Magical Ban Removal! Hyde & Closer

Well I might as well start this blog off with my first review of a recent manga that I found this week. At first I thought it was simply another version of 'Katekyo Hitman Reborn' with just a few tweaks here and there, but after catching up with the series (39 chapters so far) I found that its got its own flair to it that makes it worthwhile.

The world this manga's setting takes place in is fantasy-based, full of magicians, spells, and.....cute killer voodoo dolls(?). Just like in many other mangas before the main character, Shunpei Closer, is a rather pathetic type of guy who cries and panics a lot at the first sign of a challenge. Although he accepts his cowardice lifestyle, in truth he longs to be someone great like his Grandfather.

Little did he know that the man he admires so much is a lot more greater than just a simple traveler of the world-he is the King of the Magicians. And as if that wasn't overwhelming enough, he finds out that many other magicians out there are after his blood in order to gain this formidable power. Of course in his present state he has no chance of winning against the band of assassins that come after him, which is why his Grandfather made sure to take some safety measures by leaving him a special guardian in his absence.

A teddy bear by the name of Hyde who he gave on his last visit six years ago. At first Hyde acts like a pretty normal stuffed toy, sitting quietly on a side table. But on the day that Shunpei is attacked by an enemy he makes his entrance with one swift punch of his fist. Of course Shunpei's pretty reluctant to this whole matter when he is asked for a little help, but upon reflecting his way of dealing with problems he changes his mind and comes back to Hyde to help him.

Again he is taken for another bizarre surprise as he pulls out a huge weapon from his bear's back called the 'Texas Chainsaw', and watches as his furry friend slices the enemy to bits. Although Shunpei is relieved when it's over and he is given a little praise from Hyde for coming back, this was only the beginning of their high-flying adventures.

You can never be too sure of a series until you've read it, and 'Hyde & Closer' is one of them. I was thinking of simply skipping it when I saw the cover, but I'm glad that I didn't. So far it's been really fun reading it, and watching the characters evolve so much. Particularly Shunpei who makes a very dramatic change in less than 20+ chapters. This a manga with the potential to go far in the future, and I would highly recommend it to fans of shounen and the supernatural-type.