What do you think?
Rate this book
Taka
Join Taka, the Notorious Delinquent, as she struggles to right her wrongs after unwittingly releasing a horde of evil robots. It’s tough being a hero.
A new YA graphic novel for fans of the Kamen Rider series.
Taka is no hero. The Notorious Delinquent has a bit of a reputation in her city, but after she accidentally unleashes a horde of evil robots, she begrudgingly takes up the mantle of MECH FIGHTER!
Armed with special abilities, Taka sets out to recapture all the robots and seal them back up, playing protector to a city of people who previously couldn’t care less about her. While the popularity of the Mech Fighter grows with every adventure, Taka does her best to keep her identity a secret. Because, after all, she has a reputation to keep!
Set in a fictional world that takes inspiration from Japanese, Western, and European comics and manga, Taka follows our titular hero, Star (her best friend), Meg (the last survivor of the mythical Science-Priests), and a host of memorable villains on the adventure of a lifetime.
A new YA graphic novel for fans of the Kamen Rider series.
Taka is no hero. The Notorious Delinquent has a bit of a reputation in her city, but after she accidentally unleashes a horde of evil robots, she begrudgingly takes up the mantle of MECH FIGHTER!
Armed with special abilities, Taka sets out to recapture all the robots and seal them back up, playing protector to a city of people who previously couldn’t care less about her. While the popularity of the Mech Fighter grows with every adventure, Taka does her best to keep her identity a secret. Because, after all, she has a reputation to keep!
Set in a fictional world that takes inspiration from Japanese, Western, and European comics and manga, Taka follows our titular hero, Star (her best friend), Meg (the last survivor of the mythical Science-Priests), and a host of memorable villains on the adventure of a lifetime.
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 19, 2024
3 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 24, 2024
Great characters, action scenes, humor, and a lot of heart. Super fun!!
April 16, 2024
4/15/2024 Not me crying my face off while reading this! Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
4/16/2024 Oh my goodness, I am so obsessed with this manga-style graphic novel, I literally finished it with cathartic tears streaming down my face!
Our heroine Taka is a self-styled Notorious Delinquent. Having grown up on the mean city streets alone, she has no friends, no interest in developing any, and only really cares about one thing beyond survival: getting the Golden Mekku from one of her city's claw machine games. She's actually just about to snag one when she's rudely interrupted by Gator, a low-level gang leader with the hots for Star, a young reporter. Taka accidentally saves Star while beating up Gator's goons, so is deeply annoyed when she turns back to her game and discovers that someone else has grabbed her Golden Mekku while she was otherwise occupied.
While in hot pursuit of perhaps the only claw machine in the city that might still have her much-desired prize, Taka stumbles across something hidden and ancient... and accidentally sets an entire bevy of monsters free. Luckily -- or otherwise given Taka's antisocial tendencies -- she's also released the antidote, as well as awakened the science priest who'd spent ages guarding it. Science priest Meg explains that the things Taka set free were chimecha, robot monsters in the shape of screws that possess people and turn them into mecha-villains. Having accidentally ingested said antidote, Taka is now bonded to the Hero Metal that turns her into the Mech Fighter, the only being capable of defeating the chimecha and imprisoning them once more.
Given that she's a Notorious Delinquent, Taka has zero interest in taking up the mantle and saving humanity. But the call of heroism is irresistible (or rather the plea in the eyes of the cutest dachshund ever,) and soon enough Taka is learning more about her new abilities and fighting the chimecha in order to save the world.
It's been a while since I've read such an engrossing manga and, honest to goodness, I would read many more volumes of this! Taka is such a wonderful dirtbag heroine, and I'm ngl, I was screeching for her to and Star to kiss already in the Blizzard chapter. As a Swallows And Amazons girl, I was also living vicariously through Star during the Ocean chapter. Idk if Ryan Jampole intends to write more books about Taka and co, but I sincerely hope so.
Unlike traditional manga, this book reads from left to right. While the other orientation has rarely impeded my reading, I do want to give mad props to Mr Jampole's excellent pacing and blocking. The breakouts make so much of the action and plot clear, and the characters are all so expressive and adorable. I'm curious as to how this book would look in color, but am honestly just so thrilled to have it at all. It's funny, sweet and surprising, and made me believe even more than I already do in how redemption can come to anyone, even the most resistant.
Taka by Ryan Jampole was published March 19 2024 by IDW Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
4/16/2024 Oh my goodness, I am so obsessed with this manga-style graphic novel, I literally finished it with cathartic tears streaming down my face!
Our heroine Taka is a self-styled Notorious Delinquent. Having grown up on the mean city streets alone, she has no friends, no interest in developing any, and only really cares about one thing beyond survival: getting the Golden Mekku from one of her city's claw machine games. She's actually just about to snag one when she's rudely interrupted by Gator, a low-level gang leader with the hots for Star, a young reporter. Taka accidentally saves Star while beating up Gator's goons, so is deeply annoyed when she turns back to her game and discovers that someone else has grabbed her Golden Mekku while she was otherwise occupied.
While in hot pursuit of perhaps the only claw machine in the city that might still have her much-desired prize, Taka stumbles across something hidden and ancient... and accidentally sets an entire bevy of monsters free. Luckily -- or otherwise given Taka's antisocial tendencies -- she's also released the antidote, as well as awakened the science priest who'd spent ages guarding it. Science priest Meg explains that the things Taka set free were chimecha, robot monsters in the shape of screws that possess people and turn them into mecha-villains. Having accidentally ingested said antidote, Taka is now bonded to the Hero Metal that turns her into the Mech Fighter, the only being capable of defeating the chimecha and imprisoning them once more.
Given that she's a Notorious Delinquent, Taka has zero interest in taking up the mantle and saving humanity. But the call of heroism is irresistible (or rather the plea in the eyes of the cutest dachshund ever,) and soon enough Taka is learning more about her new abilities and fighting the chimecha in order to save the world.
It's been a while since I've read such an engrossing manga and, honest to goodness, I would read many more volumes of this! Taka is such a wonderful dirtbag heroine, and I'm ngl, I was screeching for her to and Star to kiss already in the Blizzard chapter. As a Swallows And Amazons girl, I was also living vicariously through Star during the Ocean chapter. Idk if Ryan Jampole intends to write more books about Taka and co, but I sincerely hope so.
Unlike traditional manga, this book reads from left to right. While the other orientation has rarely impeded my reading, I do want to give mad props to Mr Jampole's excellent pacing and blocking. The breakouts make so much of the action and plot clear, and the characters are all so expressive and adorable. I'm curious as to how this book would look in color, but am honestly just so thrilled to have it at all. It's funny, sweet and surprising, and made me believe even more than I already do in how redemption can come to anyone, even the most resistant.
Taka by Ryan Jampole was published March 19 2024 by IDW Publishing and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
March 6, 2024
A Special Thanks Goes To IDW Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC.
We’re jumping into another YA Graphic Novel review! This time, it is Ryan Jampole’s (Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man) TAKA. The newest title from IDW Publishing is continuing the tradition of bringing the wonder of Tokusatsu and Superheroes to a new generation. Keep in mind, that this is a SPOILER-FREE review, so, the details are kept minimal.
The story begins with Taka, who has quite a reputation in her city for being a notorious delinquent. She soon stumbles upon an abandoned temple, where Taka accidentally unleashes a horde of evil robots called Chimecha, violent creatures from another world that are bent on destroying anything in their path! She begrudgingly took on the mantle of the MECH-FIGHTER, a cyborg warrior who uses a special power that could take down this evil new threat! Now, she has to protect the city that doesn’t care for her, or her antics before Taka took on the mantle.
While I give the publisher and the creator credit for giving a chance for a younger generation to experience what Kamen Rider and other Tokusatsu-themed shows with this approach, it felt more like a light approach to more anime shows such as TRIGGER’s Kill-La-Kill (in terms of mannerisms in regard of emotions, action sequences). That isn’t a bad thing, the atmosphere of the story, character interactions, reactions, and the artwork. Other than that, Taka was a fun book to read.
Speaking of the story atmosphere, Jampole does a great job of setting up the story and its premise, making it easier for new readers not to get lost or lose interest. As I mentioned previously, it does feel like there are also elements from anime that are included in this manga-style YA Novel. Subtle hints of Kill-La-Kill, Dragon Ball, and One Piece when it comes to the action and humor, which by the way didn’t feel forced in certain situations. The plot is fast-paced but it helps to have some good humor to keep the reader focused on the premise of the story, with some action-packed fun along the way. Finally, what was most enjoyable about this story aside from the theme was the characters and their unique personalities. While Taka may be a delinquent and a wickedly cool hero, my favorite was Meg. Her witty humor and heroism won me over.
The artwork was another great quality of this book, the Chimecha, these creatures are intriguing, well-designed, and a clever easter egg of Capcom’s MEGA-MAN (if you haven’t checked the Archie Mega Man comic book series, be sure to check out your local comic shop for back issues.) game and comic book series. Speaking of well-designed characters, the Mech-Fighter armor has a unique look that sticks out and stays true to the Kamen Rider vibe.
We’re jumping into another YA Graphic Novel review! This time, it is Ryan Jampole’s (Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man) TAKA. The newest title from IDW Publishing is continuing the tradition of bringing the wonder of Tokusatsu and Superheroes to a new generation. Keep in mind, that this is a SPOILER-FREE review, so, the details are kept minimal.
The story begins with Taka, who has quite a reputation in her city for being a notorious delinquent. She soon stumbles upon an abandoned temple, where Taka accidentally unleashes a horde of evil robots called Chimecha, violent creatures from another world that are bent on destroying anything in their path! She begrudgingly took on the mantle of the MECH-FIGHTER, a cyborg warrior who uses a special power that could take down this evil new threat! Now, she has to protect the city that doesn’t care for her, or her antics before Taka took on the mantle.
While I give the publisher and the creator credit for giving a chance for a younger generation to experience what Kamen Rider and other Tokusatsu-themed shows with this approach, it felt more like a light approach to more anime shows such as TRIGGER’s Kill-La-Kill (in terms of mannerisms in regard of emotions, action sequences). That isn’t a bad thing, the atmosphere of the story, character interactions, reactions, and the artwork. Other than that, Taka was a fun book to read.
Speaking of the story atmosphere, Jampole does a great job of setting up the story and its premise, making it easier for new readers not to get lost or lose interest. As I mentioned previously, it does feel like there are also elements from anime that are included in this manga-style YA Novel. Subtle hints of Kill-La-Kill, Dragon Ball, and One Piece when it comes to the action and humor, which by the way didn’t feel forced in certain situations. The plot is fast-paced but it helps to have some good humor to keep the reader focused on the premise of the story, with some action-packed fun along the way. Finally, what was most enjoyable about this story aside from the theme was the characters and their unique personalities. While Taka may be a delinquent and a wickedly cool hero, my favorite was Meg. Her witty humor and heroism won me over.
The artwork was another great quality of this book, the Chimecha, these creatures are intriguing, well-designed, and a clever easter egg of Capcom’s MEGA-MAN (if you haven’t checked the Archie Mega Man comic book series, be sure to check out your local comic shop for back issues.) game and comic book series. Speaking of well-designed characters, the Mech-Fighter armor has a unique look that sticks out and stays true to the Kamen Rider vibe.
December 28, 2023
Action, action and more action keep the tension and pacing nearing extreme, while humor adds the enticing sweetness on top.
Taka is a teenage delinquent, a loner who manages the hardships of life on his own, and all he currently wants is a golden mekku toy (only one can be found in each grab machine). When a fight causes him to lose his find, he soon crashes down into a strange cave to learn that an evil plot is underway, which will destroy the world as he knows it. Whether he wants to be a hero or not, he soon finds himself dragged into a deadly war, where the players are more than insanely powerful.
The tale begins with a couple pages of backstory...and this is extremely brief...before diving head-first into Taka's beginning fight with a bully. From there, the pacing rarely slows down for much more than a few breaths. This is a read packed full of vivid and exciting fight scenes, ones that will delight action fans as each moment is masterfully delivered and expressed. The characters come across with unique aspects and details, making each one inviting to meet and watch. The style hits a mix of classic comic with touches of manga to let the various scenes sit and shine. So. on the graphic end, it's well done.
This plot is all about keeping a fast-pace, which will delight those who simply want a bit of battle fun with a little humor mixed in. This quick pace, though, comes too fast at times. Any smidgen of background or depth gets swallowed up in the constant shift from one high-tension moment to the next. The characters do try to fill in much needed information every now and then, but this then leads to an overload on text, which will have the action fans skimming to simply get to the next fight scene. The humor, though, slides in at the right times and adds needed spunk to fill in for some personality.
All those who enjoy high-tension battles with exciting creatures and fantastical robots/monsters/creatures will enjoy gliding through the graphics on this one quite a bit.
Taka is a teenage delinquent, a loner who manages the hardships of life on his own, and all he currently wants is a golden mekku toy (only one can be found in each grab machine). When a fight causes him to lose his find, he soon crashes down into a strange cave to learn that an evil plot is underway, which will destroy the world as he knows it. Whether he wants to be a hero or not, he soon finds himself dragged into a deadly war, where the players are more than insanely powerful.
The tale begins with a couple pages of backstory...and this is extremely brief...before diving head-first into Taka's beginning fight with a bully. From there, the pacing rarely slows down for much more than a few breaths. This is a read packed full of vivid and exciting fight scenes, ones that will delight action fans as each moment is masterfully delivered and expressed. The characters come across with unique aspects and details, making each one inviting to meet and watch. The style hits a mix of classic comic with touches of manga to let the various scenes sit and shine. So. on the graphic end, it's well done.
This plot is all about keeping a fast-pace, which will delight those who simply want a bit of battle fun with a little humor mixed in. This quick pace, though, comes too fast at times. Any smidgen of background or depth gets swallowed up in the constant shift from one high-tension moment to the next. The characters do try to fill in much needed information every now and then, but this then leads to an overload on text, which will have the action fans skimming to simply get to the next fight scene. The humor, though, slides in at the right times and adds needed spunk to fill in for some personality.
All those who enjoy high-tension battles with exciting creatures and fantastical robots/monsters/creatures will enjoy gliding through the graphics on this one quite a bit.
May 9, 2024
You can tell this was written by someone that writes children's comics. It's got that same kind of hand waving over nonsense like "hard lightness" and "hero metal". This thing is filled with all this gibberish that means nothing when it all just comes down to an excuse to fight robot animals. It's kind of like Dr. Robotnik from Sonic in that regard. Even though there are a few cuss words in this, I'd say it's still meant for a middle grade audience.
September 8, 2025
For a graphic novel, this is really episodic. This actually feels kind of like highlight episodes from a slightly longer series. The super sentai action is fun, with great monster designs. Main character Taka is a strangely endearing character. She wants so much to be a delinquent loner, and she does kind of start out that way, but there's a lot more to her than that. That said, this isn't exactly a deep book. Which is fine, this is pure popcorn fun.
April 29, 2024
I really dig this book, but I think it was hindered by its own format. It's clear that Jampole is a fan of episodic storytelling. This story could have really benefited from a long monthly release schedule instead of an original graphic novel. Taka feels very episodic but also feels very constrained by its page count. Some of the story elements felt rushed because there was just so much going on. With all that being said Jampole did a fantastic job crunching it all into this book. All the sweet mech designs and battles, all the character moments, all the world building, it's all there! The ending hits hard because of that, it's very satisfying. Great book, highly recommend if you dig Shonen type comics.
December 21, 2025
Wears its Mega Man influences on its sleeve, a given considering how close the creator is tied to that series. Nice action, fun characters, but hurt a bit by the fact that it's a single volume and mostly focuses on fighting. The story and worldbuilding would have benefited greatly in being serialized, although a sequel is hinted at.
February 13, 2026
This is everything I have ever wanted in a book. Excellent art, action packed, angry young woman, female friendships, AND A SWEET DACHSHUND. Love that this is a manga that doesn't weirdly sexualise girls. Gurl, her proportions are so NORMAL and GOOD. If you enjoyed Nimona, you will love Taka. My lovely, deranged daughter.
January 24, 2025
This is one of my new favorite YA graphic novels. It gives me tank girl design vibes with mech suits and a punk ass main character.
If you like robots, bad ass female leads, moral gray hero’s this is definitely one i would pick up to read and add to your collection.
If you like robots, bad ass female leads, moral gray hero’s this is definitely one i would pick up to read and add to your collection.
October 12, 2024
guy who has only ever read lesbian novels, reading taka: Getting a lot of 'lesbian' vibes from this...
December 19, 2023
Art is great, the battle scenes were very well done. Exciting, but not overwhelming so you got lost. Loved the robots. The art has a very manga feel to it so kid will love it, but it still reads like a traditional American comic It was a fun story that will be popular with my students. It does get a bit wordy at times, but it was a lot of fun.
4 stars
4 stars
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews