Tokyo ESP

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Why hasn't Tokyo ESP gotten any reviews? It's a real gem compared to all the trash the media is releasing- I don't even get how some of that stuff is published. So anyway, let me ask you a question. Do you want to read a manga with romance that has a supernatural setting and a kick ass crew? Are you sick of cry baby, pathetic, heroines? Do you want some good action? How about flying fish, macho, literally magnetic fathers, yoda in a panda disguse, a little girl using nunchucks like a boss, and more? If you said yes to any of those, Tokyo ESP ... will be your haven.
The story may seem unoriginal and pretty common, but it's not. The plot has twists, and the twists have twists. While some things may be predictable, that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Also, Tokyo ESP isn't just some shojo manga. It has amazing fighting scenes, as well as events leading up to them. Also, the main characters (Rinka and Azuma) aren't overpowered- they dont have battles that last one page. I mean, if the fight scenes are amazing, they wouldn't last one page, right? That's one great thing about Tokyo ESP. The balance between romance and action is amazing. Also, there arent guys falling for Rinka all over the place for no reason, and the guy she happens to be in love with? She actually has a reason besides that he's super cute or something along those lines. (Although Rinka probably wont deny Azuma's appearance) There are scenes where you want to cry, scenes where you want to laugh, and scenes where your outraged.
Also, Rinka, my dear Rinka. . . I love her. She's wonderful. She isn't nastily selfish, but she isn't unnaturally humble- I'm able to connect to her in many ways, while still being able to admire her formidable strength. She has to deal with annoying female classmates, she's gets beat up, she's also poor, and she only has a father. However, she has a conscience, she's also ridiculously strong at times, she's weak at times, but she made friends. (somehow) She is probably one of the most developed and realistic characters I've met in a romance-related manga that I've liked. Most of the supporting roles (that appear in at least approximately five pages) also have backgrounds that help the story.
The art was at times normal, but at times pure magic- it created the perfect mood whenever necessary. The cover art was amazing, and the contents weren't a disappointment. Overall, I really enjoyed Tokyo ESP and I highly recommend it to anyone who's life was scarred by the good-anime/manga-turned-bad-Vampire-Knight. (and I feel like no matter what anime or manga I revew, I'll always make a diss towards VK. MyAnimeList should make a Most Hated Anime/Manga/Character/etc feature.)

Almost everyone wants to make their mark on their world. At the very least, most people wish to have the power to change the world around them...

But what happens when you possess that power, and fantasy gives way to reality?

- - - - - - - -

In Tokyo ESP, Hajime Segawa provides a forlorn and forsaken Tokyo, cursed with the mystical powers of Esp and subsequently, the people who control Esp--Espers. In a society that remains critical of individualistic personas, and partial to those who do conform, Rinka, a young girl who only wants to fit in with the people around her, is ... forced to act upon her new powers.

From the very beginning until the end of part 1, Rinka's transformation from a simple, frugal, self-conscious young teen to a mature, strong young woman--and a symbol of hope for all of Tokyo--is beautiful to see.

On the other hand, the archetypes of this work is obvious and plain as day. Heroine is given power, heroine recognizes injustice, heroine attempts to beat injustice with her own power, gets owned, works hard to overcome her weakness, beats injustice.

As for the romance--nothing to see here, folks!--if the "fall in love at first sight" archetype is your thing, you will enjoy the work.

If you are a fan of Hajime Segawa's work, I assure you that Tokyo ESP does not disappoint. From the beginning to the end, through the curse of Segawa's horrible setting explanation to the final, vainglorious moments, this rough gem stands out amongst the dust around it. Shine it a little more, and polish it--here is a work you might not easily forget, a work that you just might add to your favorites.

Folks, please give it up for Hajime Segawa's Tokyo ESP.

4.5 out of 5 stars for the currently incomplete but captivating Tokyo ESP.

I have recently just finished the first part of Tokyo ESP (Yay!) Considering that I needed enjoyed it immensely (and I had some free time) I decided to write something about it.

Urushiba Rinka has been living quite a tough life. Her father is a renegade policeman and her mother ran away due to complications with her husband. Due to her now jobless father, she takes on the burden and works to make ends meet. School wasn't fun either since she had no friends and gets teased due her poverty... Life wasn't exactly a box of chocolates. However, this lifestyle ends abruptly when she encounters several ... freaks of nature: a flying penguin and "light" fish swimming through the air that suck her into a new world; full of dark secrets, relentless enemies, and a blast from the past.

Story 9/10: The story turns a run of the mill theme, hero/herione saves the world, and manages to turn it into something unique. One thing I appreciate is the high ups and extreme lows that the characters experience throughout the journey. This gives a sense of reality to the story, not some super overpowered character that blows away everything in his/her path and has absolutely no problems (*cough* Izayoi *cough*).

Art 6/10: This is definitely the weakest link in the chain. While Segami Hajime is extremely adept at incorporating fine detail as well as drawing a myriad of emotions, the quality fluctuates too much as smaller panels have less details and the characters are more disoriented. Additionally, I feel like while the few main and sub-main characters are drawn at a very high level (no complaints here), the quality drops considerably when comparing them to background and miscellaneous characters.

Character 9/10: The characters all have their own unique character and problems to deal with, but are able to unite despite their differences and defeat these obstacles (well at least most of them). The heroine has her volatile but caring personality, her quirky sidekick and friend (ITS A FREAKIN MIRACLE Q.Q), and her overprotective father (to the point I feel like its a daughter complex >.>).

Enjoyment 9/10: I was extremely entertained by this manga xD. There are some very funny moments and your able to connect to the characters at various points. Also, battle scenes weren't over the top (TYVM) and were even humorous. Only thing that prevents me from totally enjoying this are times when story kinda slugs along or goes of on a tangent (Just focus on the freakin main story!).

Overall 8/10: I find the story and characters very engrossing the only major complaint is a need for better artwork. While it isn't horrible (It does some things very well as previously mentioned) it needs a great deal of improvement. The negatives aside, Tokyo ESP is a very engrossing, action packed (and a sprinkle of romance) read that you should give a try! ^.^