Book Review: Bakugan Evo Tournament

It's not supposed to be called a "Manga" unless it's done by a majority of Japanese artists. 

Therefore, it would be more fair to call this illustrated book as a "Graphic Novel."


Warning: This review may contain spoilers and content 
that are not suitable for readers below the age of 13.

 

Front Cover

  Back Cover

Title: Bakugan: The Evo Tournament

Publisher: Del Rey, Ballantine Books
Author: Nunzio DeFilippis, Christina Weir (story) and Kriss Sison (artwork) 
Rating: Y (All Ages)

 

Pinoy Artist.

Del Rey, a major manga publisher in the United States, together with a majority of Artists from the Philippines had come up with a graphic novel entitled "Bakugan Evo Tournament" which is supposedly a midquel of a certain episode in the first season of Bakugan Battle Brawlers TV anime.

First and foremost, before I get down to business with the review, let me remind everyone that the author of this blog post and the owner of this Blog entitled "BakuBlogger" is a Filipino (a citizen of the Philippines). However, I will make sure that it will NOT hinder me from highlighting the woes of this "Bakugan" Graphic Novel.

The story started with the same intro as the anime series. Mysterious cards rained down from the sky and then Dan narrated on how he met Drago. The faithfulness to the series ends there.

The Graphic Novel then went like a mysterious tournament called "Evo Tournament" is being conducted in certain parts of the world. You cannot enter unless you have an invitation. Dan and Drago wanted to enter the tournament so that Drago can evolve before Hydranoid does. 

While Dan and Drago are talking about increasing power and other shonen anime stuff; Marucho (Bakubrain) is chatting with a mysterious person called Cybrawler in the same manner as Durarara!!'s usual chat sessions. Cybrawler is shy and Marucho wanted to know more about her. On the other hand, Shun happened to know a certain girl which Bakugan fans may find hard to deem likable.

Bakugan Evo Tournament fails to deliver that midquel feel, making it seem like a side story with a Mary Sue Original Character named Katie Lowery and the antagonist, Mecha Chamelia who equally demands for attention. 

Katie the Mary Sue, being described by Shun.

If you do not understand the concept of a Mary Sue, have a look at this most important example: 

Bella Swann from the Twilight Saga. 

Also known as the World's Universe's Best Known Mary Sue.

Going back to business ~

The artwork is very good. It captures the look and feel of the Bakugan TV series.

BUT I'm afraid that's the only thing that's good about this Graphic Novel. 

 

Kinda reminds you of Vanessa Mae's "The Devil's Trill" PV eh?  

Shun Kazami, "the hotshot emo ninja kid," was inappropriately portrayed as if he's desperate to get the attention of the girl; thereby furthering Katie as the Mary Sue character.

 

Shun talking too much, smiling and being assertive...

This Graphic Novel definitely failed to portray him correctly.

Julie Heyward was portrayed as flirtatious. Even if this manga is for all ages, there is a scene of Julie flirting with a bunch of boys. 

 

Kids, don't try that IRL okay? 

Mecha Chamelia The embodiment of evil...or someone whose KSP (a common term in the Philippines denoting someone whose desperate for attention). 

 

Watch out, Dan! It's the Justice (GGXX) rip-off!

At the end of the Graphic Novel, they all went back to reality like the entire manga never really happened or it's just some bad dream. 

 

Yep, it's like it never happened. 

Congratulations, you wasted more or less one hour with this.

  

I'll be honest to say that I've read better Bakugan fanfics that are more deserving of an adaptation into a graphic novel. 

Score-Card

Story: 1/5 (Lack of actual connection to the series itself, Shun Kazami is unfaithfully portrayed.)

Artwork: 4.5 / 5 (The only thing that's good about this Graphic Novel)

Aesthetics: 2 / 5 (Adapted Graphic Novels shouldn't be just about the artwork ya know.) 

Enjoyment: 1 / 5 (...I'm shelving this off as soon as I'm done reading it).

Total: 8.5 / 20  = Unsatisfactory.

Conclusion

If you wish to give this Graphic Novel the benefit of the doubt since you need something to pass your time, go ahead and buy it if you see it. It's usually found in bargain bins for a good reason.

Or if you want something meaningful and much more substantial than this; I suggest that you either read a filler-ridden chapter of the Naruto/Bleach/One Piece manga or you buy "BakuTech! Bakugan" Manga instead.

Good Readance.