Toriko Vol.2: Coco!!
Volume Summary:
The second volume sets off on a brand new adventure for Toriko and Komatsu. Commencing a new arc centred around the hunt for the Puffer Whales, volume 2 begins in an almost HunterxHunter-esque ‘race to the item’ fashion, as Gourmet Hunters gather onboard a train on their quest to find the creatures while they spawn.
The population of Toriko’s world is explored here, providing an insight into the nature of gourmet hunting, and the type and number of people interested in such a lifestyle. Other gourmet hunters’ full course menus are also touched upon - as we are introduced to some of the colourful characters on the voyage (like Zongeh).
Coco, of the Four Kings (the Gourmet Hunter group which Toriko is part of) is introduced within this volume, adding to the currently small roster of main characters in the series so far.
He is presented as a very well spoken and kind fortune teller, and someone who can assist Toriko and Komatsu in preparing the Puffer Whales they on the hunt for. As a poisonous man, Coco’s body flows with many poisonous compounds which he can use to his advantage in combat - making for very interesting fights!
Toriko, Komatsu and Coco depart for Cavern Lagoon to capture and prepare a Puffer Whale.
Art:
As in the first volume, the art in this volume is very clean. It presents some interesting creature designs and environments which help build the world Toriko and friends live in.
Use of black space is common in Toriko so far, and is used very effectively. Some scenes feature black and shading to their advantage, creating great contrast. The panel of Komatsu and Coco abseiling was one of my favourites, due to its effective simplicity.
Neat Ideas:
I’m a sucker for infographic style illustrations - especially when they are full page spreads. Toriko is filled with fantastic descriptive drawings of the creatures of the Gourmet world. They are fun to read, and despite being an exposition dump, they help to better immerse the reader, and provide extra explanations to the creature/food’s specific parts.
Location maps help in a similar way. These really helped me picture the whereabouts of different characters in the environment - eliminating any confusion and distraction.
Cool Plot Points:
Knocking Master Jiro is introduced as an elderly drunk, aboard the train to the cavern. After a polite exchange between him and Toriko, he later comes back as a powerful addition to Toriko’s cast of characters.
Coming back just in the knick of time to save Komatsu, Jiro really is an interesting Gourmet hunter - shortly being identified to the reader as a legendary individual in the manga’s universe. I hope he comes back in future volumes!
It featured more of Toriko’s Appetite Demon along with introducing Coco’s own, ‘Poison’.
Final Thoughts:
A great little adventure!
Score: 9.5/10 (This volume felt like a one-off story, able to start and end all within one book - yet felt so fleshed out and exciting that it was a joy to read from start to finish. I often remember the puffer whale arc as being a lot longer as it truly is. The relationship building between characters really is a strong point for this volume! I just wish it didn't leave on a suspenseful cliffhanger just before the exact end of the arc!)
(I actually really liked the cliffhanger though...)
