Shaman King, Vol. 1: A Shaman In Tokyo [Paperback]

Hiroyuki Takei (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Shaman King | Publication Date: September 3, 2003

From award-winning Hiroyuki Takei, Shaman King was produced as a hit anime in 2001. When he takes a shortcut through a cemetery, Manta Oyamada meets a strange kid with headphones — surrounded by ghosts. The kid is the teenage shaman Yoh Asakura. Tapping the supernatural swordfighting powers of samurai ghost Admidamaru, Yoh fights Bokuto no Ryu, a sword-wielding gang member. But an even more dangerous opponent is stalking Yoh and Manta — a Chinese shaman who wants to possess Amidamaru.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (September 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569319022
• ISBN-13: 978-1569319024
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ghosts, Demons, Shamans, OH MY!, November 1, 2003

By 

Nicole Maronn (Enfield, CT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shaman King, Vol. 1: A Shaman In Tokyo (Paperback)

I first heard about Shaman King thanks to the FoxBox. After seeing the first episode (and only the first episode), Shaman King drew me in. Then, and lucky to work in a bookstore, I was able to purchase Volume 1.

First things first, yes, the Shaman King anime blows on FoxBox becuase of the editing. It's gonna end up like Sailor Moon: Most of the episodes are heavly edited due to the trageted audience (kids and tweens). Also, this is not the Japanese's fault. They, and the American distributers, decide who their target audience is and go through together and edit the episodes. It's the same with Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and just about every kids-targeted anime. However, many American manga companies (like Tokyo Pop) do not edit the orginal manga. All they do is the English translation (which includes foot notes for certin Japanese references) and that's it! Plus, the manga is always 10x better than the anime. And maybe someday they'll release the unedited anime just like they did with Sailor Moon.

With that said, the Shaman King manga is one of the most entertaining, page-turning and orginal mangas out there. The plot deals with a middle school shaman named Yoh Asakura. He transfers to Tokyo in order to continue training for his goal: To become the Shaman King. Along the way, he befriends another student, the ever-nerotic Manta Oyamaoa, who can also see ghosts and spirits just like Yoh. Together, they are paired up with the ghost of a dead samurai named Amidamaru, who is Yoh's partner in his quest. In the first volume, readers learn about what it takes to be a shaman and even get a taste of some inpressive Shaman duels.

The story is funny and is sprinkled with bits of dark humor and drama, plus it keeps you focused and leaves you craving for more! the art style is a balanced mixture of cartoony and sharp, dark line and appeals to both genders (male and female). While Shaman King is featured in the English version of Shonen Jump (a magazine geared to boys), girls will swoon over Yoh, feel sympathy towards Manta, and boo at the villains. Plus, Yoh's girlfriend Amy prooves that girls can be just as brash and compelling as the guys.

I urge anyone to check out Shaman King. If you enjoy appealing art, excellent story telling and manga in general, Shaman King is right up your ally!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shaman King of Manga!, May 30, 2004

By 

Kalika (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shaman King, Vol. 1: A Shaman In Tokyo (Paperback)

Ok, so that's a bad title, but this manga really does rock! Following the life of Yoh Asakura on his quest to become the Shaman King, this manga is humourous, but also has its "deep" moments. Yoh is a laid back, lazy boy, who chanels spirits to do his work for hih in school, and whose philosophy is to just leave everything, and it will work out somehow. Anna is his "fiancee", and also a shaman, who can summon spirits. She handles Yoh's "training" (read: TORTURE... she's really tough). Manta is Yoh's friend, small and bookish. Amidamaru is Yoh's friend, as well. He's the ghost of a long dead smaurai who YOh calls on to win Shamanic battles.
This manga is constantly amusing, and very well drawn. Every character is unique in both looks and personality. (Besides, what's funnier than seeing a Chibi SD Samurai Warrior ghost???) This fist volume definately shows a lot of promise for a great story. ((Hopefully the anime will be released over here soon!!))
A definate buy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you like manga this is a must have, May 1, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Shaman King, Vol. 1: A Shaman In Tokyo (Paperback)

Like I said if you read manga you'll love this. It's about this lil dude named manta. He meets this new kid named Yoh but hes not your ordinary 13 year old. He's a shaman. (Some one who can interact with spirits) From the day Manta meets Yoh nothing will ever be the same. Shaman King is packed with action and humor. The art style is really cool too. The manga is also in Shonen Jump. It has spawned an anime series, toys, feature length movies (yet to be realeased here in the states, and even some video games due out later this year. Try it you'l like it.