Manga Bookshelf

Discussion, Resources, Roundtables, & Reviews

Katherine Dacey

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.”

Pick of the Week: March in April

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ASH: While it’s the opposite of a debut, my pick this week goes to the final volume of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. I’ve certainly been enjoying Akira Himekawa’s adaptation of the titular video game, but it also makes me wish that some of the team’s original work would be licensed, too.

KATE: March Comes in Like a Lion. (I mean…. what else did you think I’d pick?!)

SEAN: Apparently it came out and immediately sold out, so I won’t be able to read it yet, but my pick this week has to be March Comes in Like a Lion, the long, long, LONG awaited shogi and angst masterpiece.

ANNA: March Comes in Like a Lion! I hope one day I will be able to order and read it!

ASH: Oh! The ship actually came in? I won’t get my hands on my copy for quite some time yet it seems, but I’m excited for March Comes in Like a Lion, too!

MICHELLE: I’m kind of in “I’ll believe it when I see it” territory on this one, but what the heck. Count me in for March Comes in Like a Lion!

MJ: I mean… it’s obviously March Comes in Like a Lion.

The Manga Review: Anime, Boston!

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Today marks the first official day of Anime Boston, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. Guests include anime and manga scholar Helen McCarthy, artist Shiu Yoshijima, GeekGal Sara Hodge-Wetherbe, and translator Zack Davisson. If you’re planning to attend, be prepared for big crowds; last year’s convention saw more than 29,000 people pass through the show floor.

In other news, AbramsComicArts is getting into the manga publishing biz; Kodansha revealed two new licensing acquisitions; Netflix unveiled the trailer for The Drops of God; Jun Mayazuki is TCAF’s guest of honor this year; PW named TOKYOPOP one of the fastest-growing publishers in North America; and volume nine of Spy x Family was the best-selling book in America last week. Last but not least, Rumiko Takahashi was awarded France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a distinction she shares with fellow manga artists Akira Toriyama, Katsuhiro Otomo, Go Nagai, Leiji Matsumoto, and Jiro Taniguchi.

AROUND THE WEB…

Carrie McClain’s latest Seven Seas Pubwatch highlights three of the publisher’s best March releases: orange—to you, dear one, The Villainess and the Demon Knight, and I Didn’t Mean to Fall in Love. [WWAC]

The Yatta-Tachi crew compile a master list of April’s new manga and light novel offerings. [Yatta-Tachi]

Dee, Alex, and Cy dedicate a second episode of Chatty AF to the depiction of aromantic and asexual characters in anime and manga. [Anime Feminist]

Walt Richardson, Emily Myers, and Zack Wilkerson discuss chapters 1033-1057 of One Piece. [Multiversity Manga Club]

Suit up with the Manga Mavericks for a lively discussion of Shotaro Ishinomori’s Super Sentai: Himitsu Sentai Gorenger. [Manga Mavericks]

The latest installment of Shojo & Tell focuses on CLAMP School Detectives. [Shojo & Tell]

Can’t get enough CLAMP? Gee and Ray are also exploring the highs and lows of the CLAMP canon, from Cardcaptor Sakura to Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle. [Read Right to Left]

In memory of the late, great Leiji Matsumoto, Jon Holt and Teppei Fukuda translate Natsume Fusanosuke’s “The Ruins of Space Battleship Yamato: An Essay on Matsumoto Leiji and War.” [The Comics Journal]

REVIEWS

This week’s must-read review comes from Kristin, who names The Horizon one of the best new series of 2023. “The Horizon only has 21 chapters, but it is still as impactful, if not more impactful, than stories I’ve read with 100 chapters or more,” she observes. It didn’t take as much of a toll on me as Goodnight Punpun by Inio Asano or No Longer Human by Usamaru Furuya did, but it came close, and for a series that’s this compact, this is a huge feat.” Sold!

At No Flying No Tights, Gail describes Shuna’s Journey as “a fascinating look at the creator’s earliest work”… at Good Comics for Kids, Renee Scott reviews Call the Name of the Night, while Johanna Draper Carlson tackles Embrace Your Size: My Own Body Positivity… and the Manga Bookshelf gang post a new set of Bookshelf Briefs.

New and Noteworthy

Complete and Ongoing Series

Insomniacs After School, Vol. 1

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First published in 1911, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden has beguiled millions of readers with its portrait of Mary and Colin, two sickly children who heal themselves by finding a forgotten space and bringing it back to life. Burnett’s story is very much a product of the Edwardian era, steeped in colonialism and patriarchy, but the core plot—in which the children discover their own agency, and create their own sanctuary—seems as relevant in 2023 as it did over a century ago.

Insomniacs After School steals a page or two from The Secret Garden, shifting the action from a British manor to a Tokyo high school where Nakami, a grumpy, uptight boy, and Magari, a goofy, spontaneous girl, are struggling with insomnia. The two meet cute when Nakami stumbles over Magari sleeping on the floor of the school’s long-abandoned observatory. After commiserating about their difficulty falling asleep, Nakami and Magari hatch a plan to transform the observatory into a clubhouse where they can hang out or sneak in a much-needed midday nap. They scavenge furniture, hang curtains, and welcome a neighborhood cat into their space, in the process uncovering the telescope left behind by the now-defunct astronomy club and, of course, becoming friends.

As delightful as these early scenes are, the best sequence in volume one documents their first outing as members of the “Enjoy-the-Night Club.” Nakami and Magari sneak out of their homes and into the city, meandering through empty neighborhoods, dodging a night patrolman, posing for photographs, and gazing out over the harbor as the first glimmers of dawn form on the horizon. Though there are a few lines of dialogue sprinkled throughout the chapter, most of Nakami and Magari’s adventure unfolds in companionable silence, allowing us to appreciate the stillness of early morning, and their thrill at being the only ones to witness the sunrise:

One of the strengths of Insomniacs After School is Ojiro’s low-key approach to character development. Ojiro isn’t in a hurry to reveal too much about his characters, fleshing out their backstories in an organic fashion through snippets of conversation and brief glimpses into their home lives. Nakami’s dad, for example, seems troubled, though it’s not clear from context what might be wrong, while Magari reveals she suffered from a serious childhood illness that made her frail. Neither teen wants their parents to know the full extent of their exhaustion, however, so they don’t seek help from the adults; as Magari declares, “When I was sick as a kid, I really hated how everyone worried about me. That’s why I keep my insomnia a secret.”

Another strength is the clean, expressive artwork. Ojiro’s facial close-ups and fresh use of perspective give us a sense of the characters’ eagerness for connection as well as their vulnerability and inexperience. In this sequence, for example, we see what happens when Nakami’s simple, matter-of-fact statement lands differently than expected:

The shift in perspective neatly underscores Nakami’s confusion: one minute he felt at ease with Magari, and the next he’s puzzled by her reaction, a note of trepidation registering on his face. Ojiro resists the temptation to verbalize what his characters are thinking, instead letting the reader feel his characters’ discomfort as Nakami’s comment hangs in the air.

Ojiro’s knack for capturing these small but emotionally charged moments lends Insomniacs After School a realism that will appeal teen readers; it’s a quiet, carefully observed portrait of two kids who are navigating the space between friendship and romance, with all the confusion and excitement that entails. Other readers—especially those of us with vivid memories of The Secret Garden—will find Insomniacs a warm reminder that bringing light and life to a neglected place can heal the heart, no matter how old you are. Highly recommended.

INSOMNIACS AFTER SCHOOL, VOL. 1 • BY MAKOTO OJIRO • TRANSLATED BY ANDRIA CHENG • TOUCH-UP & LETTERING BY INORI FUKUDA TRANT • VIZ MEDIA • RATED T (FOR TEENS)

Bookshelf Briefs 4/5/23

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Ayashimon, Vol. 1 | By Yuji Kaku | VIZ – Ayashimon starts with a bang: we meet Maruo, a boy who’s so obsessed with shonen manga that he devotes his entire childhood to becoming as strong as his favorite heroes. In a few nifty sight gags, author Yuji Kaku establishes how quickly Maruo becomes invincible, to the point where he’s feared by everyone and unable to work a normal, nine-to-five job. A chance encounter with a demonic mob boss puts the despondent Maruo on a new path, however, leading to a steady gig as the muscleman for a scrappy yakuza gang. It’s at this moment in the story that volume one begins to sag; the later chapters lack the comedic flair and brisk pacing of the introduction, as Kaku relies too much on expository dialogue for world-building purposes, in the process squandering the good will he created with his energetic, imaginative introduction. – Katherine Dacey

The Invisible Man and His Soon-to-Be Wife, Vol. 1 | By Iwatobineko | Seven Seas – This one has a bit of a gimmick, as it’s in shades of blue rather than in black and white. It might need the gimmick as it’s basically sweet and nice and that’s about it. A detective agency is run by a man who is invisible, helped by a boisterous beast girl, a grumpy but kind human guy, and the secretary, who is blind but always seems to know just where her boss is. The two quickly fall for each other. Sadly, the two are also both terminally shy and awkward, so this is a very slow-burn romance, mostly consisting of dinner dates and discussion of how each of them deals with the problem surrounding sight. I’m not sure I want to read this in an ongoing manner, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. If you like cute, it’s here for you. – Sean Gaffney

Marmalade Boy: Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 | By Wataru Yoshizumi | Seven Seas – Marmalade Boy was one of the first manga I ever read, and I’ve always remembered it with extreme fondness. Thus, I was fairly concerned that I’d not like it as much upon a reread. Happily, I needn’t have worried, because this series is still great and conjures up many nostalgic feelings. Yes, the premise of Miki and Yuu’s parents switching partners, remarrying, and merging their families under one roof is kind of out there, but I enjoyed Miki’s reactions to everything going on in her life and Yuu was actually a lot kinder—and more obviously interested in architecture—than I remembered him being at the outset. The color pages in this new edition are also really nice. True, there is a student-teacher romance that has not aged at all well, but that’s not going to stop me from relishing revisiting a beloved fave. – Michelle Smith

Medalist, Vols. 6 | By Tsurumaikada | Kodansha Comics (digital only) – This is now an award-winning manga, and I assume it’s selling like crap, or else it would definitely be getting a print release. It deserves it so much. The first chapter in this volume is a fist-pumping burst of joy, as everything Inori has been training for up to that point comes together and she absolutely blows everyone away. And then we get the rest of the volume, where she realizes that there’s still so much more she has to learn—and learn fast—or else she’s toast. The manga never hesitates to remind you what a cutthroat world figure skating is, and how it has no mercy for anyone who cannot keep up. Tsukasa is also realizing this as well, and has just as many self-esteem issues as Inori… with the added pressure of needing to be her rock. I cannot wait to see what happens next, and hope she goes as far as possible. – Sean Gaffney

My Hero Academia: Team-Up Missions, Vol. 3 | By Yoko Akiyama and Kohei Horikoshi | Viz Media – It’s hard to review this kind of spinoff because the stakes are so low. Nothing unusual can happen, as it can’t break canon. And, sadly, a huge chunk of it has to feature the stars—there’s a major story here that’s once again about Bakugou being really mad, and Izuku flinching a lot. In the main part of the series, he’s apologized for the bullying, but not the constant rage, really. Oh yes, and there’s a Mineta chapter where he dresses up as a small dog for perverse reasons. The girls are disgusted with him, but no one bothers to file a complaint with the school or anything—by now I assume they go unread. I think what I’m trying to say is that I take My Hero Academia too seriously to enjoy this wannabe version. – Sean Gaffney

My Special One, Vol. 1 | By Momoka Koda | VIZ – Sahoko hates attractive boys and is almost pathological in her dislike of idols, loudly proclaiming that she hopes that all of them are cursed to become fat and bald. She’s still suffering from the aftereffects of her first love confession going terribly wrong. However, her feelings begin to change when she meets an idol in real life. Kouta appears in the neighborhood diner that Sahoko’s family runs. Sahoko becomes flustered when she asks Kouta for an autograph for her best friend Yuko, and when he turns his charm on her she becomes filled with unfamiliar feelings…could she actually be developing a crush on a cute boy?! The first volume of this manga is cute, if a bit predictable. While there’s some humor, I wasn’t extremely invested in the characters. I’m not sure if it is going to make it into my regular reading rotation, but I could definitely see myself binging on it at some point in the future if I’m in the mood for low-stakes romance. – Anna N

She Loves to Cook and She Loves to Eat, Vol. 2 | By Sakaomi Yuzaki | Yen Press – Food is still the primary reason for the manga, but now that it’s settled in this new volume is ready to delve deeper into the lives of both its leads. Notomo is being pressured to marry, and constantly sees dating advice given as if it assumes that she’s cishet, and is not a happy camper. We also learn Kasuga’s past, as she was part of an abusive household growing up, where she and her mother were treated as second-class citizens due to being women. As this is happening, both are subtly trying to feel out if this is just a really good friendship or something more, but unfortunately neither one of them have the answer yet. This manga is frankly fantastic, one of the best I’ve read recently, and every LGBTA fan should pick it up. – Sean Gaffney

We’re New at This, Vol. 12 | By Ren Kawahara | Kodansha Comics (digital only) – We’re New at This is trying its best to give us good observations about how to be a loving couple and not annoy your partner too much, and now that we’re observing more than one couple we get to see some things we wouldn’t with our leads, such as how to deal with a pregnant wife. As for Ikuma and Sumika, they are here for that, but they also get to carry the bulk of the OTHER reason readers love this, which is the sexy times. Here a cherry blossom party quickly turns alcoholic, and a horny Sumika asks her husband to get them to a love hotel… which turns out to have a few devices that might take their heights of ecstasy even further. These two really, really love each other, both as a married couple and as two folks who really love sex. It’s still cute. – Sean Gaffney

Pick of the Week: Cinderellas and Akitas

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SEAN: Tempting as it is to go with the manga featuring what looks like the dumbest dog ever on the cover (Lovely Muco), I will instead go with Tista. I’ve heard the author’s pre-Spy x Family stuff can get pretty dark, but I’m willing to try it, mostly because it looks hella cool.

KATE: After living with a smart, stubborn dog for 13 years–one who was intent on herding me everywhere, and woke me up at 5:45 am every morning–I fantasize about owning a cheerful, dim, and uncomplicated pooch! I’m not quite in the right spot to adopt a new dog right now, so Lovely Muco sounds like the next best thing.

MICHELLE: Cinderella Closet has a premise that doesn’t exactly thrill me—transform with the power of makeup!—but it gives me a little bit of a Princess Jellyfish vibe and it ran in Margaret, so I’ll take a chance by picking it this week.

ASH: More often than not, I choose a debut for my pick of the week, but this time I’m going to try to actually make good on my promise to catch up with My Love Mix-Up!, so that series gets my vote.

ANNA: I’m also going to go with the lure of the new and pick Cinderella Closet!