Naoya Matsumoto

The current kaiju assault rages through a third volume in the series -- and probably will continue for at least a couple more I'd guess. But even in the midst of all the action, the author manages to work in character development and heroic moments that choke me up more than a silly little battle manga should be able to do.

Once again, Kikoru Shinomiya steals the show. Hell, she's so awesome even her evil doppelganger is better than most of the other characters in the series just by being a show more reflection of her.

Some other guys get some good scenes in the second half of the book, but I could read the first half over and over.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapters 82-89 show less

It's cover to cover warfare, but I love the way Naoya Matsumoto puts such heart into the battles, weaving in flashbacks and firmly centering well-rounded characters in the midst of the action and chaos. Soshiro Hoshina and Mina Ashiro get the spotlights this time around, but the bad guys drive the fight right into the next volume.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Chapters 90-97

Ooh, this little action adventure serial really pushes my buttons the way a good superhero comic does. The hero is a screw-up with his heart in the right place and a secret that gives him a new shot at achieving the dream he abandoned years before: hunting and destroying the giant kaiju monsters that tore a swath of destruction through his childhood. He has a goofy but devoted sidekick, a childhood friend who has left him in her dust as she climbed the ranks to become captain of a unit of show more kaiju fighters, and a fun rival in the testing program to join the Japan Defense Force.

There's humor and heroism galore, drama and cheese. An instant favorite. I can't wait for the next volume. show less

Vice-Captain Soshiro Hoshino really steals the show in the opening chapters as we find out a little about his background and a lot about his level of dedication to his captain. A terrific battle against Kaiju No. 10 full of sacrifice and soldierly comradeship segues into a testing of the strength of various friendships as the status quo gets abruptly topples and protagonist Kafka Hibino faces a new deadly challenge. Good stuff!