recommend me some manga

[Alzrius]

But some of the episodes contain what they'd call "adult situations" on TV. Although Kenshin doesn't kill, there are characters who do (like Saito). Then there's the final showdown between Kenshin and Shishio, which (in the anime) is fairly explicit (would be R-rated in a movie) and would never pass on an American all-ages cartoon. Mind you, I haven't seen the manga version, and I'd bet most of these kids have seen far worse many times in movies like Terminator 2 and Aliens.

I was worried about this too, then decided I was being silly.

Ask yourself, at 14, would seeing a fight scene like the ones in Rurouni Kenshin have shocked and appalled you? Left you sleepless with fear and horror? No? So why would they for the youth of today? It seems like the older we grow, the more we forget what we were like as kids. I think Kenshin is perfectly fine for the kids at Eric's school.

 

[Chun-tzu]

Ask yourself, at 14, would seeing a fight scene like the ones in Rurouni Kenshin have shocked and appalled you? Left you sleepless with fear and horror? No? So why would they for the youth of today?

Yeah, I wouldn't have blinked an eye at it (the killing, that is, although the betrayal was a shocker). But here's the thing. As a teacher, you don't get to make that call. As a parent, you can let your kid do or be exposed to whatever is in your discretion. As a teacher or any other professional who works with kids, you have to consider the sensibilities of more conservative parents. For example, one of our family friends (a highly Catholic Portugese woman) is strictly opposed to allowing her children to play with any sort of toy guns or shooting games. Me, I used to play Doom 2 and Quake all the time, and I'm a "wouldn't hurt a fly" kind-of guy. I don't have any problems with teens playing those games. But a teacher always runs the risk of your more conservative types giving you crap for what "you're teaching" their kids.

But, Eric, don't let this make you think Kenshin is controversial. I'd classify it as a bit risky, seeing as I know nothing about your school or kids, that's all.

 

[beeber]

appleseed, by masamune shirow
planetes (proper spelling, really!)
azumanga daioh
maison ikkoku, or anything by rumiko takahashi (may have the occasional exposed breast, except in ranma 1/2, where they can be quite commonplace).

 

[Testament]

Damn, how could I forget Azumanga Daioh? That'd be a good one, except it focuses almost solely on 6 girls.

Appleseed has pretty frequent nudity, so it might not be a good choice.

 

[thatdarncat]

Rurouni Kenshin definitly. Both Seri and I read Kenshin (I'm waiting for her to finish volume 6). So far I don't think there's been anything I'd worry about.

If you're looking for manga for younger readers, Card Captor Sakura is pretty good. I'd say 10-12.

 

[Plane Sailing]

For my money the greatest of all manga is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. IIRC there is no nudity or anything like that in it. It is an epic story with a tremendous heroine and quite a nice ecological message in there too.

For details I recommend a glance here http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/manga/nausicaa.html

Cheers

 

[EricNoah]

Thanks again, everything you mentioned except the anthology thingy is available from my vendor. I appreciate it!

 

[YokoburiKinura]

Well, if it's not too late, I'd probably recommend Tsubasa by CLAMP from Del Rey. Only the first two or three volumes are out in the US, but the Japanese release is up to 8.

Quick summary: Shaoran is the childhood friend of the princess Sakura. When she falls under a curse, Shaoran and other heroes must travel to a parallel world to find a way to save her.

Although CLAMP are traditionally girl-oriented artists, this one is more boy-oriented with some battles, but the romance element and good mix of characters will appeal to both sides.

 

[Uzumaki]

Well, if it's not too late, I'd probably recommend Tsubasa by CLAMP from Del Rey. Only the first two or three volumes are out in the US, but the Japanese release is up to 8.

Quick summary: Shaoran is the childhood friend of the princess Sakura. When she falls under a curse, Shaoran and other heroes must travel to a parallel world to find a way to save her.

Although CLAMP are traditionally girl-oriented artists, this one is more boy-oriented with some battles, but the romance element and good mix of characters will appeal to both sides.

A note about Tsubasa:

Nearly all of Tsubasa's characters' original inceptions were in other CLAMP manga. (CLAMP is the name if the group) Sakura and Shaoran are in the aforementioned Card Captor Sakura, and through their travels, they meet someone from all of CLAMP's other series. While I doubt this will diminish their overall appeal, it may be more enjoyable for someone who's read CLAMP works before.

 

[haiiro]

For my money the greatest of all manga is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. IIRC there is no nudity or anything like that in it. It is an epic story with a tremendous heroine and quite a nice ecological message in there too.

Not that you probably need another recommendation for Nausicaa, Eric, but here's one anyway: it's absolutely frickin' amazing.

I've also really enjoyed Buddha (by Osamu Tezuka), which fits nearly all of your criteria and is excellent. The only iffy aspect is the violence, which is brutal but historical (and not at all the point of the story). It centers around Buddha, but also introduces a host of ineteresting fictional characters into his life. Good stuff.

Most of my other manga is off-limits due to violence. Save things like Lone Wolf & Cub, Akira and Domu for when they get older.