▪	RELEASED BY:		DEL REY
		▪	AUTHOR / ART:		YUYA AOKI / AKINARI NAO
		▪	FORMAT:		JAPANESE / B&W
		▪	PAGES:		218
		▪	RATING:		OT
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		10/30/2007
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		10/18/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

From the creator of Getbackers comes an all new adventure with psychics, pretty girls, and guys with more than just mere psychic brawn! Welcome to Psycho Busters, where the rumble is about to begin!

Kakeru is a healthy lad who is ecstatic over getting the house to himself while the rest of his family goes off on vacation. But a vision of a naked girl calling out his name leads him to a dilapidated house where three runaway youths with psychic abilities beg for his help. Now Kakeru’s life is anything but boring as he becomes embroiled in a fight of life and death and discovers he is anything but an ordinary guy – he’s a hero with psychic powers of his own!

Psycho Busters is a greatly entertaining adventure manga series with a strong dose of rumpus humor and a fair bit of suspenseful action. Kakeru isn’t just some slack jawed guy in all this, when thrown into the fight, he shows bravery, strength and most importantly – and surprisingly- a quick mind. He discerns what is happening around him very quickly and much to his advantage. After he discovers (more accurately it could be said after he is discovered by) the three of four runaway psychics, he learns about the Farmers, an evil conglomerate out to hunt down the psychics at all costs. He meets the pretty girl who led him there, Aya, then the young Xiao Long, and their leader Joi who seems to have a connection with Kakeru. Sadly he doesn’t get a chance to figure that out as they are beset upon by the cruel and soulless Ikushima.

He tries to help them recoup, even going to his trusted teacher, the beautiful “older” woman Hiyama-san. Don’t be fooled by her skimpy clothes and sexual teasing, underneath that lies a more serious woman and it will be intriguing to find out what role she’ll end up playing in all this. As the story progresses, the group searches for their missing member, Kaito, but things don’t turn out as planned. The Farmers have let loose their Category Ones and now the unknowing Kakeru is in a psychic death battle with a beautiful but ruthless young woman named Maya. 

It’s during the battles that Kakeru’s true abilities come out, and this is not a mere reference to any possible psychic powers that he has. He seems to be quick on his feet when it comes to figuring out his opponent’s weakness and using it to his advantage. He’s reckless, smart in a fight, and loyal to these new friends he has and he does it all with a casual laid back attitude that belies the fierce protectiveness he offers those now befriending him. There’s a lot more to Kakeru than meets the eye and it will be interesting to find out what his story is and where it will go.

The art style is great for this action oriented series that has a ribald sense of humor to the story. There’s a touch of fan service, the character designs are attractive, and the action scenes are well done. Sometimes in manga series when psychic powers are involved, an artist can struggle with making the look of mental powers seem physical or appear dynamic. Psycho Busters does not suffer that weakness, but instead has found a way through Akinari Nao’s talents to portray exciting fight scenes and suspenseful sequences between these psychics. Plus there’s an added illustration gallery of sketches and art work that allow readers to see the characters from new perspectives. It will be exciting to find out what will be portrayed next with these thrilling powers and intriguing characters.

Manga extras include extensive translation notes, a message from Akinari Nao, illustration gallery, and a preview of the next volume in its original Japanese.

IN SUMMARY:
Psycho Busters is an all new adventure involving psychics on the run, a reckless but calm and collected quick witted hero, and dynamic art. It’s exciting, engaging, and most importantly, fun. Getbackers fans will love this new manga series.