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Title:
  Trinity Blood vol 1

UK Distributor:  VIZ Media

Created by:  Sunao Yoshida (story) & Kiyo Kyujyo (art)

Suggested Retail Price (SRP):  £5.99

Number of Pages:  192

ISBN:  978-1598166743

Reviewed:  28th May 2008 

Reviewer:  Ami-chan

 

The story of Trinity Blood begins 900 years after Armageddon, which was a war between vampires and humans.  Our main hero Abel Nightroad is a priest who in one respect seems perfectly normal and works loyally for the Vatican.  However, he has a completely different identity as he is able to transform into a Crusnik, a powerful creature which drinks the blood of vampires.  The story was originally written by Sunao Yoshida, and was so popular that it was then made into both a manga and an anime.  

The first volume of the manga shows how Abel first meets Sister Esther in the city of Istavan.  The sister is filled with hatred and revenge towards vampires after her mentor Bishop Laura was murdered.  However, what she doesn't realise is that she is being used as a pawn in a game which will set vampires against humans in yet another war against each other.  It is Abel who helps Esther to see that revenge is not the correct course.

The artwork of the manga seems to split me in two ways, the male characters and backgrounds are drawn quite well and are detailed.  I particularly like the panel in which Abel is fully transformed into a Crusnik.  However, when it comes to the artwork of female characters it is poor, particularly in the case of Esther who looks permanently stoned or goofy (take your pick).

The problem with this manga is that when you compare it with anime it just doesn't seem to stand up the same.  The manga seems holey (no pun intended ~_^), missing out important information for you to understand the storyline.  Normally, a manga has an introductory chapter in order for you to understand the settings and characters.  However, Trinity Blood jumps straight into a story arc which in some cases would work but in this instance fails and leaves the reader confused.  It is only the fact that I have watched the anime before reading this that I am able to follow the storyline.

Overall, if you have the choice on spending six pounds on a manga or saving up for a little bit longer to buy the anime I would recommend the latter as it offers far more when it comes to story and artwork.

Extras

The first manga has the prologue and the beginning of the first chapter of the novels in which the manga is based from.  Its a nice extra to have as you can see what the anime and manga is based off. 

Product: Extras:
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