Comics | For manga fans

Manga is hitting Quebec shelves in large numbers. How to make a choice ? Here is our selection of recently released series and titles.

The knockout theory: a quest with fists

Certainly released a few months ago already, this very well executed manga is worth putting the spotlight on it. Raised on an isolated island by a martial arts master, Beck sees the latter disappear overnight. Destitute, she is forced to set out on the roads of an outside world unknown to her, ravaged by pandemics and under the control of large pharmaceutical companies. To find information about his mentor, Beck will have to enter the rings of various mixed martial arts leagues, unofficial or official. Character design Street Fightera violent and cyberpunk atmosphere à la Gunnm, very mature drawing and a story with twists and turns: the series hits hard with some great assets. The large format and bonus colorized artist’s drawing boards justify a higher price than normal, but are a good choice for showcasing endearing protagonists.

The knockout theory

Mathieu Reynes

Vega Dupuis

Seinen (adults)
Volume 1 (ongoing series)

8/10

Fermat Kitchen : calculations and spatulas

Passionate about numbers and mathematics, young Gaku shines brightly in his school. Until a stampede during a prestigious international competition reduces him to the rank of undesirable. Deprived of his scholarship, he will however see another door ajar despite this bitter failure: Kai Asakura, a precocious culinary prodigy, detects in the young fallen a talent for preparing food, particularly when he uses his mathematical knowledge facing the cauldrons. A possible alliance which promises to be full of challenges. Even if the application of calculation formulas to gastronomy seems a little far-fetched and relatively obscure, the characters and the story nevertheless remain sympathetic and allow us to make some great culinary discoveries, such as tile fish or ochazuke (rice infused with green tea). The finesse of the drawing and the rendering of the food coat everything well.

Fermat Kitchen

Yugo Kobayashi

Mangetsu

All audiences Volumes 1 and 2 (ongoing series) 7/10

7/10

The World Is Dancing : philosophy of dance

Engaged in his father’s theater troupe, Oniyasha asks himself many questions. What fascinates us about body movements? What are the secrets of the grace of dance, why does it touch us on occasion, and leave us unmoved in other circumstances? Stuck in his thoughts, he deviates from his clear-cut family heritage to embark on a quest with strong philosophical overtones. In short, what purpose is the human body intended for? His meeting with a destitute woman will take him to the first level. This manga with a cultural theme retraces the journey of the historic creator of nō theater, a traditional performing art where costumes, masks, music and codified gestures play a primordial role. Beneath its air of lightness, it encourages reflection and discovery, even if we should not hope to see it as a historical story. The large format is a plus, but the slightly yellowish paper… not particularly.

The World is Dancing

Kazuto Mihara
Vega Dupuis

For all
Volume 1 (ongoing series)

6.5/10

The red sleeve : Colorful Korea

Just once, let’s take a trip to Korea, with this manhwa published 100% in color. Originally, this story inspired by historical facts was published in the form of a successful novel, before being adapted into a webtoon (online comic strip). Here it is now transposed onto printed boards, with a slight shojo touch (manga more geared towards teenage girls). At the heart of the story, Deokim, a young orphan apprentice raised at the king’s court in the 18th century^e century. Her talent in calligraphy, as much as her indiscreet and ardent character, reached the epicenter of the monarchical entourage, to the point that she was transferred to the service of the king’s dauphin, feared by all. The multiplication of characters and the lack of reference to the Korean culture of the period can somewhat confuse the reading, which remains pleasant with small successful humorous touches. What attracts attention above all remains the high quality of the drawings and the vibrant coloring, highlighting the settings, characters and clothing very well. Even if the story doesn’t grab us, it’s still a treat for the eyes.

The red sleeve

Dopamine (screenplay adaptation), CreativeSUMM (drawing), Mikang Kang (original work)

Koda – Albin Michel

All audiences Volume 1 (ongoing series)

6.5/10