From Publishers Weekly
What do you do if one day, while in the school shower, you're suddenly whisked off to an alternate universe inhabited by elves and goblins, where your body is possessed by the spirit of a very powerful (and sexy) magical person? Self-absorbed teenager Kana finds herself in this very predicament when she enters the world of Sokora and her body becomes possessed by an elf sorceress. When she returns to school, she finds that the act of blushing transforms her from a regular, somewhat flat-chested schoolgirl into an extremely bodacious elf princess who can barely squeeze her assets into a plaid kilt and school blouse. Soon Kana and her schoolmates are hopping back and forth to Sokora to take on a dark prince, a horde of killer bumblebees, a gargoyle who can turn things to stone and a jealous humanoid raccoon cat. This tale rides the line between fun and madness—which is just where a good manga story should be. What sets this one apart is that it is produced by American creators who have all the conventions of Japanese manga down pat, from the high school soap opera to the generous portions of cheesecake. DeJesus's art is solid but not flashy, and the wacky but detailed story sets up entertaining subplots galore for future volumes.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From IGN Comics
Scantily-clad elf refugees? Hot damn!
"Dripping with witty satire, some sarcastic elves and thong-wearin' furries, this manga is in no danger of ever being accused for playing it safe.... All in all, I give Sokora Refugees 3 stars, gold ones at that. Check it out."
~Jessica Chobot
Copyright © IGN Entertainment, Inc.
From Manga Life
This is a very entertaining and impressive first graphic novel by artist Melissa DeJesus and writer Segamu.... The story travels back and forth between Earth and Sokora, weaving together the magical and the mundane, action and character development, the sexy and the silly. These elements all balance out nicely, making Sokora Refugees pure fun to read....
The art has a smooth, clean, uncluttered look, with a variety of appealing character designs. DeJesus uses exaggerated facial expressions to good comic effect, in a style reminiscent of many Japanese manga. I really did not stop and think about the art very much during my first reading of this book, and I mean that as a compliment: the art effectively immersed me in the story and got me interested in the characters. This type of art accomplishes a lot while making it all seem easy and natural.
Sokora Refugees is worthy of a place on any manga fan's reading list. A debut this good is likely the start of a great series.
~Tom Good
Copyright © Manga Life
Lured into an inept rebellion to liberate Sokora, the elfin home world, from demonic invaders, Kana and her companions may be the last hope for a desperate land. Of course, since their would-be savior can't even be trusted to wake herself up and get to class on time, there may not be that much hope after all ...
Kana
Notoriously lazy, Kana would do just about anything to go back to her old life of scarfing down junk food and dodging homework.
Veila
A powerful sorceress forced by circumstance to time-share Kana's body, Veila might just be the one to unlock the reluctant girl's true potential.
Tamara
The athlete of the group, Tamara is ready to take on any and every challenge but not without a sarcastic remark or two.
Tien
As arrogant as he is gifted, this magical wunderkind is constantly getting in over his head and only too willing to leave it to his friends to bail him out.
Julie
Endlessly patient and kindhearted to a fault, Julie is the mother figure and always the one to see the good in any situation.
Salome
A nymph with nothing on her mind but cozying up to Tristan, Salome is less than thrilled with all the cute human girls who keep showing up to vie for her elf's attention.
Tristan
Always the hero, Tristan is an elf that would much rather risk losing his life than his honor—which would be fine if his adversaries ever fought fair.
Kogurai
The living embodiment of the demon world's spirit, the vampire Kogurai would like nothing better than to find the strength to take back his homeland, and in Kana, he might have found more than a mere kindred spirit.
Griever
Never a fan of cooperation, the goyle finds that as allies this motley band might just be better for his overall health—besides it might present an opportunity to give the snotty little one, Tien, a good pounding when backs are turned.
SEGAMU:
Spent entirely too much time immersed in manga and anime before ultimately stumbling into Sokora.
He has yet to find his way out. His life should be viewed as a cautionary tale. Trade thoughts with him
at www.sokora.com.
MELISSA DEJESUS:
Melissa graduated from The School of Visual Arts in 2002 with a BA in Animation.
Though Sokora Refugees is her first graphic novel, Melissa has worked on numerous projects
as a member of the all-girl Estrigious Studios. Their credits include publishing their own
illustrations and comic books and animating a short for the feature film Super Troopers.
Melissa was also involved in the online animation for Urban Box Office in 2000 and is currently
teaching a Cartooning class for children at LaGuardia Community College in New York.
There's a saying in manga: A little fan service goes a long way...and a lot of fan service is what you get in Sokora Refugees. But nestled between the T and the A you'll find a charming story about Kana, a girl who is trying to get noticed by someone...anyone! But when the new boy in class conjures up a portal in the girl's shower, she is transported to the magical world of Sokora—in the middle of a giant battle between good and evil! Now, on top of landing at the center of this conflict, she finds that her body is beginning to go through some tremendous changes!
~Rob Valois, Editor
Only registered members can post comments
ah man ya gota b kiddin me dis b a great series dere have ta b more 2 dis series than just 2 books
WILDMERC21
07.11.2009 12:00 AM
according to melissa website she has decided to put the series on hold and instead work on her other projects, she has stated that she might go back to finishing volume 3 of sokora refugees later, but for now its on hold 8(
MAJORALIZARD
03.25.2009 12:00 AM
Any one have any idea when the third volume is suposed to come out? Thay sure are taking there time making it.
HELLSOME
03.13.2009 12:00 AM
Awsome1
KBROY7
02.07.2009 12:00 AM
oh hi im new hear my names myu nice to meat you all
MYU32
01.22.2009 12:00 AM
AWSOME!!
VAMPIRESTAR
01.17.2009 12:00 AM
hi peeps im kyo hahahahahahahaha
KYOBABY211
01.05.2009 12:00 AM
YAY!!! I FINALLY FOUND IT!!!!! Thanks to Kaoru-san! :3
GRAYFOX183
12.14.2008 12:00 AM
I love this manga!!!!!! It should be made into series I demand it *grrrrrr* lol
SHIORIDARAY87
12.14.2008 12:00 AM
where is teh 2nd volume?
HINATACHAN890
12.03.2008 12:00 AM
it looks cool.
SATURNSTARPOWER
11.17.2008 12:00 AM
like it.... how can i be VIP??
LUNALEX05
08.05.2008 12:00 AM
can't wait for the third book, please make more
KAYE
07.13.2008 12:00 AM
Love it! Hurry up with the 3rd volume please!
ILOVEENVY
07.03.2008 12:00 AM
weird...I was able to read the 4th and 5th chapter before...
EASTERCAT
05.02.2008 12:00 AM
hey I'm new here. I would like to read this manga past chapter 3. But they are listed as VIP. What does that exactly mean?
MEGAMAURUS
04.10.2008 12:00 AM
how do u be a VIP???
GUTBUSTER94
02.24.2008 12:00 AM
seems alright. can't say i'd buy it though
ANAFREAK91
02.03.2008 12:00 AM
this manga rock plz right more and make mor mangas rock on
KITE666
01.30.2008 12:00 AM
uh i like how they just completely stopped making it after the 2nd book. too bad it was a gewd one. gawd thats the first time thats ever happened to me!
AXELLUVER
01.14.2008 12:00 AM
Its about 5 months shy of 2 years. How long will it take for the third volume?
CRIES
01.12.2008 12:00 AM
meh...
2867
12.23.2007 12:00 AM
yay watashii koi this manga.
RAKKAPOTTER
12.21.2007 12:00 AM
You can check wikipedia for some info on the status but apparently its on hiatus.
KIKI256
10.26.2007 12:00 AM
Does anyone know whatever happened to sokora.com, and whether the archives are still available somewhere?
LURKERBELOW
10.25.2007 12:00 AM
I already own the whole book! And the sequel! Go find it... very funny.
KRISTIANJL
08.24.2007 12:00 AM
I think this is probably my favorite series that I went into expecting nothing and got a fantastic experience both visually and story wise. Anyone know when the third one is coming out?
SCUBAFAUS
08.21.2007 12:00 AM
Luv it ^_^
DARKANGEL1577
08.15.2007 12:00 AM
This manga rocks... I just need the 3rd book and I'll be happy HURRY UP TOKYOPOP!
CHRYZOA
08.15.2007 12:00 AM
the lady showing part of her tit is so sexy if she was real id have sex with her
SEPHEROTH700
08.09.2007 12:00 AM
This looks really interesting i'm gonna have to check out the whole book
SILVERKISSES
08.05.2007 12:00 AM
i really like it wonder where i can find them sho i can buy them -__-" ?
MORIIMIDORI
08.02.2007 12:00 AM