Ash Brown

Manga the Week of 10/7

October 1, 2015 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, MJ, Anna N and Michelle Smith 2 Comments

SEAN: First week of October, and therefore hope you like Viz. But first:

Diamond Comics has been messing with me, saying this wasn’t coming out and then saying it was. Amazon says 10/21, but they’re usually behind Diamond by 2 weeks. I don’t know when it’s actually coming out (this makes me nostalgic for Dark Horse releases days past). But it’s Oh My Goddess 48, the final, very last Oh My Goddess, except for all the omnibus releases. I’ll miss it.

Kodansha hits a milestone with the 50th volume of Fairy Tail, which I’ll be honest I’m just following on Tumblr for Gajeel/Levy moments.

Genshiken 2nd Season Vol. 7 continues to show us the world’s most unlikely harem comedy.

ASH: I’ve been enjoying this one! Hato is the best.

SEAN: One Peace gives us a 4th volume of Aquarion EVOL.

Seven Seas has the 5th and final volume of Kokoro Connect, a series I’ve greatly enjoyed. Given there are many light novels after the two that were adapted, my guess is the ending will be somewhat open.

And there’s a 5th volume of gore-filled Magical Girl Apocalypse, for those who felt Madoka Magica didn’t go far enough.

Vertical Comics have a new series debuting. Tokyo ESP, about a girl who suddenly finds she has… well, ESP. And she lives in Tokyo. Sometimes titles write themselves. This also had an anime last year.

MJ: I’m a sucker for ESP stories. So, yeah. This one’s for me.

And now here’s Viz. Assassination Classroom gets a 6th volume, and introduces the chief villain’s villainous son.

ANNA: Wow, I am so far behind with this series, even though I quite like it!

SEAN: Two big Viz shonen series come to an end next week, and sadly I expect this is the one folks won’t be talking about as much. But Claymore has been quietly awesome for some time, and the 27th volume is definitely worth a look.

MICHELLE: Some day I really will read all the volumes of Claymore that I have accumulated.

MJ: Yes! So happy to see this!

SEAN: The Demon Prince of Momochi House has a 2nd volume.

ASH: If nothing else, the first volume was pretty!

ANNA: It was! Even though it seems a bit too similar to Kamisama Kiss, I found it enjoyable.

SEAN: And Food Wars! is up to Volume 8, and still in the midst of its tournament arc, though there’s still time for teaching little kids to make food as well.

MICHELLE: Yay Food Wars!.

SEAN: Kamisama Kiss is at volume 19, and is edging towards romantic resolution, possibly? Have I said that before?

MICHELLE: It certainly feels that way.

ANNA: Such a good series! I hope this isn’t the last Julietta Suzuki we see over here.

ASH: I still actually need to read Kamisama Kiss.

SEAN: Library Wars: Love & War has its penultimate volume out next week, and I can confirm it DOES have quite a payoff, though it’s still not quite resolved.

MICHELLE: So much good stuff this week!

ASH: Penultimate volume! I hadn’t realized that.

ANNA: Library Wars! I love it so! I am also stoked that the anime has been licensed.

ASH: YES!!

SEAN: My Love Story!! is up to Volume 6, and still adorable.

MICHELLE: Like this!

ASH: Yes!

ANNA: YAY!

MJ: Same.

SEAN: Naruto has come to an end with its 72nd volume, though there are six novels and several spinoffs still to come. The ending was… controversial among fandom. Should be interesting.

A new debut from the creator of Dengeki Daisy, one of my favorite Shojo Beat series. QQ Sweeper has a bit more of a supernatural flair to it, but the sense of humor and “plucky heroine” style is the same.

MICHELLE: I’m curious about this one, definitely.

ASH: Same here.

ANNA: It is good!

MJ: I really enjoyed this first volume—hit all the sweet spots!

SEAN: So Cute It Hurts!! only has two exclamation marks, despite this being Vol. 3.

ANNA: Call me a sucker for fluffy shoujo series, but I like this. We haven’t had many cross-dressing shoujo series recently, so it certainly serves that niche.

SEAN: Toriko 30 has what many saw as one of the biggest surprises of the entire series, though no surprise as to what it entailed – it involves romance.

Twin Star Exorcists gives us a 2nd volume as well.

World Trigger has a 7th volume, and is doing far better than I expected it to based on the first few chapters.

Lastly, Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds 8 continues to look like some bizarre library indexing system.

What are you planning to get next week?

Manga Giveaway: Devils and Realist Giveaway

September 30, 2015 by Ash Brown

The end of September doesn’t just approach, it’s here! And because it’s the end of the month, it’s also time for another giveaway at Experiments in Manga. This month you all will have the chance to win a copy of Devils and Realist, Volume 1 written by Madoka Takadono, illustrated by Utako Yukihiro, and published in English by Seven Seas. And, as always, the giveaway is open worldwide!

I always find it interesting when manga incorporates Western settings, religions, and mythologies. In some cases they aren’t used as much more than an aesthetic (I’m looking at you X), but in other cases the mangaka have clearly done their research. Legends surrounding angels and demons seem to be a particularly rich source of inspiration. Series like Devils and Realist take that inspiration, but then spins the stories and their interpretations to create something entirely different. The results can often be entertaining.

So, you may be wondering, how can you win Devils and Realist, Volume 1?

1) In the comments below, tell me a little about your favorite manga featuring devils or demons. (Don’t have one? Simply mention that.)
2) If you’re on Twitter, you can earn a bonus entry by tweeting, or retweeting, about the contest. Make sure to include a link to this post and @PhoenixTerran (that’s me).

There it is! Everyone has one week to submit comments and can earn up to two entries for this giveaway. If needed or preferred, comments may also be sent to me directly at phoenixterran(at)gmail(dot)com. The comments will then be posted here in your name. The giveaway winner will be randomly selected and announced on October 7, 2015. Good luck!

VERY IMPORTANT: Include some way that I can contact you. This can be an e-mail address in the comment form, a link to your website, Twitter username, or whatever. If I can’t figure out how to get a hold of you and you win, I’ll just draw another name.

Contest winner announced–Manga Giveaway: Devils and Realist Giveaway Winner

Pick of the Week: Vikings, Japan, and Space

September 28, 2015 by Michelle Smith, Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, Anna N and MJ Leave a Comment

MICHELLE: The two volumes I am most looking forward to this week hail from two very different series I love a lot and which only have a few volumes left. I think I’ve probably praised My Little Monster more often and more recently, though, so I will cast my vote this time for Tsutomu Nihei’s Knights of Sidonia, which I love fervently. I really can’t believe that it’s ending soon, but I intend to cherish every panel until it does.

SEAN: No question here: the final volume of Showa is absolutely my pick of the week. Shigeru Mizuki’s book is 60% history textbook and 40% biography, and it’s to his credit that we find both equally riveting. I can’t wait to see the conclusion.

ASH: Vinland Saga! It’s been about a year since the fifth omnibus was released, and the fate of the series in English will depend on the success of the sixth and seventh. So far, the historical epic has been excellent; I’ve been anxiously waiting to read more.

ANNA: I absolutely agree. Vinland Saga is a great series and it deserves more support. Buy a copy or three!!!!!

MJ: Though there’s a lot of manga coming out this week, I admit it’s mostly series I’m not following. That is, of course, with one BIG exception, the glorious Knights of Sidonia, which is worthy of my pick any week. I’m going for Sidonia.

My Week in Manga: September 21-September 27, 2015

September 28, 2015 by Ash Brown

My News and Reviews

Apparently, considering the two in-depth reviews that I posted, Experiments in Manga was all about dynastic struggles and warfare last week. Ken Liu is an author that I’ve started to follow since reading one of his short stories in The Future is Japanese. His debut novel, Grace of Kings, was released this year and I absolutely loved it. It’s the first book in The Dandelion Dynasty, a fantasy epic which is inspired by and reimagines Chinese history and legends, such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms (which I really need to get around to finishing). I also reviewed Aya Kanno’s Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 2. So far, I’m really liking the series which takes its inspiration from William Shakespeare’s plays dealing with the Wars of the Roses. I think the second volume of Requiem of the Rose King improves on the first and is generally a little easier to follow as well. I continue to love the manga’s dark atmosphere and theatrical nature. Fortunately, the wait won’t be quite as long for the release of the next volume.

Quick Takes

Gangsta, Volumes 4-6 by Kohske. I intentionally saved up a few volumes of Gangsta to read all at once, but somehow during that time I’d forgotten how much I enjoy the series. I love the diverse cast of characters, the gritty setting, and the action and intrigue of the story. In addition to an escalation in the conflicts between “normals” and Twilights, these particular volumes of Gangsta include significant plot developments as well as more character development. For one, Alex’s memories are slowly returning, revealing small fragments of her past which should have major implications as the series progresses. Her younger brother even enters the scene. While Gangsta can be an extremely violent, brutal, and cruel manga, Kohske remembers to include quieter and more lighthearted moments to provide a contrast to the series’ intensity. Granted, they also serve to emphasize the manga’s tragic turns. Kohske isn’t afraid of killing off characters, either. With all of the battles going on between exceptionally skilled and powerful fighters, it’s probably not too surprising that there will be death, severe injury, and tremendous suffering involved.

Hard Rock by Akane Abe. Because of my interest in and love of music, I have a tendency to seek out related manga (no matter how tangential), which is how I initially came across the boys’ love one shot Hard Rock. The manga follows four young men who started a band together. However, the volume actually begins with the band’s breakup and not much time is spent on music at all. Instead, Hard Rock focuses on the former bandmates’ changing friendships and relationships. There’s an underlying tangle of crushes, angst, and unrequited love, but relatively little romance, most of the major developments occurring off panel between chapters. With the exception of one page in the epilogue manga, close physical intimacy in Hard Rock is almost nonexistent beyond an occasional kiss or even rarer groping. The young men are just as likely to punch one another as they are to hug. Thus, readers looking for steamy bedroom scenes will probably be disappointed. Personally, I actually liked and appreciated the understated romance; Abe makes it work. Although Hard Rock ended up having very little to do with music, I still enjoyed it quite a bit.

Ultraman, Volume 1 by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi. I’ve watched and enjoyed a little over a dozen episodes of the live-action Ultraman series from the 1960s and so was curious about Shimizu and Tomohiro’s addition to the incredibly successful franchise. Readers who aren’t familiar with the original needn’t fear—the first chapter of the sequel has a tremendous amount of exposition crammed into it. While this does quickly establish the premise of the manga, it’s not the most effective or enjoyable introduction. However, the narrative of the following chapters quickly improves and the volume ends with a great hook. The manga takes place a generation after the end of the Ultraman television series and focuses on Shinjiro Hayata who, as the son of the original Ultraman, has inherited superhuman powers. He becomes the target of an alien attack which leads him to accept the role of the new Ultraman. However, instead of transforming into a powerful giant, Shinjiro uses an exo-suit to enhance his abilities. So far, the Ultraman manga is shaping up to be more serious and a fair amount darker than the original series.

Requiem of the Rose King, Vol. 2

September 25, 2015 by Ash Brown

Creator: Aya Kanno
U.S. publisher: Viz Media
ISBN: 9781421580906
Released: September 2015
Original release: 2014

Aya Kanno has had several of her manga series released in English in the past—Soul Rescue, Blank Slate, and Otomen—all of which were quite different from one another. One of the things that I appreciate most about Kanno is the versatility apparent in the range of her work. I was especially looking forward to her most recent series Requiem of the Rose King and was thrilled when Viz Media licensed for an English-language release. The manga is loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s historical plays Henry VI (in its various parts) and Richard III which are in turn a dramatization of England’s Wars of the Roses. As a fan of Shakespeare and as a fan of Kanno, I was very interested in seeing her interpretation. Although upon initial reading the first volume of Requiem of the Rose King could occasionally be somewhat confusing—visions, nightmares, and reality all bleeding into one another—I loved its dark atmosphere, theatrics, and dramatic nature. I was very glad when Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 2, initially published in Japan in 2014, was translated into English in 2015.

The bloody struggle for England’s throne continues. The Lancasters executed King Richard II for treason and has now ruled the country for three generations. However, there are many who still view the Lancasters as usurpers and who support the House of York’s claim to the throne. Richard, the Duke of York, is poised to become the next monarch after King Henry VI is captured and coerced into relinquishing the crown in order to end the bloodshed. But then Queen Margaret takes command of the King’s military forces, unwilling to let power to slip from her and her family’s hands. The resulting conflict does not go well for the Duke and with this turn of events the dynastic war escalates. During this time, both Henry and the Duke’s youngest son Richard are imprisoned in a tower, unaware of the battle’s progress and the changing tides of war. Richard is utterly devoted to his father and wants to see him crowned as England’s king. Thus, the Duke’s death on the battlefield will set into motion a tragic series of events for his son and for the entire kingdom as the darkness that resides within Richard is unleashed.

In part, the first two volumes of Requiem of the Rose King have been a prologue to the rest of the series. The stage, characters, and mood have now been fully set for the unfolding drama and tragedy. There is a huge psychological element to Requiem of the Rose King. Kanno draws parallels between Henry and Richard which emphasize that, especially in regards to their mental states. Both men are touched by madness, but it manifests in vastly different ways. Henry’s insanity seems to be fairly benign although it does cause significant political turmoil. It also provides a way for him to escape from his responsibilities as a ruler and to avoid a very violent reality. Richard’s madness, on the other hand, is the result of facing that same reality head on. He becomes utterly consumed by rage and a desire for vengeance. Compared to Henry’s passivity and what could be described as harmlessness, Richard takes on a much more active and venomous role. The contrast between Henry and Richard and light and dark extends beyond their characterizations and is captured visually as well; Richard’s black hair and clothing consistently set him apart from everything else.

Anno’s Richard is both a tragic and terrifying figure. The beginning of Requiem of the Rose King shows the creation of a monster—a young man who is forcefully taking ownership of his own destiny after being irrevocably scarred emotionally and psychologically. Since his birth, Richard has been labeled as a demon child and a harbinger of death. He initially struggles against this stigma, but has now begun to embrace his own darkness. His father, the one person he loved and admired the most is dead; his mother has abandoned him multiple times; Richard sees very little incentive to retain his humanity if everything he truly cares about will be torn from him and he is already viewed as an abomination. The second volume of Requiem of the Rose King is defining for Richard. Among the chaos, violence, and death of war, he loses what little innocence and hope that he might have had. Although many of the surrounding circumstances were beyond his control, ultimately the choice to become a villain is his own. He is driven by despair, madness, and rage, willing to do anything to ensure his own future and the downfall of the Lancasters and anyone else who would stand in his way.

Manga the Week of 9/30

September 24, 2015 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, Michelle Smith, Anna N and MJ 1 Comment

SEAN: It’s a somewhat busy 5th week this time around, with a lot of stuff from Kodansha.

After a brief delay, I believe we now are getting the final volume of Shigeru Mizuki’s epic biography/history Showa next week from Drawn & Quarterly, covering 1953-1989.

ASH: I am so glad this series was translated.

SEAN: Speaking of giant omnibuses, the second COLOSSAL EDITION of Attack on Titan comes out next week. Use it to beat titans to death!

My Little Monster is now in double digits with the 10th volume. I think it’s actually near an ending as well, so things might be slowly trudging towards resolution.

ASH: I still love that there’s a pet chicken. Nagoya should get a series.

MICHELLE: I would read it! But yes, this series sadly only has twelve volumes.

SEAN: The Seven Deadly Sins, which I admit I lost track of, has also reached double digits.

And there’s a third volume of A Silent Voice, which I think could go in any number of directions right now, all interesting.

ASH: A Silent Voice has been very well written so far. I’m curious to see where it goes.

SEAN: Vinland Saga puts out its 6th omnibus, and they have openly said that this is sales-dependent in order to continue. Go buy it.

ASH: Yes, please do! Vinland Saga is such a great series!

ANNA: I am going to buy it, and if I could clone myself and buy it again I would!

SEAN: Seven Seas gives us a 2nd omnibus of Freezing, which is a very very VERY Seven Seas title, for what it’s worth. Fans of those other Seven Seas titles should go buy it right now.

Vertical has another Attack on Titan light novel, with the 2nd volume of Harsh Mistress in the City.

And lastly, Vertical Comics has the 14th volume of Knights of Sidonia. It’s announced it’s ending in Japan soon, will we get a happy ending? Is that even possible for a title like this?

MICHELLE: *makes grabbyhands* Also, it’s ending?! Granted, I’ve not read anything since volume 12, but it didn’t seem like it was winding down at all. Now I am very fretful that everyone is suddenly going to die.

ANNA: That seems like a reasonable fear.

MJ: Oh, this series, this series… seconding Michelle’s grabbyhands.

SEAN: So what appeals to you as the leaves turn to brown?

The Dandelion Dynasty, Book 1: The Grace of Kings

September 23, 2015 by Ash Brown

Author: Ken Liu
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781481424271
Released: April 2015

Ken Liu is a multi-award-winning author and translator (in addition to being a lawyer and software programmer), probably best known for his short fiction. I was aware of Liu’s work for quite some time before I actually read any of it. His award-winning short story “Mono no Aware”—one of my favorite contributions in the anthology The Future Is Japanese—was my introduction to his fiction and Liu quickly became an author who I made a point to follow. And so I was very interested to learn about his debut novel The Grace of Kings. Published in 2015 by Simon & Schuster’s new speculative fiction imprint Saga Press, the novel is the first of three books planned for Liu’s series The Dandelion Dynasty. Often described as a silkpunk fantasy epic, the novels are heavily inspired by Chinese history and the historical legends surrounding the Han dynasty, such as the extremely influential Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

The islands of Dara were once made up of seven independent kingdoms which were constantly at war with one another. Generations passed before one of the kings was finally able to conquer the others, for the first time uniting the lands to form a single empire. The newly-coronated emperor intended to establish a lasting peace among the lands of Dara, but power has a way of corrupting its wielder and his vision was ultimately overshadowed by his ruthlessness. There were great undertakings made for the good of the empire, but there was also great suffering. As the emperor ages and approaches the end of his life, the stirrings of rebellion begin. Two very different men will be caught up in the resulting wars, becoming leaders in the conflicts as the empire disintegrates: Kuni Garu, a seemingly carefree, small-time gangster, and Mata Zyndu, the last in a long line of legendary warriors and generals. Whether through fate, luck, or the will of the gods, together the two of them are destined to help shape and reshape Dara as it enters into a new era.

Over the course of The Grace of Kings, Kuni Garu and Mata Zyndu emerge as two of the most pivotal characters in the unfolding epic, but they are really only a small part of a much greater whole. Much like the historical legends that influence the novel, there are dozens upon dozens of named characters who play a significant role and whose actions, even those that seem inconsequential, will have a tremendous impact on the way events develop. Liu has established a complex world filled with differing cultures and traditions which are in conflict with one another. Government administration, politics, economics, commerce, social structures, history, religion, mythology, geography, agriculture, philosophy, education, innovation, technology and so much more have all been taken into consideration in the creation of The Dandelion Dynasty. And none of it exists in a vacuum. The interplay and intricate connections among all of these different aspects of Dara has been captured remarkably well; a simple change in one that may initially appear to be insignificant can trigger a chain reaction which has unexpected and far-reaching ramifications in the others.

The Grace of Kings recounts over two decades of Dara’s history and legends, following the people involved in the wars resulting from the collapse of the empire and the attempts made to establish a new order among the chaos. The story is told in short chapters, many of which at first don’t seem to be directly related, but they slowly build upon each other as more and more connections form. The Grace of Kings becomes increasingly complex as it progresses but the novel is still easy to read and follow, showing how the actions of a single person can dramatically change the course of history. The world of The Grace of Kings is so incredibly well-realized that it can be imagined how events would have turned out if any particular person’s decisions were made differently. Very few of the characters act maliciously without good reason and none could be described as evil for evil’s sake; what they do they do because they believe it to be right. But even so, sometimes the consequences are heartbreakingly tragic. The Grace of Kings is the beginning of a spectacular epic; the magnificent worldbuilding and diverse cast of believably flawed characters greatly impressed me.

Pick of the Week: Digital Love

September 21, 2015 by Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, Ash Brown, MJ and Anna N Leave a Comment

SEAN: This week’s pick for me is the new Ryukishi07 adaptation, Rose Guns Days Season 1. This is *not* a When They Cry release, so there’s less emphasis on death and horror. It takes place in an AU 1947 Japan, where various disasters have led to most of Japan being occupied by America and China, with Japanese as second-class citizens. It’s also an excuse for a lot of punching and some fun dialogue.

MICHELLE: I think I’ll go for Chocolate Cosmos this time. It’s not that Cactus’s Secret was crazy amazing, but I don’t recall it being awful either. Plus, I’m generally up for new shoujo debuts!

ASH: The newest volume of My Neighbor Seki gets my pick this week, which seems appropriate as it’s school season here in the US. My Neighbor Seki is just such a delightful and charming manga. I’m glad that Vertical ultimately decided to release the entire series.

MJ: I don’t have an extremely solid pick this week, but I’ll tentatively join Michelle in looking towards Chocolate Cosmos. I’m always interested in new shoujo, and chocolate, even simply as a *word* holds magical power over my soul. So there you are.

ANNA: I’m going to join with MJand Michelle in picking Chocolate Cosmos. I’m always curious to check out a new shoujo series.

What looks good to you this week?

My Week in Manga: September 14-September 20, 2015

September 21, 2015 by Ash Brown

My News and Reviews

Two in-depth manga reviews were posted last week! As part of my monthly horror manga review project, I took a look at Yuki Urushibara’s Mushishi, Volume 5. I still love this series tremendously and wish it wasn’t out-of-print, but at least it’s available digitally from Kodansha Comics now. The second review last week was of Masayuki Ishikawa’s Maria the Virgin Witch: Exhibition, which is a collection of side stories, both prequels and sequels, focusing on the characters of Maria the Virgin Witch. For fans of the original series, it’s a very nice addition. The volume probably won’t appeal to or make much sense to anyone who hasn’t read the main manga, though.

There were a ton of interesting articles, reviews, and news announcements that I saw last week. Deb Aoki has been busy at Anime News Network with a two part interview with various Kodansha folk, mostly focusing on the Kodansha Advanced Media digital manga efforts, as well as an interview with those involved with the new Ultraman manga series, including the creators Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi and Mike Montesa from Viz Media and Ai Shimizu from Hero’s Magazine. Over at Publishers Weekly, she takes a closer look at Tokyopop’s most recent efforts. Elsewhere, Kristin of Comic Attack interviewed Arina Tanemura at Anime Fest; AM Cosmos writes about the different perspectives of bullying found in A Silent Voice and Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto; and Organization Anti-Social Geniuses concludes its Advice on Manga series with advice on manga editing from manga editors.

In licensing news, the fine folk of MASSIVE will be working with Koyama Press to translate What Is Obscenity?, the comic memoir of sculptor and mangaka Megumi Igarashi (aka Rokudenashiko). In addition to the three original short manga, the English-language edition will have additional content, such as a new introduction by the artist and an interview between Rokudenashiko and Sion Sono. Yaoi Con was held over the weekend and there were some other licensing announcements made. SuBLime Manga picked up Rihito Takarai’s Ten Count, Bohra Naono’s Midnight Stranger, and Yonezou Nekota’s Don’t Be Cruel. (I’m especially looking forward to Ten Count, but am always happy to see more of Naono’s work translated.) As for Digital Manga, the Juné imprint is adding twenty-four new titles… except that they’re all digital, no print. (Interestingly, Project H’s recent license announcements were all digital-only as well, which really makes me wonder about DMP, especially as it’s starting to gear up for its next Tezuka Kickstarter.) And speaking of yaoi and BL, Kathryn Hemmann’s academic article “Queering the Media Mix: The Female Gaze in Japanese Fan Comics” takes a look at BL doujinshi based on CLAMP’s works.

Quick Takes

Devils and Realist, Volumes 3-4 written by Madoka Takadono and illustrated by Utako Yukihiro. Sometimes the two major aspects of Devils and Realist (it’s humor and it’s drama) mesh well and sometimes they make the manga seem like it’s trying to be two entirely different series. Despite the demons that have become students in order to be closer to him, William’s school life remains fairly mundane, though humorous. That part of the story isn’t so different from any other school-based manga. What makes the series more interesting is the drama, politics, and intrigue surrounding the selection of the next ruler of hell. Heaven is getting involved now, too. Not only does William have to deal with demons vying for his attention, and in some cases his life, angels are beginning to make their presence known, causing even more problems for him. Also, angels can be just as big of jerks as their fallen brethren. Although I’m not in a rush to find out what happens next, I am still enjoying Devils and Realist; the art and character designs are pretty and I generally find the series to be entertaining.

King City by Brandon Graham. The first half of King City was initially published by Tokyopop but the series, like so many of the publisher’s other original English comics, was left unfinished. However, unlike all but a very select few of the series that met that particular fate, King City found a new home and was able to be completed, in this case thanks to Image Comics. Although there are some dramatic battles and rescues in King City, there really isn’t much in the way of a plot. What there is a bizarre futuristic city filled with some very strange residents. The comic focuses on Joe, his friends and acquaintances, and Earthling, his extremely intelligent and multi-talented cat. Joe is a Catmaster—with a little help from an injection, Earthling can turn into or do anything. What I love most about King City, besides Earthling and the rest of the cats, is that it is absolutely crammed with wordplay and visual puns. It’s worth taking time to thoroughly examine every page because Graham has incorporated so much humor in the small, seemingly inconsequential details. King City is very strange, but it’s the kind of strange that I tend to enjoy.

Pandora Hearts, Volumes 1-3 by Jun Mochizuki. I know so many people who absolutely adore Pandora Hearts that I’ve been meaning to try the series for a while now. To be honest, After reading the first volume, I wasn’t so sure about the manga—I found it to be extremely chaotic and confusing, and almost nonsensical (maybe I just wasn’t reading closely enough)—but after the second volume it started to click for me and by the third I was completely hooked on the series. Mochizuki’s artwork is pretty great, too. I definitely plan on reading more of Pandora Hearts. I’ll admit, I’m still not entirely sure what’s going on yet, but that mystery is part of the point. Most of the characters don’t understand everything, either, and those who do know at least part of the truth aren’t necessarily sharing that information anyone else unless it serves their own purpose. Tragedy and psychological trauma are major components of Pandora Hearts. There is violence and horror, betrayals and lies, but also obsessive loyalty and kindness. The characters are struggling with loneliness and the intense desire and need to belong and feel wanted.

Maria the Virgin Witch: Exhibition

September 18, 2015 by Ash Brown

Creator: Masayuki Ishikawa
U.S. publisher: Kodansha
ISBN: 9781632361905
Released: August 2015
Original release: 2015

I rather enjoyed Masayuki Ishikawa’s short, three-volume manga series Maria the Virgin Witch. Although it was a bit uneven in places, possibly because the series ended sooner than was initially planned (granted, that is my own speculation rather than something that I know for a fact), I liked the series’ quirky characters, historical fantasy, and peculiar mix of humor and more serious philosophical and theological musings. Because Maria the Virgin Witch wrapped up so quickly and left many questions unanswered, I was happy to learn that Maria the Virgin Witch: Exhibition had also been licensed for an English-language release. Originally published in Japan in 2015, Exhibition is a collection of sides stories, a mix of prequels and sequels to the main series. Kodansha Comics released the English-language edition in 2015 as well. It is a relatively slim volume, but I was looking forward to spending a little more time with Maria the Virgin Witch and its characters.

Each of the short manga in Exhibition focuses on a different character of Maria the Virgin Witch: Viv, Maria, Joseph, and Ezekiel. Viv’s story is the only multi-chapter manga in the volume. It follows the English witch from when she first arrived on France’s shores, traveling on a ship filled with soldiers and other witches sent to reinforce England’ armies in the Hundred Years War. This is long before she befriends Maria, but Viv’s enthusiastic and reckless approach to battle, in addition to wreaking havoc, becomes a source of inspiration for Maria’s own efforts. The next story is just as much about Maria’s familiars as it is about Maria herself, taking place during the main series and showing a typical day away from the battlefield after Ezekiel joins their small group. Josephs’ story, like Viv’s, is a prequel to Maria the Virgin Witch, recounting Joseph and Maria’s first adorably awkward meeting as he seeks her aid for France’s war efforts. The volume ends with a story about Ezekiel, not as an angel, but as the human child of Maria and Joseph, providing a nice epilogue for the series as a whole.

The stories in Exhibition are obviously intended for readers who are already familiar with Maria the Virgin Witch and who have already read the entire series. Although the short manga in Exhibition aren’t necessarily directly connected to the main narrative of Maria the Virgin Witch, by their very nature there are some spoilers involved and the collection relies on the reader having previous knowledge of the series’ characters. Exhibition is less devoted to expanding the world and plot of Maria the Virgin Witch and more focused on further developing the manga’s characters and their personal stories. And by telling the stories of the individual characters in Exhibition, more about Maria herself is revealed. Even when she isn’t immediately involved or present, Maria plays an important role in all of the short manga. Exhibition shows many of her different sides: Maria the friend, Maria the master, Maria the lover, Maria the mother, and so on.

Whereas the main Maria the Virgin Witch series had a rather serious story that was accompanied and punctuated with humor, overall Exhibition consistently tends to be much more lighthearted and comedic in nature. It’s a fun collection for fans of the series even if the stories are generally fairly inconsequential. None of the hard questions raised by the main series or the lingering plot threads are really addressed. Maria’s lineage and backstory still remain obscure. (If anything, I’m left wondering even more about her origins and who she really is.) Not much in the way of additional worldbulding is present in the volume either. Instead, Exhibition offers readers the opportunity to enjoy a collection of stories that are charming, funny, and even a little touching as they celebrate the characters of Maria the Virgin Witch. And because the characters are such a large part of what makes Maria the Virgin Witch so appealing, Exhibition is a perfect send-off for the series.

Manga the Week of 9/23

September 18, 2015 by Sean Gaffney, Anna N, Ash Brown, Michelle Smith and MJ 1 Comment

SEAN: Did I mention Yen’s digital rollout makes next week even longer? 30 titles. 30. Let that roll around your head for a while.

Before we get to Yen, let’s talk Devil Survivor, a new Kodansha series based off of an RPG that’s apparently quite popular. Lots of demons here.

Seven Seas has a 12th volume of Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends, whose fandom I’ve heard has completely imploded with the latest LN revelations. Luckily, this is the manga, and we’re a number of volumes from that.

Vertical Comics has the penultimate 11th volume of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin. So happy this series came out over here.

ANNA: Yay for Gundam: The Origin! I need to go on a reading binge and get caught up on this series.

SEAN: And Vertical also has My Neighbor Seki 4, which is nothing like Gundam but also delights me.

ASH: As it should! My Neighbor Seki is wonderful.

SEAN: Viz Digital has a debut that I believe is another JManga rescue, though I’m not sure about that. Chocolate Cosmos is a Ribon series about a young girl looking for love, so it’s definitely for Beat fans. I think there was a translation competition that centered around it.

MICHELLE: Ooh, I didn’t know about this one! It’s by Nana Haruta, mangaka of Cactus’s Secret, which came out a few years ago.

ANNA: That sounds really interesting, I will have to check it out!

MJ: Same here!

SEAN: And now on to Yen Press. We’ll start with the Yen On line. Kagerou Daze’s first novel was rather diffuse and obtuse – somewhat deliberately – and I am both interested in the 2nd volume and hoping I get more of a handle on it.

Kingdom Hearts has a new novel as well, Chain of Memories. Are Mickey Mouse and company still in this series?

I don’t know if MJhas had the time to read Pandora Hearts: Caucus Race yet, but if not, she’s now even more behind, as the 2nd novel is out next week.

MJ: MJhas not, and she’s a little bit wary of a Pandora Hearts novel series, but she’ll most likely succumb.

SEAN: The debut novel this month is Strike the Blood, which is an action fantasy series with vampires, and thus perfect for Yen, really.

Yen Digital rolls out more debuts, most comedic. Demon King Ena-sama Goes to a Manga School seems a bit self-explanatory.

If the creepy humiliation vibe of Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler didn’t put you off, a 3rd volume is here for you.

My Monster Girl’s Too Cool For You seeks to hit on a popular recent trend, and for once seems to begin with a rejection rather than a sudden love confession.

The Royal Tutor was slighter than I was expecting, but decent enough, and a 3rd volume of that is here as well.

ASH: Wow, I’m behind. I didn’t realize we were already up to volume three!

SEAN: And we get complete in 3 separate volumes a series called Shut-in Shoutarou Koninami Takes On The World, whose name alone makes one think of Scott Pilgrim.

Finally, we get Yen’s copious print volumes. A 2nd Big Hero 6, based on the American movie. (I always love seeing Japanese adaptations of Western media.)

Black Bullet gets a manga series to go with the light novel we saw last month. I expect the lolicon tendencies I saw in the novel would bother me more in the manga.

Bloody Cross has an 8th volume.

And there’s a 2nd volume of possibly too cliched for its own good fantasy series Chaika the Coffin Princess.

Demon From Afar is up to Volume 4, which means by now the entire cast must have all died at least three times, right?

After a couple of Final Fantasy Type-0 side stories, we now have the Type-0 manga proper.

Surprise hit (at least with me) He’s My Only Vampire gets a 4th volume.

And a 4th Love at Fourteen will continue to alternate between “they’re so adorable!” and “…are you really going there?”

MICHELLE: I’m going to be catching up on this series soon!

ASH: I need to catch up, too, but I did enjoy the first couple of volumes.

SEAN: Not everything is about Madoka Magica, but the new spinoff certainly is: Suzuna Magica begins next week.

After the relative popularity of Higurashi and Umineko, it’s time for another Ryukishi07 sound novel getting an adaptation, this one somewhat lighter in tone – at least at first. Rose Guns Days is an alternate universe action thriller with lots of fistfights and “ladies of the evening”, and should be a ton of fun.

Spice & Wolf gives us an 11th manga volume. Don’t get it mixed up with the light novels.

Sword Art Online Progressive’s manga also has a third volume, though it’s still adapting the first light novel. Expect underwear. Lots of underwear.

MJ: I wish I liked these manga adaptations better. Alas.

SEAN: Triage X has hit double digits, a feat that makes me want to cry blood, but hey.

And a third (fourth) omnibus of Ubel Blatt, whose Volume Zero still haunts the list-obsessed.

Umineko: When They Cry has a 2nd omnibus for its 5th arc. Dlanor A. Knox is on the cover. I love Dlanor. So much better than Erika, whose presence sadly continues to permeate this arc, infecting it with her detective skills.

Lastly (at long last), a 10th omnibus of Until Death Do Us Part. Still not quite caught up with Japan, in case you were wondering.

Does anything in this huge pile appeal to your inner soul?

Mushishi, Vol. 5

September 16, 2015 by Ash Brown

Creator: Yuki Urushibara
U.S. publisher: Del Rey
ISBN: 9780345501387
Released: August 2008
Original release: 2004
Awards: Japan Media Arts Award, Kodansha Manga Award

The manga series Mushishi was Yuki Urushibara’s professional debut as a mangaka. The manga began serialization in Japan in 1999, lasted for ten volumes, and was the basis for multiple anime adaptations and a live-action film in addition to other media. Over the course of its publication, Mushishi would earn Urushibara several awards and honors, including a Japan Media Arts Award in 2003 and a Kodansha Manga Award in 2006. Mushishi, Volume 5 was originally published in Japan in 2004. The English-language edition of the volume was initially released in print by Del Rey Manga in 2008 and then in an electronic format by Kodansha Comics in 2014. Mushishi is one of my favorite manga series and one of the first that I made a point to collect in its entirety. Fortunately, I discovered the series as it was first being published in English, so I was able to complete my set before the manga went out-of-print and became expensive to find. However, I am glad that the digital version is now available for readers who missed the series’ original run in English, though.

Mushishi, Volume 5 collects five stories which, as is usual for the series, largely stand on their own. Ginko’s doctor friend makes a brief reappearance and there are a few nods to some of the series’ previous chapters, such as those exploring Ginko’s past, but it’s not necessary to be familiar with those references to enjoy the stories in the fifth volume. In “The Sea Palace,” Ginko visits a remote island where it is rumored that people are reborn after they die, suspecting that mushi may involved. His search for unusual mushi continues in “Eye’s Fortune, Eye’s Misfortune” when he happens upon a clairvoyant traveling musician with quite a story to tell—blind as a child, she credits a mushi for giving her sight. “The Coat That Holds a Mountain” follows an aspiring artist who leaves his rural village to study in the city, his success coming with unanticipated consequences and costs. In “Flames of the Fields,” a village’s mushishi makes a drastic decision when an unknown, invasive grass threatens lives and livelihoods. Finally, in “The Snake of Dawn,” Ginko is asked to do what he can to help a young mother who is slowly losing all of her memories.

As a mushishi, Ginko travels across Japan striving to learn as much as he can about mushi. Some mushishi see the creatures as little more than dangerous pests that need to be eradicated. Ginko, however, approaches mushi more liberally, recognizing the need to treat them with caution but also advocating for the sanctity of all life and for the coexistence between humans and mushi whenever possible. Mushishi, Volume 5 presents several scenarios in which this harmony has actually been achieved: mushi that facilitate life, mushi that provide healing, mushi that grant health and strength. In some cases, though the results may still be tragic, what would normally be seen as an unwanted side-effect of interacting with a particular mushi can be used to a person’s advantage. But the fifth volume also shows that people must still continue to be vigilant and take great care when dealing with mushi and their powerful influences. This is a concept that of course extends beyond the mushi themselves; mushi are both representative of and a metaphor for those things which humans don’t fully understand or know.

I particularly enjoy the strong influence that Japanese folklore and legends have had on Mushishi. Some of the chapters take direct inspiration from existing stories while others easily fit in with those traditional tales. But there’s another aspect of Mushishi that I find especially interesting because in some way it runs counter to its seemingly supernatural elements—the actual study of mushi. In part, to be a mushishi is to be a scientist and a researcher, someone who pursues and gathers knowledge. Much of Mushishi, Volume 5 deals with rarer and unknown mushi. By investigating them, Ginko and other mushishi are in a better position to make more informed decisions in situations in which mushi are involved. Acting without complete understanding can be extremely dangerous, therefore knowledge is an incredibly powerful and valuable tool granting some amount of control over the world. Mushishi realize how important and vital the accumulation of knowledge truly is and they take their chose profession very seriously.

Pick of the Week: Astro-nomical!

September 14, 2015 by Michelle Smith, Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, MJ and Anna N Leave a Comment

MICHELLE: While I’m really looking forward to getting caught up on Naoki Urasawa’s Master Keaton, I must cast my vote this week to the new Astro Boy omnibus, which includes the story “The Greatest Robot on Earth,” which is pretty much required reading and which gives its robot a surprisingly touching character arc.

SEAN: Absolutely Astro Boy for me as well. Some of the finest Tezuka.

ASH: I almost feel like picking something else just to be contrary, but the new edition of Astro Boy is probably the most alluring release for me this week, too.

MJ: I am a sheep. Astro Boy it is.

ANNA: I’m not going to be the one to break this trend. Astro Boy for everybody!!!!

MICHELLE: Baaaa. :)

What looks good to you this week?

My Week in Manga: September 7-September 13, 2015

September 14, 2015 by Ash Brown

My News and Reviews

I was on a much-needed vacation last week; the family spent a fair amount of time in northern Michigan enjoying nature and good food and drink. I got some extra sleep and caught up on some of my reading and writing, too. All in all, a lovely time was had. I wasn’t online much at all except to post a couple of reviews, so I’m sure that I’ve missed out on all sorts of things. (If you would, please do fill me in on anything that was particularly interesting!) The first review I posted was of the rather clever debut mystery novel The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji (who also happens to be the creator of the horror mystery Another and the husband of Fuyumi Ono). I also reviewed Hirohiko Araki’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 1: Phantom Blood, Volume 1 which continues to be marvelously strange and over-the-top.

Quick Takes

The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Volume 2 by Kore Yamazaki. The first volume of The Ancient Magus’ Bride was one of my favorite debuts of 2015 and I continue to thoroughly enjoy the series with the second volume. Although overall there is a disconcerting, dark, ominous, and creepy atmosphere to the manga, but there are also moments light; the horror and mystery are accompanied by touches of humor and hope that help keep the series from becoming too oppressive. Yamazaki also captures the capricious nature of the fae perfectly. I was rather pleased to see Titania and Oberon, the queen and king of the fairies, introduced in this volume as well. Although more is hinted about Elias’ past—he has connections to the fae, mages, and alchemists, but isn’t really accepted by any of them—he’s still reluctant to open up and talk about it. He largely remains shrouded in mystery, but it seems as though he may have more in common with Chise than would initially appear. Their relationship has a peculiar dynamic to it in addition to a significant imbalance of power, but I’m very curious to see how it develops; there may be healing involved for both of them.

Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto, Volume 1 by Nami Sano. The exceedingly odd Sakamoto doesn’t seem to care at all about what other people might think of him, making him immune to bullying and giving him the reputation of being the coolest student in school despite his weirdness. Somehow, he is able to take control of any situation and use it to his advantage; he always ends up looking good. The girls all love him and the guys, though they would like to hate him, can’t help but admire and respect him. And that’s what makes the manga so funny. So far, Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto is fairly episodic although there are some recurring characters and running jokes. Both the series and Sakamoto are admittedly strange, but the comedy is played seriously with an incredibly straight face. At the same time, Sano’s artwork highlights the drama and humor of the various situations. Haven’t You Heard? I’m Sakamoto is kind of absurd and yet highly entertaining. I’m not sure for how long Sano will be able to keep the gags fresh, but I’m looking forward to reading more of the series and finding out.

UQ Holder!, Volume 5 by Ken Akamatsu. Up until this point, my feelings toward UQ Holder! have been fairly lukewarm. I’ve enjoyed the wide variety of immortals and some of the action sequences can be highly entertaining, but the story and characters more often than not are frustratingly directionless and shallow. That being said, I was surprised by how much I actually liked the fifth volume of UQ Holder!. I didn’t have much hope for it at first as the opening battle ends up being extremely anticlimactic. I’m sure this was meant to be an amusing development, but Akamatsu’s sense of humor in the series doesn’t always work for me. But then four of the UQ Holder members are sent undercover as high school students to investigate a string of serial murders in which an immortal may be involved. Not unexpectedly, some silliness ensues alongside the seriousness of the killings. The murder case is interesting, though, even if its solution ultimately feels forced. And while I liked some of the newly-introduced characters, the lead’s oblivious optimism and aggressive friendliness continues to be both an asset and a detriment to the series.

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JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 1: Phantom Blood, Volume 2

September 11, 2015 by Ash Brown

Creator: Hirohiko Araki
U.S. publisher: Viz Media
ISBN: 9781421578804
Released: May 2015
Original release: 1988

For years the only part of Hirohiko Araki’s epic and fashionably strange shōnen manga series JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure that was available in English was the third story arc, Stardust Crusaders. A standalone side story, Rohan at the Louvre was released as well, but it wasn’t until 2015 that the very beginning of the series, Phantom Blood, was translated and released in print, and in a lovely hardcover edition, too. (I have a feeling that the popularity of the recent JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure anime adaptation probably had something to do with that.) Phantom Blood was originally published in five volumes in Japan between 1987 and 1988, but in 2002 the first story arc was re-released in three volumes. Viz Media’s English-language edition is based on that 2002 release. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Part 1: Phantom Blood, Volume 2, published in 2015, collects part of the second volume, all of the third volume, and part of the fourth volume of the original Japanese release.

JoJo’s life isn’t exactly turning out the way that he would have hoped or expected. His father lays dying in his arms after having taken a fatal blow that was intended for him. Behind the knife that will end his father’s life is Dio, a man who was raised as his brother but who has turned against the Joestar family as was always his plan and intention. Not only that, Dio has gained untold powers from a mysterious and ancient stone mask. Now a vampire, Dio is nearly immortal and possesses great strength. Even he doesn’t know the full extent of his astonishing abilities, but he has already begun gathering followers who are drawn to his charisma and promises of power. With the help of a curious man named Baron Zeppeli, JoJo becomes one of the only people who might have a chance of defeating Dio. Zeppeli unlocks JoJo’s own latent talents, training him in Sendo and its use of Hamon energy, an impressive martial technique which when mastered may make it possible for JoJo to destroy Dio and save the world.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a very aptly named series. It is an exceedingly strange manga with nonstop, over-the-top action and drama. Nearly every phrase of narration and dialogue in Phantom Blood, Volume 2 is an exclamation. Even the few relatively quiet moments are fervently intense and the calm never lasts for very long. Most of the second volume of Phantom Blood consists of extended fight scenes and training sequences. Araki keeps Phantom Blood moving along at a breakneck pace which sometimes includes the actual breaking of necks. Blood, gore, dismembered body parts, splattered guts, eyeballs, and brain matter are all fairly common in the series. There is definitely a strong element of horror in the early part of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. While Araki’s artwork in Phantom Blood understandably doesn’t show the same refinement found in his later illustrations, it still has a sense of visceral dynamism and the occasional panel can actually be quite beautiful or striking.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a very odd manga. The story, artwork, and characters are all memorable if for no other reason than they are so over-the-top and strange. Additionally, Araki freely mixes historical events with historical fantasy in Phantom Blood. For example, Jack the Ripper becomes one of Dio’s earliest followers and England’s bloody dynastic struggles of the sixteenth century form a dramatic backstory for some of the other warriors that JoJo must face as he pursues his adoptive brother. Plenty of Phantom Blood is completely Araki’s own creation, though. And lest there be any confusion about all the weirdness, JoJo’s faithful and at times even useful companion Speedwagon is there to explain everything that’s going on, as well as to narrate the obvious. Speedwagon’s help isn’t needed to realize how much of a villain Dio is, though. Even before becoming a vampire Dio delighted in his own evil and the evil of others, but with his newfound powers he is in a better position than ever to make his malevolent schemes a reality. How successful he will actually be remains to be seen, but so far the results are marvelously terrifying and outrageous.