Spoil Me Plzzz, Hinamori-san! is shoujo-ai and quite childish too. It can be a good or bad thing depending on the reader though. Yaya Suo is admired bSpoil Me Plzzz, Hinamori-san! is shoujo-ai and quite childish too. It can be a good or bad thing depending on the reader though. Yaya Suo is admired by everyone, good at studies and whatnot. Inside she's insecure though, but Ichigo Hinamori doesn't know that. Yet. Ichigo wants to be like Yaya until she notices how annoying and selfish the girl is. She needs to constantly praise Yaya. The setting could be interesting, but Yaya is so obnoxious that it's hard to care for her in any way. The best part is Ichigo's inner voice going through the situations, but sadly so she still lets Yaya be what she is and even enforces her behavior. This isn't funny, but mostly sad. Considering this is shoujo-ai...I really don't want Ichigo to fall in love with the girl.
The art looks OK, it works well with the story line and we have funny faces and everything. Nothing out of this world, but OK. Unless Yaya somehow changes for the better, I cannot really see anything worthwhile happening. The manga series is three books long only, so I don't have high hopes. ...more
My Wonderful World is an OK manga, but had so many bothering things that I couldn't really enjoy it. The best part is that the main character Shinobu My Wonderful World is an OK manga, but had so many bothering things that I couldn't really enjoy it. The best part is that the main character Shinobu Asakura is dyslexic. We hardly see disabled characters and especially not like this. This was the reason why I got super excited and perhaps my expectations were high due to it. Shinobu cannot hold a job, since the guy cannot read or write. We see the hardships of his life right from the start until he meets this café owner, who's the one making the diagnosis for him (!), since he's dyslexic too. I have dyslexic friends and I don't think it's something you can actually see like that. It bugged me. Not only that, but how did Shinobu survive school if he can't read or write? What kinds of teachers let him through the system and how come no one noticed and he himself doesn't get it either? This makes no sense. I don't know if Japan works this way, but in Finland this wouldn't be even possible.
The art is OK, very soft and round. The art is very 1990s ad simple, which kind of makes the lines dull. The series is only five books long, so I don't know what Aimoto wants to do with this? The whole thing isn't credible and at the same time it feels cheap if this condition is used to be the hero of your own life like it doesn't matter. Hooray for diversity, but meh for everything else......more
My Idol Sits the Next Desk Over! is quite entertaining actually. I'v never understood the idol industry, since you become an idol because of somethingMy Idol Sits the Next Desk Over! is quite entertaining actually. I'v never understood the idol industry, since you become an idol because of something you do, but in Japan you are an idol first (without doing anything). It's a weird setting. Chihiro is a part of an idol group and Sakiko is her biggest fan. Chihiro starts attending the same school and Sakiko ends up telling the girl she recognizes her. Soon these two become friends, but Chihiro's identity needs to be kept a secret. But, Sakiko isn't the only fan and soon there's a another girl fighting for Chihiro's attention. I enjoyed the rivalry in the series, since it's the most interesting part and how the other girl doesn't want Chihiro to know she knows her. Chihiro herself is quite ditsy and dull, but perhaps that's the point. I also liked the fact that there are other characters involved in the story too aside from our three girls. This makes the series more realistic and interesting, since there's more content.
The art looks cute and sparkly, so your basic girl power in a sense. This series seems to be yuri, but up till now there's not that much such content aside from fangirling. I can see the series going there though, so it can work out nicely. So, one of the better yuri series for the sole reason of slow-burn romance!...more
Ya Boy Kongming! reminded me of Hikaru no Go on some level. Kongming used to be a general of the Three Kingdoms and at the end of it all died only to Ya Boy Kongming! reminded me of Hikaru no Go on some level. Kongming used to be a general of the Three Kingdoms and at the end of it all died only to wake up in our time 1800 years later in Tokyo. He first thinks he's in hell of sorts, but soon meets Eiko, a young singer. The girl's singing captures the heart of the man and he starts to help the girl to succeed the cruel world of music by using the war tactics from his past. The setting is interesting and I do love the cover. Kongming's character is great and I really enjoy his scheming. Eiko then doesn't really have a persona at all, but the manager is awesome and a big fan of the Three Kingdoms. Perhaps everyone gets used to Kongming too fast and suddenly Kongming himself is OK with the modern time too easily to lay better and more realistic base for this.
The art looks nice, although perhaps nothing spectacular, but works. The faces look slightly bland compared to everything else, but either way, this looks OK. The humor is nice at times, although perhaps repetitive and making all the other people in music industry nasty is kind of old school. I do wish Eiko gets more character in the future. Alas, an interesting series yet still....more
Having An Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best! is quite heartwarming. Akari Tachibana works at a cafe and her fellow worker Onda is also an otaku just lHaving An Idol-Loving Boyfriend is the Best! is quite heartwarming. Akari Tachibana works at a cafe and her fellow worker Onda is also an otaku just like her. They are both fans of idols and share this hobby until Onda wants them to start dating. They are both super awkward, but bond even more due to idol shows and whatnot. In a sense this is slice of life with two grownups, which is good. These two don't know how to date and the feelings aren't there yet, but it's somewhat realistic at least. I'm happy our main characters are actually working and not high schoolers for once. Everything is very tied to the idol fandom though and I wish we'd see life outside of that more. Also, I wish Aoi had used more time to get them together, since everything happens so fast.
The art looks nice, it's cute and fluffy, but not all over the place. I like the facial expressions and how we get inside the main characters' head too. I like the pondering and choices made, since they give our characters persona. I don't know where the series is going though as there doesn't seem to be a real plot. We'll have to see....more
She, Her Camera, and Her Seasons is an interesting and very realistic school drama. Akari is your basic highschooler until she notices Yuki, a short hShe, Her Camera, and Her Seasons is an interesting and very realistic school drama. Akari is your basic highschooler until she notices Yuki, a short haired girl, who always has a camera and hardly ever smiles. Akari falls for the girl really fast, but it would seem Yuki is interested in her childhood friend Rintaro, who's interested in Akari actually. The setting is juicy as we cannot trust Akari, since she simply doesn't know enough. I especially enjoyed getting inside Akari's head as she ponders her feelings and how she tries to understand the situations. Yuki is wonderfully out of place and hard to grasp and Rintaro easy and outgoing. Who really likes who is a good question. Also, setting this around photography is great especially since it's one with darkrooms and actual film.
The art looks delicate and cute, but the atmosphere is quite heavy and suffocating, which is really great. Somehow I have the feeling that Yuki isn't how she seems to be. The series is five books long, which seems great as in there must be something interesting for the future. Tsukiko is good at picturing high school feelings and how those are fleeting and severe at the same time. Everything is the end of the world, always. Who will get who in the end?...more
Getting Closer to You is a sports shoujo series or at least something like it? Hibi is a muscle maniac girl, who ogles boys' muscles everywhere she goGetting Closer to You is a sports shoujo series or at least something like it? Hibi is a muscle maniac girl, who ogles boys' muscles everywhere she goes, but she's not into the guys per se of course. She keeps a muscle diary and the basketball club's muscle prince Natsume notices this and asks the girl to be the manager of the team. Hibi doesn't really want to, but ends up saying yes and actually enjoying the whole thing. Natsume also falls in love with the girl, but Hibi isn't that easy to conquer. I really liked that it's the boy who has feelings first and declares them too. The manga is a show of these two characters, but I kind of hoped we'd get to meet others too instead of them being paper thin side characters to fill the pages. So, in a sense this is like you basic shoujo structure-wise, even though the theme is something else.
The art looks cute and nice, but gladly the characters have facial expressions too. We get to see games and practice too, which is nice, since usually those are almost absent in romantic series. The story moves very fast and I wish Kamino would use more time to establish the relationship, since it's hard to believe this sudden love easily. Otherwise this is OK and the muscle approach is great!...more
Nina the Starry Bride was something I didn't expect and I enjoyed it very much! I first thought this was shoujo, but this is josei, so that could explNina the Starry Bride was something I didn't expect and I enjoyed it very much! I first thought this was shoujo, but this is josei, so that could explain it. Nina has blue eyes and they are rare, thus the orphan hides her gender until she's captured by Prince Azure to act as a princess. The original princess died and now Nina has to "die" in order to become Alisha. They don't have that much time, but Nina isn't your basic girl, so it's not going to be easy. I really loved Nina and Azure's relationship and their interaction. Azure is cold and passive and Nina is like a rascal boy. All the characters have their own personas and even the young prince is wonderful, even though annoying kids are usually, well, annoying.
The art looks great and vibrant, which is awesome. There's action and not just talking heads. The plot isn't the most original, but I do hope Rikachi is innovative with it. The characters are likable and the discussions are profound. I'm very much into this, which is surprising. The cover is beautiful, but the title isn't the best possible, since it somehow feels so lame compared to the story's purpose. For once a great fantasy story with romance!...more
I was intrigued to read Police in a Pod, since we don't get to see police work that much in manga. Kawai is about to resign from being a police, sinceI was intrigued to read Police in a Pod, since we don't get to see police work that much in manga. Kawai is about to resign from being a police, since it wasn't what she even wanted and she doesn't feel like she fits in the police force. Her station gets a new female director and this woman is not only a badass, but really good at her work and begins to teach Kawai too. She does it on the side and soon Kawai notices that the work doesn't suck as much as she thought. I really liked the fact that there were lots of women in the police force especially considering we are talking about Japan here. I liked the dry discussions and all, but I'm not so sure if the manga is correctly done. I don't think officers such as these do all the work themselves. Like checking dead bodies, working with police dogs and whatnot. This felt unprofessional.
I had hard time getting into this, since in Finland police school is a polytechnic level education and one of the hardest to get in. It's very strict what you can do and in the manga this protocol felt lazy. We also never get to know our characters, since they don't really have a persona. It's just dry police talk and jumping from one case to another. I didn't understand what the manga wanted to say and thus two stars....more
I actually thought that Wind Breaker is a sports series, since the cover so looks like it, but it's not. Our protagonist is Haruka Sakura, a boy new iI actually thought that Wind Breaker is a sports series, since the cover so looks like it, but it's not. Our protagonist is Haruka Sakura, a boy new in town. He wants to be the greatest fighter and thus has decided to attend Furin High School that's meant for power obsessed delinquents. Except the school has changed in a short period of time and now they call themselves Bofurin and protect the village by fighting. Haruka just doesn't want to be a hero, but the top. Now it seems he's on his way to become the hero though... This first volume is quite packed, but manages to explain the situation and actually sets the story nicely. Haruka is sightly annoying as he's a tsundere it seems, but I hope he'll grow eventually. I do like the side characters and how we haven't met all the key players yet. Perhaps I wanted to get to know Haruka better though, since now he seems childish and full of himself, which doesn't make me want to support him as a character.
The art looks great and the movement too, which is nice. We get to see a lot of fighting, so movement is important. There are a lot of mysteries and that makes this interesting. I also like Haruka's hair and eyes, I wonder why they look the way they do not to forget why he wants to be the top. A steady shounen series with an interesting angle....more
Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is a harem series really, but gladly not the worst. Uryu Kamihate wants to become a doctor and studies hard for Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is a harem series really, but gladly not the worst. Uryu Kamihate wants to become a doctor and studies hard for it. He now needs to move to another foster home and the place is actually a shrine and there are three miko there. These three girls are the granddaughters of the priest and the old grandpa wants Uryu to marry one of the girls and continue as the priest of the shrine. I actually like Uryu, since he's quite normal, humorous and serious. The sisters are your basic cliches though, the youngest being cute and athletic, the second one a tsundere and the oldest one gentle with big boobs. The plot feels like something I've read a thousand times and the need to save the shrine and whatnot. I'm glad this isn't as ecchi though, although we get to see naked bodies and boobs everywhere, but it could be worse still.
The art looks amazing when Naito draws whole page poses. Otherwise the art is nice too, but the depth in the pictures is the best when used in said poses. I hope there will be something different in the series, since otherwise this is just another harem series. The potential is there, I'd actually would enjoy if there wasn't romance at all in the series, but just an out of necessity sort of marriage....more
Love After World Domination is a refreshing manga surely! Our main characters are a hero called Fudo Aikawa aka Red Gelato of the Gelato Five and the Love After World Domination is a refreshing manga surely! Our main characters are a hero called Fudo Aikawa aka Red Gelato of the Gelato Five and the counter force (or menace) is Desumi Magahara, Reaper Princess. Desumi herself works for the shadow organization Gekko. These two are supposedly mortal enemies and fighting, but actually they are in love and dating and trying to desperately hide the fact. It's great that their relationship is cute and mundane, as realistic as it can be if you consider the circumstances. This is surely the best part of the series and how these two are quite grownup in a sense. So, not your basic shounen romance, which is great. My only worry is that how long can this series go with a premise like this, but gladly the end showed potential where this could go.
The art looks OK, perhaps the panels are a bit stuffed, but otherwise this looks good. The style works for the series and there's humor too. I also liked the fact that Desumi is a full character and of the same value as Fudo. So, not your "save the senseless girl" situation. An interesting series that'll hopefully develop along the way!...more
Girlfriend, Girlfriend, what can I say? I wasn't a fan of the premise, but I decided to try this, since with topics like this you're always in the danGirlfriend, Girlfriend, what can I say? I wasn't a fan of the premise, but I decided to try this, since with topics like this you're always in the danger zone. Gladly Hiroyuki doesn't bomb it. Naoya is dating Saki, his former childhood friend and they're quite in love. It just happens that a cute girl named Nagisa also confesses to Naoya and the guy cannot turn her down. Instead he comes to a conclusion that he must date both so that both girls know about it too, so polyamory. Somehow they end up living together and hiding this odd relationship that's the base for comedy. So, danger zone as expected. I didn't really like how the characters used "two-timing", since this isn't about that. You can have a relationship of three if everyone is OK with it. Also, Naoya's stupidly forward and blunt character saves a lot. It's Saki who sees perverted stuff everywhere and Nagisa is naive, but understands where Saki is coming from.
The characters save a lot, but I just wish this setting had been between a girl and two boys for once. The topic is hard to do well, although as I said, Hiroyuki manages quite well actually. It's just that for modern age this isn't the best, since of course the girls want to serve the guy and well, it's so old fashioned and Japan is that of course. Thus having this translated can be a weird choice, even though this isn't as bad as I thought it could be. It's even clever at times....more
This manga version of The Tale of Genji is surely interesting and that we finally have this in English, when it was originally published in the late 1This manga version of The Tale of Genji is surely interesting and that we finally have this in English, when it was originally published in the late 1970s and 1980s(!). The story revolves around Hikaru Genji, a second son of Emperor Kiritsubo, who tries to find love basically. His mother died when he was a child and afterwards he was taken care of Princess Fujitsubo. Genji falls in love with the princess and they even have an illegal child that is kept a secret later on and they cannot really be together. Thus Genji goes from one woman to another in search of someone like her. He even adopts a girl in a way to raise her to be the perfect wife and names her Murasaki and somehow I have the feeling she is Murasaki Shikubu, the writer of the story perhaps?
The art looks like shoujo at the time so perhaps this doesn't appeal to young readers. The story is mature too in many ways and Genji makes love to everything basically. Either way this is an interesting look at the court life and Japan's history, which makes this intriguing and perhaps this is an easier version compared to the book. The manga is heavy with text and the panels are full, which makes this a slow read, but in a way it works with the story well. It's hard to remember the characters though, since the women look the same and their names are somewhat similar too. It'd like to see a fresh version brought to this day actually, it would be awesome. Still, this is worth the read and the translation works too....more
The Spellbook Library sounded interesting and gladly the main plot moves slowly, since the mystery is surely interesting. Oddly enough this manga was The Spellbook Library sounded interesting and gladly the main plot moves slowly, since the mystery is surely interesting. Oddly enough this manga was first published in English as a test and then it will be published in Japanese. This isn't even the only one. Everything revolves around libraries and spellbook librarians that both Yan and Tohru want to be. We get to see their journey towards that goal and there are mysteries along the way and Tohru's past is something else too. I really liked the setting and the world is surely interesting, since I love libraries and I work in the field myself too. But, the superimposed humor eats away some of the pleasure and feels so detached. Especially Yan is super annoying.
The art is OK, nothing amazing, but works in the genre. Library themed stories are the best and especially when the setting is magical fantasy. I wish we get to see more of the monsters and less humor, since it feels cheap. But, this is shounen so I don't hold breath for a change. Still, I hope we'll get to enjoy the mystery a lot longer. ...more
Golden Gold is super creepy! I really enjoyed it and how the creepiness is somehow invisible and you're scared even though you don't know why. The stoGolden Gold is super creepy! I really enjoyed it and how the creepiness is somehow invisible and you're scared even though you don't know why. The story takes place in Neijima Island, where Ruka lives. She has a crush on a boy and her grandma has a store. Ruka ends up finding a weird doll-like figurine from the sea and suddenly the creature comes alive after she put it in a shrine. It keeps following her and she thinks it could be a god of fortune. Only those not born on the island see it as it is, all the others see it as an old man. Somehow the weird creature starts to develop the island to its liking. The whole thing is so interesting and the story combines horror with a Japanese country life so well. This makes the setting extra creepy and I don't know where this is going, but I think I need to find out. Although I'm scared.
The art looks nice. The backgrounds are amazing and detailed, but the faces look a bit odd at times. I love how the characters have facial expressions and the liveliness is the best part surely. The slight wonkiness works out well though, as it adds to the creepiness. This series is surely something else and thus refreshing by every standard!...more
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