Sean, Anna, and Michelle present the final briefs column of 2015!
Aldnoah Zero, Vol. 1 | By Olympus Knights and Pinakes | Yen Press – A manga tie-in based on a popular mecha anime, Aldnoah Zero seems designed to give the fans what they want. There’s really not much here in terms of innovation, to the point where I wouldn’t be surprised if the manga called itself Gendom. We meet a bunch of high school kids training to be mecha pilots, an idealistic princess who avoids getting killed off in this first volume but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time, several cynical soldiers whose desire is war and conquest, and even a snotty, arrogant pilot who kills off supposed allies and mercilessly tries to crush young children for the lulz. It reads smoothly, and the action sequences are fine, but if you want a manga like this, read Gundam. It’s better. – Sean Gaffney
Barakamon, Vol. 8 | By Satsuki Yoshino| Yen Press – This volume seems to be divided into two halves. The first half is the more lighthearted, showing Miwa and Tama’s class going on a class trip, and proving to the reader that it’s not just Handa they act up around. We also see Handa attempting to deal with the village some more, and as you’d expect he gets run ragged. Things quiet down for the second half, when a sudden passing means we get a wake and funeral, and Handa tries to awkwardly help as best he can, proving that despite his awkwardness he’s really a nice, kind person. We again get a suggestion, but no confirmation, that Naru is an orphan, but she seems content with that, and admits the reason she doesn’t like funerals is everyone cries. This is a really sweet series. – Sean Gaffney
The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 3 | By Aya Shouoto | Viz Media – The action and stakes pick up a bit in volume three. The first story centers on a mystery, as Himari learns that one of her new friends that she’s invited back to Momochi House is dead. A new antagonist suddenly appears, as Kasha, a ayakashi with the power of black flames decides to stir things up. A longer, more involved story shows Aoi as the Nue taking Himari to an annual ritual, showing the difficult cost of Aoi serving as the guardian of Momochi House. Overall, this volume had a good mix of action, backstory, and a little bit of character development. I think the series is getting better as it progresses. – Anna N
He’s My Only Vampire, Vol. 5 | By Aya Shouoto | Yen Press – After giving us a lot of backstory in the first volume, this series seemed content to coast for a bit. Well, enjoyable as that was, it ends here, as we amp up the plotline with lots of new characters, troubling revelations, and threats against our heroine. Sadly, the last one means we get the least Kana we’ve had to date, as she’s kidnapped—again—but this is made up for with her childhood flashback self, who has the standard tragic and horribly friendless backstory. I was less impressed with the main fight/confrontation, mostly as it can sometimes be hard to keep track of all the pretty boys, and things got a bit chaotic. Still, this is the halfway point of the series, and I’m still keeping up and ready for the next volume. – Sean Gaffney
He’s My Only Vampire, Vol. 5 | By Aya Shouoto | Yen Press – The first half of this volume is deceptive. It starts off feeling very much like a stock shoujo episode wherein the heroine and her bishounen pals go to a hot spring and hey, everyone they know is there! It’s not amusing, despite a few gags (including a cliffhanger where Jin mistakenly climbs into Kana’s futon), and just when I was beginning to grumble about the series spinning its wheels, suddenly the revelations start pouring out. Kana initially has only fragmented memories of her past, but once she gets spirited away by the head of the Tsubakiin family, the details begin to emerge. Not all of these details make sense yet, especially what will happen to Aki once he finishes collecting the scattered stigma, but this series got darker and more interesting in a hurry. I’m definitely in ’til the end with this one. – Michelle Smith
Komomo Confiserie , Vol. 2 | By Maki Minami | Viz Media – So far, this seems like the Maki Minami series that I’m going to stick with. I’m enjoying the combination of psychotic pastry chef protectiveness in Natsu and Komomo’s odd approach to friendship and slowly becoming a real girl. Komomo goes on an ill-fated double date with new friend Rise, but Komomo is able to quickly perceive when Rise’s boyfriend is actually using her for her money. Another suitor appears in the form of an apprentice shoemaker from a rich family, and it will be interesting to see now Natstu deals with a potential rival for Komomo’s friendship. Looking forward to the next volume. – Anna N
Say “I Love You,” Vol. 11 | By Kanae Hazuki | Kodansha Comics – The author says that lots of people thought she would end the series after Yamato and Mei made love at the end of the last volume, and she’s pushing back against that a bit. Which is fine, as there’s more to a shoujo manga than just who ends up with who, but you can hear the wheels screeching a bit as they turn in this volume. We see Mei beginning to worry a bit about her future, as she’s still not quite sure what to do with her life. We also see her worrying about her weight, not uncommon for a young girl just starting a sexual relationship. This introduces us to two new characters, who I suspect will take over on plot contrivances for a little longer. Still, if there’s a series I’m happy to see dragged out, it’s this one. – Sean Gaffney
Yowamushi Pedal, Vol. 1 | By Wataru Watanabe | Yen Press – Sakamichi Onoda is a friendless, fervent otaku whose desire for capsule toys has compelled him to make weekly 90 km round trips (by bicycle) to Akihabara since the third grade. He doesn’t realize that this is exceptional until he enrolls at at high school with a skilled bicycle racing club and makes friends who recognize his natural ability and get him fired up for the world of racing. Some of the early art is a bit wonky—especially faces—but it improves over the course of the volume, and the race sequences are absorbing. Yowamushi Pedal also has a few attributes that remind me of Slam Dunk, including a brash redhead clashing against a calmer rival and a girl whose love of bicycles is inspired by her older brother. That not a complaint, though. Just an observation. I’m really looking forward to the next volume! – Michelle Smith
James says
December 30, 2015 at 9:10 pmBarakamon!