666 Satan by Seishi Kishimoto

666 Satan by Seishi Kishimoto

Genre: Shonen

Length: 19 Volumes – 76 Chapters

Art and story (c) Seishi Kishimoto

            The art of this manga is a little off at first, in proportions mostly, but it has a strong look and is solidly put together, including the character designs and the world around them. Backgrounds are there, as well, giving more depth to the universe this is set in. Clothes are varied and interesting to look at, the detailing of just about everything in this manga is good, actually. There was a bit of a problem with some of the women's clothes though, aside from the obligatory naked shots, some times the clothes looked just the same as if the characters weren't wearing anything at all, and not just because they were skimpy, just a case of too many anatomy lines, it made for distraction instead of just looking like tight clothing. Going back to the details, they eyes are very expressive, though they often share the same shape, they are very distinctive still, especially the monster-like types. The monsters themselves also share the excellent detailing that the people do, its easy for the eye to stop and look at them, even in the middle of epic battles. Its very stylized, and I highly enjoyed it, but, perhaps, you think this art looks familiar, as if you've seen it every where for fifteen years or so, for example. Well, its not plagiarized, no, the reason this manga looks so much like a very famous manga titled Naruto is due to the fact that 666 Satan is drawn by Masashi Kishimoto's twin brother! A bit of the style is similar, especially when comparing the beginning of the two manga, but most of the similarities are only surface deep.

            Ruby Crescent is a treasure hunter, traveling alone and looking for the mysterious objects known as 'O-parts' that, when in the hands of technicians, become powerful weapons. When a giant monster attacks, Ruby expects her short life to be over, but thankfully a young boy is around and saves her life, claiming he will be her bodyguard so long as she promises to pay him. This strange kid, who's name is Jio, freely admits his dream is to conquer the world, still, he is strong so Ruby decides to take him up on his offer. At least, she figures, it is better to have a companion than to be always alone, Jio doesn't seem to agree, as he only believes in the power of his own self. The two of them begin their journey together this way, as opposite as Jio's own two-toned hair.

            666 Satan, or to use the much milder English publication name O-Parts Hunter, is a story that has a lot of surface elements similar to Naruto, considering twin siblings made each respective title I think allowances can be given, especially since the elements in common can mostly be applied to just about any shonen manga. At the time I first read this manga five or six years ago, the name appealed to me first and foremost (I absolutely love pseudo-religious type plots especially ones involving angels and demons), then when I looked at the art I quickly Googled the artist to get the skinny on why it was so similar to the very famous Naruto. After that I referenced to 666 Satan like so: “like Naruto but with an ending” but that doesn't really have same relevance anymore considering that Naruto actually got around to ending so I have changed it to say “like Naruto but much shorter” instead. All joking aside, my review will not compare the two manga, I never much cared about Naruto, I read a large chunk but only because a friend owned it but never had the interest to continue it on my own, so really can't say which one is “better” all I know is I liked 666 Satan very much. The beginning of this manga, though, is quite ham fisted as far as character development goes, and the plot is a little rushed in the first chapter especially, it seems like too much information is being thrown at you with no real reason as to why it need be revealed. At the second volume though a longer term plot is introduced and things begin to firm up and connect. After that, the plot grows larger and grander in usual fashion, bringing with it enemies and fights and friends. Its a bit typical for it's genre, but it also has a lot of interesting bits and characters that pull you to continue just to see how things will go for them. I wish I had something to really complain about but just about all I can think of is the pacing and the explanations. The pacing really moves quickly, and the fights can be over before you expect them to, still that's not really that bad of problem its just a preference on my part really. Now, the explanations were half bad translation, I think, which is also my fault for not having bought the manga physically yet, so again, not much a complaint. All I remember at the end of these nineteen volumes is how much I enjoyed seeing Jio and Ruby grow together, lots of people have complained about the ending but I feel it is very befitting the rest of the manga. On another note, putting my bad scans into the picture, I saw the name 'O-Parts Hunter' and shied away from buying it. I'm a bit of a purist who likes to see things in the way that the original creator meant them to be (i.e. original voice actors, faithful translations of the dialog), and the name change, in addition to sounding horribly bland, worried that part of me, I find the change detestable. Still, I plan on buying 666 Satan when I have the chance because I, as I have several times prior, want to read this amazing manga again.

5/5 Beginning may be a little shaky but once the plot is pointed the right way, thoroughly enjoyable all the way to the end.