Views #641 | Intermediate 5

Manga Part 2

Tre tells Joel about the manga he reads and why.

Joel: So, anyway, you talked about city hunter. That's a Japanese comic? OK, tell me about that?

Tres: I really don't remember much. It was some guy that was wanted, I guess for murder, I don't think he really did it. I think. I'm not sure. But, yeah, the issues I treked through, this guy was searching for a little elementary school girl, and eventually he found her, but right before they could reunite, the cop came in and they started fighting and the cop beat him really bad and shot him a few times but the guy still escaped.

Joel: So this is just one comic book or it's a whole series?

Tres: It was, what do you call, BJ Jump from like 1992.

Joel: What's BJ jump?

Tres: It's a weekly thick comic book, so it has many comics inside.

Joel: Oh, I see, so it's just one story

Tres: Right, they have various comics.

Joel: You can buy that in the United States?

Tres: My sister brought it back from me when she studied in Japan in Junior High School.

Joel: I think I remember you telling me about some other comic book that you used to read when you were a kid or..?

Tres: I can tell you about the comic book I read as an adult. (OK. OK.) I think the best Japanese comic out there today is Nijuuseki-shonen, "20th Century Boys" and it's a story of kids who make up this fantasy world and how they save the world and then when they become adults they learn that all these things that they've created are starting to come true. The rest you should read.

Joel: What does a comic book cost in Japan anyway?

Tres: You can buy one brand new from say 500 Yen to up to a 1,000 Yen, or you can go to convenience stores and buy the weekly safe books that have various comics inside, which I think are maybe 270 Yen, I think, or you can go to a used comic book store and buy the popular comics for somewhere from 250 and 350 yen.

Joel: I'm gonna have to buy your used ones for a starter kit.

Tres: Alright. I can help you out.

Joel: OK, hook me up.


Learn Vocabulary from the lesson

reunite

The guy searched for her for a long time, but before they could reunite, the cops came.

You are 'reunited' with someone when you come back together with them after you have been separated. Notice the following:

  1. You should use this time to reunite with old friends.
  2. She was finally reunited with her biological parents after 30 years.

shot him

The cops beat and shot him a few times but he managed to escape.

If cops 'shoot' someone, they fire a gun at him to try to kill him. Notice the following:

  1. When he took out a gun, the police had to shoot him.
  2. The movie starts with the main character being shot in the head.

the rest

Well, this is all I can tell you, but the rest you should read.

You can use the phrase 'the rest' to talk about the part of something that still remains. Notice the following:

  1. Do you want the rest of this pizza?
  2. I did some of my homework already, but I'll have to do the rest after work.

a starter kit

I'm going to have to buy your used comics for a starter kit.

A 'starter kit' is something that you get when you are just starting a new activity or hobby. It includes everything needed for a beginner, but would not have what a more advanced person would need. Notice the following:

  1. I want to get into drawing, so I'm looking for a starter kit.
  2. The hospital gives a kind of starter kit to new mothers.

hook me up

Please hook me up and help me out with this.

You can tell someone to 'hook you up' if you want them to help you in some way. It might be putting you in contact with someone or getting you a good price on something. Notice the following:

  1. Her father is very important in this area, so he was able to hook her up with a great job when she graduated.
  2. He hooked me up with a good deal on a new television.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

Vocabulary Quiz

reunited • shoot • the rest
starter • hook him
  1. I want to get him a kit for oil painting.
  2. Could you ever an animal?
  3. I told him I could up with a new phone, but now I don't think I can.
  4. My car is completely full, and I don't know what to do with of my stuff.
  5. The book is about twin sisters who are after many years apart.

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