Published by Glénat Editions, Shangri-la frontier explores the virtual world of M.Mr.O.R.P.G. From its first volume, the series has distinguished itself from works of the same genre. His strengths: a love for the media, an unexpected angle of approach and a fine knowledge of both the universe and all the culture that surrounds it. With these volumes 3 and 4, the series opens a fascinating new arc.
The taste of the game
Rakuro Hizutome, aka Sunraku is one of the legends of video games.He built his reputation in the most original of ways. By triumphing over the dung, these bad games so riddled with flaws that they seemed impossible to finish. But he demonstrated that dexterity and intelligence overcome everything. By dint of triumph he begins to be tired when he presents himself with a new challenge: Shangri-la Frontier. Behind this name is an M.Mr.O.R .P.G which attracted 30 million players. Everyone praises him. So it's almost for the joke that Sunraku logs in convinced that he quickly finished the game. He is quickly disappointed and pleasantly surprised. The game is hard while being well designed. Rediscovering humility, he immerses himself in an exciting part where he learns as much about this universe as he does about himself. 
Shangri-la Frontier: Team Spirit
The first very interesting change of these two volumes concerns the evolution of Sunraku. Until now, he defined himself as a solitary gambler (with his unlikely companion P.N.J Emul, the vorpalin rabbit). He carried out his quests, like a prowler. He completed tasks in a few hours that had taken other players weeks. He even faced Lycaon, one of the seven unique monsters deemed invincible in the game. This fight marked him in the physical sense of the term and designated him as a target for many players specializing in the attack of other players. However, these volumes of Shangri-la Frontier show an inflection in its evolution. Indeed, first of all his relationship with his P.N.J deepens as well as his connection to the mysterious world of rabbits. On the other hand, a new quest, to eliminate the guardian of the tomb, another of the seven unique monsters leads him to work cooperatively with two of his "friends". This leads the author to analyze with finesse the universe of online games, to detail the psyche of players where not all obey the same moral code. Thus, our hero must constantly analyze the motivations of others: are they honest or do they set a trap for him? 
Action in a Japanese-inspired setting
These two volumes still offer a whole range of inspired action scenes. The author lets loose to offer us all the bestiary possible whether giant insects, immortal warriors, undead. Connoisseurs of video games will easily find the winks to Baldur's Gates for example through the equipment or the combat system. The whole is carried by a really dynamic staging that makes the various confrontations epic. If Shangri-la Frontier is bathed in an assumed video-game universalism, these two volumes deepen the deep Japanese inspiration. This is first seen in the architecture of the rabbit world. It mixes medieval Western fantasy with Japanese feudalism. The mansions of the Vorpalin rabbits copy the traditional Japanese houses and palaces of the daimyo. They perfectly accompany the initiatory journey that Sunraku follows. This link with Japan is then found in the figure of the goalkeeper. This samurai carries an eternal mourning. And without revealing the roots of the plot, it is a tribute to the code of bushido. 
Shangri-la Frontier: A Matrix Spirit
One of the great qualities of these two volumes concerns the message conveyed by the story. First of all, it places a lot of emphasis on the importance of training and on human values. As Morpheus says in The Matrix "There is a difference between knowing the way and walking the way". Everything Sunraku learned in the dung led him to become the player he is. Even if his level is inferior to many players, to many creatures, he has learned to surpass himself to play beyond the standards imposed by the game. It is then that the story of Shangri-la Frontier surprises by rehabilitating its dung. How many players have become good, patient because of these games? Another quote from The Matrix fits perfectly with this narrative ": We are not the best when we believe it but when we know it". Indeed, if Sunraku progresses so quickly it is because he is animated by a conviction. He is the best and he is not afraid to face opponents deemed superior. He never doubts and finds in him unsuspected resources. However, this confidence does not turn him into a monster of pride. Volume four, on the contrary, insists on his nobility of soul. The great player knows how to become a teacher or even lose to learn from others. 
Shangri-la Frontier is constantly renewing itself and these third and fourth open up an exciting story arc.Driven by sumptuous drawings and beautiful morals, the series continues to fascinate us. You can find here our review of the previous volume.
