Michelle Smith

Manga the Week of 8/13

August 7, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, Michelle Smith, Anna N and MJ Leave a Comment

SEAN: If there was a quiet week in August, next week would be it, with a mere nine titles.

Dark Horse has the 2nd of its Samurai Executioner omnibii, for those who can’t get enough of samurai, manliness, and manly samurai.

ASH: Surprisingly enough, I haven’t actually read any of Samurai Executioner. This would probably be a good time to change that.

SEAN: Kodansha gives us a double shot of Hiro Mashima, with the 41st volume of Fairy Tail (which starts a new arc) and the 2nd volume of Monster Soul (which wraps up).

SubLime has an entry, as the 5th volume of Crimson Spell is out. Listen to them. Crimson. Pff. It’s f**king Red. (Sorry, got caught up in the meme there.)

ASH: Speaking of getting caught up, I believe the fifth volume means we’ve caught up with Japan, too.

SEAN: Vertical has the 5th volume of Wolfsmund, whose cover may not be red but whose contents I expect will at least have a bit of blood.

ASH: I suspect that you’re right.

SEAN: Viz has recently said that Deadman Wonderland is its breakout hit of the last year, so it will please people no end that Vol. 4 is out. Also, clearly this means we need more license rescues. (Kidding, kidding…)

MICHELLE: I never kid about license rescues! Of course, whatever momentum the TOKYOPOP series that I most love(d) had is probably long-dissipated by now, but I can continue to hope that one day, I’ll get to read Silver Diamond in English in its entirety.

ANNA: I am pausing a moment to contemplate the lack of an ending in English for Shinobi Life, Demon Sacred, and Sky Blue Shore.

SEAN: We also have the 12th volume of Itsuwaribito, which I still haven’t really read. Anyone?

The 12th volume of Loveless will no doubt generate a bit more excitement from my other Manga Bookshelf colleagues.

ASH: I’m looking forward to it!

MICHELLE: I am positively asquee!

MJ: Okay, yeah, I’m in the middle of production week, but I have to take at least a moment here to say: LOVELESS!!! <3 Oh, happy day.

SEAN: Lastly, we get a 7th volume of the Arabian Nights series Magi, which I enjoy quite a bit.

MICHELLE: I vow that I will finally get caught back up with Magi!

SEAN: Getting something here? Or catching up with the week before?

Bookshelf Briefs 8/5/14

August 5, 2014 by Sean Gaffney and Michelle Smith Leave a Comment

This week, Sean and Michelle look at recent releases from Viz Media, Kodansha Comics, and Yen Press.

Kaze Hikaru, Vol. 22 | By Taeko Watanabe | Viz Media – The yearly installment of Kaze Hikaru is here! In this volume, Sei and Okita have made peace with their feelings of love for each other—basically, they are content just to be near and watch over the other, respectively. Saito, however, has achieved no such peace, and spends the volume contending with his mounting lust for Sei’s person. Eventually, he discovers Sei’s secret and decides to get her ousted from the Shinsengumi and then marry her. Problem solved! Okita even endorses this plan. Watanabe makes note that the lack of consideration given a woman’s feelings in the matter was the norm for the day, but that doesn’t mean I want to see characters I like thinking in such a way about someone they claim to love. It would be impossible for Kaze Hikaru to have a bad volume, but I am forced to admit that this one wasn’t one of my favorites. – Michelle Smith

My Little Monster, Vol. 3 | By Robico | Kodansha Comics – I feel so badly for poor Chizuru, who would make an excellent shoujo protagonist in any other series, but is simply too normal and sensible to compete with the weirdos seen on display here. Haru still has immense self-control and temper issues, as well as difficulty with personal space. Shizuku can’t seemingly identify with anyone’s issues and feelings other than her own, and thinks that just telling herself not to think about love will solve everything. And Natsume, while her insecurity is played for comedy at times, has some deep-seated intimacy issues. For a wacky romantic comedy, there’s a lot of depth to the characters if you look deep enough. Possibly enough for 9-10 more volumes.-Sean Gaffney

No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular!, Vol. 4 | By Nico Tanigawa | Yen Press – It’s gotten to the point where I’m not sure I want Tomoko to continue to try to improve herself, as the consequences are proving almost unthinkable. We see more in this volume of how her own issues and basic personality are now actively hurting other people – in this case her brother. Her one friend seems totally oblivious to not only Tomoko’s issues, but reality, as Yuu seems quite happy to accept that Tomoko still wants to be an arms dealer when she grows up. As for romance, most of it would seem to involve fantasizing about said best friend. Still a deliberate train-wreck, this volume is well-written but makes you wonder how long this can go on.-Sean Gaffney

Soul Eater NOT!, Vol. 3 | By Atsushi Ohkubo | Yen Press – Given that this series is never going to have the drama, tragedy, or whacked out art than the main series does, it has to survive based on only two things: its comedy, and the chemistry between the three lead girls. It actually acquits itself quite well in that regard, giving Meme a focus chapter that looks into her spacey personality and providing several cute moments for Kim Diehl as well. There’s mocking of Japanese customs, baseball, and lots of 4-koma stuff. Still, the author admits he put this series on hold while he finished Soul Eater proper, and it shows – there’s no real plot here, as opposed to Vol. 1 and 2. It’s still fun, but it’s spinning its wheels. Luckily, it should wrap up soon.-Sean Gaffney

Sweet Rein, Vol. 3 | By Sakura Tsukuba | Viz Media – Well, that was anticlimactic. Granted, I didn’t expect a lot from this lightweight series, but the plot did seem to be steering towards something that never quite materialized. In one chapter, it’s suddenly reindeer mating season and perennial 17-year-old Kurumi finds herself bewitched by her reindeer, Kaito, along with all of the other girls and the fans he makes during his brief but sensational modeling career. The feeling doesn’t entirely dissipate after mating season ends, either. Then the appearance of another reindeer who wants to partner up with her nudges Kurumi to declare that Kaito is the only reindeer for her. Surely couplehood is right around the corner! But then… it isn’t. The story just stops, and as far as I know, this is the final volume. I’m left just shaking my head, wondering what the point of it all was. – Michelle Smith

Voice Over!: Seiyu Academy, Vol. 6 | By Maki Minami | Viz Media – I am hard-pressed to pinpoint what it is, but there is just something about Voice Over! that makes me like it. It’s not that its heroine, academically challenged yet plucky and potentially very talented Hime, is unique, or that her love interests, kind and refined Mizuki versus sullen and rude (when he’s not being surprisingly thoughtful) Senri, defy expected types. Perhaps it’s simply that the small steps on Hime’s road to success are rewarding, like the inroads she makes with a gruff and demanding sound director, or the sudden competence that emerges when Senri makes a mistake during their practical skills exam. I suppose the small resemblances to Skip Beat! don’t hurt, either. In the end, this has become something of a comfort read for me, and I look forward to the next volume. – Michelle Smith

Pick of the Week: Black Rose Alice & more!

August 5, 2014 by Ash Brown, Michelle Smith, Anna N, Sean Gaffney and MJ Leave a Comment

ASH: As is often the case with the first week of the month, there are a good many manga releases hitting the shelves. But, there is one manga that I’m particularly curious about: the debut of Setona Mizushiro’s Black Rose Alice. It’s shoujo horror from the creator of After School Nightmare and I’ve been assured it’s not your typical vampire story.

MICHELLE: I’m really looking forward to Black Rose Alice, and Spell of Desire was enjoyable, too, but I can’t pass up my yearly opportunity to plug Kaze Hikaru. It’s really good, I swear! Thank you, VIZ, for continuing to release it.

ANNA: I was preparing myself for some mental anguish because I love Black Rose Alice, Spell of Desire, and Kaze Hikaru all so much! So I’m glad that Ash and Michelle have picked 2 of my favorites so I can highlight the frothy witchy fun of Spell of Desire. Since Demon Love Spell just concluded and Midnight Secretary is also about to wrap up, I am very happy I have another fun josei supernatural romance to read.

SEAN: Given what everyone’s already picked out, I’ll spotlight the 46th volume of Oh My Goddess!. We now know that the series will end with Vol. 48, and so Fujishima is allowed to pull out all the stops and do the things he had put off doing for twenty years, like plot and character development. I kid, but this volume is touching and heartwarming, as the entire arc has been, really.

MJ: I probably should choose something like Knights of Sidonia, since everyone else has avoided repeats here, but I can’t possibly pick anything this week other than Setona Mizushiro’s Black Rose Alice. I absolutely adore After School Nightmare, and after losing her glorious BL epic Dousei Ai to JManga’s demise, I’m pretty thrilled to finally see something else from her on the shelves. This is my must-buy item for the week!

What looks good to you this week?

Manga the Week of 8/6

July 31, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Anna N, Ash Brown, Michelle Smith and MJ 5 Comments

SEAN: There is so much manga out in August it beggars belief. Over 50 different titles in the month. And the first week is the biggest. So buckle up.

ANNA: I can see myself undergoing some major psychological trauma trying to choose between titles for Pick of the Week.

SEAN: Dark Horse has nearly wrapped up Oh My Goddess, but it’s not there yet, so here’s Vol. 46.

There’s also the 4th Trigun Maximum omnibus, for those who want to be confused by the artwork over longer periods of time.

Seven Seas has the July title I discussed earlier, D-Frag! On the August end, so far so good, as we have a couple titles there as well. Alice in the Country of Joker: Nightmare Trilogy intrigues me, mostly as I wonder if we’ll see Joker, who hasn’t ventured much outside his one book.

There’s the third Dragonar Academy, which is a thing that exists.

There’s also a new series debuting, Kokoro Connect. As with D-Frag!, I’ve heard this is better than it sounds, and look forward to seeing how it stretches its basic high school comedy with the twist that is at the heart of its plot.

ASH: I’m actually rather curious about this one.

SEAN: And there’s another Witch Buster omnibus, for the manwha inclined.

Speaking of Manga-ish things, Udon Entertainment have out the first of their “Manga Classics” adaptations, in this case Pride & Prejudice and Les Miserables. The artists seem to be Chinese (I think?), but the style is certainly pure shoujo. I’ll be interested to see how compressed these adaptations are.

Vertical hits double digits with the 10th volume of Knights of Sidonia, which hopefully will not end with a third straight cliffhanger putting Izana in danger.

MICHELLE: I really will catch up with Knights of Sidonia, I swear!

ASH: Poor, poor Izana. Hang in there, you’re my favorite!

ANNA: I need to catch up too, it is a great series!

MJ: Yay! That’s all I have to say.

SEAN: Hope you like Viz! Let’s start with the first of three debuts this week, the shoujo horror title Black Rose Alice. I understand it has vampires!

MICHELLE: I’m looking forward to this one! It’s by the creator of After School Nightmare.

ASH: Me, too! I’m a little burned out on vampires, but I’m making an exception for Black Rose Alice.

ANNA: I have read this and the vampires in Black Rose Alice are very different from the vampires people may be used to. As much as I love goofy vampire romance manga, I really enjoyed the surreal and odd elements of this title.

MJ: I’m very much looking forward to this, mainly on the strength of After School Nightmare, which is a long-time favorite of mine.

SEAN: Bleach hits Vol. 61, and I don’t think has had real vampires yet, though I’m sure we’ve seen the equivalent somewhere in its Rogue’s Gallery.

It was 2012 when we saw the last D.Gray-Man that wasn’t an omnibus. Rejoice! Vol. 24 is here!

I reviewed the first volume of Food Wars! when it came out digitally, noting the fanservice was appalling but the basic plot as quite fun. The print volume releases this week.

ASH: I’ve been waiting for the print release to give this one a try.

SEAN: The 7th Happy Marriage?! continues to test the validity of that title.

ANNA: Yay, more josei!

SEAN: And the third High School Debut 3-in-1 omnibus is more pure shoujo fun in a bargain package.

MICHELLE: Read it, y’all!

ANNA: I love this series, especially the fact that the hero Yoh always looks chronically sleep deprived.

SEAN: The Excel Saga of shoujo, Kaze Hikaru, has its annual volume release! This is an awesome series that deserves more love, so I hope everyone goes out and buys it, if only so we can see it more than once a year.

MICHELLE: I concur 3,000%.

ASH: Kaze Hikaru is a great series.

ANNA: In a perfect world it would come out quarterly and dominate the manga best sellers list. It is wonderful.

SEAN: Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan gets ready for its final arc as Vol. 22 arrives.

Yet another series that’s been a long while since a volume, Rosario x Vampire II gets lucky Vol. 13.

The last of our debuts this week is Spell of Desire. Midnight Secretary ends next month, so I suppose it’s a perfect time to bring in a new josei series by the same author (heavily disguised as shoujo).

MICHELLE: I liked the first volume of Spell of Desire more than I expected to. Maybe because the hunky guy is kind to kittens.

ANNA: I am delighted by this series, and the hilarious contrivance that results in the male lead having to make out with an innocent witch in order to control her magic.

SEAN: Toriko’s Vol. 23 continues to see our four young heroes pitted against deadly, world-destroying monsters. Also, there’s food.

Lastly, the 6th Voice Over: Seiyu Academy makes us wonder if we’ll ever get back to the supposed hero of the series.

Is this too much manga? Or not enough?

ASH: Never enough! (Also, never enough money…)

Bookshelf Briefs 7/29/14

July 29, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith and Anna N Leave a Comment

This week, Sean, Anna, & Michelle look at recent releases from Seven Seas, Harlequin, Viz Media, Kodansha Comics, & Vertical, Inc.

Alice in the Country of Clover: Knight’s Knowledge, Vol. 1 | By QuinRose and Sai Asai | Seven Seas – This is an Alice book, and you all know the drill by now. Reasons to check this out: 1) A better look at Alice’s feelings about moving to Clover than Cheshire Cat Waltz had; 2) Despite being an Ace book, showing everyone in love with Alice and trying their damnedest to win her, rather than just giving up when they see who the protagonist of the series is; Ace and Alice’s feelings for each other being unhealthy as hell, something both of them know but only Alice regrets. Other than that, it’s business as usual, with a new artist but the same basic shape, and lots of running around and getting stressed out from our heroine. Buy if you like the Alice series. -Sean Gaffney

The Amalfi Bride | Marito Ai and Ann Major | Harlequin – The strongest thing about this Harlequin manga is the price tag at only 99 cents! It is a passable middle of the road Harlequin title, but I found myself distracted by the very poor quality of the lettering. Regina is a uptight woman on vacation when she spots a devastatingly handsome man embracing an older woman. She assumes that the handsome man is a gigolo and proceeds to engage his services, while he assumes that they’re on a whirlwind date. It will not surprise regular Harlequin readers that Nico is secretly a Prince trying to run away from an arranged marriage. The character designs are attractive, but the illustrations aren’t very detailed. Still, for only a dollar, this is a decent Harlequin manga to try even though it ends up being somewhat forgettable. – Anna N

Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, Vol. 1 | Story by Yuto Tsukuda, Art by Shun Saeki | Viz Media – Fifteen-year-old Soma Yukihira is a talented chef who’s serious about improving his skills and exploring new flavors. But when his father learns Soma plans to do so at their family restaurant, he decides to close up shop and sends his son off to Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, the most elite culinary school in Japan. While a Shonen Jump-style cooking manga definitely has appeal, what I noticed most about Food Wars! was how much it reminded me of other things. We’ve got a cocky protagonist with a rivalry with his potentially super-famous dad (The Prince of Tennis), over-the-top reaction shots to food-tasting (Yakitate!! Japan), and a character with a palate so sophisticated she sees visions when she tastes things (Drops of God). Plus, there’s fanservice. Still, it was entertaining enough that I’ll continue reading it and hope it evolves more of its own voice. – Michelle Smith

Rin-Ne, Vol. 15 | By Rumiko Takahashi | Viz Media – The danger of a series like Rin-Ne, where nothing really changes, nothing ever advances, and all is sacrificed to appease the great god Comedy, is that when a serious plot *does* show up, you keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, knowing that it’s going to end with some anticlimax that will have people face-faulting with their fingers in the air. It’s just how Takahashi rolls. Despite this, the final story in this volume, which shows Renge’s fall from grace (one guess who’s to blame, and the first one doesn’t count) and her tortured crush on Kain is briefly rather heartbreaking, and you wonder if, not being the two leads, they might actually work something out. Alas, status quo. Such is the way when you worship the god of Comedy. – Sean Gaffney

The Seven Deadly Sins, Vol. 3 | By Nakaba Suzuki | Kodansha Comics – We’ve already seen that the look of the Sins don’t necessarily match the sketch on their wanted poster, but the introduction of King in this volume goes one step further; he genuinely is different, to the point where Ban, who he has a new, deadly grudge against, doesn’t even recognize him. The battle between the two of them is the highlight of the volume, showing off both personalities and teasing a backstory while not quite spelling it all out. The lowlight of the volume is the non-death of Sennett’s father, killed off in the last volume and back to life for no good reason except it would be too sad. Don’t pull your punches, Suzuki. Other than that, we’re still setting up the plot. Not bad. – Sean Gaffney

Spell of Desire, Vol. 1 | By Tomu Ohmi | Viz Media – Kaoruko Mochizuki leads a quiet life running an herb shop in a small port town. This all changes when black-clad Kaname Hibiki shows up and announces, “I serve your mother and I am here to protect you.” As it turns out, the mother who abandoned Kaoruko as an infant went off to become the leader of a worldwide coven of black witches, and she has now transferred her powers to her daughter. Kaoruko has trouble controlling them, but never fear, Kaname can get her to calm down with his magical powers of smooching! Actually, though, I liked Spell of Desire more than I thought I would. Kaoruko is a likable protagonist, and although Kaname is clearly interested in bedding her, he’s not one of those creepy, domineering types. Plus, he carefully tends to sick kittens! In the end, this is rather unexpectedly recommended. – Michelle Smith

What Did You eat Yesterday?, Vol. 2 | By Fumi Yoshinaga | Vertical, Inc.– The second volume of this manga focuses a bit more on the food preparation than the character development, but there are still the great slice of life moments that I love, like Shiro’s quiet exhilaration about perfectly planning his menu so he doesn’t waste any food and some quick glimpses into how Shiro and Kenji first started dating and living together. The meals and dishes describe give me the vicarious pleasure of reading a cookbook and learning about recipes I will likely never prepare. Am I the only one who sometimes reads cookbooks even if I’m not going to actually cook? Recommended as always. – Anna N

What Did You eat Yesterday?, Vol. 3 | By Fumi Yoshinaga | Vertical, Inc. – Most of the plot of this cooking manga tends to revolve around Shiro, who has more flaws and less maturity than his partner Kenji. In particular, he still can’t quite deal with his parents, particularly now that they seem more accepting of his relationship than they were previously. It’s even spilling over into his workplace, where he’s usually level-headed and together, but dealing with a cute young intern (who his co-workers, knowing he’s single but not that he’s gay, thinks he’ll score with) proves beyond him. Luckily, he’s still master of grocery shopping and cooking in general, otherwise most of this volume would have been me shouting “You big loser!” over and over again. – Sean Gaffney

Pick of the Week: Kodansha-fest

July 29, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, Ash Brown and Anna N Leave a Comment

SEAN: It’s still hot and muggy, and I now have poison ivy on top of it. I don’t need quality. I need manga pixie sticks. Ergo, there’s one obvious choice for my pick of the week: Missions of Love. Betcha can’t read just one. And feel good about yourself the next day.

MICHELLE: It’s true; even I read the first two volumes. My pick of the week goes to the third volume of My Little Monster, which has impressed me with the characterization of its lead and by making the traditional romance beats feel refreshed. I’ve really been enjoying it so far.

ASH: I’ll stick with the Kodansha theme and pick the fourth omnibus of Vinland Saga, one of my favorite series being released right now. I liked the first omnibus but loved the next two, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how the characters and story continute to develop.

ANNA: I have to agree with Ash! Vinland Saga is easily the standout title for me this week too.

What looks good to you this week?

Manga the Week of 7/30

July 24, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, Michelle Smith, MJ and Anna N Leave a Comment

SEAN: A 5th week of the month is usually sparse, but we do have a few interesting things due out at the tail end of July.

Gen Manga offers you a choice of Indie Manga. Either you will think that One Is Enough, or perhaps you’d rather be with an Anomal. Choose wisely. (They do both look intriguing.)

ASH: You’re making me choose between boys’ love and yokai?! Sean, now that’s just mean.

MICHELLE: Wow, it occurs to me I haven’t read any boys’ love in ages.

MJ: Same here, and this needs to be rectified.

SEAN: If you prefer your manga a little more insane soap opera-ish, Kodansha gives you the 8th Missions of Love volume.

ASH: I’ll admit to actually enjoying Missions of Love. So much drama!

SEAN: They also have the third My Little Monster manga, where the heroine will no doubt stick to her promise to herself not to get involved with love. Aheh.

MICHELLE: This is the one thing from this week that I’ll definitely be picking up.

SEAN: And there’s also the 4th volume of Vinland Saga, which I suspect may get a lot of people excited, because Vikings make everything better.

ASH: I’m excited!! Vinland Saga is easily my favorite series being released by Kodansha at the moment.

ANNA: Vinland Saga is great. This reminds me that I need to read the copy of volume 3 that I’ve been saving for a day when I need to read about violence and Vikings.

SEAN: Seven Seas has been having a bad July in terms of ship dates. I mentioned Devils and Realist 2 earlier this month, it’s actually been moved back to next week.

ANNA: The first volume was pretty good. I’m curious to see if the main joke in the book gets a bit repetitive in the second volume.

SEAN: Lastly, Vertical has the 5th volume of sci-fi thriller From the New World.

What manga goes best with hot dogs and sauerkraut?

Pick of the Week: Almost Unanimous

July 21, 2014 by Ash Brown, Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, Anna N and MJ Leave a Comment

ASH: Every once in a while a week comes along that, despite there being plenty of manga to choose from, there’s one particular title that stands out for me. Any other week that might have been the most recent volume of MPD-Psycho since it’s been three years since the last one was released, but no. Without question, this week my pick goes to Moyoco Anno’s In Clothes Called Fat. Anno is an incredible creator; I’m thrilled that Vertical has been releasing more of her work in English. After seeing some previews, I have high expectations for this one.

SEAN: Tempted as I am by Accel World and the start of a new Umineko arc, I will instead go with: What Ash said.

MICHELLE: I’ll undoubtedly read this important work, but, if I’m honest, my heart belongs to the latest volume of Blood Lad, which has shown up unexpectedly soon. I never would’ve guessed that I’d enjoy this series as much as I do.

ANNA: I will also have to throw my support towards Moyoco Anno’s In Clothes Called Fat. Anno’s works always end up surprising me, and I’m happy that Vertical is bringing out such a great variety of her titles now.

MJ: I’d love to back Michelle up here, since I do love Blood Lad, or at least throw some page time to my beloved Pandora Hearts, but I really can’t choose anything but In Clothes Called Fat. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this release since it was first announced, and I’m thrilled to see it hitting the shelves this week. I can’t possibly pick anything else.

Manga the Week of 7/23

July 17, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, Michelle Smith, Anna N and MJ 2 Comments

SEAN: There’s so much stuff coming out next week you’d think it was a first week of the month. Remember when Yen Press was just three or so titles a month?

We’ll start off with Dark Horse, who are still releasing Gantz, even as it’s up to Vol. 32 and surely running out of rubber bodysuits by now.

And look, it’s an old friend, MPD-Psycho, who have Vol. 11 out next week as well. This doesn’t quite have the cult following of Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service (it lacks a lot of the humor), but is still very good for horror thrills.

ASH: It’s been what… almost three years now since the last volume was released? Glad to see that Dark Horse didn’t completely drop it.

MICHELLE: I have a couple of volumes of MPD-Psycho, but I haven’t been able to muster the courage to actually read them. Still, I’m also glad it’s still coming out!

SEAN: And Battle Angel Alita has its fourth omnibus. I will assume they’re still in the tournament arc, which I think went over 10 volumes eventually, right?

Vertical gives us another Moyoco Anno title with the one-shot In Clothes Called Fat. From what I gather, it’s a sharp look at body image pressure, low self-esteem and eating disorders. I expect it will be amazing.

ASH: I’m a huge fan of Moyoco Anno’s work, so I’m really looking forward to this release.

ANNA: This is really the only thing I’m wanting to pick up this week. Thanks again to Vertical for translating more Moyoco Anno!!!!!

MJ: This is a huge draw for me as well!

SEAN: Yen’s new light novel imprint, Yen On, gives us the first volume of Accel World. Apparently this takes place in the same world as Sword Art Online, just 20 years later, but it’s not really a sequel as such. It’s also famous for having a chubby male hero.

MJ: I’m interested in this, for sure.

SEAN: Black Butler must be feeling very jealous. Time was when it was the series with all the volumes in the NYT bestseller list. Now Attack on Titan has stolen all its thunder. Still, it’s up to Vol. 17. Can’t be bad.

MICHELLE: It’s pleasant. :)

SEAN: I’m surprised the Blood Lad omnibuses have been coming out so fast, given it’s a fairly recent series in Japan. I suspect this may be the ‘we’re caught up now’ volume, though. Always a treat in any format, though.

MICHELLE: Wow, this came sooner than I thought it would! Still, it does mean that the wait for the next one will probably be quite long, indeed.

MJ: This is always a favorite for me!

SEAN: Inu x Boku SS has been surprisingly serious, and I understand this volume will not change that one iota.

Is This A Zombie? Ends with its 8th volume. I presume we can say “yes” at last and move on.

We also have the 4th No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular! (aka WataMote). It’s hard to read, but even harder to type out the full title.

ASH: It can be rather painful to read. The series has some incredibly dark humor.

SEAN: Speaking of titles that have caught up with Japan, here’s Vol. 12 of Omamori Himari, which has every single plotline a male otaku could possibly want in one handy series.

And Vol. 21 of Pandora Hearts, which has also caught up with Japan, and has every single plotline a female otaku could possibly want in one handy series.

MICHELLE: And *cuffs*. Right, MJ? :)

MJ: YES, CUFFS. Also, everything else. And I’m sure I don’t need to tell anyone I’ll be gobbling this up as soon as it hits my doorstep.

SEAN: Soul Eater begins its final arc in Vol. 21, and I am here to tell you that it will be AMAZING.

And for those who want a kinder, gentler Soul Eater, here is the 3rd Soul Eater NOT!, compiling chapters that have been available digitally for a few months now.

Lastly, Umineko: When They Cry starts its 4th arc, Alliance of the Golden Witch. While Battler will still be around, his younger sister Ange is the focus here, now all grown up and trying to figure out what happened 12 years earlier. As you can see, she’s also a source of fanservice for manga artists. Maria’s tragic upbringing also gets a lot of attention here.

Is this enough? Or do you want even more manga next week?

Pick of the Week: The Anti-pick?

July 14, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, Ash Brown, Anna N and MJ 4 Comments

SEAN: Well… I was going to pick Terra Formars here, but after my Manga the Week of column, there has been a torrent of “Wait, wait, haven’t you heard about it?” that has made me reconsider. I shall see how it plays in my review, but am now reluctant to grant it a pick of the week. As such, I’ll grant my pick to a Seven Seas title, D-Frag!. I like goofy club comedies, and this one promises not to lean too heavily on the harem antics. Goofy girls being weird is pretty much just what I need in these hot months.

MICHELLE: I am totally in the same boat, Sean. I was completely unaware of the title’s unsavory reputation when I wrote of my interest in the title. So, instead I’ll recommend some more seinen from VIZ in the form of Naoki Urasawa’s Monster. This is a series that’s really at its best when consumed in large chunks, so I’m pleased to see it coming out in omnibus format. If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance!

ASH: I’m still interested in reading at least the first volume of Terra Formars to see what everyone is talking about for myself, but I’ll take an easy out and choose the third volume of What Did You Eat Yesterday? for my pick this week. I like the series best when it focuses on the characters and their stories, but the food is pretty tasty, too.

ANNA: I was unaware of the issues with Terra Formars too, so I’m going to highlight Alice in the Country of Clover: Knight’s Knowledge, because I’m guessing that this reverse harem title featuring a murderous knight with no sense of direction will be much much much classier.

SEAN: Pick of the Week: We’re Not Running Away, We’re Advancing In Reverse!

MJ: I might sort of be running away. I’ll take a look at Terra Formars, but I admit I’m pretty wary now. Instead, I’ll join Ash in picking the latest volume of What Did You Eat Yesterday?, which I will undoubtedly love. Fumi Yoshinaga has never truly failed me, and this series has charmed me to bits so far. Fortunately, I have pretty much equal parts love for the characterization and the food, so I’m happy no matter what.

What looks good to you this week?

Manga the Week of 7/16

July 10, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Anna N, Ash Brown, Michelle Smith and MJ 6 Comments

SEAN: Mid-month always tends to bring the oddest stuff. Anything unusual here?

First off, Seven Seas apparently delayed the release of Alice in the Country of Clover: Knight’s Knowledge 1 at the last minute, after we went to press. It’s actually out next week.

ANNA: I hope it features Ace murdering people and getting lost in the woods.

SEAN: Fairy Tail hits its mid-life crisis, as the Big 4-0 hits. Will Erza needs to buy a really big car and drive around with the wind blowing through her hair?

Seven Seas debuts a new series, with the first volume of D-Frag!. This apparently is a high school club comedy, starring one guy and a bunch of weird girls. Despite that, I’ve heard good things about it, as the emphasis is firmly on weird.

There’s also the 2nd Devils and Realist, where I suspect my ongoing enjoyment will hinge on the ridiculous denial our hero continues to exude. Do not disappoint me, manga.

ANNA: I found the ridiculous denial much more amusing than I was expecting with the first volume.

ASH: The first volume was rather amusing.

SEAN: And we have the 6th volume of fantasy/video game encyclopedia pastiche World War Blue.

Vertical gives us a 3rd volume of seinen manga What Did You Eat Yesterday?, which I’m hoping might have a bit more characterization and a bit less cooking this time, but I suspect that’s not in the cards.

MICHELLE: Phew! Finally something on this list that I will be buying for sure!

ANNA: YAY! TAKE MY MONEY, VERTICAL!!!!!!

ASH: Mine, too!

MJ: What they said, plus extra exclamation points! !!!!!!

SEAN: If you didn’t catch the suspense, tragedy, and all around terror from Urasawa’s cult classic Monster, now is the time to pick up the new Perfect Edition omnibuses.

MICHELLE: I’m glad to see this series getting a re-release. I liked it quite a bit!

ANNA: I’m looking over at my stack of unread 20th Century Boys and feeling vaguely guilty.

MICHELLE: I have a stack just like it, I’m afraid.

ASH: Personally, I like Monster just a bit more than 20th Century Boys. I’m really happy to see it back in print.

MJ: I’m thrilled about this release, since I am one of those who missed it the first time around.

SEAN: And speaking of tragedy, Viz’s new seinen debut is Terra Formars (spelling intentional), a sci-fi story of colonizing Mars which goes horribly, horribly wrong. I’m greatly looking forward to this title, even though I know it will likely gut me a lot of the time.

MICHELLE: I tend to like grim, seinen sci-fi, so I am definitely looking forward to this.

ANNA: This sounds intriguing.

ASH: Terra Formars is a series that I’ve been looking forward to, too. (Plus, I happen to have a thing for Mars…)

MJ: I’m definitely on board with this!

SEAN: What excellent yet depressing manga are you reading this week?

Bookshelf Briefs 7/7/14

July 7, 2014 by Sean Gaffney and Michelle Smith 1 Comment

This week, Sean and Michelle look at recent releases from Viz Media, Seven Seas, and Kodansha Comics.

Demon Love Spell, Vol. 6 | By Mayu Shinjo | Viz Media – As the author notes in her final comments, this title was always meant to be a series of short stories with a pre-determined ending. That ending, of course, being ‘when will they finally get together?’ Well, they do in the end (though it’s fast – this ran in Margaret, so the lovemaking passes quickly by), after a fair amount of angst over whether an incubus can really be trusted, and whether Miko can really admit to her feelings. There’s a few nice fakeouts along the way to keep the drama going. The first half also features one of the sexiest ‘old man spirits’ you’ll ever see – but then this is Shinjo. A highly enjoyable series, with nice given-and-take between the two leads and little power imbalance. Also sexy. – Sean Gaffney

Demon Love Spell, Vol. 6 | By Mayu Shinjo | Viz Media – The fact that I forgot this series existed instead of anticipating the release of the final volume is really not a very good endorsement, but it still doesn’t change the fact that this is the best Mayu Shinjo manga I’ve read. (And, in fact, the only one I’ve bothered to finish.) True, some elements of the last chapter were a little convenient and/or predictable, but the ending is still satisfying. The best part of the volume, though, is the first story—about a neglected cherry tree and the desperate pleas of one girl to save it from being cut down. Logically, I know I shouldn’t get sniffly over obvious attempts to tug at my heartstrings, and yet I always do. So, if you’re looking for something a little sappy and a little smutty, check out Demon Love Spell. For a Mayu Shinjo manga, it’s not bad. – Michelle Smith

Haganai: I Don’t Have Many Friends – Now With 50% More Fail! | By Chiruwo Kazehana and Shirabii | Seven Seas – This collection of short stories is basically a taster for those who enjoy the regular series but want a bit less plot (such as there is) and a bit more harem comedy. I could have done without the armpit fetish chapter, as well as the one examining Maria’s constant use of the word poop. As for the Yukimura chapter, it dances around the issue of gender so much that you get even more suspicious. The best chapters ignore the crass humor and go for showing how these disparate idiots really are bonding with each other as friends, even if they’ll never admit it All in all, though, I’d only get this if you have to have everything Haganai – it’s skippable. – Sean Gaffney

My Love Story!!, Vol. 1 | By Kazune Kawahara and Aruko | Viz Media – I am not shy about proclaiming my love of Kawahara’s High School Debut, and so it was perhaps a given that I would love My Love Story!!. I expected to be utterly charmed by the good-hearted, non-bishounen lead as he embarks upon his first love, and indeed I was, but I was actually pleasantly surprised to find that the series seems to be just as much about male friendship as it is about a sweet romance. Takeo isn’t adept at reading people, and so it takes him a while to realize just how good and faithful a friend Sunakawa has been to him all this time, and that Sunakawa has been doing his best to ensure Takeo’s happiness. If warm and fuzzy slice-of-life is your game, then I heartily recommend this series! – Michelle Smith

Sankarea, Vol. 7 | By Mitsuru Hattori | Kodansha Comics – I keep waiting for this to slide away from horror and into moe love comedy, and it never quite manages it. Sure, there’s a part here where a zombie little girl is introduced, and Furuya has to control his urge to snuggle up with her, but this is presented as actively creepy rather than lolicon fetishey. The rest of this volume amps up the horror even more, with even the hopeful bits (part of Rea’s brain is still alive, making Furuya wonder if she can be saved) having an edge of darkness to them – this darkness mostly being supplied by Darin’s eviler-than-thou father. Ending with a double cliffhanger putting Furuya’s life and Rea’s memory at stake, this is surprisingly gripping. Can’t wait for more. – Sean Gaffney

Pick of the Week: Shounen Favorites

July 7, 2014 by MJ, Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown and Michelle Smith Leave a Comment

MJ: It’s a fairly money-saving week for me, as there isn’t anything on the docket strongly compelling me to buy (except maybe the latest 07-Ghost), but it’s easy for me to make a recommendation. This week brings us the second-to-last 3-in-1 release of Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist, a long-time favorite of mine, and one of only two shounen series to have made my personal top ten back in 2011. As Sean mentioned in this week’s column, every volume of this series is essential, and this is because Arakawa’s writing is so deft, there’s almost nothing wasted. Everything is important, and everything leads us to the series’ well-earned conclusion. If you’ve avoided this series because of its popularity, or for any reason at all, this is a great time to reconsider! I truly love Fullmetal Alchemist.

SEAN: Being a tad uninspired myself, I too shall go with an old favorite, the third omnibus of Ranma 1/2. Nothing makes me feel 23 years old again quite like Ranma, which back in the mid-to-late 90s was everyone’s favorite obsession. I’m not sure it can catch hold for a new generation, but these early omnibuses, now unflipped and with higher quality scans, are a great way to find out. Also: my god, I hate Mousse.

ASH: Well, since both Fullmetal Alchemist and Ranma 1/2 have already been mentioned (two great series that I heartily enjoy), this week I’ll pick another shounen series which shows some promise. Granted, parts of The Seven Deadly Sins make me roll my eyes a bit, but I do have a weakness for well-choreographed, epic battles.

MICHELLE: As I mentioned in the column, I’m feeling in a bit of a Takahashi mood, and the title that most appeals to me this week is volume 15 of chronically low-key RIN-NE, which I always find pleasant and undemanding. Perhaps that sounds like damning it with faint praise, but sometimes that’s exactly the sort of read I’m looking for.

What looks good to you this week?

Manga the Week of 7/9

July 3, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, MJ, Anna N and Ash Brown 1 Comment

SEAN: It may not be hot where you are, but Connecticut? It’s hot. Too hot. Can manga save us from the doldrums of summer?

MICHELLE: I am in Florida. Such hot. Very yuck.

MJ: New England, also hot. And stormy. Which sounds sexier than it is.

ANNA: I will be in Central Illinois, which will be hot and humid!

SEAN: Digital Manga Publishing has another BL series trundle along, with Vol. 5 of multi-punctuated Hey Class President!!.

Kodansha unveils a slew of July titles. Seven Deadly Sins hits its third volume, and I have no doubt will give us a little more background on the newly-introduced Ban/Greed.

ASH: It took a few chapters to hook me, but at this point I’m looking forward to reading more of Seven Deadly Sins.

SEAN: Sherlock Bones has leapt forward in time to show our leads as adults (or adult dogs) right as the series hits its penultimate volume.

ASH: I was happy to see that the protagonists weren’t going to be stuck in high school forever.

SEAN: Fans of Akamatsu may have been keeping up with UQ Holder via Crunchyroll’s site, but for those who crave print, the 2nd volume also drops next week.

MICHELLE: I wish I had something to say about any of these, but I do not.

MJ: Same.

SEAN: And we have some more goodies from Viz. 07-GHOST has Vol. 11 come out, and I think the Manga Bookshelf team finds itself falling further and further behind?

MICHELLE: Yep. I look at the growing pile on my shelf periodically and remind myself that I need to read it.

ANNA: Me too! It is a really good series, I am looking forward to binging on back issues once I do start reading it.

SEAN: Speaking of impossible catchups, Case Closed is now at Vol. 51.

Fullmetal Alchemist is down to its last two omnibuses. If you get all nine, you’ll have the truly essential parts of this manga – which is to say, all of it.

ASH: Fullmetal Alchemist is great!

MJ: Yes, it is! And to Sean’s point, one of the things I love best about it is that, unlike a lot of long-running manga, it is a single, coherent story with a real beginning, middle, and end. Nothing is superfluous, so yes, every volume is essential.

ANNA: I need to finish this series one day! Actually, I think I’ll start by rereading from the beginning.

SEAN: The third Ranma 1/2 omnibus introduces a major antagonist (Cologne); a major antagonist/butt-monkey (Mousse); and a minor yet incredibly irritating thorn in Ranma’s side (Gosunkugi). All this plus the usual Takahashi comedy and non-romance.

And if that’s not enough Takahashi for you, the 15th volume of Rin-Ne drops the same week, forcing unfortunate comparisons between its sedate, mild couple and Ranma 1/2’s violent, boisterous one.

MICHELLE: Some Takahashi sounds awfully appealing right now, actually.

SEAN: What manga cools you down the most?

Bookshelf Briefs 6/30/14

June 30, 2014 by Sean Gaffney, Anna N and Michelle Smith 1 Comment

This week, Sean, Anna, & Michelle look at recent releases from Viz Media, Yen Press, Seven Seas, and Kodansha Comics.

Arata: The Legend, Vol. 18 | By Yuu Watase | Viz Media – The central premise of Arata is that a Japanese high school student, Arata Hinohara, has switched places with the Arata of a world called Amawakuni. In this volume, we learn that five of the “six sho,” the most powerful hayagami-wielders whom Hinohara is tasked with defeating, are actually from our world, as well. Not only that, the whole reason they attempted to assassinate the princess in the first place was to fully open the passageways so they can return with their swanky powers “to conquer or destroy.” That’s a pretty intriguing development. Unfortunately, when one of these guys confronts members of Arata’s entourage whom he could easily kill and put this story to an end, he inexplicably decides to turn them into kids instead. Because I guess we needed some hijinks. This lapse in logic dampens my enjoyment of an otherwise possibly significant volume. – Michelle Smith

Bloody Cross, Vol. 3 | By Shiwo Komeyama | Yen Press – Honestly, the plot in this series seems almost irrelevant, which is a good thing as so little actually happens here. But the manga gives its readers what they really want: shots of cool-looking battles, cool-looking heroes, and our heroine snarking at each other. Hinata is absent for most of this volume, so we bring in a new cursed character who fulfills many of the same functions but gets to be a bit goofier. This is a pretty fun, tasty manga when you read it, but it’s light as air – it performs its function and nothing more. That said, hot demons and angels, the occasional cutaway sex scene, and lots of pseudo-religious fantasy… if this sounds good to you, definitely pick this up. – Sean Gaffney

A Centaur’s Life, Vol. 3 | By Kei Murayama | Seven Seas – To a certain degree, much of A Centaur’s Life could have been written with normal humans as a normal 4-koma. We’d see a bunch of rambunctious kids trying to amuse themselves without getting in trouble, a kindergartener enduring bullying and helping her nursery school schoolmates, etc. But they’d be much duller, as it’s the frisson of oddness that makes this series readable. Seeing all the centaur/dragon girl/sheep girl etc. days in the life, watching what television programs are like in a world like this, that sort of thing. The manga still feels awkward a lot, but it’s beginning to improve. And the cliffhanger, involving a new transfer student, promises a lot of change for the next volume. – Sean Gaffney

Magi, Vol. 6 | By Shinobu Ohtaka | Viz Media – What does it mean to be a ruler – and does everyone have what it takes? From the moment Sinbad appeared in this manga, it was clear that he was a natural-born leader, confident in his abilities and there to lend support to those who need it. This is why he is NOT the main character of this manga. Instead we have Alibaba, taking the spotlight with Aladdin unconscious for most of the volume, who spends much of his time wrestling with doubts and fears. Even Sinbad isn’t sure Alibaba can be what’s needed right now. But Morgiana believes in him, and we slowly start to see his love of the people and desire to fight injustice come to the fore. Development of characters like Alibaba is why Magi is still a riveting read. – Sean Gaffney

Phantom Thief Jeanne, Vol. 2 | By Arina Tanemura | Viz Media – In this volume of Phantom Thief Jeanne the reader gets a bit more of Maron and Chiaki’s tumultuous relationship issues, as well as a bit of back story as Maron deals with her abandonment by her parents, a plot device that will never really make sense to me. Chiaki’s father is next on the demon possession hit list, and Jeane manages to rescue him despite the danger of being transformed into a life-sized creepy doll. Everything calms down a little bit, but Maron next has to deal with all of the girls who are showering Chiaki with chocolate on Valentine’s Day! Towards the end of the volume Jeanne gets even more power, so it will be interesting to see if the demons she battles will be even more menacing. There’s a nice side story featuring Miyako that examines why she is so obsessed with catching Jeanne, and shows how much importance she places on her friendship with Maron. Overall, a great second volume for this series, I’m really enjoying having an excuse to read it again in this new edition! – Anna N

Say I Love You., Vol. 2 | By Kanae Hazuki | Kodansha Comics – My verdict for volume one of Say I Love You. was “It’s kind of great,” and I’m happy to report that it applies to volume two, as well. The main strength of the series is in the characterization. “Prickly loner” Mei Tachibana is falling more in love with her popular boyfriend, Yamato Kurosawa—gradually allowing herself to trust him and feeling like a woman for the first time. And Yamato isn’t as idealized as many shoujo love interests (though he does rescue a litter of abandoned kittens). Contrasted against them are Hayakawa, a guy from an unhappy family background who pursues warmth in a series of fleeting physical encounters while avoiding acknowledging the feelings of the one girl who actually loves him, and Aiko, whose image issues and history with Yamato render her much more complex than your typical antagonist. I’m really enjoying watching this story unfold. Definitely recommended! – Michelle Smith

Toriko, Vol. 22 | By Mitsutoshi Shimabukuro | Viz Media – Another transitional volume, as we finish the end of the fight with Chiyo and then transition to a threat to the entire human world, as the Four Basts have awoken and love to eat humans. (How apropos in a series like Toriko,) The cover features more of the top Gourmet Hunters in the world, who get shown off to us in one huge scene and who I hope we’re not supposed to actually remember in the future. Mostly, though, this is fighting, eating, ans shonen idiocy, as Zebra deliberately turns off the message to our heroes about the Four Beasts right as it was going to tell them vital information. I therefore expect the fights they’re all having to have a nasty twist come the next volume. – Sean Gaffney

Voice Over! Seiyu Academy, Vol. 5 | By Maki Minami | Viz Media – Given how much of Special A was devoted to love and romance, and the frustrations thereof, it’s actually quite refreshing to see that the heart takes a back seat to the career here, as Senri is almost entirely absent here. Instead, we deal with the trials of voice acting, as Hime is still not doing particularly well, but is also now dealing with two stars’ rivalry – both over their star qualities and over Hime, who they both have crushes on (despite her pretending to be a boy – I didn’t say romance was ENTIRELY absent). As with Special A, though, and indeed many other shoujo series, our heroine gets by by being extra shiny, nice, earnest and all around great. Now, can we bring the male lead back into the story? – Sean Gaffney