Suzuka, Vol. 1
by Kouji Seo
List Price:
Our Price: $6.98
You Save: $6.97 (50%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.38 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Kouji SeoEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-08-29
ISBN: 0345486315
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Del Rey
Book Reviews of Suzuka, Vol. 1
Book Review: "Isn't she amazing?"
Summary: 5 Stars
I usually tend to read manga that has a fair amount of violence, action, and in many of the cases stories that have a dark mood. Therefore, manga like the one I am reviewing provides for a much needed break from that pattern. Here we find a light read with plenty of good humor and an interesting plot. There are not a lot of cases of good mature humor in the manga market, so "Suzuka" really fills that void.
Yamato is a teenager that goes to Tokyo to live with his aunt and cousin and attend high school. This seems like a pretty typical setting, but what makes it special is that the building in which he is going to live, and which his aunt owns, is an apartment complex and bathhouse for ladies. Of course, living in a place like this has its benefits, but there are also some issues that come with the territory. The poor guy frequently gets thrashed by the ladies, and at times he looks like a punching bag that just yields to their commands. His cousin seems to be his only ally, but does not come even close to being a good enough defense.
Upon arriving in Tokyo, Yamato is struck by the beauty of a girl he sees practicing high jump, named Suzuka, and fate has it that she lives in the same apartment complex, in the bedroom next to his! Unluckily for him though, the first impression she gets is not a good one, since it has to do with a misunderstanding in the baths, which involves nudity and some odd posses. Suzuka is a track and field star and is really focused on this aspect of her life, while trying to survive the pressure that comes with it.
The development of this story is pretty typical, with the two main characters becoming friends and seeing hints of more, having disagreements, hating each other, etc. There are a few additional characters that give this series a special flavor though. First there is the two girls that work as escorts, one that looks at men as her ATM, and the other one bothered by the interest males show in her breasts. As you can imagine, these two provide for some funny scenes involving sexual innuendoes. Then, we have Yasunobu, which is an old acquaintance of Yamato, who used to get him in trouble with his aunt. He certainly has not lost this quality, but now it is not limited to problems with the aunt, and extends to getting Yamato in horrible messes all across the board.
Beside the fine humor, this series counts with some excellent drawings, much better than I ever expected before opening the volume. These are crisp and the use of shadows is excellent, providing the characters with a life seldom seen. Another positive element is the extras we get in-between chapters. The author shares some of his life experiences in short strips, especially in what relates to some of his interactions with his best friend, who is the inspiration for the character of Yasunobu.
As is always the case with manga published by Del Rey, the use of the honorifics remains intact in the translation, which is a very positive aspect, and there is a guide for the newcomer to the genre on how these terms are used. Also, at the end of the volume there is a detailed explanation of some of the terms used in the story and of their cultural significance. Finally, I need to mention that I was surprised by the fact that this manga was classified as for ages 18 and up in the US, since it was published in Weekly Shonen Magazine in Japan, which is read by adults, but whose main demographic target is high school boys and above. There is some nudity and some risqué humor, but this is not enough to merit the rating.
I am extremely happy to have found this series, since it provides for a very entertaining reading. I am eagerly looking forward to exploring the next volume!
Manga Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Manga Books
Genshiken: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture, Volume 4by Shimoku Kio
Del Rey; Published: 2006-01-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.83
Price in other shops:
Spice and Wolf, Vol. 6 (Manga) (Spice and Wolf (Manga))by Isuna Hasekura, Keito Koume
Yen Press; Published: 2012-03-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.49
Price in other shops:
With the Light... Vol. 8: Raising an Autistic Childby Keiko Tobe
Yen Press; Published: 2011-09-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.18
Price in other shops:
Spice & Wolf, Vol. 4 (Manga) (Spice and Wolf (Manga))by Isuna Hasekura, Keito Koume
Yen Press; Published: 2011-05-31; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.91
Price in other shops:
Jack Frost, Vol. 5Yen Press; Published: 2011-04-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.37
Price in other shops:
The Betrayal Knows My Name, Vol. 2by Hotaru Odagiri
Yen Press; Published: 2011-12-13; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.78
Price in other shops:
The Betrayal Knows My Name, Vol. 1by Hotaru Odagiri
Yen Press; Published: 2011-06-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.78
Price in other shops:
Black Butler, Vol. 3Yen Press; Published: 2010-10-26; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.60
Price in other shops:
Sarasah, Vol. 5Yen Press; Published: 2010-08-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.62
Price in other shops:
Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 1by Ken Akamatsu
Del Rey; Published: 2004-04-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.39
Price in other shops:
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
Suzuka, Volume 11by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2009-02-24; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.50
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Volume 9by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2008-09-23; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.91
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Volume 8by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2008-06-17; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.96
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Volume 7by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2008-03-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.92
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Volume 6by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2007-11-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.90
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Volume 5by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2007-08-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.80
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Volume 4by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2007-05-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.85
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Vol. 2by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2006-11-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.83
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Volume 10by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2008-11-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.98
Price in other shops:
Suzuka, Vol. 3by Kouji Seo
Del Rey; Published: 2007-02-27; Paperback; Book
Best price: $20.56