|
YU-GI-OH - DUELIST (VOL. 19) |
|
Saturday, 10 March 2007 |
 | | ▪ | PUBLISHED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | ART/AUTHOR: | | KAZUKI TAKAHASHI | | | | ▪ | FORMAT/COLOR: | | JAPANESE FORMAT/ BW | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 192 | | | ▪ | RATED: | | T | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 02/04/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 03/11/2007 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
Dueling monsters brought to life from cards in a deck. Points gained and lost in seconds. Lives hanging in the balance based on what lies in the deck of the opponent’s cards. These are truly the elements the make for a winning story among young teens. YU-GI-OH!, one of Japan’s more popular exports to North America in the last few years has all this spades. Cashing in on the interest among young teens for adventures with a structured game-like quality that is rich in marketing tie-in opportunities, YU-GI-OH! has struck a balance with incorporating historical elements- the age of the Egyptian pharaohs- with magic and fantasy motifs unique to the creative mind of Kazuki Takahashi, the manga’s creator. The result is a crazy-looking wildly paced adventure that is easy to get into, follow, and surprisingly, for this older reviewer, even admire.
The manga series from Viz gives us a chance to see YU-GI-OH! as it was originally created, following the original plot, with elements considered too intense for North American television, (probably highly edited anyway to more effectively meet the narrow guidelines set for the young teen market here). In Volume 19 of the Duelist series, we joing Yu-Gi-Oh in the middle of a fearsome fight with Marik, a rival for the powerful Egyptian God cards, which when reunited may help Yu-Gi-Oh regain lost memories of his past life in ancient Egypt as a pharaoh. Fighting in a tournament to control these cards, and fighting against time to save his friends, he must be prepared to make some sacrifices to win the day. Fighting against time to save his friends, he must be prepared to make some sacrifices to win the day. We are also given a glimpse of the past as Yu-Gi-Oh is told about the circumstances that made Marik what he is- a dark tale indeed.
Yet, one of the key moments in the manga involves Seto Kaiba, former enemy/now ally of Yu-Gi-Oh. The reader is treated to one mother of a dueling monsters card fight as Kaiba takes on the mysterious Ishizu Ishtar, who knows more about the God cards and Yu-Gi-Oh’s story than she is letting on. Seemingly a friend, she sets up the duel to fulfill a destiny she has seen involving the doom of some of our heroes. For readers new to this story, it is a great set piece action that gives you a wonderful sense of how this story works its magic on fans. Each card used to bring the dueling monsters to life is explained, heightening the anticipation of what mayhem is to be expected. Try to imagine watching Poker on television, only with each hand played being a prelude to one wicked fight between some pretty bad a$$ monsters. Imagine then the surprise when moves bring counter moves and bluffs that literally take the players out…of everything.
YU-GI-OH! is eye candy, not brain candy, and it is a sweet treat indeed, being filled with sound and visual effects writ large to exaggerate the action which dominates the story. The plot reads at break-neck speed, enhanced by a page design rich with action lines, slashing frames, and *****-eyed camera angles. When Ishizu reveals the story of Marik’s past, as bloody as it is, we are relieved to be able to rest a bit between the hectic battles. As for the dialogue, it is appropriately written for the target audience, remaining short and sweet to advance the plot to the next fight. Remember, this is an action adventure, and not a meditation on anything beyond which card to play next. When so much is at stake, and time is at a premium, this is a tall order.
Once again, Viz has included a useful plot summary and character description in the introduction to help get readers up to speed. For new or young readers this is a great feature, and much appreciated.
IN SUMMARY:
YU-GI-OH! Volume 19 is one card game where the aces are wild and the stakes are beyond imagination. Full of great action scenes, wicked monsters, and characters that are easy for teen readers to like, this is one pulse pounding read from beginning to end. |
