Fujisaki, Ryu. Hoshin Engi.

FUJISAKI, Ryu. Hoshin Engi. Viz Media. 208p. illus, c2007. 978-14215-1362-1. $7.99. JS

This manga is based on The Creation of the Gods, a classic Chinese fantasy novel. Taikobo used to be a human being; now he is a Sennin (heavenly being) in training. Because of Taikobo's bad habits (he loafs a lot) he's given a scroll containing a list of 365 Sennin residing on earth. His mission: banish them all to another dimension. Taikobo is given a wand (called a paope) and a magical being named Supushan--who resembles a flying hippo--to aid him in his quest. He has his work cut out for him: Dakki, the worst Sennin on the list, has bewitched the king of China with her perfume. Hundreds of Sennin flock to her palace to live a life of luxury and ease, and they're perfectly willing to kill Taikobo to keep the party going.

I am not familiar with the story Hoshin Engi retells, so the folklore of this world is brand new to me. The two-page terminology glossary helped, but there were still sequences that left me scratching my head; imagine reading the 7th Harry Potter book without knowing anything about the series. The b/w art is light on backgrounds, but the characters' designs are imaginative and skillfully rendered. Taikobo is an interesting protagonist; he uses his wits and guile to defeat his opponents, most of whom are vastly more powerful than he is. Now that the back-story is finished, this looks to be an interesting fantasy series. Hoshin Engi contains comic book violence and is recommended for libraries that collect manga, especially fantasy manga. George Galuschak, YA Libn., Montvale PL, Montvale, NJ

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.