Shadow Star Vol. 1: Starflight

Shadowstar combines the cute with the disturbing. Kitoh's character designs are different from most other manga artists in a positive way. He employs views and perspectives that raise him a cut above other artists. Take Tsuda's Karekano as an example. While I enjoyed the storyline, ideas, and character designs, the artist employs many still shots and head on or side views. Kitoh shows a wider repetoire techniques. Through the series, I found the main characters realized and the mysteries compelling. If you like volume 1, 2-5 do not disappoint.

A young girl named Shiina vacations in the summer with her grandparents and discovers a strange, star-shaped creature under the water just offshore. Swimming in an unsafe area, she nearly drowns, but the creature saves her and she secretly adopts it. Meanwhile, shape-changing "dragons" are making their presence known, causing chaos in the skies. And an older, disturbed girl Shiina meets in her kendo class may have a connection to her unearthly companion. What does it all mean? "Starflight" provides the setup and introduces the characters, but answers will come later. SHADOW STAR begins like a lighthearted girl's adventure, but soon takes a darker turn. I am looking forward to seeing the mystery unfold in future volumes. For those who have been following the serial in Dark Horse's SUPER MANGA BLAST, this collection reprints material from the first six issues.

I started reading this story when it first appeared in Dark Horse's Super Manga Blast comic, and it really grabbed my attention. The story is about a young girl named Shiina who is saved by an alien starfish creature. The starfish, which she calls Hoshi Maru (round star), saves her from drowning and they form a bond. It turns out that Hoshi Maru can do a lot of cool things, like fly, transform, morph into different shapes, and even communicate telephatically with Shiina. He's sort of like an alien Pokemon. After you read the story, you will realize that it has a lot of similarities to Pokemon. There's all these kids running around with their own "shadow stars" transforming and causing trouble. But I would say that this is a bit more grown up than Pokemon because there are a lot of questionable scenes. I wouldn't call it R-rated, but there a few scenes in it that will make you wonder what audience this comic is for. Sometimes you'll think it's a girl comic, because of the cutesy art, but the aliens are all very scary and they go around killing people. Most of the violence happens "off page", but don't be surprised to find a few shocking images, like when one of Shiina's friends is thinking about committing suicide by slitting her wrists. In the end, I'd still classify this manga as a Sci Fi alien story, but it crosses a lot of different genres -- young girl, pokemon, etc... However, as "alien manga" go, this isn't the best there is. I think Parasyte is a better story. But if you already read that and want more, or if you sorta liked it but want something tamer, then this might be just what you are looking for.

It starts out looking a bit like Totoro, begins to look magical girl, then takes a left and heads straight for the twilight zone. This is great manga with real characters. Shiina is lighthearted but determined but very unlike Sailor Moon. Akira is disturbing, she makes this series definitely not for kids! There are secrets behind secrets in this story and I can't wait to see more.

This book was great! I just saw it at the bookstore while I was there for the latest FY, & ended up finishing it first. I could *not* put it down. The story & charicters (which there are a LOT of)are great! Its very fast paced, believable, (well...u know.) & with cute, efectively stunning art. It's funny, light, serious, & exciting... all in 93 (186?) all to short pages! & the little star critter, Hoshi-maru, is soooo KYUTE!! (...)

i really like this manga, its about Shiina a normal girl who gets rescued by Hoshimaru, a strange starfish thing. this manga can be dark at times, and a little grusome, but its also very light in parts, and cute. i really enjoyed reading this, and the next book, and i recommend it.