Suikoden III: The Successor of Fate

    (Tokyopop, 2004-2005)
™ and © 2003 Aki Shimizu & © 1995, 2003 Konami Computer Enertainment Tokyo
Reads right to left; black and white.

An introduction informs readers this manga is based on a series of role–playing videogames, which, in turn, are based on a Chinese literary classic—but don’t let that get in the way of enjoying Suikoden, an epic fantasy for people who don’t like epic fantasies.

It helps that readers don’t have to memorize an intricate backstory to grasp the central conflict between the dark-skinned people of the Grasslands and the expansive Zexen Federation.

With that conflict taking place on a Final Fantasy–type world and, in spite of a cast list that literally goes on for pages (helpfully provided in the back), the focus remains on strong, likable leads. Those include the exuberant Hugo and the cigar-chomping giant duck Sgt. Joe on the Grassland side and the female knight Chris Lightfellow fighting for Zexen. It also has the innovation of not making the war a simple matter of good vs. evil; it’s more complicated than that. This lyrical, beautifully drawn story is an unexpected pleasure.

— S.A. Bennett
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#3

September, 2004
Cover Price: $9.99
1 copy available for $7.99 		Aki ShimizuAki Shimizu
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May, 2005
Cover Price: $9.99
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