Shinobi Life Volumes 5 and 6
I think we’re slowly catching up to the Japanese release of this series since six volumes are out here now and there are nine Japanese volumes so far. This is still one of my favorite current shoujo series. Shinobi Life started out ok with the first couple volumes then really got much better with volume [...]
Gakuen Alice Volumes 1, 12, and 13
I remember pointedly avoiding Gakuen Alice when it first came out, mostly because it seemed like it was being marketed as the next Fruit Basket. I was quite happy with Fruits Basket and thought that I didn’t need any substitute Fruits Basket-like series, thank you very much. Then I read the first couple volumes of [...]
Future Diary Volume 7
Future Diary Volume 7 by Sakae Esuno I enjoyed the first volume of this series. I’ve always meant to pick up more volumes but I was surprised to see that I’m six volumes behind. Future Diary is about a hapless boy named Yukiteru who is given a cell phone that displays his actions in the [...]
Hanako and the Terror of Allegory Volume 2
Hanako and the Terror of Allegory Volume 2 by Sakae Esuno I had mixed feelings about the first volume of this manga but I enjoyed the second volume a lot, mostly due to the opening story which was funny and provided an interesting twist on what happens when you make a bargain with the devil. [...]
Shinobi Life Volume 4
Shinobi Life Volume 4 by Shoko Conami I’ve somehow fallen behind reading Shinobi Life. This is sad, because it is one of my favorite shoujo series currently being published. But also good! Because now that I’ve finished volume 4 I can run out and get the next volume and enjoy more of the story. I [...]
Suppli Volumes 4 and 5
Suppli Volumes 4 and 5 by Mari Okazaki Wow, there has been a two year gap between volumes of Suppli. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that josei series simply don’t sell well here, so I’m happy with whatever I can get. I was worried that this series was going to be on permanent hiatus, [...]
Tokyopop Quick Takes – Portrait of M & N 2, Happy Cafe 3, and Maid Sama 5
Portrait of M & N Volume 2 by Higuchi Tachibana There are few shoujo manga out there that are really weird. Portrat of M & N is about the developing relationship between masochist Mitsuru and narcissist Natsuhiko. The second volume places the somewhat unusual protagonists in stock high school manga situations – mean girls bullying, [...]
Deadman Wonderland Volume 2
Deadman Wonderland Volume 2 by Jinsei Kataoka and Kazuma Kondou I liked the first volume of Deadman Wonderland because it seemed a little different than most of the shonen manga out there. It had a darkly cynical sensibility that seemed refreshing, and the storyline about a boy forced into a prison death trap was interesting. [...]
Fruits Basket Banquet and Songs to Make You Smile
Like most people, I’m probably more interested in Takaya’s post-Fruits Basket work than her earlier series. Tsubasa: Those With Wings had some flaws, but overall I enjoyed reading it. For some reason I just couldn’t get into Phantom Dream. I’m very curious to check out her newest series Hoshi wa Utau if it ever gets [...]
Neko Ramen #1
Neko Ramen Volume 1 by Kenji Sonishi I haven’t read very much 4 koma (four panel style manga) but I’ve often thought that if manga were to crossover to a more mainstream audience, this format might encourage it. Arranged like a typical newspaper comic strip except generally oriented vertically, it theoretically should be easier for [...]
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