▪	RELEASED BY:		TOKYOPOP
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		KEI SANBE
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		210
		▪	RATING:		M
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		08/07/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		09/25/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		SCOTT CAMPBELL

Kamiyadori is thankfully still going strong, bringing us to volume three of this cross between the sci-fi and horror genres. Readers may also be thankful for the few, but noticeable hints of cyber-punk influence that are so hard to come by, but so good when they happen. In the pages of this volume, some important new plot points and interesting new characters are introduced. Fighting the Kamiyadori can sometimes create strange partnerships – but none as bizarre as Jillaid, Vivi and the other Right Arms agents partnering with Clevort, a convicted mass murderer. Who would have thought?! Despite their differences, they are sent to an abandoned village to investigate reports of “red snow.” As the unlikely team works together, the shocking truth is revealed and forces of Jillald and the others are left to question what constitutes good and evil. Sometimes the lines between the two blur – it’s what you end up determining that counts.

The art and story continue to be just as entertaining as in the first two books, if not more so. The action is still the high point, though the plot is thickening and the world these characters are living in is becoming more and more definable and understandable. Although this series has always had a number of sexual undertones, as many “M” rated manga do, volume three introduces a new pig-tailed friend who doesn’t tend to wear much, even when it’s snowing outside. Though, in such a gruesome world as the one depicted, it can barely be considered fan-service – it’s just not that kind of story. What it is though: a manga that should almost certainly be made into an animated series. It has so much potential for movement because everything seems to move on the pages. It gives you a really clear idea of how great it would be to see this story made into an anime so you could see it really move. Maybe it’s in the works? We can hope.

A trend that most readers appreciate is the “extra(s)” now being made available in the back of most manga coming out nowadays. Volume three has a short cartoon drawn by the author/artist that relates to a trip to Nepal he once took. It’s fun to see the artist break out from the expectations of the manga they are drawing and just draw in a less serious way. Extras like this won’t always make or break a book, but they are better than no extras at all! The more extras, the better – as long as they don’t start charging more for them. But at $9.99 US, Kamiyadori is still a great choice to get your mature reading needs filled. It’s got great action and characters, but still manages to pack a good story to back it all up.

IN SUMMARY:
Kamiyadori does well to balance what it has to offer. It’s a well-rounded manga series for the mature reader, and for the mature mind.