Anyone looking to read some Pokémon manga would be automatically directed to the Pokémon Adventures series, but that isn't the only Pokémon comic that's worth reading. Pokémon RéBurst is a manga that was released during the Black and White era of Pokémon and was widely popular amongst those who actually got the chance to read it, but because it has yet to receive an official English-language release, it's remained unknown to most fans.
Pokémon RéBurst follows the adventures of a young Pokémon trainer named Ryouga who has a mysterious power known as Burst. This power allows him to battle with his Pokémon in ways that have never before been seen in the franchise. The Burst power comes from any particular Pokémon that is sealed in a Burst Heart, which is a jewel that the user can use to fuse with that Pokémon to create a human-Pokémon hybrid.
The user of this powerful Burst technique will take on the type, weaknesses and moves of the Pokémon sealed within it. They must then learn to complete their Bursts and level up to get new moves. The users of these Bursts must also undergo rigorous training to strengthen their bodies and raise their physical power to higher levels. As silly as it may sound, it's actually very innovative, creating a whole new dimension to Pokémon battling and building different kinds of bonds with a partner Pokémon.
The best part? There are more trainers than just Ryouga that can use Burst, so the manga is littered with breathtaking battles that are just as good as anything in the mainstream Pokémon Adventures manga.
The lore behind all this is dense and fascinating. The story begins with Ryouga completing a strange ceremony in which he has to pass certain tests. Once he finishes it, he'll be granted permission to travel with Pokémon. Through flashbacks, later on, we learn that Ryouga's goal is to meet a strange and mysterious figure known only as Arcades, which is his reason for participating in the ceremony. We later find out that, due to his connections with Arcades, Ryouga's father was turned to stone, only deepening the connection between the two.
It is during his final test that he meets Miruto, a young girl who injured herself while mountain-climbing. Ryouga helps her and the two build a friendship together and become traveling companions. On their journey, they encounter members of the evil organization Great Gavel who aim to use Pokémon's energy and power for their own malicious deeds. It's at this point that Ryouga discovers Miruto's true purpose is to investigate this group.
He reveals to Miruto that he had to train for 10 long years in order to build the strength required to complete the Burst fusion technique. The Pokémon that Ryouga has sealed inside of his Burst Heart turns out to be the Legendary Dragon-type Pokémon Zekrom, and Ryouga showcases his immense power in his Burst form. Later, the two battle one of the Seven Horsemen of the Great Gavel and learn that the members of the organization were even more adept at using their Bursts than Ryouga, fanning the already raging flames of the young hero's desire to get stronger.
Unfortunately, there still aren't any legal options for English-speaking fans to add Pokémon RéBurst to their collection. But when that day finally does come, with larger-than-life battles, never-before-seen Pokémon and trainer fusions and interesting and unique characters, this manga series deserves a spot on the shelves right next to the original Pokémon Adventures manga.