Today on Screen Critix we are doing our first Manga review. We will be taking a look at Zombie Powder vol 1, the first Manga by now-famous Mangaka Tite Kubo; who created Bleach, a story about swords, gaining immortality and collecting rings.
Copyright Tite Kubo.
Zombie Powder, when originally released, was largely unsuccessful. Move forward in time to a point where Tite Kubo is the creator of the Manga/Anime mega-hit “Bleach” and the series has found more success. I imagine this is similar to Soul Eater fans by B.Ichi. So, is Zombie Powder any good or does it just live off Tite Kubo’s name?
Volume one I found to be interesting, and as Tite Kubo points out before the story even starts; you can just chill out and flick threw pages as the story is largely action orientated. The core of the actual story is about the collection of the “Rings of the Dead”. Upon collecting these 12 rings you can revive the dead, or grant yourself immortality. Our Protagonist Gamma Akutabi wants the latter, as he wields a chainsaw sword. Yes, a sword that is a freaking CHAINSAW! For fans of Bleach, they may notice a resemblance between Gamma and Grimmjow. Our hero is also accompanied by a side kick known as Elwood, who also has a very good reason for wanting the much sought after rings.
As for the actual drawing style, while not currently as good as Bleach; the Manga is well done. Tite Kubo just seems to have a talent for creating unusual characters that just work. I mean take my description of Gamma: A tall, not overly smart, silver coat with fur wearing swordsman, who weilds a chainsaw sword. That doesn’t sound very enigmatic? Even visually cool? Yet somehow Tite Kubo pulls it off. I am very interested to see where the story will take Gamma.
Speaking of the story, without spoiling, I found the format to be not as bad as some suggest. This is a casual read, and doesn’t require much thought; but so what? I found the combat focused approach to be entertaining. Gamma is the kind of guy who literally ends up in trouble constantly, so why shouldn’t he be constantly fighting? Me personally, I enjoy combat in Manga. Zombie Powders fight panels flowed effortlessly. I find myself intrigued by how the story will pan out, even though I know the series never reached a conclusion. Apparently upon cancellation Tite Kubo took it quiet bad, and had a breakdown. Somehow, this adds to the appeal. I want to see what happens and where I think the storyline was going. FYI, Kubo went on to create Bleach and is now loaded, likely, from his second work. No need to feel too bad for him, as he came back and kicked ass.
Overall thoughts:
Zombie Powder is an entertaining fast-page-turn read, full of action, and if you like Bleach then this is a must. The characters are intriguing enough, likely because they haven’t developed much yet. Honestly I am looking forward to reading Vol 2.
Zombie Powder is available at Viz Manga for our US/Canadian readers.
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