The Bottom Line
With a clever mix of comedy, drama and high-adrenaline action, Eyeshield 21 hits its stride in Volume 17. If you've made it past some weak prior episodes like the Devil Bats' matches with the NASA Aliens or the Amino Cyborgs teams, take heart. Eyeshield Volume 17 delivers a high-stakes match-up that makes it all worth the wait. Expect a lot of exciting cliffhangers, plus a surprise ending that will have you counting the days until the release of Volume 18.
Pros
- A winning mix of comedy, action and drama that keeps readers turning the page for more
- Exciting, non-stop football action that's appealing and interesting, even for non-sports fans
- Nail-biting cliffhangers that leaves you guessing which team will win up until the very last second
- Dynamic artwork that captures the action and emotions of a crucial game between two powerhouse teams
- Numerous main and side characters develop new dimensions to their personalities in this volume
Cons
- Practically none. One of the best volumes of the series to date!
- Okay, one. Side stories promote Eyeshield 21 video game, which isn't available in the U.S.
Description
- Original Title: Aishirudo Nijuichi (Japan)
- Author: Riichiro Inagaki
Artist: Yusuke Murata - Publishers:
- Shonen Jump Advanced / VIZ Media (US)
- Shueisha (Japan)
- ISBN: 978-1421511665
- Cover Price: $7.99 US / $9.99 CANADA
- Age Rating:
OT – Older Teens, Age 16+
for ridiculous amounts of firearms for comic effect
More about content ratings. - Manga Genres:
- Shonen (Boys') Manga
- Anime Tie-In
- Comedy
- Sports Manga
- US Publication Date: December 2007
Japan Publication Date: 2002 - Book Description: 200 pages, black and white illustrations
- More about Eyeshield 21:
- Watch Eyeshield 21 anime at Toonami Jetstream
- See Gamespot's preview of the Eyeshield 21 Game
Guide Review - Eyeshield 21 Volume 17
After facing several powerful rivals, the scrappy Deimon Devil Bats football team have clawed their way up to the semi-finals to face one of their toughest opponents: The Seibu Wild Gunmen. With the return of Musashi to the team, the Devil Bats just might have a chance to overcome a 20-point deficit. But the path to the championship is not an easy one, as the Devil Bats must fight for every pass, field goal and touchdown.
Inagaki paces this page-turner perfectly, and never lets you assume what the final outcome of the game will be, even up to the last second. I'm not much of a football fan, but Inagaki and Murata explain the sport's strategy so well, even non-ESPN types will get caught up in the drama and fun of Eyeshield 21.
One of the best things about Eyeshield 21 are the well-written, distinctive and loveable characters. Sure, they have some exaggerated quirks, but it's a blast to watch the Devil Bats grow and interact with each other.
In Volume 17, we see how far wimpy Sena and hyperactive Monta have developed from puny losers to gridiron heroes. Because we've seen their growth over the prior 16 volumes, we can't help but cheer for their hard-won triumphs and feel for them when things don't go their way.
Murata's dynamic artwork delivers fast-paced action and the emotional highs and lows of every play. I just love Murata's style – he has a knack for drawing athletes in action from almost any angle imaginable, and he adds lot of clever, hilarious details. Best of all, Murata never, ever forgets that his art not just there to look pretty – it's there to tell a story.
So who wins the game? I can't say – but I can mention that the last page serves up a bombshell that's been a few volumes in the making. All in all, it's one of my favorite volumes of this series and one that propels Eyeshield 21 to the top of my personal must-buy manga list.