Smokin’ Parade Vol. 1

The premise of this manga looks good on paper, but the book is a parade of mindless violence and uninteresting characters. Youkou Kakujou is the older brother of Mirai Kakujou, a disabled teen for whom Youkou cares for with much affection. When Mirai receives a new pair of surgically attached prosthetic legs, thanks to the cutting-edge tech of the Amenotori Company, Youkou’s life changes along with hers—but things turn extremely macabre when strange effects of the prosthesis technology surface within Mirai. Amid violence and gore, the two siblings must overcome a group known as the Jackalopes. The art is cluttered and uninspired, failing to distinguish itself. This first volume concludes on a stronger note, but future volumes will need to pick up the pace. (Feb.)