Review:  This is a book that definitely takes more than a few cues from the over-the-top variety of Japanese Manga - from the artwork to the almost slap-stick violence that runs liberally through the book. 

It takes the sense I would like to think most of us had back in High School - that of being hemmed in on all sides - and simply amps it up to the point of our main character being assaulted physically by every member of the student body every day on the way to school. 

There lies the core and spirit of this story: taking something very real and making it the subject of comedy.  And yes, there's also a sub-plot involving the supernatural, but it only starts to peek out in this.

Wasted Minds is a fun read, but I couldn't help but feel the character design wasn't distinctive enough to make the transition into black & white, with more than a few of the characters blending together due to a lack of distinctive dress or hairstyle.  Kyusaku even begins the book with a long ponytail that differentiates him from the other male characters only to throw confusion back into the mix by cutting his hair... 

This played absolute hell during the action sequences, where it was difficult to tell who was working over whom.

There's an interesting core to this and it could be a fun read for a teen crowd (some salty language keeps it from being an easy recommendation for younger readers), but the characters need to become more easily identifiable and the action sequences need to be cleaned up slightly before it can be highly recommended.

Overall: 3 stars.

Alex Haas