Getbackers Volume 5

Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best New Mangas This Year
Review: My favorite manga these days is and will always be Yu Yu Hakusho. However, GetBackers comes in a very close second. I think that the two series have something in common and that's how I find the appeal. Anyway the basic storyline for the series goes like this. Two financially challeged youths who grew up in the Tokyo undeground get together and start a recovery agency (GetBackers). Their motto: "We get back what shouldn't be gone!" The two kids are Ban Mido who can create halucinations with his Evil Eye and Ginji Amano, who can generate electricity through his body. They use their strange and some what freakish powers to stael back items of value for their clients. While quite good at their job they are not gifted with money managing skills and the running gag is that they have no money for food. The series sports a large cast of supporting characters like HEVN, Pore (Paul in later books), Natsumi, Dr. Jackal, Shido, Hishki and Lady Poison. Please note that some of these characters won't appear until later volumes. They all have some strange talent or power and often are on the opposite side of the GetBacker's job. The fights are very entertaining to say the least. Check out the three on three fight in volume four (It is out!).
Now to this volume. Its a continuation of the story from volume one. Ban, Ginji, and HEVN have been captured by a crooked doctor, who sells his patient's organs on the black market. Ginji and Ban are saved by a nurse who works for the doctor, and hires them to get back something for her. A huge battle breaks out between the GetBackers and the hired muscle, Hishiki, who seems invincible. After this story line is cleared up the duo is hired to recover a mysterious box from a gang of Transporters. Unfortunatly this gang includes the most dangerous group of Transporters around, "Mr. Unstoppable", "Dr. Jackal", and "Lady Poison". Ban's past history with one of these criminals complicates the matter and the book ends with a cliffhanger, and is continued in volume 3. fyi: The fight in volume three between Jackal and Lady Poison vs. the GetBackers is very impressive and creative.
To sum up GetBackers is a terrific manga. While some storylines may not be completely original, some new spins are put on them. Another great aspect is the mystery. Through each new adventure we learn a little more about the main characters' pasts, which is surrounded in speculation from their reputation on the streets. Never too much is revealed at once to keep you in suspense and make you be for more in the next volume. Like the title of the review says this is one of the very best new English translations of the year. Pick it up if you like good action and traditional manga humor.