Hyde & Closer, Volume 1 Book

R to L (Japanese Style). When only your chainsaw wielding magical teddy bear can save you...

Shunpei Closer has low self-esteem and doesn't seem to be good at anything. His teddy bear, Hyde, was a gift from Shunpei's grandfather, Alsyd Closer, who was the King of Sorcerers. After a mysterious attack, Shunpei learns that he is the target of sorcerers all over the world. With Hyde as his main protector and teacher, Shunpei must learn how to gain confidence in himself and use the magic that he has inherited to battle the dark forces that now threaten him.

With cursed dolls coming after him one after another, Shunpei Closer's life is in danger! If that weren't enough, his favorite teddy bear, Hyde, suddenly comes alive to rescue him. With Hyde's help, can Shunpei save himself and live to see another day?

Publishers Weekly

A magically animated teddy bear helps a boy become a man in this fantasy manga. Closer is a schoolboy, known as a loser and a wimp, whose beloved but missing grandfather gave him the stuffed Hyde. Closer idolized his grandpa without ever knowing he was also the King of Sorcerers, and now all kinds of magicians are out to kill him, since power flows in the bloodline. The chapters can be formulaic, and vague new magical threats appear only to be quickly defeated by Hyde in fights that can be a challenge to follow visually. Still, there's enjoyment in seeing a cigar-chomping teddy bear with a chainsaw fight a knife-wielding stuffed monkey or killer jack-in-the-box. Hyde's belief in Closer, mimicking his grandfather's love, allows him to believe in himself and grow up, and the message-that being a man or a magician requires courage, confidence, and conviction-is inspiring. Like his fedora and tie, Hyde's tough love is both retro and modern. A simply drawn extra explains how the artist came up with the concept.
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