Rating: 
Summary: Talk about a ghost story...
Review: I collect manga and I enjoy FOX's "Shaman King" cartoon, so buying this was the next logical step. The comic turned out to be better than the cartoon. The anime seems obligated to have a huge slam-bang battle at the end of each episode while the manga is focused on story, not action (not that they ignore that). The book is formatted in the right-to-left Japanese style, with little arrows on the pages and instructions in the front (sorry, I mean the back) for first-timers. The artwork has a bold graphical style but doesn't skimp on the details (check out Amidamaru's elaborate samurai costume) and the characters are refreshingly original and funny. Manta's maniac fits are hilarious, especially when he complains about Yoh's scholastic slacking. The battles, usually involving Yoh channeling the skills of Amidamaru or another warrior ghost, are exciting and well drawn. The content is rated "T" for "Teen" because there's some mild profanity and the battles can get brutal. Also, some of the ghost characters died violent or disturbing deaths. These events are only minimally described through dialogue and panels and are never blatantly detailed.
Rating:
Summary: Ghosts, Demons, Shamans, OH MY!
Review: I first heard about Shaman King thanks to the FoxBox. After seeing the first episode (and only the first episode), Shaman King drew me in. Then, and lucky to work in a bookstore, I was able to purchase Volume 1. First things first, yes, the Shaman King anime blows on FoxBox becuase of the editing. It's gonna end up like Sailor Moon: Most of the episodes are heavly edited due to the trageted audience (kids and tweens). Also, this is not the Japanese's fault. They, and the American distributers, decide who their target audience is and go through together and edit the episodes. It's the same with Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and just about every kids-targeted anime. However, many American manga companies (like Tokyo Pop) do not edit the orginal manga. All they do is the English translation (which includes foot notes for certin Japanese references) and that's it! Plus, the manga is always 10x better than the anime. And maybe someday they'll release the unedited anime just like they did with Sailor Moon. With that said, the Shaman King manga is one of the most entertaining, page-turning and orginal mangas out there. The plot deals with a middle school shaman named Yoh Asakura. He transfers to Tokyo in order to continue training for his goal: To become the Shaman King. Along the way, he befriends another student, the ever-nerotic Manta Oyamaoa, who can also see ghosts and spirits just like Yoh. Together, they are paired up with the ghost of a dead samurai named Amidamaru, who is Yoh's partner in his quest. In the first volume, readers learn about what it takes to be a shaman and even get a taste of some inpressive Shaman duels. The story is funny and is sprinkled with bits of dark humor and drama, plus it keeps you focused and leaves you craving for more! the art style is a balanced mixture of cartoony and sharp, dark line and appeals to both genders (male and female). While Shaman King is featured in the English version of Shonen Jump (a magazine geared to boys), girls will swoon over Yoh, feel sympathy towards Manta, and boo at the villains. Plus, Yoh's girlfriend Amy prooves that girls can be just as brash and compelling as the guys. I urge anyone to check out Shaman King. If you enjoy appealing art, excellent story telling and manga in general, Shaman King is right up your ally!
Rating:
Summary: Makes you want to INTAGRATE with this manga!
Review: I first read the Shaman King manga in Shonen Jump (a popular manga magazine) and thought "Wow, this has a great storyline! Is it THIS underrated?" So I continued to read the manga every month when my magazine came. And every month, I would see advertisements for the graphic novels that were solidly Shaman King. Naturally I went to Amazon to buy this book and recieved it in no time. It was truly great reading, and it let you get into the mind of each character. Sadly, it was a bit of a quick read, but nevertheless a great manga. Not much more to say since it's a novel and I don't want to give anything away!
Rating:
Summary: The original is always best
Review: I've been following the Shaman King manga for a few months in shonen jump, and it's really cool. So, when I heard about the anime on the dreaded Fox Box, I watched it. Soon after I felt like barfing. I just KNEW that this would happen!! First of all they put it on FOX BOX, probably thee worst anime network ever. Then they go and AMERICANIZE it. Why must they ruin all my favorite mangas?! And when I say americanize, this is what I mean:
Manta to Morty
Ren to Lenny
Ryu bad to Ryu good
no mantanian dictionary
Ren comes from England instead of China
And so much more...
I mean what goes threw the animaters heads when they make all these changes? Shaman King was a perfectly awesome manga, they did not need to change all these things. In fact, they just can't change them! They should get arrested! Anyway, this review is about the MANGA!! It's a really interesting story about a kid named Yoh who is a shaman. And to be a good shaman he has to intergrate with many spirits and help them with their unfinished buisnness. But sometimes he uses the spirits to battle tough enemies or even other shamans. Because if he is proven the best shaman, he will become titled shaman king, the earth's savior.
it's a great manga, and the anime will never live up to it. So, read the books or get ahead and subscribe to Shonen Jump.
Rating:
Summary: if you like manga this is a must have
Review: Like I said if you read manga you'll love this. It's about this lil dude named manta. He meets this new kid named Yoh but hes not your ordinary 13 year old. He's a shaman. (Some one who can interact with spirits) From the day Manta meets Yoh nothing will ever be the same. Shaman King is packed with action and humor. The art style is really cool too. The manga is also in Shonen Jump. It has spawned an anime series, toys, feature length movies (yet to be realeased here in the states, and even some video games due out later this year. Try it you'l like it.
Rating: 
Summary: Shaman Fever
Review: Now, don't be afraid; it won't hurt you. 4Kids Productions may try to lay its filthy hands on the Shaman King, chiseling away at the story until it becomes "suitable" for the young and naïve American preschool audiences... but hopefully, those of us who love it for what it is will always be able to rely on Shonen Jump to release the good stuff.
And yes, they've released the good stuff herein. You're looking at volume one of Shaman King, which is terrific on so many levels that I don't quite know where to begin.
One of the great things about this series is its variety. Each of the battles that Yoh, the main character, faces is entirely different. (In the first volume alone, we're talking swords, kung fu, and boxing.) The characters are blazing with complexity, from the panicky student, Manta, to the loyal and honorable samurai, Amidamaru, to Yoh's vicious fiancé, Anna, to punk-dude Ryu - and that's hardly an adequate sampling!
You'll also learn a lot about different myths and cultures in general, and not in that preachy textbook way. And whether you love ghosts and spirits, swords and marital arts, or intense rivalries contrasted with close-knit friends, Shaman King will have you jumping up and down on your bed, squeezing your Yoh and Anna plushies and singing "[insert your favorite pop song here]" in pure ecstasy... or, for the more mildly-inclined of us, not jumping up and down.
On a side note, did you know that Shaman King is further along in French publication than English? If you're bilingual, consider this. Until then...
~Tamara Raymond
Rating:
Summary: A very good, action packed, humorous manga.
Review: Now, I can't really stand the anime...heck, I can't stand pretty much any anime, but Shaman King in it's original form totally rules. While the art isn't the best I've seen, I love it anyway (and art is always a big thing with me). The story keeps you interested, and if not that, the action scenes or the humor scenes will keep you attached. If you like the anime, this is defenetly a must, and, hey! It helped me out with my art as well, so that's a plus. Heh.
Rating:
Summary: wow!
Review: ok so i read shaman king first in shonen-jump magazine. this is an awesome manga! i recommend it to all. it starts out with a young shaman, yoh, whom moves to tokyo[i believe] and he meets up with manta. manta is a little guy who gets himself into trouble. yoh helps him. they become frends and manta sees the crazy world of a shaman. ghosts and spirits everywhere.
Rating:
Summary: Shaman King of Manga!
Review: Ok, so that's a bad title, but this manga really does rock! Following the life of Yoh Asakura on his quest to become the Shaman King, this manga is humourous, but also has its "deep" moments. Yoh is a laid back, lazy boy, who chanels spirits to do his work for hih in school, and whose philosophy is to just leave everything, and it will work out somehow. Anna is his "fiancee", and also a shaman, who can summon spirits. She handles Yoh's "training" (read: TORTURE... she's really tough). Manta is Yoh's friend, small and bookish. Amidamaru is Yoh's friend, as well. He's the ghost of a long dead smaurai who YOh calls on to win Shamanic battles.
This manga is constantly amusing, and very well drawn. Every character is unique in both looks and personality. (Besides, what's funnier than seeing a Chibi SD Samurai Warrior ghost???) This fist volume definately shows a lot of promise for a great story. ((Hopefully the anime will be released over here soon!!))
A definate buy.
Rating:
Summary: Yo, Yoh!
Review: Okay, you know what I hate? When people reccomend manga, but don't say what it is about. But anyway, there is this kid named Manta. Who takes a shortcut through a cemetary so he dosen't miss a train. He meets a mysterious boy hanging out with lots of ghosts in the cemetary. Next day, Manta meets the kid again, his name is Yoh, and later Yoh tells Manta a secret. Yoh is a shaman. Or one who can communicate between the spiratual plane, and the plane we live in. He can let ghosts posses him to use their abilities. Soon, Yoh and Manta become good friends. Yoh has a bodygaurd. His top ghost, Amidamaru. A 600 year old samurai who is Yoh's friend and fighter. So Yoh, Manta, and Amidamaru, fight evil ghosts, and villians, and stuff. They also meet Ren, an evil shaman. And Ren's ghost, Bason, a chisnese warlord. Who will win, Yoh, or Ren. Read this manga, it is one of the best mangas. It is really, really good.
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