Manga Opinion: Broken Blade volume #1

To live in a world with magic would be awesome! But the world of Broken Blade is…sort of a let down. It looks just like our world, except with giant robots. Why aren’t people flying around on household cleaning utensils!?
Or getting into silly hi-jinks?
Or trying to collect XX amount of orbs to prevent the resurrection of some evil force that was sealed away 1000 years ago!? D8
Sigh…

Title: Broken Blade
Manga-ka: Yunosuke Yoshinaga.

Summary:

Rygart Arrow is the only one in his world who lacks the inherent ability to power up quartz, the energy source that makes all of the machines run. Nevertheless, he’s pretty well connected. The King and Queen of his country of Krisna happen to be old college friends. But so is Zess, the guy who is leading the army of a neighboring kingdom in an attack on Krisna.

How did it comes to this? There’s little time to ponder the implications as an army in giant, mechanized battle suits attacks. Arrow just feels like he’s in the way – until he comes across a powerful, ancient mech that no one has yet to be able to figure out how to run. But his natural affinity for the suit’s operating mechanism may just turn Arrow into the most important player of all.

Title: Broken Blade volume 1

Manga-ka:

Another title from CMX. Only reason I got it (besides being filler for free shipping) was because I heard this manga was going to be turned into an anime in the near future. The plot sounded cool too, even though I’m not a big fan of giant robot rumbles.

The story starts by introducing a young boy who lacks the ability to use “magic.” From here we learn that everyone can do “magic.” “Magic” can help power things like cars, lamps, guns, and…yup, giant robots.  This boy (Arrow) has now become a man. He’s off to the city because of a request from a friend.

Who just happens to be the king ^^

However, this one request throws Arrow’s peaceful life into chaos when he learns of a war being planned against the kingdom…with one of his close friends steering the helm!  If that wasn’t enough, Arrow stumbles upon an ancient “robot” that cannot be powered by “magic” yet he himself is able to pilot it. Armed with this new weapon, will Arrow refuse this power, or will he stand and fight, even if it means doing battle against his own friend?

My description makes Broken Blade sound hardcore serious. It has its dark moments and tension but I love the humor added – esp the subtle humor.  Like when Arrow had to write a report about his fight in the ancient giant robot, he drew a cartoon about it instead XD His exaggerated characters were awesome.

The characters themselves are fun. I’m glad Arrow is the main character of this manga. He may lack “magic” but that doesn’t get him down.  I enjoy the humor he brings with him whenever he has a scene.  I sense something between him and the Queen.  I’m not advocating adultery here but if you read the first volume, you will definitely see some sparks (which makes me wonder why they didn’t hit it off back in their school days. Hmm…).  The king humors me with his laid back attitude and his bird (this shot in particular made me lol). Zess radiates bad boy with complicated problems and a brother complex.

The cliffhanger ending makes me regret not buying volume #2. Now I have to wait for it to get shipped out D8 Noes~!

Overall I’m pleased with this new series. I’m looking forward to the anime adaptation (and future volumes) 83

Satisfied or Unsatisfied: Satisfied
Current Feelings: Anxious to find out how the cliffhanger ending turns out