Manga Bookshelf

Discussion, Resources, Roundtables, & Reviews

Katherine Dacey

The Manga Review: Simply the Best

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Words like “icon” and “legend” are so overused today that when a true pioneer dies, it’s hard to describe their legacy. By any reasonable measure, though, Tina Turner was both an icon and a legend, a ground-breaking figure in R&B and rock music whose expressive voice and commanding stage presence radically transformed American popular music. Her voice could be seductive or powerful, heart-breaking or soul-stirring, embodying the real emotion behind even the most banal lyrics. (Who but Tina Turner could make “River Deep, Mountain High” into something glorious?) That she had her greatest success in her forties is perhaps the most astonishing part of her story. At an age when women are often pushed to the margins of the popular music industry, Turner packed stadiums around the world, sold millions of albums, and won legions of new fans through her music videos and standout performance at Live Aid, reminding all of us that artistry is a life-long pursuit. As much as I love her earlier work, though, the song I come back to is one of the last recordings she made: “Edith and the King Pin,” a Joni Mitchell cover she recorded with Herbie Hancock in 2007. The whole album is terrific, but Turner’s contribution is revelatory, a stellar jazz interpretation of Mitchell’s song that is delicate, lyrical, and yet unmistakably Tina Turner:

RIP, Acid Queen!

AROUND THE WEB

Otaku USA has a preview of Alpi: The Soul Sender, a new series from Titan Manga; look for volume one in early October. [Otaku USA]

Tony Yao explains why Tokyo Revengers’ Chifuyu Matsuno is one of his all-time favorite supporting characters. [Drop-In to Manga]

Something old, something new: Kory, Apryll, and Helen compare notes on Lil’ Leo and Oshi no Ko. [Manga in Your Ears]

Join the OverMangaCast gang for a lively discussion of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure—specifically, the Battle Tendency arc. [OverMangaCast]

Place your bets: Sean, Mike, and Phil have just embarked on their annual Trashtacular Tournament Arc, sifting through the good, the bad, and the ugly so that you don’t have to. [Trash Manga Friends]

REVIEWS

Over at Anime Collective, Kristin reviews the deluxe versions of 20th Century Boys, Blade of the Immortal, and Pandora Hearts… Megan D. jumps in the WABAC Machine for a look at Cipher, a manga with “a great cast, a compelling premise, and great art that looks as fresh as it did nearly 40 years ago”… Adam Symchuk weighs in on Small Nozomi and Big Yume… and the latest Reader’s Corner looks at Helck, Honey Lemon Soda, and the final volume of Horimiya!

New and Noteworthy

Complete, OOP, and Ongoing Series

Pick of the Week: So Much Stuff

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KATE: My pick of the week goes to Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki’s Conjecture, as it checks a number of boxes for me: supernatural elements, characters with weird but useful superpowers, and characters whose primary field of study is folklore. (I may be the only reader holding out for a manga on Charles Seeger. Just sayin’.) The story also gets high marks for having an original premise—something that seems to be in short supply lately.

MICHELLE: There are a good many things coming out next week that I’m interested in, but what I’m most looking forward to is BL murder mystery Manner of Death, because I’m always on the search for good mystery manga.

SEAN: Yeah, there’s a pile, with many things I’m reading. I could pick problematic fave Horimiya, or one by a favorite author, A Pale Moon Reverie. But I think I feel like hiding from my responsibilities in a library, so will choose The Dragon King’s Imperial Wrath: Falling in Love with the Bookish Princess of the Rat Clan.

ASH: I have definitely hid from my responsibilities in a library before, but the debut that’s really caught my attention this week is Associate Professor Akira Takatsuki’s Conjecture. I simply cannot pass up the premise of BL-adjacent folklore studies.

ANNA: I’m excited to read the second volume of Honey Lemon Soda!

Bookshelf Briefs 5/21/23

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Catch These Hands!, Vol. 4 | By murata | Yen Press – When two people who already know each other well decide—or are trying to decide—to be a couple, it can be very easy to start second-guessing. That’s what we see in this final volume, as Takabe realizes that she has no idea what Soramori’s likes, dislikes, and hobbies are outside of their tiny little interactions, so tries to nudge Soramori into doing things she enjoys. The trouble is, and Soramori feels shamed about this, she doesn’t really have anything much of a life outside Takebe. She worries this will mean Takabe thinks her too much trouble to be worth it, but Takabe is able to use this to finally admit how she feels. In the end, the two are a couple, but still feeling things out, and that feels very appropriate. – Sean Gaffney

Daemons of the Shadow Realm, Vol. 1 | By Hiromu Arakawa | Square Enix – Any new series by Hiromu Arakawa ought to be a cause for celebration, but her latest effort feels more like something produced by ChatGPT than a person. All the right ingredients are there, from a brother and sister with supernatural powers to a boisterous supporting cast of bounty hunters and demons—sorry, daemons—but the first four chapters are so jam-packed with events and characters that it’s easy to lose sight of the main storyline. Even the jokes feel tired, as they focus mainly on the characters’ surprised reactions to modern technologies such as the automobile; you’ve seen this kind of fish-out-of-water humor done with more panache in dozens of other series. About the best I can say for Daemons of the Shadow Realm is that Arakawa still has a flair for drawing monsters and villains, including the most menacing set of teeth since Jaws terrorized movie-goers. My verdict: skip it and read Silver Spoon instead. – Katherine Dacey

Komi Can’t Communicate, Vol. 24 | By Tomohito Oda | Viz Media – The next ‘arc’ of this manga is teased in this volume, as we see it’s the start of a new school year and unfortunately this means Komi is in a classroom with a whole lot of new cast members who don’t know who she is. But for now we have fluffier things to deal with, as Tadano and Komi try to go out on a date. This involves shopping for clothes on Komi’s end, and getting vetted by Komi’s dad on Tadano’s end, though Tadano is so pure that the outcome is never in doubt. And then there’s the new year, and Manbagi is not in the same class, but fortunately for Komi Tadano is. Good stuff, and the series now has to cross the high hurdle of continuing after the romantic resolution. Can it succeed? – Sean Gaffney

Laid-Back Camp, Vol. 13 | By Afro | Yen Press – After the last volume went totally off the rails (in a good way), this is a return to form for the series, which knows what its readers want, and for the most part gives it to them. (The readers also want a Rin/Nadeshiko ship, but that’s not happening.) So we get lots of scenes of the girls camping, separately this time, and an excuse to draw a whole lot of gorgeous Japanese scenery and show off what are presumably some excellent campgrounds. We even get what may be a couple of new characters in one chapter, where we see an artist trying to find inspiration who settles on Ena and her dog, asleep on a bench. There’s never any plot or character development in this, but that’s just fine. It’s relaxing. – Sean Gaffney

Nights with a Cat, Vol. 1 | By Kyuryu Z | Yen Press – Though there are dozens of great pet manga now available in English, Nights with a Cat has something genuinely new to offer: simple, observational storytelling that doesn’t shamelessly tug on the heartstrings or anthropomorphize our furry companions. The series explores the relationship between Fuuta and Kyuruga, his roommate’s cat. As someone who’s never lived with a cat before, Fuuta is fascinated by Kyuruga, marveling at Kyuruga’s anatomy—his pupils, his sandpaper tongue, his retractable claws—as well as Kyuruga’s ability to silently materialize in surprising places. Kyuryu Z doesn’t play these moments for laughs, choosing instead to emphasize how strange and amazing cats really are; his illustrations capture the fluidity of Kyuruga’s movements and the changeability of his moods. Recommended for new and long-time cat owners alike. – Katherine Dacey

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You, Vol. 6 | By Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nozawa | Ghost Ship This will always be a Ghost Ship sort of title, which can make it hard to recommend to anyone who is not intensely horny 90% of the time. The opening scenes, involving hair evolving out of control to the point that it becomes tentacle porn, are a good example. But we also get a new girlfriend, a shy girl who is convinced eventually to show herself in front of the guy she loves. And, in the best part of the volume, Karane’s tsundere character is deconstructed when she drinks a de-tsun potion and turns into a lovey-dovey girl. The question is… is she better off like this, able to say she loves Rentaro directly? Or is it better to be her old self? Love it. – Sean Gaffney

Skip and Loafer, Vol. 7 | By Misaki Takamatsu |Seven Seas – Given the cliffhanger ending to this volume, I should probably be talking about its two leads some more, but let’s face it, the entire volume is stolen by Yuzuki. It’s the start of everyone’s second year, and that means new classes. Everyone in their group is at least with someone they know… except Yuzuki, who is by herself. This means that all the teen drama she used to deal with all the time is back full force, complete with guys trying to force their way into a date and girls lying to her in order to make said date happen. It’s no wonder she breaks down in tears. Frankly, she’s better off with Makoto, who is able to run to her rescue at the end, if only with pudding. I love Yuzuki so much. – Sean Gaffney

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle, Vol. 20 | By Kagiji Kumanomata | Viz Media Despite being, for the most part, a gag series, there is a bit of plot in Sleepy Princess, and it crops up a bit here, which is the fact that humans and demons are still at odds with each other. This is what Syalis and Twilight are trying to fix, but it can be hard on both ends. The biggest “story” in this book has Poseidon accidentally hitting a poison needle that makes the recipient sleep for a year. (It was made for Syalis’ grandmother, implied to be THE Sleeping Beauty herself.) There’s a demon who will fix it… but she refuses to deal with humans. Can Syalis break past her misgivings by being polite and asking nicely? Or will she simply be herself? – Sean Gaffney

Teasing Master Takagi-san, Vol. 17 | By Soichiro Yamamoto | Yen Press – I’ve said this before, but the main struggle this series has is that the ending is obvious but it can’t go there yet. The series is still too popular, it’s still getting anime series and movies, and even the spinoffs are doing well, though not licensed here. But if you want character development, either Nishikata or Takagi is going to have to genuinely confess. And you can’t DO that without ending the series, because the whole point is that she’s trying to be subtle and Nishikata is the very embodiment of not picking up on something unless it’s ludicrously direct. There’s a lot of teasing here, but in terms of romance they’re both still more immature than they should be for fourteen-year-olds. – Sean Gaffney

The Manga Review: Eisner Fever

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On Wednesday, the 2023 Eisner Award nominees were formally announced. This year’s manga selections include Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Look Back, Junji Ito’s Black Paradox, Hayao Miyazaki’s Shuna’s Journey, Yamada Murasaki’s Talk to My Back, and Masaaki Nakayama’s PTSD Radio, all of which were nominated for Best US Edition of International Material—Asia. And while I love all of these titles, I’m secretly rooting for PTSD Radio to win, as it’s scary, weird, and genuinely original. Don’t just take my word for it, though; check out Bradathon Nu’s excellent essay on what makes PTSD Radio so unnerving.

AROUND THE WEB

Looking for a round-up of all the latest manga news? Colton and Lum have you covered, with a look at all of April’s major licensing announcements, movie trailers, and new series. [Manga Mavericks]

On the latest Manga Machinations podcast, the gang compares the K Manga and VIZ Manga apps before pivoting into a discussion of Satoshi Kon’s Dream Fossil. [Manga Machinations]

Robert Adams takes the new VIZ Manga app for a test drive. [Dad Needs to Talk]

Samantha Ferreira recaps one her of favorite panels at Anime Boston 2023: “A Brief History of Yokai,” hosted by translator Zack Davisson. [Anime Herald]

ICYMI: Brett Michael Orr lists his five favorite manga moms. [Honey’s Anime]

David and Jordan throw a shower for Tokyo Demon Bride Story. [Shonen Flop]

Paging Glacier Bay Books! Jocelyne Allen has the cat manga for you: Chakkun, “the perfect tribute to a beloved friend.” [Brain vs. Book]

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me: Marion, Sakaki, and VLord explain why you should be reading Insomniacs After School. [Saturday Night Shoggy]

Ashley McDonnell and Anne LaRose continue their in-depth conversation about Sailor Moon, with a look at the Infinity, Dream, and Stars arcs. [Shojo & Tell]

The Mangasplainers tackle one of the most impenetrable gag manga ever licensed in English: Pop Team Epic, a series about “random internet humor, shitposting, and deep, deep self-loathing and self-recognition.” Creator Bkub Okawa even includes a helpful strip that “flat out tells you that you’re unlikely to get most of the jokes.” You’ve been warned! [Mangasplaining]

REVIEWS

If you’re not following That Manga Hunter, you should; I just recently discovered their site, and was delighted to find reviews of Kowloon Generic Romance, I Don’t Know How to Give Birth!, and Came the Mirror and Other Tales, as well as a wealth of useful articles about collecting manga. Elsewhere on the web, Charles and Claire discuss the latest installment of Magia Record: Puella Magi Madoka Magica Another Story… The Reverse Thieves pronounce Cardcaptor Sakura their Manga of the Month… Arpad Okay appreciates the messiness of Choujin X…. and my Manga Bookshelf colleague Sean Gaffney offers his two cents on Insomniacs After School, Kageki Shojo!!, and Love, That’s an Understatement.

New and Noteworthy

Complete, OOP, and Ongoing Series

* This title is 100% less sleazy than it sounds!

Lovely Muco!, Vol. 1

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For thirteen years, I lived with Grendel, a smart, stubborn Australian shepherd who treated me and my husband like a pair of unruly sheep. She woke us up at 5:45 am every day, herded us to the park, and marched us around until we were exhausted. She nipped our ankles when we left for work—we weren’t supposed to leave the farm, I guess—and had strong preferences about everything, from which routes we walked to which brand of kibble we bought. When she wasn’t trying to bend us to her will, she applied her formidable intelligence to foraging snacks; she had a black bear’s talent for opening jars and containers. I loved her dearly, but I admit that there were times when I fantasized about living with a dog who didn’t behave like the CEO of a small company.

With my current commute, I can’t own the happy-go-lucky dog of my dreams, but I can do the next best thing: read about one. That’s where Lovely Muco! comes in. It’s a gag manga inspired by the real-life relationship between Komatsu, a professional glass blower, and Muco, his exuberant shiba inu.

In every chapter, Muco makes a discovery—that her nose is shiny, or that Komatsu isn’t a dog—and becomes so consumed with excitement that she ends up in trouble. Muco’s reactions to everyday situations bring out her inner Gracie Allen; she’s less dim than dizzy, viewing the world with the peculiar logic of a canine enthusiast. (Muco may be the first dog to embrace the Cone of Shame as a fashion accessory.) As much as I love Muco’s antics, my favorite storyline focuses on Komatsu, who hires his pal Ushiko to design him a website. Ushiko uses the tools that you’d expect—a digital camera, a laptop—but Komatsu’s reactions to these technologies seem more appropriate for someone who’d just spent the last 20 years living off the grid than someone making a living in modern-day Japan. His child-like wonder mirrors the way Muco approaches just about everything in her life, from tennis balls to car rides—a neat inversion of their usual roles of bemused owner and confused dog.

Takayuki Mizushina’s artwork is more gestural than literal, distilling each character to a set of bold lines and simple geometric shapes. Muco’s face, in particular, bears only a passing resemblance to a shiba inu’s; her head is shaped like a hexagon with two triangles perched on top, providing Mizushina an ideal canvas for capturing Muco’s over-the-top responses to everything. In many sequences, I was struck by how much her facial expressions reminded me of Domo’s, right down to the way she grimaces when she has an ephiphany:

What I like best about Lovely Muco, though, is that Muco’s thought process isn’t like Grommit or Snoopy’s. She’s not building wild contraptions or fantasizing about being a World War I flying ace; she’s just trying to make sense of the people and things in her environment. Her fascination with ordinary objects is a nice reminder that part of living with a dog—or any sentient creature—is recognizing how strange and interesting our world must seem to them, and taking pleasure in their curiosity and enthusiasm. Recommended.

PS: If you just can’t get enough shiba inu hijinks, you can follow the real-life Muco’s exploits on Twitter. (Hat tip to @debaoki for the link.)

LOVELY MUCO! THE HAPPY DAILY LIFE OF MUCO AND MR. KOMATSU, VOL. 1 • ART AND STORY BY TAKAYUKI MIZUSHINA • TRANSLATED BY CASEY LEE •  KODANSHA COMICS  220 pp. • RATED 10+ (SUITABLE FOR READERS OF ALL AGES)

Pick of the Week: Gatherings, Games and Biases

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SEAN: I used to obsessively follow Hana to Yume and LaLa titles back in the days when Tokyopop still existed, and as such I’m a sucker for my pick this week, Last Game. I hope it has messy, overcluttered art. Such nostalgia.

MICHELLE: Oh, man, and with teeny tiny asides in every panel! I will check out Last Game, but I think I’ll officially pick The Yakuza’s Bias, because it sounds fun and kooky.

KATE: My vote goes to Dark Gathering, if only to remind readers that Junji Ito isn’t the only artist cranking out horror stories.

ANNA: I cannot resist the siren call of old-school shoujo, Last Game is also my pick.

ASH: As much as I love Junji Ito, I also love that we seem to be getting more and different horror manga these days, so Dark Gathering has my attention this week. That being said, The Yakuza’s Bias looks like it could be a lot of fun, too.

The Manga Critic: Vizion Quest

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This week’s big story is the launch of the VIZ Manga app. For a monthly fee of $1.99, the app gives subscribers access to a library of 10,000+ chapters from series like Call of the Night, InuYasha, NANA, and Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead. Not everything in the VIZ catalog is included; as Dean Simons reports, “mature rated books and series will not be available on the app due to content restrictions.” Also debuting this week is Kodansha’s K MANGA app. Kodansha’s approach is a little different than VIZ’s; instead of charging users a flat monthly fee to access its digital vault, Kodansha is using a ticket-and-point system that sounds, frankly, like a needlessly complicated way to offer freemium content.

In other news, the winners of the 47th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards were just announced… Dark Horse will be re-issuing Kohta Hirano’s Drifters in a new omnibus edition… anime tourism is on the rebound… fans just can’t get enough of Oshi no Ko… and manga sales remain robust, even if buyers’ enthusiasm for Chainsaw Man has cooled a bit. Looking at the April 2023 Circana Bookscan data Brigid Alverson observes, “There are 15 different series on the April chart, a far cry from January, when 10 of the 20 slots were taken up by Chainsaw Man and an 11th by another book by the same creator. In fact, there is only one volume of Chainsaw Man on the April chart, and like most of the other handful of backlist titles, it’s Volume 1.”

AROUND THE WEB

Patricia C. Baxter pens an essay about SHWD and She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat, “two very different series [that] showcase plus-sized sapphic women as people worthy of respect and desire.” [Anime Feminist]

Over at The Wonder of Anime, Lisa De La Cruz examines her complicated emotional response to BJ Alex. [The Wonder of Anime]

ICYMI: artist Harmony Becker makes a list of 7 Manga Titles Perfect for Any Young Adult Reading List. [New York Times]

If you missed the Leiji Matsumoto panel at Anime Boston, Samantha Ferreira has the next best thing: a detailed summary. [Anime Herald]

Visiting Japan this summer? Don’t miss “BL Evolution: From Pioneers to Global Phenomenon ―Tracing the 50 Year History and Impact of Boys’ Love through Manga, Literature, and Media.” The show opens on May 20th at the Kadakowa Culture Museum and closes on July 16th. [Otaku USA]

Brigid Alverson previews July’s best new manga. [ICv2]

Harry reflects on the phenomenal success of Fairy Tail creator Hiro Mashima. [Honey’s Anime]

Before Cross-Game, Touch, or H2, there was Nine, Adachi Mitsuru’s first major foray into baseball manga. Ichi offers good insight into why this particular series hasn’t aged well, or been translated into English. [SportsBaka]

Anita Mowete explores the deeper themes of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man. “If there was one question that captured the essence of Chainsaw Man, it would be: What does it mean to be human?” she argues. “Every storyline and character set about different ways of answering this question.” [How to Love Comics]

LISTENING IN

Check out Mangaroos, a brand-new podcast with a great logo and a growing library of great episodes! Their latest conversation focuses on Shuzo Oshimi’s psychological thriller Blood on the Tracks, a series filled with “deeply creepy mom stuff.” [Mangaroos]

Kory, Apryll, and Helen discuss I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient, But I’m Fine and I Want to Be a Wall. [Taiiku Podcast]

Should you read Rooster Fighter? King and Jones weigh in on the first two volumes. [The Manga Men]

Go Berserk with Matt, Sam, Jae, and Jacob, as they dissect Kentaro Miura’s perennially popular series. [OverMangaCast]

Elliot and Andy compare notes on Yuri Is My Job! and Smoking Behind the Supermarket With You. [Screentone Club]

On the latest episode of We Appreciate Manga, hosts Steven and Will “are perplexed by the plot” of Welcome to the NHK. [We Appreciate Manga]

What’s new at Glacier Bay Books? Morgana, Seamus, Darfox and dakazu share their thoughts on three recent releases: PANDORA, Mothers, and A Favorable Wind on Full Sails. [Manga Machinations]

REVIEWS

If “passionate Amish yaoi manga” is your thing, Danica Davidson has the title for you: The Scene of My Rumspringa… Josh reviews the first three volumes of Dandadan!, “a madcap paranormal adventure that keeps raising the bar for how weird it’s willing to go”… Nicholas Quah gives solid marks to Apple TV’s “very loose” adaptation of The Drops of God… Erica Friedman reviews the final volume of Catch These Hands!… Megan D. takes the first volume of Kaze Hikaru for a spin… and the latest Reader’s Corner has the low-down on The Art of Haikyu!!, I Saw It: The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima, and more.

New and Noteworthy

Complete, OOP, and Ongoing Series

Pick of the Week: Cages and Fairies

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KATE: I won’t lie: I love the cover of Soloist in a Cage! Though my inner critic is whispering, “Don’t judge this book by the you-know-what,” my gut is telling me, “Make it your Pick of the Week! It looks cool! And stylish!” So I’m going with my gut on this one; Soloist is my choice.

MICHELLE: I am absolutely in the same boat. The premise didn’t wow me but the cover definitely made me reconsider!

SEAN: No question for me, it’s the first Earl and Fairy light novel. Old-school shoujo LNs are so rare these days, and I really want people to read this. The manga was good too, if I recall.

ANNA: I’m also picking the Earl and Fairy light novel due to my extreme affection for old-school shoujo.

ASH: The cover of Soloist in a Cage caught my eye, too, and dystopian tales often do interest me… but I’m actually going to make The Art of Haikyu!! my pick this week!

The Manga Critic: Free Comics!

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Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day! Among the many publishers participating in this year’s event are ABLAZE, Kodansha, Tokyopop, and VIZ, all of which are offering samplers of kid- and teen-friendly manga, from Animal Crossing to Choujin X. For a complete list of titles, click here; to find a comic shop near you, click here. Remember to show your support for your LCS by buying something, too; Free Comic Book Day isn’t free for store owners, who pay to participate in this event.

AROUND THE WEB

Deb Aoki interviews Jun Mayuzuki about After the Rain, Kowloon Generic Romance, and the manga that inspired her to become an artist. [MSX: Mangasplaining Extra]

And speaking of Deb Aoki, she joined Calvin Reid, Heidi MacDonald, and Kate Fitzsimmons for a roundtable about the current manga market. [Publishers Weekly]

Congratulations to Shojo & Tell, which just released its 100th episode! To mark the occasion, Ashley McDonnell and Anne LaRose discuss one of the most influential shojo manga of the last 50 years: Sailor Moon. [Shojo & Tell]

Get your shonen on with the Manga Machinations crew, who host a lively discussion about Dandadan, Choujin X, and Hell’s Paradise. [Manga Machinations]

Gee and Ray dedicate their latest podcast to Keiko Takemiya’s sci-fi epic To Terra. [Read Right to Left]

Robert Adams has some thoughts about Oshi no Ko. [Dad Needs to Talk]

On the most recent episode of Screen Tone Club, Elliot and Andy “get all emotional” as they discuss Monotone Blue and Insomniacs After School. [Screen Tone Club]

What will you find at your local comic shop this month? Bill Curtis shares a comprehensive list of May’s manga and light novel releases. [Yatta-Tachi]

Megan, Tayla, and Shannan compile a list of great comics from around the world, from Taiyo Matsumoto’s Cats of the Louvre to Deena Mohamed’s Shubeik Lubeik. [No Flying No Tights]

File this under You and Me Both, Kid: Junji Ito is wary of AI technology. [Kotaku]

Samantha Ferreira shares her impressions of “Sniffing Glue: The Punk Energy of Early British Anime Fanzines,” Helen McCarthy’s panel at Anime Boston 2023. I’m sorry I missed it, because it sounds fascinating! [Anime Herald]

REVIEWS

Over at ANN, Andrew Osmond reviews Studio Ghibli: An Industrial History, a meditation on “Ghibli as a workplace, and as a company in the business of manufacturing fantasy”… Carrie McClain weighs in on three new series from Seven Seas… Megan D. kicks off a month-long celebration of shojo manga with reviews of Skip Beat!, Canon, and Karakuri Odette… and the latest Reader’s Corner has the low-down on The Boxer, Way of the Househusband, and Wolf Girl and Black Prince.

New and Noteworthy

Complete and Ongoing Series

Pick of the Week: It’s Iruma-kuns All The Way Down

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SEAN: I mean, it’s Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun, right? This series has ALL the buzz.

MICHELLE: Absolutely. I’ve been waiting eagerly for this since it was announced.

ASH: Yup, I’m on board for this one, too! It seems like it should be a lot of fun, so I’m looking forward to finding out.

ANNA: I’m not going to go against this emerging consensus!

KATE: At the risk of becoming the most predictable member of the MB Battle Robot, I, too, am voting for Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun.

The Manga Review: Meet Me in Toronto

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The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) kicks off this weekend with two days of panels, signings, and portfolio reviews. If you’re planning to attend, don’t miss A Conversation with Jun Mayuzuki, which will take place tomorrow morning (4/29) at the Japan Foundation. Pre-registration is required… The Guinness Book of World Records has certified Boys Over Flowers as the most popular shojo manga on the planet, with more than 59 million copies sold… Azuki will be offering 150 new titles through a partnership with Media Do International, Inc. and MediBang!… and Deb Aoki investigates the current state of the manga market, noting that growth has slowed considerably since 2021, but sales figures remain robust. Manga freelancers, however, aren’t seeing a rise in pay. “As demand for translated Japanese manga and Korean webtoons into English and other languages increases, the calls for more equitable pay for freelancers is likely to grow louder,” Aoki observes. “At the same time, the appeal of AI-assisted translation technologies for publishers is undeniable, especially as the technology continues to develop. How the comics publishing industry, in Japan, Korea and overseas, will respond to these tensions and challenges remains to be seen, but it will definitely be a hot topic for years to come.”

AROUND THE WEB…

Carrie McClain explains why you should be reading The Apothecary Diaries, “a manga that speaks to the ways that girls and women made a way for themselves in a time and place that may have not always cared much for them.” Oh, and it’s a pretty nifty mystery-of-the-week series, too. [Black Nerd Problems]

The Yatta-Tachi crew just posted a fantastic round-up of anime, manga, and pop-culture links that touches on just about every aspect of fandom, from licensing news to “wholesome game recommendations.” Go, read! [Yatta-Tachi]

Over at Anime Herald, Kennedy traces the rise and fall of Newtype USA, which was once described as “the biggest, slickest, most colorful English language anime magazine,” with a circulation of over 100,000 readers. [Anime Herald]

Mary Lee Sauder caught up with manga-ka Shiu Yoshijima at Anime Boston. [Honey’s Anime]

Looking for a great manga without the all the commitment that, say, One Piece entails? Check out Adam Symchuk’s list of done-in-one titles. His list is meticulously curated, touching on just about every genre and demographic you can imagine, from sci-fi to yuri. [Asian Movie Pulse]

Tony Yao uses a recent story arc in One Piece to meditate on strength, courage, and greatness. [Drop-In to Manga]

Brigid Alverson highlights three of June’s must-read manga. [ICv2]

If you’re a manga fan on a budget, check out Harry’s tips for inexpensive—and legal—ways to read your favorite series. [Honey’s Anime]

With a new edition of Hideko Mizuno’s Fire finally arriving in Japanese bookstores this month, Jocelyne Allen explains what makes this 1971 classic so readable, even fifty years later. “Like a lot of shojo of this era, this book is fully bonkers and completely about the vibes,” she notes. “Mizuno really gets into the idea of freedom and seeking it, but never really specifies what kind of freedom and most of the seeking ends up being a bunch of hippies driving across the US and getting kicked out of every state and/or hassled by cops along the way. It’s a mood, and if you are not willing to sit and live in that mood, you should reconsider your life choices and also not read this series.” [Brain vs. Book]

REVIEWS

Buckle up; this week’s review list is longer than a Star Wars screen scrawl! Of note: Rebecca Silverman reviews the new edition of Life… Adam Symchuk recommends Boy’s Abyss… Krystallina shares her thoughts on Perfect World… and the latest Reader’s Corner offers short, snappy reviews of My Sister the Cat, Kowloon Generic Romance, and Cinderella Closet.

New and Noteworthy

Complete and Ongoing Series

Pick of the Week: Demons, Delinquents, and Divorce Agents

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MICHELLE: There’s plenty of shoujo manga about a girl encountering a delinquent who is not as bad as his reputation suggests, but since Love, That’s an Understatement is from Fujimomo, creator of Lovesick Ellie, I feel sure it will be quirky and wonderful. Thus, it’s my choice this week.

SEAN: Tempting as it is to pick the Wiley business titles, my pick is clearly going to be The Apothecary Witch Turned Divorce Agent, a series I was excited for long before its license based solely on the title.

KATE: A new manga by Hiromu Arakawa? Count me in!

ASH: Hiromu Arakawa is where it’s at for me this week, too, so Daemons of the Shadow Realm is my pick. That being said, I am intrigued by Wiley’s entry into manga publishing although its not the first time we’ve seen business-oriented titles released. (Does anyone else remember Bringing Home the Sushi from the ’90s?)

ANNA: As a fan of Lovesick Ellie I’m also extremely interested in Love, That’s an Understatement.

Bookshelf Briefs 4/20/23

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The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Vol. 17 | By Kore Yamazaki | Seven Seas – It’s been a long time since I reviewed this series, but I have been keeping up. We’re currently at an interesting point, as we see a war between the “magic has consequences, and sometimes those consequences are tragic, and there’s nothing you can do about that” part of the story, and the “screw that, I’m going to save my friend no matter what” part of the story, which is to say, Chise’s part. I’m honestly still not sure if we’re going to be able to not have Philomela die… and even if she is saved, she may have to be written out of the cast anyway. Also, there are some terrifying drawings here, and a nice examination of how family frequently is terrible. Still excellent. – Sean Gaffney

Blue Box, Vol. 3 | By Kouji Miura | Viz Media – The author is finally starting to give Chinatsu some focus here, which is good. The focus is more on her struggles in sports, though. This title is balancing the sports and romance, but I’d say at the moment it’s more a 65-35 split, with sports being the 65. That means we also get the results of Taiki’s badminton competition, where he does much better than anyone expected… but does not win. That sort of result is fairly standard in these sorts of Jump sports manga, and you can see why—it always leaves an impact. As for Chinatsu, I think she may have to have a girls’ talk with Hina soon so that we can resolve the fact that Hina is The Other Girl in a series that’s not going to tolerate that for long. – Sean Gaffney

Doughnuts Under a Crescent Moon, Vol. 4 | By Shio Usui | Seven Seas – Last time I said I didn’t think this would go down the asexual route, and here I am eating my words. The emotional climax of the story comes both from Hinako and Asahi admitting that they love each other and want to make a life together, while also confessing to each other that they don’t really have the desire to kiss or other stuff with their romantic partner. I’m so used to seeing series like this quietly walk back the lack of sexual attraction once the main couple get together that I found this all the more affecting. The rest of the book also wrapped things up very nicely, including some closure for the other two cast members. One of the better yuri titles we’ve seen lately. – Sean Gaffney

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, Vol. 6 | By Nene Yukimori | Viz Media – The main thrust of this series continues to be the cute, adorable moments, but I will grant you that we are seeing considerable character development as well. Shiraishi still has to cross a monumental chasm to get a hold of some self-esteem, but people are noticing him more, and he did a group event well. As for Kubo, here we find that a lot of her own classroom habits stem from having to live up to the example of her older sister—who we’ve seen as the one who teases Kubo but apparently was also effortlessly good in school… whereas Kubo really needs to put in a LOT of effort. It’s good stuff, and will keep you going till new episodes of the anime return in May. – Sean Gaffney

May I Ask for One Final Thing?, Vol. 1 | By Nana Otori and Sora Hoonoki | AlphaPolis (digital only) – This small Japanese publisher has released a few titles in English, and we’re getting volume releases (sadly, exclusive to Kindle for now). This was the one I picked up, as it has a LOT of buzz. It’s a standard villainess start, with our seemingly cool, stoic villainess being shamed by her fiance, who declares his love for the smug heroine. So far so normal. Then we get the title remark… and our villainess lets loose a punch that will have you cheering. Turns out she just loves violence, and has been holding herself back for the sake of the kingdom. Thankfully, there is another (eccentric but not evil) prince, who appreciates her more. This was hilarious. Volumes two and three are also available. – Sean Gaffney

orange: to you, dear one | By Ichigo Takano | Seven Seas – It’s been over five years since the last volume of orange, but I was easily able to slide back in and remember all the characters and situations. (Which is more than I could say for Dreamin’ Sun, the author’s other manga, which gets a somewhat pointless crossover at the end of this book.) Each of the main characters gets a chapter or two focusing on advice from a future self they’re never going to be, and those future selves also write letters to Kakeru encouraging him and giving him hope. Which he needs, as he meets his father in this volume as well, who is an absolute asshole that will make you want to throw your book across the room. Thankfully, Kakeru has his friends. Oh yes, and yay, confession at LAST! -Sean Gaffney

Under Ninja, Vol. 1 | By Kengo Hanazawa | Denpa – When we’re first introduced to seventeen-year-old Kuro Kumogakure, nothing about his behavior or living situation suggests that he’s actually part of a secret ninja organization. He drinks beer in the middle of the day, blows darts at the ceiling, and watches DVDs to pass the time. His dull but safe existence is upended by the arrival of a messenger who gives him an assignment: infiltrate a local high school by posing as a student. Though the premise seems ripe with comic potential, the story can’t settle on a tone. There are a few outbursts of graphic violence that cast a pall over the early chapters, as do some uncomfortable jokes at the expense of Kuro’s landlady. Perhaps the worst running gag involves a wannabe Russian ninja whose inability to read Japanese results in gory mayhem; his enthusiasm for Japanese culture might be darkly amusing if the rest of the story was lighter on its feet, but instead reinforces the sour mood. Not recommended. – Katherine Dacey

The Villainess and the Demon Knight, Vol. 1 | By Nekota and Seikan | Ghost Ship – I was just about ready to drop this after the first chapter. As a “villainess,” Cecilia is a bit of a drip, and as a love interest, Lucas is a bit too forceful and obsessed. Fortunately, it sort of improves as it goes along, with a few laugh-out-loud moments, and backstory showing that she’s not as pathetic as she appeared, and he is… well, no, he’s your standard shoujo “being a an obsessed psycho is kinda hot” boyfriend, but his intentions beyond sex are at least good. And the sex scenes aren’t too bad. Villainess fans can skip this, but Ghost Ship fans should find something here to like. And it’s got a maid who can terrify people with merely a smile. I love that. – Sean Gaffney

Pick of the Week: Manga? Or Manwha?

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SEAN: Tempting as it is to pick one of Yen’s 7 new titles, this is the last time I get to pick Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction, so it has to be that. My hope is for the end of the series to not have the death of all of humanity. Gonna be tough.

MICHELLE: The lure of josei manhwa calls to me, and so What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? is my choice this week.

KATE: I agree with Michelle: grown-up manwha for me too!

ANNA: Me too! What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? sounds quite interesting.

ASH: I definitely plan to be reading What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim? at some point, but my pick this week goes to I Hear the Sunspot: Four Seasons. I’ve really been enjoying the series, so I’m looking forward to picking up the most recent installment.

The Manga Review: Who Do You Read?

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A few months ago, I put out a call on Twitter asking other manga lovers for podcast recommendations. I was inundated with so many terrific suggestions that I created a podcast directory at The Manga Critic. Now I’m turning to the internet to ask about your reading habits–specifically, which websites do you visit for manga reviews? Do you have a favorite manga critic (or critics)? Do you write about manga? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, I’d like to hear from you so! Feel free to post a comment here or reach out to me via Twitter (@manga_critic).

AROUND THE WEB…

Fancy a bit of the old ultraviolence? The Mangasplainers have the series for you: Keisuke Itagaki’s New Baki Grappler, one of the most bloody, muscle-bound manga ever translated into English. [Mangasplaining]

On the latest Manga Machinations podcast, the gang compare notes on Yamada Murasaki’s trailblazing short stories. [Manga Machinations]

The OverMangaCast crew dishes the dirt on chapters 21-40 of Oshi no Ko. [OverMangaCast]

Harry compiles a list of five manga that explore different Japanese art forms, from calligraphy to flower arranging. [Honey’s Anime]

Reuben Baron caught up with manga artist Shiu Yoshijima at Anime Boston for a brief conversation about her work and influences. [Anime Boston]

Can’t make it to TCAF this year? Do the next best thing: shop the TCAF Digital Marketplace for a variety of comics, zines, art prints, and t-shirts. The shop goes live on April 21st! [TCAF]

Are sports manga finally having a moment in the US? Brigid Alverson weighs in on the growing popularity of Blue Lock, and notes some other interesting trends in the March 2023 Circana Bookscan data. [ICv2]

REVIEWS

Over at The Wonder of Anime, Lisa De La Cruz reviews Until I Love Myself: The Journey of a Non-Binary Manga Artist. “Overall, Until I Love Myself is a gut-wrenching read,” she notes. “I don’t think I’ve ever read something that shook me as much as this did.”