SOUL RESCUE (Soul Rescue) (ソウルスレスキュー) • Aya Kanno • Tokyopop (2006-2007) • Hakusensha (Hana to Yume, 2001-2002) • 2 volumes • Shôjo Fantasy Action • 13+ (mild language, violence)
Renji, a rogue angel suspended for fighting too much, is banished to Earth (along with his bland, good-looking supervisor/friend Kaito) until he can help 10,000 humans with his “soul rescue” power, which heals the body and soul. Soul Rescue really wants to be a serious drama. Although the episodic stories have a consistent antiviolence message, there’s lots of action—the heroes must save a reformed ex-terrorist from her former companions, prevent a mob from killing someone, fight against hot guy devils, etc. Unfortunately, any spirit which is present in these moments is wasted in the cluttered, busy art and, in particular, the complete lack of payoff; the manga just ends abruptly. God is depicted as a guy wearing a sort of low-budget sci-fi outfit with a helmet and visor.
Today’s winner is Paul S. from California! Paul, I hope it’s not a giveaway to say I won’t be sending you “Soul Rescue.”
One of the difficulties of reviewing entire manga series is that often the series are still ongoing. I love “One Piece,” but without knowing how long the series will run, who can say that it won’t suddenly jump the shark? That’s why it’s nice to review a short series like “Soul Rescue” where I can say with absolute confidence that it’s pretty awful. A dissatisfying ending, or a series which is simply incomplete, is one of the most frustrating and disappointing things in manga.
Moving on, we’ve received another photo from a winner, Sarah K.:
Congratulations, Sarah! I hope everything is going well for you, and I hope you like the new manga I’ll be sending. Nice cat! :)
and again no win for me ]: I want to win already my manga and comics supplies are running short