Customer Reviews

Flame of Recca, Vol. 2

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many manga series need a hot guy and/or romantic rival -- and in this case, you get two for the price of one.

And while the pace of "Flame of Recca's" second volume slows considerably, Nobuyuki Anzai puts it to good use -- he develops the characters, introduces new potential villains, and produces some new mysteries. But he doesn't slack in the action department, producing some truly striking fight scenes with elemental powers.

Yanagi's visit to Recca's home is crashed by Fuko and Domon. Despite Recca's dismay, the four goof off and set off fireworks -- but the mysterious Kage Hoshi is watching them, and has gotten a new opponent for Recca -- Mikagami, a handsome, chilly young student who has a deadly water sword. Disdainful of Recca's rough little group, Mikagami confronts Recca and forces him to give Yanagi up -- a painful experience for them both.

Unsurprisingly, Recca ends up being depressed and lonely, and Yanagi has no idea why he's suddenly dumped her. She reluctantly goes to an amusement park with Mikagami, who is strangely warm to her -- and she's shocked when he reveals the reason why. Turns out the water swordsman has a bizarre reason for being interested in her -- and the intention of defeating Recca.

Finally, a new teacher has arrived at their high school, and it turns out he's as obsessed with ninja stuff as Recca is. Recca and Yanagi pay a visit to his house, and Recca learns about the mysterious origins of Mikagami's water sword and Fuko's wind bracelet. Unfortunately, that teacher already knows more than he should...

The first volume of "Flame of Recca" was all about setting up the first round of main characters, introducing a villain, and bringing Recca and Yanagi together as more-than-friends-but-less-than-boyfriend/girlfriend. Well, this time Anzai introduces some new characters, new elemental powers, and some mysterious problems in Recca's backstory.

Initially Anzai slows down the pace a little, including some cute character-building scenes like Recca helping at Yanagi's daycare job. The entire first chapter is just frothy romantic-comedy fun, including the rather cliched "hero's love interest finds nudie mags in his room" gag.

But after Mikagami starts causing trouble, the plot speeds up again. There's plenty of tightly-drawn action scenes, with the occasional tragic flashback into Mikagami's background. There's even a splashy, flashy water/fire duel in a shattering house of mirrors. Anzai also weaves a few mysteries into the story, such as a strange masked man and a dream that may hint at Recca's past.

Our likable firestarter has some problems in this volume, since he's left wondering if his attachment to Yanagi is a selfish one. And the gorgeous Mikagami is a character with plenty of promise. While the attraction to a girl who looks exactly like his sister is rather icky, all that icy passion and determination promise to make things interesting in the future.

The second volume of "Flame of Recca" expands on a promising first volume, with new characters and some solid character development. And it promises to get even better.

In volume two, a beautiful bishie named Mikagami sets his sights on Yanagi. What does he want with Recca's "Princess?" Mikagami warns Recca in no uncertain terms to stay away from Yanagi.

Intimidated by the water sorcerer, Recca acquieses. But will his vow to Yanagi overpower his fear of his opponent? There is a fight in a house of mirrors.

In the meantime, Recca meets a new ally and friend in a teacher, who has an extensive collection of ninja secrets - secrets that may cost him his life.

This is another great Flame of Recca book, but probably is more of a shonen story( more for boys then girls). Even though i am a girl i really like this story. I had no clue what i was buying when i first got this story, but it turned out to be pretty good.
Rated older teen for languauge and brief nudity. But its really not that bad.