Plot/Story

Houshin Engi is a giant manga, having a total of 23 volumes. It’s loosely based on a Chinese legend (the name of which a friend once told me but I have forgotten. [Not Journey to the West... so don’t assume that])

The basic overall story is that the main character Taikoubu must kill sennins and send their souls to the Houshindai. The plan was to complete the Houshin list, but, as with all great plans, they tend to change.

The aim of the manga in later volumes turns too a full blown war between both sennins and humans

Characters

Too many to mention... hence, I choose a few key.

Taikoubu; Main character. Taikoubu is far too smart for his own good. He's regarded as a trickster but his abilities as a sennin are well above average. Later in the manga he really shows his strength, he’s almost unstoppable.

Youzen; a genius sennin. Abilities are waaay above average. His mastery of transformation and outright combative abilities make him an excellent support character.

Nataku; a human paopei (which is basically a magical weapon). Nataku is the very definition of strength. He basically turns up. Breake things, gets broken, gets fixed and powered up... repeat and rinse. (Fun tho... has the personality of a vengeful log).

Dakki; sadistic empress. Most attractive character... but... delights in the pain and torment of others... her smell is mind controlling. This woman is stronger than anyone has a right too be (I assume, hasnt done much as at volume 18)

Bunchuu; Another powerful powerful sennin. He has connections with the Youkai (evil sennin). Carries a super paopei (one of seven in the world). If Nataku defines strength... Bunchuu redefines the term "One Man Army"

Drawing Style

Not the best, the art isn’t anything special. But it’s not bad either. Very content too be average. But, considering the size and cast of the manga very well defined character appearanceswould have made it near impossible to draw.

Enjoyment

It’s enjoyable. Definitely has its moments. Taikoubu's methods of fighting change so much depending on the situation. The rest of the characters work well alongside him. But sometimes the scale of the manga means some characters are ignored for too long.

Overall

Better than Naruto, though, that’s my personal opinion.

Anyway, this one carries my recommendations. It’s a huge story and switches from humor to serious with little difficulty.

Read it, ‘tis worth it.

(Written by Ryu Fujisaki)