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World Piece #1
World Piece, Vol. 1
Josh Tierney and Agroshka’s sci-fi adventure follows Lucas Densen, a 16-year-old high schooler who suddenly finds himself protecting an Earth that has been shrunk by an unknown alien artifact—the world is literally in his hands!
Meet Lucas Densen, a 16-year-old high schooler who suddenly finds himself protecting Earth in a strange new realm—the world is literally in his hands!
Lucas Densen has earned his easygoing reputation through hard work and optimism. When not playing basketball for his high school team, the Pulsars, Lucas enjoys visiting his mother’s archaeological excavations. During one visit, Lucas accidentally triggers an ancient alien artifact that suddenly transforms Earth into a small glowing orb no larger than a basketball! Transported to a mysterious realm with nothing but what’s on his back and the planet in his hands, Lucas encounters a friendly alien, Lully, who offers to help. What awaits him in this new realm where worlds are the size of your palm, and can he find out how to restore Earth?
Meet Lucas Densen, a 16-year-old high schooler who suddenly finds himself protecting Earth in a strange new realm—the world is literally in his hands!
Lucas Densen has earned his easygoing reputation through hard work and optimism. When not playing basketball for his high school team, the Pulsars, Lucas enjoys visiting his mother’s archaeological excavations. During one visit, Lucas accidentally triggers an ancient alien artifact that suddenly transforms Earth into a small glowing orb no larger than a basketball! Transported to a mysterious realm with nothing but what’s on his back and the planet in his hands, Lucas encounters a friendly alien, Lully, who offers to help. What awaits him in this new realm where worlds are the size of your palm, and can he find out how to restore Earth?
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 14, 2021
3.5 stars
Hmm this was interesting. Most manga I've read up to this point, I can find common tropes and/or themes based on genre. However, I did not find either in World Piece and I would not say it was a bad thing. I think in many ways it was refreshing, despite that I am not a huge fan of sci-fi.
I really liked how Lucas was drawn and admit that is why I was interested in this manga in the first place. (Well, also the title because it sounded intriguing.) Lucas is a character you quickly find yourself rooting for because he IS holding Earth and you want Earth to be protected. LOL! I think the oddest thing though is how Earth never takes damage. I agree with a side character that shouldn't he (Lucas) be protecting it FROM damage rather than possibly BRINGING damage by using it as a weapon of protection? It was a little hard for me to wrap my mind around that aspect, but I would say it was the only part I struggled. The story world reminded me a little bit of Star Wars (the prequels) in how big the world is and having different species and robots. It was pretty cool! (I enjoyed the Star Wars prequels so I consider this a plus for me to have that slight nostalgia feeling, even if you know, there are no Jedi. LOL!)
One thing I found deeply interesting about this manga is the art style, specifically the outfits. I LOVED Lully and absolutely loved the way she was presented to the reader. Her outfit is awesome and found myself admiring/appreciating the art style as a whole as I continued reading.
I would be curious to see how this story continues to unfold. There are a few mysteries that arose and I want to have answers to the questions that arose from those said mysteries. If you're looking for a sci-fi adventure with a basketball twist and an original story, I recommend World Piece.
*(I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
Hmm this was interesting. Most manga I've read up to this point, I can find common tropes and/or themes based on genre. However, I did not find either in World Piece and I would not say it was a bad thing. I think in many ways it was refreshing, despite that I am not a huge fan of sci-fi.
I really liked how Lucas was drawn and admit that is why I was interested in this manga in the first place. (Well, also the title because it sounded intriguing.) Lucas is a character you quickly find yourself rooting for because he IS holding Earth and you want Earth to be protected. LOL! I think the oddest thing though is how Earth never takes damage. I agree with a side character that shouldn't he (Lucas) be protecting it FROM damage rather than possibly BRINGING damage by using it as a weapon of protection? It was a little hard for me to wrap my mind around that aspect, but I would say it was the only part I struggled. The story world reminded me a little bit of Star Wars (the prequels) in how big the world is and having different species and robots. It was pretty cool! (I enjoyed the Star Wars prequels so I consider this a plus for me to have that slight nostalgia feeling, even if you know, there are no Jedi. LOL!)
One thing I found deeply interesting about this manga is the art style, specifically the outfits. I LOVED Lully and absolutely loved the way she was presented to the reader. Her outfit is awesome and found myself admiring/appreciating the art style as a whole as I continued reading.
I would be curious to see how this story continues to unfold. There are a few mysteries that arose and I want to have answers to the questions that arose from those said mysteries. If you're looking for a sci-fi adventure with a basketball twist and an original story, I recommend World Piece.
*(I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
June 10, 2021
A solid OEL manga. The story is good and interesting, and I even found myself getting excited during a chase scene. Though it could use some work, its pretty good overall.
October 4, 2022
Before we begin, I would like to thank Viz Media for the opportunity for giving me a chance to review this brand new series. The story we’re going to be looking at is the first volume of World Piece, written by the Eisner Nominated writer, Josh Tierney and Illustrated by Agroshka.
In this Sci-Fi Adventure, we meet a 16-year-old boy named Lucas Densen, an advantageous, easygoing Basketball Player who earned his reputation through hard work and determination. Life was smooth sailing until one day, an alien artifact shrinks everything and the world into a palm-sized sphere, he finds himself on a new quest, to save the world and get it back to normal!
It is an interesting concept that they have brought us, the protagonist is taken on an Archaeological Dig and the next moment being transported to another world thanks to an Alien Artifact. Lucas finds himself on an planet called Affin, then realizing that some of the residents have been stealing and eating other planets which will make Lucas’s job even harder! The pacing of the story is a tad slow at first but helps keep the reader intrigued, it has that Shonen feel to it, and it works well for what Josh is trying to tell.
Before we begin, I would like to thank Viz Media for the opportunity for giving me a chance to review this brand new series. The story we’re going to be looking at is the first volume of World Piece, written by the Eisner Nominated writer, Josh Tierney and Illustrated by Agroshka.
In this Sci-Fi Adventure, we meet a 16-year-old boy named Lucas Densen, an advantageous, easygoing Basketball Player who earned his reputation through hard work and determination. Life was smooth sailing until one day, an alien artifact shrinks everything and the world into a palm-sized sphere, he finds himself on a new quest, to save the world and get it back to normal!
It is an interesting concept that they have brought us, the protagonist is taken on an Archaeological Dig and the next moment being transported to another world thanks to an Alien Artifact. Lucas finds himself on an planet called Affin, then realizing that some of the residents have been stealing and eating other planets which will make Lucas’s job even harder! The pacing of the story is a tad slow at first but helps keep the reader intrigued, it has that Shonen feel to it, and it works well for what Josh is trying to tell.
In this Sci-Fi Adventure, we meet a 16-year-old boy named Lucas Densen, an advantageous, easygoing Basketball Player who earned his reputation through hard work and determination. Life was smooth sailing until one day, an alien artifact shrinks everything and the world into a palm-sized sphere, he finds himself on a new quest, to save the world and get it back to normal!
It is an interesting concept that they have brought us, the protagonist is taken on an Archaeological Dig and the next moment being transported to another world thanks to an Alien Artifact. Lucas finds himself on an planet called Affin, then realizing that some of the residents have been stealing and eating other planets which will make Lucas’s job even harder! The pacing of the story is a tad slow at first but helps keep the reader intrigued, it has that Shonen feel to it, and it works well for what Josh is trying to tell.
Before we begin, I would like to thank Viz Media for the opportunity for giving me a chance to review this brand new series. The story we’re going to be looking at is the first volume of World Piece, written by the Eisner Nominated writer, Josh Tierney and Illustrated by Agroshka.
In this Sci-Fi Adventure, we meet a 16-year-old boy named Lucas Densen, an advantageous, easygoing Basketball Player who earned his reputation through hard work and determination. Life was smooth sailing until one day, an alien artifact shrinks everything and the world into a palm-sized sphere, he finds himself on a new quest, to save the world and get it back to normal!
It is an interesting concept that they have brought us, the protagonist is taken on an Archaeological Dig and the next moment being transported to another world thanks to an Alien Artifact. Lucas finds himself on an planet called Affin, then realizing that some of the residents have been stealing and eating other planets which will make Lucas’s job even harder! The pacing of the story is a tad slow at first but helps keep the reader intrigued, it has that Shonen feel to it, and it works well for what Josh is trying to tell.
April 21, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, VIZ Media, Josh Tierney, and Agroshka for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I must say, this is very different than what VIZ normally serializes. The premise is certainly...unique. Lucas is a basketball player whose mom is an archaeologist. When he joins her at one of their dig sites where a library mysteriously vanishes, he touches an artifact and is taken to another planet. Upon arrival to Affin, he find himself holding a basketball-sized object in his hands and it's...Earth? Lucas makes some interesting new friends while trying to navigate and survive on Affin, also while trying to find a way to return the Earth to its normal size. Apparently stealing and/or eating planets is a norm for some of Affin's residents, proving Lucas' quest to be quite the challenge.
It was a bit hard to get into this manga at first, mostly because the pacing of the Earth-becoming-small was a bit strange to follow. The plot of a boy having to save Earth by finding a way to make it normal-sized again is certainly unique and interesting, something I have not seen before. The art is quite eloquent and the characters have some decent development early on. Quite an intriguing manga, to say the least. I recommend to shounen fans, fantasy-lovers, and anyone looking for something that goes against the grain!
I must say, this is very different than what VIZ normally serializes. The premise is certainly...unique. Lucas is a basketball player whose mom is an archaeologist. When he joins her at one of their dig sites where a library mysteriously vanishes, he touches an artifact and is taken to another planet. Upon arrival to Affin, he find himself holding a basketball-sized object in his hands and it's...Earth? Lucas makes some interesting new friends while trying to navigate and survive on Affin, also while trying to find a way to return the Earth to its normal size. Apparently stealing and/or eating planets is a norm for some of Affin's residents, proving Lucas' quest to be quite the challenge.
It was a bit hard to get into this manga at first, mostly because the pacing of the Earth-becoming-small was a bit strange to follow. The plot of a boy having to save Earth by finding a way to make it normal-sized again is certainly unique and interesting, something I have not seen before. The art is quite eloquent and the characters have some decent development early on. Quite an intriguing manga, to say the least. I recommend to shounen fans, fantasy-lovers, and anyone looking for something that goes against the grain!
June 5, 2021
ARC provided by NetGalley
Well, that was certainly different. It's not different in a bad way it is just different, both from what I normally expect from the publisher and what I normally read. The reasoning behind this is actually fascinating, in short Viz is working to create some new English first manga by western authors which I am all for if it means more great stories faster and in past, the other manga like this that I have read have been great. Now for this title in particular I would say it was pretty great overall. It was a fun sci-fi adventure that felt really original. The only thing stopping it from striking my mind as wholly original would be the fact that the back of my mind kept insisting that it was a lot like Voltron. I don't know what about this reminded me of that but it did if that gives you any idea as to what this could be about. Now while I found this to be a really solid book it is unfortunately just not one I personally enjoyed as much as I would have liked. It is yet another case of, not for me but definitely for someone else.
Well, that was certainly different. It's not different in a bad way it is just different, both from what I normally expect from the publisher and what I normally read. The reasoning behind this is actually fascinating, in short Viz is working to create some new English first manga by western authors which I am all for if it means more great stories faster and in past, the other manga like this that I have read have been great. Now for this title in particular I would say it was pretty great overall. It was a fun sci-fi adventure that felt really original. The only thing stopping it from striking my mind as wholly original would be the fact that the back of my mind kept insisting that it was a lot like Voltron. I don't know what about this reminded me of that but it did if that gives you any idea as to what this could be about. Now while I found this to be a really solid book it is unfortunately just not one I personally enjoyed as much as I would have liked. It is yet another case of, not for me but definitely for someone else.
October 4, 2022
Representation: No LGBTQIA+ representation
Trigger/Content Warning (CW):
Language: Dammit*4; damn*2; crap; bastard; son of a bitch; pissed; Oh my Gawwwwd; Oh my God*2; Hell.
Violence/gore: Lucas and his friends fight an unknown assailant using hand to hand combat. There are multiple shoot outs with guns between robots and people. Some characters are shot using these guns; they appear as a light beam which applies extreme force when it hits someone. There is minimal blood in any of the fights and the force of the guns and punches are displayed using ‘crack’ and ‘whap’ amongst other terms.
Trigger/Content Warning (CW):
Language: Dammit*4; damn*2; crap; bastard; son of a bitch; pissed; Oh my Gawwwwd; Oh my God*2; Hell.
Violence/gore: Lucas and his friends fight an unknown assailant using hand to hand combat. There are multiple shoot outs with guns between robots and people. Some characters are shot using these guns; they appear as a light beam which applies extreme force when it hits someone. There is minimal blood in any of the fights and the force of the guns and punches are displayed using ‘crack’ and ‘whap’ amongst other terms.
April 30, 2021
I received an eARC courtesy of VIZ Media via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I did not read the description of this one and really went into with no expectations. I am officially intrigued.
The story starts quite simply with Lucas living his life, playing basketball, and going with his archaeologist mom to her dig site. Then it quickly devolves into sci-fi when the Earth shrinks to the size of a basketball. I do wish there had been a bit more substance in certain parts, but I wasn't disappointed in this one at all. I think this will definitely have some fans.
For Libraries: Classified as general adult, but this first volume doesn't have anything that will keep me from adding it to my teen shelves. (Mild swearing and violence)
I did not read the description of this one and really went into with no expectations. I am officially intrigued.
The story starts quite simply with Lucas living his life, playing basketball, and going with his archaeologist mom to her dig site. Then it quickly devolves into sci-fi when the Earth shrinks to the size of a basketball. I do wish there had been a bit more substance in certain parts, but I wasn't disappointed in this one at all. I think this will definitely have some fans.
For Libraries: Classified as general adult, but this first volume doesn't have anything that will keep me from adding it to my teen shelves. (Mild swearing and violence)
May 27, 2021
I never thought I'd ever see the day Viz would publish OEL Manga. Yet here it is, everymen teens fumbling their way through everything. I'm a little jealous of how lucky main character Lucas is, he's got a good life and a good personality. That said, he's socially awkward and fumbles his way into the conflict by instigating everything. Then we have two sheltered space teens needing to break. What brings them all together is something so absurd out, analogies shouldn't be so obvious.
A lot of arguments would be things would've been better if everybody just did nothing. But that's what life is, things happening for no apparent reason and being able to adjust to everything. Right now this series has potential but needs more breathing room.
A lot of arguments would be things would've been better if everybody just did nothing. But that's what life is, things happening for no apparent reason and being able to adjust to everything. Right now this series has potential but needs more breathing room.
April 13, 2023
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Viz Media for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review!
This story is wild! Lucas goes from being a normal basketball star to travelling among the stars in about .2 seconds, all because he touched something he wasn't supposed to. Guess he should have listened to his mother! Lucas's journey so far trying to find a way to restore Earth is packed with action and a lot of characters fighting to take his world from him, all with different motivations. I really enjoyed reading this and will definitely be recommending it to anyone interested in sci-fi adventure stories.
Side note/Spoiler: For as much as Lucas wants to protect Earth, he sure throws it around quite a bit.
This story is wild! Lucas goes from being a normal basketball star to travelling among the stars in about .2 seconds, all because he touched something he wasn't supposed to. Guess he should have listened to his mother! Lucas's journey so far trying to find a way to restore Earth is packed with action and a lot of characters fighting to take his world from him, all with different motivations. I really enjoyed reading this and will definitely be recommending it to anyone interested in sci-fi adventure stories.
Side note/Spoiler: For as much as Lucas wants to protect Earth, he sure throws it around quite a bit.
July 21, 2021
Lucas a basketball loving teen accidentally touches an artifact at an archeological dig where his mother works. He finds himself in a trans-dimensional void and the earth has shrunk to the size of a basketball. Lucas ends up in Affin and is befriended by Lully and Mitton and they help him prevent the Earth from being taken by Damas who eats planets. This Western version of a Manga storyline still needs some fleshing out in the next few volumes if wants to gain an audience of young readers.
The characters are likable and the Earth is used a weapon. And there are robots, who doesn't like robots.
The characters are likable and the Earth is used a weapon. And there are robots, who doesn't like robots.
May 7, 2021
What a fun new series! I think this will appeal to a wide audience. Action packed but with enough emotional impact to please those looking for friendship/love genres.
The characters are interesting, the plot moves at a nice pace and the artwork is visually sharp. There is even a twist towards the end of this volume which gives it bonus points for me.
I will definitely be adding it to our young adult school library collection.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
The characters are interesting, the plot moves at a nice pace and the artwork is visually sharp. There is even a twist towards the end of this volume which gives it bonus points for me.
I will definitely be adding it to our young adult school library collection.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 5, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Viz Media for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Vol 1 of World Piece was an interesting read. I definitely see the manga inspiration, but World Piece was fully its own. I'm curious about what will come next in the Viz Originals imprint. In the next volume, I'd hope to see a little more character development since much of this volume was used to set up the main conflict.
Vol 1 of World Piece was an interesting read. I definitely see the manga inspiration, but World Piece was fully its own. I'm curious about what will come next in the Viz Originals imprint. In the next volume, I'd hope to see a little more character development since much of this volume was used to set up the main conflict.
August 24, 2022
Hmm, very fast-paced but not bad. I’m intrigued. The world being shrunk down makes a unique plot. I have to wonder though if any humans are being thrown to and fro when Lucas is crossing people up lol.
I also really like Mitton too. He has some character and personal/internal conflict that makes him interesting. Lully and Lucas are run-of-the-mill as of now, but I want to read more of this story and its characters.
I also really like Mitton too. He has some character and personal/internal conflict that makes him interesting. Lully and Lucas are run-of-the-mill as of now, but I want to read more of this story and its characters.
August 6, 2021
I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways. This is a great beginner of a series that needs the author to write/continue more books to further the series. It is an easy-read go-to graphic novel if one is going through reading slump. Thank you for choosing/allowing me to win this book in exchange of an honest review.
January 11, 2026
A decent book. The art is great and the story is creative. However, some of the dialogue feels clunky and explanations seem rushed.
I also have a hard time ignoring the fact that Lucas uses the Earth as a weapon—when he does that, what happens to the people on Earth? Is the planet not damaged or affected?
I also have a hard time ignoring the fact that Lucas uses the Earth as a weapon—when he does that, what happens to the people on Earth? Is the planet not damaged or affected?
January 1, 2022
More accurately 3.5 stars.
It’s fun, but I’m not entirely sure it kept my attention enough. The art is nice!
It’s fun, but I’m not entirely sure it kept my attention enough. The art is nice!
April 10, 2022
Much better than I thought it would be. Bizarre he has little to no worries about using the earth as a weapon?
June 19, 2022
It was actually pretty interesting.
October 11, 2022
I was originally drawn to this because of the art—it’s soooo dangggg cute. But the story is super intriguing too! I need vol 2 🥹
August 3, 2023
3.5 stars
November 14, 2025
The art was cute but what was the plot? I’m so confused about what the point of this story was.
August 7, 2022
What would you do if you could hold the world in your hands? In this manga, earth has been shrunk down to the size of a basketball and left in the hands of a basketball player. Lucas is a student athlete who is accidentally transported to a new dimension at one of his mom's archaeological sites. In order to escape and survive, Lucas teams up with Lully and Mitten. Lully is an uber rich elite who wants to be free of her glass castle. Mitten is a military deserter who just wants peace. Can the trio return earth to its original size and get Lucas back home or will a planet eating being devour earth as dessert? Read on to find out!
Middle school appropriate!
Middle school appropriate!
August 2, 2021
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Luke is an aspiring high school basketball player whose mother is an archaeologist, and she has just secured him a visitor pass to come to her latest dig site. Despite her warning not to touch anything, Luke is drawn to an artifact that looks similar to the others his mom’s team has uncovered, but the artifact pulls Luke into a dark place, where the Earth is the size of a basketball! He runs into a girl named Lully, who calls this place the Black Gateway. Luke grabs the Earth and Lully leads him out of the darkness into her bedroom. They decide to travel to the closest town to see if there’s anyone who can help Luke get the Earth back to normal size. Along the way, they meet Mitton, a deserter from the military force on this planet, and they must fight to keep the Earth out of the hands of mercenaries and evil robots who all want it for the evil Damas.
This is one of the first stories in a new line of North American manga (also known as Original English Language manga, or OEL manga for short) that Viz is publishing, so it reads from left to right like North American texts. The story is slightly compelling, especially if you really need to know what happened to the basketball-sized Earth. That answer isn’t in volume one, of course. Also, Luke is able to use the Earth as a sort of weapon, and he shoots it at people like he’s playing basketball. This doesn’t end up hurting the planet at all, which is also not explained in volume one. This is a decent start to a new series that would be good for collections where sports manga, particularly Kuroko's Basketball, is popular.
VIZ rates this for older teen because of language and violence. There is some blood in a few fight scenes, but otherwise, it isn’t overly violent. There aren’t a ton of cuss words either, so the rating seems to be slightly inflated. I wonder if it will become more violent in volumes to come.
Sara’s Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 8-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale August 1, 2021.
Luke is an aspiring high school basketball player whose mother is an archaeologist, and she has just secured him a visitor pass to come to her latest dig site. Despite her warning not to touch anything, Luke is drawn to an artifact that looks similar to the others his mom’s team has uncovered, but the artifact pulls Luke into a dark place, where the Earth is the size of a basketball! He runs into a girl named Lully, who calls this place the Black Gateway. Luke grabs the Earth and Lully leads him out of the darkness into her bedroom. They decide to travel to the closest town to see if there’s anyone who can help Luke get the Earth back to normal size. Along the way, they meet Mitton, a deserter from the military force on this planet, and they must fight to keep the Earth out of the hands of mercenaries and evil robots who all want it for the evil Damas.
This is one of the first stories in a new line of North American manga (also known as Original English Language manga, or OEL manga for short) that Viz is publishing, so it reads from left to right like North American texts. The story is slightly compelling, especially if you really need to know what happened to the basketball-sized Earth. That answer isn’t in volume one, of course. Also, Luke is able to use the Earth as a sort of weapon, and he shoots it at people like he’s playing basketball. This doesn’t end up hurting the planet at all, which is also not explained in volume one. This is a decent start to a new series that would be good for collections where sports manga, particularly Kuroko's Basketball, is popular.
VIZ rates this for older teen because of language and violence. There is some blood in a few fight scenes, but otherwise, it isn’t overly violent. There aren’t a ton of cuss words either, so the rating seems to be slightly inflated. I wonder if it will become more violent in volumes to come.
Sara’s Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 8-12
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale August 1, 2021.
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