Kyo Kara MAOH! vol. 2 by Tomo Takabayashi and Temari Matsumoto review

Kyo Kara MAOH! vol. 2

Author/Artist: Tomo Takabayashi/Temari Matsumoto

Publisher: TOKYOPOP

Rating: T – ages 13 and up

Genre: Shojo, Shonen Ai, Comedy, Drama, Action, Fantasy

Grade: A

Yuri has been flushed down the toilet to an alternate reality. He's been sent to Shinmakoku and has been told that he is the king of the Mazoku(aka as the Demons). By mistake he's gotten engaged and won a duel, and they're with the same person. It seems that things are pretty restless in Shinmakoku and a war is in the near future. Yuri, having grown up in Japan, prefers peace and would rather not see harm come to anyone human or demon. Wolfram (his fiancé and Conrad's younger brother) sneaks Yuri out of the castle and takes him out of the castle. There is a quick standoff between Adalbert (see my review of KKM vol. 1) and Wolfram and his small, private, magical army. Adalbert doesn't want Yuri to become the demon king and Wolfram turns him over reluctantly. Adalbert claims that he's doing this to help Yuri but it just solidifies his views and he decides that he is going to become king. Plus, thanks to the Kohhi (the flying skeletons you see throughout the books and anime) Conrad, Gwendal, and Wolfram were able to find him. He helps the human villagers and truly becomes king. But at his coronation ceremony he is pulled through the waterfall at the Tomb of the Great One back to reality, in Japan. It seems that Ken Murata (the dude that Yuri saved from the bullies in the first volume) ran off to get help.

Later, while at the public bath with Murata, he gets sucked back to Shinmakoku but this time he ends up in the bath at Gwendal's castle and he gets mobbed by beautiful men that are also in the bath. Thanks to Gunter (unknowingly of course) Conrad pulled Yuri to safety. The humans are still restless and threat of war is still looming and it seems a quest is in order. Yuri must go find the demon sword Morgif. Only the demon king can handle Morgif so Yuri must accompany Conrad to Vandervia Island. This mission wouldn't seem to be dangerous, but we're still at the beginning of the series so there is lots more action ahead.

This series has quickly become a favorite, what with all the light shonen ai action, humor, and fantasy aspects to hold my attention. I did enjoy the anime series and I hope that TOKYOPOP will continue with the series and also toss around the idea of the light novels (I know they do the novel route because they published the two Gravitation novels). Each character's personality is starting to cement, but mysteries still surround them. Wolfram is the biggest contraction in the story. He seems to be hostile towards Yuri but follows him around constantly interrogating him about the other girls and handsome men he's been in contact with. Gwendal seems to be strict, harsh, and gloomy but he has a soft spot in his heart for cute things. Gunter is the most vocal on his attraction to Yuri, but is it Yuri he loves or the post of king that he reveres. The most mysterious character seems to be Conrad. Handsome and skilled there seems to be much behind those looks and kind expression.

I would have given this manga an A+ if it weren't for the production quality. The first volume had several full color sheets at the beginning of the book and was a high quality release. But the second volume didn't have any colored sheets. Plus on the characters introductions page the only character that was correctly identified was Conrad. I think the editor was sleeping while checking that page. I also found that anytime that Yuri was speaking or thinking whether at home in Japan or in Shinmakoku, the font chosen really distracted me. I could understand having the fancier font but it wasn't necessary all the time. Oh, well! The rest of the manga was well done and I enjoyed it. Temari Matsumoto-sensei is a truly amazing artist and with the story material sensei is really able to shine.

This is a really fun read, and a fun anime as well. I do suggest you read it.

***Review Copy purchased at Borders***