Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok Volume 1 [Paperback]

Sakura Kinoshita (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Series: Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok | Publication Date: October 4, 2004

These mysteries are stranger than fiction! Private Investigator Loki is certainly an extraordinary fellow with an incredibly demanding profession. While his boyish good looks disguise his true nature, no challenge is too tough for Loki. Not only is it Loki's job to solve mysteries, but he must also protect his own interests, namely his family, especially when those who want him rubbed-out enter the picture. Loki must dig up evidence surrounding kidnappings, murders, suicides and the like. When old adversaries strike too close to home, Loki must prepare, not only to solve the crime, but to survive the vicious attacks! If the action's hot, you can count on Loki being there!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Cuteness battles weirdness in this odd, semicoherent manga. Apparently, the Scandinavian deities have left Asgard to take on new roles as Japanese teenagers. In some cases, the person has been totally remade for the better. Loki, for example, doesn't just look like a friendly, laid-back boy detective; he has become a likable, tolerant kid, no longer the source of evil and discontent that he was in Norse mythology. The mythical Fenrir, Loki's son/fierce wolf, has become a pet puppy dog, and so on. On the other hand, Godfather Odin may be murderously plotting against Loki. These substantial revisions will blow the minds of readers who acquired their understanding of Scandinavian myth from Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's serious adaptation in The Mighty Thor, not to mention anyone who's familiar with the doom-laden original myths or Wagner's Ring Cycle. While some of that background may be necessary to fill in the characters' identities, perhaps the less readers know about the legendary background, the better. The incongruities are sometimes used effectively, as when Loki's magic staff is switched accidentally with a cheerleader's baton. Kinoshita's art, meanwhile, is superior school-kid manga cartooning, though he is clearly indebted to Ken Akamatsu (Love Hina; Negima) for art and tone.
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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: ADV Manga (October 4, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413900550
• ISBN-13: 978-1413900552
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good read, but slightly confusing, October 13, 2004

By 

Brooke "mocha1617" (PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok Volume 1 (Paperback)

For those who have read this volume of 'The Mythical Detective Loki Raganarok' (or Matantei Loki Ragnarok as I prefer to call it, in reference to its Japanese title), you may find yourself scratching your head in puzzlement at the happenings and the names (Odin, Norns, Ragnarok, etc.). Don't feel as if you're the only one who this has happened to, it happened to me. However, I hope that after reading what I have to say, you will find yourself slightly less confused.
First of all, this series is based loosly on Norse mythology, so it helps if you have at least some previous knowledge of these myths, though it shouldn't be too hard to pick up as you read the manga (Odin is the leader of the Gods, Norns are like the goddesses of fate, and Ragnarok is the final battle between the gods and the giants which is the cause behind the end of the world).
However, what new readers may find most confusing is how the story progresses (who the heck are all these people? what are they talking about? how do they seem to know each other so well?). There is a perfectly good reason behind this...simply put this is not the first volume of the series. There is a whole wealth of 7 previous volumes before this current one. Now you are probably asking why is this particular volume labeled as volume one? The reason is because midway through the story line, the publishers switched, and with the switch of publishers the volume number got reset (as well as a slight name change extension). Don't believe me? Try searching for AISN# 4901926535. That's the original first volume, however it sadly appears that it only is available in its original japanese form, as are the other 6 (if anyone knows different, by all means, please correct me).
However, don't be discouraged. If it helps any, ADV is currently releasing the anime version of Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok (which covers the original 7 volumes of the manga). I do recommend seeing the anime, as it does help in understanding the manga, but I don't feel it is completly necessary, as the manga is interesting in itself (just don't be surprised if you feel slow to comprehend all the information).
Hope I was able to help and happy reading to you all.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loki Ragnarok - This is second season where the first, November 11, 2004

By 

rinmoon "RinMoon" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok Volume 1 (Paperback)

I love loki ragnarok....if you watch the anime this manga will make more sense.....I didn't understand why adv translated the second season manga and not the first.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's funny, July 6, 2006

By 

Saphera (Alaska, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok Volume 1 (Paperback)

This book is so funny. All the people I've shown it to loved it. I have to give this book 5 stars. I think any one would like this book.