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saramarie08's review against another edition
4.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
In the near future in Tokyo, powerful supernatural forces have infiltrated our dimension and continue to attack humans. These “Lucifer Hawks” are beaten back only by a specialized police force: The Attacked Mystification Police Department. AMP is a group of six strong-willed, high-spirited women - Katsumi, Nami, Yuki, Kitty, Lebia, and Chief Rally - who use their special power to fight the Lucifer Hawks, and is a force composited entirely of strong-willed, opinionated ladies. In the first adventure, Katsumi Liqueur is targeted by a mid-level Lucifer Hawk who is determined to possess her and take her power. The entire AMP force has to work together to overcome the powerful Hawk. Later, Nami must overcome a trial from her family to prove herself ready to become the true heir of the Yamigumo Clan, a family with deep-rooted power from the Five Spirits. At the end, Kitty goes up against a fierce enemy with deadly razor-sharp cords.
After reading Akira, it’s hard not to see it everywhere. This version of Tokyo looks very much like Neo-Tokyo with the stylized futuristic cars and the lit up city. The mangaka credits Blade Runner as an influence, which was in turn influenced by Akira. With the team of strong ladies, this would be an interesting recommendation for Sailor Moon fans who want to dive into sci-fi and a little bit older storyline. This story was originally released in a "seinen" magazine for older men, but it has plenty of appeal to teens. The illustrations are incredibly detailed, similar to Akira, where the backgrounds have very dense futuristic elements with lots of details.
There is some female nudity in this volume as Nami goes through a purification ritual, but it isn’t sexual in nature. There is a slight bit of fan service in that the ladies walk around in their underwear occasionally.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
In the near future in Tokyo, powerful supernatural forces have infiltrated our dimension and continue to attack humans. These “Lucifer Hawks” are beaten back only by a specialized police force: The Attacked Mystification Police Department. AMP is a group of six strong-willed, high-spirited women - Katsumi, Nami, Yuki, Kitty, Lebia, and Chief Rally - who use their special power to fight the Lucifer Hawks, and is a force composited entirely of strong-willed, opinionated ladies. In the first adventure, Katsumi Liqueur is targeted by a mid-level Lucifer Hawk who is determined to possess her and take her power. The entire AMP force has to work together to overcome the powerful Hawk. Later, Nami must overcome a trial from her family to prove herself ready to become the true heir of the Yamigumo Clan, a family with deep-rooted power from the Five Spirits. At the end, Kitty goes up against a fierce enemy with deadly razor-sharp cords.
After reading Akira, it’s hard not to see it everywhere. This version of Tokyo looks very much like Neo-Tokyo with the stylized futuristic cars and the lit up city. The mangaka credits Blade Runner as an influence, which was in turn influenced by Akira. With the team of strong ladies, this would be an interesting recommendation for Sailor Moon fans who want to dive into sci-fi and a little bit older storyline. This story was originally released in a "seinen" magazine for older men, but it has plenty of appeal to teens. The illustrations are incredibly detailed, similar to Akira, where the backgrounds have very dense futuristic elements with lots of details.
There is some female nudity in this volume as Nami goes through a purification ritual, but it isn’t sexual in nature. There is a slight bit of fan service in that the ladies walk around in their underwear occasionally.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
saramarie08's review against another edition
4.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
After the cliffhanger of volume one, we conclude the fight that Kiddy was in the middle of and learn a lot more about her and how she came to have super-human strengths and abilities that make her an asset to AMP. Next, we get into an adventure with Katsumi. A powerful Lucifer Hawk has targeted her because of her family legacy of magic use. After the being injured and temporarily vanquishing the Hawk, Katsumi is led through mind control to a talking obelisk that is also interested in her because of her family. This volume also leaves on a cliffhanger with another member of the team, Yuki, left in a dangerous situation that is reminiscent of her childhood, which is only hinted at, but could be the reason she has some supernatural abilities as well.
This is a solid Shōnen action title staring a cast of strong females, so this could bring some diversity to the action shelves that are typically full of male characters. So far, all of the male characters are either bad guys or side characters, so there’s plenty appealing to female readers of Shōnen. Each adventure really stars one of the team members at a time, so it’s a nice chance to get to know their backstory and see them in action with their unique gifts. However, at this point in the series, Katsumi and Kiddy are very much the same person to me, personality wise, which is problematic, especially when Katsumi’s characteristic bun falls down (at which point, her hair style is pretty much the same as Kiddy’s). We don’t know much yet about the Chief or Lebia, but Yuki, whose adventure we’re just getting into, and Nami are completely unique characters with some interesting backstories. Hopefully, there becomes more of a distinction between Katsumi and Kiddy in further volumes.
Udon rates this for Older Teen, which is appropriate. This story is full of action sequences and several characters losing quite a bit of blood on page. There are a few more instances of nudity in this volume than the first, and one pretty heavily suggestive scene. Kiddy appears on panel naked (although detail is really only from the waste up) as she explains how she is so strong, and Katsumi is also on panel, naked from the waste up.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 11-12
After the cliffhanger of volume one, we conclude the fight that Kiddy was in the middle of and learn a lot more about her and how she came to have super-human strengths and abilities that make her an asset to AMP. Next, we get into an adventure with Katsumi. A powerful Lucifer Hawk has targeted her because of her family legacy of magic use. After the being injured and temporarily vanquishing the Hawk, Katsumi is led through mind control to a talking obelisk that is also interested in her because of her family. This volume also leaves on a cliffhanger with another member of the team, Yuki, left in a dangerous situation that is reminiscent of her childhood, which is only hinted at, but could be the reason she has some supernatural abilities as well.
This is a solid Shōnen action title staring a cast of strong females, so this could bring some diversity to the action shelves that are typically full of male characters. So far, all of the male characters are either bad guys or side characters, so there’s plenty appealing to female readers of Shōnen. Each adventure really stars one of the team members at a time, so it’s a nice chance to get to know their backstory and see them in action with their unique gifts. However, at this point in the series, Katsumi and Kiddy are very much the same person to me, personality wise, which is problematic, especially when Katsumi’s characteristic bun falls down (at which point, her hair style is pretty much the same as Kiddy’s). We don’t know much yet about the Chief or Lebia, but Yuki, whose adventure we’re just getting into, and Nami are completely unique characters with some interesting backstories. Hopefully, there becomes more of a distinction between Katsumi and Kiddy in further volumes.
Udon rates this for Older Teen, which is appropriate. This story is full of action sequences and several characters losing quite a bit of blood on page. There are a few more instances of nudity in this volume than the first, and one pretty heavily suggestive scene. Kiddy appears on panel naked (although detail is really only from the waste up) as she explains how she is so strong, and Katsumi is also on panel, naked from the waste up.
Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 11-12
jmronbeck's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
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