5.0 out of 5 stars
An underrated manga classic, June 14, 2010
This review is from: Hoshin Engi, Vol. 19 (Paperback)
Houshin Engi is a classic shounen manga series that is unfortunately underrated as far as it's status in the US is concerned. There are some who know it better by the anime Soul Hunter (Its English title and a rather loose but still enjoyable adaptation).
Anyways, here is a brief overview of the series.
(Warning: Spoilers are ahead!)
It is ancient China during the reign of the Yin and lately, things are not going well. Dakki, the empress of the Yin Dynasty, has been causing trouble for the human world and Emperor Chu has become a figure head under her. The Sennin World in the sky have launched a plan to save the human world called the Houshin Project. Young doshi Taikobo is sent down by Lord Genshi Tenson with his reiju partner Supushan with the task of carrying out the "Houshin Project". He is to seal away Dakki's and the other yokai sennin's souls but as always, things are easier said than done and there are mysteries aplenty. But Taikobo is no quitter and learns the best way to get things done is through a good team of like-minded allies.
Ryu Fujisaki has quite a brimming imagination and is able to weave elements of history (even though it's heavily anachronistic but that's besides the point), fantasy, sci-fi, and humor very well all in one unique story. Not to mention, he has an odd penchant for giving his character's enormous feet! This may not be for everyone but I can overlook it. There are plenty of peaks and valleys as the story progresses so things remain fresh and exciting, moving through a casual plot structure instead of a formal one. As expected for a Shonen Jump manga, there are plenty of battles but they aren't your standard fare. There are plenty of moments of energy attacks and multiple limb striking but for the most part, Houshin Engi's characters rely more on strategy and tactics in the vein of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure instead of just overwhelming power. There is also heavier emphasis on weapon-based combat rather than martial arts and "ki"-based attacks but they are still there. Since the paopei weapons utilize Sennin energy, it's unavoidable. The art style is also greatly detailed and has a variety of textures which keeps things vivid and fluid. Similar to YuYu Hakusho and Bleach, there is a large amount of characters so you can easily find a character or two to relate to easily. There are some like Bunchuu who fits the "bad ass" character bill and Youzen who is a bishounen but far from your typical one. Taikoubou's personality is split by a juxtaposition of goofiness but is contrasted heavily by his strategic genius and slightly sadistic streak when it arises.
Since I'm really supposed to review this volume, I'll go ahead and do that.
The Zhou army (The renamed nation of Seiki that opposes the Yin Dynasty that Taikobo and his allies helped form with the help of Seiki's original leader, Lord Ki Shou, and his family) is locked in battle with the Yin army and it seems the battle is lost until the Qiang tribe joins the fray and immediately takes Zhou's side. But Dakki has a card up her sleeve: Emperor Chu himself! He enters the fight as a total opposite of what he once was and displays monstrous power unlike what Taikobo and his allies have seen yet. Even Yozen, Rainshi, and Nataku, despite their intense training, find their hands full with him. We also learn the origin of the Sennin World and that Dakki has had her strings pulled. I don't want to give off anymore spoilers so read this to find out more.
I can't stress enough that if you haven't read Houshin Engi, you are missing out!
If you are bored with current popular manga series, give this one a shot. Viz should really promote this one more but it seems like it is selling with since it's on a bi-monthly release schedule. It easily holds it's own with (In my opinion, of course.) with JJBA, YYH, Dragon Ball, Shaman King, and Bleach and outshines Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, Death Note, One Piece, and Naruto.
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