Did you ever wonder where students go when they die? Meridian University of course; the premier institution for those who died but still have so much to learn. But what happens when you have to attend school on the Earthly plane and Heavenly dimensions? And that’s the general idea behind ShutterBox a unique and inspiring concept worth taking a look at.

     ShutterBox is the new Shojo series distributed by TOKYOPOP and created by the minds that gave us Reality Check. ShutterBox is the story of Megan Amano a typical L.A. girl who attends college classes and spends much of her afternoon time seeing a therapist. However, Amano isn’t seeing things when her dreams take her to Meridian University, a place where spirits go to be educated before they are reborn. So, why is Megan there, since she is obviously alive, a point confirmed by her Meridian host in the first volume?

     That's what we set out to discover in this humorous, if not very gothic and girl-oriented tale of romance, fantasy and mystery. The first volume, plain yet beautifully illustrated by Rikki Simons and Tavisha, sets the stage for what looks to be a very intriguing tale. Introducing us to Megan and her life and then having her meet a strange man who could be her soul mate, if he wasn’t so dead, we are then introduced to the afterlife where everything and anything is possible. Megan is surprisingly allowed into the school as a ShutterBox exchange student, but what does that exactly mean? Leaving Megan questioning her own existence as the story unfolds.

     I have to admit to being slightly confused when reading the first volume, but also anxious to read on and discover the mystery of this fascinating world that could be to the afterlife what Hogwarts and Harry Potter have become to wizardry. This is definitely an account that you have to trust will deliver in further volumes.

     Considered a mix of Spirited Away (which I understand a little from reading the first volume) and Sixth Sense, the first volume does a nice job of setting the table, getting us acclimated with the situation and wetting our appetites for the main course of events. With the promise of something very cool ahead, I’m ready to dig right in and enjoy the rest of this series.

     Send comments and questions about this article to Blackhart@ybfree.com.

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