Rin-Ne by Rumiko Takahashi

Rin-Ne by Rumiko Takahashi

(Viz Website)

Ever since a strange encounter when she was a child, Sakura Mamiya has had the power to see ghosts. Now in high school, she just wishes the ghosts would leave her alone! When her mysterious classmate Rinne Rokudo shows up, Sakura finds herself following him into the amazing world between life and death! (Synopsis from publisher site.)

Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most unique voices of manga. Her stories are always infused with humor, love, fantasy, and wacky antics. Her most popular series, and possibly most well known, is Ranma 1/2 where a teenage boy and his father are cursed to change into different bodies when splashed with cold water. Her second most popular would be Inu-Yasha, the story of a school girl who falls down an old well and into feudal Japan meeting upon the half-demon half human Inu-Yasha.

Rumiko comes back with her most recent series titled Rin-Ne about a teenage girl named Sakura whose path crosses with the spirit world. The first two volumes of Rin-Ne are currently published in a traditional paper format. What is really unique is that the series is also being published online by the U.S. publisher VIZ in synchronization with it's Japanese publisher for free online. (Start with Chapter One.)

I picked up Rin-Ne at the book store as soon as I heard about it, which was, of course, late. While I used to be pretty into Japanese graphic novels when I was teenager I've culled my recent readings into just a few authors and series'. Rumiko Takahashi is one of those authors I'll automatically pick up. Her previous works like Inu-Yasha, Maison Ikkuko, and Rumic Theater were and still are pretty high ranking comics for me. Although Rin-Ne is a new and available online I haven't read all 48 current chapters. However, Rin-Ne seems to carry over all the same elements of a Rumiko Takahashi story. A fairly normal girl is thrown into an unrealistic situation she can't quite seem to avoid.

The difference between Sakura and the other girls in Rumiko's stories is that I haven't once seen one of Sakura's family members. Every time Sakura is at home she's in her room. She doesn't talk about brothers or sisters or parents which is usual for Rumiko's stories. Normally there is a full cast of family members that makes the series feel fuller and the world Rumiko is creating rounder. Perhaps it's just too early in the series, but from what I've read on other sites the cast for Rin-Ne is small. When you're used to a creator making such large and diverse worlds I have to wonder why the small cast and what this might mean for the stories.

So far though Rin-Ne is still a funny, wacky, romantic story. It holds all the same qualities that past series by Rumiko has created, and is still a very enjoyable read. If you are a fantasy fan I'd really recommend looking into this series. Especially since the fantasy and culture are so different from my own I really enjoy learning about and seeing Rumiko Takahashi's interpretations of Japanese legends and other-worldly creatures. Rin-Ne also touches on the belief of reincarnation after death, and that we all have many past lives, both as humans and other living creatures. All of it is so interesting to read and makes this story, for me, all the more fun to follow.

Nightschool by Svetlana Chmakova

Nightschool by Svetlana Chmakova
Vol. 1-Vol. 3
(Publisher Page) (Author Page)

Summaries from Yen Press.

Series Synopsis:

Nightschool answers the age-old question—Where do demons get their diplomas? Schools may close for the night and the lights may be off, but class is still in session. At the Nightschool, werewolves, vampires, and witches gather to learn everything from spell casting to calculus. Alex, a young weirn (a particular kind of witch) has always been homeschooled, but dark forces seem to be drawing her closer to the Nightschool and the mysteries within.
Vol. 1 Summary:

Schools may lock up for the night, but class is in session for an entirely different set of students. In the Nightschool, vampires, werewolves, and weirns (a particular breed of witches) learn the fundamentals of everything from calculus to spell casting. Alex is a young weirn whose education has always been handled through homeschooling, but circumstances seem to be drawing her closer to the Nightschool. Will Alex manage to weather the dark forces gathering?

Svetlana Chmakova is an OEL (Original English Language) manga creator that I have been aware of and reading since she started publishing her comics online through Wirepop and Girlamatic. I loved both Chasing Rainbows, a story about a girl whose future is foretold, and Nightsilver, a story about a young witch. Unfortunately both stories have been on hiatus for years now since Svet had to turn her attention to publishing her first professional manga series, Dramacon.

Once Dramacon ended a new series, Nightschool, began. I was highly interested in Nightschool not only because I've loved all of Svet's work thus far, but also because the series wouldn't have an end in sight. Dramacon was only signed on for three volumes, and Nightschool, so far, seems to be a much longer running series. I've bought and read all three volumes out now and have loved each volume. I think Nightschool is a very promising series.

Alex, the main character, is a home-schooled, but gifted, young witch who lives with her older sister, Sarah. Something awful happened in Alex's past which only re-enforces her self imposed isolation, but isn't and hasn't been revealed. Whatever it was it's left a mark on Alex. Sarah is always teasing and pushing Alex to move outside her comfort zone. When Sarah goes missing Alex willingly and quickly investigates the night school Sarah worked at as the Night Keeper to find out why. A parallel story involves a group called the Hunters who protect humans and enforce a treaty between Night Things and the Hunters keeping humans blissfully unaware of vampires, weres, and weirns.

The story is slow going which is one reason why I've held off on writing a review on Nightschool for three volumes. I wanted to see where the story would be taken, and it's taken about three volumes to establish what kind of magna this series would be. While Nightschool's storyline was slow going it wasn't boring at all. On the contrary I've loved turning every page and reading every part of Nightschool, especially the authors notes at the end of each book!

The story is slow going because there are several storylines; Alex looking for Sarah, Alex's amazing and mysterious powers that surpass her age, and the Hunters who are investigating her powers although neither she nor they realize it yet. Without going into too much spoiler-y detail all the storylines keep you guessing as to what will happen next. Each volume adds more and more layers to the characters and world making Nightschool one fun and intriguing read. All of the characters have their funny moments, their serious moments, and their WTH? moments. Svet has found ways to not only keep you guessing, but love the characters and become invested in them. It's an amazing ability that makes Svet a very talented and complex story teller.

The artwork, again, is gorgeous. Having read Svet's works for years now I have seen the molding of her artistic style. I am amazed at the uniqueness of Svet's character designs and background settings. My favorite character design so far? The librarian, of course! Vol. 3 was just released in April, and was the best volume yet in all of these respects. I can't wait to see what happens next. Keep it up Svet!