Monday 6 October 2014

Book Britches: Cardfight!! Vanguard volume 1 review

Book Britches: Cardfight!! Vanguard volume 1 Story &Art by Akira Itou Review

From the publisher: “Timid teen Aichi Sendou was never one for making a statement or even defending himself. But when a precious trading card of his is stolen, Aichi, who has never played Vanguard before, is set to face an acquaintance who should be an insurmountable adversary...Kai. With the support of his favorite card and some cherished memories, the unlikely warrior is ready to stand up for himself and to change his life for the better.

Inspired by the hit trading card game and the basis for the beloved anime, Cardfight!! Vanguard is poised to stake its claim among shonen manga's elites.”

                Cardfight!! Vanguard is, if nothing else, a painful read. We are only seeing a potential plot being set in motion in the final pages of the book. The first volume is mostly set-up establishing the core cast and how all their problems can be solved by a card game. Without a fundamental understanding of the game (one which I lack) or prior investment this series gives little reason to compel the reader to continue.
               
                Let me make one thing perfectly clear: I am perfectly content watching and reading children’s marketing vehicles. The problem is that at this point there are small stakes. Thus why should we, the readers, care about the book? I really do not get the appeal of Cardfight!! Vanguard thus far. To be fair the antagonists are compelling characters and the imagined action scenes are fun but otherwise this series has little to offer to those beyond its target demographic though I feel even they deserve better.


Review copy provided by the publisher.

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