“Shy's shown she can handle the basics of being a hero, but with the boy known as Stigma still at large, that might not be enough. Determined to become stronger, she holds a mock battle against the British hero, Stardust—one of the most famous figures in the hero world, and a merciless opponent. With her status as a hero on the line, can Shy awaken to new powers!?” (Yen Press)
The inaugural volume of “Shy” showed that Bukimi Miki had a strong grasp of the superhero genre, tailoring it in a way that balanced humor, action, and character development to craft a series both entertaining and engaging. An impressive feat for a debut, the first volume did not leave questions as to how Miki would develop the series, but rather bolstered excitement about what would come next. Thankfully, the second volume builds wonderfully from the first, introducing more characters with equal charms and expanding on Shy's abilities as she begins to realize her true potential.
The prospect of introducing additional world heroes was one of the more anticipated elements of the expanding world and having now introduced both Sweden and Germany's heroes, Miki continues to build the roster with entertaining characters reflective of their origins. Thankfully, the vodka-loving Russian hero, Spirit, continues to be a staple, and the inclusion of the boisterous Swiss hero ‘Lady Black' shows Miki's ability to balance an ever-growing roster without sacrificing elements that make the story engaging. Furthermore, the villains are given a clearer introduction, teasing the incoming battle between good vs evil.
Still, the focus remains on Shy and her balancing her personal life defined by teenage awkwardness and her growth as a superhero. Notably, Shy improves on her heroic abilities by unlocking access to fire, which in turn gives her confidence to join the calligraphy club, as she seeks to understand discipline to master her powers and improve her confidence. Consequently, the series maintains a complimentary balance of heroism and daily life that makes Shy a character worth rooting for. Readers will, undeniably, want to see the youthful hero overcome both personal and ‘professional' challenges.
Visually, the series stays consistent with Miki's emphasis on character design remaining the most appealing element. Furthermore, the series continues the approach of being light on big action sequences, but this is a non-issue when considering the elements that Miki excels at as an artist. While Miki's visual style feels cemented at this point, the promise of more action and an ever-expanding cast still leaves excitement to see how Miki approaches the visuals going forward.
The superhero genre is, undeniably over-saturated, yet what makes “Shy” appealing is its slightly westernized approach to the genre along with an added maturity that makes it unique enough to stand out. Add Miki's strong visual direction and the series has the potential to appeal to those who are indifferent to the genre. Personally, this is one of the few superhero series I find myself excited to follow, and I am certain others will fall for the charms of Miki and her cast of peculiar heroes in a similar fashion.