Megatokyo, Vol. 2 [Paperback]

Rodney Caston (Author), Fred Gallagher (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 2004 | Series: Megatokyo (Book 2)

The wildly popular web comic that spawned a best selling trade paperback has found a new home! Fans and friends of the Megatokyo web comic have come to love the characters and their offbeat adventures. Whether they are entangled in a fantasy gaming scenario, saving Tokyo from devastation by rampaging zombies, or taking awkward and disaster-filled steps towards a meaningful relationship, we get to experience Tokyo through their many unique and drastically different points of view. Rife with references to video game and anime culture both here and in Japan, it is a story that contrasts the cultures, the characters, and their own perceptions of what is around them. Those new to the series may find familiar emotions and a dialogue that is eerily similar to their own. Volume 2 contains Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of the Megatokyo webcomic, complete with miscellaneous comics, sketches and other material. Extra material exclusive to the print edition includes editorial comments by the author and a short story with illustrations from the Endgames gaming universe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Following the success of his serialized Web comic and the first volume of the print manga, Gallagher continues the story of two computer game- and manga-obsessed American boys stranded in Tokyo. (Newcomers can visit www.megatokyo.com to see what they've missed.) Piro (the sensitive one who likes to sketch and read girls' manga) and Largo (the beer-guzzling brute who enjoys hacker-speak and violent sword and sorcery computer games) have found jobs and accommodations. They've also acquired a lifelike robot with the appearance and emotions of a blonde, nubile, teenage girl. Piro's conscience, illustrated as a comely but competent female, provides guidance and occasional fashion tips. Meanwhile, Largo, a gaming addict who can't distinguish between reality and virtual reality, takes a job teaching English in order to keep tabs on a schoolgirl whom he's decided is an evil zombie queen. Ostensibly, the boys are trying to earn enough cash to buy plane tickets home, but they seem more interested in exploring the brave new world of Japanese gaming culture and the cute, friendly locals. Although Gallagher doesn't ink his drawings, few artists can wield a pencil with such authority. His work, though squarely in the manga tradition, is uncommonly deft, subtle and funny. With a sophisticated script, a panoply of references to gaming and manga culture and Gallagher's stellar artwork, this series' formula makes it utterly irresistible. The book also includes a section of handsome drawings and gag strips from the Web comic as well as a prose short story following the exploits of Piro and Largo as characters in a sword and sorcery game world.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–This is the second collected volume of the popular online comic. Piro, an anime otaku (obsessed fan), and Largo, a reality-challenged gamer, are stuck in Japan until they earn money for plane tickets home. Piro has a job at a game store, while Largo masquerades as an English teacher at a public high school. Piro, like many hapless anime heroes, is timid and shy around girls, yet inexplicably attracts them. Also in the anime cliché vein, there are misunderstandings that result in Piro looking like a pervert even though he really isn't. The book also spoofs anime/manga/games for humorous effect. Sometimes the backgrounds are, well, not there. However, the characters are very well done. The pacing is good, and while each page can stand alone, together they build on one another to create a story both humorous and touching. The art is pencil, but dark enough for a sharp contrast.–Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse; Graphic novel edition (January 21, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593071183
• ISBN-13: 978-1593071189
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #739,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars relax, we understand j00, February 3, 2004

By 

Michael Kluge (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Megatokyo, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

Unlike most, my introduction to the series came with the first volume of the popular webcomic after much pestering by a coworker. Usually graphic novels and manga hardly seem worthy of my purchase, because not only am I major fan of them at the moment, but they are such quick insubstantial reads that they don't really feel worth the tradeoff in price. However, I made an exception with this series. From the first panel I became addicted, and with the first volume it was nice to have in my hands and be able to read it from start to finish.

The artwork is a joy to look at, a cross between manga styles and more realistic drawing, with a pristine sort of unfinished look to them. It is devoid of the typical exaggerated manga expressions and actions ala Love Hina, and while goofy in its own right it isn't goofy to a nonsensical level.

The characters are down to earth as much as they are oddball, with Piro the obsessed anime and japanese dating sim fan and Largo the more american-minded game maniac and l33t-speaker stranded in Tokyo, Japan. They attempt to garner enough money to get home while at the same time dealing with everyday life, relationships, and waxing sarcastic about games, manga, and Japanese culture. It's almost a Seinfeld set in Japan, as the characters become involved in the most mundane of situations that manage to somehow become more convoluted, problematic, and hillarious than humanly possible (i.e. Junepi the l33t ninja). There's interesting commentary, Shirt Guy Dom episodes (fill-in comics that despite what many say are a ball to read), and even exclusive artwork and a bonus short story at the end.

In the end, I've always wanted an American to really attempt to apply the Japanese style to their work, and here we have what could be considered the first success. Not only is it a gimmick, either; the art perfectly complements the slightly off-kilter plot and characters. Sure I blew through it in around an hour, but it's one series that I can see myself revisiting, and it's certainly one of the more enjoyable oddities out there.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, January 13, 2004

By 

Aaron Alberg (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Megatokyo, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

MegaTokyo takes American comic strips and blends them with Japanese comic art styles and stories. These comics are dangerously funny and feature high quality drawings.

Enjoy the lighter side of comics and don't take yourself too seriously with these comics. Full of great laughs and good storytelling. I recommend you read this book and share it with your game-loving, anime/manga-fan, or just plain geek friends.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are you l337?, January 8, 2004

By 

Shaun Hagen (Eatonville, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Megatokyo, Vol. 2 (Paperback)

If you can understand the title of this review, then this is a book that you have to have! The plot follows the misadventures of two people, who could not possibly be any more different, that got stuck in Tokyo after a failed attempt to get into E3 (read the first book!!!) Their stories continue in this volume. Will Largo defeat the 3v1l? Will Piro ever gorw a spine around girls? You will have to read to find out. Save your bandwidth and support MT! After all, you dont want people to start thinking you are a minion of the 3v1l, now do you?