B'tX, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Masami Kurumada (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kotaro is a robotics and technology genius who has become the object of an evil group's attention. They want Kotaro to help them build their Machine Empire and beef up their artificially intelligent creations, the B'ts (pronounced "beats"). Once the Empire captures Kotaro, he may have no choice but to work for them, unless his kid brother Teppei can somehow rescue him. But after a powerful B't and its master attack Teppei, it appears Kotaro's last hope is lost. However, Teppei's spilled blood awakens a legendary B't (these evil creatures bond with blood), so Teppei now has one of the most deadly, sentient creatures-the B't X-at his command. Still, the brothers are up against an army from the Machine Empire, and the odds are against them. Even if they survive, B't X isn't keen on going up against another creature from the Machine Empire. B't X has a mind of its own, so not only does Teppei have the world's worst army fighting him, but he might not even be able to count on his ally. Kurumada has created a fast-paced, graphically dense sci-fi robot story that hearkens back to such now-classic anime as Gundam and Macross. This boy-oriented tale could be a good next step up for the former Digimon crowd.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159182639X
• ISBN-13: 978-1591826392
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Manga > By Publisher > TokyoPop

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Silly in The Best Way Possible, September 11, 2010

By 

Anna M. Frohling "Lazy Cur" (Eglin, Fl USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: B'tX, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

From the creator of the classic Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac) comes a fun, silly romp that's delightfully over-the-top. (think Gurren Lagann or G Gundam ) Basically it's about a boy and a robot pegasus with an attitude problem that is powered by the user's blood. They must learn to get along in the post-apocalyptic future and fight an empire of evil, to save his genius brother from a techno prison. Can you read that last sentence without laughing? OF COURSE this series is incredibly goofy, but that's why it's so fun!
The art is great, a mix of Kurumada's cartoony, wonky style and extremely detailed background art reminiscent of H.R. Giger (Aliens). The characters are interesting, and the story is fun. If you thought Fuunsaiki (the robot horse from G Gundam) was hilarious and awesome, check B'tx out. If you think a guy riding a robot vampire horse and punching demons is your cup of tea, don't hesitate, buy this immediately.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars AWFUL, May 15, 2004

By 

Sesho "www.sesho.libsyn.com" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: B'tX, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

5 years after they parted ways to make their mark on the world, two brothers, Teppei and Kotaro Takamiya are set to reunite in Mechatopia, Bejing. Kotaro has become the greatest scientist of robotics in the world, while Teppei has acquired a metal thing on his fist that lets him smash things up. You can argue who has gotten further ahead in life. The reunion doesn't last long as Kotaro is kidnapped by the Machine Empire, an empire of thinking machines with their own secret purposes whose latest weapons are called B'ts (pronounced Beats). They don't run on oil, they run on human blood and have free will, except that they have to obey the person that activates them (does that make any sense?). Of course the ever industrious Teppei (remember in five years he acquired a metal thingey for his hand) goes to rescue his brother and runs into a half-mecha human named, originally enough, Metalface. In the course of battle Teppei just happens to bleed on the junked out remains of B'tX, one of the most powerful B'ts ever created, except he's a little rusty. The question is whether he is strong enough to take on the Machine Empire along with tolerating his underachieving master.

Let's make it short and sweet. This story was stupid. How are the B'ts the most advanced robots ever created if they run on human blood? So, basically, they're vampires. Such a big deal is made about their freewill but they have to obey the first person that feeds them. Doesn't the whole blood thing make them relient on humans instead of more strategically making them independent of humans? The B'ts also look like the ugly stepchildren of My Little Ponys. Man, this was awful. I would recommend it for ages 6-9, not the 13+ it recommends.