Pokémon Black and White, Vol. 8 (8) (Pokemon) Paperback – July 3, 2012

I haven't read comics (manga is the Japanese word) about Pokemon for a long time, but I was eager to read the Black and White series, story by Hidenori Kusaka and art by Satoshi Yamamoto. For me, it was really good and fun to read. It is a story about a ten-year-old boy named Black who has wanted to be a Pokemon trainer ever since he was a little kid....or littler, rather...toddler age, I think. Most Pokemon stories are about a young person becoming a trainer and challenging the region's gym leaders, Pokemon League and finally the Pokemon League Champion while facing a threat from the series' antagonists (in Black and White it's Team Plasma, as well as a mysterious stalker guy named N--yep, his name is N), but this story gained its own little charm and individuality pretty quickly, I thought. The series was creative, and in each volume I could tell that the author and illustrator had a good time creating the series by seeing how the characters interacted with each other, and because of the funny, cute and amusing little mannerisms the human and Pokemon characters have. Instead of just having the characters go on another generic journey, it had a nice touch of depth and history that the Pokemon games sometimes don't or can't have because of the fact that the games have to appeal to a huge amount of people. The main character in the games normally doesn't talk, but when Pokemon is made into a manga series, the author and writer add nuances, history and personality to the characters and Pokemon which gets pretty interesting.Even though the volumes were pretty short, there was a lot to look at in each one, a lot of interesting stories and, again, lots of meaningful character interaction. It seems that the author and artist knew what they were doing and used their time, words and style well. Despite the stress that manga artists and authors are under to meet deadlines, it was nice to see that they seemed to have had a good time developing the story, art and characters of Pokemon Black and White. The art style is great, as well as being clean and easy to follow, except for a couple times--the Pokemon battle scenes mostly. But this isn't the only series that's had me confused sometimes about what's going on, and it's normally not enough of a problem to get me annoyed. I think a minimal-to-medium amount of confusion is sometimes normal for manga because of the perspectives the artists draw in (for example, sideways panels that make the characters look like they're standing on the wall). And if readers aren't used to the right-to-left style of Japanese comics, that can take some getting used to. Anyway, speaking of the battling scenes, there is plenty of action in the series because of it, and I was intrigued to see violence in one of the volumes that actually involved some blood. Seeing blood in Pokemon was a first for me but maybe there is blood in the other Pokemon manga series. I don't think it was too horribly devastating, though, and there is no language worse than "Darn!" or "What the heck!" in the series, so it's likely still just fine for the kids who read it.I really am glad that I found this boxed set, because it was really fun to read and was a good price for eight volumes. I notice that manga tend to be around 5-20 dollars a volume, give or take, which gets to be pretty expensive for a long series.I'll wrap this up. The boxed set got to me in a couple of days, and was packaged neatly. The comics were in good shape, no torn pages or covers, and the plastic wrap around the box set was in good shape too. Thank you very much.The last manga in the box set said there will be a continuing series of the Black and White graphic novel, because volume eight ended at a little cliffhanger. I can't wait to read the continuing story!

I can honestly not recommend this manga highly enough. Pokémon Adventures is a downright brilliant series, and despite often being branded a children's series, it does have some mature themes that both kids and adults can enjoy.This box set however, is somewhat disappointing. First of all, it doesn't even cover the whole B&W story arc. I knew that when I bought it, but it just isn't as good value as the other box sets in the series that do. The free poster is a nice touch, but a bit small.The volumes themselves are tiny. About half or a third of the regular volumes. Hmm.After I purchased this box set, I had to purchase the remaining volumes as they were released (the 2nd box set was not yet available).I was shocked when I realised the plot was censored - the publisher of this version cut off the true ending despite not containing any inappropriate content, although it is admittedly bittersweet. This makes the end seem really unresolved and too sudden. Also mucks up the BW2 arc. Who knows what else has been censored?If you can, buy the Shogakukan-published version. Normal-sized volumes and true to the story.

When I bought them I was expecting a large box set because they were 8 books and I thought they were average thickness in pages as a regular manga would but when I got I was surprise how thin the books were about 60 actual pages in each book then I saw why it was cheaper then other book sets. Overall I still enjoy them and a cute fun manga they have very nice quality the covers a have combo matte (black) and laminate (white) feels real nice artwork been done nicely so I recommend to any pokemon fan and or manga lover.

I have a 9 years old boy who is fanatic of Pokemon series.I want to stimulate him to read, so I bought these collection.My first reaction when I saw these books was, Oh, well, they are so bored.... and ugly printing, in cheap paper and no colors....But my son love them!He reads all the collection in record time.So I am so happy about that than I had bought the 3 next volumes.They arrived in time, and good conditions. No complain ;)

It's a nice set, but not the entire series. I'm not certain who big the whole series is, but I've found at least another 8 books elsewhere. The books are also very small, much smaller than most manga books I've ever purchased. It would take 3-4 books to match the width of the Tokyo Pop and Viz manga books I have on the shelf.

I'm so glad I got the box set. For the steal of a price that I got it for, I shoulda guessed the volumes would be thinner than a normal manga. I expected the poster to be bigger but it's still nice and I'm glad I got it. But besides my overestimated expectations, I really like the box set.

i love pokemon i would have continue it online for free but it was on spanish but i was like its not that expensive plus 8 volumes and if you have played the first black and white and you loved the story and the characters like N you gonna love this manga and how deep it goes into the main characters and how they are not silence and they interact and how much of a badass is N and black and ofcourse ms. white

Pokemon is one of my favorite things, and one fateful day, i found volume one of these wonderful mangas. I quickly got acusstomed to the new reading style and also bought volumes 2 and 3. But once i got box sets one and two for my birthday, i donated my isolated volumes to the school library and have been buying pokemon mangas ever since that day.

My son went through a Pokemon stage which lasted about two years. This was bought during that time - so must be good for the pokemon fans amongst you.

2 boys of 8 and 10 love these books. More of a comic book style than a good read

Great time of delivery and my friend who this was bought for was very satisfied

Volume 8 of Pokemon Black and White contains chapters 25 to 28.It is rated A for all ages.This volume continues with the Ferris wheel scene between White and N. (which incidentally was my favourite part of the game for many reasons) The events that follow are quite surprising, I didn't expect this to happen at all.Volumes 1 to 8 can be bought as a set now:  Pokemon Black and White 8 Volume Set (With Poster) Overall, it's an okay story. This is the first Pokemon manga I've read so I wasn't sure what to expect. The art is great but the sound effects can be... questionable at times. I'm happy with it because we got to see N but that's just me. If you're a Pokemon fan then I think you'll enjoy this. Pokemon Black and White 8 Volume Set (With Poster)

I'm a big fan of manga and have bought several boxsets in the past. I wanted to read past where I had already read in the Pokemon Adventures manga so I picked this up. Whilst this set does include 8 volumes, they are all very thin, and the material covered would have traditionally filled out maybe 3 or 4 standard size manga volumes. Just be aware that if you want to add it to your manga collection that it may look somewhat out of place, and that it isn't as good a deal price-wise as you may initially believe. The content is still great however, and I don't regret my purchase, I just wish that it was more similar to normal manga volumes.