September 17, 2008
Fruits Basket 15 by Natsuki Takaya, 4
Book description: Yuki's past finally is revealed! But is it all too much to bear? His sickness takes a turn for the worse, and after Akito reminds Yuki how loathed he is, his will to live might finally be drained... Meanwhile, as Tohru is getting ready to perform in Cinderella, the class decides that they have to rewrite the play. But no amount of revision will prevent Tohru from improvising her loving feelings for a certain someone. Just who is the mystery man?
Review: The main story picks up again in Fruits Basket 15. We get to see some of Yuki’s past and his feelings for Tohru seem resolved at this point. I also thought the Cinderella play was really cute. Overall, I’m happy with the direction the series is taking.
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May 17, 2008
Vampire Knight Vol. 2 by Matsuri Hino, 3 1/2
Book description: Outside the safe boundary of the academy, Yuki is attacked by a vampire. Injured and unable to defend herself, two Night Class students come to her aid and kill the vampire. When Yuki asks them why they killed their own kind, they tell her to come to the Moon Dormitory at midnight to learn the answer...
Review: New characters are introduced in volume 2 of Vampire Knight. The story between the main characters slows down a little but there is still plenty of drama, angst, and blood-sucking. This series is a lot of fun.
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Fruits Basket Vol. 14 by Natsuki Takaya, 3 1/2
Book description: Isuzu loves snooping through Shigure's life, especially when she's totally convinced that he is hiding something. But when Tohru finds a passed-out Isuzu in the house, she tries to drag Isuzu to the hospital. Meanwhile, Yuki goes to the ASB council room only to find it trashed again! But as the secrets of who vandalized the room come out of the closet, Yuki accidentally gets locked in one. Who will be the one to help her get out?
Review: Volume 14 is filled with storylines I’m not that interested in. I’m not sure how I feel about Isuzu yet. I may have liked her story if it had been built up gradually instead of forced on me all at once. I’m not all that into the student council story either. I’m somewhat curious about how that student council member knows Thoru but this series does not need more side characters. I wish it would just get back to focusing on the main characters.
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Fruits Basket Vol. 13 by Natsuki Takaya, 3 1/2
Book description: The time for Yuki's parent-teacher conference has finally arrived, and Yuki must learn how to make his own decisions if he wants to have a say about his future. Later, Tohru sets off on a quest to find out if Kureno Sohma is the same person Arisa has been in love with all this time. But along the way she will discover a tragic secret about Momiji's sister Momo...
Review: The story slows down in volume 13. I didn’t like the story with Yuki’s mom much. I’m glad we got more of the Arisa and Kureno story but it was mostly just a teaser. There was also a little Momiji story but I found that kind of dull too.
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Fruits Basket Vol. 12 by Natsuki Takaya, 4
Book description: The world's most popular shojo manga continues... With the beginning of the school year approaching, the gang returns from summer break--and what a vacation indeed! A new student council has been assembled, with two new secretaries: Naohito, who has declared himself Yuki's rival, and Kimi, who is known as a devil woman--and a thief of men's hearts. Later, when Tohru goes to see her grandfather, he brings up a part of Tohru's past that she had tried to shut away. And with parent-teacher conferences on the horizon, Mayuko gives Shigure some good advice.
Review: Volume 12 is another good volume buy not quite as exciting as the previous two. There is some development for both Yuki and Kyo here. This is also the first time I’ve almost liked Kagura. She actually does something other than chase Kyo around like a lunatic. I also liked the scenes with Shigure and the teacher. They annoy each other in a fun way.
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Vampire Knight Vol. 1 by Matsuri Hino, 4
Book description: Yuki Cross has no memory of her past prior to the moment she was saved from a vampire attack ten years ago. She was adopted by the headmaster of Cross Academy, and now works alongside Zero to guard the Academy's secret. Yuki believes that vampires and humans can coexist peacefully, but her partner has different ideas...
Review: I have a soft spot for cheesy teenage vampire romance drama and this manga delivers!
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April 28, 2008
Fruits Basket Vol. 11 by Natsuki Takaya, 4 1/2
Book description: The world's most popular shojo manga continues! While at the Sohma vacation home, Tohru is caught in a whirlwind of familial strife. Can she relax and put the "fun" in dysfunctional? None of the Sohmas are going to make it easy, including an angry horse that attacks Tohru. Could this be a new member of the Zodiac? Meanwhile, in a fierce argument with Akito, Kyo reveals his true feelings for Tohru. Will Akito tell Tohru about Kyo's secret crush? And speaking of secrets, Akito makes a major announcement--one that will reveal his true identity and change the Sohma family forever!
Review: Volume 11 is another fantastic volume in the series. The story advances a lot, especially Kyo’s storyline. At the end of volume 10 I wanted Thoru to end up with Yuki but now I’m leaning more towards Kyo.
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Boys Over Flowers Vol. 4 by Yoko Kamio, 4
Book description: Tsukushi realizes that she would have Rui to herself if Shizuka left for France as planned, but she doesn't want to be like the other scheming girls at her school. So she begs Shizuka to stay in Japan for Rui's sake. Domyoji asks Tsukushi for a date at the airport that Shizuka is leaving from, but his sweet words are drowned out by the sound of jets passing by.
Review: This is my favorite volume in the series so far. Rui moves on and the story focuses more on Tuskushi and Domyoji. I loved their terrible first date. I would have enjoyed this volume a lot more but the story that was introduced near the end is pretty terrible. Still, I liked the first 3/4ths very much.
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September 17, 2007
Antique Bakery Vol. 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga, 3
Book description: Ono has come a long way since the agonizing day in high school when he confessed his love to handsome Tachibana. Now, some 14 years later Ono, a world-class pastry chef and outed playboy has it all. No man can resist Ono's charms (or his cooking skills!) but he has just found a new position under a man named Tachibana. Can this be the only man who resisted his charms, and if so, will the man who once snubbed the "magically gay" Ono get his just desserts? And how in the heck did a former middleweight boxing champion wind up as Ono's cake boy?
Review: Antique Bakery is about three men who run a bakery. I like all of the main characters but I don’t really get the point of this manga. The individual plots are boring and I have no idea where the overall plot is going. Since I like the main characters I’ll probably give this another shot. I want to see how the romance plays out but if the plot doesn’t improve I’ll quit reading.
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September 07, 2007
Her Majesty's Dog Vol. 1 by Mick Takeuchi, 3 1/2
Book description: Amane's not like other girls. With her ice queen demeanor and naivete, she's become quite the misfit on campus. Even more unusual is her relationship with fellow transfer student Hyoue Inugami, the hottest guy in school. But the truth is that Amane is a powerful psychic and Hyoue is her guardian demon-dog whose powers are fueled by her kiss! And when Amane lets her "dog" off his leash, no vengeful spirit is safe!
Review: Her Majesty’s Dog is a blend of shojo and horror similar to Vampire Princess Miyu. I liked the individual horror plots but am not hooked on the characters yet. It has the potential to get interesting so I’ll give it another shot.
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July 08, 2007
Emma Vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori, 3 1/2
Book description: In Victorian-era England, a young girl is rescued from a life of destitution and raised to become a proper British maid. Emma meets William, the eldest son of a wealthy family, and immediately falls in love with him. William shares her feelings, but the strict rules of their society prevent their relationship from ever coming out in the open.
Review: Emma is a charming Victorian romance manga. The setting is well done and nothing feels out of place. The main characters are genuinely nice people and I found myself rooting for them. The art is simple but it fits the story. The plot moves a little slowly in this volume but I got the impression that it would move faster in future volumes. If you are a romance fan looking to get into manga I highly recommend Emma
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May 21, 2007
Millennium Snow Vol. 1 by Bisco Hatori, 1 1/2
Book description: 17-year-old Chiyuki Matsuoka was born with heart problems, and her doctors say she won't live to see the next snow. Touya is an 18-year-old vampire who hates blood and refuses to make the traditional partnership with a human, whose life-giving blood would keep them both alive for a thousand years. Can Chiyuki teach Touya to feel a passion for life, even as her own is ending?
Review: I can’t believe a manga written by the same person who created Ouran High School Host Club could be so completely unentertaining. It’s boring and cliche in more ways than I can even list. Skip it.
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May 03, 2007
Kamen Tantel Vol. 2 by Matsuri Akino, 3 1/2
Book description: After Haruka and Masato's first novel is finally published, you'd think they’d take some time off to shine in their glory...but Haruka, Masato, and their fictional Suzuki find themselves living a mystery novel that isn't quite finished. Distracted by a fellow writer who has been receiving hate mail from a crazed fan, the gang tries to put a stop to the precarious post. But just as one case appears to come to an end, another mystery is brewing--the famous actress Nanami Seto is being stalked...and the stalker seems to be closer than even the Masked Detective knows!
Review: Another entertaining volume in the series. I love the idea of mystery writers solving crime with their fictional main character. Matsuri Akino clearly loves the mystery genre and enjoys bending its rules.
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March 14, 2007
Kamen Tantei Vol. 1 by Matsuri Akino, 4
Book description: A pair of young aspiring mystery writers try to crack the most bizarre, baffling, and hilarious cases around them. But as clues often lead to a dead end, lucky for our duo, the Masked Detective always seems to show up in the nick of time to help!
In this light-hearted comedy from the creator of Petshop of Horrors, it's not always about solving the crimes--but you can be sure that the trail of evidence will lead to a hoot and a holler!
Review: Matsuri Akino is the creator of one of my favorite series, Pet Shop of Horrors, so I had to pick this up. It’s a mystery series and it’s much more lighthearted than Pet Shop but there’s still a lot of gruesome deaths. I like the main characters and I can’t wait to find out who the masked detective is. I’ll be reading more of this series.
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March 13, 2007
Ouran High School Host Club Vol. 7 by Bisco Hatori, 4
Book description: Hunny's little brother, Chika, pays a visit to the Host Club--and immediately starts attacking Hunny, using all his martial-arts prowess against his older brother! Chika seems to be the absolute opposite of his sweets-loving, Bun-Bun-toting sibling, but why is he so angry with Hunny? The Host Club is determined to find out the cause...
Review: The story about Hunny and his brother takes up the bulk of this volume. That story had some funny moments. The other stories have Kyoya being forced to shop at a commoners’ store and there’s also a story about the twins’ childhood. These stories were the stand outs in the volume. This volume also contains a follow-up to a story in a previous volume about a girl who gets a crush on her rude teacher. I liked that story too and could read a whole series about those characters.
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Time Lag by Shinobu Gothoh and Hotaru Odagiri, 4
Book description: Satoru Tendou has confessed his love to Shirou Sawaguchi every spring since entering high school, only to be rejected with a cold stare. As the spring of their third year approaches, Satoru is starting to wonder if he should give up on Shirou or risk being rejected a third time. Will Satoru be able to convince Shirou that his love is genuine? Or will Seiichi Hiro, Satoru's friend and confidant, steal Satoru away before he and Shirou can reconcile their differences?
Review: Time Lag is a cute shonen-ai one shot. I really enjoyed this one. It has good characters and a sweet romance. The art is really pretty too. Fans of Only the Ring Finger Knows or just shonen-ai in general will like this. I also recommend it for people who are trying shonen-ai for the first time.
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Death Note Vol. 8 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, 3
Book description: Light--working as Kira, the newest member of the NPA intelligence bureau, and L--has nearly succeeded in creating his ideal world. But the years of uncontested victory have made him complacent, and he is unprepared for a new attack close to home. With his younger sister Sayu kidnapped and the NPA's Death Note demanded as ransom, Light must travel across the world and confront two new adversaries, each with a very different agenda. Will Light's quick wits be a match for this new challenge, or will he be forced to choose between Kira's ambitions and his own family's lives?
Review: This is the first volume of Death Note in a long time that hasn’t bored me to tears or angered me. The current storyline is readable but not nearly as good as the early volumes. Still, it gives me hope that reading the rest of this series won’t be a complete waste of time.
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March 11, 2007
Ill Gatto Sul G Vol. 1 by Tooko Miyagi, 2 1/2
Book description: Riya Narukawa is a high school freshman with a tremendous talent for the violin and an equally large bag of mental issues. After injuring his own hand to compromise his playing ability, he winds up on the doorstep of college student Atsushi Ikeda, a nice guy who's maybe too nice and generous. He takes Riya in for the night and helps him with his hand injury. Atsushi realizes there is much more to Riya than is on the surface, and learns just how difficult Riya's life actually is. Not only does he have a personality disorder, but there's an aggressive senior at his school who has his eye on him. Atsushi becomes a sort of safe haven for Riya, an escape from the life of music he's been bound to.
Review: The plot for Ill Gatto Sul G sounds really interesting. It’s unfortunate that the writing is so poor. For a character driven manga, the characters get surprisingly little real character development. Consequently, the relationships fall flat. The art is pretty but a little plain. I doubt I’ll read the next volume.
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The Cain Saga Vol. 1 by Kaori Yuki, 3
Book description: Born under an evil moon harboring dark secrets, Earl Cain C. Hargreves, the youthful heir of the aristocratic Hargreves family, is a man on a quest to find the truth about his family's past. Written in dark, harrowing episodes, The CAIN Saga chronicles how Cain solves the strange crimes that seem to plague his cursed existence, yet somehow bring him closer to deciphering the puzzling circumstances surrounding his father's tragic death.
Five gripping stories of love, friendship and betrayal--"Forgotten Juliet," "Branded Bibi," "The Youths Who Stopped Time," "Double," and "The Death of Cleo"--comprise this poignant first installment of Kaori Yuki's hit gothic manga series. Gothic fans will be left in awe long after this series has ended!
Review: I like the setting and the feel of The Cain Saga. The art is a little rough but the mystery plots are good. What keeps me from really enjoying this is that Cain himself isn’t very well developed yet. Still, I think this series has potential so I’ll read the next volume.
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Wish Vol. 1 by Clamp, 3
Book description: When Shuichiro rescues an angel he is granted a single wish. The problem? Shuichiro can’t think of any wishes that he couldn’t grant himself. Refusing to leave Shuichiro without granting a wish Amber, the angel, moves in with the young doctor to help out around the house and wait for a chance to return the favor. Of course, angels aren’t the only supernatural beings wandering the Earth. Soon, demons and archangels alike are stopping by Shuichiro’s house, making things difficult for his angelic roommate.
Review: Wish kind of reminds me if I Dream of Jeannie only it’s by Clamp so there’s lots of chibis, feathers, and a fight between heaven and hell. It’s a cute read but there’s nothing really great about it to make me want to read more.
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February 24, 2007
Loveless Vol. 3 by Yun Kouga, 3
Book description: After a grueling battle against the powerful Zeros, Soubi is badly injured, and in spite of his training, the pain almost too much to bear. He goes to see Ritsuka, but Soubi's erratic behavior and unpredictable emotions take over, and he abruptly storms away before Ritsuka can care for him. Ritsuka is left tormented and confused...but the mystery behind the death of his older brother is about to take an unbelievable turn. Ritsuka finally decodes the message left by Sleepless and goes to meet one of the members of Septimal Moon!
Review: This volume is mostly plot driven. I still don’t like this manga’s plot much but it’s starting to grow on me despite it not making very much sense. I did find myself rolling my eyes quite a bit at the pointless torture scenes and the adults who act like children. But this series hasn’t annoyed me enough to make me stop reading yet.
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February 13, 2007
Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden Vol. 2 by Yuu Watase, 3 1/2
Book description: During their journey Chamka and Takiko come upon a burning house. Chamka tries to save a young girl's life and demonstrates his special power: to freeze things in ice! The effort weakens Chamka however, and he must stay in the village to recuperate. The girl's family offers shelter, but her father sells Chamka out to the bandits who are hunting him. That's when Limdo reenters the picture...
Review: I’m still enjoying this series. This volume is nicely balanced between action and character development. I’ve always liked the plot of Fushigi Yugi and I’m glad Watase has revisited that world as a more mature writer.
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February 10, 2007
W Juliet by Emura, 3 1/2
Book description: Sixteen-year-old tomboy Ito Miura has been chosen to play Romeo in Romeo and Juliet! The problem? She doesn't want the male role!
So, who will be Juliet? The favorite for the part, beautiful and vain Tsugumi, must compete with the cute new transfer student, Makoto Amano. But Makoto has a secret, and if rival Tsugumi, or anyone in the school, finds out, it could ruin Makoto's life, dragging Ito down as well!
Review: This is a cute romantic comedy series. Many of the plot lines here are more than a little cliche but I like the main characters and their romance enough to ignore that. I could really see myself liking this series if more attention gets paid to the romance.
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February 06, 2007
Alice 19th Vol. 2 by Yuu Watase, 3
Book description: Kyô Wakamiya joins Alice Seno's endeavor to save her sister, Mayura, from the darkness. From out of nowhere, a mysterious handsome man named Frei appears to claim Alice as his fiancée and he too, offers his support to save Mayura. All three of them have the potential to be great Lotis Masters, but will even their combined power be enough to save Mayura from the dark nether world that she is trapped in?
Review: I didn’t like the second volume quite as much as the first. A new character is introduced in this volume and all the comic relief he provides feels forced. I’m also not quite sure how the magic system works yet. I do still like the two main characters. They have to be the most likable hero and heroine Watase has ever written. I’ll keep reading for them.
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January 30, 2007
Fushigi Yugi Vol. 4 by Yuu Watase, 3
Book description: To save her newly adopted country of Hong-Nan, Miaka must scour the nation for the remaining three of the seven Celestial Warriors who will help her in her quest. But the search takes her into the lair of bandits, and to a plague-cursed town where she has to die to survive!
Review: The first half of this volume was funny and I managed to be entertained despite Tamahome’s TSTL behavior. The second half was just boring.
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January 26, 2007
Full House Vol. 1 by Soo Yon Won, 2
Book description: Elle lives in "Full House," the house that her architect father built before passing away a few years ago. She loves the place, but one day people come to kick her out, claiming that the place now belongs to the famous actor Ryder Baye.
Review: I liked the idea behind this series but the characters were so immature and unlikeable I could barely finish reading this. It’s poorly written as well. The dialogue is awful (although that could be due to a bad translation) and almost every plot twist is completely illogical. The only thing I enjoyed here was the art which is quite pretty.
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January 22, 2007
Alice 19th Vol. 1 by Yuu Watase, 3 1/2
Book Description: Alice Seno is a seemingly shy and meek girl who always seems to be outshined by her older sister Mayura. One day, Alice has an encounter with a mysterious and magical rabbit girl, and her life is turned upside down. Alice discovers that certain words have power, and that she has the potential to be master of a set of sublimely powerful words called the Lotis Words. But power always comes with a price, and the price may turn out to be Alice's sister Mayura...
Review: Cute start to the series. I liked the light hearted feel of most of the first volume. It sort of reminded me of Cardcaptor Sakura. But the manga took a serious turn near the end and I’m not sure I’m going to like the overall plot. I do like the main character. She’s sweet without being overly stupid. And the main love interest doesn’t appear to have Tamahome’s personality even though he’s drawn exactly like him. Watase needs to stop drawing all her heros the same way. I’ll be reading more.
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January 11, 2007
Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden Vol. 1 by Yuu Watase, 3 1/2
Book description: When schoolgirl Takiko Okuda attempts to destroy her father's translation of "The Universe of the Four Gods," she is instead literally sucked into the story, becoming the Priestess of Genbu in an epic journey to find the seven Celestial Warriors!
In her first encounter, she meets the mysterious Rimudo, one of the Celestial Warriors who has a tattoo of the Chinese character for "woman" on his chest. As it turns out, it's there for a good reason: Rimudo can not only summon the wind as one of his special powers, but also transform into a woman! Caught up in pursuit, because Rimudo is regarded an outlaw, Takiko falls in with the bowman Chamuka, who is hunting Rimudo. Chamuka regards Takiko an outlaw as well, but they eventually become traveling companions, for it seems Chamuka is a one of the seven Celestial Warriors as well...
Review: Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden is a prequel to Fushigi Yugi but it stands on its own. Despite my like/hate relationship with Watase’s work, my heart was filled with glee when I found out this series existed. This volume is a good start to the series. Takiko seems to be a far more mature heroine than Miaka and the writing overall is more mature. Rimudo is too similar to Tamahome for me but maybe his character will go in a different direction. I’m not hooked yet but I’ll be reading more.
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January 02, 2007
Boys Over Flowers Vol. 3 by Yoko Kamio, 4
Book description: Tsukushi joins Kazuya and his family for Summer vacaction at their villa in Atami. Friction erupts between Kazuya and Domyoji after Tsukushi and Domyoji's kiss at the end of volume two. Even more juiicy tension develops between Shizuka and Rui, but does anything become of it?!
Tsukushi overhears Rui telling Shizuka what he thinks of Tsukushi. Domyoji begins spreading rumors that Tsukushi is in love with him. He soon finds out that she is in love with Rui and he goes on a rampage. His rampage extends to an attack on Tsukushi herself.
Review: Since reading the second volume of this series, I have watch the entire anime. It’s probably the best shoujo anime I’ve ever seen and I fell in love with the story. Domyoji is one of those characters you find entertaining in fiction but would have to slap a restraining order on in real life. He has more mood swings than ever in this volume. I love this manga and would read it at a much quicker pace if I didn’t have to depend on the library for the next volume.
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October 12, 2006
Cantarella Vol. 2 by You Higuri, 2 1/2
Book description: Faced with the dark truth surrounding his accursed birth, Cesare is driven over the edge of sanity, straight into the arms of Hell. Will his otherworldly transformation tear from him the last shred of humanity and leave only the ruthless conqueror in its stead? When his sister is threatened with a cruel marriage, Cesare himself may be the one who destroys the slender threads of loyalty and love that hold his family together. His only hope of salvation may lie in the mercy offered by the assassin Michelotto!
Review: I’m still interested in the plot of this series but the characters don’t interest me. The writing, in places, is so overly dramatic it’s funny. I also really don’t care for any plot involving Ceasre’s sister. I don’t know if I want to continue with this series.
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October 05, 2006
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 6 by Bisco Hatori, 3 1/2
Book description: The school festival opens at Ouran, and the Host Club members are busy entertaining the visiting parents. Teasing his son is a favorite pastime of Tamaki's doting father, the school chairman, but Tamaki's grandmother is cut from a very different cloth. She despises and shuns Tamaki, banning him from the main Suoh Mansion. It's now time for Kyoya to take action with the Host Club to help their favored leader out.
Review: Most of volume 6 was about the school festival. I wasn’t into that story but I did like that we got a lot of background information on Tamaki and Kyoyas’ families. The last story has the host club searching for a missing soup recipe. This story was a complete waste of space.
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September 08, 2006
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 5 by Bisco Hatori, 4
Book description: Haruhi's top ranking falls and she is in jeopardy of losing her scholarship at Ouran. Each member of the Host Club scrambles to become her tutor, but Haruhi picks a female student, Ayame, to help her. Haruhi's time is now spent with Ayame, who can't stand Tamaki. Can Tamaki charm his way into Ayame's good graces so the Host Club can spend time with their favorite member?
Review: Much better than the fourth volume. I really liked the stories about their summer vacation. Especially the one where Haruhi and Hikaru go out on a date. I love those two together. (Sorry Tamaki) The first and last stories in this volume were average but not unpleasant.
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Loveless, Vol. 2 by Yun Kouga, 3
Book description: As Ritsuka continues to mourn the loss of his older brother Seimei, he endures abuse from his mother, bullying at school, and the threat of new assassins who are targeting him. Will he be able to sort through it all and unlock the secret behind Seimei's death?
Review: This series continues to grow on me. It still doesn’t makes much sense and the ridiculous aspects of it get on my nerves. But I like the characters so I’ll stick with it for them.
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September 06, 2006
Death Note, Vol. 7 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, 2 1/2
Book description: After a high-speed chase, Light and the taskforce apprehend the newest Kira. Light regains his Death Note and his memories, and the depths of his cunning are revealed as the plans he carefully put in place before going into confinement are slowly unveiled. His masterful manipulation of both humans and Shinigami lead him to the strongest position he's yet enjoyed. But the glow of his victory is marred when a new threat appears. Can Light withstand a surprise attack on two fronts?
Review: This volume wraps up a lot of ongoing storylines. After the last few volumes I should be happy that something actually happened but everything was wrapped up in such an anticlimactic way. I found this to be completely unworthy of the series, or at least the beginning of it. A lot of new stories are started in this volume but I wish the series had just ended here. The suspense is almost completely gone and the series doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere.
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August 29, 2006
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 4 by Bisco Hatori, 3
Book description: Curious about Haruhi's standard of living, the Host Club members barge into her personal life by paying her a visit at home. While the guys do their utmost to be polite, everything they do seems to backfire, especially for poor Tamaki! On top of it all, he trips and lands on top of Haruhi--just in time for her cross-dressing father to catch them in a compromising position...
Review: I really like this series but I wish the quality was more consistent. After an excellent third volume, this one is just average. There’s one good story; the continuation of the story about Haruhi’s dad meeting the host club. The Alice in wonderland story made no sense and was a huge waste of space. All of the other stories are just average. This series seems to follow a pattern of every other volume being great so hopefully the next volume will be better.
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July 28, 2006
Death Note, Vol. 6 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata, 3
Book description: Although they've collected plenty of evidence tying the seven Yotsuba members to the newest Kira, Light, L and the rest of the taskforce are no closer to discovering which one actually possesses the Death Note. Desperate for some headway, L recruits Misa to infiltrate the group and feed them information calculated to bring Kira into the open. But the Shinigami Rem reveals to Misa who the Kiras really are, and, armed with this knowledge, Misa will do anything to help Light. But what will that mean for L...?
Review: This series is still in a rut. The third Kira story just isn’t as suspenseful as the earlier stories in this series. It could have been saved with a really cool conclusion but that was a let down as well. Hopefully, now that this story is over, the series will improve.
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July 27, 2006
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 3 by Bisco Hatori, 4
Book description: It's summer break, and the Host Club crew head to the beach, dragging our reluctant heroine with them. When Haruhi stands up to some local bullies and gets tossed into the ocean, Tamaki, the Host Club King, rescues her. But afterward, he's so mad that he won't speak to her until she apologizes. Trouble is, Haruhi can't figure out what she should be sorry for!
Review: Volume three is a big improvement over volume two. All of the stories are really entertaining and none of them seemed like filler. I especially liked the beach story and the one where the club members visited Haruhi’s house. I liked this volume so much the cluttered art didn’t even bother me. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this in my pervious reviews but the artist crams so much in a scene it can be hard to see everything. Oh well, a minor problem in a great series.
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July 10, 2006
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 2 by Bisco Hatori, 3 1/2
Book Description: The school-wide physical exam has thrown the members of the elegant Host Club for a loop. How can the doctor not discover that Haruhi is a girl?! And once the female customers learn the truth, Haruhi can kiss her job goodbye. But then life at the club will be unbearably boring if she leaves! So the guys wrack their brains for a solution....
Review: I read this volume when I was dead tired so my memory is a bit fuzzy. I really liked the story about the twins. Those two are hilarious and diabolical. Sort of like Fred and George from the Harry Potter series but more evil. I also liked the one-shot story about a girl who gives a love potion to the wrong man. Very cute. All of the other stories in this volume were average and not memorable.
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June 17, 2006
Boys Over Flowers Vol. 2 by Yoko Kamio, 4
Book deacription: Tsukushi continues to fight back against the F4 and protect an old friend who has also been given the infamous "red tag." Rui's old flame returns from France. Can Tsukushi really compete with this "perfect girl?" Meanwhile Tsukushi's resistance to the F4 seems like it might actually work!
Review: I’m really getting into this series. The love triangle between Tsukushi, Rui, and Domyoji is interesting because it’s not obvious who she’ll end up with. This manga is so good it makes me like Domyoji entirely against my will. I can’t wait to read the next volume.
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June 12, 2006
Boys Over Flowers Vol. 1 by Yoko Kamio, 3 1/2
Book description: Tsukushi Makino is accepted into the prestigious, Eitoku Academy. Life changes dramatically for Tsukushi when her friend falls on Tsukasa Domyoji. Tsukasa is the explosive leader of the "F4," a group of the most powerful, rich and handsome boys. Domyoji refuses to accept Makiko's apology and Tsukushi steps in to protect her friend. A red tag appears in the Tsukushi's locker the next morning which is a sign from the F4 that she is to be bullied by the school. Tskushi continues to stand up to her oppressors.
Review: The plot of this shojo manga is a pretty basic bullying story but it’s well done. I like the main character and I’m curious to see how her relationships with her bullies change. The art is in a pleasant shojo style but one of the characters has truly tragic hair. I’ll be reading more.
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June 04, 2006
Ouran High School Host Club, Vol 1 by Bisco Hatori, 4
Book description: One day, Haruhi, a scholarship student at exclusive Ouran High School, breaks an $80,000 vase that belongs to the "Host Club," a mysterious campus group consisting of six super-rich (and gorgeous) guys. To pay back the damages, she is forced to work for the club, and it's there that she discovers just how wealthy the boys are and how different they are from everybody else.
Review I’ve been loving this anime so I had to read the manga. This series is so hilarious! It takes every annoying cliche about shojo and shonen-ai manga and openly mocks them. At the same time, the series embraces the cliches it mocks. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard while reading a manga. I’ll be keeping up with this series.
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May 27, 2006
Descendants of Darkness, Vol. 1 by Yoko Matsushita, 3
Book description: As a Guardian of Death, Asato Tsuzuki has a lot to think about. First of all, there are all those dead people. Someone's got to escort them safely to the afterlife.
Then there's all that bureaucracy. The affairs of death come with a lot of paperwork, budgetary concerns and endless arcana.
Combining supernatural action with heavy dollops of romance, sex and humor, Descendants of Darkness proves one thing: Death is big business...and business is good!
Review: A few years ago, I saw the anime that was based on this manga, Yami no Matusei. I liked it but it never became one of my favorites. I think that’s because I never connected with the main character, Tsuzuki. That problem is present in the manga as well. He’s silly one minute and serious the next making it very hard to get a sense of who he is. I like the idea of death being handled by a sort of government of the underworld and I hope it will be fleshed out more in later volumes. What I do really like about this manga is the twisted relationship between Tsuzuki’s partner and the villain. I liked this enough to read the next volume but I’m in no big hurry.
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May 19, 2006
Death Note, Vol. 5 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata, 3 1/2
Book description: After a week locked up with no one but Ryuk for company, Light is ready to give up his Death Note and all memories of it. Freed from his past actions, Light is convinced he's innocent. But L is ready to keep Light under lock and key forever, especially since the killings stopped once Light was incarcerated. Then a new wave of Kira crimes hits Japan. Someone else has gotten their hands on a Death Note, and these new deaths aren't focused on making the world a better place, they're focused on making money. Big business can be murder, and Kira has gone corporate!
Review: This series is starting to go downhill. So many new storylines are introduced without resolving any of the old ones. Each new twist in the story is less intriguing than the last. I liked that Light erased his memories and is now investigating himself. But too much of this volume focused on the third Kira, who I could care less about. This series is still interesting but I’m afraid it’s going to become boring very soon.
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May 18, 2006
Fruits Basket Vol. 10 by Natsuki Takaya, 4 1/2
Book description: Tohru and the Sohmas are spending time at the Sohma family's summerhouse, but it's not all fun in the sun on this little trip. Akito pays a surprise visit, causing a commotion for the rest of the family at the house. Shigure takes a trip down memory lane with an old friend, remembering the days when Hatori wasn't so aloof. Meanwhile, Tohru starts thinking--what must life be like for the parents and lovers of a cursed member of the Sohma family? Can life with this family truly be happy while bearing such a burden?
Review: For the past few volumes this series has felt a little stale. But with volume 10 Fruits Basket has completely bounced back with its best installment yet! This volume has two important developments. At the Sohma summer home, Yuki begins to reveal his feelings for Tohru. It’s about time. Meanwhile, Shigure decides to meddle in Hatori’s love life when an old love interest comes back into the picture. It was nice to see Hatori less depressed than usual and I like the new character that was introduced in this story. I can’t wait to read the next volume.
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April 22, 2006
Black Cat, Vol. 1 by Kentaro Yabuki, 2
Book description: Train and his partner Sven go after a huge bounty, attempting to track down a weapons smuggler who is dealing dangerous new technology on the black market. They cross paths with an elegant thief who offers to help them, but will the alliance be fruitful, or will the burglar bring bad luck to Black Cat?
Review: Black Cat is the least original manga I’ve ever read. There’s nothing in this that hasn’t been done before or better. The main character, Train, always has a smile on his face but he’s the prefect killing machine. Much like Trigun’s Vash only without like ability or depth. Rinslet is a seductive thief but lacks the appeal of Cowboy Bebop’s Faye or Lupin the III’s Fujiko. There’s even a little girl who’s been genetically engineered to be a killer. Characters like that are a dime a dozen. Train’s partner Sven isn’t exactly original either but he’s the only character in this mess that didn’t annoy me. The plots are all basic bounty hunter plots but lack the clever twists found in Cowboy Bebop. I can see why young boys who haven’t read a lot of manga would like this but I can’t imagine why anyone else would.
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Fushigi Yugi, Vol. 3 by Yu Watase, 3 1/2
Book description: Miaka is an ordinary junior high school student who is suddenly transported into the world of a book, The Universe of the Four Gods. Surrounded by enemies with mystic power, she can only rely on her Celestial Warriors and a mysterious monk, a disciple of the oracle, to help her fulfill her quest! Miaka's best friend, Yui, also enters the book, but suffers a fate much crueler than Miaka's.
Review: The plot advances nicely in this volume. The villains of the series are revealed. Chichiri, one of Miaka’s warriors, is found. Tamahome admits his feelings for Miaka and she makes a series of very dumb decisions. I liked this volume in spite of Miaka’s too stupid to live moments because Chichiri is my favorite character in the series.
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April 20, 2006
Pet Shop of Horrors, Vol. 5 by Matsuri Akino, 4
Book description: Can the Kirin, a mythical creature of good fortune, fulfill one man's ambition of becoming President of the United States? Mayhem ensues when Leon's younger brother, Christopher, spends a day with Count D. True horror occurs when Count D comes face to face with Leon's apartment! Also, Chris meets a mysterious emerald-eyed girl whose connection to Leon's latest case is an enigma. All wrapped up with an intricate tale of dance, dancers, and dreams.
Review: I think this is the first volume of the series that didn’t have a boring story to drag it down. Leon’s little brother is introduced in this volume and I like how he fits into the series. Leon and D are definitely getting more domestic with each other. D attempts to clean Leon’s apartment which results in much hilarity. However, this is still a horror series so there’s plenty of death and destruction.
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April 19, 2006
Fushigi Yugi, Vol. 2 by Yu Watase, 3 1/2
Book description: During a pilgrimage to the oracle Tai Yi-Jun, Miaka is trapped inside a cursed mirror while her evil reflection goes free! Can Tamahome, Hotohori, and Nuriko save the real Miaka? Can Yui, now back in the real world, help her missing friend come home? When Miaka does make her way back to Tokyo, things are not as expected.
Review: Oh! Road trip! Over the course of this trip, cheesy plot devices ensue. Tamahome and Hotohori abandon all logic and I kept wanting to bang their heads together. A secret about Nuriko is revealed that results in many comedic moments. Lame but fun pretty much sums up this series.
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April 16, 2006
Fushigi Yugi, Vol. 1 by Yu Watase, 3 1/2
Book description: In this adventure, the discovery of a mysterious book transports Miaka and her best friend Yui into a strange new world reminiscent of ancient China. They set out to find and befriend seven Celestial Warriors, including dashing mercenary Tamahome and wannabe empress Nuriko. Only then can Miaka summon the power of the god Suzaku, find her true love, and get home safely.
Review:Fushigi Yugi is a mixture of time travel romance and fantasy. It’s a manga that should only be enjoyed by 16-year-old girls. I can’t help it. I still love this manga. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of my childhood. Maybe it’s temporary insanity. Who knows? The main character is very immature and the romance is like something from a bad soap opera. However. The story and the side characters are fun. I can’t believe I’m starting up this series again.
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Fruits Basket, Vol. 9 by Natsuki Takaya, 3 1/2
Book description: Finally--summer has arrived! While Tohru struggles through the bipolar days of hope and anxiety, what will happen when Yuki comes face-to-face with the new member of the student council? Meanwhile, who is that Uo-chan's hanging out with? Is she c-r-a-z-y in love? In a bonus feature, Hana-chan's past is finally disclosed! Come join the party in the 9th volume of the super-popular Fruits Basket, the world's most popular shojo manga!
Review: This volume was a little better than the last one. None of the new characters introduced were overly irritating. This volume consisted of short stories, some of which I hope will be built upon in future volumes. In the first story, Yuki meets the people who will serve under him when he’s student council president and one of them reminds him of his brother. In the next story, Uo-chan falls for a boy who reminds her of Tohru. The end of this story was particularly interesting. The third story covers Hana-chan’s life before she became friends with Tohru. It wasn’t too interesting but I guess it was Hana-chan’s turn to get a back story. The next story concern Kyo, Shishou, and the dark future the Sohma’s have planned for Kyo. The last story is a set up for the next volume when Momiji announces that they are all going to the Sohma family summer home.
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April 14, 2006
Fruits Basket Vol. 8 by Natsuki Takaya, 3
Book description: Summer is on its way, so of course Tohru and friends are excited about the upcoming vacation and field trip. But what's that sound? It's Hatsuharu going beserk in the classroom... again! Black Haru is full of more rage than usual, so what will happen when Yuki intervenes? And then there's Ritsu Sohma, whose mom Tohru met at the hot spring...but what's wrong with this kimono-wearing beauty?!
Review: The only major plot advancement in this volume was the introduction of a new Chinese zodiac character. Ritsu is a transvestite who I might have even liked if every line of his dialogue weren’t an apology. The author has really been scraping the bottom of the barrel with the latest Chinese zodiac characters. The rest of the volume is just filler. It’s enjoyable but not as good as the stories have been in the past.
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April 08, 2006
Revolutionary Girl Utena, Vol. 1 by Chiho Saito, 4
Book description: After young Utena's parents die, she wanders the streets. Just as she's about to drown herself, a prince comes to her rescue, telling her she must grow up to be a brave noblewoman. From that day on, she strives to become not a princess but a prince. Years later, she receives a mysterious rose-crested ring in the mail. Will she meet the prince again?
Review: I’ve loved the Revolutionary Girl Utena anime for a long time now so it was about time I got around to reading the manga. I love the way this series twists prince/princess roles from classic fairy tales. The manga story is similar to the anime but is different enough to add a new dimension to Utena’s character. The art is also great but I like the more stylized anime art better. If you are looking for a series that offers a new twist on traditional gender roles then Utena can’t be missed.
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Please Save My Earth, Vol. 11 by Saki Hiwatari, 3 1/2
Book description: Young Rin is the reincarnation of Shion, the alien moon base's socially dissonant engineer. Driven to protect the Earth by Shion's impassioned memories, Rin will do anything to achieve his mysterious goals. His attempts to control and manipulate fellow moon dreamer Haruhiko have culminated in a brutal psychic battle. The results have left Rin nearly comatose, unable to escape dreams of Shion's tormented past. After spending so much time reliving Shion's life, how is Rin supposed to cope with waking on Earth in a child's battered body?
Review: Yes! At last, no more flashbacks! Were back to little Rin plotting to destroy people and Isse’s gender drama. Just what I love about this series. Not a whole lot happens in this volume but I’m just thankful the flashbacks have ended.
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Please Save My Earth, Vol. 10 by Saki Hiwatari, 3
Book description: Still unconscious from his psychic battle with Haruhiko and Mikuro, Rin continues to remember more details of his difficult past life as Shion. His long-time rivalry with Gyokuran makes his assignment to the team complicated enough, but the first time he meets Mokuren he has a near-religious experience. With the apocalypse approaching, how will his animosity toward Gyokuran combine with his mixed feelings toward Mokuren?
Review: This was yet another volume entirely of flashbacks! Enough already! I’m not happy that Shion and Mokurens’ relationship is borderline rape at this point. Also, what happened at the end of this volume didn’t make sense. I love this series and I wish it would stop sucking.
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March 29, 2006
Earthian, Vol. 1 by Yun Kouga, 1 1/2
Book description: Angels are among us. They are scattered across the globe, living in our neighborhoods, observing humanity--the Earthian--in crisis...Chihaya and Kagetsuya have known each other since their days at school. They are friends...and possibly more. These two angels roam the world, compiling lists of the positive and negative traits of humanity. In the process they become involved in the lives of various humans, full of despair: An astronaut about to venture on a dangerous mission, a sorceress running from the mafia, and a mysterious artificially created human are just a few of those beings who Chihaya puts himself at risk to help, much to Kagetsuya's dismay. But after a meeting of angels, it is discovered that a dreaded disease is plaguing a growing legion of angels. Salvation possibly lies in the fallen angel Lord Seraphim--and as Chihaya and Kagetsuya search to find him, he turns up in the most unlikely of places...
Review: I liked the premise of Earthian but there was so much wrong about this manga. The story was not told in any sort of logical order that I could discern. The plot jumped forwards and backwards in time with no warning or reason. The side characters were so poorly written that I never understood their motivations. The character design were so generic that I could not tell the blonde characters apart, and there were a lot of blonde characters. The romance between the main characters could be interesting if 90% of their conversations weren’t about food. I kind of want to see where the romance is going but I don’t think I could subject myself to more of this mess.
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March 21, 2006
Cantarella, Vol. 1 by You Higuri, 3 1/2
Book description: From birth, Cesare Borgia is surrounded by shadows. Damned by his own father and driven by the demons, his quest for power threatens to set the world of Renaissance Italy ablaze - unless one innocent person can drive away the poisonous shadows ravaging him! Enter the world of the Borgias, a world of unspeakable conspiracies and forbidden desires. A family whose murderous intrigues would make them infamous throughout history. A history written in blood... and a poison called Cantarella.
Review: I was surprised to see that Cantarella was written by the same author as Gorgeous Carat because the problems I had with that manga aren’t present here. The plotting is tight and I loved that it’s set in renaissance Italy and based on real people. The characterization is quite interesting because I have no clue if the main character is going to end up good or bad. Anyone who likes a good, dark historical tale should give this a try.
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Loveless, Vol. 1 by Yun Kouga, 2
Book description: The mystery behind the death of his older brother was just the beginning...When 12-year-old Ritsuka discovers a posthumous message from his brother indicating he was murdered, he becomes involved in a shadowy world of spell battles and secret names. Together with the mysterious Soubi, the search to find Seimei's killer and uncover the truth begins! But in a world where mere words have unbelievable power, how can you find true friendship and happiness when your very name is Loveless?
Review: This manga starts out really bad. There’s too much info dumping and none of it manes any sense. I put this manga down after the first chapter and intended not to pick it up again. But my friend loves this series so much I decided to give it another chance. I was surprised to find that the manga does get a little better. Not a whole lot of explanation about what’s going on is given but I understood enough to follow the story. The art is nice too. The color pages have interesting designs. I do not like that every girl appears to be crazy or stupid but boy’s love manga isn’t know for having great female characters anyway. I want to see where all of this is going so I’ll probably give the series another try.
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March 18, 2006
Gorgeous Carat, Vol. 1 by You Higuri, 3
Book description: Welcome to turn-of-the-century Paris! Ball gowns swirl, champagne corks pop, and precious jewels sparkle all around the city--and in the amethyst eyes of one particular young man...Meet Florian, the only son of an impoverished noble family. When his family's 120-carat Flame of Mughal goes missing, Florian teams up with the stunning, mysterious Ray Balzac Courland to track down the dazzling gem. But the trail of clues leads the duo to an abandoned castle--and a deadly secret! A boys' love action-romance set on magnificent streets of gay Paree, Gorgeous Carat follows the swashbuckling adventures of Ray and Florian as they battle crime lords, backstabbing family members, and a possible attraction to each other.
Review: Gorgeous Carat is a gay manga built mostly out of historical romance novel cliches. There’s something I find very amusing about that. The art is quite pretty too but it’s not very original. I did not like that the characterization is far too shallow and a lot of the plot twists aren’t even logical. Oh well, it was a fun read and I liked it enough to try one more volume.
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March 17, 2006
Death Note, Vol. 4 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata, 4
Book description: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects-and he's bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light loose sight of his noble goal...or his life?
With two Kiras on the loose, L asks Light to join the taskforce and pose as the real Kira in order to catch the copycat. L still suspects Light and figures that this is the perfect excuse to get closer to his quarry. Light agrees to the plan in order to have free access to the taskforce resources. But when Light manages to contact the new Kira, he discovers his rival is anything but as expected. Will Light escape from love unscathed?
Review: This is yet another good volume in the series. With the addition of a second Kira, the suspense is back. The second Kira is usually the sort of character I can’t stand but she didn’t bother me that much. Once again, the end left me wanting to read more.
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March 11, 2006
Please Save My Earth, Vol. 9 by Saki Hiwatari, 3
Book description:Are the woes of the present meant to be endured for the promise of a better future or to atone for past wrongs? The singularly unique concept behind Please Save My Earth turns the everyday lives of its characters into a captivating epic of love, fate and faith.
After a psychic battle in Kyoto, all the combatants are wounded—with Rin sustaining the most severe injuries. The physical and mental trauma has unlocked a Pandora’s box of memories, causing Rin to relive some of Shion’s most painful moments. Between his tragic childhood and psychic powers, Shion grew into an isolated, detached youth. What will be revealed by his formative years and his eventual trip to observe the Earth from the Moon?
Review: I’m disappointed that this volume is entirely flashbacks. The flashbacks are nice but I’m much more interested in the present time characters. Anyway, I liked learning more about Shion and Gyokurans’ complex friendship and seeing how all the moon characters met.
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January 27, 2006
Death Note Vol. 3 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, 
Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and bored out of his mind! But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, and notebook dropped by a rougue shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal... or his life?
Light is chafing under L’s Extreme surveillance, but even 64 microphones and cameras hidden in his room aren’t enough to stop Light. He steps up the game, but before the battle of wits can really begin, a family emergency distracts him. But even though Light isn’t using the Death Note right now, someone else is! Who’s the new “Kira” in town?
In this volume, L attends Light’s college and befriends Light in order to investigate him. With Light and L somewhat aware of who each other are, the manga lost some of it’s suspense. But the twist at the end got me back into it. As always, I’m eagerly anticipating the next volume.
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January 16, 2006
Fruits Basket Vol. 7 by Natsuki Takaya, 
Tohru and company have been having a lot more fun ever since Kisa came to visit. Now it's time for Tohru to meet another member of the Zodiac--the skillfully sarcastic grade-school student, Hiro! One way or another, this tyke will have to deal with his resentment of Tohru and his affection for Kisa!
The first story introduces a new child character. I could care less about all of the young children and this one actively irritates me with his bratty attitude. The middle story is a flashback of how Torhu and her friend Uo-chan met. This story was cute and enjoyable. The last story is about the Prince Yuki fan club. I hate these girls. They’re a waste of space. Not the best volume but worth reading for the middle part.
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January 14, 2006
Fruits Basket Vol. 6 by Natsuki Takaya, 
Delving into the recesses of Kyo's past, we find the Sohma trio returning home on a rainy day. There a mysterious man who has known Kyo for a long time meets them. Trust, loyalty and the bonds of family and friendship are tested, as Tohru must help Kyo deal with the "monsters" that he's been trying to avoid.
In the first part of this volume we meet Kyo’s karate teacher and we learn Kyo’s darkest secret. I liked the father/son relationship between Kyo and his teacher. The aftermath of Kyo’s secret is very emotional. I’m not so fond of the excessive amount of Kagura in this story but even she couldn’t ruin it for me. The second part is a fun story where Yuki is talked into visiting his brother’s fetish clothing store. The humor in this story balances out the drama of the first story nicely. All in all, a very good volume with few dull moments.
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January 06, 2006
Fruits Basket, Vol. 5 by Natsuki Takaya,
The Sohma household takes to the lake for a vacation at their summerhouse. However, the peaceful silence is deafening, as Yuki and Kyo are once again not on speaking terms. Will Tohru's klutzy kindness get the dueling duo back to their old cat-and-mouse antics once again?
I love the first part of this manga where the Sohma family goes on vacation. But I like any story where Shigure, Hatori, and Ayame are heavily featured. The second story is pretty cute and a new Sohma is introduced. The third story has Yuki’s fanclub trying to destroy Tohru’s friend to get to her. I could have done without that story. The last story is another cute one where the boys take care of Tohru when she gets sick. Though Kagura is on the cover, she’s not actually in any of the stories which is a good thing. This is another solid volume in the Fruits Basket series.
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January 02, 2006
Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 2 by Clamp,
In his quest to protect Tokyo from the spirits, Subaru drifts off to the dream world where he encounters Mitsuki, a mysterious childhood friend with a secret. Meanwhile, Subaru’s twin sister, Hokuto, tries to help a girl who is in need of something very important—a friend.
Tokyo Babylon was my favorite manga when I was a teenager and I still love it today. Volume two is fairly short and only contains two stories. Both stories were pretty good and Hokuto is finally given the spotlight in the second story. There isn’t a lot of Seishiro in this volume though. I love the art. The character designs are classic Clamp and since this is one of their older titles, the artwork hasn’t gotten cluttered yet. I love the wacky clothing designs as well.
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December 28, 2005
Death Note, vol. 2 by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata,
Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and bored out of his mind! But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, and notebook dropped by a rougue shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal... or his life?
Light thinks he’s put an end to his troubles with the FBI—by using the Death Note to kill off the FBI agents working the case in Japan! But one of the agents has a fiancee who use to work in the Bureau, and now she’s uncovered information that could lead to Light’s capture. To make matters worse, L has emerged from the shadows to work directly with the task force headed by Light’s father. With people Pursuing him from every direction, will Light get caught in the conflux?
Death Note continues to be engrossing. In this volume, Light proves that he is as willing to kill innocent people as he is criminals. Also, some new characters are introduced and Light’s enemies get organized. I can’t really say anything about this one that I haven’t already said about the first one. Can’t wait for volume 3.
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December 09, 2005
Death Note, vol. 1 by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata,
Book description: Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects - and bored out of his mind! But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, and notebook dropped by a rougue shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal... or his life?
Review: Finally a new manga that I don’t feel like I’ve read its plot a dozen other times. The story of this one is interesting for so many reasons. The moral ambiguity of Light’s decisions, his conflict with an enemy he doesn’t know, and his strange relationship with the Shinigami all create a layered plot that had me eagerly turning the pages. Light is a rarity in manga, an non-whiney teenage main character. I’m thankful for that because the whiney teenager epidemic has caused me to give up on many otherwise enjoyable manga. The art in this title is fantastic too. I can’t wait to see where this series is headed.
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October 30, 2005
Pet Shop of Horrors, vol. 4 by Matsuri Akino,
Book description: Welcome to Chinatown! During your visit, be sure to stop by Count D's pet shop, where love and dreams are sold in the form of mythical creatures...but not without a catch. The buyer must adhere to a set of rules, which if broken, may result in death...or worse.
Digital
On firm orders from his chief, Leon reluctantly takes a murder witness, a tropical fish, to Count D in the hopes that the creepy pet shop owner will be able to extract any information. The count's seemingly supernatural ways have always been fishy to Leon, but the detective is going to have to scale back his skepticism if he's going to reel in his man.
Dark Horse
Count D falls in love with beauty in all its myriad forms, she when the eyes of a championship horse stir the fires of his aesthetic, he offers the owner things monetary and magical.
Dracula
When Count D fits the victim profile for a local serial killer, Leon and an FBI agent are assigned to protect him. So what will working so close to the count mean to he and Leon's love/hate relationship?
Review: Digital was pretty boring but the twist at the end was interesting. Dark Horse is probably my least favorite story in the entire series so far. It was very boring. The Flower and the Detective Parts 1 & 2 were a couple of short stories where D messes with Leon's head using plants. They were much better than Digital and Dark Horse but still not up to the series standards. Dracula is the only good story in this volume. It was kind of all over the place but Leon bonding with the vampire was a stand out scene.
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October 23, 2005
Please Save My Earth, vol. 8 by Saki Hiwatari,
Book description: Are the woes of the present meant to be endured for the promise of a better future or to atone for past wrongs? The singularly unique concept behind Please Save My Earth turns the everyday lives of its characters into a captivating epic of love, fate and faith
Young Psychic Haruhiko has unknowingly failed to intercept his revealing letter to Tamura. The letter convinces Mrs. Yakushimaru to allow her sons, including the psychic Mikuro, to aid Tamura. But when Mikuro mysteriously slips Haruhiko a warning, Haruhiko thinks he?s Rin?s ally. Once he sees the note, Rin calls out Tamura and Mikuro. Into the middle of the resulting psychic battle enters Haruhiko. Can he convince Rin to stop? Will his diseased heart survive if he doesn?t?
Review: This volume was much more interesting than the last one. Most of it is a flashback to Shion?s childhood as a war orphan and a lot about his relationship with Gyokuran is revealed. I liked learning about Shion?s past but I kept wishing the story would go back to the action in the present.
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Fruits Basket, vol. 4 by Natsuki Takaya,
Book description: When the infamous Akito makes an in-class appearance at the start of the school year, the Sohma family worries that his arrival will be an uncensored exercise of show-and-tell about Yuki's past. Meanwhile, when Ayame vows to rekindle his brothers' lost friendship, he begins to realize that you can choose your friends but you can't choose your family--especially when they're acting like anmals!
Review: This was a really good volume. In the first part, Momiji and Haru start school with the others but the fun ends when Akito shows up. Haru?s antics with the student president were hilarious and we learn a little about why Yuki is so afraid of Akito. Next up we meet Yuki?s brother, Ayame, and learn about their strained relationship. I loved reading the stories about Ayame, Shigure, and Hatori in high school. That was one of my favorite parts of the series so far. The third part is a rather sad story about Momiji?s family. The volume ends with Tohru and her friends going to visit her mother?s grave.
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Please Save My Earth, vol. 7 by Saki Hiwatari,
Book description: Are the woes of the present meant to be endured for the promise of a better future or to atone for past wrongs? The singularly unique concept behind Please Save My Earth turns the everyday lives of its characters into a captivating epic of love, fate and faith
The others are remembering their passwords and growing suspicious of ?Shion.? Rin?s cancellation of his engagement to Alice has caused her to consider that she might be Mokuren. Everything?s going according to Rin?s plan...or so he thinks! Tamura?s connections are beginning to come into play. His friend?s psychic brother, Mikuro, has paid a visit to Haruhiko, leaving him a mysterious warning about the physical strain of teleporting. What harm might come from his benign advice?
Review: This volume started out great. We learned more of Rin?s thoughts and Alice almost figured something out. But the rest of the volume was just Rin threatening various dull characters. As much as I love Rin singing creepy nursery rhymes and threatening to drop rocks on people, this volume just didn?t hold my interest. I loved the drawing of Rin as the phantom of the opera on the title page though.
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October 15, 2005
Pet Shop of Horrors, vol. 3 by Matsuri Akino,
Book description: Welcome to Chinatown! During your visit, be sure to stop by Count D?s pet shop, where love and dreams are sold in the form of mythical creatures...but not without a catch. The buyer must adhere to a set of rules, which if broken, may result in death...or worse.
Diamonde:
Officer Orcot is charged with protecting a marked woman, but even Orcot never would have expected the Count to be the assassin.
Desire:
Young Maggie is bored with her dog. When Count D offers her an exchange, will Maggie grow tired of it as well...or will the pet tire of her new master?
Dessert:
A string of high profile disappearances has Officer Orcot hobnobbing with the city?s elite, but after catching the count in their midst, his list of suspects is shortened to one name.
Devil:
After a chance meeting seems to stir up long-forgotten memories in an old woman, Count D begins to wonder whether ignorance is bliss in this emotionally moving and dramatic story.
Review: Diamonde was a pretty blah story. Only worth reading for the bits about D?s grandfather and seeing the Count rob a sperm bank.
Desire was a solid story typical of this series. A seriously flawed little girl learns a lesson from her pet.
Dessert was really fun. In it, D gets mixed up with stoners, socialites, and cannibals. Hilarious.
I loved Devil?s story but it could have been a lot better if it were fleshed out a bit more.
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August 19, 2005
Fruits Basket, vol. 3 by Natsuki Takaya,
Book Description: Its Valentines Day and you know what that meanslots of chocolates for the cutest boys at school! In this case its a pretty close tie between hot-headed Kyo Sohma and "Prince Charming" Yuki Sohma. Of course the kind-hearted Tohru, guest of the Sohma family, has chocolates for everyone! But when White Day comes around, what will the Sohma family give her in return?
Review: In this volume, a new character is introduced, Shigure gets really cryptic, and Momijis diabolical side is revealed. I love the stuff with Shigure since hes my favorite character. Actually every chapter in this volume is good except the last one, which is a bit dull. This volume is more of the same oddly appealing sweetness found in the first two.
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August 11, 2005
Battle Angel Alita, vol. 1 by Yukito Kishiro,
Book Description: When Doc Ido, a talented cyberphysician, finds Alita's head in a junk heap, she has lost all memory of her past life. But when he reconstructs her, she discovers her body still instinctively remembers the Panzer Kunst, the most powerful cyborg fighting technique ever known. In the postapocalyptic world of the Scrapyard, as the secrets of Alita's past unfold, each day is a struggle for survival.
Review: Battle Angel Alita is one of the few manga I enjoy today almost as much as I did when I was a teenager. I love the idea of this series and its well executed, especially in the earlier volumes. The first volume does a decent job in setting up the series. Its fast paced so theres never a dull moment but I felt this rushed some of the character development too much. The art is good and I love Alitas quirky character design. If you like manga with sci-fi setting or female action heroes Battle Angel Alita is a cant miss series.
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August 10, 2005
Here is Greenwood, vol. 2 by Yukie Nasu,
Book Description: The head resident of Greenwood dorm, Mitsuru Ikeda, has been kidnaped by men dressed in black wearing dark gasses and riding in a jet-black expensive car! But standing right next to him when he is kidnapped was cute, girlish Shun Kisaragi, the child of a wealthy and powerful company president! Why would anyone kidnap Mitsuru, whose favorite meal is whatever is on next-door dormmate Kazuya Hasukawas plate? Any why is Shun the only one who seems to care that Mitsuru is gone?
Review: In Headache Nemesis, Shinobus crazy sister kidnaps Mitsuru in an attempt to make her brother suffer. Love this story. Its this kind of all out insanity that keeps me reading this series.
Boy Meets Boy is a boys love story about a couple of side characters. It was cute but if you read boys love manga youve seen 100 stories like this.
The Japanese Summer is Here reintroduces all the character and basic story line of the manga. It was dull and if youve read the first volume you dont need to read it.
In Poolside Man, a lifeguard gets a crush on Shun but doesnt realize Shun is a boy. Ok, Shun looks like a girl. We get it already.
In The True Love of a Brother, Mitsuru leaves Hasukawa in charge of the dorm but things go awry when Shuns little brother shows up. It was nice finding out more about Shuns family but this story was kind of a dull note to end the volume on.
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August 04, 2005
Pet Shop of Horrors, vol. 2 by Matsuri Akino,
Book Description: Welcome to Chinatown! During your visit, be sure to stop by Count Ds pet shop, where love and dreams are sold in the form of mythical creatures...but not without a catch. The buyer must adhere to a set of rules, which if broken, may result in death...or worse.
Dragon
When a common turtle egg is switched with a dragons, Count D and Detective Orcot rush to stop a Christmas surprise form turning into a disaster.
Dice
Luck be a kitten named Lady tonight. Can a brush with Count D turn around the life of one small-time gambler?
Delicious
The fish that Ethan Grey just purchased from Count D bears a striking resemblance to his recently drowned wife. A coincidence...or a ghost?
Destruction
After Leon falls asleep on the job, D visits him in his dream to give him a lesson in ecology.
Review: Dragon was a humorous D and Leon team up story that was a nice break from the gruesome stories in the first volume.
Dice was a cute and light-hearted but a little bland.
Delicious was a return to the typical kind of story told in this series. Not a bad story but Ive seen the anime episode based on this story too many times for it to still be interesting.
Destruction was my favorite story in this volume. D and Leon go on an acid trip together to visit extinct species. It was one of those stories that illustrate D and Leons completely different beliefs and thought processes. It is those differences between the main characters and how they reach tentative understandings that keep this series interesting.
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February 07, 2005
Mars, vol. 4 by Fuyumi Soryo, 7
Book Description: Just when things are beginning to heat up between Kira and Rei, Reis old girlfriend shows up and confesses that she never stopped loving him. When Rei tells her not to come around again, she walks into traffic and Rei is forced to rescue her. His act of heroism only intensifies her obsession, and soon the exiled ex refuses to get out of bed or eat until Rei agrees to see her. When Kira tries to give him some girlfriendly advice on the matter, Rei lashes out at her and reduces her to tears. Emotions continue to escalate until the anniversary of Seis death, when repressed memories are unearthed and hidden secrets reveled.
Review: This volume is a nice addition to the series and I liked it a bit more than the last. We find out some more about Rei and Seis past when some old friends are introduced. I enjoyed finding out more about Reis past but his ex is highly annoying. I hope we dont see too much of her in future volumes but thats probably too much to ask.
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February 06, 2005
Mars, vol. 3 by Fuyumi Soryo, 6 1/2
Book Description: Although Kira and Rei are opposites in every way, their bond just keeps getting stronger and stronger. Rei finally trusts Kira enough to take her to the racetrack to watch him ride his beloved motorcycle. Just when Kira and Reis romance is getting hot and heavy, Rei is called away to ride in the race of his life, the Suzuka 8-endurance. Kira would give anything to be there to support him, but her mom forbids her to go along. As Kira roots for him across the miles, Rei fights his way to the finish line in this mile-a-minute manga.
Review: This volume had its moments but I just couldnt get into all the racing stuff. Oh well.
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January 16, 2005
Mars, vol. 2 by Fuyumi Soryo, 7 1/2
Book Description: Rei promised Kira that he would protect her from anything and everything, but he never knew how soon his chance would come. When a conniving classmate steals Kiras original painting, Rei quickly stands up for her, but his efforts are hardly rewarded. He gets kicked out of school, and now it looks like he might become a permanent dropout. Suddenly, good girl Kira finds herself in the middle of a bad situation. Shell need more than a little luck if she ever wants to rescue Rei and salvage her hopes for a future romance.
Review: Im really starting to get into this manga. I love that it moves slowly enough to build a multi-layered romance between the main characters. The art is among some of the best Ive seen in any manga and it really gives the story atmosphere. I cant wait to get more of this from the library.
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January 15, 2005
Suikoden III, vol. 2 by Aki Shimizu, 8
Book Description: After the massacre of their village, the surviving members of the Karaya clan take refuge in the caves of the Lizard clan. As more is learned about the mysterious assassination of Zepon, the Lizard clan leader, Hugo, the Chieftains son arrives. Though young Hugo survived the dangerous mission, his best friendand his innocenceboth died on Zexen swords. Now, the once happy-go-lucky lad is filled with a terrible resolve to avenge the death of his friend!
Review: In the second volume, the focus shifts heavily toward Chris. Since she is my favorite of the main characters I enjoyed this volume more than the first. Fans of the video game will be interested in knowing that Thomas makes his first appearance in this volume as well. The art is really starting to grow on me as well. I though it bland at first but the characters expressions in particular really stand out in this volume. I also love how the artist incorporates some of the less important characters into the background art. For people who havent played the game this manga is based on, it may be a bit difficult to remember who all these characters are. (There are 108 recruit able characters in the game) But if you are looking for a manga that shows multiple sides of a conflict, without demonizing any one side, you will most likely enjoy this series.
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January 08, 2005
Kare Kano, vol. 1 by Masami Tsuda, 7 1/2
Book Description: Yukino Miyazawa has it all prefect grades, looks, the admiration of her peers. Shes the #1 student at her school...at least she was until he showed up. The new boy, Soichiro Arima, one-ups her in every department. And the worst thing about it is that hes sincere! With her ego in jeopardy, Yukino will do whatever it takes to regain the spotlight, but falling in love was never part of the plan.
Review:This is a pretty good shojo manga. The characters are all likeable and have believable personality flaws. Its just a really likeable romantic comedy without a lot of heavy drama. Theres another story at the end about a girl who thinks shes ugly until the class bad boy becomes her friend. Thats a really cute story that I ended up liking almost as much as the rest of the manga. Anyone who likes shojo manga will like this and Ill probably be reading more of it.
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December 26, 2004
Fake vol. 3 by Sanami Matoh, 8
Book Description: Ryo and Dee are two New York City cops with an attraction for action and each other! Working the beat of the 27th Precinct, they are on the hunt for an easily roused serial killer who doesnt mix business with pleasure he murders women who look like prostitutes, and the tally of victims is mounting. Add to the mix Police Commissioner Berkeley, who has also set his sights on Ryo; Diana Spacey, a sexy female FBI agent willing to put her life on the line; and a drug lord who is one step ahead of the police... and youve got the makings for a hot-blooded climax.
Just when the case looks to be too tough to crack, Diana suddenly becomes the object of the killers desire. Can the gang untangle the serial killers web before she becomes the next victim?
Review: Act eight takes up the bulk of the volume. A character we met in the previous volume, Berkeley Rose, has an expanded role in this one. He brings a lot of tension to the manga in the form of a live triangle because hes a slightly more serious contender for Ryos affections than JJ is for Dees. Berkeley brings along his childhood friend, FBI agent Diana Spacey. I question her judgement in dressing like a hooker while hunting a serial killer who targets hookers but other than that I really liked her and look forward to seeing more of her in future volumes. The cop drama in this act is pretty much like it is in every other act, interesting enough but secondary to character development.
Act nine is a short one where Ryo remembers the first time he spent Christmas eve alone. This one gave us a lot of background on Ryos character and had a sweet ending. Im glad I read it right before Christmas.
Act ten is another Bikky and Carol story where they get new friends and take on some gang members. It was enjoyable enough but I didnt like it as much as some of the other Bikky and Carol acts.
All in all, another great installment that does a lot to expand the cast of characters. If you like yaoi manga and havent looked into FAKE yet you really should.
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December 19, 2004
Maison Ikkoku, vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi, 7
Book Description: The story of a Boy, a Girl, and the Drunks Who Live to Interfere... Bashful college student Yusaku is madly in Love with beautiful Kyoko, the widowed manager of his apartment building, the comfortably shabby Maison Ikkoku. As Yusaku, and handsome tennis coach Shun vie for Kyoko's affections, the other Maison Ikkoku residents -- a motley crew of volatile personalities -- can't resist meddling in their affairs.
Review: Maison Ikkoku is by Rumiko Takahashi who brought us Ranma 1/2 (which I love) and Inu-Yasha (which bores the heck out of me) Very cute romantic comedy that held my interest throughout. Ill probably read more of this if the library gets more in. If you are looking for a romantic comedy that just might appeal to men as well as women then this manga is a good bet.
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December 03, 2004
Please Save my Earth, vol. 6 by Saki Hiwatari, 8
Book Description: Tamura has taken Takashi to the relative safety of Kyoto, leaving Haruhiko to fend for himself against Rins not so tender mercies. As promised, Haruhiko bravely confesses the sins of his past life and explains everything in a letter to Tamura. When Rin threatens Tamura, Haruhiko teleports to Kyoto in an attempt to intercept the letter. Although Haruhikos desperation strikes a sympathetic chord in Takashi, Tamura gets the reveling letter before it can be torn apart.
Having succeeded in convincing the others that Haruhiko is the reincarnation of Shion, Rin is eager to move forward with his plans. To destroy the moon base and all traces of the potentially Earth-devastating past, Rin needs the others computer passwords. Hes willing to do anything to get to them, even arrange a date with Shion and his fiancee Alice.
Review: This is the best volume in the series in a long while. The book description actually describes the events that took place in the pervious volume. In fact, Haruhiko and Tamura are barely present in this volume, which was crucial to my enjoyment of it as I find them boring. Actually, there wasnt much plot development in this volume at all. The volume concentrates more on character development. Rins emotional outburst leads Alice to reconsider that she could be the reincarnation of Mokuren. This volume also features the first flashbacks occurring on the aliens home planet.
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November 26, 2004
Until the Full Moon, vol. 1 by Sanami Matoh, 6 1/2
Book Description: Marlo has a problem. On the night of the full moon, this half-werewolf, half-vampire undergoes a mysterious and terrifying transformation: He turns into a girl. Desperate for a cure, his parents call on Doctor Vincent, a long time family friend. But Marlo wants to keep his condition secret from Vincent's son, the vampire playboy David. Unfortunately, the secret gets out, and a new problem surfaces: David is interested in Marlo's female form! If a remedy can't be found, their parents believe the next best solution is marriage - a marriage between Marlo and David!
Review: Two volume shonen-ai manga from the creator of Fake. Normally magical gender bending annoys me in shonen-ai stories, mostly because its rarely done well. This manga really isnt an exception to that although it is more tolerable than usual. Actually the book description is a bit misleading since David seems equally attracted to Marlos male and female forms. Anyway, this manga is enjoyable enough and Sanami Matohs art is lovely as always. Theres really only one thing that keeps me from really liking this. David and Marlo fall in love way too fast, even for a two volume manga. They supposedly fell in love as children but not too much information is given on that. Still, shonen-ai fans will find something to like here. Ill be reading the second volume.
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November 17, 2004
Here is Greenwood, vol. 1 by Yukie Nasu, 7
Book Description: If 15-year-old Kazuya Hasukawa's stomach wasn't perforated in a car accident, it would have been perforated by an ulcer! The woman he loves just married his older brother, and worse, he is bringing her home to live with them! Kazuya is forced out of the house, and the only option is to enter the exclusive all-male boarding school, Ryokuto Academy, more popularly known as "Greenwood." But the car accident laid Kazuya up for quite some time, so he missed a little over a month of school! And because Kazuya arrived at school late, he is introduced to his new roommate in the last available room-Shun Kisaragi, the cutest girl in the guy's dorm!
Review: I saw the Here is Greenwood anime years ago and liked its quirky characters and offbeat humor. I never thought wed see the manga in the US because the anime wasnt overly popular but Im glad I was wrong. The first volume introduces us to Kazuya Hasukawa, an average teenage boy who moves into an all boys dorm. What he didnt know was that his fellow dorm mates are insane. An ok start to a series but I hope it gets better as it goes along. The manga was a bit hard to follow at times which is something Ive noticed with other Viz titles. Im really interested in learning about some of the other characters so Ill be sure to keep reading. If you like school dramas but are sick of all the flowery romance this is a title you want to check out.
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November 12, 2004
Fake, vol. 2 by Sanami Matoh, 8
Book Description: Meet Ryo and Dee, two New York City cops with an attraction for action and each other! This time, Dee and Ryo go on their first vacation together, but their break from crime-fighting doesnt last long. When the duo encounters a corpse, theyre forced to answer questions from local police, and soon discover that four Japanese people have recently been murdered there. Officer Berkeley Rose seeks their help. When JJ, Bikky, and Carol show up, it appears that one of their group might be the killers next target. With a lot of skill and a little luck, Dee and Ryo will be able to solve this murder mystery before another life is lost! Later, Dee takes Ryo to visit the orphanage he grew up in. When a bomb explodes and seriously injures the nun who raised him, Dee will stop at nothing to find the perpetrator and get even. Its up to Ryo to stop Dee before his lust for revenge leads to murder.
Review: Another highly entertaining volume. Act five is the story the anime was based on. Since Ive seen the anime too many times, this read through was a little dull. Still a fine story though. In act six we get to learn a little about Dees past. Great story. My favorite in the volume. Act 7 is another Bikky and Carol story where Bikky saves Carol from thugs when her date runs off. Some people dont like the Bikky and Carol acts but I enjoy them. The kids are just so amusingly bratty. Anyway, not my favorite volume in the series but still well worth my time.
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November 11, 2004
Pet Shop of Horrors, vol. 1 by Matsuri Akino, 8 1/2
Book Description: Welcome to Chinatown! During your visit, be sure to stop by Count Ds pet shop, where love and dreams are sold in the form of mythical creatures - but not without a catch. The buyer must adhere to a set of rules, which if broken, may result in death... or worse.
Review: This is one of my favorite manga. Its a series of gothic horror stories connected together by a pet shop, its mysterious proprietor, and the detective investigating him. If you like horror manga and dont mind shonen-ai undertones, this series is a must have.
The first story in this collection, Dream, is about a spoiled girl who buys an exotic bird so she can be the envy of her friends. It does a good job of setting up the series and the gruesome pattern the stories often take.
The second, Despair, features a has been actor whos reptile obsession leads him to purchase a beautiful medusa-like creature. This story is very bittersweet which is another thing this manga does well. It also introduces Count Ds arch nemesis/friend/love interest, detective Leon Orcot.
The next is Daughter, which is about a couple who buy a pet that looks exactly like their dead daughter but D swears its just a rabbit. This one goes a little overboard but I still like the basic story behind it.
Finally, Dreizehn revolves around a blind girl who gets a guard dog to protect her from whoever murdered her parents. This sweet story is actually one of the lighter ones in the series.
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November 04, 2004
Only the Ring Finger Knows by Satoru Kannagi (Illustrator), Hotaru Odagiri, 8
Book Description: At Wataru Fujii's high school, it's all the rage to wear paired rings with the girl you love. Wataru wears one though he is single, and one day inadvertently discovers that his ring pairs up with that of tall, handsome, and smart Yuichi Kazuki, the senior classman idolized by the entire school. Though Kazuki has a reputation for being kind to all, when dealing with Wataru, he is strangely harsh. Their paired rings somehow draw them together and the two alternately clash and attract, as they must sort out their budding feelings for each other.
Review: Cute little yaoi manga that manages to avoid many of the more annoying cliches of the genre. The plot was a bit cheesy at first but it turns out to be basic but well done. The main character thinks his love interest is a jerk but he begins to have feelings for him and wonders if those feelings are returned. The art is pretty but not really anything special. This manga was based on a series of books and if the books were ever translated (Im not holding my breath) Id read them. This one is a must have for fans of yaoi manga.
Update:The company that released this manga is considering publishing the novels as well. They have a petition on their website to gauge interest. If you want to see the novels published then go sign the petition. You can find the petition here.
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September 28, 2004
Eerie Queerie, vol. 4 by Shuri Shiozu, 5 1/2
Book Description: Mitsuo discovers his streetcar just might be named 'Desire' when he's overcome by a longing to get closer to Hasanuma. However, his can't act on his feelings once his parents announce that they're moving. Desperate to stay, Mitsuo is forced to get a job -- but he can only find employment as a French maid! And when his boss starts falling for him, work becomes les miserable!
Review: Didnt this series use to be about ghosts? If so, there was no evidence of it or any other plot in this volume. In the last volume of this series, it has been reduced to your average romantic comedy, complete with love triangles and numerous misunderstandings. Its an ok read if you like mindless shonen-ai manga but I cant really say Im sorry this series is over.
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August 31, 2004
Fake, vol. 1 by Sanami Matoh, 8
Book Description: Ryo and Dee, two of New York City's finest, are called in to investigate the activities of some two bit street punk. The operation goes south rather quickly when Dee is kidnapped and Ryo must put all of his skill and training to the test to get his partner back in one piece. Their partnership is on the line as electrified emotions raise questions within them that are hard to ignore.
Review: This series features hot gay cops which should be reason enough to buy it. All joking aside, Fake is one of my favorite manga series. I love the way Dee and Ryos relationship develops over time. The stories are enjoyable even though most of them arent very realistic. If you are looking for a more serious yaoi manga this is a good place to start.
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August 24, 2004
Bleach, vol. 1 by Tite Kubo, 7
Book Description: Ichigo Kurosaki has always been able to see ghosts, but this ability doesn't change his life nearly as much as his close encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a shinigami and member of the mysterious Soul Society. While fighting a Hollow, an evil spirit that preys on humans who display psychic energy, Rukia attempts to lend Ichigo some of her powers so that he can save his family, but much to her surprise, Ichigo absorbs every last drop of her energy. Now a full-fledged shinigami himself, Ichigo quickly learns that the world he inhabits is one full of dangerous spirits, and along with Rukia, who is slowly regaining her powers, it's Ichigo's job to both protect the innocent from Hollows and to help the spirits themselves find peace.
Review: I dont read shonen too often but I liked this. The plot is engrossing and is backed up by equally interesting characters. Dont let the goth sounding summary put you off. The emotional goth stuff is kept to a minimum. The art is very appealing as well. The series is worth a try for the art alone. Ill most likely be reading more of this.
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August 19, 2004
Mars, Vol. 1 by Fuyumi Soryo, 6 1/2
Book Description: Popular Rei and shy Kira are worlds apart, until one fateful day brings them together. Rei stumbles upon Kira in the harassing hands of her sleazy art teacher and saves the quiet girl from his clutches. And when the jock plants a kiss on a statue of Mars in the studio, Kira finds herself drawn in and even summons up the nerve to ask him to model for her but problems already lurk on the horizon. Vicious upperclassman Harumi has had her sights set on Rei for a long time, and is not about to let go now. One of the most popular teen girl manga series in Japan, Mars is a drama that will meet the demand of the growing female comic-reading market.
Review: I wasnt sure I was going to like this. It looks like just your typical shojo and I out grew those a long time ago. There isnt a huge manga selection at my library so I got it anyway and was pleasantly surprised. The major appeal of this manga is the two main characters. They arent cliches and they are likeable! There wasnt a whole lot of plot in the first volume and its mostly character driven. The art is absolutely lovely. Ill probably read more of this if I can get it from the library.
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August 10, 2004
Fruits Basket, Vol. 2 by Natsuki Takaya, 7 1/2
Book Description: Ever since Tohru Honda discovered the Zodiac secret of the Sohma clan, her eyes have been opened to a world of magic and wonder. But with such a great secret comes great responsibility. When her best friends Hana-chan and Uo-chan come to the Sohma house for a sleepover, Tohru has her work cut out for her keeping the "Cat" in the bag and the "Dog" on a leash.
Review: This series is kind of odd. Its overly sentimental without being cheesy. I dont know how it pulls that off but it does. Anyway, this volume is just more of the same kind of stuff from the first volume but with some interesting new characters thrown in. If you like Shojo manga this series is a must have.
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July 28, 2004
Gravitation, Vol. 3 by Maki Murakami, 8
Book Description: When he hears Ayaka say that Eiri is her fiance, Shuichi goes into a total tizzy. In fact, during his band Bad Luck's debut show, Shuichi starts to announce to the entire crowd that Eiri is his and his alone, but thanks to an impromptu appearance by Shuichi's idol, Ryuichi, his secret stays hidden. Meanwhile, Eiri softens a bit toward Shuichi and even lets him crash at his place for a week, and Bad Luck takes another step toward fame with their appearance on a quiz show. However, when Taki, the front man of rival band ASK, discovers damaging information about Shuichi and Eiri's relationship, it raises the all-important question: How long can Bad Luck's good luck can hold out?
Review: Overall I liked this volume. The only thing that wasnt handled too well was the whole Ayaka storyline. It was a half-hearted attempt to show that girls still matter in this manga when really they dont. My favorite part of this manga was all of the Ryuichi and Tatsuha stuff. Actually, this is a really good volume for Ryuichi fans. The track where the band went on a game show was pretty funny as well. If you liked the first two volumes, youll like this one too.
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July 22, 2004
Please Save my Earth, Vol. 5 by Saki Hiwatari, 7
Book Description: The moon-dreamers seem to be falling apart. Between her brothers meddling and Jinpachis reaction to her engagement with Rin, Alice may never go to another meeting. Isseis not too enthusiastic about going, eitherespecially after his frustration at reliving Enjus pain inspired him to kiss Jinpachi! In his monopoly of information, Rin throws the others a bone, telling Haruhiko to meet them as Shion. Tamuras willing to wait for Haruhiko to come to him about his problems, but hes throwing all his free-time and connections at Haruhikos strange situation and the mystery of Takashis tormentor, S. From Mikuro, an old friends psychic brother, Tamura has learned Haruhikos powers may not be human. But Tamura will soon leave Tokyo to accompany Takashi, whos transferring to a school in Kyoto for safetys sake. The combination of Tamuras leaving and Rins new scheme has made Haruhiko suddenly desperate to see Tamura...
Review: This was a solid volume. There wasnt a whole lot of character stuff that I loved but it advances the plot nicely. It also had very little of Tamura which is always a plus. Just when this volume was getting really interesting it ended on a cliffhanger. Needless to say, I cant wait for the next one.
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July 15, 2004
Eerie Queerie! Vol. 3 by Shuri Shiozu, 5
Book Description: Meet Itsuki, a loquacious male itako whom Mikuni schemes with to dupe some suckers out of big bucks -- but the paying crowd doesn't exactly go ga-ga over the puerile performance. Meanwhile, Mitsuo signs up for employment as a psychic detective, but his on-the-job training leads to some sexual tensions. Love may be in the air, but Mitsuo realizes that chasing some damsels in distress may be more trouble than it's worth!
Review: Ok, This manga got real crazy real fast and Im not talking about crazy in a good way. Half the time I didnt have any clue what was going on and the rest of the time I wished I didnt. This volumes only saving grace is the last story. It is cute and has evidence that this manga may even be going somewhere. I pray that the next volume is better.
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July 06, 2004
Fruits Basket, Vol. 1 by Natsuki Takaya, 7
Book Description: Tohru Honda was an orphan when one day fate kicked her out of the house and on to land belonging to the mysterious Sohma family. After stumbling upon the teenage squatter, the Sohmas invite Tohru to stay in their house in exchange for cooking and cleaning. Everything goes well until she discovers the Sohma family's secret, when hugged by members of the opposite sex, they turn into their Chinese Zodiac animal!
Review: Fruits Basket is just a really cute, sweet manga. Im not overly hooked on it but I do enjoy it. Its a bit like Ranma but geared towards girls. I like the story but this manga is more character driven than story driven. Fortunately the characters are likeable, even the main female character. If you like shojo manga youll really enjoy this.
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Gravitation, Vol. 2 by Maki Murakami, 8
Book Description: Just when Shuichi Shindous rock star dreams seem to be coming together, everything falls apart. His gifted guitarist Hiro quits the band, the new manager wants to take Shuichi off the keyboards, and Shuichi finds himself constantly berated by their producer. The one person he can fall back on is his biggest critic, the cynical and abrasive Yuki. But in love, as with music, the more serious things become, the greater the pressure and gravitation takes its toll.
Review: This volume is just more of the same. I liked that Shuichi and Yukis relationship got some development. I was also pleased with the new character that were introduced. The art is evolving nicely as well. The track about Hiro was kind of boring but I find Hiro himself kind of boring. This is another solid volume that Gravitation fans are sure to enjoy.
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Tokyo Babylon, Vol. 1 by Clamp, 8 1/2
Book Description: Tokyo Babylon is a modern-day fantasy that follows Subaru Sumeragi, a young onmyouji (spiritual medium) on his quest to protect Tokyo from the evil spirits that have secretly taken residence in the city. Subaru is the 13th head of the Sumeragi clan, and together with his twin sister Hokuto and the mysterious veterinarian Seishirou, they risk life and limb as they hunt down the ghosts that threaten to destroy the city.
Review: Tokyo Babylon is one of the best manga ever created. The characters and the overall plot are intriguing. The individual stories are often moving. The art is lovely but isnt cluttered like some of Calmps later works. The translation is well done. You can tell that the translators went to great lengths to please the fans. The first volume is not my favorite but its a good start to the series. I highly recommend this manga.
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June 26, 2004
Gravitation, Vol. 1 by Maki Murakami, 9
Book Description: Shuichi Shindou is determined to be a rock star. He has no experience, no talent, and no band. After finding a charismatic guitarist and getting a gig, he's ready to show the world what a genius he is with his powerful lyrics. However, Eiri Yuki overhears his amateurish verse and puts the young musician in his place. Unable to get the harsh criticism out of his mind Shuichi forces himself into Yuki's life and the two find their futures inexorably intertwined. The force that brings them together is like gravity and there is nothing they can do to stop it.
Review: Gravitation is one of my favorite manga. Its just fun. The characters are great and the manga is genuinely funny. The manga is a bit different than the anime so some fans of the anime may be disappointed. The manga takes more time developing characters so the characters are slightly different in the manga than they are in the anime. The art in the first volume of the manga is a bit different than in the rest of the series. Especially Shuichis character design. Some if the translation decisions were a bit odd but they didnt really affect my enjoyment of the manga. If you like your shonen-ai manga relatively angst free then youll love this.
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Eerie Queerie! Vol. 2 by Shuri Shiozu, 7 1/2
Book Description: For some reason the description on the back of the manga is wrong so I'll have to write one myself. In the first story, the boys stay at a haunted inn. There is a curse which states that if you hiccup 100 times you will die. Of course, Mitsuo gets the hiccups and the won't stop. The second story develops the love triangle between Mitsuo, Hasunuma, and Ichi. The third is multi part story about a ghost who's hatred for Mitsuo has dire consequences for Hasunuma.
Review: I liked this one a lot more than the first one. Mostly because it was way gayer. There were no women in this one at all! The stories were more interesting too and they were all really enjoyable. I can't wait to read more of this series!
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Eerie Queerie! Vol. 1 by Shuri Shiozu, 6 1/2
Book Description: Mitsuo Shiozu is put in an awkward position when his mind and body are taken over by the two young women, in that he's a young man, who winds up acting like the women. Hasunuma and Ichi, two of his fellow male high school students, find themselves attracted to Mitsuo, which places him in an even stranger position.
Review: This is a cute little shounen-ai manga. Liked the premise and the art is very pretty too. There was one story that had nothing to do with the main characters that I didn't like but the rest was pretty good. Fans of light shounen-ai/yaoi manga, like Gravitation, will like this.
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June 18, 2004
Please Save my Earth, Vol. 4 by Saki Hiwatari. 8
Book Description: In this volume, Hajime informs Jinpachi of Alice's engagement to Rin, angering Jinpachi, who thinks "Shuukaidou" has forced Alice into an engagement. When Alice confirms it, Jinpachi is goaded into confessing that he loves her, and advises her not to marry Rin out of gratitude and a sense of duty. Alice refuses to hear that Rin is Shuukaidou; for her Rin is just a boy whom she once almost killed.
Review: I really liked this volume. There was some great Issei/Jinpachi stuff. I really liked Rin and Alice's scenes too. We also learn a little more about the daily life of the moon people. This was a really funny volume as well. It really started to drag near the end but most of it was very good.
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June 14, 2004
Please Save my Earth, Vol. 3 by Saki Hiwatari, 7 1/2
Book Description: Tamura arrives in Takeshi's place to receive Rin's plans for the Tokyo Tower renovation. To convince Tamura to take the situation seriously, he breaks a few of Tamura's bones. Haruhiko's bond with Tamura causes him to feel Tamura's pain, and suddenly he finds himself teleported to the scene in time to see Rin leaving. Later, Rin kidnaps Haruhiko, teleporting him to a rainy forest where a horrible truth is revealed.
Review: I liked this one more than the last one but oh the drama. So many plot twists and confrontations. Other than that, Rin is still crazy, Tamura is still boring, and Issei is still gay. But did I mention the drama? Because there's a lot.
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June 12, 2004
Please Save my Earth, Volume2 by Saki Hiwatari, 7
Book Description: Isse has come up with a plan to try to find the other members of the moon team. Surprisingly, his ad in a creepy cult magazine pays off, and he and Alice meet Daisuke and Sakura, who also appear in the moon dreams. From these two, the others learn the truth about a tragic past that threatens their present and future.
Review: I didn't quite like this volume as much as the first one. It has a lot of Tamura and I don't really like that character. Even though his motivations are explained, I still don't really click with him. Rin was also absent from most of this volume. Rin is a big part of why I read this series because I think he's one of the most complex manga characters out there. Other than that, this volume is pretty solid. It's an important volume to get because a lot is revealed about the moon dreams and many new characters are introduced There's also some really cute stuff with Issei and Jinpachi.
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June 02, 2004
Suikoden III: Vol. I by Shimizu Aki, Reiko Yoshida (Illustrator), 7
Book Description: Chris Lightfellow knows the horror of war-her father succumbed in the flames of battle when she was just a little girl. Now, wanting to become a soldier like him, she enters a military school and becomes a knight after graduating. When her commanding officer is killed in the line of duty, Chris shows her fellow knights her true strength-in every war, a hero must rise out of the destructive ashes to usher in the peace!
Review: The Suikoden series is the best video game RPG series of all time (yeah, you heard me Final Fantasy fans) and this manga is based on the third game. You don't really need to play the games to understand the manga but it will help keep you interested. This volume covers some of Chris and Hugo's back story and some of the events that take place early in the game. I could have done without a lot of Hugo's story but Chris' was pretty interesting. The art is pleasant but not overly stunning. Also, Geddoe fans will be disappointed because he's hardly in this volume. Other than that, this manga does a good job of staying true to the game and I'll be reading future volumes.
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December 31, 2003
Ranma 1/2, volume 2 by Rumiko Takahashi, 7
Book Description: In the second entry in the series, pursued by lovesick suitors, Ranma is also under attack - for reasons he doesn't understand - by martial artist Ryoga!
Review: I really loved the Ryouga storyline in the beginning of the manga but the rest of it wasn't all that great. I have very little interest in Kodachi and no interest at all in the golden pair. Still, even when I'm not interested in the plot this series is still fun to read.
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Please Save my Earth, Volume1 by Saki Hiwatari, 8
Book Description: Please Save My Earth is part science fiction, part fantasy, and completely engrossing; from a master of the shojo style. Alice's dreams of being a lovely woman living on the moon provide an escape from her job babysitting the holy terror Rin. When he goes one step too far, she slaps him, causing him to fall off a balcony and into a coma. When he awakens, he seems changed — and strangely connected to Alice. Meanwhile, at school, Alice meets a pair of boys with an oddly close relationship. She soon learns that they, too, have dreams of living on the moon.
Review: I bought this because I really enjoyed the anime and wanted to know more about the story. I really enjoyed it. The art is pleasant and the story is interesting. The main character can be annoying at times but she seems to grow out of it as the series progresses. This one is well worth reading for any shojo fans.
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December 30, 2003
Ranma 1/2, volume 1 by Rumiko Takahashi, 8
The classic manga about a group of teenage martial artists that are trying to marry and/or kill each other. Oh and some of them turn into animals/girls when splashed with cold water. It's wacky fun.
If you are an anime/manga fan that hasn't read this then what are you waiting for? If you are looking to get into manga then this is a good place to start. This series will appeal to pretty much everyone. It's got romance for the girls and fighting for the boys. It also has one of the most insane cast of characters you'll ever come across.
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