WaqWaq, Vol. 1

On another world, black-blooded humans live in remote mountain caves and fear attacking machines. Guardians are the only ones who can travel between settlements and protect the people. Legends say that their god, the Kami, who created their world, will return to save them and be known by his magical red blood. Shio, son of a Guardian, watches his father die rescuing a mysterious (Earth) girl with red blood named Matsuda. Her presence creates tensions and drama between the various factions, but she emerges as a peacemaker, protected by Shio as other powerful forces try to find or control her. As she attempts to go home, it emerges that Matsuda has the potential to unite the two cultures, human and machine. There's plenty of action in this manga with battlesuit fights against imaginative future machines and energetic, well-drawn art. The legend motivating the series is simple but resonant, providing depth to the battles. Matsuda's quest to return to our world is reminiscent of everything from The Wizard of Oz to Alice 19th, while Naruto fans may enjoy Shio's quest to live up to his father's legacy in battle. (Aug.)