Rin-ne (2009)

[境界のRINNE]

Volume 2

Author/Artist: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shounen Sunday Comics

Synopsis:
Sakura and Rinne help an underclasswoman haunted by the spirit of a fallen warrior.

Story/Characters:
The opening two-parter is interesting because it plays with expectation with regard to how reincarnation works. We follow it with the story of a drowned songstress. The rest of the volume is devoted to a story that mixes it up by introducing a living spirit that gets cursed by the devil Masato, a rival of Rinne's (something of this series equivalent of Kunou from Ranma). It makes for something of a battle arc in contrast to the smaller one- or two-chapter episodic stories.

Art:
The art is solid. There's some decent low-key visual comedy and the big dustup with Masato is pretty good, too.

Conclusion:
The first two episodes were decent but nothing exceptional, while the Masato arc gives us some indication of bigger possibilities in this world. I wasn't that enthusiastic for the series after reading the first volume, but after this, I think I've managed to temper my expectations and appreciate it for what it is. A die-hard Takahashi fan will probably want to get this, but for general audiences it's at least worth a read.

Rating:
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