Manga Review: Wake Up, Sleeping Beauty, Volume 2, by Megumi Morino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: January 2018

Volumes: 6.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

This funny and heartrending romantic manga set in modern Tokyo is not the fairy tale you remember! This time, Prince Charming is a teenage janitor, and this Sleeping Beauty’s curse is a supernatural, gender-bending dream that threatens to pull them both into a deeper and deeper slumber…

THE UNINVITED

Despite being a scaredy-cat and crybaby, high schooler Tetsu finds himself working at the eerie estate on the hill, where Shizu–the only child of the Karasawa family–is secreted away. However, his friendship with Shizu quickly turns to fear when several spirits of the dead appear before him, borrowing her appearance. As he struggles to find the humanity in her supernatural condition, Tetsu must also face a question at once terrifying and heartbreaking: What if the true Shizu never returns?

Review:

The volume starts off a little rocky, since Tetsu has decided he's only working for Shizu's family, not there to be her friend. But that rather quickly falls through, because Tetsu can't help but want to jump in to help Shizu, especially when her other sides take over.

He gets to meet her final spirit, and this one is a bit of a party girl, but a nice one. Though she's much more free-spirited and carefree than Tetsu would like, especially with Shizu's body.

There's another instance where a ghost possesses Shizu in this volume, this time a little girl. We also get some small progress on Tetsu's life, his past and what he's doing/hiding. We're getting to understand him a little more, as he's beginning to learn more about Shizu. We also get some ominous news from Shizu's family.

This series is progressing really well so far, very well-rounded and steady. I'm really enjoying it, and the more we find out, the more intrigued I am by it. I'm excited for the next one.

Manga Review: Flying Witch, Volume 1, by Chihiro Ishizuka

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Release Date: March 2017

Volumes: 6+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Prepare to be Bewitched!

Makoto Kowata, a novice witch, packs up her belongings (including a black cat familiar) and moves in with her distant cousins in rural Aomori to complete her training and become a full-fledged witch.

Review:

This took me a while to get around to. Mostly because, despite that I've heard good things, I was worried it wouldn't be that good. A slice-of-life series about a witch with a black cat—right there it sounds right up my alley.

And I shouldn't have waited so long, because it's great. I'm already eager for more.

Makoto moves out to live with some distant cousins, because as a witch at 15 she's supposed to move out on her own, but in modern times that's not very realistic, especially when she's still supposed to be in school.

Everyone can tell that there's something a little off about her, but she's not very good at hiding that she's a witch. We meet Kei and Chinatsu, her cousins; then there's Kei's friend Nao. Chinatsu has the hardest time getting used to Makoto, but mostly because of the weird people that come around for her.

Everyone is rather blasé about everything, and the humor is dry, but drops very well. It's very relaxed and casual, with little surprises. It reminds me a bit of Yotsuba&!, in the best way.

I'm already hooked, honestly, and can't wait to read more.

Manga Review: Takane & Hana, Volume 3, by Yuki Shiwasu

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2018

Volumes: 11+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A strong-willed high school girl and a hot, young scion of a business empire can’t help wanting to outwit each other every chance they get… But could these opposites be conning themselves out of the perfect match?!

After her older sister refuses to go to an arranged marriage meeting with Takane Saibara, the heir to a vast business fortune, high schooler Hana Nonomura agrees to be her stand-in to save face for the family. But when Takane and Hana pair up, get ready for some sparks to fly between these two utter opposites!

Hana’s scores on her proficiency test are dismal, and everyone around her, including her teacher, blames her new love life! Hana adamantly denies that to be the cause and vows to study hard to do better on her finals. But when Takane storms in to tutor her, will his help actually prove to be more of a distraction?

Review:

We get to see Takane and Luciano finally make up. It reinforces that Luciano really does just want to be Takane's friend, and that Takane isn't easily fooled—but he does have a hard time admitting when he likes someone and misses them.

After that, Hana is struggling with her schoolwork, and Takane steps in to help tutor her. Takane is clearly on a higher plane, and he is very smart. He proves this to Hana. Though at the same time, Hana is trying to prove that she isn't falling behind because of Takane, and it's her own doing; some guy isn't distracting her. I liked this chapter, for several reasons—we get to see Takane really helping Hana, yes, but we also see Hana trying to be her own person, but still accepting his help, when it does in fact help.

Of course, after that, Takane falls sick. This chapter is actually quite adorable, as we see Takane vulnerable and unable to resist as Hana takes care of him and cooks for him. It's rather cute, and doesn't even include Hana being a stereotypically useless, bad cook teenager.

In the latter half of the volume, the group goes on a beach trip. Okamon, Hana's childhood friend comes along, and we see the underlying challenge between him and Takane. Takane acknowledges the challenge, but also doesn't appear to find it serious. He seems to believe that it's up to Hana, and her feelings are more important than proving himself to some boy. It's unclear whether Okamon is actually going to do something, or accept Takane. We'll see, I guess.

The side chapters after this were both quite hilarious. I really enjoy the humor in this series, and the ways that the mangaka plays with her characters. It actually reminds me a little of Komomo Confiseries author (insert!), who is also one of my favorites.

I'm really enjoying this, and excited for more.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Haikyu!!, Volume 22, by Haruichi Furudate

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2018

Volumes: 32.

Spoilers?: Yes.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 21. 23.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Shoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball you don't need to be tall to fly!

Ever since he saw the legendary player known as “the Little Giant” compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?

The semifinals of the Tokyo Area Qualifiers for the Spring Tournament have begun! It’s Nekoma vs. Fukurodani in a win-and-you’re-in match! Fukurodani’s ace, Bokuto, is in top form as he goes head-to-head with Nekoma’s defensive master, Yaku. Will the Cats be able to take down the Owls?!

Review:

Nekoma and Fukurodani compete as this volume starts, for a place in the tournament. Lev and Yamamoto's sisters are in the stands during this, cheering their brothers on. Yamamoto's little sister is a big volleyball supporter, and clearly knowledgeable, whereas Lev's older sister is rather new to this. On the other side, Fukurodani's ace has a giant weak spot, in that his mind can suddenly forget how to make other hits.

After that game, I guess there's a third spot left, so the two losing teams get to play each other. Which means we get to meet Nohebi, a team that has no issues playing dirty and getting the referee on their side. It's a tactic that's hard to fight against, honestly, and wears on Nekoma's spirit a bit. It looks like Kenma might have an idea, though.

Every time we meet a new team, I marvel at the author's ability to create so many unique characters—they all look different, have rather different personalities and weaknesses and abilities, and each team have different tactics. I don't know how this series is still so exciting, but it is. I absolutely love it.

Manga Review: Horimiya, Volume 10, by Hero and Daisuke Hagiwara

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: March 2018

Volumes: 12+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 9. 11.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hori and Miyamura decide to ring in the New Year at the local shrine...but with it also comes the beginning of their last term in high school. As the pair and their friends return to their everyday lives and the usual hijinks, both the special days and the humdrum ones prove irreplaceable. But these precious days can't last forever...

Review:

Winter vacation is ending, and it's coming on New Years. Hori and Miyamura visit the shrine for New Years, but among that, they're all studying and finishing homework. A lot of them are quite bad students, really...

Once school starts back up, there's some easy episodic fun. We discover that Sengoku's dad doesn't know he has a girlfriend, and Miyamura attempts discussing how often he stays over at Hori's house. Miyamura also helps Sawada from some school bullying. And Kyousuke freaks out Ishikawa by making him think Miyamura hates his father.

This series is a delight, and I love it to pieces. I need more.

Manga Review: Yona of the Dawn, Volume 12, by Mizuho Kusanagi

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2018

Volumes: 26+

Spoilers?: Light.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 11. 13.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A red-haired princess loses her family and her kingdom… Now she must rise and fight for her throne!

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family!

Yona returns to her homeland when the Hazara Clan, a powerful family in the nation of Kai, invades the Kingdom of Kohka! How will the Fire Tribe defend against this audacious attack, and what will Yona resort to in order to protect Saika?!

Review:

 After the festival, the group is about ready to move on, when Yona gets the feeling something is happening at Kohka. Despite it being dangerous, and maybe even none of her business, she can't stay out of it.

They infiltrate in disguise, nosing around as they try to find out what's happening, what's planned. They're being told one thing, and simply waiting in the village. But pretty soon, the numbers and actions aren't matching up with the information. And they realize there's a distraction tactic being used.

Despite the fact that Yona has no reason to help Su-Won, and in fact shouldn't, doesn't stop her from heading straight for Kohka. It's her country, even if Su-Won took it. Though, of course, Su-Won isn't one to be taken by surprise, as we've seen.

This is sure to be an interesting encounter and battle. I'm excited and worried.

At the end of the volume, we got a little extra featuring Gija's childhood. It's a new insight into him that we haven't seen before. It's bittersweet, really; it's sad, and yet Gija doesn't really let things get him down much.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Volume 3, by Akira Himekawa

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: March 2018

Volumes: 3+

Spoilers?: Light.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Link must defeat evil at every turn in his perilous quest to help Princess Zelda!

Once upon a time, wizards tried to conquer the Sacred Realm of Hyrule. The Spirits of Light sealed the wizards’ power within the Shadow Crystal and banished them to the Twilight Realm beyond the Mirror of Twilight. Now, an evil menace is trying to find Midna, Princess of the Twilight Realm, and the fragments of the Shadow Crystal to gain the power to rule over both the Twilight Realm and the World of Light.

Link and Midna journey toward Death Mountain, seeking a power that can save Hyrule from the Shadow King. In the face of so many obstacles, Link must steel himself to overcome his own doubts and to find Ilia and the other villagers kidnapped by the forces of evil. But even if Link can defeat these challenges, he still has to find the shards of the Shadow Crystal. The quest continues in the Shadow Realm…

Review:

We find out that all of the children have unintentionally joined up in a village way out on a hill. At first this seems good, but then something comes over the village. Thankfully they're mostly safe with a shaman there. Link is on his way there, though also unintentionally. He runs into a man with a nest in his hair, who gives him a lantern, and he's on his way.

Link has to fight his way to save the village. Then he gets Epona back, and he has to face off with a beast. He's determined to find Ilia next, but it looks like there's a few other things he has to take care of on his way.

This series is okay. It's a little average in excitement and characterization for me, so not much of it is really grabbing me. I will admit the scene we got of Ilia in this volume is probably the one that stands out the most to me. Having never played the games, though, it's interesting to find out some of what happens.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, Volume 3, by Izumi Tsubaki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: May 2016

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

To the eyes of classmate Chiyo Sakura, high school student Umetarou Nozaki--brawny of build and brusque of tongue--is a dreamboat! When Chiyo finally works up the courage to tell Nozaki how she feels about him, she knows rejection is on the table...but getting recruited as a mangaka's assistant?! Never in a million years! As Chiyo quickly discovers, Nozaki-kun, the boy of Chiyo's dreams, is a manga artist...a hugely popular shoujo manga artist, that is! But for someone who makes a living drawing sweet girly romances, Nozaki-kun is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to matters of the heart in reality. And so Chiyo's daily life of manga making and heartache begins!

Review:

After taking a break from this series, and reading more of her Oresama Teacher series, I think her humor has started growing on me again. This volume was a lot of fun, and just what I was looking for. I'm very behind, but I might have to catch up.

There's a rather big cast in this series, and I tend to forget who some of them are. We got a few chapters featuring side characters, like Nozaki's publishing team—his editor and his friends, like at a school reunion. Aside from that, there are some miscommunicated dating attempts, a visit to the glee club, a check in with the theater club. Chiyo finds her forgotten Valentine's chocolates for Nozaki, and Wakamatsu discovers and renames some tones.

I really do enjoy all of the time spent working on Nozaki's manga, and how crazy it can be. Seeing his flaws in that area is also quite funny. The other school antics are great, and all of the characters are so odd. It's a lot of fun to read.

I'm really looking forward to the next one now.

Manga Review: Behind the Scenes!!, Volume 5, by Bisco Hatori

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2018

Volumes: 7.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ranmaru Kurisu comes from a family of hardy, rough-and-tumble fisherfolk and he sticks out at home like a delicate, artistic sore thumb. It’s given him a raging inferiority complex and a permanently pessimistic outlook. Now that he’s in college, he’s hoping to find a sense of belonging. But after a whole life of being left out, does he even know how to fit in?!

Love is in the air at Shichikoku University, until it plummets to the ground to be trampled into the dirt by uncaring feet! Ranmaru, Ruka and Soh are all suffering from various levels of unrequited interests, and all three deal with their painful affections in different ways. Will any of their strategies succeed, or will they just get further tangled in the tortuous net of love?

Review:

So the theatre group does a lot this volume. They help make fans for a boy band, they help make costumes for halloween, and they help on a set for a play Soh is in. Maasa helps a girl find out how to really represent herself, though that ends unhappily for Maasa, who's oblivious to the one guy who actually pays attention to her.

During all this, Ranmaru is struggling with his feelings of insecurity around Goda, because he wants to be like him, and because of his feelings for Ruka. Ruka is dealing with some family stuff at the same time, and Goda is acting indifferent to her. There's a lot of unrequited feelings going around right now.

This is a fun series, and the releases are much too far apart. I forget how much I miss Hatori's humor and characters between each book, because it's such a fun ride when I pick them up.

Manga Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 7, by Aya Kanno

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: November 2017

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The intrigue and royal conspiracy in the Bard’s Richard III is given a dark manga twist that will appeal to aficionados of both comics and the classics.

Richard, the ambitious third son of the House of York, believes he is cursed, damned from birth to eternal darkness. But is it truly fate that sets him on the path to personal destruction? Or his own tormented longings? Based on an early draft of Shakespeare’s Richard III, Aya Kanno’s dark fantasy finds the man who could be king standing between worlds, between classes, between good and evil.

Review:

We see the realization at the beginning of this volume, and the subsequent downfall after. It's honestly heartbreaking.

Richard is reeling from this new knowledge, and he doesn't quite know how to cope. Cecily has no issues continuing with her plan, though. The two queens continue with their determinations for battle, and it ensues. There's manipulation and secret-identities; lots of blood and potential deaths.

It appears that York has won, but not happily. It's rough. And then, when Richard goes to see Henry, it's apparent that Cecily has gotten to him first.

This is honestly heartbreaking, and the worst moment I've read so far. It's awful, and I don't want to imagine what happens next. It can't be good.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Haikyu!!, Volume 21, by Haruichi Furudate

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 2018

Volumes: 32+

Spoilers?: Hints.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 20. 22.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Shoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball you don't need to be tall to fly!

Ever since he saw the legendary player known as "the Little Giant" compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?

The fifth set of the Miyagi Prefecture qualifier round finals continues. With Tsukishima out of the game, Karasuno's defense is starting to fall apart. However, they're determined to keep it together. With both teams physically and mentally exhausted, which one will keep it together the longest and move on to Nationals?

Review:

So this game is rounding ever closer to the end, the points are raking up, and each time is giving each other a fight. It's nearing the end when Tsukkishima finally gets released to rejoin them, and both teams have used all the time-outs they have. The specific rivalries are heating up—Tsukki wants to beat Ushijima as much as Shoyo does. Aside from that, each character is trying to prove a point. Karasuno wants to prove that they deserve to be there.

During this, there's the reminder of Aoba Josai's captain watching, waiting to see who will win this one. An interesting point is when we see Shiratorizawa's coach watching Shoyo, and his background that is a direct contrast to Shoyo. He was a short volleyball player who didn't get to shine, and he is practically determined to stick with those old prejudices. Shoyo is very directly fighting that.

I will admit that I expected this to turn out differently. I didn't think they would go this far this fast. (I guess it has been over 20 books? Is that not fast?) But at the end of the volume, we get a hint to the Tokyo team's starting round. And it, sadly, looks like we'll get to see whether Fukurodani or Nekoma move forward.

I don't know how I still have things to talk about every volume, but still all I want to do is gush. I love it so much. I wanted to cheer with them at several points in this book.

Manga Review: Waiting for Spring, Volume 5, by Anashin

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: March 2018

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuff.

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

IN CIRCLES Summer vacation is in full swing! When Mitsuki and her friends go to the amusement park together, she’s faced with plenty of romantic date spots and superstitions. When she finally works up the courage to ask Towa to ride the Ferris wheel with her, her plans are interrupted and she has to think of another way…but just when Mitsuki’s about to throw in the towel, Towa picks up the game right where she left off. Alone together on the Ferris wheel, Towa’s confession of a secret past may be more than Mitsuki is ready to hear.

Review:

This volume contains the end of their vacation trip, and then Mitsuki finally goes on her “date” with Aya. Mitsuki is still trying to see Aya as a boy, while Aya is trying to compete with Towa for her affection, when Mitsuki is also still trying to get the courage to do anything with Towa. It's a very conflicted triangle, especially when Aya is the only one being upfront about his feelings.

There's some sweet tension between Mitsuki and Towa in this volume, particularly as they're growing close enough to hug and whatnot. The little touches between them is very cute and innocent, and I'm a big fan.

It feels like they're trying to make basketball a big part of this series, but I'm just not feeling it that much. They're using it to up the competition, at least, and as something for the boys to focus on. It is nice to see Mitsuki taking on some other responsibilities on her own, though, as something for her to grow from.

This is a fun school shojo series, and I'm really having fun reading it.

Manga Review: The Promised Neverland, Volume 4, by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2018

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: Hints.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The children of the Grace Field House orphanage must escape a macabre fate before it’s too late.

Life at Grace Field House is good for Emma and her fellow orphans. While the daily studying and exams they have to take are tough, their loving caretaker provides them with delicious food and plenty of playtime. But perhaps not everything is as it seems…

With Norman scheduled to be shipped out, the children try their best to save him. Emma and Ray come up with a new plan, but then Norman makes a surprising decision.

Review:

This series is brutal.

After that last cliffhanger, things don't get better. Emma and Ray are determined to do what they can, but... Norman thinks it's all too risky. He wants everyone else to be safe more than himself. It's honestly crushing.

I acknowledge that the last shot we have of Norman could mean something different than what the scenes before and after indicate, particularly seeing Mother walk back to the house with his hat. I admit to a tiny sliver of hope for that. But I have doubts, because I don't want to get my hopes up. Because the reality otherwise is just so awful.

Afterward, we know that Emma and Ray's time is coming to a close very quickly. Their birthdays are approaching, and Ray's is first. The whole thing with Norman puts them in a depression, and Mother takes advantage of that.

I will admit that, with the twist at the end, I didn't see it working out like that. There were quite a few twists thrown in, in a very short time. I'm both excited to see what happens next, and dreading parts of it. This series is honestly awful, it's cruel and disturbing, and I am utterly impressed and entranced with it.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!