Buso Renkin by Nobuhiro Watsuki

This action manga (japanese comic book) series comes from the author of Ruroni Kenshin, a fantastic series about an ex-samurai warrior. Buso Renkin is rated for teen readers, but adults will certainly enjoy it too. I found this series to be a quick and enjoyable read with only ten volumes to tell the complete story.


Kazuki Muto, high school student, sees a girl in an abandoned factory being attacked by a monster. He pushes her out of the way and is killed in the process. The girl, Tokiko, uses a Kakugane (an alchemic item) to replace Kazuki's heart and restore him to life. Kazuki soon learns that he wants to help the girl in her battles and finds that, with the kakugane, he can summon a lance to fight the monsters, called Homonculi. As Kazuki fights, he gets stronger, impressing Tokiko and her captain. Then one day, his kakugane is shattered during a battle against a foe of unimaginable power giving him only a little time to remain human. Can Kazuki find the cure or will he have to be executed by his comrades before he becomes a threat?


Buso Renkin mixes action, humor, suspense and a little romance. A great series for readers who have not yet experienced manga and also for those who enjoy it already.


If you've already read it and would like to share your thoughts, please feel free to comment.Or, is you'd like to begin reading the series, email info@ritter.lib.oh.us with the title and library card number and I will be happy to place the hold for you. If you've already read some of the series, be sure to let me know what volume you would like to read. We can only place holds for patrons of the Clevnet library system.

For more information and reviews, visit Amazon.com.