Anna N

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

Anna, Sean, and Michelle review a smattering of new releases.

The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Vol. 3 | By Kore Yamazaki | Seven Seas – I love it when I find a Seven Seas title I can wholeheartedly support, and this is one of the best. We continue to develop the questionable relationship between Elias and Chise, and the supporting characters notice how codependent it’s starting to be. Chise, of course, is not in a headspace where she can accept this now, but she is growing by leaps and bounds, to the point where I worry she will seriously overextend herself in a volume or two. The rest of the book allows us to wander around British fantasy settings, complete with the Wandering Jew as one of the more terrifying pretty-boy villains I’ve seen in some time. Anyone who enjoys fantasy with a strong plot and characterization should be following this series. – Sean Gaffney

Assassination Classroom, Vol. 7 | By Yusei Matsui | Viz Media – Koro-sensei may be a barrel of laughs (and I am very fond of the fact that even in the most serious situations the author still finds time for a panel or two of hilarity), but as a teacher, he’s first rate, be it assassinations or civics. Class 3-E may still be in the doghouse, but their performance in the exams this semester makes you want to punch your fist in the air. Even the headmaster’s “just as planned” seems rather hollow. The class is also getting more skilled at planning assassinations, and their attempt towards the end of the volume was the closest they’ve been yet. Of course, now we get a new crisis and cliffhanger. Sounds like it’s Nagisa and Kayano to the rescue. Always grateful to Viz for licensing this. – Sean Gaffney

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Vol. 9 | By Yuto Tsukuda and Shun Saeki | VIZ Media – The Fall Classic has reached the quarter-final stage! After Soma pulls off a bento victory against amazingly talented Alicie Nakiri, it’s Megumi’s turn to shine in a ramen battle. It’s great to see her holding her own, exhibiting confidence, determination, and talent, and I appreciate that female chefs are treated as worthy adversaries in this series. There’s not too much fanservice in this volume, either, as it’s mostly the (older, male) judges reacting in silly ways to the foods they are tasting. Actually, the only icky moment comes in the form of live-turtle butchery, but even that is somewhat redeemed when it leads to an Ultraman versus Gamera sort of homage. Food Wars! is great fun and always leaves me wishing I had more volumes to devour. – Michelle Smith

Inu x Boku SS, Vol. 9 | By Cocoa Fujiwara | Yen Press – A timeskip, even one involving reincarnation, has been seen in manga before, but I don’t recall too many that have then returned again, as we start the climax of Inu x Boku SS by returning to the characters as we knew them at the start of the series. This allows for a few attempts at humor, (mostly in the first half, as there are three side-stories before the continuation proper), but for the most part it’s down to business as our heroes read the letters from their future selves and decide what to do. We also get some insight into Zange’s past, and he seems a lot less goofy and annoying than he was before. Now, however, everyone’s about to be split up. How are things going to go from here? Still a good supernatural thriller. – Sean Gaffney

Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, Vol. 11 | By Fumi Yoshinaga | VIZ Media – We’ve seen quite a few power-hungry schemers throughout this series, but none has been as odious as Tokugawa Harusada, who holds the reins of government while her son, good-hearted but timid Ienari, serves as an ornamental shogun whose only responsibility is to beget heirs. In comparison to someone like Hisamichi, who did bad things out of love of Yoshimune, Harusada comes off as just plain evil. It’s a bit hard to take, honestly, but balancing out her reign of terror is a hopeful storyline in which Aonuma’s former disciples not only find happiness outside the palace, but work towards fulfilling the dream of creating a vaccine to stop the redface pox once and for all. I absolutely love that Yoshinaga shows how strongly Aonuma and Gennai live on in the memories of those who worked alongside them; it gets me right in the feels. – Michelle Smith

So Cute it Hurts!!, Vol. 4 | By Go Ikeyamada | Viz Media – This series continues to be relentlessly adorable, as twins Megumu and Mitsuru go on some unconventional datas. Megumu and Aoi go out, even though he can’t be any closer to her than two feet. This complication doesn’t hinder the blushing couple. Mitsuru gets into his kendo gear to answer a challenge from Azusa. He assumes that they are going to fight, but they take their combat to the closest video arcade. This volume was extremely light and fluffy, but there are hints of complications ahead. This is fun to read, even though it is a bit superficial. – Anna N

Shake off the food coma and partake of some briefs!

Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto, Vol. 2 | By Nami Sano | Seven Seas – It’s always a battle each chapter to see who’s more interesting, Sakamoto or the people reacting to him. Because, while Sakamoto is the star and the catalyst, the plot is driven by those other people, those who find themselves changed by Sakamoto’s eccentric yet ultra-cool behavior. A teacher frustrated and determined to catch Sakamoto doing something against the rules ends up two chapters later yelling “don’t make me worry, dammit” in the best tsundere way. A gang leader finally finds a way to make Sakamoto angry, but the battle which follows still is nothing like he expects. For all that everyone wants to be near, love, or impress Sakamoto, at the end of the day they’re all marching to his beat. – Sean Gaffney

My Neighbor Seki, Vol. 5 | By Takuma Morishige | Vertical Comics – Unlike Sakamoto-kun in the above review, Seki still struggles with controlling the narrative of his own title, mostly as he has to deal with the main heroine, Yokoi, who’s long since given up pretending she doesn’t want to be entertained and get involved, even if she keeps telling herself it’s to punish him and make him pay attention. Sometimes this still backfires on her, such as during parents’ day (when we meet Seki’s non-speaking but frustrated mother), but more often than not, Yokoi is starting to gain the upper hand. Even if this means that other people view their relationship as something more than it is. Seki-kun will never be deep, or even pretend to, but it’s a lot of fun. – Sean Gaffney

Skip Beat!, Vol. 35 | By Yoshiki Nakamura | Viz Media – As this series progresses, Nakamura is able to dial up the emotional stakes for her characters more and more. At first I thought that the enforced closeness of the Heel Siblings storyline was about as intense as it was going to get, but when Kyoko encounters Ren as Corn, her long-lost childhood fairy, the reader sees some vulnerability and uncertainty from Ren/Kuon/Corn that is absolutely disarming. The mental gymnastics that Kyoto goes through to justify her friendship with Corn while she’s thinking of Ren are quite amazing, and Ren dealing with jealousy towards his own alter ego is hilarious. Yet another great volume of Skip Beat!, one of my shoujo favorites. – Anna N

UQ Holder, Vol. 6 | By Ken Akamatsu | Kodansha Comics – This volume seems packed with things that are designed to make any Shonen Magazine reader happy. A genuine zombie invasion, with many, many people killed off—luckily we have a supporting character who can reverse time. An onsen scene that allows readers to get their fill of Akamatsi’s nude bodies, still popular after all these years, and also lets him further develop Kuromaru’s anxiety about gender identity—not helped by everyone else saying “you’re acting like a girl, so be one.” And the presence of Mana at the end, which reminds us that this is still a sequel to Negima, whose cast was filled with students who were half-demon, supernatural, or just robots, so are still around 100 years later. We’ll see what happens with her in the next volume. – Sean Gaffney

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches, Vol. 5 | By Miki Yoshikawa | Kodansha Comics – For the most part this volume is content to spin its wheels a bit—the fire subplot with Sarushima is stopped with a minimum of fuss and a lot of comedy (including some panty flashing and boob showing, as this is a Magazine title). We also get a new club member, who sadly seems totally uninteresting. Luckily Yamada and Shiraishi are still the best part of this title, and their kind of sort of love story is heartwarming when used properly. The next arc combines witch-hunting with that old shonen favorite, “your club will be used to do the Student Council’s dirty work,” and it will be interesting to see how this develops, though I suspect it will again involve a lot of comedy and panty flashing. – Sean Gaffney