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レジェンズ [LegendZ] #1
Legendz, Vol. 1
What if scientists discovered that mythical creatures like mermaids, dragons and werewolves actually do exist? Better yet, what if any kid could raise them and train them to play the ultimate role-playing game? Welcome to the world of "Legendz," where master trainer Ken Kazaki and his loyal Wind Dragon are about to turn fantasy into reality!
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 21, 2020
Exceedingly average.
2.5/5
2.5/5
February 25, 2016
I find that there's a special kind of super-nostalgia reserved for those books that you didn't read as a kid, but which were available to you during that age, and that you would have *liked* to read, but were unable to.
Legendz was totally that series.
I found this at the library where I'm subbing now and gave it a whirl.
The book SO doesn't hold up.
The characters are paper-thin, the art is simplistic by today's standards, and the characters are of the elementary-school-but-act-like-angsty-high-schoolers-who-do-no-homework variety. Protagonist Ken has no life outside of playing Legendz, and there's a school society of elite players, and the girl who likes him is an avid Legendz user...you get the idea. Special mention goes to the Legendz concept itself: Legendz was a Pokemon and Digimon rival in Japan, but it never grew out of infancy in the US, and the Legendz brand didn't find their own niches the way Pokemon and Digimon have these days. There's an outdated, deader-than-disco vibe to the Legendz craze in these pages.
Funny thing, though. Reading it with that ole' active-reading lens, I got why I wanted to read this so badly. The above tropes are crack to tweens. The artwork, the tropes and cliches, the total lack of character depth all *works* for that age group. Pokemon had the 'catch em all' craze, Digimon was the one with a mature plot, and apparently Legendz was just 'let's duke it out with huge creatures.' It works. It's fun. Stupid fun, but fun. ^_^
So basically, present-day-me cringed reading this, and tweenage-me was having the time of his life. And midway through, when I finally gave myself over to it, I had an overall pleasant, if not absurd read.
Legendz was totally that series.
I found this at the library where I'm subbing now and gave it a whirl.
The book SO doesn't hold up.
The characters are paper-thin, the art is simplistic by today's standards, and the characters are of the elementary-school-but-act-like-angsty-high-schoolers-who-do-no-homework variety. Protagonist Ken has no life outside of playing Legendz, and there's a school society of elite players, and the girl who likes him is an avid Legendz user...you get the idea. Special mention goes to the Legendz concept itself: Legendz was a Pokemon and Digimon rival in Japan, but it never grew out of infancy in the US, and the Legendz brand didn't find their own niches the way Pokemon and Digimon have these days. There's an outdated, deader-than-disco vibe to the Legendz craze in these pages.
Funny thing, though. Reading it with that ole' active-reading lens, I got why I wanted to read this so badly. The above tropes are crack to tweens. The artwork, the tropes and cliches, the total lack of character depth all *works* for that age group. Pokemon had the 'catch em all' craze, Digimon was the one with a mature plot, and apparently Legendz was just 'let's duke it out with huge creatures.' It works. It's fun. Stupid fun, but fun. ^_^
So basically, present-day-me cringed reading this, and tweenage-me was having the time of his life. And midway through, when I finally gave myself over to it, I had an overall pleasant, if not absurd read.
February 8, 2014
This is a short (4-volume) old-school manga series, that focuses on a battle game ala Pokemon. It's rated A as suitable for All Ages. Both my son and I found this a fun light fantasy diversion. The name of the game here is Legendz where everyone has a Legendz to care for and do battle with (these are like tamogochi's and the series was created by the same people). They are all legendary creatures such as trolls, mermaids, werewolves, dragons, etc. Ken is new at the school, a battle game freak, but one who plays with honour and a conscience. He teaches the kids a new kind of respect for their legendz. Ken ends up being the rightful owner of the "Golden Soul Figure" but doesn't want it as he's vowed to only play with his beloved Winddragon. And that's where the book leaves us. Lots of battles and just pure fun, nothing heavy, but a good read and lots of great old-school battles. The last page leaves a collection of cards showing all the stats for the Legendz who fought in the volume. This would make a great beginning series for a youngster!
September 9, 2015
This series is very similar to Pokemon/Yu-Gi-Oh! I've never heard of Legendz and decided to randomly check it out at the library. It deals with this new era of gaming in which you get can get creatures especially Greek Mythology types and place them into a crystal in which you can battle with other characters.
My favorite character is Ken whose Legendz is a wind dragon and he reminds me of Ash for his competitive side of playing and for Yugi for his personality, and placing his faith and friendship into his Legendz. I really like this series now and I recommend it for those whose who especially love Pokemon.
My favorite character is Ken whose Legendz is a wind dragon and he reminds me of Ash for his competitive side of playing and for Yugi for his personality, and placing his faith and friendship into his Legendz. I really like this series now and I recommend it for those whose who especially love Pokemon.
January 10, 2011
It was far to rushed for my tastes, if they would have taken their time with the plot I think it would have turned out a lot better.
^_^,
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews