O-Parts Hunter: Volume 11

Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”

On the world of Ascald, in an indeterminate future, mankind battles over “O-Parts,” artifacts from an ancient civilization that contain mystical powers.  An O.P.T. or O-Parts Tactician has the ability to release and use the power within an O-Part.  The O.P.T. uses his “Spirit,” a special energy force inside an O.P.T. that allows him to release the power or “effect” of an O-Part.

An O.P.T named Jio Freed, who dreams of world domination, and a treasure hunter named Ruby Crescent, who seeks the whereabouts of both a legendary O-Part and her missing father, travel the world together.  Jio also wants to acquire as many O-Parts as possible, and did I mention that his body may be a house for Satan?

In O-Parts Hunter, Vol. 11, Rock City is a place of intrigue and conspiracies – especially since it’s the location of Olympia, a deadly tournament for O.P.T.s.  Jio Freed prepares to battle his friend Ball, and Ball is determined to show Jio that he’s no sidekick.  Meanwhile, the secrets of Jio’s powers are slowly revealed to Ruby… while she’s held captive.

THE LOWDOWN:  It’s not part of the magazine Shonen Jump, but O-Parts Hunter is pure shounen (boys’ comics) fun.  Filled with fights and numerous eclectic characters, O-Parts hunter is like Shonen Jump mainstays Bleach and Naruto.  O-Part Hunter’s creator Seishi Kishimoto is also the twin brother of Naruto creator, Masashi Kishimoto.  O-Parts, however, is weirder than Bleach and Naruto put together.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  With its dark occult and mysticism themes and a complicated plot, O-Parts Hunter is shounen manga for, at minimum, high school readers.

B+