Mangakissa – Toriko, Kobato, and Amnesia Labyrinth

Toriko by Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro

Toriko is part man, part demon, and one hundred percent aggression.  When the Hotel Gourmet wants to impress important guests at a function, Igo, the chef, decides on a meal of garara gator, the most prized alligator meat in the world.  His representative, Komastu, is sent to approach Toriko to ask his assistance.  He finds the hunter engaged in fishing for a gigantic insect with an iron rod and elevator wire.  For all his masculine qualities, Toriko lives in a house of sweets with a chocolate waterfall (in which he dips cicadas) and a chocolate bar for a front door.  His golden rule is “don’t kill unless you’re going to eat it.”  When he confronts his prey – which might be giant cats, zombie snakes, huge leeches, or plain old “scary flying creatures” – he physically transforms, briefly, into a demonic Hulk-like figure, terrifying the nervous Komatsu.  The king of all these creatures is the desired garara gator. 

This adventure is highlighted by the personality differences between the fearless hunter and the skittish emissary, as well as the hilarious facial expressions drawn so well by author/artist Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro.  Eating takes a special place in the storyline, as one might expect, and Shimabukuro’s handling of masticating animals and humans produces detailed images of pleasure taken in the process of eating.  “Scenes of characters eating can be kind of plain, but at the same time interesting,” he notes contradictorily on the first page, then goes on to make his characters come to life in execution of such a mundane act.  Rated T

Kobato by CLAMP

Kobato is a young girl on a quest.  She has to prove herself worthy to have a wish granted but must be led – and judged – along the way by Ioryogi, a blue dog that poses as a stuffed animal when others are around.  Her tests revolve around common sense questions, which seem difficult for her to figure out, so she collects information from watching television when she can, picking up cues about human behavior to apply to her trials. 

Who is she?  What is she?  Where is she from and why is she here?  She looks like a human girl but clearly there is something amiss – and there’s no explanation or backstory to assist us.  This is pretty common with manga; we are thrown right in and have to fend for ourselves.  We have no idea why Kobato is so serious about earning her wish, which is to stay on Earth as a girl.  Our confusion is alleviated by the comic relief provided by Ioryogi, who adores beer:  “Global warming would be best countered with free beer for everyone!”  Her innocence annoys him to no end; when she chases a man with offers to “help” him in an attempt to be fulfill her requirement to “heal hearts” and is mistaken for a prostitute, the dog exclaims in frustration: “We need to heal hearts, not lower extremities!”  Yes, she’s clueless – much like we are – and he is impatient with her naivete, but the two work together to accomplish her first goal.  The artwork, particularly the chapter three title illustration, is compelling as it shows with careful attention Kobato’s purity and simplicity.  Rated T

Amnesia Labyrinth by Nagaru Tanigawa and Natsumi Kohane

When Souji returns from school because his older brother Kasushi has apparently abandoned their sisters, he is inundated with female attention of the incestuous sort.  His younger stepsister Harumi may be innocent of any overt advances towards him but still sits close to him, sucking suggestively on a popsicle; his stepsister Youko exposes herself to him compulsively; and he openly sleeps with his half-sister Sahi, who he suspects has a sexual relationship with his older brother, as well.  Pushy classmate Sasai expresses a rabid interest in him, but is more concerned about obtaining his help with the mystery surrounding the murder of her crush. 

Several high school students have been killed by, Sasai suspects, a loser who is jealous of their accomplishments:  “At this school it doesn’t really narrow it down.  They’re all kinda dumb and boring.” Souji thinks his sisters may be hiding information about the murders; their strange, clingy behavior disturbs him – but the sexual interest doesn’t seem to bother him at all.  Souji believes that one of them – Youko or Sahi – may even be the killer, but when Youko leads him to a (voluntarily?) imprisoned Kasushi, his brother cryptically reveals, with a grim smile, “your little sister is a murderer, just like you.”  Fortunately, volume two will be released in June – this bizarre family drama left me wanting answers . . . now.  Rated Older Teen 16+