cover image Shaolin Sisters: Reborn, Volume 1

Shaolin Sisters: Reborn, Volume 1

Narumi Kakinouchi, . . Tokyopop, $9.99 (224pp) ISBN 978-1-59532-507-5

At first, it seems like an ordinary day for the three Kenga sisters, Seilin, Kalin and Julin. Seilin is out jogging, Kalin is making breakfast and Julin is awakening from a strange dream of fighting a mysterious enemy. Little do they know that they are, in fact, the reincarnation of an ancient martial arts clan who once saved the world from their own misguided father. Today's the day they'll begin to live out their destiny. Strange beings start to appear: an attacking crow who changes to a leotard-clad woman, mask-wearing strangers and an old man with a powerful bell. As Julin comes to understand her heritage, the larger story comes into focus, setting up a confrontation with Julin's ancient enemy in a future volume. Shaolin Sisters: Reborn is a sequel to the Shaolin Sisters series, but familiarity with the original won't help much. The story brims with fight scenes and mysterious characters, but much of the action happens without exposition, making it necessary for readers to work a little more than is customary with this genre. This standard manga action tale features attractive heroines, but that's about it. (May)