Manga-ka: Yuen Wong Yu
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Youth (7+)
Released: March 2003

Synopsis: “Seven kids at summer camp are unexpectedly transported by digivices to a colourful and enigmatic world. Lost and alone, Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Joe, Mimi and TK are befriended by small digital monsters called Digimons. In times of crisis, these cute little creatures digivolve to defend the children from the dangerous of the Digital World. Join Tai and his friends (with their Digimon pals) in their fight for survival as they search for a way home!”

For those who missed the smash hit when it was on television, Digimon is the story of seven children who are teleported to the ‘Digital World’ after receiving Digivices while attending summer camp. Upon arrival in the strange new world, they are met by Digimon (Digital Monsters), small energetic little creatures who claim to be their partners. From then on it’s a matter of discovering where they are and why and the power of the Digimon, both friend and foe.

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Writer: Alex de Campi
Artist: Federica Manfredi
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: All Ages
Released: January 2007

Synopsis: “Since her arrival at Dover Academy, the one person Kat has been able to depend on is her best friend Mee-Seen, better known as Mouse. But when Mouse gets a crush on the new art teacher, a misunderstanding comes between the two friends – and a class trip to the art museum only makes it worse! When a famous painting is stolen right under their noses, will Kat and Mouse be able to smooth things out in time to catch the thief?”

School life continues and Kat seems to be fitting in better and better as time goes on but she still can’t get her mind off the ‘Artful Dodger’. With a string of thefts occuring at the school, it’s no wonder people are thinking the thief is back to their old tricks. But there’s other issues needing to be dealt with, such as Mouse’s crush on the new art teacher and thus the insuing drama between best friends.

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Writer: Alex de Campi
Artist: Federica Manfredi
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: 8+
Released: July 2006

Synopsis: “When Kat’s dad gets a job as a science teacher, things seem perfect – that is, until Kat’s rich, popular classmates shove her to the bottom of the social heap for being smart. And bad turns to worse when an anonymous student blackmails Kat’s dad to give the class better grades! Can Kat and her new friend, the rebellious computer nerd Mouse, find the real culprits before Kat’s dad loses his job?”

From page one, Kat & Mouse is a story that stepped straight out of after-school television. Starring a small, but all stereotype-inclusive cast, it’s perfectly aimed at its 8-12 market with the tackling of everyday issues following the life of the new kid. Of course, Kat isn’t just any new kid and seems ready with her brains and charisma to take whatever the new school throws at her, from snobbish rich kids to an embarrassing first meet with the impending crush.

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Manga-ka: Ryo Saenagi
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: November 2007

Synopsis: “When an accident awakens a mysterious power within high school teen Nanaki, he discovers he is a psychic and is recruited to the Paranormal Task Force to help solve supernatural mysteries. But after he’s paired up with a peculiar partner and put on an extraordinary case, Nanaki’s average life quickly turns into one filled with the bizarre, the mind-boggling, and the unimaginable. Welcome to the power of Nanaki!”

Psychic Power Nanaki starts off with a bang, rather literally, as its title character is hit by a car. Quick flash-forward to the future and Nanaki is alive and well, heading back to school and ready to get on with his life. Suddenly some odd things seem to be happening around him and a visit from the aloof Ao reveals to Nanaki that he himself is the cause. Nanaki learns the crash has left him with strong psychic powers and he needs to get them under control, something that the secretive Paranormal Task Force can help with, if he agrees to join that is.

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Manga-ka: Nao Kodaka
Writer: Rika Tanaka
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Everyone
Released: January 2007

Synopsis: “When Kilala awakens a sleeping prince named Rei, she magically gains the power of the princesses! But her friend Erica is kidnapped, so she and Rei must set off on a quest to rescue her!”

Clearly coasting comfortably on the tidal wave that is the Kingdom Hearts franchise, Kilala Princess takes a stereotypical, manga main character and plops her into multiple worlds where she meets up with Disney characters, princesses in particular playing the most important of roles, all in the hope of finding her friend, lost somewhere in the clutches of an evil group. Hmmm… sounds a bit familiar. However, the manga so far never tries to be anything it isn’t claiming to be. What you see on the cover is exactly what you’ll get, a painfully cute, simple (but surprisingly charming) story about a child who just wants to live every girl’s dream and become a princess. Oh and don’t forget prince charming.

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