Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 4

Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 4. 2017. 176 p. ISBN 9780316468169. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following a confrontation between Ryuunosuke and Atsushi on a boat, Atsushi and Kyouka escaped from the clutches of the Port Mafia and returned to the Armed Detective Agency, and new lodging arrangements have both of them living together. Kyouka’s lineage is questioned by the police, but Agency President Fukuzawa claims her as his daughter.

Dazai has traced the name of the group behind the ransom for Atsushi. It is a North American group called the Guild, which is made up of rich and famous politicians, military, and cultural leaders. As the members of the Agency discuss how to deal with this new threat, the Guild arrives at their door and proposes a deal to Fukuzawa: Sell the Agency so that the Guild can use the precious Operations License, or see themselves wiped out. Fukuzawa refuses, but within 24 hours agents begin to disappear.

Atsushi himself falls prey to a trap set by Lucy Montgomery, a Guild member able to create an extradimensional space and use her rag doll Annie to crush her opponents. Atsushi finds himself outclassed and outmaneuvered. Fortunately for him, the Port Mafia is about to fight back against the Guild, and the enemy of their enemy is about to temporarily become their friend...

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 6

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 6. 2015. 181p. ISBN 978-1-61262-996-4. Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

The long awaited confrontation between Bishamon and Yato has now erupted, and the war goddess is overpowering the stray god with her strength and weapons. In Noragami Stray God Vol. 5, Yukiné was sliced in half, destroying Yato’s shinki. However, Yukiné’s single-minded devotion suddenly transforms him into a blessed vessel, and he regains form, this time in the shape of two swords. Bishamon’s shinkis are shocked that such as lowly shinki as Yukimé would be able to achieve such a high status.

Kugaha, Bishamon’s medicine man, continues to observe the titanesque combat between the two gods. Soon, the medicine he gave Bishamon will wear off, and her true blighted nature will reveal itself. To speed the process, he releases an angry Ayakashi amid Bishamon’s shinki, and the Ayakashi proceeds to devour them.

Kazuma and Hiyori, who were emprisoned in Bishamon’s dungeon by Kugaha, manage to escape and join the fray. As Bishamon weakens, Yato is poised to deliver the killing blow. Will the stray god triumph over the war goddess?

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 3

Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 3. 2017. 188 p. ISBN 9780316468152. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Following Atsushi’s rescue of Port Mafia assassin Kyouka Izumi after she made an attempt on a train, he must deal with the consequences of sparing her life. After all, she is wanted by the authorities for over 35 lives lost during the bombing, and at the same time the Port Mafia wants to kill her to prevent her to talk. Having spared her life, he is now responsible to decide what to do with her. Before he can decide, however, he is ambushed by Ryuunosuke and is thrown in the back of a truck. Hoping to deliver Atsushi’s head to a bidder, Ryuunosuke boards a ship with the shapeshifter and congratulates Kyouka’s unwilling role as an accomplice.

The Armed Detective Agency does not react well to Atsushi’s disappearance. The president of the Agency himself orders all personnel to participate in their newest recruit’s rescue. At the same time, Dazai finds himself in the hands of the Port Mafia, chained to a wall. Carrying a death wish, Dazai is visited by his ex-partner, Chuuya Nakahara. Dazai and Chuuya have a tense confrontation, but Chuuya suddenly realizes that Dazai meant to be here at this specific time. Dazai frees himself and investigates who would put such a high price on Atsushi’s head.

Meanwhile, a battle between a damaged Atsushi and a powerful Ryuunosuke erupts aboard the ship carrying them out of the country. Will Atsushi manage to resist Ryuunosuke’s attacks and save Kyouka?

The story continues in Bungo Stray Dogs, vol 4.

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 5

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 5. 2015. 164p. ISBN 978-1-61262-995-7. Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

Hiyori is concerned that Yato has not yet released her tie to the spirit world. She promises she will not forget him, but she needs to stop falling asleep at a moment’s notice as very important exams are coming up soon. Yato meanwhile is still escaping the clutches of Bishamon and her shinkis. When Kazuma’s treachery is discovered, he is imprisoned along with a captured Hiyori in Bishamon’s realm.

Meanwhile, Kugaha’s plot to overthrow Bishamon continues apace. His plan is simple. He has already weakened the goddess of war, and now, with Hiyori’s capture he can use her as bait to attract Yato. An encounter between the two should lead to Bishamon’s death, or at least her complete weakening. Yato has already destroyed her household once upon a time, after Bishamon has fallen victim to an ablution that had not cured her infection. Kazuma’s prayer to Yato to rescue Bishamon from the Ayakashi resulted in her shinkis’ death, which save her life. Since then, however, Bishamon has vowed to destroy Yato for what he did.

As the two confront each other, Yato’s shinki Yukiné is ready, but Bishamon’s myriad of shinki provide her with multiple options. Can the Stray God survive her relentless assault and desire for revenge?

The story continues in Noragami Stray God, Vol. 6.

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 2

Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 2. 2017. 197 p. ISBN 978-0-316-55470-1. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Rendered unconscious during his battle with Akutagawa, Atsushi Nakajima comes to back in the offices of the Armed Detective Agency. His actions led to the death of two agents, and Atsushi feels even more cursed than before. He remembers the words of the adults at the orphanage that he should not continue to live. As the realization that the mafia will continue to come for him hits him, he decides he can no longer place the other members of the Agency in danger. He departs, and contacts the mafia to let them know he’s no longer with the Agency, but the mafia still orders a hit on their office.

Fortunately, the Black Lizard group, the mafia’s enforcement arm, is swiftly defeated by the detectives of the Agency. Atsushi accompanies Ranpo to solve the murder of a police detective. Returning to the Agency, Atsushi is reunited with those two agents whom he thought were dead. Thanks to the Agency’s doctor, they have been saved. Atsushi becomes tasked with accompanying her to the shops. Along the way they board a train, but the mafia has set up a trap for them. With bombs on board and many innocent civilians will Atsushi and Yosano be able to save their own lives?

The story continues in Bungo Stray Dogs, vol. 3.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 4

Houoto, Aya. The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 4. 2016. 176p. ISBN 978-1-4215-8048-7. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Following the bizarre ceremony in which the Nue gave her a four leaf clover, Himari returns to school the next day only to be immediately stopped by Hayato Hidaka, who notices the ring. It strangely reminds him of his best friend that disappeared years ago. Hidaka is rumored to be cursed. Everyone he becomes friends with ends up hurt or worse. Himari can’t help but be intrigued. During her investigation she discovers that an ayakashi is threatening the whole family, but no one can see it. This ayakashi attempts to seize the ring from Himari but she escapes his clutches.

The boy Hidaka remembers turns out to be Aoi, his best friend who became the Nue when Momochi selected him to protect the gateway to the spirit world. Now Himari must discover a way to remove the ayakashi’s influence on Hidaka so he can finally lead a normal life. But with Aoi unable to leave the house, she can only rely on herself to solve this problem.

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 4

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 4. 2014. 200. ISBN 978-1-61262-908-7 . Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

Having successfully dealt with Yato’s blight in Noragami Stray God, Vol. 3, Hiyori and Yukiné return to a normal existence. Yukiné takes a job working at a corner store so he can help pay the fees required by the deity that requested for saving Yato’s life. Hiyori has taken it upon herself to continue Yukiné’s education. Yato, meanwhile, still struggles with discovering a way to untether Hiyori so she can fully return to her world and not spend anymore time in the spirit world before it is too late for her to come back to her old life.

But all of these concerns pale in comparison to the plot Stray has unleashed on Bishamon. Her goal is to remove the current holder of the title of Bishamon, and to do so she is exploiting Bishamon’s weakness of having too many shinkis, thus weakening her energy. Kazuma, Bishamon’s trusted assistant, realizes that something is amiss, but will he have enough time to discover what is plaguing Bishamon before it’s too late?

The story continues in Noragami Stray God, vol. 5.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 3

Houoto, Aya. The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 3. 2013. 164p. ISBN 978-1-42157964-1. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Having brought four friends over to Momochi House for the the first time, Aoi has told Himari that one of them is in fact a spirit who is feeding fast on the energy of the House and will transform into a demon if not stopped. Himari must devise a plan to discover who it is without revealing that she is on to the soon-to-be demon. When she realizes that Torii cannot be seen by the others, Himari knows she has found her spirit. She quickly discovers that Torii was not alone, however, but was motivated by Kasha, a powerful Ayakashi who controls the black flames of death.

Himari manages to defeat Kasha, but not before he leaves a trap for Aoi. Now the Nue, Aoi is caught in Kasha’s dark webs, and it takes all of Himari’s power to finally defeat him. Aoi learns that he is now more Ayakashi than human, and the other side beacons.

One of the Nue’s jobs is to reseal the gates that keep demons imprisoned. In a bizarre ceremony, the Nue is invested by the spirit of the evil demon Soga. The demon proves too strong, however, and the Nue is unable to shake it off until Himari’s life is threatened. She is the key to his happiness and to his grounding in the human world. But will that be enough to keep him here?

The story continues in The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 4.

Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 1

Asagiri, Kafka. Bungo Stray Dogs, Vol. 1. 2016. 192 p. ISBN 978-0-316-55470-1. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Teenager Atsushi Nakajima has just been evicted by the orphanage, and finds himself starving and at Death’s door, when he comes upon a body in a river. Without hesitation, Atsushi jumps in and pulls the body, only to notice that the man is not yet dead. Osamu Dazai had just tried to commit suicide, and he’s rather disappointed that Atsushi has just saved him. However, he decides to reward him anyway. Osamu’s partner, Kunikida, finds him and yells at him for once again trying to commit suicide. Osamu is happy to see him, and he tells Atsushi that he will takes him out to lunch, and Kunikida will pay.

During the lunch Osamu reveals that Kunikida and him work for the Armed Detective Agency, a group staffed by individuals who possess supernatural powers and who hunt down threats that the police or the military cannot handle. Atsushi mentions that he was kicked out of the orphanage because he was blamed for the tiger attacks that destroyed the fields and some of the outbuildings, then chased him down to the city after he left. Osamu suspects that not everything is right with Atsushi, but he agrees to help him catch the tiger. That very night, Atsushi transforms into the tiger, and Osamu is able to change him back. Atsushi is offered a job at the Armed Detective Agency due to his supernatural ability.

His first assignment is to remove some squatters from the port. But the port is under control of the mafia, and the mafia enforces its will through Akutagawa, a killer who can control the black beast, tendrils of death that can strike at a distance. When Atsushi runs into Akutagawa, whose mission it is to capture the Tiger man, Atsushi’s future looks bleak...

The story continues in Bungo Stray Dog, Vol. 2.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 2

Houoto, Aya. The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 2. 2013. 160p. ISBN 978-1-42157963-4. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Located at the intersection of the human and of the spiritual world, Momochi house belongs to Himari Momochi, an orphan who received the house as the sole survivor of the family. However, Aoi, a Nue demon who protects the gate from angry spirits, and his Shinkis already live in the house and cannot leave the house.

Himari decide that she will free Aoi and allow him to live in the human world, a place he has not touched since he was ten. But as guardian of the house, not only can Aoi not leave, but his very presence has disappeared from human consciousness. Nevertheless, Himari continues to search for a way for Aoi to regain his humanity.

She also enrolls in school, and on the first day makes new friends. These friends accompany her back to Momochi House, and Himari is fearful they will discover she lives with three guys. Fortunately Aoi disguises himself and his servants as girls, and they pretend to be Himari’s older sisters. But one of Himari’s guests is not a human, but rather a ghost seeking to materialize as a demon by using the powers of Momochi House. Now Himari must discover which of her friends is already dead without alerting the ghost that she knows ...

The story continues in The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 3.

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 3

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 3. 2014. 200. ISBN 978-1-61262-908-7 . Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

Having escaped Bishamon’s wrath, Yato and Yukiné take a job in a cornerstore, but Yukiné’s thievery and all around acting out keeps inflicting blight wounds on Yato. Still, the stray god is hoping to secure worship and pursues his goal of getting a shrine built. As his health declines, Hiyori worries more and more. Searching for Yato, she instead runs into Bishamon, but Ojô, her Shinki, renders the girl invisible in the goddess’ eyes. He tells her that he is protecting Yato because he owes him a debt.

Eventually Hiyori finds Yato back at her school, where he hopes to help one of the students with a bullying problem. But Yukiné’s desire to return to the world of the living is too much, and Yato finally succumbs to the blight. Now Hiyori is the only one who can assemble a team of Shinkis to save him. Problem is, who will care enough to make the dangerous attempt to help Yato?

The story continues in Noragami, Vol. 4.

Air Gear, Vol. 4

Oh! Great. Air Gear, Vol. 4. 2007. 224p. ISBN 9780345492814. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

Having triumphed over Buccha in Air Gear, Vol. 3, Izzi now has the parts he needs to repair and upgrade his Air Trecks. His antics outside the classroom have been noted by his guidance counselor, however, and Izzi and his best friends are in danger of repeating his school year, and he has to bring his grades up. Helped by a young teacher, Ikki hears about another Parts War, this time between A-rank teams.

When the Iron Bulls are confronted by Agito, they realize that this small boy is the best rider they have ever seen. Agito violently defeats them all, but Ikki manages to diffuse the situation. That’s when the Air Trek Strike Force shows up, led by Agito’s older brother. Known as the Circle of Win, their job is to monitor and arrest Air Trekkers who violate laws. Ikki and the gang run away, but are chased by Agito whose furry has once again been released. Can Ikki convince Agito of the error of his ways before it is too late?

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 2

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 2. 2014. 149p. ISBN 978-1-61262-907-0 . Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

Still hopeful that Yato will help her exit her current existence of being neither fully human nor fully ayakashi, Hiyori continues to spend time with this minor god. Her transfer from one level of existence to the next comes when she falls asleep at the most inopportune times. Meanwhile, Yukiné, Yato’s new shinki, is young and inclined to steal, and every time he does something bad Yato feels it ten times worse.

When Yukiné fails to save a young girl from the ayakashi, Hiyori decides he needs better housing accommodations and takes him home with her. Unfortunately he does not stop his bad habits of stealing money. And just as things couldn’t possibly go wrong, Yato is located by Bishamonten, one of the goddesses of war. She wants vengeance on the god without a following, and Yato will have deploy his entire arsenal of ideas to avoid death at her hands, a situation that would complicate Hiyori’s life even further ...

The story continues in Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 3.

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 1

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 1. 2014. 166p. ISBN 978-1-61262-906-3. Available in the Graphic Section of the library.

Yato is a minor Japanese god. In fact, he’s so low in the divine hierarchy that everyone has forgotten he exists and there isn’t even a shrine in his name where people could come and worship. He is therefore on a crusade to earn enough money to build himself a temple. To do so, he has posted several advertisements around town to help those in need, for a small fee that will help him reach his goal.

Unfortunately, the jobs that Yato is contacted for are strange and uncomfortable. But Yato can’t be picky, there are so few people who can actually interact with him. When Mutsumi calls him for help on how to deal with bullies, Yato is not too pleased, but a job’s a job. In the process of solving Mutsumi’s problems, however, he alienates his shinki, his spirit helper. Without his shinki, Yato is just about powerless. When Hiyori saves his life by pushing him away from a speeding bus, he knows he’s just found his new shinki. Unfortunately, Hiyori has other ideas ...

The story continues in Vol. 2.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 1

Houoto, Aya. The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 1. 2013. 172p. Available in the graphic section of the library.

Himari Momochi is an orphan and has lived all her life at the orphanage. On her 16th birthday, she receives a will indicating that as sole survivor to the Momochi family, she is the heir to a grand ancestral property that sits out of the village’s way. Arriving on the scene to claim her heritage, she is confronted by three squatters who have moved in and have trashed the house. One of the squatters is beautiful Aoi. As Himari explores the house, Aoi tells her she should leave if she wishes to remain safe. Undeterred, Himari decides she will fix her home and enroll in the local school, and do her best to evict the squatters.

Himari soon discovers that Momochi House is located at the intersection of the human and of the spiritual, and creatures from the spiritual world often try to cross over to the human world. Himari was meant to become the guardian of Momochi House, but unfortunately Aoi has already accidentally claimed that title and is now the designed Omamori-Sama, the demon that protects the house. Attracted to Aoi, and determined to become the master of Momochi house, Himari will need to contend with angry spirits, evil demons, and aggravating servants.

The story continues in The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 2.

Air Gear, Vol. 3

Oh! Great. Air Gear, Vol. 3. 2007. 224p. ISBN 9780345492807. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

In Air Gear, Vol. 2, Izzi has challenged Buccha to a Parts War so he can rebuild his Air Trecks, but Buccha is rated E, whereas Izzi is only an F rider. To win over Buccha, he will have to push beyond his abilities. Luckily for him, the battlefield is his and Buccha’s own school, and Izzy knows it intimately. But when his best friends end up in the hospital after trying to fight Buccha on their own, Izzi realizes that the stakes are higher than just parts.

With rebuilt Air Trecks, Izzi will attempt to perform the most dangerous race of his life. The prize? Control of East Side Junior High. With so much at stake, it’s no wonder that other Air Treckers are watching this event closely, including Simca … much to Ringo’s dismay!

The story continues in Air Gear, Vol. 4.

Air Gear, Vol. 2

Oh! Great. Air Gear, Vol. 2. 2006. 224p. ISBN 9780345492791. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

In Air Gear, Vol 1 Itsuki Minami found his true calling in Air Treck skates. equipped with new Air Treck skates, Itsuki feels on top of the world. Needing to repair his skates, Ikki follows Mikan takes him to the mall where he meets Simca, the most beautiful girl he has ever seen. He begins stalking the mall, hoping to catch another glimpse of her. When he sees her being chased by members of the Rez Boa Dogs gang, he doesn’t hesitate and he intervenes, defeating the gang members. Unfortunately for Ikki, this earns him the irk of the gang leader, Inuyama.

Ringo and the rest of the girls in the Sleeping Forest watch as Ikki begins to fight to protect the Red Boa Dog tag Simca had previously stolen from Inuyama. Suddenly, the confrontation becomes very real. Either Ikki will triumph and earn a special reward from Simca, or he will die in the attempt.

The story continues in Air Gear, Vol. 3.

Air Gear, vol. 1

Oh! Great. Air Gear, Vol. 1. 2006. 224p. ISBN 9780345492784. Available in the Graphic Novels section of the library.

Itsuki is the best fighter and the toughest kid at Higashi Junior High School. Never shying away from a fight, Itsuki takes on too much when he wins a bout against a group of Westside punks. Turns out one of them is connected to the Skull Saber Storm Riders, a criminal gang. The Riders move in on Itsuki, beat him, and claim his school as part of their territory.

Meanwhile, Itsuki has it hard at home, where he lives with the four Noyamano sisters, who are stronger, quicker, and tougher than he is. With his life shattered and his reputation in tatters, Itsuki has no hope left. In his darkest hour, however, the Noyamano sisters come to his aid. It turns out they are the Sleeping Forest, an elite group of Air Trekers who easily defeat the Skull Sabers. The Air Treks allow users to feel like they are flying. They can accomplish amazing feats of acrobatics. But with these skates come responsibilities. Can Itsuki meet them?

The story continues in Air Gear, Vol. 2.

The Shield of Kuromori

Rohan, Jason. The Shield of Kuromori. Book 2 of The Sword of Kuromori series. 2016. 336p. ISBN 978-1610673563. Available at FIC ROH on the library shelves.

In the Sword of Kuromori, Kenny destroyed a dragon and acquired a unique sword. But Kiyomi, the girl he likes, died, so he fused her soul with that of an oni, a Japanese ogre, to bring her back. Kenny’s new adventure begin with him having to deal with the consequences of his action. Kiyomi is slowly turning into an ogre herself, eating raw meat and losing her temper. Now Kenny must bargain with deities to rescue her whole soul, and each deity wants something from him. Meanwhile, a new plot to take over the world is afoot as a silver oni leads a gang of other onis and steal large telescopes. 

It is once again up to Kenny, the foreigner, to save Japan from itself. Using his abilities to manipulate matter and energy, Kenny and Kiyomi encounter many mythological creatures on their way to confront their biggest enemy yet. With millions of people's lives at stake, Kenny will once again need ingenuity to thwart the conspirators.

Sword of Kuromori

Rohan, Jason. The Sword of Kuromori. Book 1 of The Sword of Kuromori series. 2016. 336p. ISBN 978-1610673556. Available at FIC ROH on the library shelves.

Fifteen years old Kenny Blackwood is on his way to Japan to meet his father when he receives a strange letter aboard the plane taking him there. His grandfather, who currently lives in England, provides him a few words of advice about the magical place he’s heading to. With the letter comes a wooden whistle. What is this all about?

He quickly finds out when he gets off the plane. Arrested by Japan’s Homeland Security, he realizes that one of the officers is in fact an Oni, an ogre disguised as a man. Escorted away, he blow the whistle and is then freed by a strange creature and by Kiyomi, a girl on a motorcycle with plenty of combat skills. As Kuromori, Kenny is the only one who can summon and control the legendary sword Kusanagi, the only weapon that can defeat the gigantic dragon Namazu before he creates an earthquake of epic proportions that will destroy the West Coast of the United States. But the prophecy states that the cost will be one Kenny loves. Is the price too high to save millions of people?

The first in a series, the story stands by itself and provides a satisfying conclusion while hinting at future events. Fans of James Dashner’s Mortality Doctrine and of James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series will devour this book.
The story continues in The Shield of Kuromori.