Swan Volumes 8 and 9
I started reading this series out of sequence, so there’s a quick take on Swan #7 here. Basically in volume 7 the feelings the dancers have for each other come out into the open. Aoi’s feelings aren’t returned by Masumi and Kusakabe can’t return Masumi’s feelings. The presence of a mysterious Russian choreographer opens up [...]
Oh! My Brother Volume 1
Oh! My Brother by Ken Saito Volume 1 The Name of the Flower is one of my favorite new manga series, so I was expecting good things from Oh! My Brother. While this manga isn’t as emotionally resonant and delicately constructed as The Name of the Father, it still manages to be entertaining. Masago is [...]
Swan Volumes 5 and 6
Swan Volume 5 by Kyoko Ariyoshi Ballet manga is just like sports or war manga but instead of big games or battles, there are the exciting dance-offs! In volume 5 of Swan Masumi and Larissa go head-to head in competition as they alternate the roles of Odette and Odile in Swan Lake. Larissa gives a [...]
Swan Volumes 3 and 4
CMX was nice enough to send me a big box o’ Swan. This is the first time that I’ve had such a large chunk of a manga series sitting around the house to read, so I’m going to try to post about this great ballet series a little bit each week and work my way [...]
A Tale of an Unknown Country
A Tale of an Unknown Country Volume 1 by Natsuna Kawase When I read books about princesses I’m always entertained by princesses who act extremely un-princesslike, so I enjoyed this breezy fairy tale about a princess who disguises herself as a maid to spy on a potential fiance. Rosemarie lives in the poor but bucolic [...]
Recent Reads from CMX – Venus in Love, Lapis Lazuli Crown, and Swan
I think sometimes I tend to focus mostly on covering first volumes of manga series, but I thought I’d also try to start doing some short takes on some of the ongoing series that I enjoy. Venus in Love #7 by Yuki Nakaji I’m not sure why this series doesn’t get more hype because it [...]
Flat Earth Exchange Volumes 1 and 2
Flat Earth Exchange Volume 1 by Toshimi Nigoshi Many years in the future, the human race is all but wiped out. Humans have mostly been replaced by “people”, humanoid androids. Androids have a problem with their construction. They lose all memories of their existence after 22 years, so they are constantly being reborn as a [...]
Shirley 1 and Emma 8
After the conclusion of the main storyline of Emma in volume 7, I put off buying other Kaoru Mori works for a little while. I’m glad I finally bought these manga because they reminded me of why I enjoyed Emma so much in the first place – engaging characters, intricate historical detail, and lovely art. [...]
Two Flowers for the Dragon #2
Two Flowers for the Dragon Volume 2 by Nari Kusakawa I enjoyed the first volume of this series, but I missed having more details about Shakuya’s dueling fiances. Fortunately the second volume starts filling in some of the backstory. Shakuya is kidnapped by snake charmers who use their ability to hypnotize her. Kuwan and Lucien [...]
Two Flowers for the Dragon
Two Flowers for the Dragon by Nari Kusakawa Two Flowers for the Dragon manages to be a nice light fantasy manga despite being burdened with a clunky premise. The dragon in the story is the main female character. Shakuya is the heir to the dragon clan, a family that is charged with protecting a desert [...]
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