I recently had the chance to watch and review the entire Yokai film series, a really fun experience for a collection of movies that are incredibly charming. That collection included a newer film, directed by the famous Takeshi Miike, who turned his hand to family adventure films after a career of vicious, bloody movies. This new manga series, The Great Yokai War: Guardians, is based upon his second Yokai film, a film that has not had a UK release, and wasn't part of the blu-ray collection. As such, when I learned that the film had been adapted to manga form I was excited to see what this franchise had next.

The Great Yokai War: Guardians begins with Japan in trouble, with a giant snail-like monster causing earthquakes that begin to threaten the country. Knowing that if nothing is done about it, the nation will face destruction, the guardian spirits of the land, the Yokai, seek out a young boy who can help them.

This introduces us to Kei Watanabe, a sullen, moody teenager who spends most of his time in school listening to music, and tormenting his teachers. We learn that Kei recently lost his father, and that his role as the big brother to the younger Dai is causing him stress and making him retreat away from his remaining family. Despite his grumpy demeanour, the Yokai approach Kai, revealing to him that he's the descendant of a legendary swordsman, and that he can command the various Yokai and lead them to save the country.

Kai, however, doesn't really want much to do with this, and just wants to keep to his quiet life, mourning his father in his own way. However, when Dai is kidnapped by dark forces it forces Kai to set up and become the hero that Japan needs.

The book has been adapted from the original film script by screenwriter Yusuke Watanabe, who seems comfortable in adapting his own work. The book reads well, and if you came to it not knowing that this was an adaptation of a film you wouldn't know, as it fits nicely into the pacing and style of various other manga stories that fit a similar theme of a young boy learning he has abilities and answering the call to adventure. Where the book does stand out in some ways, however, is that Kai is kind of unlikable at times.

The first introduction to the character is him being such a pain in class that he reduces his teacher to tears. We see him being cold and distant towards Dai, a younger brother who clearly idolises hi, and it makes you somewhat weary to like the character. However, over the course of this first volume we learn more about him, we discover his recent family tragedy, and the trauma that it has caused him. Whilst it doesn't forgive some of his actions it at least gives them important context; as well as humanises him.

Outside of the character work, Watanabe keeps the story moving as a strong pace, and throws a lot at the readers in this first volume. We learn about the world of the Yokai, their roles, the wider world of monsters, Kai's family history, and internal Yokai politics. This does mean that there's a lot to take in, and there are times where the book feels a lot longer than it actually is. The masses of info, coupled with the real lack of any action in this first volume of what's supposed to be an action adventure series, it makes for a first volume that's entertaining, but might not feel completely accessible to new readers, or those that don't already have an investment in the universe.

The art on the book is done by Sanami Suzuki, and it's a style I'm not too sure of. Kai, and the other human characters are drawn very simply. They have a slightly cartoon-like style, and fit the family friendly adventure story style well. And this style is reflected in some of the Yokai too. However, there are several of the monsters that feel very different in presentation, with a lot more detail and a darker quality to them. There are parts of the book that are so detailed, and so dark that it felt more akin to a horror manga than anything else. I guess this tone does reflect the theme of the book of a kid finding himself drawn into a different world, one darker and more strange than his own, but it does take a little getting used to.

As it stands, this is a decent introduction to the series, one that lays out a lot of stuff for the reader, and doesn't really slow down or hold your hand. Without seeing more, however, it doesn't feel particularly fantastic, nor bad. It feels like the next volume is going to play an important part in how I feel about this one. I'm hoping that it has some more action and adventure elements, and if it does this will be a decent start to things; but if it carries on in the same tone as this volume the series might just be a bit too dark and dull for my liking. Hopefully volume two will help shape this into another excellent addition to the Yokai series.

It’s always a little hard to review ARC manga or comics due to the art work not always being finalised or fully accessible in the ARC. That said I really enjoyed what art work was available of this one. I also found the story and pacing was well developed throughout. I am confident that when the full art work is added this will be a brilliant first volume of the adaptation. It reads very true the movie and will be perfect for fans both new and old alike.