128 & 129 Yokaiden Vol. 1 & 2 by Nina Matsumoto

Yokaiden, Vol. 1 by Nina Matsumoto (US) - (Canada)
Yokaiden, Vol. 1

Pages: 192 pgs.
Ages: 13+
Finished: May 26, 2011
First Published: Nov. 18, 2008
Genre: fantasy, manga, YA
Rating: 5/5



First sentence:

Yokai...A class of creature in Japanese lore, often translated as "monster", "demon", or "spirit."

Reason for Reading: Re-read, in preparation for reading volume 2
Acquired: Purchased new from an online retailer.

This is a re-read for me as I am about to read Vol. 2 which I bought pretty much right after reading Vol. 1 (in 2009) but never got around to reading as the series was never finished due to the publisher dropping this particular line of their books.  The author is contemplating continuing the series in a web comic format, but if she does I would hope that she also published them in book format like so many others do as this is a fabulous book.  I'm not going to re-review it.  I have changed my rating to a 5 instead of the stingy 4.5, I gave it last time.  You can read my original review here and from the sounds of it, this may have been the first manga I read!  Looking forward to reading Vol. 2 tonight


Yokaiden, Vol. 2 by Nina Matsumoto (Canada) - (US)
Yokaiden, Vol. 2

Pages: 192 pages
Ages: 13+
Finished: May 27, 2011
First Published: Nov. 24, 2009
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: fantasy, manga, YA
Rating: 5/5


First sentence:

Mm... I love the Yokai Realm!

Acquired: Purchased a new copy from an online retailer.

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.

I just loved this second installment of Yokaiden.  Even better than the first, I think.  The plot is pretty simple, your basic fantasy quest.  Hamachi set out alone on his hunt for the kappa he believes may have killed his grandmother, but has picked up two travelling companions along the way, both yokai: a paper lantern and an umbrella who have complete opposite personalities and are adorable characters.  Along his journey they meet other yokai, some troublesome, some helpful, some dangerous, whom they must deal with.  There is a side quest in this book as Hamachi heads for the ninetailed fox who is all knowing and can tell him where the kappa can be found.  She will give him the answer he seeks if he brings her three items she has lost first.  The yokai we meet in this book are fabulous.  I really enjoyed meeting them, some were cute and funny.  One was very dangerous and I was thrilled that I had already read about her, the slit-mouthed woman.  She's appeared in another manga series I've read,  though I couldn't tell you which one, but to think I've now read enough fantasy manga that I'm starting to become familiar with Japanese folklore is exciting!  Loved the book, love the series.  Too bad it got cancelled due to publishing whims and I hope the author finds a way to continue the story and bring it to print format.  I'd pre-order vol. 3 in a heartbeat!