SK Flowers (2012) Chapter 1 & “Hana’s Epoch” Discussion

April 19, 2012

Check back often and a summery of the updates are now listed below! If it’s at the top of the home page, that means there are new updates!

Latest Updates:

4/11 (Jezzy): Says useless things.

4/11 (Dit): summary of the chapter added

4/6 (Dit): Pages and a little summary + Flowers/SKZ commercial video

4/5 (andysislands): First 12 pages of the manga in Japanese online for free! (link inside)

4/2 (Dit) : Jump Kai commercial video!

4/1 (andysislands): The covers for both Jump Kai and Jump Kai+! (HQ pics included!)

3/30 (Dit) : Huge Banner ads for Flowers on the side of a building! (Pics included!)

A ton of information just came out. I’m splitting it between both the Zero chapter and Flowers. So be sure to check out each post! This post will probably jump around alot, and come back to the top of the main page. Check back often, there will be new information!

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[notice]Spoilers begin now![/notice]

Added on 3/4:

A huge update today for Shaman King Zero and Flowers update today. You can follow along by going here: http://jumpx.jp/w/mankin/special.html . There is a HUGE update to the cast list so let’s start with the “easy” stuff. All of these images were already released with the Zero chapter 4 and in various other ads:

There are only 2 names that are released. That’s “Hana Asakura” and the new “Anna” character. However, there is some confusion on what her name actually is! So taking a look at the image face value, you see that it says “Anna.” However digging deeper into the tooltip for the image you will find… “Itako no annna the 3rd 三代目イタコのアンナ” Notice how there is 3 “n” in here name! It’s probably a special spelling Takei will be using for “Annna” when writing her name in English. It’s not the same as the Japanese either. But in the plot summery for her, she is listed as Silva’s daughter (from the Patch tribe) and will be Anna’s first disciple. The other two “unknowns” have the generic text of “優しそうな少年” and “妖しい眼差しの女の子”. Neither of which really say anything.

Moving down the page… we see the new “Ren” character. (OMFG STOP CALLING HIM THIS! ~Jezzy) He is classified as “Another one of the Asakura’s” (彼はもう一つの麻倉). Clearly labeled as the villain of the new story… but he’s using one of Hao’s symbols as an eyepatch!? I think we know who he is following… We’ll probably get a better image of him in the fifth Zero chapter.

The story is still a little rough, but it appears that this “Another one of the Asakura’s” appears before Hana who is preparing for the next Shaman Fight in 2500.

Finally at the bottom we get a spread of the characters that will be in at least the first new chapter of Shaman King Flowers.They are Tamao, Manta, Ryu, and Horohoro! So we shall see where this goes. But, we might not see these characters for a while since the characters in this section might not always appear in the chapter.

Also from ComicSoul’s post… here’s a better shot of the female “Unknown” with a better look at her spirit:

And ComicSoul also caught this interesting thing… an ad where it calls it “Shaman King 2 Flowers” (シャーマンキング2FLOWERS). That’s interesting… We’ll see if that’s the case or not soon…

Update 3/24:

It looks like there will be some ads on some trains in Japan starting very soon. And there are two different pieces of artwork! (also 87 Clockers) Preview image below (click to enlarge):

Update 4/1:

This is no April Fools joke, here’s the covers for the Jump Kai issue! On the left is the actual cover for Jump X (click to enlarge!). Personally, I think it was a good choice to go with that cover. Maybe a little less text, but still looks good (Hao was better though). Then there is a full book insert for JumpX+ (Or Jump Kai Plus). This will contain the “Shaman King Flowers Zero Story.” Now there are 2 things that help point us to what that actually is. It’s very, very likely the original “Shaman King Flowers Hana’s Epoch Chapter 1” from the Shaman King Mentalite book. Firstly, the logo is the exact same as it was when that was published, which was different than the current Flowers logo (which doesn’t have the Hana’s Epoch subtitle). Secondly, it is 45 pages. The original Shaman King Flowers Hana’s Epoch chapter? That was 45 pages. Also that was still using the “old” Shaman King logo, which hasn’t been used in a while. Kinda nice to see it again, but it might be the last. Also over at Comicsoul they have a couple other pics of ads… which shows off Anna/Annna a bit more. She almost looks too nice. Like Tamao nice rather than true “Anna style.”

Updated 4/5: From our commenter manga-news: You can go here to read the first 12 pages of Shaman King Flowers right now! And this is 100% legit. You will see a blue button in the middle of the page, (right next to the first page). Click that and it will prompt you to download the reading program (It’s the big green button on that page. Don’t worry, it’s safe). After installing and restarting your web browser, you can read them (if you know Japanese)!!

Now for some thoughts about…

[wpspoiler name=”Spoilers – initial thoughts on the first 12 pages” ]Well, I didn’t think Takei would start again from Chapter 1 of Shaman King, but it just seems sort of fitting. This may follow the “standard Takei opening” yet again. The 12 pages go by very quickly with all of the double spreads. But he did bring out his best for the art. That alone is a nice plus for this chapter. And that color spread…. so nice! The new logo… eh… but the color spread makes up for it! Also, strangely no Manta-like character. But that’s ok too. Are you still pumped to read the rest? I kinda am, since I think this “copying the first chapter” will only last another page or two. Then it’s 30 more pages of new content. All of it coming in a few days![/wpspoiler]

Also, just as a notice. We keep things on the up-and-up here. So there will be no links to the un-official raws or scanlations (in any language). This is one of those exceptions where it’s actually suppose to be seen for free, and not region-blocked!

Update 3/19:

I’ll be providing my thoughts on the chapter next week. I’ve got alot of other things to do until then. But I think I have a different outlook on this chapter than other people. Might give break it out into it’s own news post.

Coming Soon? Dit’s travelling, so… who knows about this.

Added on 03/10

Here’s a little translation of the news… Sorry for the waiting!

I must admit that this whole “new Asakura” thing scares the hell out of me. If he turns out to be Hao’s secret son or something I’ll look for Takei and punch him on the face 😀

Hana: The son of Yoh Asakura and Anna Kyoyama, the main character and the heroine of “Shaman King.” Due to financial difficulties at his home, Funbari Onsen, he is burdened with the crushing pressure of rebuilding the business. At his 13s he worries about how society and himself are doing. He is known to have shamanic skills that surpass by far those of his father Yoh, but since the next S.F. will take place in the year 2500 he feels like he doesn’t know what to do with his powers.

Anna: A mysterious girl that appears before Hana. According to the official character book “Mentalité” she is Silva’s daughter and Anna the 1st’s best disciple, but…

Secret character 1: A kind-looking boy.

Secret character 2: A girl with suspicious eyes.

Secret character 3: According to mr. Takei “he is another Asakura” with wicked skills that may even overwhelm those of the main character… There’s no doubt that he will be Hana’s first “enemy.”

The summary, preview and etc. tomorrow, so look forward to it! ^^

Added on 03/11

Plot summary.

Finally, the new “Mankin” awakens!!!!
The story takes place in Funbari ga Oka (Nishitokyo city, Tokyo prefecture) 14 years after the Shaman Fight that held so many epic battles. Hana Asakura, who is now 13 years old, grew up protected by Ryu, Horohoro, Amidamaru and other people including the rest of legendary warriors. He leads a life in which he can’t make use of his explosive talent and therefore feels down about it… but then a boy said to be “another Asakura” with a “wicked” power appears before him!!!? Not only the distinguished Asakura family, but the whole world will get involved in this splendid story that is about to start!!!

“Don’t miss the manga that will overturn the former “Mankin World” you all know with its new story, outstanding characters and features!!!” (Inakichi, supervisor)

Also, from the Flowers ad in Shaman King Zero 5:

Yoh Junior’s (lol at this) adventure will be an action drama about self improvement!!
– The first chapter of Flowers will be released on 4/10 just as planed.
– A mini extra magazine will be included in the next issue of Jump Kai… with a 45-page-long “Flowers Zero Story”!!!
– Next month’s Jump Kai will have a Flowers cover and also one or more color pages ^^

So does this mean we’re having 80~90 pages of Flowers next month? Sounds like it! :O

Added on 03/27

Well, nothing new’s said here… but there’s a pretty nice pic of the bad guy and his spirit.
And hey, now we know that he fights using an umbrella! 😀

I wonder what’s wrong with his left arm lol
Oh and this is from Hao/Choco’s issue of Jump Kai.

Added on 03/30

So a gigant Flowers ad have been placed in one of Shibuya’s main buildings, the Q-FRONT – Tsutaya store. The quality of these photos isn’t that great, so I’ll probably go there on Monday to take some nice pictures and post them here.

This must have cost them A LOT of money! So I think they’re confident Flowers will sell well.

Added on 04/2

Short commercial video featuring SKF. Starts at 1:36!

Enjoy!

Added on 04/06

It seems that people are having problems using the online reader, so here are the pages with a short explanation of what’s going on. As Andy has said, the only reason we’re posting these raws is because they’re official. So this is an exception!

[spoiler]I have to admit that the first three pages are pretty badass. Nice colors indeed.

I see what you did here, Takei. Go check SK chapter 1 to find out what’s so funny.

Delinquents! Hana’s pissed because all these guys are crazy enough to challenge him to a battle.

This young version of Dr. Docult and his gang want to steal the tile of “Funbari’s strongest” away from Hana, but since he’s a strong shaman and they’re just humans they have nothing to do against him! Also this guy calls himself “Ryu of the wooden sword the second” haha funny, but Takei don’t you dare turn him into one of the good guys.[/spoiler]

The commercial video you can watch it HERE
It’s both Shaman King Zero and Flowers, and the voice is non other than Megumi Hayashibara! ^^

Don’t forget to post your thoughts~

Added on 04/11

As I already said, this is a pretty badass first chapter!! It really is much better than what I was expecting, since usually first chapters are never as good as the following ones. Another thing I liked is that this is kind of a different Flowers, I don’t know why, but it feels different (more like Mankin). Hana’s still impulsive and all that, but he doesn’t act as spoiled as in the oneshot. He’s less emo too… which I appreciate! Before reading it I was a bit scared about the plot, but with such a touching first chapter I’m really looking forward to the next ones!! And I hope you do too ^^

Summary:

[spoiler]

Hana’s feeling down because his life is dull and, you know, too normal for someone with amazing powers like him. As you saw in the preview a bunch of thugs challenge Hana to a fight, since he’s said to be the strongest boy in the city. Their leader calls himself Ryu the 2^nd, but he’s not even half as cool as the original Ryu! Kick his ass, Hana!

Of course, after he gets home he’s scoled by Tamao, who reminds him he’d be in trouble if someone found out he’s a shaman. To avoid this from happening, she bans him from using ghosts and spirits. Then he goes to his room, where he has a little conversation about shamans and the Shaman Fight with Amidamaru. He compares Hana’s life with young Yoh’s, since he realizes they’re almost opposite.

Later that night, Amidamaru and Tokageroh go drinking sake in an Oden stand near the inn (Yay! It’s been like forever since they last had so many lines!) After a while Tamao and Ryu join them. The owner seems to like Tamao (he kind of has a crush?) so Ryu being there as well bothers him. They order something to drink and eat and then Tamao says she can feel a mysterious presence in Funbari.

And what’s the weird presence, you say? Well, of course it’s the two new characters! Their names are Luka & Yohane and their last name is Asakura, but they belong to the branch family. For some reason we don’t know yet they want to get revenge, and since they claim to have purer blood and more strength than the heir to the main family… well, Hana is their main target. It may sound confusing, but if you know Neji and Hinata from Naruto then I’m sure you’ll understand a bit better what this is all about!

So, they start their revenge by breaking Amidamaru’s grave, which really pisses Hana off when he finds out. He thinks maybe the thugs did it after he beat them up, but then a smiling Yohane shows up asking for directions and looking all nice. Of course Hana’s rude at him because he’s upset, so Yohane introduces himself as a shaman and challenges him. Hana freaks out at first, but then he gets all excited about finally having someone he can fight with on equal terms. (His eye patch just changed places lololol TAKEI)

But we don’t get to see the actual battle, because the scene changes to the inn, where Ponchi and Chonchi are telling Tamao someone wants to kill Hana. And then… cliffhanger!