Night of the Beasts, Vol. 1

Aria has the reputation of being the toughest girl in high school, beating up guys who harass helpless girls, but when she meets Sakura, Aria starts discovering her softer side. Sakura is possessed by a 600-year-old demon who comes out when tempted by the sight of blood or the promise of a fight. The only thing that neutralizes the demon is Aria's physical touch. Meanwhile, a mysterious band of agents are out to kill Sakura, who has been trying to use his demon powers to protect the city's inhabitants from another demon who is on a killing spree. Borrowing themes from movies like American Werewolf in Paris , this manga sets up a demon werewolf in Tokyo. Shiomi adds a layer of playful romance and mystery that successfully balances the dramatic story elements. Stylistically, she use a powerful, more shonen-based art style, making this something of a hybrid crossover high school–demon romance. First published in Japan in the mid-1990s, the characters eschew the kiddie look for a more YA appearance: there are no diminutive school girls or willowy boys in this series. Despite the references made to demons and killing throughout this first volume, this manga is quite tame, visually, so far. (Oct.)