RIN-NE, Vol. 8 (8)

This was a sweet and softly zany volume. From the soul of a dead pet alligator transformed into a bizarre alligator lady while pining for its owner to the pint-sized shinigami, Shoma-kun, whose scythes are bigger than his stomach, to a demonic winter scarf doomed to choke the romance out of every romance it can wrap itself around. Takahashi was in good form and the stories featured stronger narratives than usual.Sakura felt like a side character in this volume and the romance between her and Rin-ne was a nebulous tease, but their characters drew the stories along. It was a good read.

This is a new(er) manga series from Rumiko Takahashi, who was also the author of Ranma 1/2, Inuyahsa, and several earlier ones. This is overall an improvement on how she treats her male characters, with less gag violence against them, yet keeps the same kind of humor like Rin always remaining poor. While I didn't read much of Inuyasha the designated annoying character, such as Kodachi in Ranma 1/2, her version in this has redeemable qualities and is at least likable this time around. The overall story is also interesting enough. Finally if you're looking for a manga with an overarching long term storyline, this is probably not for you, as so far I haven't seen one. Most of the stories are retained within a few chapters with new characters added from time to time. If you enjoy a lighthearted manga with some action thrown in, this might be worth checking out.

I've read all eleven volumes and it's a really good manga but you feel like it's not really going anywhere.I feel like by volume eleven that we should have hit SOME sort of climax, but it's just story after story.However, I still readily await the next volume...

Rin-ne is a must for any Rumiko Takahashi fan! The manga harks back more to the days of Ranma 1/2, with short story arts and slapstick comedy. But it's not simply an imitation.Rin-ne stands out from Takahashi's other manga for many reasons. Firstly, the art work is more detailed and beautiful. Also, the main characters, Rinne and Sakura, are very different to the ones we are used to. After years of loud mouthed, violent male characters (Inuyasha, Ranma etc) it's refreshing to watch Rin-ne, a mainly calm character, who only resorts to slapstick violent and his biggest concern is poverty. He also openly shows his feeling for the main female character, Sakura, something very unusual in a Takahashi manga- volume 8 is a perfect example, where we see Rinne blush on numerous occasions because of Sakura.The main female character is also very different from Lum, Akane and Kagome. We're used to energetic and highly emotional female characters, and Sakura is not one of them. Many fans fault her for this, but I think it's great to see Takashi present someone very different- there's only so many times the same personality can be used, after all. Sakura is very calm, but it this lack of hysteria and emotion that makes the situations around her funnier- almost like Sesshomaru. It's also unusual to have to guess the main female character's feelings. Usually the guy keeps us guessing, but from start we could tell Rinne liked Sakura- however, her feelings are harder to deciper!The volume also marks the start of new material for those of you who were following Shounen Sundays weekly releases.I love this manga and can't wait for the next volume!