blue exorcist

New York Times Manga Best Seller List: January 1-7, 2017

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Here are the top ten selling manga in the United States for the week of January 1-7, 2017, according to the New York Times.

1. One-Punch Man Volume 10 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 10 enters the list at number one.

2. The Ancient Magus’ Bride Volume 6 by Kore Yamazaki

Seven Seas Entertainment’s release of The Ancient Magus’ Bride Volume 6 enters the list at number two.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Volume 1 by Akira Himekawa

VIZ Media’s release of The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Volume 1 holds steady at number three in its 10th week on the list.

4. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 10 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 10 falls two spots to number four in its third week on the list.

5. Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition by Junji Ito

VIZ Media’s release of Tomie: Complete Deluxe Edition falls one spot to number five in its third week on the list.

6. Blue Exorcist Volume 16 by Kazue Kato

VIZ Media’s release of Blue Exorcist Volume 16 enters the list at number six.

7. Attack on Titan Volume 20 by Hajime Isayama

Kodansha Comics’ release of Attack on Titan Volume 20 falls six spots to number seven in its second week on the list.

8. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 falls three spots to number eight in its 79th week on the list.

9. One-Punch Man Volume 1 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 1 holds steady at number nine in its 70th week on the list.

10. One-Punch Man Volume 9 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 9 re-enters at number ten in its seventh week on the list.

Source: The New York Times

New York Times Manga Best Seller List: November 20-26, 2016

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Here are the top ten selling manga in the United States for the week of November 20-26, 2016, according to the New York Times.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Volume 1 by Akira Himekawa

VIZ Media’s release of The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition Volume 1 holds steady at number one in its fourth week on the list.

2. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 moves back up three spots to number two in its 73rd week on the list.

3. Black Butler Volume 23 by Yana Toboso

Yen Press’ release of Black Butler Volume 23 enters the list at number three.

4. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 9 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 9 moves back up two spots to number four in its sixth week on the list.

5. One-Punch Man Volume 9 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 9 falls two spots to number five in its fourth week on the list.

6. One-Punch Man Volume 1 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 1 moves back up one spot to number six in its 64th week on the list.

7. Black Butler Volume 1 by Yana Toboso

Yen Press’ release of Black Butler Volume 1 re-enters at number seven in its 46th week on the list.

8. Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring by Masashi Kishimoto

VIZ Media’s release of Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring re-enters at number eight in its ninth week on the list.

9. Blue Exorcist Volume 1 by Kazue Kato

VIZ Media’s release of Blue Exorcist Volume 1 re-enters at number nine in its 20th week on the list.

10. Assassination Classroom Volume 1 by Yusei Matsui

VIZ Media’s release of Assassination Classroom Volume 1 re-enters at number ten in its 21st week on the list.

Source: The New York Times

New York Times Manga Best Seller List: May 8-14, 2016

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Here are the top ten selling manga in the United States for the week of May 8-14, 2016, according to the New York Times.

1. One-Punch Man Volume 6 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 6 holds steady at number one in its second week on the list.

2. One-Punch Man Volume 1 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 1 moves back up one spot to number two in its 37th week on the list.

3. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 moves back up three spots to number three in its 45th week on the list.

4. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 6 bu Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 6 moves up one spot to number four in its fourth week on the list.

5. My Hero Academia Volume 4 by Kohei Horikoshi

VIZ Media’s release of My Hero Academia Volume 4 falls three spots to number five in its second week on the list.

6. Attack on Titan Volume 18 by Hajime Isayama

Kodansha Comics’ release of Attack on Titan Volume 18 moves back up four spots to number six in its sixth week on the list.

7. One Piece Volume 78 by Eiichiro Oda

VIZ Media’s release of One Piece Volume 78 falls three spots to number seven in its second week on the list.

8. The Seven Deadly Sins Volume 14 by Nakaba Suzuki

Kodansha Comics’ release of The Seven Deadly Sins Volume 14 enters the list at number eight.

9. Blue Exorcist Volume 15 by Kazue Kato

VIZ Media’s release of Blue Exorcist Volume 15 enters the list at number nine.

10. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 2 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 2 re-enters at number ten in its 25th week on the list.

Source: The New York Times

New York Times Manga Best Seller List: January 24-30, 2016

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Here are the top ten selling manga in the United States for the week of January 24-30, 2016, according to the New York Times.

1. Akame ga KILL! Volume 5 by Takahiro and Tetsuya Tashiro

Yen Press’ release of Akame ga KILL! Volume 5 enters the list at number one.

2. One-Punch Man Volume 4 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 4 falls one spot to number two in its fourth week on the list.

3. Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring by Masashi Kishimoto

VIZ Media’s release of Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring falls one spot to number three in its fourth week on the list.

4. Noragami: Stray God Volume 10 by Adachitoka

Kodansha Comics’ release of Noragami: Stray God Volume 10 enters the list at number four.

5. One-Punch Man Volume 2 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 2 holds steady at number five in its 16th week on the list.

6. One-Punch Man Volume 3 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 3 falls two spots to number six in its 11th week on the list.

7. One-Punch Man Volume 1 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 1 falls four spots to number seven in its 22nd week on the list.

8. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 moves back up two spots to number eight in its 32nd week on the list.

9. Blue Exorcist Volume 14 by Kazue Kato

VIZ Media’s release of Blue Exorcist Volume 14 holds steady at number nine in its third week on the list.

10. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 4 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 4 moves falls three spots to number ten in its seventh week on the list.

Source: The New York Times

New York Times Manga Best Seller List: January 17-23, 2016

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Here are the top ten selling manga in the United States for the week of January 17-23, 2016, according to the New York Times.

1. One-Punch Man Volume 4 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 4 holds steady at number one in its third week on the list.

2. Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring by Masashi Kishimoto

VIZ Media’s release of Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring holds steady at number two in its third week on the list.

3. One-Punch Man Volume 1 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 1 holds steady at number three in its 21st week on the list.

4. One-Punch Man Volume 3 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 3 moves back up two spots to number four in its 10th week on the list.

5. One-Punch Man Volume 2 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 2 moves back up two spots to number five in its 15th week on the list.

6. Twin Star Exorcists Volume 3 by Yoshiaki Sukeno

VIZ Media’s release of Twin Star Exorcists Volume 3 re-enters at number six in its second week on the list.

7. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 4 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 4 moves back up three spots to number seven in its sixth week on the list.

8. My Monster Secret Volume 1 by Eiji Masuda

Seven Seas Entertainment’s release of My Monster Secret Volume 1 moves up one spot to number eight in its second week on the list.

9. Blue Exorcist Volume 14 by Kazue Kato

VIZ Media’s release of Blue Exorcist Volume 14 falls five spots to number nine in its second week on the list.

10. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 falls five spots to number ten in its 31st week on the list.

Source: The New York Times

Manga Review: “Blue Exorcist” Volume 14

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Originally written for WatchPlayRead.com

Blue Exorcist Volume 14 focuses on Rin Okumura and his classmates, who are students at True Cross Academy training to become Exorcists. They are trying to rescue Izumo, who is in the hands of Professor Gedoin.

Blue Exorcist Volume 14

Written by: Kazue Kato
Publisher: Shueisha
English Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: January 5, 2016

Volume 14 continues with Rin and the others trying to fight against the zombies as they’re split up from each other. We get to see Shiemi and Ryuji fight against their respective zombies, but Ryuji receives more focus than Shiemi. The reason Ryuji’s fight takes longer is the fact that there are a couple of flashbacks included. As a reader, I appreciated the flashbacks because they helped to provide some more backstory for Ryuji. Also, it’s thanks to these flashbacks that Ryuji realizes what he needs to do in order to defeat the zombie. We don’t get to see any further zombie fights, though, because Rin uses a Satan Bomb to free everyone from their cages. But they’re not out of danger, since Professor Gedoin sends Shima out to face them.

Much of the rest of Blue Exorcist Volume 14 focuses on the confrontation with Shima as Gedoin is preparing to launch his experiment with Izumo. It all leads up to a very exciting climax for this particular story arc. Without providing spoilers, I will say that something very surprising happens that turns the tide of the final confrontation in the protagonists’ favor.

While Volume 14 provides some character development for Ryuji early on, the second half of the volume provides a lot of development for Izumo. I really liked how Kato intercut Izumo’s thoughts during the experiment, leading her to realize that she really does think of Rin and the others as her friends. This idea is reinforced to her as Rin and his classmates do whatever they can to try to save Izumo from Gedoin.

Even though the climax of this story arc takes place in Volume 14, it’s obvious from the way it ends that there are still some issues that will have to be resolved over the course of Volume 15. And I expect that Izumo and the aftermath of what has happened to her during this story arc will play an important role in the next volume.

Kato’s art style continues to captivate the reader. There’s just something about the way the characters are drawn that grabs the reader’s attention. Kato’s style is instantly recognizable, and I have as of yet to see any other manga artist come close to replicating it. I also have to admit that for the art, this particular volume also includes a couple of impressive looking explosions.

Readers who follow and enjoy the series will definitely want to read Blue Exorcist Volume 14. There’s plenty of action, and the story arc takes a major step forward by the end of it. Fans of Blue Exorcist will not want to miss this volume, because they’ll want to find out what happens to Izumo, Rin, and the others.

The reviewer was provided a review copy by VIZ Media

New York Times Manga Best Seller List: January 10-16, 2016

Posted on by Lesley Aeschliman

Here are the top ten selling manga in the United States for the week of January 10-16, 2016, according to the New York Times.

1. One-Punch Man Volume 4 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 4 holds steady at number one in its second week on the list.

2. Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring by Masashi Kishimoto

VIZ Media’s release of Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring holds steady at number two in its second week on the list.

3. One-Punch Man Volume 1 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 1 holds steady at number three in its 20th week on the list.

4. Blue Exorcist Volume 14 by Kazue Kato

VIZ Media’s release of Blue Exorcist Volume 14 enters the list at number four.

5. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 1 re-enters at number five in its 30th week on the list.

6. One-Punch Man Volume 3 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 3 falls two spots to number six in its ninth week on the list.

7. One-Punch Man Volume 2 by ONE and Yusuke Murata

VIZ Media’s release of One-Punch Man Volume 2 falls one spot to number seven in its 14th week on the list.

8. Naruto Volume 72 by Masashi Kishimoto

VIZ Media’s release of Naruto Volume 72 re-enters at number eight in its 13th week on the list.

9. My Monster Secret Volume 1 by Eiji Masuda

Seven Seas Entertainment’s release of My Monster Secret Volume 1 enters the list at number nine.

10. Tokyo Ghoul Volume 4 by Sui Ishida

VIZ Media’s release of Tokyo Ghoul Volume 4 falls five spots to number ten in its fifth week on the list.

Source: The New York Times