Manga Monday: I really don't remember so many kids dying when I was young

In traditional Rumiko Takahashi fashion, jealousy abounds in Rin-ne Volume 5.

Note: Rin-Ne Volume 5 is, of course, the sequel to Rin-Ne Volume 4.  The review of Rin-Ne Volume 1 is here, and the review of Rin-Ne Volume 4 is here.  Otherwise, read on!

Manga Monday: I suppose it makes sense that evil soul stealers would incorporate...

We learn more about Rinne - and his terribly dysfunctional family - in Rin-Ne Volume 4.

Note: Rin-Ne Volume 4 is, of course, the sequel to Rin-Ne Volume 3.  The review of Rin-Ne Volume 1 is here, and the review of Rin-Ne Volume 3 is here.  Otherwise, read on!

Manga Monday: How many shinigami can one high school support?

Rin and Sakura are back, and perhaps Rin has some competition in the shinigami business in Rin-Ne Volume 3.

Note: Rin-ne Volume 3 is, of course, the sequel to Rin-ne Volume 2. The review for Rin-ne Volume 1 is here, and the review of Rin-ne Volume 2 is here.  Otherwise, read on!

Manga Monday: A new rival for Rinne, and more souls to send on

Rinne battles soldiers, singers and a lovestruck teenager to put their souls where they belong in Rin-ne Volume 2.

Note:  Rin-ne Volume 2 is, of course, the sequel to Rin-ne Volume 1.  The review for Rin-ne Volume 1 is here.  Otherwise, read on!

Manga Monday: A classic manga author plays with Death.

Rumiko Takahashi is a name that’s almost forgotten among anime fans in the US.  A few of the fans that started watching in the last five years followed Inu Yasha, but they probably never watched old VHS tapes of Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura, or Maison Ikkoku.  Older anime and manga fans know the name, and know the consistent quality that she produces.

Rin-ne is the story of a half-shinigami (a death deity), half human who is trying to pay back the debt of his grandmother by helping to bring ghosts over to the Wheel of Reincarnation.  Of course, since it’s a Rumiko Takahashi story, it’s not nearly as dark as it sounds.

This GN also stars Sakura Mamiya, a girl who disappeared for a week when she was a little girl.  She doesn’t quite remember what happened, but she recognizes the Wheel of Reincarnation when she sees it later.

Oh, and she can see ghosts.  And Rinne.  Who sits next to her at her new high school.

The story runs along quickly, just as any other Rumiko Takahashi story does.  Rinne resents having to work to make up the debt of his grandmother, so he refuses to live with her, or take any help from her.  Ever since his father died, he’s been living on school grounds, making do as he can.  So he has no problem asking the people at the school for convenience food and pocket change to make the ghosts in their lives go away.

Rin-ne moves a bit more slowly than Takahashi’s other, more popular works, but it’s rather appreciated in the world of Death Note and Naruto.  Older manga and anime fans will certainly appreciate it, and the newer fans might find  an author that they never really knew existed.

Highs:  The interaction between Sakura and Rinne, which is innocent and very amusing

Lows:  The pacing will be very slow to readers of most contemporary manga

Verdict:  A great start, which leaves a lot of room to grow

Further Reading:  Maison Ikkoku, Honey and Clover