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Steam Detectives #8
Steam Detectives, Vol. 8
In this volume, Narutaki's only allies are Kawakubo, his butler; Ling Ling, a beautiful nurse; and Goriki, Ling Ling's steam-powered robot. And he needs help when the terrorists Wolf and Carlos make a terrifying return to Steam City. Then Le Bread, the boy criminal, issues another challenge, and the long-awaited diabolical Machine Baron returns. Things get really complicated when Narutaki's strange past is exposed.
- GenresManga
184 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2004
10 people want to read
About the author
Kia Asamiya
446 books23 followersKia Asamiya(麻宮 騎亜, born in 1963) is the pen-name of a popular Japanese manga artist whose work spans multiple genres and appeals to diverse audiences (1990s).
He is well-known for using influences from American comics, television, and movies in his work, and describes himself as a big fan of both Batman and Star Wars. One of the most widely-published Japanese manga-ka, nearly all of his stories have been translated into other languages, including English. His two most successful and popular manga series to-date are Nadesico and Silent Möbius.
Prior to becoming a manga artist, Asamiya graduated from the Tokyo Designer School, and then worked as a character designer for a number of anime series, and even designed models for some of the later Godzilla movies (1980s). For this career, he used a different pen-name, Michitaka Kikuchi (菊地 道隆), and maintained the two professional identities separately for many years. Several of the anime series that he worked on were very popular both inside and outside of Japan, most notably including Sonic Soldier Borgman. Even after focusing primarily on his manga career, Asamiya continued to do character designs and creative consultation on anime series based on his stories, occasionally under the Kikuchi name.
In the early 2000s, Asamiya has shifted his focus from teenage and young-adult stories to stories designed for children and for an American audience. In the former case, he credits his young children as a motivation, but in the latter case, he points to a long-standing desire to work with his favorite American characters. To that end, he has worked on projects with Image Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics, as well as developing a manga adaptation of the movie, "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace".
While many Japanese artists (and artists in general) are quite reclusive, Asamiya often makes an effort to be available to his fans. He maintains a website with news and information about his studio, Studio TRON (named after the Disney movie TRON). He also aids and assists his Official Fan Club by sending them regular announcements and limited-edition merchandise. Despite these actions, he shunned all public photography, and had the often-hilarious habit of depicting himself with a placeholder sign for a face. It has become a trademark feature of his books that instead of a picture of the artist, there is an elaborately decorated rectangle sporting the words "Now Printing".
He is well-known for using influences from American comics, television, and movies in his work, and describes himself as a big fan of both Batman and Star Wars. One of the most widely-published Japanese manga-ka, nearly all of his stories have been translated into other languages, including English. His two most successful and popular manga series to-date are Nadesico and Silent Möbius.
Prior to becoming a manga artist, Asamiya graduated from the Tokyo Designer School, and then worked as a character designer for a number of anime series, and even designed models for some of the later Godzilla movies (1980s). For this career, he used a different pen-name, Michitaka Kikuchi (菊地 道隆), and maintained the two professional identities separately for many years. Several of the anime series that he worked on were very popular both inside and outside of Japan, most notably including Sonic Soldier Borgman. Even after focusing primarily on his manga career, Asamiya continued to do character designs and creative consultation on anime series based on his stories, occasionally under the Kikuchi name.
In the early 2000s, Asamiya has shifted his focus from teenage and young-adult stories to stories designed for children and for an American audience. In the former case, he credits his young children as a motivation, but in the latter case, he points to a long-standing desire to work with his favorite American characters. To that end, he has worked on projects with Image Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics, as well as developing a manga adaptation of the movie, "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace".
While many Japanese artists (and artists in general) are quite reclusive, Asamiya often makes an effort to be available to his fans. He maintains a website with news and information about his studio, Studio TRON (named after the Disney movie TRON). He also aids and assists his Official Fan Club by sending them regular announcements and limited-edition merchandise. Despite these actions, he shunned all public photography, and had the often-hilarious habit of depicting himself with a placeholder sign for a face. It has become a trademark feature of his books that instead of a picture of the artist, there is an elaborately decorated rectangle sporting the words "Now Printing".
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 1, 2012
Too Bad the title was dumped by Jump, with out finishing the story arc. It was the most important arc of all! Why was his father killed? Who is the Phantom Knight that keeps wanting the boy detective dead? Darn-I could have easily read 20 more volumes by this talented artist/writer of manga.
August 1, 2014
This book is rated Teen. I should warn you there is a scene where Lang Lang is in the bath but although her breasts are exposed there are no nipples and at least one scene where she is sharing the same sheets as le Bread so if partial nudity bothers you then you might be offended by several books in this series.
Sadly this is the last Steam Detective book from Viz Media. I am going to tell you this book is sad not only for a story about the failure of le Bread but because by the end of the book Narutaki decides to investigate the death of his parents...just before the end of the last book made. Ah well...no Batman scenario for young Narutaki. :)
In addition to never getting to see the final conflict between Phantom Knight and Narutaki we discover in this book that the Techland has impressive abilities including the ability to create a giant flying fortress when we also discover in addition to a Wolfman and Frankenstein type baddy there is now a vampire looking villain as well. It is a shame we won't be able to see what he is capable of. :)
Machine Baron makes a new attempt at acquiring Goriki but stakeouts are boring so he resorts to building a small replica of Goriki as he works himself up with excitement. As per the other appearances in the series the Baron is not exactly a serious threat to the Steam Detectives and his plans are so ineffective the crew doesn't even realize he is trying again. The Narutaki giant hamster Teng Shing is as adorable as can be expected even though he is still growing making him even taller then the villains as he stands on his hind legs.
My favorite part of the book would have to be the conclusion of The Return of the Angel case because even though it is super sad if is a great story making it easier to understand the thief la Bread and the harsh reality of the disease he suffers from. If you want to see what I am talking about look for the part when the treasure was stolen and they ran to make sure the daughter was alright.
Sadly this is the last Steam Detective book from Viz Media. I am going to tell you this book is sad not only for a story about the failure of le Bread but because by the end of the book Narutaki decides to investigate the death of his parents...just before the end of the last book made. Ah well...no Batman scenario for young Narutaki. :)
In addition to never getting to see the final conflict between Phantom Knight and Narutaki we discover in this book that the Techland has impressive abilities including the ability to create a giant flying fortress when we also discover in addition to a Wolfman and Frankenstein type baddy there is now a vampire looking villain as well. It is a shame we won't be able to see what he is capable of. :)
Machine Baron makes a new attempt at acquiring Goriki but stakeouts are boring so he resorts to building a small replica of Goriki as he works himself up with excitement. As per the other appearances in the series the Baron is not exactly a serious threat to the Steam Detectives and his plans are so ineffective the crew doesn't even realize he is trying again. The Narutaki giant hamster Teng Shing is as adorable as can be expected even though he is still growing making him even taller then the villains as he stands on his hind legs.
My favorite part of the book would have to be the conclusion of The Return of the Angel case because even though it is super sad if is a great story making it easier to understand the thief la Bread and the harsh reality of the disease he suffers from. If you want to see what I am talking about look for the part when the treasure was stolen and they ran to make sure the daughter was alright.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews