Cannon God Exaxxion Stage 1 [Paperback]

Kenichi Sonoda (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cannon God Exaxxion | Publication Date: January 28, 2003

Let's say you're Hoichi Kano, typical high school student. Earth has been taken over by what seems to be a kindly, co-existing race of aliens. Your brilliant -- and depraved -- grandfather, whom you haven't seen in years, shows up to deliver a sexy android AND an integrated, armored, nearly indestructible gun-suit for your personal use. And just in time, because a ball-shaped robot with razor blade arms has just sliced through a wall like soft butter. Think that's a bit of a culture shock? Wait until you find that our alien friends aren't quite as friendly as we thought and that this mechanical monstrosity is just the tip of the invasion iceberg! From Gunsmith Cats creator, Kenichi Sonoda, comes Cannon God Exaxxion! Collecting issues #1-8 of the series.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This science fiction adventure from the creator of the hugely popular Gunsmith Cats is a hard-edged take on the aliens-and-robots genre of manga. Haichi Kano is a brash high school student living under somewhat normal conditions, 10 years after an alien race called the Riofaldians have landed on Earth for a lengthy cultural exchange. Then the Riofaldians wipe out the U.S. military and announce their imminent conquest of the world. Simultaneously, Haichi's grandfather emerges after years of seclusion to present Haichi with a buxom robot helper and a super-fighting suit. What follows is standard hero-making stuff, as Haichi must make quick decisions about his new power while he uncovers more information about both the alien invasion and his increasingly mysterious grandfather. Sonoda's strong storytelling and appealing art separate this series from the pack. He renders figures and backgrounds in a crisp outline, and his action sequences are clear and focused. The character designs are excellent, and the sleek, nearly art deco spaceships and robots are exciting to look at and well used in the plot. The action never lets up, as Sonoda always sustains suspense through precarious situations and his characters' inner turmoil. While the giant robots and startling proportions on the female characters will appeal to adolescent male fantasies, Sonoda's unusual attention to the human cost of the devastation wrought by the aliens adds an extra dimension. Haichi's youthful insecurities combined with his arrogance make him a compelling protagonist. All of this adds up to an exciting story and a well-rounded, action-packed series.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (January 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569717451
• ISBN-13: 978-1569717455
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #541,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Babes, Bots and REALLY Big Guns, October 29, 2003

By 

Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cannon God Exaxxion Stage 1 (Paperback)

Ten years ago, the aliens arrived and started bringing benefits to mankind. But one man has felt they were silent colonial invaders. He wrote a book about it and has been labeled crazy. His nephew, Hoichi, thinks he could still be right, but has had to bear the brunt of bullies (and is now an excellent fighter).

But on the tenth anniversary of the alien arrival, the aliens make their move. They almost immediately destroy the UN forces and take control of the globe. Hoichi has been selected by his uncle to be a hero. He is to be the pilot for a super, giant robot.

An excellent story that unfolds nicely. Hoichi is a good hero character and at first really gets into his role. But the power he wields can cause collateral damage and he begins to have doubts.

One of the more intelligent Mecca stories out there. Good characters and character development joined the intricate plot and background makes for a very enjoyable story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kenichi Sonoda's Newly translated manga, January 31, 2003

By 

Cody Womack (Chesapeake, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cannon God Exaxxion Stage 1 (Paperback)

IT was sad when GunsmithCats ended but this series is looking great from the beginning. It's about a high school kid, named Hoichi, who lives in a world where first contact with aliens was achieved 10 years ago. The aliens have given the humans great technology and seem to be prepared to release a new elevator-type transport system so they can send large objects through(seemingly faster then any other means). Suddenly the aliens turn on us and lay the smackdown on earth's defenses, leaving us unprotected. The only person who can stand up to the aliens is Hoichi's excentric uncle, who has created a fighting suit, a giant mech with a huge cannon in its chest, and a rather busty and flirtatious android. This manga is a great read for fans of Gunsmith Cats and I await the other releases

4.0 out of 5 stars Sonoda delivers guns, girls and giant robots, February 1, 2010

By 

Roman Martel "R. Martel" (California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cannon God Exaxxion Stage 1 (Paperback)

After Gunsmith Cats ended in the 90's all I heard was that Kenichi Sonoda was going to work on a giant mecha project. I hoped it would be a TV series, but it turned out to be another manga series. I picked it up a copy of volume one, and was immediately surprised and entertained.

Let's face it, the mecha genre had a major game change after Evangelion came out. Then every series and manga went out of their way to imitate its success: angst filled pilots, combining the philosophical and psychological ramblings with the action, and of course you have to have a completely incomprehensible ending (even if Evangelion's ending made sense to some people). It was all getting old and stale.

Sonoda must have felt the same way, because he brought back the mecha genre with a return to basics. Aliens invade attempt to take over the earth and only a young pilot in his huge mecha can stop them. Nothing fancy, just simple and straight to the point.

Of course this being Sonoda there have to be his characteristic touches: guns, ammo, hot babes, and intense action scenes. And that's what "Cannon God Exaxxion" delivers in Vol 1.

The character of Hoichi "Gun" Kano is a breath of fresh air. Not only does he want to save the earth, and pilot the mecha - but he isn't shy around the girls. Hoichi is a total and complete guy, the 15 year old in me was cheering. On top of that Hoichi seems to be a pretty decent kid. He's a little hot tempered, but he wants to help people and has a kind heart. He's a hero you can get behind.

Supporting him, literally and figuratively is Isaka Minagata, a "robot-girl" with serious curves and serious powers. Not only is she the main link to the entire Exaxxion project (which Hoichi's scientist grandfather runs), but she can turn into a jet cycle, provide him with a direct link to the Exaxxion mecha and has offered to jump his bones a couple times during the first issue. She's completely willing to do just about anything Hoichi asks. Tell me this wasn't written for teenage boys.

Then there's Akane, Hoichi's school friend who obviously has a crush on him. Trapped with the rest of the school during the alien invasion, Akane proves that she is smart, a little nosey (she is a reporter after all) and brave. She's concerned about Hoichi, but is trapped in the sidelines for most of this first volume.

The story itself moves very fast, establishing the world, alien invaders, the basics of the Exaxxion project, and a few action scenes. Sonoda keeps things flowing quickly but never in a confusing manner (something that occurred during the "Gunsmith Cats: Burst" saga. Since this volume is the introduction it really as to cover a lot of ground, but it does it well, and establishes our villains and heroes perfectly. It's not all exposition either. Sonoda weaves the action and story together, so there aren't really any slow spots, and it's all building toward more revelations and confrontations.

The art is typical top notch Sonoda, so fans of the "Gunsmtih Cats" look will be right at home here. Many of the similar character designs are present (Hoichi could be the kid version of Bean Bandit!). The mecha design is very similar to the hardsuits in "Bubblegum Crisis" that Sonoda designed. And then there are the girls. Sonoda makes 80% of the gals very busty and with various attitudes ranging from sultry, to cute, to mischievous. And of course there are lots of guns and ammo going around, because Sonoda loves his firearms.

This is really a guy's manga through and through. You could say the same thing about "Gunsmith Cats" but that had a strong feel of girl power running through it. Not so much in this one. Hoichi is the hero, and Isaka is nearly subservient to him. Akane has more of a backbone, but she's drawn less like a bombshell and more like a schoolgirl. It's not a PC book at all. But it is fun.

In the end, the 15 year old guy in me loved it. The brisk pace kept things interesting. The hot girls and intense action were great. The plot, while a bit cliché and not deep in the least, was solidly executed. I've read this volume about five times and each time it just flies by.

Male fans of Sonoda and "Gunsmith Cats" will enjoy this the most. But anyone looking for some mecha action, cleavage and firepower won't be disappointed either.