Dragon Ball Z
By: Akira Toriyama (in otherwords, God of the Manga Industry)
Parts Reviewed: Volume 28 (just about the middle of the manga)
Grade: B (it is my least favorite of all the manga in Shonen Jump)
Genre: Fighting/Science Fiction/Fantasy
Plot: I think you probably know what DBZ is about... In this volume Frieza is back as a cyborg and ready to kick some ass...However, Goku has gone missing after the explosion of the planet Namek, and refuses to be summoned by the Dragon. There's actually not a lot of fighting in this volume...
Artwork: Well, its Akira Toriyama... he's got a very different style than most other manga artists, and I really like it! The artwork is probably the best part about DBZ.
The Good: The aforementioned artwork and the fact that its by Akira Toriyama (although I like his comedies better)
The Bad: As DBZ is a fighting manga, this volume was an incredibly boring one, especially for the start of the series in Shonen Jump (this was the only manga, however, to not start from the very beginning) All in all, I think it would have been better if SJ had started maybe at the very beginning of DBZ, if they couldn't start with Dragon Ball.
One Piece
By: Eiichiro Oda
Parts Reviewed: Chapter 1: Romance Dawn
Grade: A+ (my favorite pick out of the Shonen Jump lineup)
Genre:Adventure/humor
Plot: As this is one you probably aren't familiar with, I'll give you some nice detail on the plot. One Piece is about a boy named Luffy who desperately wants to become a pirate, however, they won't let him join. Why not? Well, Luffy can't swim, and now he'll never be able to after he eats a magical fruit the pirates stole. The fruit did give Luffy some amazing powers (I won't spoil it for you!) Anyway, by the end of the first chapter, Luffy's decided to go off on his own to find a crew of pirates.
Artwork: Its very cute, reminds me more of Disney than really a manga (especially the sea monster!)
The Good: It's very funny and charming...I fully enjoyed every second I read (and reread!) One Piece! It rocks!
The Bad: Hmm...every once in awhile the people have REALLY big mouths with REALLY big teeth. That's it, I think.
Sandland
By: Akira Toriyama (Yes, another one by him)
Parts Reviewed: Chapter 1: Let's go!
Grade: A+ (my second favorite, very close to 1!)
Genre: Adventure/Humor
Plot: The Earth is now desolate desert, where water is very scarce (and the only water source is controlled by the fat greedy king) Beelzebub, the video game obsessed demon prince and main character, decides to help a human sheriff named Rao to find a phantom lake that might exist deep in the desert. Along the way they'll have to deal with sand dragons and a general lack of water!
Artwork: Akira Toriyama at his best! The character designs are also very cute (Beelzebub is so pink and adorable!) The human characters, too, aren't annoying and stupid looking like a few in DBZ are (-ahem- Krillin) Rao kinda looks like a tough army veteran or something.
The Good: Very funny and original! A Playstation 6? LOL! (You'll get it if ya read it...)
The Bad: Hard to say...I think it just lacks a little of the charm that One Piece has (which is why its just a little bit lower than it)
