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Title: Psycho Busters Vol 1

Author:  Akinari Nao

Story:  Yuya Aoki

Publisher:  Del Rey

ISBN:  9780345499356

May Contain Spoilers

Kakeru is having the time of his life.  He’s just escorted his mom and his pesky sisters out of the house, and now has the whole place to himself while they’re off on vacation.  In between raiding his dad’s collection of porn games, reading his sisters’ girly comics, and playing video games, his idyllic time alone has just been interrupted. A naked girl has appeared before him, and she and her freaky friends are insisting that they need Kakeru to help save the world.  Can’t a guy get any peace?

I think almost ten years of reading X-Men has soured me on books featuring super powered teens.  All of the typical plot elements are swirled into this volume, including an escape from a secret governmental research facility, opposing factions of kids with psychic powers, and a geeky hero with previously unrealized abilities.  There’s even some fan service sprinkled awkwardly on top, some of it with Kareku’s sisters posing for him in their new bikinis.  Ick.

The cast of characters is genetic, with most of them known more for their abilities than their personalities.  There’s Ayano, a telepath whose naked astral projection lures Kakeru to get mixed up in the conspiracy to begin with, and Xiao Long, a master of qigong, which allows him to heal injuries, as well as inflict them.  Suspicious Kaito, separated from his psychic friends during their escape from the development center, is a firestarter who no longer wants to associate with them.  He has his own goals and a place he wants to protect.  Mysterious Jôi, the group’s leader, was severely injured in the escape and spends much of this volume unconscious.

Kakeru is a nerd who just wants to bask in his time alone, enjoying the quiet solitude of an empty house.  His mom and sisters have just left for a vacation in Hawaii, and after a mix up with his ticket, he’s unable to accompany them.  Does it bother him?  Not a bit.  He’d rather stay home, playing video games and reading comics.  He does make an off-hand wish that something exciting would happen, and bingo! just a few pages later, there’s a naked girl in his room!  Or a naked astral projection, to be more precise. 

After Ayano takes control of his body, she brings him to the psychics’ hideout, and he learns about their recent escape from the Farmers.  The Farmers cultivate young psychics, harvesting them like crops.  When their attempt to recapture their escaped quarry fails, they set another group of psychics after them.  These Category Ones are extremely powerful, very dangerous, and don’t hesitate to inflict pain on their prey.  The only one the organization wants alive is Jôi, and someone like Kareku is just cannon fodder to them.  Who knew that wishing for a little excitement would be so treacherous to his health.

The action sequences are well illustrated, and there’s a convincing sense of motion to the fighting.  The action is easy to follow, and the larger panels during the altercations highlight the psychic abilities bandied about the pages.  The art is clean, with attractive character designs.  While the action scenes displayed some exciting visuals, the accompanying dialog was lackluster. 

For some fast-paced reading, Psycho Busters provides a little brainless fun.  There’s nothing to really sink your teeth into, however, and it feels like most of the ground covered has been seen numerous times before. 

Grade:  C

Rated for Older Teen

Review copy provided by Del Rey