Galaxy Angel Beta

Publisher
Broccoli Books
Writer
Kanan
Artist
Kanan
Country of origin
Japan
Year
2004

Galaxy Angel Beta V. 1

By David Rasmussen
26th Nov 05

There are some reads out there that I follow almost to the point of it being a religious experience.
Some reads that I can’t tell you enough about, and I can’t recommend enough.
ADVManga’s Aria, Chrono Crusade, Full Metal Panic, Gunslinger Girl or Azumanga Daioh slash Yotsubato! (for example). Dark Horse’s Hellsing or their Ring franchise. TOKYOPOP’s Planetes is another good example, and so is Broccoli Books Galaxy Angel series.

I always look forward to the title, it being one of the bright lights of my manga reviewing and a title I have enjoyed since it’s beginnings back with the original Galaxy Angel V. 1. And now, as Galaxy Angel goes into it’s second series of mangas, and Galaxy Angel Beta, I hope you join me as we look at this fun little sci-fi comedy that is just begging for a spot in your collection.

Galaxy Angel Beta Volume 1
It’s been awhile since the Angel Troupe has arrived on the White Moon along with Prince Shiva. At the start the Angel Troupe was assigned to protect Prince Shiva, the last survivor of a royal family overthrown and slaughtered by an evil relation named Eonia, and escort him to the White Moon and the Goddess Shatoyan (who was being held prisoner by Eonia). The road was long, and blocked by an evil counterpart to the Angel Troupe who were out to stop their advance at any cost.
Near the end the enemy dusted off an evil counterpart to the White Moon, the Black Moon, and was poised to use it to snatch victory -- a victory which was taken away just as it came so close to being theirs.
In the end they were repulsed, Shatoyan was freed, and Prince Shiva reached the White Moon (which was now revealed to be a world that was once used to make weapons prior to the ChronoQuake of years ago).
Now it is an age of brief peace, as the storm clouds of war begin to gather once again along with what everyone seems to feel will be the final confrontation between the forces of Shatoyan (good) and Eonia (evil). But that doesn’t matter now since this book is a rest from the battle, as the Angel Troupe find themselves with a new sixth member in the memory troubled Chitose. She, who was the lone survivor of an assault by Eonia’s forces, has been struggling with her lost memories for sometime. Now, as a time of peace has finally come for the Troupe it seems they are out to help their newest “fan” and member (Chitose) to remember what she has forgotten. Funny thing though, it seems while they for the most part are helping Chitose remember what she forgot, they themselves end up remembering things we didn’t know about them.
That and other things happen as well. For instance…

- At long last she who lives and breathes cos-play once again embraces the dark side. It’s been forever it seems since the manga last acknowledged Mint’s cos-playing addiction, but finally we see her suit up once again in this volume (and the topic of her costume addiction is apparent in at least two chapters this book).
- Once again Ranpha digs into her fortune telling bag for a chapter, and once again another series of unfortunate events will transpire due to her fortune telling addiction. Go figure.
- Speaking of Mint, you get a look into her past, as it seems she maybe wants to tell Chitose that maybe it’s better not to remember her past… maybe mostly due to the fact that Mint herself doesn’t seem to want to remember parts of her past. And no, at no point do these revelations explain her cos-playing addiction.
- If you ever wanted to get a glimpse into what made Vanilla what Vanilla is this is the volume. At long last you get a 4-1-1 into Vanilla’s childhood, and maybe a reason why she is the way she is.
- Finally you get another look into the past of gun lovin’ NRA member Forte, and why she loves guns… and yes, like before, it seems all of Forte’s flashbacks seem to be bitter little pills of pain, sorrow and regret. Yeah. Just like that past revelation from Galaxy Angel Z (Season 2) once again we have another bitter little pill of past regret to mull over in terms of Forte’s past.
- That and we gear up for Volume 2 and the restart of the hostilities between the Angel Troupe and Eonia’s forces with a brand new weapon for their big ship, as well as a promise of something more…
The second volume of books has begun, and we’re starting things off just right. Breakdown will prove it.

Galaxy Angel Beta Breakdown the 1st
What’s Hot?
What isn’t hot? The title is a solid read that consistently reads good, and is a good series that I’ve liked since the start of the first volume (the red “Alpha” series). If I had a list of 10 titles I like reading on a regular basis Galaxy Angel is one of those, and it’s no wonder why, with the title being so good it’s just easy to recommend this to someone who likes a lighter sci-fi read.
Along with a great Anime series this is something just demanding a place in your collection. Pick it up and try it for yourself, I think you’ll like it.

What’s Not?
Nothing comes to mind. It’s one of my favorite reading addictions and I hope you find it as good as I find it.

Moments to Remember?
All the interaction and fun in the book. It works just fine and I like it, so hopefully you’ll like it too.

What to Ignore?
Well I was going to talk about the endless delay on Galaxy Angel Party, but it looks like it has finally premiered and seems to now be available for purchase. I have to go get a copy soon for review since I’ve been waiting forever and ever and ever to review it!

Overall?
If you’ve seen the Anime you’ll find something to like about the Manga! It’s not the same as the Manga, that’s Galaxy Angel Party’s job, but it’s still a damn good read and I don’t think I can talk about it enough. So if you like good solid sci-fi comedy then go grab this up for your collection ASAP. Good read right here.

-- David Rasmussen 26th Nov 05