Thanks to barnesandnoble.com for the image.

In Reborn!, Vol. 7, Tsuna is targeted for assassination by a rival family, and the only one of Tsuna’s crime family who can see the assassins is the hot-tempered explosives expert, Gokudera Hayato.  Hayato, however, has been physically transformed into a toddler like Reborn, and no one listens to kids – even the target of the assassination himself.

Later, it’s hot fun in the summertime when Tsuna and the gang head to the beach, but a group of lifeguards that are more like a gang of bullies threatens to ruin a vacation when they challenge the challenged-swimmer Tsuna to a race.  It’s Obon (the Japanese Buddhist festival that honors deceased ancestors), and Tsuna finds himself facing off with a ghost who wants to take him to the “other side.”

THE LOWDOWN:  Although Reborn! has an overall story arc – the admittedly comedic journey of Tsuna to mafia boss – the series remains essentially a situational comedy and ensemble comedy.  Each chapter is a single episode, although a few stories last two of three chapters.  Like Takashi Hashiguchi’s Yakitate!! Japan, Reborn! thrives on a large cast of eccentric characters.  The treat is that creator Akira Amano can come up with so many variations on a theme.  Comedy probably hasn’t done so many hilariously weird things with a cast since “Seinfeld” disappeared.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Manga readers who want comedy will find it here.

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