautiful girl who happens to be in his own class, and she makes friends with him immediately. That evening while walking home from school, Kenichi witnesses a group of thugs harassing an old man, while Miu attempts to make the thugs apologize. Kenichi attempts to intervene knowing he will be beaten up, but just as that is about to happen Miu displays amazing aerobatic and martial arts skills. Shortly after, she tells Kenichi of a dojo (martial arts school) where he could go and get strong relatively quickly (assuming he survives the training...). This turns out to be Miu's own home, with a group of Martial Arts Masters living there, led by her grandfather, referred to as the Elder. They accept Kenichi as their disciple, and immediately he is placed through hellish training. The Masters are powerful fighters, but have quirky characters, which often leads to hilarious plots. Kenichi started out only wanting to learn Karate, but ends up also being trained in Jujitsu, Chinese Kenpo, Muay Thai, and Weapons as well. He himself never uses weapons but he is trained in how to counter them, and in time begins to learn to combine the various martial arts he is learning into his own unique and effective style. Currently in the manga he is as strong as he has ever been, but one of his most beloved masters is near death, while fighting for their very lives.
Sekirei is definitely the most 'ecchi' of the mangas I follow. It follows the story of a young man named Minato Sahashi, trying to get into college, who encounters a beautiful girl that is actually a being called a Sekirei. There are exactly 108 Sekirei, most of which are cute girls or buxom beauties, with a few males being 'pretty boys'. All of the Sekirei possess superhuman abilities of various types, and are caught up in a rather cruel game called the Sekirei Plan. Each Sekirei must find an Ashakabi (or master), and bind themselves with a kiss (the transference of genetic material via the saliva). Some Ashakabi's are nearly heartless and only use their Sekirei for their own gain, but some of them truly love their Sekirei and want to protect them. Most Ashakabi only have one Sekirei, but soon Minato finds himself with 6 different Sekirei, with 4 of them being single digit Sekirei (each one has a specific number) which are rumoured to be more powerful than most other Sekirei. He also has #108 the youngest Sekirei, and his very first Sekirei is #88, named Musubi who has an unusual past for a Sekirei and the potential to be the strongest of all Sekirei. Musubi was kidnapped as a very young child, and nearly killed, but an older Sekirei, #8 (and also the same type) gave Musubi her own life force. This has caused unexpected reactions within Musubi, making her even more formidable than she would be alone. All but one of Minato's Sekirei compete for his affection, with 3 of them claiming the position of 'first wife'. (He isn't actually married to any of them...). However, Minato cares for all of them deeply, and strongly tries to avoid any appearance of favoritism. Currently in the manga, Minato and his Sekirei are trying to help a friend (who is also a Sekirei), by rescuing her Ashakabi. They succeed in helping her, but perhaps with a tragic end.
These particular mangas all have strong themes about friendship, acceptance, and love. The stories may vary wildly but all touch on the value of these topics. Also, in all of these manga, many of the characters (main character included), must overcome self doubts and learn the value of confidence in ones self, and also in ones friends. Each of these mangas have a large cast of characters, funny moments, and every once in a while, some personal tragedy. I've enjoyed and continue to enjoy these mangas immensely. I can definitely recommend these mangas as an enjoyable read, and each of them also happen to have an Anime (animated cartoon series) based on them that are also enjoyable.
No comments:
Post a Comment