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beneaththetangles · 1 year

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Reader’s Corner: Fly Me to the Moon (Vols. 12 and 13), Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible (Vol. 4), and Sugar Apple Fairy Tale (Vol. 1)

News of a second season of Banished From the Hero’s Party recently dropped, and coincidentally, we have a review of the newest volume of the manga to share with you today, along with volume one of Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, also soon to be adapted into an anime! Today’s column also features reviews of several other romantic series, including the first bound volume of Shonen Jump favorite, Blue Box; the latest volume of Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible; and the outlier, volume two of that series with a suitably outlandish title, Crazy Food Truck!

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Blue Box, Manga Vol. 1

My most anticipated manga has finally released physically in English, and I’m absolutely thrilled! Blue Box has been a story I’ve been deeply interested in and excited for. It’s about a young badminton player, Taiki, who ends up having a huge crush on his upperclassman, Chinatsu, after seeing how hard she plays basketball. While he looks for chances to talk to her, he never imagines they’ll get a lot closer (after a certain event) than just catching each other at the gym! He hopes that maybe she’ll start to like him the same way he likes her, but until that time comes, he keeps giving his all in badminton and encourages her to follow her dreams too. When I think of the perfect blend of blooming romance and sports, this manga right here captures it all! Taiki is a precious little bean who is respectable, adorable, thoughtful, and charming in his own awkward way. Not only do I deeply love both Taiki and Chinatsu, but the art style is perfection! There is such a softness at just the right moment, and then an intensity with action scenes—I really love the superb balance of capturing both. This is such a wonderful story, and I’m so thankful for its release because I deeply love everything about it! A great supporting cast of characters, a fantastic hero to follow, and the subtle fierceness of sports mixed with soft “romance” is everything I could want. Highly recommend it! ~ Laura A. Grace

Blue Box is published by VIZ Media.

Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke, Manga Vol. 3

I very much enjoyed reading this latest volume of Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke! This volume opened up with Claire finally being at the ball where Vik will choose his future bride, despite not receiving an invitation. Thankfully, the question of how things will unfold regarding Claire and her role in Vik’s life still are answered quickly. However, this volume had a new intensity that hasn’t been shown thus far in the series. Not saying there hasn’t been danger because that magical tornado in volume two was definitely a danger, but this time I feel the threat is more personal when Claire herself is in danger from two new villains. But Charlotte, Claire’s half-sister, is the real villain in this series. We’re finally seeing her true colors and just how horrible of a manipulator and character she is. I definitely dislike her a lot more than I did when I first started this series, even though I second the original creator’s comment in the afterword saying it’s hard to hate her because her character design is so cute. Ha! My only disappointment with this volume is how fast I read it. I felt so bummed at the end when I realized I had read all of it and couldn’t see what happens next in Claire’s life. As a result, I am eagerly anticipating the next volume’s release to see what will unfold! ~ Laura A. Grace

Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke is published by TokyoPop.

READ: Formerly, the Fallen Daughter of the Duke Reviews (Vol. 1 // Vol. 2)

Crazy Food Truck, Manga Vol. 2

For those who don’t know, Crazy Food Truck follows the adventures of Gordon, a food truck driver and former soldier, and Arisa, a super-powered, mostly naked female soldier and huge eater. They travel looking for customers in the food truck, while keeping Arisa safe from those trying to find her. Volume two kicks off where volume one ended and keeps these characters on the move looking for more food options and customers. They encounter ghost towns, giant animals, and danger along the way. We also meet Arisa’s sister, who is likewise super-powered and is controlled by some shadowy government agencies. Volume two continues to be wild and all over the place. It has action, food, and more action, making for a fast-paced story. I’ve been loving every moment of it, but I can’t necessarily recommend it to everyone given how it portrays Arisa, and while she’s less nude than in volume one, there’s a lot of skin shown. Those for whom that is an issue would be wise to avoid this series. That said, if you want a wild, post-apocalyptic ride with a food truck driver and a girl trying to stay safe while figuring out the mystery behind her own powers, check it out. ~ MDMRN

Crazy Food Truck is published by VIZ Media.

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, Light Novel Vol. 1

After her mother’s death, Anne follows in her footsteps to become a Silver Sugar Master, in order to create a special candy that she can offer up at her grave. However, in order to make it in time to the royal capital where the competition that crowns a Silver Sugar Master is held, she must traverse the dangerous Bloody Highway. To protect herself, Anne does something she hates the thought of and buys a fairy slave to be her bodyguard. Anne wants to treat her fairy, Challe, more as a friend than a slave, but Challe is cold to her and refuses to do anything unless Anne outright orders him. And that isn’t the only challenge that awaits Anne on her journey… First, I was pleasantly surprised at how the slavery aspect was addressed. As much as Anne wants to befriend him, Challe makes it clear that there can be no sort of “friendship” as long as Anne holds control of him as her slave. While he does warm up to her over the course of the volume, it is clear that his enslavement is a huge roadblock in their relationship. There’s also a good look at how Anne is trying to deal with her mother’s death, and how that drives her desire to become a Silver Sugar Master. I’m not quite as much of a fan of the third major character in the story, Anne’s “hopeless suitor” Jonas, who is unpleasant in a lot of ways; but at least things involving him are wrapped up in the volume in a fairly satisfying way. Overall, this volume was enjoyable enough to recommend to those who enjoy shoujo-style light novels. ~ stardf29

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale is published by Yen Press.

Miss Miyazen Would Love to Get Closer to You, Manga Vol. 1

I am so very thankful for manga recommendations from other people! If it hadn’t been for my friend Shae at ShaeGeeksOut on YouTube recommending Miss Miyazen Would Love to Get Closer to You, I would have completely missed out on this super-cute read! This heart-warming story centers on a former troublemaker, Sota, and a prim-and-proper “princess,” Sakura. While it seems they are from two different worlds and potentially have nothing in common, that doesn’t stop them both from secretly wanting to get to know each other. But they can’t seem to find their footing and actually have a conversation! These two are so precious to watch as their romance slowly unfolds through a series of misunderstandings and attempts to talk to one another! I will be quick to say that I absolutely loved this story! However, as soon as it arrived in the mail, I pushed it off on my husband since I knew he was looking for a romantic comedy to read. I was completely thrilled that he enjoyed it too! We both laughed more than once when reading, and I personally couldn’t get over these characters’ attempts to talk to each other as they end up misunderstanding one another or start blushing. It was so cute! The art is also excellent, and I really loved the character designs and expressions. I would highly recommend this manga if you’re looking for a cute, drama-free romantic comedy! I know it’s going to be a great series, and I can’t wait for the release of volume two! ~ Laura A. Grace

Miss Miyazen Would Love to Get Closer to You is published by Kodansha.

Banished from the Hero’s Party: I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside, Manga Vol. 3

When you’re a person of consequence, it’s difficult to live a life free of the responsibility of your power. Rit, the princess, and Red, the brilliant brother of the hero, continue their attempt to live out an idyllic existence as village apothecaries. But the past is chasing them down in the form of a one-time comrade, a traitor, and a mysterious man who may be most formidable of all. Volume three of Banished From the Hero’s Party continues to put forth all those good vibes that come along with the blossoming, cottagecore-brushed relationship between Rit and Red, but tensions are quickly rising. A considerable part of these chapters are spent on the turncoat Dir, providing the mangaka an opportunity to give more context for both Red’s relationship with Rit in the past and for his camaraderie with his former party, including his sister, whom we learn much more about in these chapters. She is equal parts dopey and terrifying. The fantasy elements of the tale are becoming stronger, accompanied and strengthened by Masahiro Ikeno’s beautiful artwork. I’m still most compelled by the peaceful elements of the story, but as it turns more and more toward adventure, I’m hopeful that the story will continue on this upward trajectory. ~ Twwk

Banished From the Hero’s Party is published by Yen Press.

READ: Banished from the Hero’s Party: I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (Manga) Reviews (Vol. 1 // Vol. 2)

Fly Me to the Moon, Manga Vols. 12-13

These volumes build on the previously introduced plot thread of Nasa’s job at a girls’ high school. There’s a discussion of whether Tsukasa is jealous—and should she be? We have some comedic encounters with specific students. In volume thirteen, we finally get a proper introduction to a mysterious student named Kaguya; her name implies a connection to the moon. Nasa has a mysterious dream about his wife. Oh, and now Aya wants Nasa to dig a pond, which leads to Tsukasa discovering how cool her husband can be. Later, thanks to Aya’s bullying, Nasa and Tsukasa get dragged out to a “haunted” mansion by the school film club (hilariously, the students actually recognize Aya as a content creator!). It kind of looks like we might be heading toward an encounter between moon-associated Tsukasa and moon-associated Kaguya. It is hard to know what to say about this series at this point. It’s still the sweet romantic comedy with nerdy references and hints of mystery that it’s always been. You probably know by now if you like it, so I’m not sure what else to write about. I still like this manga and plan to keep reading it. ~ Jeskai

Fly Me to the Moon is published by VIZ Media.

READ: Fly Me to the Moon Reviews (Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol. 7 // Vol. 8 // Vol. 9 // Vol. 10 // Vol. 11)

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, Manga Vol. 4

Kubo and Shiraishi finally go on their first date! Of course, this being a romcom manga, it’s not like an “official” real date, but it might as well be. And the result? The date, taking place over several chapters, is equal parts cute and meh, the former because that’s what Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible excels at—”aww” moments between the leads when they watch a movie together, or compare their heights with one another, or touch each other’s hair—and the latter when the series tries to be more serious, such as when it sexualizes Kubo or tries to create a bit of physical intimacy between the leads. The artwork in this series is amateurish and, in fact, feels like it’s regressed somewhat over the volumes. The characters are cutesy but not detailed, and many panels appear half-finished. So when there’s supposed to be some sort of sexual tension between Kubo and the very comically-drawn Shiraishi, it feels out of place, as if the mangaka doesn’t know his own series. Those scenes, combined with the fairly dull early chapters in volume four, remind me that, by this point, Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible is what it is: A romcom with plenty of cute moments that’s good for filling time, but which won’t ever leave you clamoring for more. ~ Twwk

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible is published by VIZ Media.

READ: Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible Reviews (Vol. 1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3)

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“Reader’s Corner” is our way of embracing the wonderful world of manga, light novels, and visual novels, creative works intimately related to anime but with a magic all their own. Each week, our writers provide their thoughts on the works they’re reading—both those recently released as we keep you informed of newly published works, and those older titles that you might find as magical (or in some cases, reprehensible) as we do.

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Reader’s Corner: Mission: Yozakura Family (Vol. 1), Wandance (Vol. 2), and I Will Forget This Feeling Someday

Among the offerings we cover this week are a couple of one-volume releases from the mangaka of Beastars and the author of I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, respectively. We also review the newest releases from several other series and the opening volume of a Shonen Jump favorite.

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Drip Drip, One-Shot Manga

What kind of adult would you become if, thanks to being reared by a germophobic mother, you started spewing blood violently and by the liter every time you touched something you considered dirty? Mako Higari begins having one-night stands with man after man after man, hoping one of them will be “clean” and invest in her in a meaningful way. Weird as it sounds, this doesn’t really even begin to describe the uniqueness of Drip Drip, a one-shot manga by Paru Itagaki, known for her acclaimed work, Beastars. It is high-paced, packing a full story in eight chapters; and with its focus on sex and nosebleeds, is full of nudity, blood, and sexual language. But it has something to say, in both comical and unexpectedly meaningful ways, especially through one of the story’s twists. I won’t give it away, but that plot point turns the tale from engaging on a merely surface level into a work with depth. I quite enjoyed Drip Drip, but it is “dripping” with those adult elements, so be warned. I should also say that I also enjoyed the additional short tacked onto this release that is just as adult as Drip Drip, but focuses on Christmas. So you might just see this crop up one more time during our annual 12 Days of Christmas Anime series. Stay tuned! ~ Twwk

Drip Drip is published by Viz Media and releases on October 18th.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Deserted Island Diaries, Manga Vol. 3

After reading the first volume of this manga on a lark, I have pre-ordered both new volumes since. So, suffice it to say, I enjoy this manga. Volume 3 of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Deserted Island Diaries introduces us to some new villagers, including fan favorite Raymond. It also spends quite a bit of time on the islanders trying to come up with new ideas to boost their island appeal. This is not a serious, story-driven manga. If you are looking for that, look elsewhere. Much like other Nintendo game manga for Kirby or Super Mario Brothers, this is gag driven and always a lot funnier if you have played the game. As someone who is still playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons daily, I find it hilarious! At times it feels like it is written for an audience that is entirely me. This family-friendly series is a lot of fun if you play Animal Crossing games. If you don’t and are looking for more goofy series you can share with your kids without worrying about content issues, this series is a fun choice. I am going to be honest here: while you can start at the beginning of the series, just randomly picking up any single volume will give you the same, fun experience as there is no real continuous storyline. ~ MDMRN

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Deserted Island Diaries is published by Viz Media.

READ: Animal Crossing: New Horizons Deserted Island Diaries Reviews (Vol. 1 // Vol. 2)

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, Light Novel Vol. 8.5

In the world of romcom light novels, half-volumes are typically side story collections, bits and pieces that relate to the main story and give a chance for fan-favorite characters to shine. But when they’re done well, they can add life to a story and be excellent volumes themselves rather than fun throwaways. Volume 8.5 of Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki is the latter type. Its chapters are separated enough from the main thread and so individualized in tone and plot as to stand apart as excellent short stories. But they all take place between the class play that ends the year’s activities at school and the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve and reveal significant motivations and background information about several characters. The enigmatic Aoi receives a chapter about her childhood, which tells us so much about her (and still so little). This chapter connects to a Christmas Eve introductory chapter, which also serves as a denouement to the previous arc, and a charming chapter told from Kikuchi’s perspective. Aoi also plays a part in Minami’s chapter, which again demonstrates how well Yuki Yaku knows his characters. Minami’s thoughts are at once full throttle, full speed ahead, and self-conscious, and they drop an important piece of information about what exactly it is that is exchanged in the world of the AU side series that has been given two releases so far by Yen Press (but which hadn’t yet been released when 8.5 was published in Japan). My favorite chapter of all, though, focuses on a character I had no particular feelings about prior to this volume. The cover girl, Rena, is written with a subtlety that is totally unlike the image she conveys. Readers will at once dislike many of her actions but also sympathize with her, all in a way that makes Rena come across as a complex and realized character. It’s writing like that which permits volume 8.5 to sit alongside the main story volumes, belonging every bit as much as the main story books in the addicting series. I might even call this, together with the other nine volumes of Tomozaki, “top-tier.” ~ Twwk

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki is published by Yen Press.

Read: Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki Review (Vol. 3 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol. 6.5 // Vol. 7 // Vol. 8)

I Will Forget This Feeling Someday, One-Shot Light Novel

This story starts off typically enough. Kaya Suzuki’s just another boring kid at his boring high school in his boring old town—until he meets a strange girl who promises to spill color all over his life again. You get the drill. The two keep talking, make reckless decisions, fall in love, confess—it’s how every ordinary romance light novel goes. But I Will Forget This Feeling Someday isn’t an ordinary light novel. With that distinctly eccentric but penetrating writing style, Yoru Sumino chisels through the classic tropes of the genre to carve out an emotional story about ordinary life, guilt, and the bonds people share. How do we live in a world that feels so suffocating and dull and pointless? How do we deal with loss and the ways we wound ourselves and others? And how do we hold on to our deepest emotions, which feel so real in the moment but fade into obscurity with time? Sumino doesn’t answer those questions up front. Instead, Sumino invites us into the complexities of Kaya’s story. Kaya is broken and bitter and cruel, unlikable but often relatable, and above all desperate for hope. It’s in imagining what that hope would look like, for him and for all those who cross his path, that this book truly sparkles. And it’s not just Kaya’s story—there’s depth to all the characters that we encounter, and lots of grace and sacrificial love to cherish along the way. Not to mention the engaging plot that strung me along until the very end—I took at least five pages of notes for this review—and the beautiful cover illustration by loundraw. Pick up this book. It’s an experience you’ll definitely never forget. I know I won’t. ~ sleepminusminus

I Will Forget This Feeling Someday is published by Seven Seas.

Shortcake Cake, Manga Vol. 11

I was so completely frustrated with Rei at the beginning of this volume! Riku is meeting his mom for the first time, and she’s even asked him to come live with her and he has the nerve to say, “Nobody wants you,” to Riku?! I definitely had to remember that Rei does in fact want his brother and deeply misses him, but when he said that I related to Ten and Shingen being upset with him so very much. However, Ten is really amazing because when it seems like everything is done for and Riku could be potentially “loss” to them forever, she is the one who steps in and pushes Rei to finally share what is in his heart. And wow! This volume had me in tears with the dialogue and the art. Every word, every panel, every page was so extremely moving that I’m not sure I can express in words how heartfelt it was to see these brothers finally have a conversation that was not full of insults or rejection. It is by far the most emotional volume and not because of the sadness, but because of the healing and the reconciliation that takes place. While there is still one more volume to go, this is already a series I know is going to be sticking with me for a long time and one I will reread again. The theme of it never being too late to reconcile with loved ones/close friends is on powerful display through these characters that I think this series will surprise and touch many who pick it up. ~ Laura A. Grace

READ: Shortcake Cake Reviews (Vol.1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol 7 // Vol. 8 // Vol. 9 // Vol. 10)

Shortcake Cake is published by VIZ Media.

Mission: Yozakura Family, Manga Vol. 1

In the introductory illustration to volume one of Mission: Yozakura Family, Hitsuji Gondaira writes that he hopes readers will fall in love with the titular family he’s created. It didn’t take me even a full chapter to do just that. Mission: Yozakura Family is as cute and loveable as it is funny and exciting, introducing a world of spies and international criminal organizations but centered on shy student Taiyo and his childhood friend, Mutsumi, whose brothers and sisters are masters of espionage and tasked with protecting her. When Taiyo becomes mixed up with Mutsumi’s brother, who will go to any lengths to protect his sister, he has two choices: become a victim or join the family! Hot on the heels of series like Spy x Family and Spy Classroom, Mission: Yozakura Family is another in the line of recent spy manga—but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room in this subgenre for another series, especially one as warm and fun as this one is. The personalities and powers of each family member are already beginning to shine, hooking me in as much as the central relationship between the too-cute Taiyo and Mutsumi. But much like the uber-popular Spy x Family, this series also features tantalizing action scenes and plenty of humor. In fact, I wonder if it’s somehow gone a little under the radar sitting in that behemoth’s shadow. Here’s hoping that with this Shonen Jump series finally coming to print in the U.S., that won’t hold true for much longer. ~ Twwk

Mission: Yozakura Family is published by Viz Media. Volume one releases on October 18th.

Wandance, Manga Vol. 2

As volume two of Wandance closes, Coffee, the mangaka behind this moving, energetic, and thoughtful series, leaves readers with a personal note: “I always felt like having a stutter gained me absolutely nothing in life. Maybe this manga is the first thing.” Ugh, my heart! It’s a masterful and transparent way to end this volume, which while featuring panel after panel showing students dancing in hip-hop, house, and other styles, is ultimately a surprisingly quiet story about finding your way even if you don’t feel confident, even if you’re just starting a journey, even if the obstacles seem too steep to climb. Wanda, the exuberant, lovable, strange dancer on the cover, in the title, and apparently at the center of the tale, is more of a side character in volume two, which instead heavily focuses on Kabo as he tries to figure out how to dance well even without this life-changing girl at his side. As he thinks and dances through this question, new supporting characters take center stage as well, including one whose envy of Wanda masks insecurity, and another boy who hasn’t been coming to the club but is as skilled a dancer as On. Speaking of the club president, On dominates the chapters of volume two, particularly through a speech where she attempts to explain what makes a dancer special. She emphasizes “feeling,” and while that concept is a bit vague and cliche, it helps convey the theme of the series and stresses that the stutterer, Kabo, has found a place he belongs since that adjective describes how he feels about dance. He’s found a path to waltz along, and how lucky we are that we’re able to also join him and Wanda on this journey, for this dance. ~ Twwk

Wandance is published by Kodansha.

READ: Wandance Vol. 1 Review

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Everything old is new again! This anime season has seen the return of classics like Urusei Yatsura and Bleach, so we thought…why not cover the latter as a throwback by a reviewer who has never read it? We’re also looking at the first volume of another classic that’s soon to receive a reboot, Trigun: Maximum. They join a host of other releases this week, including a romcom full of imagination and the 12th and final review for Shortcake Cake!

Banished from the Hero’s Party: I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside (Vol. 2) • Bleach (Vol. 1) • I Am Blue, In Pain, and Fragile • Imaginary (Vol. 1) • Kaiju No. 8 (Vol. 4) • Shortcake Cake (Vol. 12) • Trigun: Maximum (Vol. 1)

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Shortcake Cake, Manga Vol. 12

This ending of this amazing and heartfelt series only confirms to me that I will binge-read anything Suu Morishita writes (and legally gets translated/printed in English). Such a beautiful and fantastic ending! Seriously, I’ve reread this final volume at least two or three times now because it gives all the warm, happy feels and so deeply thankful that everyone can be together. Yes, we see in some of the bonus stories that certain characters went to different places, and aren’t altogether, but the way they keep in touch and the happiness they have when they are together is so beautiful given what has transpired over this series. I deeply loved Ten and Riku’s happy ending and how there was even a surprise happy ending for a set of side characters! It made me smile and laugh and feel it only continued until the final page. I think the cover honestly wraps up what this final volume conveys not only for the characters, but I think the reader too. I know it certainly made me smile! (The cover and the ending.) I think the only sad part is knowing that the series is indeed over. It’s been a beautiful and wonderful journey with these characters and thankful that Ten made the decision to live in a boarding house because otherwise we might have not gotten this touching and powerful love story of not only between friends, but between two brothers who found healing as well. Shortcake Cake is a series I highly recommend! ~ Laura A. Grace

READ: Shortcake Cake Reviews (Vol.1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3 // Vol. 4 // Vol. 5 // Vol. 6 // Vol 7 // Vol. 8 // Vol. 9 // Vol. 10 // Vol. 11)

Shortcake Cake is published by VIZ Media.

Imaginary, Manga Vol. 1

Imaginary is what happens when a mangaka combines the mundane with the fantastic, and has the skill and, indeed, imagination to back it up. The story begins with the most ordinary of manga romcom framing—boy (Takasu) reconnects with girl (Maika), and the childhood friends kindle what could become a romance. But this is where Imaginary separates from other romantic comedies, by how it lives in the character’s minds. For instance, as Mai rides home on the train after seeing Takasu, she spies a boy looking out a window, and remembers how she did the same as a child, imagining a ninja leaping from building to building across the quickly passing landscape. Mangaka Niiro Ikuhana illustrates these thoughts, and he depicts action and the fantastic more sharply than “real life”—which he’s quite good at depicting, too! He also excels at transitioning from scene to scene, with an unusual flow that keeps readers on their feet. Instead of portraying what happens when Takasu visit Maika’s apartment, for example, he shows the scene where the two finally decide to go over, shifts immediately to Mai reporting that nothing had occurred to a friend, and then shifts to that friend’s life. It’s a deft technique that makes the normal ebb and flow of life engaging, and when combined with the fantasy sequences, helps bring each of the characters to life. This includes Mai’s three friends, who receive intimate treatment and avoid becoming simple side notes to the main story. In fact, the friendship between the four girls is as central as the budding romance, and in volume one (perhaps as insinuated in the mangaka’s very interesting postscript) this is really the heart of the tale. The artwork is sharp, detailed, and unique, adding another engaging element to the manga. (Warning: an early illustration is quite vivid in its depiction of Mai’s body; it demonstrates the quality of the volume’s artwork and also some of the lesser, but still present, fanservice throughout the book). If there’s one negative, though, it’s this: I don’t know if I can be okay with traditional romcoms any longer—not when there’s something as creative, thoughtful, and fulfilling as Imaginary out there. What a remarkable piece of art! ~ Twwk

Imaginary is published by Seven Seas.

I Am Blue, In Pain, and Fragile, One-Shot Light Novel

Being a university student is hard. (And no, I’m not just saying that because it’s midterm season.) University is that time where society throws you and a bunch of other half-adults into the pressure cooker of classes and social groups until you somehow figure out your career and worldview and life. It’s disorienting, especially since university is often your first foray beyond the insular world of high school and family into a world that isn’t too kind to dreamers. And I Am Blue, In Pain, and Fragile gets this. Kaede and Akiyoshi, two university students who create a club dedicated to pursuing their shared dreams of universal peace and happiness, soon find themselves in over their head and questioning the practicality of those dreams. The book focuses on Kaede in particular, who reminded me of Kanae from I Will Forget This Feeling Someday—ambitious but single-minded, distant but fragile, and longing for healing and hope. And also like that book, this one focuses much on the passing of time, the pain we endure and inflict, the pressures of social life, and the possibility of reconciliation. What stands out here is Yoru Sumino’s piercing depiction of how institutions can careen out of the control of the people behind the wheel. It’s a relevant point of warning for college students especially. Don’t let your ambitions outpace your character. Don’t let yourself hurt others, even your enemies. Don’t use others as tools, even to take hold of the things that are meaningful to you. Those are timely messages, and they make the book shine—though I will say it shines a little more dimly than some of Sumino’s other works. While Kaede and Akiyoshi get their full stories told, the rest of the characters get shoved to the side after their time in the light. And despite all that, there’s never an explanation for why Kaede developed the worldview that he holds, even though Sumino drops hints at such an explanation throughout the book. But hey, the sky is still blue, even if a few clouds block the view. ~ sleepminusminus

I Am Blue, In Pain, and Fragile is published by Seven Seas.

Banished from the Hero’s Party: I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside, Manga Vol. 2

The way volume one of Banished from the Hero’s Party ended left me worried and disappointed. Would the charming fantasy and romance and engaging flashback structure displayed earlier in that work go the way of the birds? Thankfully, volume two proves my concerns unfounded. Rit and Red continue to grow more intimate with one another through their cute interactions and as the former powerful warriors set aside the sword to run a pharmacy. There are obstacles in the way, though, such as that many residents aren’t willing to let Red “abscond” with their beloved protector princess. But far more concerning is a looming threat that neither is considering—what the hero’s party has been up to and how it still may impact Red. This volume employs three different settings, and all contribute to making the story compelling. The current time frame and its cutesy goodness are much welcomed, but so is a flashback showing more about Rit’s initial meeting with Red, further developing the context of their friendship (turning more and more toward romance), and introducing another member of the hero’s party who is a key character. Actually, that member is briefly introduced earlier in this volume through another present-day scene that shows the readers that the hero’s party doesn’t devalue Rit as much as he believes them to. That opening adds an encouraging tone to the work while keeping the menace of the evil world looming large in the tale, ensuring that readers are rewarded with the conflict we desire while still being able to enjoy a story that’s mostly just heartwarming. ~ Twwk

Banished from the Hero’s Party (manga) is published by Yen Press.

READ: Banished from the Hero’s Party Vol. 1 Review

Kaiju No. 8, Manga Vol. 4

I am convinced that no volume of Kaiju No. 8 can be less than five stars because it’s just that good! This series continues to be my favorite ongoing shonen series and rightfully so! Every. Single. Time. I pick up a new volume, I am completely immersed in the story, with volume four being no exception. To echo Kafka’s thoughts in the beginning: “Everyone is so amazing!” This volume kicks off right where the previous volume ended with the vice-captain, Hoshina, battling one of the strongest kaiju we’ve seen thus far. Just when it appears that the Defense Force is victorious, the daikaiju launches a surprise that only Kakfa’s detection ability reacts to. How is he going to help fight, keep his comrades safe, and not reveal his secret? I have been eagerly anticipating this specific volume because I wanted to see more of Hoshina, and it did not disappoint! Granted, no volume in this series has disappointed me, but seeing Hoshina in action was absolutely incredible! His fighting technique is so engaging to watch, and I was almost giddy at seeing his backstory despite also being angry about what people told him. Ha! I was completely on edge throughout all of his scenes as he began to reach his limits—but just when I thought I couldn’t be more on edge, a situation unfolded that left me wondering as to what will happen to Kafka and everyone involved. If you’re a fan of the series, do not miss out on this volume! The stakes get higher the more the series unfolds, and I am extremely desperate for the next volume so I can know what happens next! ~ Laura A. Grace

Kaiju No. 8 is published by VIZ Media.

READ: Kaiju No. 8 Reviews (Vol.1 // Vol. 2 // Vol. 3)

Trigun Maximum, Manga, Vol. 1

In the early years of my exposure to the expansive genre that is anime, Trigun was one of those top tier ones that I remember enjoying. I’ve only watched the anime, which I feel is still fun, but I have not read the manga and have only heard about Trigun Maximum. I bought volume one to see what it was about, as I assumed it would just rehash some episodes from the anime. In fact, it’s a continuation from a certain point in the anime and has a lot of new story that I was excited to discover. It starts off with Vash the Stampede in retirement after several rough battles. His friend Wolfwood finds him and pushes him to come back and help the people that need him. In the midst of this, the town Vash is staying at is attacked by a gang, so he jumps in to save them. Familiar faces return and the story continues to unravel as Vash seeks Knives, his nemesis. It’s great to get back to one of my nostalgic and favorite anime, and I’m glad there’s more that I haven’t read up on. So Trigun Maximum, even though it is an older manga, is fresh for me and I want to see what happens next! ~ Samuru

Trigun: Maximum is published by Dark Horse Comics

Bleach, Manga Vol. 1

I have a number of huge geek gaps when it comes to anime and manga. I have filled in some of those gaps over the years by reading all the Dragon Ball and One Piece manga, being fully up to date on both. As the new Bleach anime series dropped recently, I ended up deciding to try out that manga series. So glad I did. For those, like me, who were unaware, Bleach is set in a world where soul reapers come to help the souls of the dead move onto the next life. Some souls with unfinished business transform into monstrous forms called Hollows. Soul reapers should not be seen by humans. Enter our titular hero Ichigo, a human who can see spirits and also, apparently, Soul Reapers. Through an accidental moment where a Soul Reaper is injured, Ichigo transforms into both Soul Reaper and human to protect his family. The story is fast-paced from there, introducing new characters, new Hollows, and great action scenes in the first volume. Tite Kibo’s art is effortlessly cool and the Hollows are frighteningly monstrous in the best way. If you like action stories, this may be for you. And me, apparently. I guess my biggest complaint is that it took me this long to check it out. ~ MDMRN

Bleach is published by Viz Media under their Shonen Jump imprint.

READ: Bleach 20th Anniversary Edition, Vol. 1 Review

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beneaththetangles · 1 year

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Are villains destined to die? Is Chitose really inside that Ramune bottle? Can a rooster be a shonen hero? Will our reviews answers this week any of these questions? No, no they won’t, but they give you a sense of the diverse group of titles we’re covering this week, which also include sci-fi, a beloved webtoon, and the first chapter in a new Shonen Jump series!

Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle (Vol. 2) • The Ichinose Family’s Deadly Sins (Chp. 1) • The Remarried Empress (Vol. 1) • Rooster Fighter (Vol. 2) • Tower of God (Vol. 1) • Villains Are Destined to Die (Vol. 1) • Witch Watch (Vol. 3) • Yashiro’s Guide to Going Solo • Your Forma (Vol. 2)

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Yashiro’s Guide to Going Solo, One-Shot Light Novel

Shigeaki Yashiro is a loner and is completely fine with that. He would rather enjoy doing what he wants than try to fit into a social group. It helps that the popular kids in his class leave him alone, at least until Kanon Hanamizawa asks him one day for some advice. Turns out, being a social butterfly has been wearing her down, and she wants to learn how to spend time by herself. As Yashiro shows her how to enjoy doing things on her own, he begins to interact more with the popular kids. How will his lone-wolf lifestyle adapt to this? This romcom from the author of Realist Hero is a nice single-volume story (though there is technically an “after story” volume too) about someone who has no problems spending time on his own. I really like how this story portrays Yashiro not as a struggling anti-social person, but someone who is willing to lend a hand. At the same time, the popular kids he interacts with are cool with him being him, and the novel goes a bit into how this should be the new norm for social interactions. As for the romance, the novel does take a different approach that is not only neat on its own but also makes a second read-through more interesting. Overall, this is a very solid rom-com light novel for anyone looking for a quick read. ~ stardf29

Yashiro’s Guide to Going Solo is published by J-Novel Club.

The Ichinose Family’s Deadly Sins, Manga Chapter 1

The Ichinose Family’s Deadly Sins, Taizan5’s brand new manga series, premiered on Shonen Jump this past weekend. The first chapter opens to a teenage boy named Tsubasa waking up in a hospital bed. He’s surrounded by loved ones, but doesn’t recognize any of them. At all. Tsubasa is struck by long-term amnesia and he doesn’t recall a thing. Then the family all turn to him and exclaim, “Me too!” The rest of the chapter follows the Ichinose family as they try to adapt in the hospital while not knowing anything about who they are. But they’re a family, they say, so they will figure it out together. The rest of the chapter follows them trying to just adjust to a life without a history of themselves. But when they leave and arrive at home, not knowing who they are may be…problematic. What a fascinating setup for a new series. Taizan really draws you in, first into the drama about the family losing their memories, then through an end-of-chapter flip. I have no idea where the manga will go next and how this family will regain their memories. The mystery of it had me hooked by chapter one, and for now, I’m in. ~ MDMRN

The Ichinose Family’s Deadly Sins is published by Shonen Jump.

Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle, Manga Vol. 2

I can’t quite put my finger on this series. Is it about an arrogant, popular boy who learns to become a better person, or is it trying to humanize these kids as they are, making us like them even though they’re superficial? It’s hard to say. Maybe you can help me decide. In volume two, Chitose has finally talked Kenta into leaving his shut-in life behind. Chitose will even give him a jump start on his return to school by advising him and temporarily bringing him into his group of popular friends (“Chitose’s harem”), but to what end? There’s a dichotomy in the characters’ actions and thoughts that makes it hard to really be pulled fully into the story. For instance, a chapter is spent on Chitose and one of his girl friends (which one, I would have a hard time telling you, as I can’t really distinguish any of them based on their personalities) picking out clothing and glasses for Kenta, who comes to the conclusion that normies aren’t that bad after all; this is followed by one of Chitose’s friends telling him that Kenta won’t ever be a part of the popular kids’ group and isn’t even interesting enough to hang with them temporarily. It’s hard to enjoy the banter between Chitose, the girls, and Kenta when scenes like that make it feel disingenuous. There are signs that Chitose wants to be more than who he is—but just like how the original light novels save this for the last 30 pages of each volume, the manga only briefly touches upon these feelings, which leads me to wonder if there really is character change on the horizon or if we as readers are supposed to just enjoy the discomforting duality to the “harem.” Until I know which, I can’t really fully buy into this series—and I can’t recommend it either. ~ Twwk

Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle is published by Yen Press.

READ: Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle (Manga) Vol.1 Review

Villains Are Destined to Die, Manhwa Vol. 1

This is the first time I’ve read a villainess/otome game isekai story where I genuinely felt extremely nervous that the heroine could actually die. There have definitely been points in other stories where I felt that’s a possibility, but in Villians Are Destined to Die, it honestly seemed like a real reality for this young woman who falls asleep and then wakes up in the body of a villainess in an otome game she played called Daughter of the Duke Love Project! Before she woke up in this world, she had played on easy mode as the heroine, Ivonne, who is the long-lost daughter of a grand duke and is now trying to win the affection of the men around her. On hard mode, she played Penelope, the villainess, who is the duke’s fake daughter and has negative “affection” points with the men around her. When this young woman wakes up as Penelope, she has to do everything she can to keep the affection points low because otherwise, it would lead to her own death! This young woman who is now Penelope is an epic heroine, and I admire her attitude given her circumstances. I think her previous real-life struggles and relatability to Penelope’s story make this story much more meaningful and convincing. I’m desperately hoping that she can avoid all her death flags; this is probably the first time reading this kind of story where I’m at a loss of which guy I want to be the “end game.” I know Penelope is feeling one guy is the one, but I really don’t think it’s going to be that simple. Overall, this story completely surprised me! I thought it would be your “typical” villainess isekai and I was extremely wrong. Definitely looking forward to the next volume as this is going to be a fantastic series to keep reading! ~ Laura A. Grace

Villains Are Destined to Die is published by IZE PRESS.

Your Forma, Light Novel Vol. 2

Volume two of Your Forma attempts to be three types of stories at once, and accomplishes each with varying degrees of success. First, it’s a detective story. Echika has returned to her profession as an Electronic Investigator, diving into the minds and memories of others with the assistance of Harold, her android (amicus) partner. But in an unexpected turn, Harold is suspected of breaking the “Laws of Respect” by injuring engineers and others connected to him, including the one person most intimate to him. Clearing Harold’s name will require finding the actual perpetrator and also untangling the mystery of the RF Model Amicus, the particularly intelligent and thoughtful type that now seems to be going haywire. Appropriately twisting and unexpectedly gruesome, the story turns toward a conclusion that unfortunately feels significantly less smart than its android characters, casting a pall over the volume. The science fiction element is somewhat better (and getting better): the author incorporates thought-provoking philosophy about the nature of artificial intelligence and uses settings that are realistic for a world that started to rely on A.I. technology in a divergent timeline from ours—though I would call it moderate-to-strong sci-fi for an anime-influenced work and not comparable to harder sci-fi in western (and non-anime eastern) literature. The best story in volume two, though, is the “human” one between Echika, who is now awkwardly opening her heart to others after overcoming the trauma of her past in volume one, and Harold, who is too human for Echika to treat him as a robot and too much a robot for Echika to treat him as human. There’s a lot of subtlety and depth to their relationship and to Harold’s character development, opening a myriad of doors for future volumes that could lead to paths as disparate as complete betrayal or romantic love, and possibly both. Thus, despite some of the issues with the series, I’m on pins and needles (or gears and cogs) to find out where Echika and Harold go next. ~ Twwk

Your Forma is published by Yen Press.

READ: Your Forma Vol.1 Review

Rooster Fighter, Manga Vol. 2

The chicken whose comb burns with rage is back, and he is still in search of the demon that attacked his sister. Volume 2 opens with a dark feathered hen named Elizabeth using an electrical pole to strike Keiji, but he dodges it. Why is she fighting him? He had a one-night stand with her, and she is ticked off about it! Keiji is cold and isn’t in the mood to argue with her, but there isn’t any time either as another demon shows up to ruin their lovers’ spat. Even as over the top as this manga is, I felt that it was slower than the first one in terms of progressing the plot. The jokes didn’t hit as hard either, so what I suspect is that volume 1 is the standard and the rest won’t follow as strongly. Introducing a new character was helpful but I hope volume 3 moves things along, or maybe I’m looking too much into this and it’s a purely gag manga and it will stay that way. If you enjoyed volume 1, don’t expect the same going into volume 2, as I feel the gas that fueled its start has been used up. ~ Samuru

Rooster Fighter is published by VIZ Media

READ: Rooster Fighter Vol.1 Review

The Remarried Empress, Manhwa Vol. 1

I will say from the start that I am not a huge fan of politics in fiction, but I am calling The Remarried Empress one of my favorite reads this year! I binge-read all the available episodes on Webtoon within two days–a first for me ever!–and knew I had to read it all over again with its physical release! Navier is the empress of the Eastern Empire who is married to one of the most frustrating heroes I have ever read, Sovieshu. He is the emperor of the Eastern Empire and becomes absolutely captivated by a woman he accidentally caught in one of his hunting traps. He soon makes her his mistress and, as the opening of this story shows, will want a divorce with our heroine because of it. There are no other words to describe Navier except that truly she is a queen. There are also no other words to describe Sovieshu and his mistress, Rashta, than what the webcomic community has called them: Trash. I have never been so angry at two characters as these too, but if they stir deep anger in me, then Navier stirs deep compassion and love for her character. She is such a befitting and wonderful empress! It is truly hard and almost overwhelming to see how dirty she is treated as the story goes on. Thankfully, there is another character who knows the true value and respect she deserves! I will not go on more due to possible spoilers, but this is a story I would highly recommend! Interesting politics, intriguing fantasy elements, and a fantastic heroine who deserves so much more. ~ Laura A. Grace [Editor’s Note: I highly recommend this series, too!]

The Remarried Empress is published by IZE PRESS and releases on November 22nd.

Witch Watch, Manga Vol. 3

I recently discovered that Witch Watch is the 25,417th-ranked manga on Anime Planet—25,417th! Are there truly more than 25,000 series better than Witch Watch? I’ve found this manga, which covers the adventures of the clumsy witch Nico and her familiar/crush/ogre Morihito, to be utterly charming through the first two volumes. Volume three mostly keeps the cutesy, friendly tone intact, especially as Nico and her other familiar, Kan, start a YouTube channel and the entire trio encounters rival Nemu again in her kitten form. But the series turns more toward mystery and action in this volume—and not to its benefit. While the proceedings feature an interesting twist, the main story about the entity that seeks to capture Nico and her powers, and the way it unfolds, is so blah, a retread of similar storylines in countless other series. It all leads me to think that this is the reason this series is ranked so low. This is unfortunate because when it focuses on romcom and friendship, Witch Watch is a delightful manga. I don’t want to see Nemu and the gang fighting other supernatural beings and their hopped-up classmates—and it seems that countless others agree. ~ Twwk

Witch Watch is published by VIZ Media.

READ: Witch Watch Reviews (Vol. 1 // Vol. 2)

Tower of God, Manga Vol. 1

When the Tower of God anime premiered several years ago, it arrived with much fanfare. Now, the popular webtoon on which that adaptation was based is finally bound and released in manga format by Wattpad. I can tell that as well-regarded as it is, Tower of God is going to take a lot of patience, particularly when it comes to the artwork. I remember hearing the chatter from fans saying off-handedly, almost jokingly, that they stuck with the series despite the artwork of the early chapters. That critique came rushing back to me as I read volume one, which offers some interesting ideas, but is nearly unreadable due to the amateurish art. It has a self-published air to it, and not the kind of self-published where an amazing artist later lands a huge contract, but rather the type created by one with a lot of passion but without the skill to match it. Yet, as I mentioned, there are interesting elements to Tower of God. The story of a boy (Bam) who seeks to enter a mysterious tower to follow after Rachel, the girl who has gone to the tower to find fulfillment and left him behind, features fun characters and touches in the artwork that reveal its Korean roots. It reminds me of RWBY, another series that gathered a huge fandom and critical acclaim but started off with awkward animation. I dropped that series, and despite all the praise, I don’t regret doing so. It was too ugly to watch. Tower of God is just the same—it’s too ugly to read. I won’t be continuing the webtoon, though I’m inclined to watch a second season of the anime if it ever gets greenlit. The artwork for that was passable enough; I wasn’t so distracted that I couldn’t focus on the story. I wish I could say the same for the original. ~ Twwk

Tower of God is published by Wattpad and releases on November 22nd.

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Reader’s Corner: Madoka Wraith Arc, The Hunters Guild, and Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl

We have a diverse lineup of light novels and manga to close out the month of November, touching all sorts of genres and types from magical girls to harem, shounen to shoujo, and isekai to yuri—those last two within the same work! Come check out our reviews of this interesting crop of releases from Yen Press, Viz, and J-Novel Club!

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The Executioner and Her Way of Life, Vol. 3: The Cage of Iron Sand

If volume one set of The Executioner and Her Way of Life set the groundwork for a visceral and creative fantasy tale, and volume two turned the heat on the story all the way up to its highest setting, volume three makes the wise choice of going a more modest route while still continuing to move forward with what is becoming an epic story. Menou and Akari continue their journey toward the latter’s execution, but run into ruffians with surprising tech along the way, as well as a new character, Sahara, a former classmate of Menou’s whose past is more entwined with hers than she realizes. While volume three continues the sin of featuring drippy dialogue that is intended to develop fun relationships between the almost entirely female cast through various levels and types of flirting (but fails in doing so), it also moves further down the route of stronger characterization by diving into Akari’s head (we only got a hint of this in volume two—albeit a shocking one) and laying out what that means to various characters. Meanwhile, Saraha is a welcome addition to the cast of mains (and is given a particularly strong backstory), each of which received considerable time in these chapters. Despite their throwaway dialogue, readers will care for each of them by this point, and the story as well, which continues to be smart, epic, and oftentimes, pit-in-your-stomach fearsome. ~ Twwk

The Executioner and Her Way of Life is published by Yen Press.*

Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte, Disc 1

Deeply dissatisfied with the tragic fate of otome game “villainess” Lieselotte, a high school girl and boy decide to record a Let’s Play of said otome game. The trappings seem conventional: a commoner girl attends Magic School for Nobles and encounters a not-so-villainous aristocratic “villainess” engaged to a prince. But then things go off the rails. The “players” have no control over the game, the save file is glitched, the protagonist’s stats are maxed out, and certain characters in the game can hear and respond to their commentary! Then these “gods” surprise themselves by conferring blessings, have a cryptic encounter that might be connected to the mystery of the game, and more. Awkward teen romance abounds both in-game and IRL, as well as non-romantic drama of various kinds, including medical, familial, and evil-witch-scripted-to-be-Lieselotte’s-doom-al. Lieselotte’s fiancé, Prince Siegwald, provides first-person narration when present, while scenes without him are told in third-person. Notably, this isn’t an isekai story, instead being more similar to The NPCs in This Village Sim Game Must Be Real!, where people in our world “play” a “video game” that seems oddly real, are perceived as deities by game characters, and start to uncover possible connections between our world and the not-so-virtual one (though if you’ve been reading Village Sim for this month’s Light Novel Club discussion, rest assured that there are many differences!). This volume was sweet and funny and intriguing, and I loved it. ~ jeskaiangel

Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte is published by J-Novel Club.

Cheeky Brat, Vol. 1

Can’t say I’ve previously ever bought a manga simply based off the font alone, but I can officially say that I have now now after purchasing Cheeky Brat! I absolutely love how colorful the font is! While this was more of a cover buy for me at first, the sports overtone in the blurb made me decide this was one I needed to pick up. The story centers around a second year, Yuki, who has a crush on the team captain of the basketball team (which she manages and decided to be specifically because of this crush). One of the first-year players, Naruse, finds out about “this crush” and starts to tease her about it. The thing is though, is Naruse just teasing? Or is he not? Outside of the manga Waiting for Spring, Cheeky Brat is the only other popular title I know that is a sports shoujo manga, which is something I can’t get enough of. However, while I deeply loved Yuki and her backstory of why she never smiles (as well as how caring and loyal she is to the boys’ basketball team), I could not love this story as much as I wanted. Well, the story—that I did like. What I didn’t was the couple. I could not ship the two as I had hoped because I could not support the Naruse not respecting Yuki’s boundaries. It works well for the story and does have its humorous moments, but in between the first meeting involving boobs and this sense of acting on touching because he likes her, it was more than I could let slide by. Outside of this, I loved the story, but it is one I sadly will not be continuing. ~ Laura A. Grace

Cheeky Brat is published by Yen Press.

Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl

While future volumes are on the way, Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl, the sixth light novel in the Rascal series, reads like the climax of the franchise, focusing on both the main heroine and the the most mysterious and otherwise most significant of the rest of Sakuta’s harem, Shouko, who arrived in volume five aged as a college student. Having accepted this Shouko into his home, Sakuta also invites in a situation fraught with discomfort and difficulty when Mai returns from her work trip to discover the older girl (and Sakuta’s first love) love taking residence in her boyfriend’s household while clearly declaring her love for him. But the situation goes beyond simple romcom antics, both because Sakuta is simultaneously attending to the middle school-aged Shouko, whose health is declining, and his own divided heart. Harem series often avoid facing such an issue head-on and with contemplation and appropriate drama, but author Hajime Kamoshida does in this sixth volume of the series, and deserves praise for doing so. And while Sakuta once again proves to be less reliable and good-hearted than I think the author would want us to believe, the ride itself is quite heartfelt and engaging. It’s also increasingly anxious as the novel moves toward its conclusion, particularly when one realizes there are only 30 pages left and a frightening resolution in sight. Those who have already watched the film—myself included—won’t necessarily be surprised by the main plot of the story, though access to the inner thinkings of Sakuta and Shouko, larger parts for the secondary characters in this volume, and some interesting relationship development that the anime will need to include should a second season come along, make the light novel more than worth the read. This is the most complete volume yet in the Rascal series, and gives me confidence that Kamoshida will continue to challenge himself as a writer instead of relying too much on unreasonable circumstances and explanations, a problem from earlier volumes that, like the original bunny girl senpai, has started to disappear. ~ Twwk

Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl is published by Yen Press.*

The Hunters Guild: Red Hood (Series)

The Hunters Guild: Red Hood, the first series from mangaka Yuuki Kawaguchi to get a full run, is fantastic, and unfortunately was cut too soon. It begins with the premise that fairy tale monsters which looked like eldritch horrors from some sort of Lovecraftian mythos attacking villages. The Red Hood, Grimm, a member of the Hunters Guild, arrives to protect the first village. The story then follows a villager, Velou, who goes off to become a hunter himself. However, the story moves in such a unique direction from there as it shows that the entire world is truly a created thing, a reinterpretation of fairy tales. As the manga progresses, readers will start to remember and recognize various fairy tale characters reimagined, including Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, as well as the reinvention of werewolves. I wish this series was given a proper send off with at least a few more chapters, as the final arc is really compelling. However, it really all depends on readership, and so it happens sometimes. Even so, I would highly recommend this series if you are interested in this premise. ~ MDMRN

The Hunters Guild: Red Hood was simulpublished by Shonen Jump.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc, Vol. 1

Tainted beings known as wraiths prey upon young women, feeding on their emotions, and in Mitakihara Town, are growing in strength. Thankfully, magical girls Mami, Sayaka, and Kyoko are there to combat them—if they don’t kill each other first. The Wraith Arc, a short series developed by Magica Quartet and their frequents collaborator, Hanokage, fills the space between the end of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Rebellion Story, and in mining this part of the lore, presents a fascinating and fun read. Readers get to see how Sayaka and Kyoko come to form their deep relationship out of animosity (with some wild twists), with Mami in her wisdom holding the team together. And meanwhile, of course, there are no witches. There is no Madoka. But much like the “absent” God in the Book of Esther, she is ever over the events of the book, and in this series, especially haunts Homura. Knowing what’s to come in Rebellion Story makes that chatacter’s actions all the more compelling, though it should be said that this volume belongs to Sayaka’s and Kyoko’s for the most part, illustrated in full glory by Hanokage, equal parts a feast for the eyes and a thrill for all lovers of PMMM. ~ Twwk

Puella Magi Madoka Magica: Wraith Arc is published by Yen Press.*

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Reader’s Corner is our way of embracing the wonderful world of manga, light novels, and visual novels, creative works intimately related to anime but with a magic all their own. Each week, our writers provide their thoughts on the works their reading—both those recently released as we keep you informed of newly published works and older titles that you might find as magical (or in some cases, reprehensible) as we do.

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Reader’s Corner: Ciguatera, Kaiju Girl Carmelise, and Sword Art Online, Vol. 23

Kaiju Girl Carmelise, Vol. 2

After watching a recent video from our own Laura A. Grace on kaiju manga, I picked up this series on a lark, and I am so glad I did! The basic concept is that the main character, Kuroe Akaishi, will start to transform into a kaiju if she has romantic feelings. Enter one of the coolest boys at school, Arata Minami, who reveals that he finds Kuroe cute and actually wants to spend time with her. Hilarity ensues. During some moments together, she partially transforms whereas in other moments, she fully changes into a huge kaiju and demolishes huge parts of the city. This is simultaneously one of the cutest and silliest series I’ve had the privilege of reading. Volume two continues the story with an actual date between the two. It ends with, well, a kaiju attack. One of the funniest moments is as Minami realizes the kaiju wants to talk to him, but has yet to figure out that the girl he’s seeing is actually the giant kaiju. Another silly plot point comes in the form of secondary character Manatsu who is obsessed with kaiju. She becomes friends with Kuroe because she happens to always be around during the kaiju attacks and assumes she’s the monster’s priestess! She is…just a little obsessed and it’s so funny. ~ MDMRN

Kaiju Girl Carmelise is published by Yen Press.

Ciguatera, Vol. 1

Ogino and Takai are constantly harassed, beaten, and shaken down by delinquent Tanikawa. While Ogino escapes into his passion for motorcycles and an innocent crush on a girl from his licensing class, the latter hides behind money, all the while being eaten up more and more by rage. While that description sounds a bit sinister, Ciguatera, by Minoru Furuya, the celebrated mangaka behind The Ping Pong Club, is a manga that transcends a simple piece of unsettling youth violence. This highly acclaimed series, finally released in English some 15 years after it’s original publication, is also frequently touching and often funny—sometimes laugh out loud, particularly through the dweeby antics by Ogino, and sometimes through the dark sort of humor, too. When Ogino and Nagumo, the girl from his motorcycle class, become closer, the manga leans heavily toward a sweet and touching romance, but always with an unsettling feeling underlying the narrative, as if tragedy will occur, but when and to whom, it’s not yet known. Punctuated also by some crudeness and sexuality, and burgeoning, too, with an element of mystery, Ciguatera is unrelenting in its determination to lead the reader toward, in some cases, a love for the characters, and in others, a disquieting understanding, in the initial volume of a series that seems as if it will live up to its reputation as one of the great coming-of-age manga. ~ Twwk

Ciguatera is published by Kodansha.*

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, Chapter 1

Outside of Shonen Jump, I haven’t read a shoujo manga the way Yen Press is doing with one of its newest manga releases, Sugar Apple Fairy Tale. It appears it is going to be a simulpub with new chapters every week, and after reading the first chapter this past weekend, I am 100% here for this manga! In Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, humans are able to purchase a fairy for a variety of reasons. Anne, makes a choice to buy a “warrior fairy,” Challe, whom she is hoping will help keep her safe from danger and with whom she will embark a new journey of trying to become a Silver Sugar Master. While the beginning drops a lot of information on the reader, I was thankful to have a clear understanding of how this world works right from the beginning. When it came to Anne, once I saw her defending a fairy, I knew I was really going to like her! And I did! She is so sweet and I love her heart of truly wanting to befriend Challe despite the circumstances that surround them. I’m hoping that Anne meets her goal and also that there are good things in store for him and Anne! It seems like there is more to him than the airs he is giving. I definitely recommend this manga and can’t wait for the next chapter! ~ Laura A. Grace

Sugar Apple Fairy Tale is published by Yen Press.

Zombie Cherry (Series)

I recently signed myself up for a trial run of Kindle Unlimited. At 99¢ for the first three months, I figured, what did I have to lose? While looking through their manga selection, I found the complete series for Zombie Cherry. The basic premise felt similar to Sankarea, which I had previously reviewed: Girl hangs out with boy who is good at science. Girl drinks an entire potion that ends up turning her into a zombie. But that’s where the similarities end. In this case, the potion was Cherry Soup that is supposed to radically and rapidly heal a person. When protagonist Miu becomes sick before a date, she guzzles it down and, inadvertently, dies on her way there. However, the Cherry Soup brings her back to life as it rapidly heals her body. Basically, she’s a zombie. The first volume follows as Miu tries to get the boy’s attention while dealing with her body’s breakdown since her death. This is more silly romantic comedy as opposed to Sankarea‘s much darker tone. I was surprised I enjoyed this three volume series. It’s not the greatest, most in depth series in the world, but it is certainly cute. ~ MDMRN

Zombie Cherry is published by Akita Publishing.

Sword Art Online, Vol. 23

You already know whether you like SAO, so I’m not writing this to help you decide whether to read this volume, the second in the “Unital Ring” arc. It’s the one after “Alicization,” so I’ll avoid spoilers for anime-only SAO fans. I just want to make an observation: what I found surprising about this volume is how well author Reki Kawahara managed to balance the “screentime” of the main cast. I think perhaps SAO‘s greatest weakness, in terms of the writing, is that the story has sometimes made absolutely dismal use of its established characters. The most egregious example is of course the way literally the entire existing cast (except Kirito) was completely sidelined for multiple light novel volumes / anime seasons during “Alicization.” Thus, vol. 23 was a refreshing change of pace. Seriously, out of the entire series, I think this volume might do the best job of incorporating the protagonist’s lengthy list of friends and allies. Pretty much all major, living, non-Underworld characters manage to make non-cameo appearances: Asuna, Yui, Leafa, Lisbeth, Silica, Klein, Agil, Sinon, Alice, and even a certain “Rat” from SAO Progressive. I won’t get get my hopes up, but I think it would be lovely if future volumes can continue having the whole gang together. ~ jeskaiangel

Sword Art Online is published by Yen Press.

Heroine for Hire, Vol. 4

What a precious series Heroine for Hire has been! Our two main characters have been and are so so so cute! I absolutely loved the unfolding of everything in this volume and just felt very happy when I finished (even for Sakaki, Kodakamine’s childhood friend who seemed like he was about to be a potential love rival). Heroine for Hire has been quite a fun adventure and I loved how our main girl Kodakamine grew throughout the series. She is strong yet also vulnerable, and we continued to see that even to the very end. While I have loved our main couple, that bonus story made me super happy too! I could read a spin-off about Kazune (Kodakamine’s best friend) because I loved the dynamics of her family life and just her as a character. Overall, I really enjoyed this series! It has been a such a joy to read and while I wanted a little bit more from the final chapter, this would be a fun comfort series to read again! I definitely would recommend to those who want a sweet shoujo series that isn’t very long and has a fun twist on a few tropes! ~ Laura A. Grace

Heroine for Hire is published by Kodansha.

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*Thank you to Kodansha for providing review copies.

#Manga #Light Novels #Kaiju Girl Carmelise #Otome Kaijuu Carameliser #Ciguatera #Sugar Apple Fairy Tale #Zombie Cherry #Shikabane Cherry #Sword Art Online #Heroine for Hire #Heroine Hajimemashita.#Reader's Corner #Articles #Author: MDMRN #Author: TWWK #Author: Laura A. Grace #Author: Jeskai Angel

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Reader’s Corner: Goodbye Eri, Island in a Puddle, and I’m a Wolf, But My Boss is a Sheep!

Our selection of reviews this week include a couple shoujo titles, a self-published work, a throwback as we dig into the modern classic, The Ancient Magus Bride, and the newest releases from mangaka of Chainsaw Man and ERASED.

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School Memories

While I haven’t read many one-shots, I’m starting to appreciate them as all the ones I’ve read thus far have been excellent, with School Memories by Sharean Morishita being no exception. The central character, Colton, has quite the fondness for pranking others, and finds his actions hilarious (even if the class doesn’t share the sentiment). Hoping to help show the class see how truly funny his pranks are, he’s instead going to learn a valuable lesson that’s quite the opposite of what was intended. I originally discovered this manga through Morishita’s other one, Catch Me! Fight Me! Love Me!, and continue to deeply appreciate the diversity represented in her stories. However, while I’ve enjoyed both of these titles, School Memories hit a lot closer to home. I have only been pranked once, but it’s one I won’t ever forget. I think realizing (and learning) that not every prank is “good” is a message all groups of readers need a reminder of, regardless of this volume being a shojo manga geared towards girls. That said, while this theme is strong, it’s not overpowering because the story itself is also lighthearted mostly due the heroine, Echo. I really enjoyed Echo and Colton, both, and absolutely loved the art! This is definitely a fun one-shot, but a compelling one as well. ~ Laura A. Grace

School Memories is published by Sharen Morishita.

Getting Closer to You, Vol. 1

Getting Close to You is exactly the kind of shojo manga I’m always looking for, a romance with sports overtone. As soon as I saw Kodansha was publishing a manga where the heroine is asked to become a basketball manager, I immediately went to their website and read the first chapter. It was so funny! And that humor only continues throughout the manga because the heroine, Kaho, is a muscle manic who absolutely loves muscles. And so naturally, one day when she’s spying on the team basketball players to see their muscles, Kaho unexpectedly finds herself in an interesting predicament with our hero, Natsume. Rather than divulge her “secret” of how obsessed she is with muscles, he proposes she becomes the manager of the basketball team (which he just so happens to be on). I loved this story! I laughed so much when reading, and it truly reminded me how fun and enjoyable manga can be! Kaho’s obsession is absolutely hilarious; I had to remind myself to slow down when reading because I was having such a great time. And her chemistry with Natsume is so precious—I deeply loved how respectful he is of Kaho. This first volume had a great balance of romance and sports and I found myself completely giddy over the idea of reading more about this couple. I know I tell friends often I’ll keep up on digital manga, only to forget about the upcoming volumes, but Getting Closer to You is one I must keep reading! It too fun not to see what happens next! ~ Laura A. Grace

Getting Closer to You is published by Kodansha.

Goodbye, Eri

From Tatsuki Fujimoto, the creator of Chainsaw Man, Goodbye, Eri is a brand new, 200-page one-shot that begins with 12-year-old Yuta, who is asked to film every single moment of his dying mother’s life as she passes. He then compiles it into a film and after she dies, presents it at a school event. It flops. Big time as he creates a surprise ending to the film after running away from his mother during her final moments. After feeling like such a failure, Yuta considers suicide. That’s when he meets Eri, a film-loving classmate who actually enjoyed his movie. The story continues as Yuta and Eri watch films in order to come up with ideas for a new movie for Yuta to create. Fujimoto weaves an engaging story about love, loss, family, and filmmaking. I just could not stop reading and, frankly, plan to read it again soon. It did not feel like a mere 200 pages; the story was so well paced and the characters were so interesting. If you enjoy Fujimoto’s style of unexpected storytelling and are ready for a mature story about death and loss, check it out. ~ mdmrn

Goodbye, Eri is published by Viz Media via their Shonen Jump imprint.

Island in a Puddle, Vol. 1

Written by Kei Sanbe, creator of ERASED, Island in a Puddle deals also with the triumvirate of child abuse and neglect; supernatural powers; and monstrous adults. Siblings Minato and Nagisa, taken to an amusement park and again abandoned for an indeterminate amount of time by their mother, are riding a Ferris wheel when it’s hit by lightning. The event does something paranormal, switching the older brother’s body with that of a man in another car. Even more frightening, Minato is now in that other car with a murdered woman, which can only mean that his young sister, Nagisa, must now be with the killer. What a horrifyin turn of events, an yes, this first volume is every bit as stressful as it sounds. Sanbe excels at both creating a protagonist we care and root for, and in putting him and his loved ones through the ringer. The tension is extremely high during the latter half of the volume, as the killer’s recent crimes are laid out, with the switch conveniently helping him continue his murderous life (with Nagisa a likely future victim), while Minato is now on the run—and not just from the authorities. Everything is going wrong and there doesn’t seem to be a way out, creating a sense of desperation not only for Minato, but for the reader. Can everything be righted? Probably, but we’re going to go through a whole lot of pain and stress before we get there. ~ Twwk

Island in a Puddle is published by Kodansha.

I’m a Wolf, But My Boss is a Sheep!, Vol. 1

I’m a Wolf, But My Boss is a Sheep! is yet another series that I was persuaded to pick up through the manga-reading community! Maybe because at the time when I saw this in the bookstore I had My Senpai is Annoying on my mind, I decided to give the manga a try as it seemed to be along the same vain…except as the cover implies, these characters aren’t quite human! Oogami, is a young man who recently transferred to a new department in the bedding company at which he workst. Not that big of a deal, even though he will be in the same department as his crush (aka his supervisor), but what is a big deal is that he is the only wolf in a department full of sheep! What’s he going to do now?! What a cute setup for an adult office romcom! I found Oogami to be especially enduring and just a fun hero to cheer for. He is incredibly sweet, though I couldn’t help but laugh when his inner “wolf” would try to overpower his usual calm self in certain situations. His supervisor is equally fun and I absolutely loved her kind personality! Put the two of them together and they are so adorable; I could not help but cheer for them in the romance “department.” I think this is setting up for a great slow burn romance, and I enjoyed seeing them genuinely getting to know each other in this first volume. ~ Laura A. Grace

I’m a Wolf, But My Boss Is a Sheep! is published by Seven Seas.

Record of Ragnarok, Vol. 1

The only way for humanity to survive, to merely continue existing and not be destroyed entirely by the gods, is for them to win Ragnarok, a “final battle” in which 13 humans will face 13 gods in one on one matches. Little time is wasted is setting the stage for a brutal, battle-focused manga in which representatives of each side fight one another, with the humans supported and helped by Brunhilde and her sister Valkyries, who desire for humanity to continue living. It’s been quite a while since I’ve read a battle series. They can be thrilling with their high level of violence (something I both enjoy and tend to avoid, as I really discourage the lust for blood and gore that I can myself obsessing over) and extreme stakes—both in the significance of the outcome and in the background stories provided. Record of Ragnarok, at least in volume one, leans more heavily on the former than the latter, to its disadvantage. By the time the finale of the battle came within sight, I didn’t really care whether Thor or Lu Bu won or whether either or both died, since their backgrounds weren’t fleshed out in ways that appealed to my heart. Actually, I should pull that back a bit and say I rooting somewhat for the Chinese warlord because, well, go humans!, but also because their supporter, Brunhilde, is a fun character—full of optimism, courage, and good humor. But she cannot carry the series herself, so I look forward to seeing if Record of Ragnarok can also make the duos worth caring about in future volumes. ~ Twwk

Record of Ragnarok is published by Viz Media.

The Ancient Magus Bride, Vol. 2

From the conclusion to the story of cats, including a dreadful tale of love gone wrong, to one involving a dog at a graveyard, volume two of The Ancient Magus Bride is bookended by material involving the two domesticated and beloved species and featuring the alchemist Renfred; his assistant, Alice; and more sinister than these two, the first true protagonist of the series, a “creepy” childlike being whose experiments are leading to slaughter and sorrow. In between, Chise recovers from her efforts with the cats, and is in aided in such by Titania, goddess of the faeries, and her excitable husband, Oberon, both making appearances as major gods in this world. The antagonism as portrayed between Titania and the Christian God is captivating, and properly written for a story ruled by pagan deities and spirits. Their entrance into the tale and this interlude overall is charming and humorous, a midsummer night’s dream itself, helping readers catch their breaths at the conclusion of one dark story and the beginning of another likely as dark and action-filled. It’s also absolutely necessary in another way, reminding readers why this series is set apart from others: by the mythic setting and tone, which is slightly lost in the action pieces, and the cold tale of Chise’s life and her allegiance to Elias, who remains a mystery himself. All three acts of volume three are most welcome, though time with Titania and her husband most of all. ~ Twwk

The Ancient Magus Bride is published by Seven Seas.

READ: The Ancient Magus Bride, Volume 1 Review

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Reader’s Corner: Witch Watch, FMA Fullmetal Edition Vol. 15, and Earthchild, Chapter 1

Witch Watch, Vol. 1

Adolescent witch Nico is thrilled to move back to the city and start high school, though she’s most excited to be paired with her childhood friend, Morihito (Moi), who just happens to be both an ogre and her new familiar. As the incorrigible Nico starts school life, Morihito must protect her against a prophecy that predicts harm to befall her. Volume one, though, is far more about romcom fun and the gentle give and take between the serious Morihito and Nico, who is one of the funniest, most lovable romantic comedy leads in recent memory. She is really a joy as she schemes in the silliest of ways to draw Morihito nearer her romantically, while frequently fumbling spells which, while always technically working, lead to other sometimes painful outcomes. There’s a strong hint of mystery and action to come as well, though frankly, I’d rather the series just sit in this humorous tone, so I’m a little disappointed to see that the series might incorporate the prophecy elements more strongly. Of course, I’ll wait and see if the action elements will be as strong as the rest, which is very good indeed. ~ Twwk

Witch Watch is published by Viz.

Earthchild, Chapter 1

Earthchild is a brand new series at Shonen Jump so, me being me, I had to check it out. The premise Viz provides is, “An unlikely romance has planet-sized consequences!” With a tagline like that, why wouldn’t I try it?! But it was not what I was expecting at all. The very first chapter feels like a whirlwind, beginning by introducing a mysterious woman who saves Reisuke, and immediately afterward wipes his memory. Yet, something about her persists in his mind. There are a few rounds of mind erasure, but he still remembers her. One things leads to another, and the two begin a relationship, get married, and whoa all this is happening fast! The entire first chapter sets up the world setting and the characters in a blur, but I loved every second of it. And the end of the first chapter was just so incredibly intense. I don’t know what else to say about it that will not spoil it for those curious after my summary above. I was just hooked from the beginning from the art to the characters and am very curious where this series will go next. ~ MDMRN

Earthchild is simul-published at Shonen Jump.

Mine-kun is Asexual

Mine-kun is Asexual is a one-shot doujin from Isaki Uta. Like a different doujin (Leaper) by Isaki Uta that I previously covered, I also really enjoyed this one, too. Mine-kun begins with Mine and Murai having a meal. The latter confesses her love for Mine, while he confesses that he is asexual and could never provide her any form of physical intimacy. Mine is not merely speaking about sexual relations, as is the common assumption with that statement; Mine says he cannot and has no interest in kisses or hugs either in a romantic sense. As long as she can accept that these are his personal boundaries, he is open to them starting an emotional, romantic relationship. The one-shot hits a lot on the idea of emotional intimacy and the individual’s different desires for physical intimacy. It is definitely an interesting read and, as Isaki Uta says in their post-script to the series, reflects a bit of the asexuality of the creator itself. If you are interested in an unexpected romantic story, this may be worth checking out too. ~ MDMRN

Mine-kun is Asexual is published by Irodori Sakura.

Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister, Vol. 1

Foster child Uryu is a serious, studious young man, bent on making it into a prestigious Kyoto medical school, but his studies are interrupted when he goes to live at a shrine where three priestess sisters reside. Even more disruptive is when the skeptical Uryu is told that his payment for the stay and enrollment into a special program of study is that he must marry in to the religious family! Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister doesn’t offer much in the way of anything new—in fact, it feels like an amalgamation of recent popular fare, including The Quintessential Quintuplets, and older material like Love Hina, sharing character types and tone with those series in particular. Yet, original or not, those are a couple of excellent manga to be compared to, and volume one of this series also carries charm and heart that’s necessary to turn a harem story into something special. Whether or not it fulfills its potential is yet to be seen, but small flourishes and surprises in the plot of volume one, as well as a really interesting dynamic between the atheist lead and the religious “lead” girl, suggest a high potential for future volumes to continue the excellence established in the first. If you’re missing The Quintessential Quintuplets, you may want to try out the Amagami Sister—it could very well be that classic’s spiritual successor. ~ Twwk

Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is published by Kodansha.

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, Vol. 6.5

When the previous volumes ends on a cliffhanger, the next volume should naturally be…a side story collection?! That’s more common than frustrated readers would like to admit, but in the case of this series, there may be more than $$$ determining the release of 6.5, and as author Yuki Yaku himself explains in the afterword, there’s intention here. In fact, with the exception of Izumi’s predictable and boring chapter, this side story edition of Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki is a valuable addition to the franchise. With each of the vignettes written from the perspective of one of the girls, they provide insight into the way they think, which is far more detailed and complex than the usual narration lets on. In some cases, that means that readers get to know the motivations and even personalities of the girls far better, as is the case with Kuchiki and Mimimi. And in addition, a number of these stories provide great context as well, often dipping into the past, as with Kuchiki and most notably Hinami, dropping information that I has supposed was purposely being withheld from us, possibly until a later time. By the end of 6.5, however, it’s obvious that these stories will impact how the reader approaches future volumes, with chapter seven especially being a deep dive of note into a character that has had a light shined on her, but still remains largely inaccessible, and the final chapter actually advancing the story (if only by a few minutes). Thus, volume 6.5 is not only a compelling read; it’s a critical one for this engrossing series. ~ Twwk

Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki is published by Yen Press.*

Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition, Vol. 15

The fullmetal editions of this classic manga, priced at about double those of the regular editions, are meant for collectors. They feature a lovely hardcover and high quality pages, including a vellum insert. It’s quite a stunning release, but one that’s certainly worthy of the material. This volume presses us nearer the conclusion of the series and features virtually every important character that’s still alive—Roy and his team continue their rebellion, Edward and Alphonse make critical choices that will divide the team and put each in peril, while the vast supporting cast moves along these various trails toward dangerous enemies. And those villains become all the more frightening in volume 15, which reminds us, sometimes in surprising ways, that the antagonists of Fullmetal Alchemist are part of what makes the series so special. Though precious few characters actually die in the course of the 15 volumes thus far, the danger always feesl real and, further, as if it will consume our favorite protagonists at any time. A thrilling read as always—and in hardcover, all the more special. ~ Twwk

Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition is published by Viz.

Silver Spoon, Vol. 5

As the cultural festival draws near, Hachiken’s life grows more complicated—he adopts yet another young animal, finds himself unable to say “no” to too many classmates, and starts to fall back in to the self-loathing and anxious pattern as middle school when he’s unable to perform jumps on a horse, which ultimately causes him to fight with Mikage. But his conflict with his crush leads to a short trip and another opportunity to grow in knowledge, and to grow as a person. Volume five moves fairly quickly through a lot of interlocking events involving most of the characters in the series as they participate in school activities and prepare for the festival. Because of that, although Hachiken is front and center throughout, two of the other primary character, Mikage and Komaba, are shown in a fuller light, even as their own concerns shadow them. There’s this beautiful dance that happens between Hachiken, who is so earnest and honest with himself, and his friends, who may be more mature in how they see life, but struggle to work through their emotions the way he can. The story continues to build toward their stories in addition to Hachiken’s, offering well-rounded, authentic characters for readers to attach to. Another wonderful volume. ~ Twwk

Silver Spoon is published by Yen Press.*

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#Manga #Light Novels #Witch Watch #Earthchild #Chikyuu no Ko #Mine kun is Asexual #Mine kun wa Nonsexual #Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister #Amagami san Chi no Enmusubi #Jaku Chara Tomozaki kun #Bottom Tier Character Tomozaki #Reader's Corner #Fullmetal Alchemist #Hagane no Renkinjutsushi #Silver Spoon #Gin no Saji #Articles #Author: TWWK #Author: MDMRN

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beneaththetangles · 3 years

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Reader’s Corner: Fly Me to the Moon, Meikyuu, and Star Wars: The High Republic: The Edge of Balance

Fly Me to the Moon (Tonikawa), Vol. 7

To no one’s surprise, this lovely manga continues to be sweet and hilarious. Highlights this time include Tsukasa making Nasa do his homework to watch Avengers: Endgame, and the fourth wall-breaking line, “I hope she never reads this manga…” Of note, I felt like this volume had fewer pop culture references than usual (or maybe they were present and I didn’t just recognize them?). Also, volume seven is a little bit more, for lack of a better term, “risqué,” than its predecessors. Not that it’s literally risqué or fanservicey or anything, just that I felt like this volume moves a little in that direction. This manga has always teased readers with seemingly suggestive situations that get comically subverted, but I felt like volume seven edges very slightly closer to actual suggestive situations. It leads me to wonder if the series will end up getting less wholesome at some point; I certainly hope not. On the whole, I didn’t love this volume quite as much as those before it, but it’s still very good, and I will look forward to the next. ~ jeskaiangel

Fly Me to the Moon is published by Viz. Volume 7 releases on September 14th.*

Star Wars: The High Republic: The Edge of Balance, Vol. 1

“The High Republic” is an ambitious series of Star Wars media—YA and adult novels, comics, and now manga—released starting this year and focusing on a time of Jedi prominence, centuries before the events of the Skywalker saga. I’m a bit behind, admittedly, but am excited about the project, which begins with a hyperspace accident that sets the stories in motion. The Edge of Balance is another admirable attempt by the Star Wars brand to be as as authentically Japanese as possible with its manga works, with creators from that country, both of whom I was previously familiar, working with Justina Ireland on this first volume that centers on an event that would seem small in the big picture of the universe’s happenings, as Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi assists refugees settling on the planet, Banchii, along with her master, the Wookie Arkoff, her padawan, and two younglings. Although a bit stilted at times, the writers and artist do a lovely job of creating a unsettling tone as the story rushes toward its climax and even past, juxtaposed against the expected “wisdom” of the Jedi that’s frequently spouted, including by Lily, who is a fascinating lead—young, beautiful, calm, and questioning, and the youth aspect that’s emphasized by Lily and the other junior characters. This is meant for middle grade to young adult readers, and as such, it may not provide the fullness that adult Star Wars fans expect, but there is complexity here to challenge adolescents and which satisfied me, and a compelling story that seems to be developing—though having only dipped a toe into the High Republic series before The Edge of Balance, I’m not sure if balance can be achieved without reading some or all of the rest. I have a feeling that the project is an MCU-ification of Star Wars, with The Edge of Balance being an entry point for younger ones. If so, there are worse ways to jump into an exciting new world. ~ Twwk

Star Wars: The High Republic: The Edge of Balance is published by Viz.

The Promised Neverland, Vol. 1-20

Emma doesn’t want any of her precious family to die. Even after her world crumbles, she won’t let this crazy hope be crushed. But can a wish like that guide her in a world where humans are expendable, numbers, resources? A world of evil geniuses with unlimited resources and ancient enemies that defy her understanding? Ever since our writer thathilomgirl recommended it to me in a comment to my very first post at Beneath the Tangles, I had been wanting to read the full original manga of my favorite anime series ever (more so because I think that season two, despite a powerful beginning, lost its pace four or five chapters in). This summer, I finally found the opportunity to do so. I soon forgot that I was reading a black and white comic. The manga has every bit of the power the first season had. The art is amazing. The rhythm is on point. David versus Goliath stories are not uncommon, but few manage to be so horrifying yet adventurous, so clever and poetic, so funny yet so morally serious, so dark yet so full of light. The moment I realized what the pattern of the numbers was, for example, was one of sheer joy that reminded me of reading Sherlock Holmes stories as a teen. In the midst of the interesting twists and complicated enigmas, the characters, old and new, remain as compelling. The story of Emma, Norman, and Ray and the violent clash between hope and a dire world of lies, sin, and demons, remains one of my favorite stories in any genre in its manga form. It is true that, once the world is known, it loses some of its mystery, and I’d say that the first arcs are the strongest. But the rest is also artistically satisfying, intriguing, moving, and unafraid of making tough choices when necessary. And deeply, deeply hopeful. As Norman would say, “Come with me, and I will show you something cool.” ~ Gaheret

The Promised Neverland is published by Jump Comics.

Meikyuu: Labyrinth Kingdom, a Tactical Fantasy World Survival Guide, Vol. 1

We have not yet exhausted the potential for fun twists on the isekai premise. Taiga Andou-Garrett is a half-British, half-Japanese SAS veteran in his mid-thirties, with extensive training and years of special operations experience under his belt. After getting attacked by a bird-man and an eel-man in an airport restroom (really), Taiga finds himself in Million Dungeon, a place that’s sort of like if you crossed Tolkien’s Mines of Moria (there’s even a pseudo-Balrog) with the titular structure of Yokohama Station SF. The entire world has been engulfed by a chaotic labyrinth of caves and tunnels. I was also reminded of Spiderweb Software’s old-school Avernum RPGs, about survival in a vast underground maze. Anyway, Taiga soon finds himself elected king-in-all-but-name of a small band of disaster survivors. Adventures and hilarity ensue. Colorful characters aid him, such as Troach of the Complicated Past, a (former) thief, or Astoria the Wing-Blessed, a knight who livestreams her battles on the magical equivalent of Twitch/Youtube. I had a lot of fun with this volume and will definitely plan to read the next one. ~ jeskaiangel

Meikyuu: Labyrinth Kingdom, a Tactical Fantasy World Survival Guide is published by Yen Press.

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk, Vol. 1

I may have missed out on reading the ever-popular Daytime Shooting Star by Mika Yamamori, but I’m not missing out on the release of her new series, In the Clear Moonlit Dusk. What a refreshing beginning to a new shojo series! Heroine Yoi Takiguchi has been dubbed “Prince” because of her less feminine features and deeper voice. More often than not, she has been mistaken for a boy, but once Ichimura-senpai comes into her life and expresses interest in her as a girl, Yoi might be finding herself in a new relationship for the first time! I feel it’s not uncommon for many shojo heroines to struggle with how they look and/or feeling insecure, but Yoi honestly hits a whole other level in the world of shojo manga! In no way do I meant that as disrespectful to our “Prince” because I found her story to be one of the most realistic views on self-image struggles. I deeply enjoyed the premise of this story and how both Yoi and Ichimura (the hero) are respectful of each other’s boundaries and are willing to apologize for misconceptions they had about the other and/or the way they said things. It was beautiful, and I’m very excited for the next volume because I believe the mangaka is going to be flipping a trope of “destiny” on its head and I am totally here for it! Plus, that cliffhanger of an ending demands I know what happens next! Highly recommend this digital title to shojo lovers! ~ Laura A. Grace

In the Clear Moonlit Dusk is published by Kodansha.*

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga, Vol. 3

I have finally finished my readthrough of the BatManga and let me tell you—it was a lot of fun. Volume three continued a lot of where volumes one and two left off with each story feeling like the old, 1960s Batman TV series. This manga was a villain of the week (or two) series and it worked for me. One of the fun parts about this is that you could literally jump in at any time. If your library had volume three and not volumes 1-2, you could jump into it and easily read through and have the same enjoyment. The stories build on one another chapter to chapter, but generally aren’t more than 3-4 chapters in length per arc. The next arc rarely comes back (if ever) to reference previous arcs. Frankly, that’s fine by me. Highly recommend for fans of the original 1960s Batman series and is definitely family friendly enough that my kids may be next on deck to read it. ~ MDMRN

Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga is published by DC Comics.

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#Manga #Light Novels #Tonikaku Cawaii #Fly Me to the Moon #Star Wars: The High Republic: The Edge of Balance #The Promised Neverland #Yakusoku no Neverland #Meikyuu: Labyrinth Kingdom a Tactical Fantasy World Survival Guide #Damu Tokushu Butai SAS no Ossan no Isekai Dungeon Survival Manual!#In the Clear Moonlit Dusk #Uruwashi no Yoi no Tsuki #Batman #Batman: The Jiro Kuwata Batmanga #Reader's Corner #Author: Jeskai Angel #Author: TWWK #Author: Gaheret #Author: MDMRN

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beneaththetangles · 3 years

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Reader’s Corner: Frozen 2, Those Not-So Sweet Boys, and My Friend’s Little Sister Has it it for Me!

The Apothecary Diaries, Vol. 1

This is quite a different light novel from what we’re used to seeing. It features a unique setting inspired by a historic Chinese imperial palace, complete with consorts, eunuchs, internal politics, and people of varying levels of morality. The protagonist, Maomao, is a teenage girl and apothecary worker in a red-light district that had been kidnapped and sold into service in the rear palace. She’s also quite the “mad scientist” who likes personally testing poisons and seeing their effects and how much she can handle of them. This does make her ideal for her eventual job as poison tester to one of the consorts, but also gives her a curious streak that gets her involved in all sorts of incidents, as well as draws the attention of the beautiful “eunuch” Jinshi. The book does read like a mystery novel at times, as Maomao figures out more about the reasons behind various incidents, some of which tie in to events later in the book, so just because one “mystery” is solved doesn’t mean it is completely out of the picture. Maomao’s antics also add a lot of comedy to the story, as her constant pursuit of medical knowledge and her overall snarky and amusing observations of story events provide for plenty of entertainment to keep readers interested in everything going on. This combination of a unique and interesting setting, intriguing storylines, and Maomao’s chaos makes this one of the best new light novels I have started, and is definitely recommended for those looking for something different. ~ stardf29

The Apothecary Diaries Vol. 1 is available from J-Novel Club.

Star⇄Crossed!!, Vol. 1

The newest series from Junko, the mangaka behind Kiss Him, Not Me, features the same irreverent humor packaged into a body-switching story line. Chika is a pop idol member of the group, Prince 4 U, and Azusa is his biggest fan. The two find themselves switching bodies due to a heavenly error after she attempts to save him from an accident, and hi-jinks (and a little romance) ensue. Similar to her previously popular series, this one leans toward the outrageous end in its comedy (“God” features prominently as he tries to rectify the error his people—angels?—caused) and also dips in and out between straight romance and yaoi relationships, while establishing compelling characters and a breakneck pace. Highly entertaining, it’s similarities in tone and story to Kiss Him, Not Me ensure that if you like that series, this one is also likely to tickle your fancy. ~ Twwk

Star⇄Crossed!! Vol. 1 is available through Kodansha.

Haru’s Curse

When Haru died, she left behind a devoted and high energy older sister, Natsume, and Togo, a quiet, wealthy fiance. The funeral should have ended their connection, but at Togo’s request, the two start on a peculiar relationship that, guided along by the changing seasons, will take them through challenges of family, grief, and heartbreak. This one-volume work begins from such a painful moment that one would think it would be dark and depressing throughout. And though it is quite moody, Haru’s Curse is also often humorous and features surprising moments of optimism, though always saturated by an authenticity that grounds this manga in real world emotions and choices. The art style is angular and sparse, which was difficult for me to engage with at first, but by the end seemed natural, and even quite beautiful in the few pages that are colored. And the story, as simple as it is, feels complete despite some discomfort the ending brings—though it feels as if this lovely little find, which at one point brought me dangerously close to tears, could only end in the way it does. ~ Twwk

Haru’s Curse is available through Kodansha.

My Friend’s Little Sister Has it in for Me! Vol. 1

Akiteru is pretty sure every girl around him holds him in disdain. Whether it’s his best friend’s sister Iroha, who teases him mercilessly, or his uncle’s daughter Mashiro, who was forced to pretend to be his girlfriend and has no intention to act the part when not in public, he can’t imagine that the trope of girls being mean to the guy they like could possibly be true. The reality is, of course, that there’s more to these characters than at first glance, both for Aki and for the readers. The characters definitely make for the highlight of this light novel, especially as they start to help each other out as they learn more about each other. Also, Aki leads a small indie game company, which plays a big part of the story, albeit with more of a focus on the characters’ ambitions rather than the specifics of how the game is made. Overall this is a great read that I’m looking forward to reading more of, and with an anime adaptation coming, it is also a perfect time to check out the source material beforehand. ~ stardf29

My Friend’s Little Sister Has It In For Me! Vol. 1 is available from J-Novel Club.

Those Not-So-Sweet Boys, Vol. 1

Part of the appeal of shoujo is when a series turns the bad boy into a good boy, thereby capturing, well, everything that can be attractive about males in the first place. Well, what about doing that for three central characters? That’s the plot for Those Not-So-Sweet Boys, in which optimistic protagonist, Midori, finds herself tasked with getting three delinquents to coming back to school and being part of the class. There’s nothing ground-breaking here, but much like the most beloved shoujo series, this one is highly engaging by attracting us to all the central characters in the tale. Combined with lovely character designs, it more than makes up for a lack of creativity and detailing, and in fact, judging from volume one, could be the road toward becoming a very, very special series. ~ Twwk

Those Not-So-Sweet Boys, Vol. 1 is available through Kodansha.

Frozen 2

Frozen 2 is, as the title suggests, is a manga adaptation of the Disney film of the same name. It’s a gorgeous, single volume manga by Arina Tanemura, who is well known in the shoujo world and was one of the lead character designers for Idolish7. Her artwork is expressive and encapsulates the characters from the film very well. However, some of the plot is cut for space. If you aren’t familiar with the movie, there may be some confusion. But let’s face it…who is going to read a Frozen 2 manga adaptation besides those who have already seen the movie? I, for one, loved Frozen 2 and also loved this manga adaptation. While it’s rated “Teen,” it is definitely appropriate for younger readers. My nine-year-old read it immediately after me, proving that both the story and this manga have plenty to give for adults and children alike. I’m certainly glad I read it. ~ MDMRN

Frozen 2 is available through Viz.

#Manga #Light Novels #The Apothecary Diaries #Kusuriya no Hitorigoto #Star Crossed!!#Wota Doru: Oshi ga Watashi de Watashi ga Oshi de #Haru's Curse #Haru no Noroi #My Friend’s Little Sister Has It In For Me!#Tomodachi no Imouto ga Ore ni dake Uzai #Those Not So Sweet Boys #Amakunai Karera no Nichijo wa #Frozen 2 #Reader's Corner #Author: stardf29 #Author: TWWK #Author: MDMRN

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beneaththetangles · 3 years

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Manga First Impression: Candy Flurry

Candy Flurry is the newest manga series from Shonen Jump. With art by Mitarashi Santa and written by Takegushi Ippon, the series features a very different and interesting concept. It opens up by discussing a magical candy called “Cyndy’s Toy Toy Candy,” which allows the person who eats it to be able to create sweets instantaneously from themselves. Sounds amazing, right? Except…

…A person who was able to summon lollipops destroyed Tokyo. Instead of summoning snacks, some used the power to summon treats for crime, destruction, or violence.

The story opens a some time later as a government agency called the Recette tracks candy “users” who are able to use it for violent means (which they do). High school student Tsumugi, who is able to wield lollipops (as in, she can summon cartoonishly enormous lollipops to defend herself or attack others), has kept her powers secret, however. With a lollipop user being the one who destroyed Tokyo, she really does not want the world to know who she is or about her ability. She’s afraid of what will happen if others find out or if the Recette hunt her down.

The rest of the chapter follows Tsumugi trying to conceal her power after using it to defend herself, going to school, and just trying to live her life…mostly normally. However, by the end of the first chapter, she ends up summoning a giant lollipop to protect a member of the Recette who’s also her classmate.

The first chapter features a high energy, interesting concept, dynamic fight scenes, and just overall was intense. I especially enjoyed the ending; Tsumugi releasing her power to protect the Recette agent was a great reveal. This was a solid setup for a series and I really look forward to seeing where this goes. I’ll definitely be adding to my reading list. Also, look at this dynamic shot:

Love it.

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Candy Flurry can be read at Shonen Jump. The most recent chapter is always free.

#Manga #First Impressions #Candy Flurry #Ame no Furu #Shonen Jump #Weekly Shonen Jump #Viz #Articles #Author: MDMRN

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beneaththetangles · 3 years

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Reader’s Pumpkin Patch: Creepy Cat, Undead King’s Reign of Peace, and Until Your Bones Rot

I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss, Vol. 1

Another reincarnated-into-an-otome-game isekai story, some aspects of I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss will feel familiar if you’ve read any others of this subgenre. For example, protagonist Aileen is the daughter of a duke, and starts out engaged to a prince…just like, say, Katarina of My Next Life as a Villainess and Iris of Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter. The prince to whom Aileen was engaged dumps her in favor of the game’s protagonist. Afterward, Aileen’s father threatens to disown her if she doesn’t get her act together and find a way to turn the situation around. So she begins aggressively courting the unfriendly neighborhood demon lord. Meanwhile Aileen’s ex-fiance and the game’s protagonist may not be quite as noble as the game made them out to be… I enjoyed the story. It offered the humorous and sweet moments often found in similar light novels, plus a lot scheming and intrigue. Aileen herself can be kind of goofy, but she’s also serious and calculating, and she plays the role of “villainess” better than similar characters. In terms of criticism, this volume felt a bit less polished than I’ve come to expect from Yen Press, with issues of ambiguity or awkward wording distracting me occasionally. That said, I still enjoyed it and definitely plan to read to the next volume. ~ jeskaiangel

I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss is published by Yen Press.

Shuriken and Pleats, Vol. 2

So the conclusion comes to this very short series I had wanted to read for years. Volume two of Shuriken and Pleats takes a little bit of a different path then the first because now the heroine, Mikage, is starting to be less unfeeling and more expressive. Yet when she continues in her master’s quest to be “a normal high school girl,” like in volume one, things aren’t quite so simple. I continued to really enjoy Mikage as a protagonist and found it extremely satisfying to see her smile, blush, and be a young woman who doesn’t carry the weight of always needing to be alert due to her line of work. The ninja aspect definitely doesn’t disappear in this volume though! There is still intrigue and action that takes place, and in some ways, the stakes were higher than before! However, while I deeply enjoyed these aspects, I didn’t love this volume as much as the first due to the “romance,” with Mikage hopeing for something that would have left me uncomfortable should actually become a pairing. But overall, Shuriken and Pleats is still a good series and very enjoyable! I loved the premise and the development in Mikage and had a fun time! ~ Laura A. Grace

Shuriken and Pleats is published by VIZ Media.

Until Your Bones Rot, Vol. 7

As a frequent buyer of Kodansha’s Humble Bundles, I sometimes end up with a pile to read, and Until Your Bones Rot was among those in a previous stack. I had read the synopsis beforehand, and so approaching thinking that it would be dark. I was not prepared, however, for what I was in for in this seven-volume series. The basic premise is that a group of teenage friends have sworn together to hide a secret, which is that they had murdered the abusive father of one of the boys. As the series progresses, more and more evil and corruption enters into this group and those they interact with. The series starts off with the friends being blackmailed about their secret. However, as the story progresses, triggering topics as child abuse, sexual abuse, human body dismemberment, and physical abuse appear. Until Your Bones Rot is a brutal series with a gripping and fascinating story; however, I would not recommend it to those for whom such materials may be triggering or just too intense. ~ MDMRN

Until Your Bones Rot is published by Kodansha.

Creepy Cat, Vol. 1

Creepy Cat, for those unaware, is this bulbous, white blog of a cat with a permanent smile and two red eyes, often found in the company of a young woman who is a Morticia Addams or Lydia Deetz type. Cotton Valent’s first manga based on the characters, after originally posting artwork for years online (which is how I first came to become a fan), gives the young woman the name Flora, who moves into a gothic mansion with the feline who is “cheeky, mysterious, and totally abnormal (but so soft and floofy)!” Among its abilities: multiplication (and then returning to one cat by gobbling up all its clones), shapeshifting, walking on walls, and of course, being weirdly adorable. He also has a penchant for trouble, but in this spooky little town full of peculiar people (and cats), the question is whether Creepy Cat is instigating the trouble or if something more sinister in involved. Mostly by four-koma arrangement, through with an advancing tale and some longer chapters, Creepy Cat delivers quite a few chuckles, though it tends to be a little hit or miss. Still, the heroine is spunky, the atmosphere comically ghoulish, and the titular feline a most unusual and fun lead. I’m not sure if the story will develop into something of particular note, but I can think of few better alternatives this month for those looking to read something both kawaii and macabre. ~ Twwk

Creepy Cat is published by Seven Seas.*

The Undead King’s Reign of Peace, Vol. 1

The lich Terios wishes to unite the continent under his rule so that there might a millennium of peace and prosperity. Moreover, he plans to achieve this utopian conquest without killing anyone. Mysterious, magically-gifted peasant girl Mira and demigod paladin Diné get dragged into his nonsense. There’s also a talking black cat, clichéd scheming prime minister, etc. Bleh. One reason to dislike this book is that Terios is an arrogant, legalistic twit whose benevolence is only, as it were, skin-deep. He won’t kill anyone, but he will totally use force to coerce others. He’s also willing to inflict terrible non-lethal punishment on those who obstruct his effort to impose “peace” on humanity; he gratifies young Mira’s desire for revenge against the villain in a way that leaves the target alive…but everyone thinks he’s dead, he’s unable to speak his own name, and no one will recognize him for the rest of his life. Another reason to reject this book is its crude “humor.” Diné and village boy Torio are repeatedly mocked for being virgins (as if there’s something embarrassing about that?), there are a number of (sometimes quite explicit) references to the fact that as a skeleton, Terios has no sexual organs, and so on. With the narrative involving Mira—a twelve-year-old girl—in its vulgarity, the repeated accusations that Terios is a pedophile (which are supposed to be funny) start to seem disturbingly plausible. Don’t waste your time or money on this book. There are far too many better things you could do with them instead. ~ jeskaiangel

The Undead King’s Reign of Peace is published by Yen Press.

Heroine for Hire, Vol. 1

Heroine for Hire reminds me that I shouldn’t be sleeping on the digital manga titles I’ve bought in the past and have yet to read. Having now read volume one after a year of having it on my Kindle, I’m excited to continue the series! Kodakamine, the main girl in Heroine for Hire, is a strong young woman who at the beginning of her high school debut, accidentally injures the popular and fun young man, Serizawa. While he is surprised by this judo-throwing first-year, he’s also intrigued by her, especially when she helps him out of the bind of supposedly stealing someone’s girlfriend! So Serizawa offers Kodakamine a proposition: Be his bodyguard and he’ll help her feel like the most important girl in the world! This was a really fun and lighthearted read! I greatly enjoyed the martial art aspects to the story because it’s not often you see a girl in manga who practices judo and is the stronger of the couple. Granted, the main characters aren’t a couple yet, but I’m totally digging the setup of them getting together! Kodakamine is a very wholesome young woman and I thought it cute how so many clubs wanted her to join theirs. I also really liked Serizawa! He is a good hero to cheer for and I enjoyed how Kodakamine was the one saving him instead of vice-versa. Overall, I’m really enjoying this story and looking forward to seeing what will happen next! ~ Laura A. Grace

Heroine for Hire is published by Kodansha.

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beneaththetangles · 3 years

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Reader’s Corner: Carole & Tuesday, Rascal Does Not Dream of Siscon Idol, and The Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya

Rascal Does Not Dream of Siscon Idol (Rascal, Vol. 4)

My most consistent complaint about the Rascal series, which I otherwise find charming, is that the stories are too full of contrivances. with plots points and character actions often making little sense. Though these developments are often small, such as an explanation that the sisters at the center of this volume aren’t apologizing to each other after a fight because neither would accept such apologies, when that hardly seems true, the way they impact character development and the plot by changing both for the sake of reaching certain resolutions and mile markers in the text, rather than letting the characters and their situations play out naturally, is frequent and significant. The same issue continues, though thankfully at a lesser extent, with Siscon, the fourth volume of the Rascal series, which introduces Mai’s half-sister, Nodoka, an idol in her own right but one far less famous than her actress sister. Both are impacted by Adolescent Syndrome in this volume, switching bodies and being forced to act as one another in different realms and levels of show business. The dialogue between Sakuta and Nadoka is almost as delightful as between him and Mai, and features frequently throughout the text in this fun and warm read which continues the series’ delightful balance between playful adolescence and development of authentic relationships between characters, in whom I’m now fully invested. ~ Twwk

Rascal Does Not Dream of Siscon Idol is published by Yen Press.*

Yokohama Station SF

Not every robot overlord is like Skynet, intent on killing all humanity, with android enforcers that are nigh impossible to kill. Sometimes, the enforcers are turnstiles that not only keep the ticketless out of the station but eject rules violaters to unoccupied spaces to meet their deaths by starvation, and sometimes the master computer is just railroad infrastructure consuming the entire island of Honshu via slow, automated urban renewal. This unique and immensely absorbing post-apocalyptic novel begins long after the “Winter War” devastated Earth, and Yokohama Station, a concrete and metal structure growing seemingly without end, has covered almost all of Honshu and threatens the neighboring islands. Hiroto, lives on a sliver of land just outside the behemoth structure on a tiny beach community until an “Insider,” ejected from within the station, gives him a chance to explore the vast unit for five days, also charging him with finding a resistance leader, while he brings in a personal quest of his own. From the description, you may sense both Terminator and Ready Player One vibes, though its more similar in tone and eventually story to the latter, though cutting out that work’s affection for nerd culture and replacing it with efficient writing. Yokohama Station SF features a clever and well-crafted but familiar world, interesting artificial intelligence units—always a plus for me—and believable science fiction, having been written by an actual scientist, Yuba Isukari. Yokohama Station SF is his first novel, and as a compelling piece of sci-fi with anime sensibilities, it is a significant achievement. Paraphrasing another overlord of a sci-fi franchise, I shall be watching Mr. Isukari’s career with great interest. ~ Twwk

Yokohama Station SF is published by Yen Press.*

Love of Kill, Vol. 1

The quiet, beautiful Chateau Dankworth is a bounty hunter, working for an organization that contracts with mafia families to eliminate targets. Ryan-Ha Song is also an assassin, but an especially notorious one, skilled and feared for his prowess. When these two become entangled, it’s not in a deathmatch—it’s because the enigmatic Song wants to date Chateau! Volume one of Love of Kill features plenty of action and establishes the deadly world in which the protagonists work, but otherwise gives very little information about the two. Structurally and thematically, the opening volume is engaging, functioning through leaps back and forth in time and filled with grisly episodes of violence. It’s quite jarring, most particularly when the volume mixes in a romantic interlude between the leads that feels as awkward to readers as it does to Chateau, and for the same reason: Song appears to be entirely psychotic. That also makes it hard to root for the killer, while younger assassin displays so little personality that she’s also difficult to care for. With such coldness, it’s hard to imagine why this manga, which in its initial version was published through the Japanese art site, Pixiv, necessitated a fuller release. Perhaps future volumes will reveal that answer, but for now, the tale of Pixiv to published is the most engaging part of this manga. ~ Twwk

Love of Kill is published by Yen Press.*

Eniale & Dewiela, Vol. 2

This second volume of this very silly series continues within the same framework of gags from volume one. In one story, Eniale causes havoc to the world by using supernatural noises to create sonar in an attempt to find Dewiela’s earring, which she’s lost. This humorous storyline and other chapters also provide a view into the interesting cosmos of this version of the world. While Eniale and Dewiela represent the Lord and Satan, respectively, from a Christian framework, this world setting has other deities and belief structures both existing and being true concurrently. Eniale and Dewiela are trying to reap souls for their respective afterlife locales, while local deities they encounter are pushing back, saying that the local souls belong to them. The duo face especially harsh pusbback by local deities when they enter Japan. The most interesting story comes from the tale of a Catholic priest who, according to Heaven, may become an angel one day to battle during Armageddon. However, something changed in his life and Eniale is sent to investigate. This bittersweet tale ends, as usual, on a gag, reflecting how fun this series is overall, even if it’s theology is just wildly inconsistent. ~ MDMRN

Eniale & Dewiela Vol. 2 is published by Yen Press.*

Carole & Tuesday Vol. 2

Volume two of Carole & Tuesday has the titular girls experiencing new challenges on their way to recognition and success in the music business, but it opens with a focus on a third girl. Angela, a child prodigy famous for modeling, wants to try something different and to become a singer. The manga shares some of her backstory and how she teams up with Tao, a man of mystery who creates popular songs using A.I. He riles up Angela throughout the manga, pushing her (rudely) to try harder. Meanwhile, Carole and Tuesday are try to get DJ Ertegun to listen to their song, which he refuses. Later, they struggle to find harmony on a new song, and take a little break outside on their own, considering their journey up to that point. When they return to their apartment, their slovenly manager, Gus, convinces them to enter the Mars Brightest competition. It’s like American Idol, but on Mars! Angela also enters in the test that will show how skilled these three girls really are as singers. I’ve seen the anime so I knew what to expect, but the manga still entertained me, particularly with its fantastic artwork. The panels pop out and feature intricate detail, connecting more with the characters through the facial expressions, dialogue, and the challenges they face. ~ Samuru

Carole & Tuesday Vol. 2 is published by Yen Press.

The Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya (Haruhi Suzumiya, Vol. 5)

Having watched the episodes, but never having read the novel from which they were adapted, I expected the “Endless Eight” story to be much like the anime version: repetitive, dull, and overly long. It is in fact none of these things, taking up just 1/4 of The Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya, the fifth light novel in the Haruhi Suzumiya series. While I still admire KyoAni’s decision to spend eight episodes on almost identical material to reflect the time loop aspect of the story (this despite the disastrous reaction it received), the much shorter chapter in Rampage doesn’t need the repetition to convey the peril and anxiety of the situation. It’s an excellent story, joining the funnier material in “The Day of Sagittarius” and “Snowy Mountain Syndrome,” the longest story in the series so far, which initially feels like material already covered but in a winter setting, though it later reveals itself to be a story that not only reminds us of how Nagaru Tanigawa excels as a science fiction writer, introducing further elements of the genre into his work, but also one that conveys serious heart. The last story provides another one of Haruhi’s sincere explanations of her behavior to Kyon and heavily features character development of Nagato, as subtle as it is, which is equal parts uplifting and mysterious. ~ Twwk

The Rampage of Haruhi Suzumiya is published by Yen Press.*

Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition, Vol. 3

Some forty years after it was first published, these chapters from volume three of Maison Ikkokku Collector’s Edition show precisely why this romantic comedy is so beloved, displaying the full retinue of humor and charm that are pervasive throughout the series. This volume continues to demonstrate Rumiko Takahashi’s talent at using misunderstandings to develop strong comedic content, which then gives way to reveal her character’s personalities and hearts. With Godai now knowing Kyoko quite well, but still miserably immature in his outlook on romance, he struggles to “make the leap” into a relationship with her, but each chapter shows that despite the obstacles that get in their way—some significant and others more figmental—the two are more and more making connections between their hearts. And as laugh out loud funny as many of the panels are, it’s these moments of caring, which increasingly find their way into the lives of Godai, Kyoko, and the rest of the Maison Ikkoku residents, that make the series memorable, driving it closer and closer toward fulfillment while keeping us just far enough away to crank the angst up to 11. ~ Twwk

Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition is published by Viz.*

The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat, Vol. 1

The world’s best assassin has run out of time—or has he? On the verge of retirement, he is tricked and killed during his last mission. But upon his death, the assassin appears before a goddess (what a surprise!) who needs him to do her a favor: Kill the hero of the world she’s in charge of before the hero causes trouble in the future for her and the world he is in. She chose the assassin because of his skill and allows him to be reborn whilst choosing his own skills. Much like Rudeus in Mushoku Tensei, this protagonist is reborn literally, as a baby, but retains his previous memories. As he grows up among a wealthy family of assassins in a world of magic and knights, he trains to become better and to prepare to face the hero. Along the way, he meets a girl named Dai who becomes his magic teacher and Tarte, whom he rescues from poverty (she eventually becomes his assistant/servant of sorts). Although it’s rather rushed and features fanservice moments I felt were unnecessary, I enjoyed volume one. It’s a good selection for fans of isekai, though not without some flaws. ~ Samuru

The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat Vol 1. is published by Yen Press.

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*Thank you to Yen Press and Viz Media for providing review copies.

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beneaththetangles · 3 years

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Reader’s Corner: A Disassociated Haruhi, Reincarnated Dragon Hatchling, and (Already) Dead Detective

Farewell to My Alter

A collection of one shots including the debut commercial work by Nio Nakatani, the writer of Bloom into You, Farewell to My Alter is one of the engaging volumes I’ve read in 2021, not least of which is because the stories contain twist endings. It’s like The Outer Limits or The Twilight Zone, except a yuri-centered (mostly) anthology rather than science-fiction, though the stories are diverse and not just centered in modern romance, with fantasy and even high fantasy finding their way in, and even a VTuber story. A mixture of clever writing and meaningful themes are woven into the pieces, many of which had me wishing for longer form series or, as in the in the case of the final story, leaving an impression far more impacting than a 16-page manga should. Bursting with creativity, romance, and heart, Farewell to My Alter is an anthology that’s more than curiosity… ~ Twwk

Farewell to My Alter is published by Yen Press.

Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition, Vol. 4

Rumiko Takahashi continues to slowly, subtly, draw Godai and Kyoko together, even as her stories continue to be loud and often uproarious funny in volume four of this collector’s edition of the classic, Maison Ikkoku. The silly and always humorous situations around the two are punctuated further by the welcome reappearance of Godai’s lively grandmother. But even as, say, Kyoko and Godai fall into a well or as she catches him taking a girl to “rest” in a love hotel, the sweetness in their story and earnestness of their characters remains, and is heightened as both continue to grow—Kyoko toward moving on from her late husband and Godai toward become a real and true adult. Their relationship is special, and this manga is an enduring classic for a reason—a masterpiece from a master mangaka. Put down your current reads and take a trip down this nostalgic road to see how storytelling and romance do not have to sacrificed for comedy when crafted well. All these elements can all survive, and they can all thrive. ~ Twwk

Maison Ikkoku is published by Viz.*

i tell c (Chapter 21)

i tell c has ended with a whisper rather than a shout. The final arc of the series completes the tale of a specialized police unit and Risa Aioi, who becomes so obsessed with the criminals they are pursuing that she considers it to be love and, in so doing, is able to solve nearly impossible cases. The manga walks a tight-rope between being very cute and potentially upsetting regarding how its lead character is treated. With Aioi’s obsession with the criminals she is pursuing, it could get very creepy, very quickly as she turns from complete person into a tool to be utilized. Yet, the last arc addresses that well and allows her to be a more fully realized character and shows how her obsessions can even soften and change the criminals she is pursuing. While they do feature some of the best moments in the series, the last few chapters were generally very middling and did not accomplish much, so part of me wishes it just ended on the tail end of the Mar arc, but it is what it is. I still enjoyed the series. ~ MDMRN

i tell c is published by Viz Media under their Shonen Jump imprint.

The Detective is Already Dead, Volume 1

A title can sell a story, and that’s exactly what The Detective Is Already Dead did for me. I was quickly sucked into Kimihiko’s life (the main character) as a former detective’s assistant, now returning to school but once again being drawn into a mystery, and found myself more than once sneaking away to read this volume. I absolutely loved the combination of genres within—this was more than just a thriller! There’s a depth to each of the characters I wasn’t prepared for as my previous experiences with light novels have been more light and easygoing. There were also many strong one liners that struck a chord within me, such as this one: “If you’re nobody yet, that means you can become anybody you want.” I was also excited to realize how the cover plays a role within the story, a neat way of drawing events together. Having a story centered around the idea of there not being a such thing as coincidences, and memory transference concerning a certain character was genius, and the flashbacks were enjoyable as well, and in fact, my favorite part. Plus, when some really lively characters are thrown in, the potential arises for good humor, action, and character growth (all delivered in this volume). The Detective is Already Dead was indeed a very fun ride, but also a moving one, too, with a realness woven into every word that captured me, including the afterword, completing a most compelling work. ~ Laura A. Grace

The Detective is Already Dead is published by Yen Press.*

Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling, Vol. 1

There’s this isekai light novel with the title, “Reincarnated as a [something non-human],” published by Seven Seas. The protagonist starts out alone, killing monsters to level up RPG-style and gain new abilities. Eventually, the protagonist acquires a companion of sorts, but the bulk of story consists of lengthy, blow by blow combat scenes, and/or RPG-like status screen information listing skills and statistics. Now, everything I just said is equally true of both Reincarnated as a Sword and Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling. The former has eight volumes published in English, while the first volume of the latter just came out. Also, I recently called Sword a good but notably flawed light novel, and Dragon Hatchling shares those issues, on top of having weaker world-building and fewer character interactions. I think I would rate Dragon Hatchling more highly if I’d never read Sword, but as it is, I found the story underwhelming and derivative, and I am unsure whether I’ll try the next volume. In conclusion, I must be Ice-type, because this light novel was weak to me! ~ jeskaiangel

Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling is published by Seven Seas.

One Week Friends, Vol. 5

I am so struck by the turn of events in volume five of One Week Friends! I wished desperately that my words could reach Hase and that I could encourage his heart because that ending was such a heart wrecker; it had my heart breaking and me wiping tears from my eyes. That said, this is another very good volume featuring some reconciliation and friendships rekindling, as well as new ones forming. Hase was even given more exceptional growth than he in the previous volume. But then you get to the conclusion and it hits you like a ton of rocks, and you’re just trying to figure out what is going on because surely, surely, what is unfolding is not unfolding. Here’s hoping that my heart will be put back together in volume six, and that we get more sweet moments between Kiryuu and Yamagishi, and healing for others. ~ Laura A. Grace

One Week Friends is published by Yen Press.

The Disassociation of Haruhi Suzumiya

For all it’s humor and the often whimsical adventures taken by the SOS Brigade, the Haruhi Suzumiya series has from its very beginning, and by its premise, led the readers to understand that a major conflict is coming, that indeed, without it there may be no resolution to this story about a goddess who may unwittingly destroy the world if she should get depressed, angry, or jealous. After the side story tone of the previous volume in the Haruhi Suzumiya series, Disassociation moves down the path of conflict at a surprisingly quick pace. New characters are introduced, several of of which are quite fascinating, and Kyon is thrown once again into the center of a possibly world-changing event, even as the series continues to play with its novel structure in another unique and effective way, and one which aligns quite nicely with the title of this volume, both structurally and tonally. A brisk and thrilling read, Disassociation sets the stage for big events ahead, which only makes me feel more and more akin to a ASOIAF fan, knowing that as the novels get better and better, the time until a conclusion feels further and further away. ~ Twwk

The Disassociation of Haruhi Suzumiya is published by Yen Press.*

Strobe Edge, Vol. 2

Reading through Sakisaka’s works in a backwards fashion (This is the third and earliest of hers that I’m reading through) not only reveals some of her signatures story lines and “moves,” like having the boy get very physically close to the girl—practically hugging her—to hide her from an unwanted visitor, but also reminds that she often complicates situations to create conflict. I wouldn’t call these developments disingenuous (not completely), for the serendipity and chance marks almost everything that happens in her plot, but they can be frustrating. There are signs that Strobe Edge will head that way, as it does heavily in Ao Haru Ride (but far less so in Love Me, Love Me Not), though for now, the story remains fairly simple and straightforward, even as a love triangle begins to develop (and not the one that might be expected from volume one) and Ninako becomes closer to Ren. My experience with Sakisaka is that she’s at her best when her characters are at their most innocent, even if they’re struggling, and volume two still has them in this state. I hope it continues this way, because Strobe Edge is a cute, addicting read featuring leads that I already care for. I must admit, though, that one part I didn’t care for was the bonus chapter included in this collection: An 8th grade / 10th grade romance is a bit much, even if we’re told over and over again that the middle schooler is mature. No thanks. Let’s focus at just on high school. ~ Twwk

Strobe Edge is published by Viz.

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beneaththetangles · 3 years

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Sasaki and Miyano, Vol. 1

Miyano is a Boys Love (BL) manga fan and Sasaki is an older boy who seems to constantly get into trouble. When they meet, Sasaki realizes pretty quickly that he has a crush on Miyano. What follows is an leisurely-paced first volume featuring the flirty Sasaki and an oblivious Miyano, who sometimes brushes off the advances as a joke. The chapters vary from longer form story-telling to quick, 4-koma bursts of bite-sized moments between the characters. It’s a slow burn story about a blossoming friendship as they share an appreciation for BL manga, with romantic overtones strewn throughout. It’s cute and innocent so far, and I may give the next volume a go when it drops. ~ MDMRN

Sasaki and Miyano is published by Yen Press.*

Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement, Vol. 2

It took a while, but we finally got volume two of this series. It’s a FUNA story. In case you’ve never read the author’s other works—Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! or I Shall Survive Using Potions!—then you should know that a FUNA story means absurd, comical isekai adventures with a nerdy, wisecracking heroine who wishes she had a larger bust (no, seriously, why is this a thing with every FUNA protag? I don’t get it?). The unique aspect of 80k Gold is that protagonist Mitsuha can freely, effortlessly jump between our world and the fantasy world. She exploits this for all its worth—literally. While pursuing profit, she also has a chuuni moment where she calls herself the “Lightning Archpriestess,” helps a family restaurant, brings in otherworldly backup to defeat dragons, starts a blog, promotes rural economic development, and trolls Russian spies in absolutely magnificent fashion. Like FUNA’s other stories, 80k Gold is a generally lighthearted, silly tale; don’t expect especially deep characters, world-building, or plot. I had a blast reading this volume, and happily recommend it (but start with vol. 1, obviously). ~ JeskaiAngel

Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement is published by Sol Press.*

Penguin Gentlemen

Do you like penguins? Would you like to read an educational manga that teaches you more about different species of penguins with window dressing of pretty manga boys running a restaurant? But mostly, do you really, really want to learn about penguins? Then Penguin Gentlemen is the manga for you. This single volume is mixes in gags while educating readers about the different kinds of penguins in the world, all the while beefy gentlemen serve as anthropomorphized versions of the individual penguins. That’s about it. There’s not really a plot to speak of—the manga is almost entirely interesting facts about penguins. But I do mean interesting! The writers provides information about mating practices, different head shapes, the differences between an Emperor and King penguin, and more. I never knew there were so many different kinds of penguins in the world! Definitely recommend even if you are only remotely interested in penguins. While it’s a Teen-rated manga, there really wasn’t any content that was problematic enough that I wouldn’t let my 9- or 11-year-olds read it if they were interested. ~ MDMRN

Penguin Gentlemen is published by Yen Press.*

Ride Your Wave

This adaptation of the lovely Masaaki Yuasa film is extremely faithful to its source material—even more so than most anime-to-book adaptations. Despite essentially being my third experience with Ride Your Wave, however, I found Mika Toyoda’s novel to an engaging read as he capably rearranges and moves the movie to narrative form, thereby creating a story that stands on its own—quite a feat considering that Yuasa’s film is visually sumptuous. Explaining the tale of the love that develops between admirable firefighter Minato and bumbling surfer Hinako, Toyoda’s writing is most effective in its gentle, funny, and sometimes weepy material centered on the relationship between the two, and particularly in how each moves the other (and others around them) to grow. The fantasy components that make up the latter half of the book never quite feel right—they’re less whimsical and moving and more disquieting and awkward—though the earnestness of the story, those elements included, pushes it forward toward a satisfying conclusion to this lovely romantic tale, which perhaps is the perfect, quick read as summer approaches. ~ Twwk

Ride Your Wave is published by Seven Seas.*

Turning Point: 1997-2008

Between 1997 and 2008, Hayao Miyazaki directed perhaps his four biggest hits: Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo. Focusing on this period of unmatched success, during which Miyazaki challenged himself thematically and creatively while receiving international acclaim, Turning Point: 1997-2008 is at once a rich collection of essays, poems, interviews, and other documents by and involving the master that animation historians can bury their heads into, and a work that provides sharp insight into some of the most beloved of Studio Ghibli’s works and the director himself for those desiring a less academic read. For instance, it was fascinating to read how historic ironworks and the Emishi people fed into Princess Mononoke, but just as intriguing is Miyazaki’s philosophizing on a variety of other related subjects, from how parents and the education system do a poor job with Japanese youth to his thoughts on (and sometimes criticisms of) those he admires, like Osamu Tezuka, Akira Kurosawa, Roald Dahl, and Gary Cooper. As a collection of pieces divided by film, Turning Point sometimes lack the flow of a secondary work, but like his films, Miyazaki’s words—yes, sometimes accompanied by a grumpy, old man vibe—are imbued with an immense heart for children, the environment, and Japan, making for a work that equal parts enlightening and inspiring—much like the films of the master himself. ~ Twwk

Turning Point is published by Viz.*

The Ancient Magus Bride, Vol. 1

Purchased at a disreputable auction and spirited into the home of an imposing, demon-like entity, Chise is surprised to discover that her purchaser’s plans for her aren’t nefarious at all. In fact, she is to become the mage’s apprentice, and her natural talents and ability to see magical creatures will be honed and developed under his awkward but warm tutelage. Volume one of The Ancient Magus Bride sets the stage for a magical tale with beautiful illustrations of faeries, dragons, and Elias, the ancient mage, himself, whose character design is one of manga’s most memorable. The rest of the volume isn’t quite as outstanding as the art and design, particularly with the mangaka struggling to convey the dialogue of Britain and the language of the isle’s mythical beings, but there’s enough here, particularly with a beautiful interlude involving dragons and a conflict that ends volume one, for me to anticipate future volumes—even without personal experience from watching the anime informing me that this series is headed toward somewhere magical. ~ Twwk

The Ancient Magus Bride is published by Seven Seas.*

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*Thank you to Yen Press, Seven Seas, Viz Media, and Sol Press for providing review copies.

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beneaththetangles · 2 years

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Reader’s Corner: The Art of Sushi, The Angel Next Door, and Cowboy Bebop: A Syndicate Story

How’s your Christmas shopping list looking? Still got a few people to buy for? Any otaku on your list? If so, let me submit for your consideration some of these manga and light novels below! We’ve got a slew of series we’re covering this week, from published webtoons to backstories to Netflix live-action adaptations that have…gotten canceled. Enjoy the reviews, maybe pick one or two up for the holidays, and let us know your thoughts on these and any other recent manga or light novels you’ve picked up!

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Solo Leveling, Vol. 3 (Manga)

While Jin Woo continues to quickly grow into an OP hunter, a true measure of what class he’s now in has been hard to attain. In volume three of the Solo Leveling “manga” (which in truth is just a binding together of webtoon chapters for the series), however, he will be challenged both by having to hide his newly found abilities as he re-teams with old friends and foes from the series’ opening raid and matches up against as a rank B hunter whose secret mission is far more dastardly than simply killing goblins. While this story, and the other in this volume that follows—which once again has Jin Woo growing in surprising ways—are fun to flip through, I was left to wonder exactly why the webtoon version of the series has exploded so much in popularity. These stories are far more engaging in light novel form, which slows the tale down and better explains the action, while also giving Jin Woo far more depth as a character. The only thing missing from that version but present here are the full color illustrations of this manga, which are admittedly captivating. Still, volume three feels a bit like watching a recap episode of an anime rather than the full previous 10-12 episodes, one where you watch the beautiful highlights and generally comprehend what’s going on, but can’t quite enjoy it since it’s superficial. Which leads me to conclude that, without being at all facetious, a huge draw for webtoon readers is Jin Woo’s character design, as he’s draw like a K-pop star. If that and the beautiful illustrations in general are the main reasons that you’re reading the webtoon, by all means, pick up this manga volume. But if you want to experience a series that subtly asks questions about morality while set against an interesting gamer backdrop, try the light novels instead. You’ll find them to be far superior.~ Twwk

Solo Leveling is published by Yen Press.*

Sweet Rein (Series)

As part of the 25 Days of Manga, I’ve decided to read…whatever comes my way, including pieceI may not have considered before. Well, after watching a video from our own Laura A. Grace, I dove into reading Sweet Rein, a shoujo series about a Santa. Yes, a Santa. In this world setting, Santas are localized and are paired through magic with a human-reindeer. The reindeer will follow the Santa’s command and the two have a generally lifelong bond. In this specific instance, Sweet Rein brings a teenage girl named Kurumi who ends up the Santa together with teenage boy, Kaito. And, well, romantic overtones ensue, but really the series isn’t about romance. What the series is at its core is about love of your fellow man and the power of positive symbols, as the mere concept of Santa is enough to help improve people’s lives and bring them happiness when there was none. Kurumi loves this and uses her Santa abilities outside of the Christmas season, but it’s done in such a way as to help others. Sometimes it’s for a child who is suffering from illness, or a one with unresolved issues, or maybe it is just for an adult in need. Whatever the case, Santas in this world tend to bring positivity; I liked that. Also, the idea of localized Santas doing work instead of a single person doing it across a single night makes WAY more sense. Just saying. ~ MDMRN

Sweet Rein is published by Viz Media.

The Eminence in Shadow, Vol. 1 (manga)

Cid, as he’s known to the world he’s been spirited to after meeting his demise on earth, has one desire: to be the “eminence in shadow,” a great shadow broker, or one who controls power behind the scenes. To do so, he needs to blend in as he cultivates his strength. Thankfully, Cid has an incredible imagination and no real moral compass, so he can make his dream come true. Actually, that last bit makes this sound like another series with a revenge-focused protagonist, when actually it’s a comedy. Yes, an isekai comedy, and not in the way of charming, cute narratives, but rather with self-awareness and plenty of winks to the genre’s tropes as Cid moves his way along the path of an anti-hero, assisted by beautiful elves who become master storytellers themselves. Cid does he run into an obstacle in the form of a princess, however, who also isn’t quite what she seems, and, what’s this, conspiracies that may actually be true? Yes, the story appears headed in the obvious direction of life imitating art, with Cid’s stories of a demon resurrection cult actually becoming reality, but that’s perfectly fine by me, as the humor and characters are so consistently funny and captivating that I feel assured that future volumes will continue to meet the tone and expectations set by this one, even if the manga takes a more traditional isekai route. Much like many of you, I’m sure, I’m suffering from isekai fatigue, which makes The Eminence in Shadow all the more rewarding, fitting right into that genre but with a clever, joyful, and silly tone that refreshes my interest in isekai and lets me get away from it a bit, too—all in engaging tale. ~ Twwk

The Eminence in Shadow is published by Yen Press.*

Cowboy Bebop: A Syndicate Story: Red Planet Requiem

A Syndicate Story: Red Planet Requiem, which gives a fuller recount of Spike and Vicious’ pasts, including origin stories for each and for their friendship, is a whole lot like the (now-canceled) series it accompanies, a mixed bag which is at times enthralling but ultimately a mediocre work which often borders on amateurism. That last bit is what’s most upsetting about Red Planet Requiem, which mainly focuses on Spike and especially Vicious as they are given a job that could raise them from “janitors” to a higher rank inside the Syndicate, with proofreading errors take the reader out of what is often an exciting story, punctuated particularly by the sometimes vulgar, sometimes pithy exchanges between the two leads. Even more disappointing, though, is that most of the final third of the novel, in which a tale that had been flying straight goes entirely off course. The breakneck speed of the book hits the gas even harder in this section as what earlier was intoned with dark humor and a dramatic, even sensitive coming-of-age feel, turns into a sitcom, as contrivances and coincidences pile up and strange paths open up, like a meaningless sex-filled rendezvous during a six-year-old’s birthday party. This rough sections reminds readers that the book was written by a screenwriter for the series, and while descriptions here and there set an atmosphere that tease us into thinking that this could be a good piece of science fiction writing, that tangent and both the lack of detail and what I felt was a tenuous connection between the Vicious of this book and the absolute lethal killing machines he becomes a few years later, point toward the purpose of this piece—strictly as a companion to a likewise frustrating series. The cover points to that, too, as it is a particularly deceitful choice, showing characters on the cover associated with the Netflix series (as if this book is a novelization of that), but which aren’t in the story in any form or fashion, while the one who is arguably the novel’s most important isn’t on the cover at all. Just another example, unfortunately, of bad decisions for the rebooted franchise. ~ Twwk

Cowboy Bebop: A Syndicate Story: Red Planet Requiem is published by Titan Books.

Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter, Vol. 1

An academically exceptional commoner, Allen has high technical proficiency in magic but relatively little magical power, and has just failed the exam to become a government wizard. His former professor hooks him up with a simple job: teach Duke Howard’s daughter Tina magic over the next three months so she can pass the entrance exams for the Royal Academy. Of course, Tina has never once managed to use magic in her life. And Duke Howard doesn’t actually want his daughter to attend the academy. Plus, both Tina and the maid Ellie are crushing hard on Allen. Okay, forget what I said about a simple job. The story introduces a surprising number of mysteries. Also, Allen himself may not be an entirely reliable narrator. In addition to the mysteries and secrets, I loved the setting, which is like 1901 but with magic. The world has a richness, a sense of depth, thanks to frequent passing references to people, events, and places that don’t appear “on screen.” Allen’s noble friend Lydia is an absolutely hilarious example of such characters. My main complaint about this novel is the unfunny dumb romcom situations that pop up periodically. I *was* going to grumble about how Allen is obnoxiously oblivious to romantic interest from girls in his life…but in light of his apparent willingness to obfuscate, I suspect he’s less clueless than he wants readers to believe. This story passed the most important test a light novel can face: “Do I want to read the next volume?” My answer: Yes. I wouldn’t give this volume an A+, but it did earn a solid B. ~ jeskaiangel

Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter is published by J-Novel Club.

The Splendid Work of a Monster Maid, Vol. 1

Sumire is a nekomata, a kind of yokai that was once a cat before becoming a human. Having wandered into a magic land, she is taken in by an ice witch and is learning to serve as her maid, before two other servants—an android and a zombie—also enter their lives. I admit that even though there were shades of foreshadowing in this first chapter involving Sumire and her master, I was surprised by what the story ultimately reveals itself to be about, a sort of episodic take on yokai / demon hunting stories, but one I’m not used to, where beautiful gothic tones take priority over fanservice, cuteness takes center stage (although juxtaposed with more sophisticated tones), and the four main characters are all given plenty of personality right from these opening chapters. Think a more down-to-earth Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun in a fablelike setting. In fact, the opening chapters of this series are more engaging than that beloved series. And indeed, and especially with a cliffhanger ending, I’m eager to see what happens next in this surprisingly warm and beautifully illustrated manga series. ~ Twwk

The Splendid Work of a Monster Maid is published by Yen Press.*

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten, Vol. 3

To the analogy of the simmering Crockpot, I add another: that of Zeno’s paradox. If we let the target be a confession of love and Amane and Mahiru be the arrow, it’s like each volume splits the distance between the target and the arrow in half, yet without ever reaching it. This volume was no exception. With Amane and Mahiru in the same class this time around, the dividing wall separating their time at home and their time at school begins to collapse. And with Mahiru making moves on Amane in a variety of different ways, the illusion of “we’re just really, really close friends” is beginning to shatter. But it’s not called Zeno’s paradox for nothing. As tantalizingly close as Amane and Mahiru get to a real confession, they nonetheless hover inches away from the target, and it’s really beginning to seem like they’re never actually going to hit it. There is some progress, though—most of it has to do with Amane wrestling with some issues from his past, a tension which felt forced, like an artificial sweetener in an already sweet drink. That slightly bitter note doesn’t ruin the flavor of the whole drink, though. This volume made for an endearing and pleasant read, not to mention the teaser at the end of raised stakes in the next volume. I’ll be looking forward to that. But here’s hoping that the Zeno’s paradox analogy doesn’t hold water for long. ~ sleepminusminus

The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten is published by Yen Press.

The Art of Sushi

Promoted as French comic artist Franckie Alarcon’s latest deep dive into food, The Art of Sushi isn’t at all what I expected—it reads less like a comic and more like a Netflix or Food Channel documentary on sushi in graphic novel form. At first, the style was so unexpected (and so text heavy), and the flow of the translation just ever so slightly askew, that I found the work hard to penetrate. However, by the time Alarcon illustrates the visit with his first subject, Hachiro Mizutani, I was at rapt attention, and before long, was fully engulfed not only in how much I was learning about sushi, but in how the personalities and conversation, so important in engaging food documentaries, came across with such life in this French graphic novel. This was indeed like watching a gripping, two-hour work on sushi—but not just sushi. Besides spending time with chefs, the work takes frequent detours to explain other items associated with the food as Alarcon and company visit professionals in Japan, like a maker of ceramic dishes, rice farmer, sake brewer, and soy sauce manufacturer. The banter between Alarco and his fellow visitors was also quite fun (I enjoyed the references they made to Miyazaki, Tommy Lee Jones, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), though I’m not enough of a Francophile to care much for the frequent references to the sushi scene back in their homeland. However, that was barely a deterrent; what may be for some, though, is the extensive writing. The comic feels half a graphic novel and half an educational work. I would suggest, dear reader, that you take it slow, enjoy the wonderful black and white sketches with occasional and lovely (sometimes even shocking) use of color, and allow yourself to be buried in the world of sushi, preferably as you take several days to read through, and then as you reference it time and time again in the future. ~ Twwk

The Art of Sushi is published by NBM Publishing.*

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*Thank you to Yen Press and NBM Publishing for providing review copies.

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