Shaman King
Because no mangas were being updated last week due to Golden Week, I decided to start reading Shaman King and finished it last night. It's a series I'd been wanting to read for a while since years ago when I first go into manga I had read a bit of it when I was buying the NA version of Shounen Jump.
I did enjoy it but I'll admit that I was disappointed when I found out that JUMP cancelled the series so close to the end. Because of this, the last arc seemed really rushed and the series just ends halfway through the last arc (although I hear the real ending is being released next year since the series is currently being re-released). I really wish the last arc could have had the time to be developed better and a proper ending.
Originally Faust was my favourite character since I have a thing for characters who have gone crazy after losing someone they've loved (heh, I'm actually watched Sweeney Todd right now). I was really excited when I saw that his character was returning after the arc in America but I ended up being really disappointed. He didn't even have a real fight after his return, which disappointed me since I wanted to see more of his necromancy; I especially wanted to see him fight that follower of Hao's who had similar skills. I really didn't like the fact that his role was basically resorted to resurrecting people, which about three other characters can do (it would be different if he was the only one with that skill). I did however like the fact he got to be with Eliza again though. They're cute together.
Because I didn't care for the development of Faust, Hao ended up being my favourite, since I also have a thing for semi-psychotic villains who have no qualms about killing people. I thought he was cool. Plus he makes me laugh at times like when he decided to go out for coffee with Yoh and when he randomly showed up at their Inn and invaded the Hot Springs because his own base had been blown apart by the X-Laws.
Speaking of the X-Laws I also thought they were cool with their angel spirits and the Iron Maiden. I did however go between liking and disliking Lyserg Diethel. In the beginning I really had no opinion of him but I really disliked the way he abandoned his friends and joined the X-Laws. When he started helping out Yoh again, that's when he started warming on me.
A character I liked all the way through however was Ren. He reminded me of Hiei, which could explain why I liked Ren so much. I mean, Ren's short, started out as a villain, and eventually joins the group despite not liking most of the members. I really liked how he developed throughout the story. I think he had the best character development going from a one dimensional villain to a complex ally.
And then there's Anna. Anna was way cool. Although I really would have liked to have gotten the explanation why she was so special. Hopefully it'll be explained in the real ending about why she had the same powers as Hao and why she was so powerful.
Despite the faults I have with the series, I thought it was a fun read. I kinda want to play as a Shaman in WoW now, although you don't get a cool Over Soul or a spirit BFF in the game (you do get to turn into a cool Ghost Wolf, which no one in the manga does).