Shaman, n. In animistic religion, a person who communicates with (or is possessed by) Gods, Spirits, and the dead, using magic to cure illness, foretell the future, and influence events. Shamans act as Medicine Men entering into a special trance to borrow these spirits' powers; guides or mediums, forming links between the physical and the spiritual worlds. In ancient times, they were the centers of society, and still are in some cultures today.
Ever since Amazon linked up with comiXology, so that readers could get comics, graphic novels and manga on their kindles, I have been meaning to check out what they had. Under Amazon Prime Reading you get a number of titles for free and this comiXology original is one such series.
The story revolves around a boy called Manta Oyamada, who, whilst cutting through a cemetery in Tokyo to try to catch the last train home after school, runs into a stranger called Yoh Asakura who is talking to ghosts. The next day in school no one will believe Manta's story, even when a new transfer student arrives and is nonother that Yoh. However, Yoh denies their meeting and laughs at the idea of there being ghosts.
This fifth volume continues the story with Yoh in the midst of his first Shaman Fight. His opponent is a fellow Japanese Shaman called Horohoro who wishes to use the powers of being Shaman King to help protect the environment. He appears to have the upper hand as his nature spirit is more powerful than Yoh's ghost spirit, Amidamaru, and his 600 year old katana 'Harusame'.
Meanwhile The Patch Tribe are overseeing the Shaman Fights whilst mourning the loss of one of their own, Chrom, killed by Tao Len whilst testing him for suitability for the fights.
Can Yoh come out of his first fight unscathed? Will Horohoro come out on top?
Easy to read and engaging, I enjoyed this and it felt just like reading a paperback manga, even on Kindle, as you have to click through the book backwards. A nice little touch. A solid 4* and onto the next volume!