MJ Review: Baku

[Eric]

Title: Baku
Mangaka: Mizuki Hakase
Originally Serialized in: Wings (Shinshokan)
Genre: Gothic fantasy
Licensed by: TokyoPop
Price: $9.99/US

Takeshi’s mother has tried to kill him several times, insisting that he isn’t human, but when the truth about his birth is finally revealed, it will take two figures from Takeshi’s past to help him survive. Mephisto helps ghosts move on to the next life, but his cheerful demeanor hides a deep sadness. Gothic-fantasy mistress Hakase offers stories about two young men who are more than what they seem, but who would be nothing without the families they have created for themselves.

Fans of Hakase’s Demon Ororon series may be slightly disappointed by this less substantive collection, though her trademarked style is in full evidence. Her art is the most striking element, particularly to those who are used to fully detailed and screen-toned manga style art. Hakase uses detail when necessary but she will also set scenes against a plain black or white background if that will serve to highlight the emotions of the panel. Her characters are distinctive with their long, thin bodies; wide, expressive eyes; and goth, punk clothing and hair.

What particularly speaks to me is Hakase’s tendency toward characters who are dealing with great emotion and trauma, but who are determined to persevere and survive. Takeshi’s cheerfulness in the face of his mother’s mental illness comes across as believable, despite what he is going through. Much of her characters’ strength, and much of the appeal to readers, lies in the ties they create with others, in the families that they choose to build, regardless of the ones into which they are born.

The only problem with Baku is that it is too little of a good thing. Takeshi and Mephisto’s stories are interesting, but we get too little time with them before their stories are over. If Hakase had chosen to make either of their stories longer, to flesh them out into a full book, it would have been great. The shortness of this work means that it’s like a single chocolate from a box set—good, but fading too soon. Fans of Hakase—and fans of Mitsukazu Mihara looking for a new manga-ka—probably won’t mind though, as it is one more intriguing work from a talented artist.

Reviewer: Snow Wildsmith
Proofer: Eduardo Menendez
Editor: Lissa Pattillo