Tiger & Bunny Vol. 3 + Movie Manga A & B

369. Tiger & Bunny, Vol. 3 by Mizuki Sakakibara
Tiger & Bunny, Vol. 3

Rating: (4/5)

(US) - (Canada) - (UK)

Oct. 8, 2013,  VIZ Media, 176 pgs

Age: 13+

"When he was a child, Barnaby lost his parents to a shadowy organization called Ouroboros. The search for his parents’ killers may lead both Barnaby and Kotetsu into a dangerous conspiracy that has wider implications for everyone in Stern Bild City. Then the heroes jump into action against rampaging mecha and renegade NEXTs and the secretive hand behind it all!"

Received a review copy from the publisher

I am not an anime watcher so this series is new to me straight at the manga level and I'm really enjoying it.  Very different from the usual shounen, we do have battles here but not to the death as they are being filmed for a reality TV Show, the heroes are all superheroes, most of the dialogue is light-hearted and humour abounds.  However, a deeper plot is emerging and this book continues the thread picked up in the last volume with Bunny on the search for the killer of his parents.  He has let Tiger in on his secret vendetta and the two of them are starting to get along much better; though the animosity is there.  All the other heroes make cameos but this time Blue Rose and Fire Emblem are the main secondary characters again.  I'd really like to see more of Rock Bison, he appeals to me and Dragon Kid shows up in this volume making me want to know his story.  This volume has a great ending with the introduction of a new character who it isn't clear whether he is a hero or villain yet with a very creepy name!  Great cliff-hanger ending.  The only thing I don't like here is there is no beginning character intro and plot summary page.  I read so much that I really appreciate that page at the beginning of all my manga!


*****


375. Tiger & Bunny, The Movie: The Beginning, Side A art by Tsutomu Oono
Tiger & Bunny: The Movie (Vol. 1)

Rating: (3/5)

(US) - (Canada) - (UK)

Oct. 8, 2013, VIZ Media, 157 pgs

Age: (13+)

"In the city of Stern Bild, superpowered heroes known as NEXT fight crime while promoting their corporate sponsors for the hit show HERO TV. Veteran hero Wild Tiger has years of experience fighting crime, but when his ratings slip he’s forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie hero with an attitude. Part 1 of this two-volume manga adaptation of the Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning animated film introduces you to the exciting world and characters of Tiger & Bunny!"

Received an unsolicited review copy from the publisher.

I have not seen this movie so cannot compare the two but I have read the first three volumes of the manga series by Mizuki Sakakibara.  Basically the plot here is a retelling of the first few chapters of volume one.   The story is virtually the same with the details which are focused on being slightly different.  I enjoyed the read as I really like the manga series but this is basically just more of the same.  I think I'd just recommend this for the die-hard Tiger & Bunny fans who want to have/read everything T&B.


*****



377. Tiger & Bunny, The Movie: The Beginning, Side B art by Tsutomu Oono
Tiger & Bunny: The Movie (Vol. 2)

Rating: (3/5)

(US) - (Canada) - (UK)

Oct. 8, 2013, VIZ Media, 158 pgs

Age: (13+)

"In the city of Stern Bild, superpowered heroes known as NEXT fight crime while promoting their corporate sponsors for the hit show HERO TV. Veteran hero Wild Tiger has years of experience fighting crime, but when his ratings slip he’s forced to team up with Barnaby Brooks Jr., a rookie hero with an attitude. Part 2 of this two-volume manga adaptation of the Tiger & Bunny: The Beginning animated film introduces you to the exciting world and characters of Tiger & Bunny!"

Received an unsolicited review copy from the publisher.

This volume continues with the rest of the novelization of the movie.  From this point on the material is new and different from the manga series.  Tiger & Bunny are teamed up and sent on their first mission together.  Much is made of the antagonism between the two and the whole Hero TV cast is included.  I must say I was happy with the attention Rock Bison was given as he is my favourite!  We are briefly introduced to Bunny's conflict about his parents and the movie ends with the implication that they may start to get along someday, or not.  There is plenty of story available for a follow-up movie.  Having read the first three volumes of the manga but not having seen the movie, I wasn't particularly impressed with this novelization.  I would have to say it is probably best for someone who hasn't seen the movie and perhaps hasn't even read the mangas, a first introduction to Tiger & Bunny if you will.  That, or diehard fans who must have any- and everything Tiger and Bunny.

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