ALIVE (Alive Saishû Shinkateki Shônen, “Alive: Final Evolutionary Boy”) (アライブー最終進化的少年ー) • Tadashi Kawashima (original story), Toka Adachi (art) • Del Rey (2007-ongoing) • Kodansha (Monthly Shônen Magazine, 2003-ongoing) • 18+ volumes (ongoing) • Shônen Psychic Science Fiction • 16+ (mild language, infrequent graphic violence, mild sexual situations)
A strange cosmic event or plague strikes the Earth, causing thousands of people to commit suicide, while others develop superhuman powers. Kano, the teenage little brother of the sexy school nurse, is one of the lucky few who develops powers, but he must leave school and travel across Japan, fighting the other “evolved” ones who have turned into sociopathic killers–including his former best friend. A mix of alien forces, strange conspiracies, and teenage nihilism, Alive strikes a satisfying middle ground between high-concept angst and psychic-powered beat-’em-up. The art is an attractive example of the Shonen Magazine house style, with photorealistic environments which reinforce the generally serious mood. The characters use their powers creatively. An above average “realistic superheroes” story.
*** (three stars)
Today’s winner is Louis R. of Florida. Congratulations, Louis! We’ve been receiving tons of photos of winners, and we’ll be putting more up soon!
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5 Responses to “365 Days of Manga, Day 24: Alive”
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I’m just curious, but how long does it take for everyone that has won this contest to get their manga? I saw someone able to get theirs and post their picture online within only 3 days, but I’m guessing there is some distance involved with this maybe? I hope that it is just late and not lost or stolen though.
Hi Bryan, sorry it took awhile, to answer, I was out of town for the weekend. The manga is shipped out by media mail, which can take around a week to go from California to the East Coast. Also, I don’t send out manga everyday, due to scheduling. So depending on your location, it may take anywhere from a few days to two weeks for the manga to arrive at your house from the time your name is posted as a winner. It will get there, though, and if two weeks have passed and you haven’t received anything, please email me!
I am saddened to here about the lose of Tadashi Kawashima, and am wondering if he had finished the series Alive: Final Evolution before he passed away?
Jonathan, to ease your disconcerted heart slightly, he was able to finish the series just a few months before he’d passed away.
While I am sad to hear that Kawashima-sensei has passed away, I am happy to hear he finished his work before he passed on.
Is there any word when we will be getting volume 9 of this series? With 21 Volumes, we have 13 more to go and I am sure his fans would like to read his final works.