Michelle Smith

Pick of the Week: Men, Magi, & Mecha

December 9, 2013 by Ash Brown, Anna N, Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith and MJ 1 Comment

ASH: It’s a somewhat quieter week for manga releases, but there’s still some good stuff coming out. I’m tempted to select the most recent volume of Tsutomu Nihei’s Knight’s of Sidonia as my pick of the week; the series has turned out to be great mix of sci-fi, horror, and romance. But I’ll have to admit, the manga that I’m probably most excited about this week is SuBLime’s rerelease of Ayano Yamane’s Crimson Spell. Occasionally I just really want to read some nicely drawn, smutty fantasy goodness.

ANNA: I’ll have to go with Knights of Sidionia, as I feel obligated to support awesome manga about mecha fighting aliens in space.

SEAN: I’ll go with Magi, the latest Shonen Sunday hit from Viz. It’s looking good so far, with this Arabian Nights adventure being exciting, heartwarming and funny.

MICHELLE: Since Knights of Sidonia has been safely covered, I’m also going to pick Magi. I enjoyed it from the beginning, but the interesting developments at the end of volume two sealed the deal. This could turn out to be a real favorite.

MJ: And I’ll circle partway back, at least. Though I’m interested in both Magi and Crimson Spell, I’m joining Anna this week in her support for volume six of Knights of Sidonia. I’ve never been a major fan of mecha, but this series has blown me away with its intense poignance and gorgeous artwork. I’m more than hooked.

What looks good to you this week?

Manga the Week of 12/11

December 5, 2013 by Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, MJ, Anna N and Ash Brown 6 Comments

SEAN: A fairly quiet Week 2 for this last month of 2013, with just a few tasty morsels of manga to take in while you drink eggnog.

MICHELLE: Mmm, eggnog.

MJ: Gimme.

ANNA: Woo hoo!

SEAN: If you like all the wacky misunderstandings, school romance, and tsunderes of shoujo manga, but would like it with BL flavoring, well, here’s Vol. 4 of Awkward Silence, whose cover resembles Ouran High School Host Club if they ditched Haruhi.

Meanwhile, if you want a fantasy sword and sorcery title with demons who insatiable lust for young men knows no bounds, well, SubLime has you covered there as well, with Vol. 1 of Crimson Spell, from the author of Finder.

ASH: Crimson Spell is actually my favorite manga by Ayano Yamane. Only two volumes were released by Media Blasters back in the day, so I’m very excited that SuBLime rescued the series.

MJ: i am really looking forward to reading this. I missed it originally, and it’s so well-loved.

ANNA: Hmm, I’m looking forward to hearing what you guys think about this!

SEAN: Fairy Tail 33 was actually out 12/4, but I forgot about it, possibly as 32 only came out two weeks ago. There’s speedup and then there’s ridiculous.

I will admit, the body horror scene in the last volume of Knights of Sidonia still freaks me out. That said, I’m totally on board with this series now, which hopefully will try not to kill off its entire cast by the time it finishes. Vol. 6 is coming out this week.

ASH: Body horror, mecha battles, and romantic comedy all in one convenient package!

MICHELLE: Not to mention Tsutomu Nihei’s atmospheric art. I still prefer BLAME! for sheer landscape awesomeness, but Sidonia comes close and is far more accessible.

MJ: Yes! I can’t wait to read this!

ANNA: Such a great series, I need to get caught up.

SEAN: Arata the Legend is up to Vol. 16, which means only 2 more volumes and it’s as long as Fushigi Yuugi, which is the series everyone remembers its author for. At least for now. Arata’s day in the sun is coming!

MICHELLE: This is a fun series. I’ll be catching up soon!

Itsuwaribito has wrapped up in Japan recently, but we have a long way to go here in North America. But at least Vol. 10 gets us into double digits. Wikipedia links to some pretty brutal reviews, to be honest. Perhaps a reassessment is needed?

Magi 3 will send us into the manga’s second story arc, and I have been very pleased with what I’ve read so far. I don’t expect that to change.

MICHELLE: Same here! I really like the direction the plot seems to be heading at the end of volume two, and am looking forward to seeing how the story develops from here.

MJ: I’m late beginning this, but it sounds like this is a good time to start.

SEAN: Lastly, the Tiger & Bunny series, like Code Geass, has led to an ongoing series of doujinshi anthologies, which likely lends itself more towards the deep male bonding most fans of this series want to see. (Still clean, though – c’mon, this is being put out by Viz.) We get the 2nd anthology this week.

What appeals to you in this list?

Pick of the Week: Stack o’ Viz

December 2, 2013 by MJ, Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, Anna N and Ash Brown Leave a Comment

SEAN: There are a large number of things to pick from (even larger if you realize I forgot to add Fairy Tail 33 to that list – whoops) – and I think I will make my choice Volume 32 of Skip Beat!. It’s quite impressive how invested the author has kept her readers in Kyoko’s success, given that this is well over the average length of a shoujo series, and we’re still only slowly edging towards romance. And yet it’s addicting. Once you start reading, it’s very hard to stop. So I’ll keep reading.

MICHELLE: My passionate love for Skip Beat! is thoroughly well documented by now, so instead of seconding Sean this time I will take my final chance to recommend Slam Dunk, whose 31st and final volume comes out on Tuesday. This is the quintessential sports manga, with an uncouth hero who finds the place he belongs, a place to be needed, and eventually becomes a real asset to his teammates. I’m going to be sad when this one is over.

ANNA: I love Skip Beat! too, but I’m going to have to join Michelle with picking the final volume of Slam Dunk. This is a special series, and I’m grateful I got to read it in English despite the fact that sports manga generally don’t sell all that well.

ASH: Skip Beat! and Slam Dunk are both fantastic choices that I could easily get behind, but I’ll think I’ll mix it up a bit by picking Dengeki Daisy this week. The series is a peculiar amalgam of romance, comedy, and cyber espionage, but I’ve become rather fond of it and look forward to the release of each new volume.

MJ: I’m going to add to the Vizfest we have here this week, with a rather surprising pick. I thought initially I’d be putting my hat in for Mayu Shinjo’s delightful Demon Love Spell, which has been a favorite for me since its launch. Instead, I find myself gravitating towards an unlikely choice—volume two of Maki Minami’s Voice Over! Seiyu Academy. After having registered my dread of its second volume just last week, I picked up my early copy and read it. As it turns out, the end of volume two features a shift in premise that suddenly commands my interest. It’s nothing new—just another well-worn shoujo trope—but one that is executed with the style and panache of, say, an addictive K-drama. Count me in!

What looks good to you this week?

Bookshelf Briefs 12/2/13

December 2, 2013 by MJ, Sean Gaffney and Michelle Smith Leave a Comment

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

Cage of Eden, Vol. 12 | By Yoshinobu Yamada | Kodansha Comics – There really is an awful lot of being threatened by giant predatory animals in this series – indeed, that makes up about half of this volume – so it’s nice to see a return to the basic question posed by the series. Where are they, why is the entire place filled with animals from conflicting time periods, and can they even escape at all? A rather disturbing stone monument is found, with words the cast can’t read, not being fluent in Latin, but we can – Requiescat In Pace. The idea that everyone is, in reality, dead and this could be a rather horrific afterlife is a downbeat one, and I’m fairly sure that it won’t turn out to be quite that bad. Still, we get another death here, and one worries that soon we may start running out of young, nubile teen girls to bathe naked in rivers. -Sean Gaffney

The Infernal Devices 2: Clockwork Prince | By Cassandra Clare & Hyekyung Baek. | Yen Press – This adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s prequel to her popular The Mortal Instruments series began as seemingly perfect girls’ “manga” fodder—so much so, in fact, that its careful adherence to shoujo manga tropes made it feel a little cold and emotionally manipulative. In this second volume, the series out-shoujos itself, with its increasingly spunky heroine and a cruelly dramatic love triangle. But while you might expect all this to reinforce the first volume’s contrived feel, in actuality, it finally gives the series some real heart. Clare’s supernatural world is still less interesting than the people she’s placed in it, but that hardly matters in the face of true romantic torture. I’m officially hooked. – MJ

Oresama Teacher, Vol. 15 | By Izumi Tsubaki | Viz Media – Just when I start to think that Oresama Teacher maybe isn’t for me, along comes a volume like this one. The first couple of chapters were pretty boring school trip hijinks, but then I found myself unexpectedly captivated by the attempts of a doll-like member of the student council to win over Shibuya (the Public Morals Club’s newest member) with her finely honed cute act. Probably it’s because I enjoy skewering the transparent schemes of manipulative people, but I actually really liked their chapters together and now kind of want them to end up as a couple. I didn’t expect much at all from Shibuya when he first appeared, but now I definitely find him more interesting than Kurosaki, the main character, which doesn’t exactly bode well for the series. Still, it’s enough to keep me reading, if not rereading. – Michelle Smith

Slam Dunk, Vol. 31 | By Takehiko Inoue | Viz Media – To properly convey how much I love sports manga in general and Slam Dunk in particular, I kept a tally of how many times this volume made me verklempt. The total? Eight. I just find it so moving when someone finds the thing that they love and the “unwavering resolve” to go after it, changing the trajectory of their life in the process. True, the series doesn’t end like I had expected, but I actually think the most important thing that needed to happen occurred a bit earlier on—Sakuragi and Rukawa finally recognized each other as trustworthy teammates. There’s a great moment where Sakuragi recovers a loose ball and trusts Rukawa to deliver on it, a gesture that’s later repaid when a blocked-in Rukawa counts on Sakuragi in a crucial moment. The change in their eyes as they regard each other is so palpable it gives me goosebumps to contemplate it. I heart this series like whoa. – Michelle Smith

World War Blue, Vol. 3 | By Anastasia Shestakova and Crimson | Seven Seas – Any goodwill I may have possessed towards this series is gone by now, as it tries to tell a story with cute video game references but can’t rise above the most hackneyed cliches. So we have aggrieved siblings who chafe at the policies of their peaceful country and strike off on their own; we have the ‘weak’ member of the party reminded that war is hell and that she has to contribute and stop worrying that she’s useless (she’s even slapped, because of course), and the tragic narration “this was the last time we would ever fight together” setting up future events that I don’t care enough about. Even the side story, about a female slave with ridiculous strength who is rescued by a rather casual hero, leaves a bad, somewhat sexist taste in the mouth. It’s a shame, this started off with promise. – Sean Gaffney

Yotsuba&!, Vol. 12 | By Kiyohiko Azuma | Yen Press – I’ve said before that I enjoy Yotsuba as a catalyst more than an actual character. Luckily, she’s rarely on her own in this volume, and her interaction with everyone else drives the humor and the heart. Torako is learning to be just as good as Asagi at handling Yotsuba, even if it’s in a grumpy truculent way. Fuuka and Shimau are hilariously weird and cute as a team, spotting the potential of Yotsuba and awkward pumpkin costume straight away. And the camping trip that takes up the 2nd half is filled with exactly what we want in the series: the wonders of everyday life, people being adorable dorks, and lots of cute. Yotsuba’s final page quote makes one think the series is ending (it isn’t), but honestly there’s far more that can be done here The wonders of childhood are limitless. – Sean Gaffney

Yotsuba&!, Vol. 12 | By Kiyohiko Azuma | Yen Press – New volumes of Yotsuba&! are sadly few and far between these days, but at least each one is solidly consistent and guaranteed to raise a smile. True, nothing much changes, but the series does have its own internal slice-of-life continuity, with Yotsuba’s newfound fascination with tying bows factoring into future chapters not to mention the repercussions of her naughty adventure with paint. “Everyone gets blue hands sometimes!!” on its own might not read as much of a punchline, but Azuma’s excellent (as ever) depiction of Yotsuba’s body language effortlessly communicates how embarrassed she is by her predicament, and it’s nice to see how her dad handles her misbehavior. Too bad it’ll probably be at least another year before volume thirteen. – Michelle Smith

Voice Over! Seiyu Academy, Vol. 2 | By Maki Minami | Viz Media – As pleasantly sugary as Hana to Yume series are known to be, I admit that I found the first volume of Voice Over! Seiyu Academy to be more sickly than sweet. Its perky, dim heroine and and obvious romantic setup, though certainly no grave sins in the context of current shoujo manga, languished within a lackluster premise. Volume two begins pretty much the same way, as heroine Hime and her gang of student seiyu “stragglers” trudge through a tired plotline involving the value of friendship. Fortunately, a late-volume twist changes things for the better, utilizing an equally overused trope that somehow feels just right here. Can a shoujo manga live or die on its precise combination of clichés? Time will tell. Tentatively recommended. – MJ

Manga the Week of 12/4

November 28, 2013 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, MJ, Anna N and Michelle Smith 2 Comments

SEAN: First week of the month. You know what that means. Let’s go.

Dark Horse has the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s volume on Manga Challenges And Best Practices, which, given its authorship, I will merely leave here to let you all know it’s available. :)

ASH: Well, if you’re not going to say anything, then I will! I got my hands on an early copy a few months ago and thought it was great resource.

MJ: Thanks, Ash!

SEAN: Alice Love Fables: Toy Box is a Seven Seas anthology with stories from a) Alice in the Country of Hearts, as released (in part) by Seven Seas; b) Crimson Empire, as released by Seven Seas; and c) Arabians Lost, as not released by Seven Seas, mostly as it’s the only one of these otome game adaptations not to get an actual series.

ANNA: I have a fairly high tolerance of Alice in the Country of series, but stretching it to an anthology series might be a bit too much for me.

SEAN: Dance In The Vampire Bund has another new spinoff, this one called The Memories of Sledge Hammer. It does not feature David Rasche at all, so I am profoundly disinterested.

ASH: I…actually haven’t read any of the Dance in the Vampire Bund manga, yet.

MJ: I feel certain I never will.

ANNA: I doubt I will either.

SEAN: And Kanokon has an omnibus collecting two new volumes of this supernatural harem comedy (not to be confused with Seven Seas’ other supernatural harem comedies).

There’s also Vol. 3 of The Sacred Blacksmith, which hasn’t knocked me out, but has proven to be better than expected.

On the Viz front, there’s Vol. 5 of Demon Love Spell, which is a hell of a lot of fun and also sexy to boot.

MJ: I kinda can’t wait for this. I’m definitely hooked on this series.

ANNA: It is hilarious. I do wish more of Mayu Shinjo’s angsty series were published over here.

SEAN: Dengeki Daisy is coming to an end, but that end is not out here yet. Instead, we get lucky Vol. 13. If you like shoujo at all, you should be reading this.

MICHELLE: I’ve fallen behind with Dengeki Daisy but will be catching up soon!

ASH: I used consider Dengeki Daisy a guilty pleasure, but I’ve gotten over that and just enjoy the series.

MJ: I dropped Dengeki Daisy early on (not for any profound reason, just time) and I’ve begun to regret it.

ANNA: I always enjoy a new volume of Dengeki Daisy.

SEAN: The penultimate volume of A Devil and Her Love Song really needs to cut back on the angst and trauma and start wrapping things up happily. Do I expect this to happen here? No.

MJ: Heh.

ANNA: That being said, it is somehow weirdly refreshing along with all the angst and trauma, just because the heroine’s personality is so distinctive.

SEAN: The 3rd Dragon Ball omnibus, because there are always new generations of fans.

ASH: I’m glad that Viz is finding ways to keep this series in print–I’m one of those people who somehow missed it the first few times around.

SEAN: Vol. 3 of Happy Marriage?! will no doubt feature more fretting, worrying, and self-doubt, hopefully mixed with some nice romance and comedy.

MJ: No doubt. And no doubt I’ll read it.

ANNA: I’ve read it and it continues to be great!

SEAN: Hunter x Hunter 31 is out. The manga’s back on hiatus in Japan, so I’m not sure when it will dribble to a halt here. Again.

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan started a new arc last time, and I expect things will be quite exciting and supernatural in a “this is pretty good, but not great” way.

One Piece Vol. 69. (cough) You’d think Nami and Robin would be on the cov–(whack) Ow!

Skip Beat! is up to Vol. 32. Easily Hana to Yume’s longest running ongoing series, it may be wrapping up soon, but not yet. Still great.

MICHELLE: I’m very excited about this one!

ASH: Me, too!

ANNA: Probably my most favorite insanely long shoujo manga series.

SEAN: Slam Dunk ends with Vol. 31. A terrific sports manga, and hopefully it has whetted fans’ appetite in case Viz wants to, say, license another ongoing Jump basketball series. Hint, hint.

MICHELLE: And this one! I’ve been saving up the last five volumes to read in one big chunk. It’s gonna be awesome.

ASH: I’m behind in Slam Dunk, but it really is a great series.

ANNA: Slam Dunk is wonderful.

SEAN: Toriko is in the Meteor Garlic arc, and this is Volume 19. I like the series a lot, but it’s hard to really comment on when it comes out.

Lastly, Voice Over: Seiyuu Academy has its second volume drop. It’s classic workaday Hakusensha shoujo, with a fun if dense lead.

MJ: I’m eyeing this with a little bit of dread, but it’ll probably reel me in.

MICHELLE: It might. I definitely liked the first volume more than I expected to.

ANNA:I enjoyed the first volume much more than I expected to.

SEAN: That’s a big pile. Any choices?

Pick of the Week: Pink, Titans

November 25, 2013 by Ash Brown, Michelle Smith, Sean Gaffney, Anna N and MJ 1 Comment

ASH: There are a few interesting things being released this week, but there is one volume that especially stands out for me: Kyoko Okazaki’s Pink. Originally published in 1989, the manga is of the earliest successes from one of the most influential mangaka in josei. I was greatly impressed by Okazaki’s Helter Skelter, also released by Vertical this year, so I’m particularly looking forward to reading Pink.

MICHELLE: Pink is definitely the one I’m looking forward to the most. I am also amused by how innocuous its cover looks, given the plot synopsis!

SEAN: I am looking forward to Pink, which sounds great. My Pick, though, is for the 9th volume of Attack on Titan. It really is quite a pivotal volume, with all the various plot bits that have been dropped over the last several books coming together and making sense. Plus we get a great cliffhanger into what looks like an even more pivotal Volume 10. This is not the runaway breakout hit of 2013 for nothing.

ANNA: I am also very much looking forward to Pink. I’m so glad Vertical has decided to bring out some quality josei titles!

MJ: Well, I pretty much already declared Pink as my pick of the week, and I have no good reason to contradict myself, so my choice this week is clear. I really enjoyed Helter Skelter, and I’m thrilled that we’re seeing more Okazaki this quickly. Thanks, Vertical!

What looks good to you this week?

Manga the Week of 11/27

November 21, 2013 by Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, Ash Brown, MJ and Anna N 4 Comments

SEAN: I love the end of the month. It’s so quiet and peaceful.

DMP has the 8th volume of the Ai no Kusabi novel series, which I think is the final volume of this epic sci-fi master/slave BL tale. It’s 1980s-tastic!

MICHELLE: I remember watching the OVA of this (possibly at a convention) and being THOROUGHLY confused.

ASH: It’s nice to see this series finally completed in English, especially after a nearly four-year hiatus.

MJ: If only this was a manga instead of a novel. “1980s-tastic” has a much stronger hold on me when there’s lots of artwork involved.

ANNA: I love 1980s-tastic manga art!

SEAN: Kodansha gives us Attack on Titan 9. I went on about this volume at length in my review. At great length. Seriously, I just wouldn’t shut up. Also, I can now say Ymir! Hooray!

ASH: I’ll admit it: I’ve become hooked on Attack on Titan. I’m glad the series is doing so well for Kodansha, too.

SEAN: There’s also the 2nd and final volume of Sailor Moon Short Stories, which I also reviewed. I recommend getting it for Rei Hino. Also, that wraps it up for the manga, barring any artbook releases in the future.

Seven Seas has another 2-volume omnibus of Witch Buster, which I am so unfamiliar with I can’t even muster up some witty wordplay banter.

ASH: The only thing I really know about Witch Buster is that it’s original title was Witch Hunter.

SEAN: Vertical has Pink, by Kyoko Okazaki. I’ve been waiting for this since it was first announced. It’s from an earlier period in her career than Helter Skelter, and has a crocodile. Hence, everyone should read it.

MICHELLE: I’m really looking forward to this one!

ASH: As am I! I’ve really been enjoying Vertical’s josei titles this year.

MJ: I suspect this will make a strong showing in our upcoming Pick of the Week column. It’s certainly mine!

ANNA: I am glad for the reminder that this is coming out, because I’m going to order it! Helter Skelter was one of the more distinctive manga that I’ve read recently, so I am very much looking forward to Pink.

SEAN: Yen has the 2nd volume of Judge, which is shipping this week instead of last for some reason. See, it’s missing deadlines like that that would get you killed first in a survival game manga.

Speaking of missing deadlines, I forgot to mention that last week the 10th and 11th volumes of the Haruhi Suzumiya light novels shipped as one big omnibus. This catches us up with Japan, at last novel-wise, and is one of the best yet, provided you’re used to the Japanese light novel narration style, which involves a torrent of words and introspection.

What manga are you thankful for?

Pick of the Week: Mostly Sunny

November 18, 2013 by MJ, Michelle Smith, Anna N, Ash Brown and Sean Gaffney Leave a Comment

MJ: Once again, there’s quite a bit on this week’s shipping list, including a new volume of the much beloved Yotsuba&!, but one title stands out clearly from the crowd for me. That would be volume two of Taiyo Matsumoto’s Sunny, due out this week from Viz. From my review of the first volume: “The book’s structure and pacing seem so in tune with a child’s sense of time—that feeling of impatience on top of the endless landscape of imagination. These kids have more reasons than most to escape into their fantasy worlds, but they spend just as much time being shuffled along the familiar routines of childhood. Meals, school, sleep, play—their daily lives are similar to most young kids, but with an edge of anxiety most of us were privileged to do without. And it’s these points of anxiety that make Sunnyfeel moving and real, and not a nostalgia piece in the slightest.” Yes, I will be buying this. I really can’t wait.

MICHELLE: I’m with MJ on this. I reviewed volume two for this week’s Bookshelf Briefs and it was every bit as masterful and moving as volume one. Perhaps more so. Really, I find words inadequate to describe its greatness, so just go read it already.

ANNA: I’ll have to join in on the love for Sunny, this is clearly the standout title for the week.

ASH: It’s Matsumoto’s Sunny for me this week, too. I had the pleasure of being at TCAF for the series’ English debut, and I’ve been looking forward to the second volume’s release ever since.

SEAN: I’m picking Yotsuba&!, because I dislike unanimity, and also it’s hella fun.

What looks good to you this week?

Bookshelf Briefs 11/18/13

November 18, 2013 by Sean Gaffney and Michelle Smith Leave a Comment

This week, Sean and Michelle look at recent releases from Viz Media.

Midnight Secretary, Vol. 2 | By Tomu Ohmi | Viz Media – As ever with the josei series we’ve seen Viz license in Shojo Beat, this second volume is dedicated to much angsting and lying to oneself. Unlike most Shojo Bdeat series, all the angsting ends in a fairly hot sex scene, which actually feels earned, mostly as we do get to see both Kaya and Kyohei making the same journey. Kaya “But I’m just a secretary” drives the first half, and Kyohei’s “Vampires should not love humans” drives the second, but they’re essentially the same concerns; each is losing themselves to the other, and it’s scary. I am pleased that we continue to focus on how good the two of them are at their jobs, and I suspect that Kyohei’s family will play a larger role as things go on. In the meantime, enjoy all the fretting and frothing leading to a whole lot of pleasure for all concerned. – Sean Gaffney

Psyren, Vol. 13 | By Toshiaki Iwashiro | Viz Media – I like the fact that so much attention is given in Psyren to showing us how the villains came together as a team. Usually the heroes band together with the power of friendship, etc., so it’s nice seeing it coming from the other side, with folks having agendas other than ’cause we’re evil like that’. Also, given Jump action series almost never really focus on the romance, I also liked seeing Sakurako freaking out at what her alternate self did with Ageha, even if it was played for the broadest comedy. (As was Maria being jealous, which was also very cute). Then it’s back to the Psyren world for more fighting, as things get livened up by the addition of a genuinely unhinged serial killer on the villain’s side – the flashback to his victims being found is chilling. Hopefully the series cam keep the momentum going, next volume looks like all fighting. – Sean Gaffney

Rin-Ne Vol. 13 | By Rumiko Takahashi | Viz Media – Never let it be said that Rumiko Takahashi’s comedy hasn’t been consistent as we travel from UY to Ranma to Rin-Ne. Her characters are funny because they are all gloriously selfish asses who are truly horrible to each other for the most petty reasons. There is the occasional heartwarming bone thrown here, but even then you never know when it will be yanked away from you, as with the chapter with Rinne’s horrible father. Even Sakura gets in on the act, not having issues with Rinne being a thief, but musing he wouldn’t be so bad at it if he were. Even the ghosts everyone is helping are petty, vindictive and shallow. If I hadn’t been reading Takahashi for almost 20 years now, I’d be fairly repulsed at this entire cast. As it is, it feels like putting on your favorite old electric blanket. – Sean Gaffney

Strobe Edge, Vol. 7 | By Io Sakisaka | Viz Media – One of the things that makes Strobe Edge so great it’s that it’s often sweet, but never sappy. Some of the best moments occur when mature-seeming character show their vulnerabilities and insecurities to the select few they care about, which means these scenes area always firmly rooted in character. The primary focus of this volume is the growing closeness between Ren and Ninako and the latter’s unwillingness to let go of their friendship to try for something more, especially since she knows Ren is still sad after breaking up with his girlfriend, unlike the other girls in school, who are eager to nab him without truly knowing him. Then there’s Ninako’s friend, Sayuri, who is worried that her current boyfriend has fallen for another girl just like her last one did. I suppose there’s nothing really new here, but it’s done so well that I just don’t care. – Michelle Smith

Sunny, Vol. 2 | By Taiyo Matsumoto | Viz Media – How does one craft something that’s sad but simultaneously uplifting and charming? Introspective and yet a page-turner? I have no clue, but thankfully Taiyo Matsumoto does and has instilled those qualities in Sunny. I especially love that the kids in this series (who live together in a group foster home) are not idealized. They tell lies, act tough, fail to show gratitude for their caretakers, and hang out with the wrong crowd but Matsumoto shows us the vulnerabilities that make them behave this way. One can’t help but feel for them, with the painful truths they’re confronting at such a young age. My favorite chapter involves relative newcomer Sei taking the latest arrival under his wing, only to say goodbye when the boy’s mother actually keeps her promise to come for him. It’s just beautifully done all around, which is yet another reason why you should be reading Sunny. – Michelle Smith

Manga the Week of 11/20

November 15, 2013 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, MJ, Anna N and Michelle Smith 4 Comments

SEAN: Another one of those weeks that brings something for everyone.

It has been a year and two months since the last volume of Berserk from Dark Horse. (This is the fault of the Japanese author, let’s note, whose reputation for breaks is limitless.) Now, at last, we have the next volume.

ASH: YES! Berserk is one of my favorites. Well, early Berserk is one of my favorites. But I’m always happy to see a new volume of the series released.

MJ: I have never read Berserk, but I’ll admit that Dark Horse’s announcement about the new volume made it all sound very exciting.

SEAN: Oh My Goddess 45 contains one of the most amazing, ballsiest retcons I have seen in ages. It set fandom alight, and I look forward to reading it in this new volume, also from Dark Horse.

Fairy Tail’s speedup is nearing the end, but not quite there yet, so here’s Vol. 32, which is still at the start of the Grand Magic Games arc.

Sherlock Bones also has its 2nd volume, which will feature more from the sort-of love interest of the boy (the dog does not, as far as I know, have a love interest).

ASH: Well, there is Takeru’s sister who reminds Sherdog an awful lot of Irene Adler…

SEAN: Picturebox is having a busy month. This week we get the second in their Ten Cent Manga series, featuring a well-known name – Osamu Tezuka, with The Mysterious Underground Men, one of his very first works.

ASH: I’ll admit, I’m a little burned out on Tezuka, but the Ten Cent Manga series is pretty great.

MJ: I’m with Ash here, but I’ll still probably read it.

SEAN: The longest Alice in the Etc. series to date comes to an end with the 7th and final volume of Cheshire Cat Waltz. Will Alice and Boris live happily ever after? Is happily ever after really a desirable result here? We shall see.

ANNA: I have to say, I don’t care very much about this series, but I just started Alice in the Country of Joker. That’s one thing to be said for all the many Alice in series, something for everyone.

Sickness Unto Death wraps up with its second volume. I reviewed it here.

Hey, remember Dogs? It’s at the ever popular yearly release schedule (not due to sales – Japan has a yearly schedule as well), and is sure to be stylish.

Sunny was a nicely introspective manga when the first volume landed in the spring, so I am quite looking forward to Vol. 2.

ASH: As am I! It’s a beautiful, deluxe release, too.

MICHELLE: Me, too! I’m reviewing it for the next Bookshelf Briefs, in fact!

ANNA: I very much enjoyed the first volume of this series and the deluxe format makes a nice holiday gift!

MJ: I really can’t wait to read this. Michelle & I adored Volume 1.

SEAN: I have run out of things to say about Yen’s BTOOOOM!, so I will note that since this is Volume 4 I added an extra O to the title.

MICHELLE: *snerk* I gave up after the craptacular second volume.

SEAN: A quick detour to the manwha side, as Vol. 8 of Jack Frost is out. I lost track of this back at the start. Is the girl still getting decapitated constantly?

MJ: Probably.

SEAN: Soul Eater 17 contains one of the most popular sequences in the entire series. I won’t say anything more, other than: Rule 63.

Lastly, speaking of yearly releases, it’s Yotsuba&! time. Featuring Halloween, camping, and Asagi’s friend (and that’s all she is, despite yuri fans everywhere wishing it were otherwise) Torako. Ever volume of this series puts a smile on my face.

ASH: I can’t believe how far behind I am with Yotsuba&!. I should address this issue immediately.

MICHELLE: Yay, Yotsuba&!.

ANNA: I am terribly behind as well.

MJ: New Yotsuba&! is always a welcome sight!

SEAN: What appeals to you most?

Pick of the Week: PictureBox & Other Stories

November 11, 2013 by Ash Brown, Sean Gaffney, Michelle Smith, Anna N and MJ Leave a Comment

ASH: Though there aren’t quite as many titles coming out this week as there were in the past couple of weeks, there are still plenty of manga to choose from. Personally, I’m torn between two releases: the first omnibus in Shigeru Mizuki’s Showa: A History of Japan from Drawn & Quarterly and the first volume in PictureBox’s new series Masters of Alternative Manga, Gold Pollen and Other Stories by Seiichi Hayashi. In the end, I think I’m leaning slightly more towards the beautiful hardcover edition of Gold Pollen. Alternative and underground manga aren’t often released in English; I’m happy to show PictureBox my support because I’d love to see more of it.

SEAN: I was going to pick Showa anyway, so no worries about it not appearing here. I’ve loved the Mizuki manga we’ve gotten so far from D&Q, and seeing a history of one of the most volatile periods of modern Japan, interspersed with more awesome yokai folklore, is simply too good to pass up. A must buy.

MICHELLE: I’m awfully glad we’ve got things like Gold Pollen and Showa coming out, but I can’t lie—my heart belongs to Blue Morning, volume three. Definitely my pick for best BL of the year.

ANNA: I’m glad we have those things coming out too, but to be honest, I’m probably going to read the latest volume of 07-Ghost before I read other things that are being released this week. So that is my pick!

MJ: It’s so tempting to fall back on an enduring standby this week, with the sixth 3-in-1 edition of Fullmetal Alchemist making its way to the shelves. There are few shounen manga that have occupied such a prominent place in my heart, and my admiration for its brilliant creator, Hiromu Arakawa, is steadfast and true. But comfort of old favorites is, this week, overshadowed by my excitement over PictureBox’s new collection of Seiichi Hayashi manga, Gold Pollen and Other Stories, so I must echo Ash’s pick. Not only does this release offer me a prolonged glimpse at an era of manga from which I’ve read very little, but it’s also a gorgeous, high-end release—large trim, hardcover, full-color. I can’t wait to take a close look at it. I’m thrilled, too, that this is just the first in PictureBox’s alternative manga series.

What looks good to you this week?

Bookshelf Briefs 11/11/13

November 11, 2013 by Sean Gaffney, Anna N and Michelle Smith Leave a Comment

This week, Sean, Anna, & Michelle look at recent releases from Viz Media and Vertical, Inc.

Knights of Sidonia, Vol. 5 | By Tsutomu Nihei | Vertical, Inc. – There is quite a good space battle towards the end of this, but as usual I’m focused on other things. The reason that I keep coming back to Sidonia is the balance it maintains between different aspects. I will never get over how this is still a wacky harem manga, complete with Nagate being a clueless dope and Izana running off in best cliched “I hate you!” form. But I will also never get over the scene with Tahiro’s possession – and, I have to assume, death – which is some of the sickest body horror I’ve ever seen, and is done slowly and silently so that you revel in its horribleness. These are both in the same manga! And yes, there is also a great Star Wars-style battle with SPEED GAUNA and Nagate showing off his awesome skills as well. It’s become a must-read title. – Sean Gaffney

Knights of Sidonia, Vol. 5 | By Tsutomu Nihei | Vertical, Inc. – I honestly never thought I’d love a mecha-centric manga like I do Knights of Sidonia, but then again, this is not your average mecha manga. Humanity’s desperate fight for survival never lets up—which isn’t to say the series is devoid of light moments, only that they are few and far between—and just when it seems they’ve possibly got a leg up on the enemy, the enemy grows more clever while an unknown threat begins to grow within Sidonia itself. The characters have become even more endearing, too, especially Izana Shinatose, Tanikaze’s “middle-gendered friend,” and this is the kind of series where people can easily end up dead—dead en masse, in fact—so watching them fly into battle can be a somewhat stressful reading experience, but oh so addictive and rewarding. I’m counting the days until volume six! – Michelle Smith

Oresama Teacher, Vol. 15 | By Izumi Tsubaki | Viz Media – The class trip that I thought would take the entire volume only took half of it, but things are all the better for it. First, we get just enough time devoted to Mafuyu trying once again to hide her past, Yui realizing that his deep cover role is a lot deeper than I suspect he’s truly comfortable with, and Saeki once again being ridiculous. To my surprise, though, I also loved the second half. I didn’t think much of Shibuya when he was introduced, as he was putting up a very false front. Now, with everyone else off on the trip, we can delve closer into that, and see what happens when he runs up against someone he can’t read like a book. As for our latest mini-villain, Komari… well, she’s finding the exact same thing happening to her. Clearly these two are made for each other. Depth is always welcome in my favorite shoujo comedy. – Sean Gaffney

Oresama Teacher, Vol. 15 | By Izumi Tsubaki | Viz Media – I’m a bit in awe of the capacity of this series to seem absolutely silly and hilarious even as the cast grows and almost nothing happens in terms of forward-moving plot. The class trip is funny, and I especially enjoyed Saeki’s unholy obsession with ping pong. While sometimes the large cast gets a bit tricky to keep track of, the story shift in the latter half of the volume to Shibuya fending off Komari’s aggressive cuteness is both amusing and intriguing from a character development standpoint. It is always nice to have a manga to turn to that always makes me smile, and Oresama Teacher delivers every time. – Anna N

Slam Dunk, Vol 31 | By Takehiko Inoue | Viz Media – The final volume! It feels a bit like the end of an era. I didn’t think this basketball game could get any more intense, but the tension and strain were palpable as the underdog heroes of Shohoku High face the final minutes of their battle against Sannoh. There’s a bit of bittersweet resolution as Sakuragi and Rukawa acknowledge each other as teammates in the closing moments of the game. I feel like this series has just been a wonderful gift, seeing Inoue’s style and storytelling skills evolve and grow over the 31 volumes of this series serves as a master class in manga appreciation. I would happily have read 31 more volumes of this series, yet it is utterly appropriate that Sakuragi gets the last word, delivered with his characteristic confidence to conclude the volume. – Anna N

Strobe Edge, Vol. 7 | By Io Sakisaka | Viz Media – I would like to note that it is starting to beggar belief that every single ex of every single character is converging on the same school now. But, having gotten that out of the way, this was a solid volume of Strobe Edge. The focus on Sayuri was appreciated, and showed how experiences (and indeed lack of communication) from past relationships can affect future ones. I’d argue that even more than most shoujo manga, this series reads like a primer for first love, with the characters talking about their feelings out loud far more than we normally see. Sadly, Ninako and Ren are rather static right now, as they enjoy their close friendship and think “This is enough, right?” Well, no, it’s really not, and I think Ren is going to be the first to break. We shall see… – Sean Gaffney

Vampire Knight, Vol. 17 | By Matsuri Hino | Viz Media – For the past several volumes of Vampire Knight, I’ve noted that I’ve enjoyed its mood and flavor, but really haven’t been able to follow the plot from one volume to the next. That’s getting worse and worse, and this volume can only coast on style for so long before I start to skim. We’re clearly in endgame, but most of what’s happening involves Kaname trying to kill Sara and Yuki trying to stop him, and everything else here is pretty much added window dressing to those two things. There’s some attempt at development for Ichijo, and some romantic sacrifice by Souen, but honestly it’s been 17 volumes, I should not still be turning to the back to remember who everyone is. Still, the art is gorgeous, and everyone suffers beautifully. It’s the manga equivalent of Rococo art. – Sean Gaffney

Manga the Week of 11/13

November 7, 2013 by Sean Gaffney, Ash Brown, MJ, Anna N and Michelle Smith 2 Comments

SEAN: This week isn’t quite as bad as the previous two, but there’s still a chunky bit of stuff coming onto the shops.

Dark Horse has the 3rd of their Lone Wolf & Cub omnibuses. That’s a chunky item hitting the shops all by itself, and very good value for money it is too.

ASH: I’m happy to see Lone Wolf & Cub being re-released. The larger format means I have a better chance of actually being able to read the text, too.

MJ: I’ve been so happy to have a fresh opportunity to fall in love with this series. And fall in love, I have!

ANNA: Nice! I need to check this out again, I think I only read the first five or so volumes of the original series but I did enjoy it.

SEAN: We have a trio of releases from DMP. Lies Are A Gentleman’s Manners certainly wins the title of the week award, but I know nothing else about it. The description seems to involve LSD and blackmail.

ASH: I don’t know much about this one, either. But, megane alert!

MJ: Thanks to David Welsh, I’m thrilled to see anything from Opera, so count me in!

Moon and Blood 4 is still doing its mini-manga thing.

And Triton of the Sea finishes up with its 2nd omnibus. Are we getting near the end of print Tezuka releases, headed for a digital-only future?

ASH: I think we’re getting close. There are only two forthcoming Tezuka print releases that I’m currently aware of: The Mysterious Undergound Men and The Crater.

SEAN: Drawn & Quarterly has been putting out a lot of Shigueru Mizuki lately, and this is one of his big magnum opus projects. Showa 1926-1939: A History of Japan seems to actually be half history book and half yokai (come on, can we really expect no yokai in a Mizuki book?), as we switch between his childhood and the events that shaped Japan. I can’t wait for this one. There’s a sequel, covering World War II, out in the spring.

MICHELLE: Oh, that *does* sound interesting.

ASH: I’m very much looking forward to this series. If the first two omnibuses do well, we should see two more.

MJ: Ditto!

ANNA: This looks cool.

SEAN: Kodansha has Cage of Eden 12, with more extinct animals, action sequences, and naked teenage girls bathing in rivers.

Another intriguing debut is Black Bard, which One Peace Books is putting out as a done-in-one omnibus. From Media Factory’s oddball shoujo magazine Comic Gene, and the plot sort of sounds like Shoulder-A-Coffin Kuro, only less depressing.

ASH: I’m definitely checking this one out. I just can’t pass up the music and magic combo.

MJ: Again, what Ash said!

ANNA: I am reserving judgement until the first reviews get posted, but it does sound interesting.

SEAN: One Peace also has the 4th of the reissue volumes of Crayon Shin-chan, which has been their main manga product to date, though with Black Bard they’re starting to expand. Shin-chan is pure kiddie fun, though be aware it’s a kid’s idea of fun, not a parent’s.

Picturebox has been known for having some old-school seinen, and this week is no different with the release of Gold Pollen and Other Stories. Actually, instead of seinen, it’s more pure alternative, and sounds quite interesting in an “indie comix” way.

ASH: I’ve already got my copy of this one! Picturebox has been doing some really interesting manga releases this year and the production quality has been top-notch. Gold Pollen is the first volume in its Masters of Alternative Manga series; I’m very curious to see what else will be picked up.

MJ: I’m pretty anxious to see this!

SEAN: SubLime has the 3rd volume of Blue Morning, which I understand has garnered some praise from other corners of the Manga Bookshelf. Anyone want to chime in?

MICHELLE: I described it as “more like a genuine period drama than BL romance with some token period frills.” The characters are well developed and complex, too, and I really couldn’t recommend it more highly.

MJ: I’m really enjoying this series, and Michelle’s recent review has made me anxious to dig into this volume!

SEAN: “I am hot.” “I am also hot.” “And naked.” “I too am naked.” “We fight crime.” “In an erotic way.” “We are… Spiritual Police.” “From SubLime Manga, November 6.” “Revel in our hot bods.” “And sultry gazes.”

MICHELLE: Bwa-ha-ha!

MJ: <3

SEAN: Vertical dips into the world of post-apocalyptic sci-fi with From the New World Vol. 1. I really didn’t like the first volume, but others may disagree with me.

ASH: I’ve been told the manga follows the novels more closely than the anime adaptation, but I’m really not sure what to think about this series yet.

SEAN: 07-Ghost Vol. 7 comes as close as it ever will to being symmetrical.

MICHELLE: Sigh. Somehow I am now really, really far behind on this.

MJ: I’m mesmerized by the near-symmetry.

ANNA: I need to get caught up! I enjoy this series.

SEAN: Fullmetal Alchemist 3-in-1 Vol. 6 introduces Olivier Armstrong, which is the best possible reason to buy it, as she is amazing.

MJ: Yes. Yes she is.

Speaking of omnibuses, Inu Yasha’s VizBIG Edition is up to Vol. 17, which I’m sure is also an exciting and thrilling part of the story, probably.

MICHELLE: I have actually never finished InuYasha. I have the last ten volumes hanging around, ready for me to read them, but I have been delaying it for years now. Kind of like how I never watched that one episode of TNG and thus it is not actually finished for me.

SEAN: Lastly, Rin-Ne ambles slowly along with lucky Vol. 13. Perhaps Sakura will show an emotion this time around… nah, never gonna happen. Still, it’s enjoyable spirit comedy.

MICHELLE: I have a warm spot in my heart for RIN-NE despite its lack of forward momentum of any kind.

SEAN: Any favorites?

BL Bookrack: Simply SuBLime

November 5, 2013 by MJ and Michelle Smith 3 Comments

Welcome to the latest installment of BL Bookrack! This time, MJand Michelle take a look at two titles from SuBLime Manga, The Man of Tango and Sleeping Moon. In Brief: Blue Morning, Vol. 3, Off*Beat, Ch. 14, and Tableau Numéro 20.

The Man of Tango | By Tetuzoh Okadaya | SuBLime Manga | Rated M (Mature) – So distant are the days when I found SuBLime’s selection of titles mostly unimpressive, that it’s a bit of a struggle to recall them. And, in face of a book like The Man of Tango, it’s hard to believe that I ever distrusted this imprint.

Though tango dancer Angie is irresistible on the dance floor (and in the bedroom), he’s never experienced any love approaching his passion for the dance until he meets Hiro, a biracial salaryman who finds himself unexpectedly drawn into Angie’s tango-focused world. Hiro is initially reluctant to become sexually involved with a man, but his growing passion for both Angie and the tango eventually wins him over, introducing him to a kind of warmth and happiness he’s never known.

On the face of it, this sounds like any average BL premise, even down to the reluctant “straight” man, but The Man of Tango is anything but average. Even its looks defy the norm, as the manga features bulky, muscular characters who skew more bara than BL, but given that the artist was influenced by bara legend Gengoroh Tagame, that’s no surprise. More unusual, perhaps, is the story’s fantastic female costar, Bene, whose dream of returning to Buenos Aires is ultimately left for Angie and Hiro to pursue. The self-made family created by the three of them is really at the heart of the story—perhaps even more than its romance—and this isn’t a negative thing by any means. Bene’s presence somehow brings more meaning to everything, including Angie and Hiro’s relationship.

That said, friendship and romance are hardly the volume’s only draw, which is to say that it’s pretty much teeming with sex—passionate, graphic, manly sex—the likes of which are seldom seen in BL, at least on these shores. You’ll find no grimacing, helpless uke here, which dramatically affects my perception of the story’s initial sex scene, in which Hiro is clearly too intoxicated to give consent. It’s a rare BL manga that can overcome my distaste for rape fantasy, but this is one of the rare few. Furthermore, I often complain that sex scenes get in the way of stories rather than genuinely enhancing them, but this could not be less the case with The Man of Tango. Not only do Okadaya’s sex scenes advance the story and the characters’ relationship, but they’re genuinely sexy, which is also surprisingly rare for BL manga.

In short, The Man of Tango is well-crafted, emotionally compelling, and downright hot. Recommended.

– Review by MJ

Sleeping Moon, Vols. 1-2 | By Kano Miyamoto | SuBLime Manga | Rated M (Mature) – I’ve read my share of Barbara Michaels novels, quite a few of which feature the heroine returning to her ancestral home to unearth family secrets. Sleeping Moon evokes that same feeling by sending its protagonist, 27-year-old graduate student Akihiko Odagawa, into the countryside to the home in which his father grew up, searching for the origins of a family curse that dooms the male descendents to die young. There, he reconnects with his younger cousin, Ren, but also takes dream journeys into the past, where he meets a scholar named Eitarou, for whom he soon develops feelings.

Sleeping Moon is complete in two volumes, which is a little bit of a disappointment, because it definitely seemed at first that there was enough meat to the premise for it to go on a little longer. That’s not to say the resolution is unsatisfying, though I do admit to being more interested in the origins of the curse itself than in Akihito and Ren’s rather rushed romance. Miyamoto-sensei sustains a nicely creepy atmosphere, and I definitely could’ve read lots more about the fox spirit attempting to protect the family.

I also really liked how Miyamoto depicted the home’s resident kitty. He just kind of wanders through scenes, stepping on people who are in the midst of having a conversation, etc. I hate, though, that his whereabouts are not accounted for at the end, and that no one, in fact, seems to care at all about whether he’s okay, given what happens. (How’s that for vague?) Do not introduce us to a cute kitty then not show him all safe and happy on the last page!
Anyway, Sleeping Moon is a solidly enjoyable supernatural yarn. The romance aspect is somewhat lacking, and it’s not exactly the most original story ever, but it’s still definitely worth reading.

– Review by Michelle Smith

In Brief:

Blue Morning, Vol. 3 | By Shoko Hidaka | SuBLime Manga | Rated M (Mature) – When I reviewed volume one, I wrote “Complex, dark, and a bit twisted, Blue Morning is the best BL I’ve read so far this year.” Happily, subsequent volumes of the series have only further cemented this impression. By volume three, Akihito and Katsuragi’s relationship has evolved as Akihito himself has matured and Katsuragi has begun to change in ways Akihito has yet to notice. Complications abound, however, and because so many of these arise due to the status-conscious society of the day, Hidaka-sensei spends a lot of time on this aspect of the story, with the result that Blue Morning feels more like a genuine period drama than BL romance with some token period frills. With characters this compelling and storytelling this nuanced and sure, there’s potential for much more riveting story to come, and I couldn’t be happier about that. This one is a keeper, for sure. – Michelle Smith

Off*Beat, Ch. 14 | By Jen Lee Quick | Chromatic Press | Rated YA – Because this series is American, it gets out of having to label itself “BL” (or not), but if there’s ever been a more gorgeously written love story between two teenaged boys, I certainly don’t know what it is. Part of what makes it work so well, of course, is that it reads as both YA and supernatural (or fringe science) mystery more than it reads as genre romance, and somehow that’s the magic formula for actual romance, at least in the hands of Jen Lee Quick. Her ability to capture her teens’ smart dialogue and awkward body language is, frankly, astounding, and volume 14 is absolutely fraught with these things, along with considerable romantic tension. Then she follows it up with a scene between Tory and his mother that had me nearly in tears. If you’re still holding out on this series… well, stop it. Dive in now. Highly recommended. – MJ

Tableau Numéro 20 | By est em | SuBLime Manga | Rated M (Mature) – Let’s be honest, this title pretty much had me at “est em,” but even among her rather generous English-translated catalogue, it ranks among my favorites, and that’s saying quite a bit. Her style here favors short manga, as is generally expected. The book’s title story, a wistful love story between a long-dead painter and his subject, is more fanciful than the author’s norm, but no less moving. Even so, it may not actually be the strongest of the bunch. I was especially fond of “Rasgueado,” a story about a young zapateado dancer who is pulled out of a rut by an older guitarist, but each of the volume’s five short stories is a splendid work of art. Like most of est em’s work, I would consider this book appropriate for any adult manga fan, regardless of his or her preferred genres. Absolutely recommended. – MJ

Other recent BL reviews from MJ & Michelle: Sleeping Moon, Vol. 2 (SuBLime), Off*Beat, Ch. 13 (Chromatic Press)

Pick of the Week: Addictive Shoujo

November 4, 2013 by Michelle Smith, MJ, Anna N, Ash Brown and Sean Gaffney 3 Comments

MICHELLE: I’m caught between two equally compelling options. On the one hand, there’s Skip Beat!‘s sixth 3-in-1 omnibus, but I’ve literally been telling people to read this for years, so even though it’s terrific, perhaps I should instead go for option number two, Strobe Edge. It’s more of an unknown quantity for me, but I’ve personally been enjoying it a lot. So… my official pick is… Strobe Edge (but also Skip Beat!).

MJ: As I’m having trouble choosing something this week, I’ll also go with Strobe Edge! I was unimpressed by this series at first, but it had me hooked by the end of the first volume, and that has only intensified over time. It’s become a book I gobble up immediately upon the arrival of each new volume. Nothing quite beats addictive shoujo.

ANNA: I also adore both Strobe Edge and Skip Beat, but I’ll go ahead and make Skip Beat my pick, simply because I’m a big fan of omnibus editions for these long-running series. Skip Beat is the rare long series that manages to keep everything compelling and fresh.

ASH: I haven’t read any of Strobe Edge yet, but I have read and adored Skip Beat!. Great comedy, great characters, and a the omnibuses are a great way of getting into the series. So, despite some of the other intriguing titles being released this week, my vote goes to Skip Beat!, too.

SEAN: And instead of breaking the tie I will choose Oresama Teacher, which not only is that rare series about teenage delinquents that’s licensed in North America, and not only has an entire *cast* that can rival Special A for being dense and not understanding any nuance, and not only manages to have a reverse harem love quadrangle without making me actually take any sides about who will win, but is simply funny as hell. Will always love this.

What looks good to you this week?