Sand Land

A delightful one-shot manga, reminiscent of Toriyama's earlier work "Pink," which similarly explores themes of water scarcity. While "Pink" evokes a Star Wars-like atmosphere, akin to Tatooine, "Sand Land" infuses a charming, wholesome vibe with demon characters that echo those found in Toriyama's "Cowa!" Toriyama consistently portrays demons not as inherently evil but rather as complex beings, much like Majin Buu, who isn't truly malevolent. This ability to craft endearing yet ostensibly evil characters is one reason Beelzebub resonates so well. General Shiba stands out as another memorable character, brimming with personality and bearing a resemblance to Goku, making readers root for him as he pursues his objectives.

One drawback of this manga is its limited scope and the absence of a formidable adversary or climactic confrontation. Despite the monarch's loss of power, he never faces significant consequences. Though the story wraps up neatly, it leaves you wishing for more content that could have enriched the narrative and made it more memorable. Nonetheless, "Sand Land" is a commendable manga. Given its size and expansion from an even shorter original, it proves to be quite enjoyable to read.

Alright, this is my first review, so pardon me if it's not great. Anyway, Sandland is a short manga created by Akira Toriyama, the mastermind behind Dragon Ball Z. As expected, his distinctive art style is evident throughout the story. Some folks aren't fans of his style, while others adore it. Personally, I enjoy it. Despite being a quick read, Toriyama does an excellent job of fleshing out this post-apocalyptic world, which I find fascinating. It has its own character. Sure, there are clichés, but they blend seamlessly with the unique elements of the story, making them barely noticeable.

All in all, I enjoyed the story. It’s not Toriyama's best work, but it's a fast, fun read that showcases his good art and unique storytelling ability. If you're looking for something light yet engaging, Sandland fits the bill nicely.

Did you finish Dragon Ball and think, "Wow, Akira Toriyama is like a manga deity; I need more, something even better!"? Well, this is it. Personally, I thought Akira Toriyama was nothing special, but this manga proved me wrong.

The story is excellent for a quick one-shot volume, even with the simplistic premise of "The government took our water, so now we rebel!" Just as I mentioned, that's essentially the plot. The significant flaw I found was how rushed it felt. The volume concludes at 12 chapters, and I believe an additional chapter could have smoothed the transition to the final chapter. The concluding fight doesn't last long, and some Dragon Ball-style combat elements would have been welcome.

The artwork is above average, and the tankōbon is well-drawn despite its cartoonish appearance. Thief's design concept is quite amusing (a Santa-like demon who steals?). However, I do have a gripe with the cover. It's rather unattractive. The colors don't seem like colors at all, more like something my little sister might whip up on Photoshop.

The characters blend together nicely. The scene where Thief comments on a picture that serves as Rao's "good luck charm" made me realize that adding -san or -kun wasn't necessary because it showed how close they were, regardless of being human or devils. General turns out not to be entirely evil, but you'll discover that later. General Are's actions in the last few chapters filled me with joy and energy. It warmed my heart and brought joy.

I enjoyed this manga and even ran a mile after reading it. Overall, it deserves an 8, but it more than makes up for over 40 volumes of Dragon Ball. This comes highly recommended, and it's only a single volume long. How many shonen series can you say that about?

Feel free to reach out if you want to know more about the manga or anything else. I always respond.

Sand Land is now available from Viz Media and can be found at your local bookstore or anime/manga retailer.

Sand Land is a story that moves at a brisk pace, touches on various themes without delving too deeply, and wraps up almost as soon as it begins. Despite its brevity, it's an enjoyable read worth revisiting on a rainy afternoon. If you've heard the first three points before, congratulations—you're more successful in life than 80% of people on this website, including me.

The plot is straightforward: two demons and a man traverse a desert to find water for a world that has turned arid, facing numerous challenges along the way. This simplicity is reflected in the clean art style, unmistakably Akira Toriyama's. The clear aesthetic makes action sequences easy to follow and characters distinct, especially the protagonist Beelzebub.

While the story doesn't delve into deep philosophical debates, there are intriguing character moments, particularly with the humans. Sheriff Rao stands out as my favorite of the main trio due to his mysterious secrets. However, Thief and Beelzebub aren't lacking either; each brings humor and heart, complementing Rao's stoic demeanor. Several side characters also have moments that humanize them, except for the main antagonists whose motivations are rather simplistic. But that’s not a complaint—this single-volume adventure is meant to be quick and fun.

If I were to nitpick, it would be that Beelzebub's role in fights is limited to punching and kicking. His memorable traits come from his character moments and design, not any special attacks. Just a minor point—I wasn’t expecting anything as iconic as the Kamehameha.

As my first Toriyama story, I was greatly impressed. If Dragon Ball hadn't already piqued my interest due to its influence on modern manga, Sand Land certainly has now. Thank you for enriching the worlds of imagination and entertainment.