Manga Review: Natsume's Book of Friends, Volume 21, by Yuki Midorikawa

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2018

Volumes: 23+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 20. 22.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Takashi Natsume has always been aware of the supernatural world, but after he inherits a magical book from his grandmother, the supernatural world is aware of him!

Takashi Natsume can see the spirits and demons that hide from the rest of humanity. He has always been set apart from other people because of his gift, drifting from relative to relative, never fitting in. Now he's a troubled high school student who has come to live in the small town where his grandmother grew up. And there he discovers that he has inherited more than just the Sight from the mysterious Reiko.

Nyanko Sensei hasn’t been home in days, and Natsume is starting to get worried. He knows Sensei left in a party mood, but he has no idea where his friend and bodyguard was headed. And now there are rumors of evil spirits from the east heading to the local forest. Are they related to Nyanko Sensei’s disappearance, and will Natsume have to face this threat all on his own?

Review:

This volume took me a long while to get to, and then it was a slow start. I think I started it a few times, so it felt familiar. But I think that's also just how this series feels—it is familiar, and slow, and thoughtfully easy, if that makes sense.

While the episodic chapters are fun, and I do enjoy meeting new, odd and cute creatures, I do really appreciate when the plot or characters or relationships progress. When we get to see Natsume building his friendships, and get to know more about his friends and family, it's just so special.

One episode featured his friend Kitamoto and a book shop, with a sweet girl yokai. Natsume makes a little Nyanko-sensei figure that comes to life, and that was quite cute. Then we got a chapter that didn't include Natsume at all, and instead Natori.

These volumes are always a sweet, smooth treat.

Manga Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 8, by Aya Kanno

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: May 2018

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 7. 9.

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.

Ten years after the king’s death, things have changed for Richard. His feud with his sibling has deepened, and the witch Jane tempts the new king with her mysterious charms. In this swirl of human desire, Richard reaches toward his own future and rises again in defense of the York family!

Review:

 This is a new phase for Richard. He still has big, specific plans, but no one is really aware of it. Except Anne, who he kind of blackmailed into marriage.

Nothing good is to come any more. There don't seem to be any high/happy points in this series any more.

In this volume, there's a party, poison, and lots of sneaking around. Family members sneaking around and making lots of silent moves, and a witch making waves. And it all leads to the big cliffhanger, which is really, truly awful. I don't know what has been happening to him since we last saw him, and I don't think I want to know.

It's... just... awful.

The feel of this series is dark and ominous and horrible, and I'm not sure what is going to go wrong next.

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

Manga Review: Anonymous Noise, Volume 10, by Ryoko Fukuyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 2018

Volumes: 16+

Spoilers?: Yes.

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Volume: 1. 9. 11.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Music and longing collide in this ballad of unrequited love!

Nino Arisugawa, a girl who loves to sing, experiences her first heart-wrenching goodbye when her beloved childhood friend, Momo, moves away. And after Nino befriends Yuzu, a music composer, she experiences another sad parting! Luckily, Nino reunites with Momo and Yuzu in high school, but things haven’t played out the way anyone expected…

With their nationwide tour in full swing, the members of In No Hurry to Shout witness a true miracle. Unable to contain his soaring spirits, Yuzu approaches Nino… Will he finally make his move?

Review:

The concert ends on a very good note, and everyone's happy, and then Yuzu gets his voice back and confesses to Nino.

Clearly this needed to happen at some point, and yet I really didn't expect it to happen like this, this soon. But I really liked the way it happened. Much like the rest of the series, it's bold and sudden and necessary. They yell, they're interrupted, they run away and then come back together. This series is very big drama, and it's done so intensely, and so very well.

I appreciate the way that Yuzu handles it, that he gets out what he needs to. And I appreciate how Nino reacts—she's stunned and unable to process, and then she runs away and yells, and has to talk to Miou about it. It's a process that they both need to go through, I think.

The volume nears its end as we see two more big moments. We see a really sweet realization and confrontation between Miou and Haruyoshi—so sweet, how they're growing together. And we get a confrontation with Momo's mom, as Nino (and the reader) gets a glimpse of why there's tension between them, and what she's like (which isn't good).

Also, as a sidenote: I really appreciate Yuzu and Momo's friendship. They have such a bromance, and I love it. It's similar to Nino and Miou—they have rivalry and conflict, and yet they also are just close, good friends. It's a pure, good theme in this series, honestly.

This series is so unabashedly good. I'm so glad it was picked up, and I can't wait for more.

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

Manga Review: Escape Journey, Volume 1, by Ogeretsu Tanaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 2018

Volumes: 3.

Spoilers?: Yes.

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Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Naoto and Taichi’s turbulent high school love crashed and burned, but a reunion in college puts love back in the air.

Naoto and Taichi’s first try at love during their high school days crashed and burned. Years later the two unexpectedly reunite on their first day of college. Tumultuous love often burns hot, and the glowing embers of their previous relationship reignite into a second try at love.

It’s Naoto’s first day of college, and the last person he expected to see was his high school ex Taichi, who he’d dumped after a huge argument. Even though years have passed, Naoto finds he’s still steamed over some of the harsh words that were exchanged, but he also recognizes how much Taichi has matured since then and can’t help getting pulled back in. Will the discovery of his friend’s crush on Taichi fray the fragile threads of this mending relationship?

Review:

 This series had such potential. I'm a bit conflicted, but I think I'm mainly disappointed. It could have been so good.

Naoto and Taichi dated in high school, but it didn't work out. And when they bump into each other in college, they end up with the same friends, and then they can't help but start something again. They have an attraction, but ones a flirt and the other gets jealous/possessive. This causes conflict, and since they don't know how to talk to each other, they end up fighting all the time.

In the beginning, they think they've learned. The jealous one thinks he's got control of himself. But clearly nothing has changed.

This has an interesting set-up, and they've got really good friends. Fumi, one of the girls who originally crushed on one of them, ends up being really cool about the situation and moves on to another guy, and she's probably my favorite part of this volume.

But about halfway through the volume, they threw in a rape scene. It was rough and harsh, with crying and very clear protests of “No” and “Stop”, with the possessive one forcing himself on the other, after having a fistfight. I hated every second of it, and it read realistically awful. But afterward, there was no real acknowledgement of him being raped, and instead the victim apologizes for their fight.

I can usually deal okay with some non-consent, depending on the form and how it's handled. It was handled awfully here, and the aftereffects only made it worse. It left a bad taste in my mouth, and I really don't intend to read any more.

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

Manga Review: Flying Witch, Volume 4, by Chihiro Ishizuka

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Vertical Comics

Release Date: December 2017

Volumes: 7+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Serene Sorcery
Makoto makes her way to a fabric shop in town in order to sew a new robe, and ends up crafting a surprise for Chinatsu, too. Makoto combines her mundane studies with a bit of witchcraft and makes a freaky treat. On the way home from a late-night meeting with her mentor, Makoto runs into Inukai. They head to the beach and meet an adorably mysterious creature that immediately makes itself at home...

Review:

In this volume of Flying Witch, Makoto decides to make herself a new witch's robe, as hers is old and torn up, and goes ahead to make one for Chinatsu, as well. They go apple picking. And then Makoto checks in with a mentor of hers, a nice, biker chick. The characters in this series are each unique, and interesting in different ways.

The biggest surprise is when Makoto and Inukai stumble upon each other, and end up finding a little rabbit-like creature. Chinatsu and the creature end up forming a kinship, and I would think it becomes her familiar, but I'm not sure that's the right kind of “pet” for that.

These volumes go by too fast, honestly. They're easy and simple and so very fun. Supernatural slice-of-life in the easiest form, and the volumes are over before I realize it.

Manga Review: Assassination Classroom, Volume 20, by Yusei Matsui

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shonen Jump Advanced (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2018

Volumes: 21.

Spoilers?: Yes.

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Volume: 1. 18. 21.

Goodreads Synopsis:

What does a pathetic class of misfits have in their arsenal to combat their schoolteacher’s alien technology, bizarre powers and...tentacles?!

Ever caught yourself screaming, “I could just kill that teacher”?

What would it take to justify such antisocial behavior and weeks of detention? Especially if he’s the best teacher you’ve ever had? Giving you an “F” on a quiz? Mispronouncing your name during roll call... again? How about blowing up the moon and threatening to do the same to Mother Earth—unless you take him out first?! Plus a reward of a cool 100 million from the Ministry of Defense!

Okay, now that you’re committed... How are you going to pull this off? What does your pathetic class of misfits have in their arsenal to combat Teach’s alien technology, bizarre powers and... tentacles?!

The battle for Koro Sensei’s life against a multinational operation’s soldiers and weaponry is difficult enough, but now his creator and former protégé, mad scientist Yanagisawa and Grim Reaper II, join the battle to destroy him—and they’ve both had major enhancements! But the stakes abruptly change when a 3-E student is fatally caught in the crossfire… If there’s one thing that enrages 3-E’s teacher, it’s harming—let alone killing—his students! Koro Sensei’s fury and ingenuity know no bounds, even as fate inexorably catches up to him…

Review:

It's Koro-sensei's birthday. It's also the final day for their assassination assignment. And it's the day before their school graduation.

Given that I've missed most of this series, it makes less sense to me than it should, I'm sure. Because I still don't really see why he has to die? I thought they figured out he didn't have to? I must be wrong.

This isn't a misleading series, though. From the beginning, they were told they had to assassinate their teacher, and they never back off from that, even if they grew so close. And in a way, this means he gets to be with Aguri, right? And I do want that.

This volume is rough. There's a sweet beginning, and a few sweet, touching moments between, and that ending is just sad. It's harsh, bittersweet, I suppose.

It looks like the next, final volume is probably just closure, an ending for each student, probably.

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

Manga Review: Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Volume 2, by Aka Akasaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2018

Volumes: 11+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Two high school geniuses scheme to get the other to confess their love first.

Two geniuses. Two brains. Two hearts. One battle. Who will confess their love first…?!

Will a mysterious love letter to Kaguya make Miyuki jealous? Is drinking from a coffee cup with Kaguya’s lipstick on the rim a virtual kiss? How will Miyuki react when Kaguya says she’s “done it” before?

Then, Miyuki’s phobia is revealed, the VP of Shuchiin Academy’s sister school in France displays epic Gallic rudeness and the student council tries on some costumes…

Nobody can resist cat ears.

Review:

There are moments in this series, where it tries to make the premise seem so dark and dramatic, and those moments just do not work for me. Thankfully, those moments only seem to happen at the very beginning of the volume, in the set-up. It lasted longer in the first volume, and this one starts in the same format, but then it drifts into the more silly stand-offs that this series is better at.

Kaguya and Miyuki are both rather full of themselves, very cocky and think they're above everyone else, and so they both refuse to admit their weaknesses to each other. As the story progresses, we're starting to see their actual feelings growing. Kaguya's crush on Miyuki is growing, much as Miyuki is finding her more and more appealing. It's a fight between their own pride and their feelings for each other. And so far, neither is winning.

In this volume, we see them attempt to make each other jealous. They almost share an indirect kiss. Kaguya is forced to consider her growing crush when she gives another girl relationship advice. They exchange phone numbers, and struggle on how to communicate first. When they try cosplaying, they come to see how cute cat ears can be.

While these struggles are growing on me, I still think that Chika is my favorite. She really can't see the tension between them, aside from when they glare from trying so hard to conceal their excitement. Seeing her dressed up as Sherlock Holmes was adorable. And honestly, seeing Kaguya get annoyed with her at times, annoys me. How dare she not see how great Chika is? (Even if Chika is quite bad at reading a room, and probably at keeping a secret.)

This series is odd and serious in a silly way, and it's growing on me. This volume was better than the first.

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

Manga Review: Vampire Knight: Memories, Volume 1, by Matsuri Hino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2017

Volumes: 3+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Immortal tales of the past and present from the world of Vampire Knight.
Vampire Knight returns with collection of stories that delve into Yuki and Zero's time as a couple in the past and explore the relationship between Yuki's children and Kaname in the present.
After a fierce battle between humans and vampires, a temporary peace was established, but Kaname continued to sleep within a coffin of ice...
Yuki gave Kaname her heart to revive him as a human being.
These are the stories of what happened during those 1,000 years of Kaname's slumber, and the start of his human life.

Review:

I guess this takes place during the time that Kaname is asleep, though parts are background and future; it's a bit mixed together.

The volume opens with Sayori, as we get to see her first impression of Yuki, and on through her life as Yuki's friend, as she grows older and they don't. Seeing her relationship with Hanabusa develop is really sweet, as he's a character I've always enjoyed, even if you know it'll be bittersweet.

We see glimpses of the other vampires, as they go on with their lives. We see Yuki and Zero as their relationship gets time to develop; they're always around each other, even if they're conflicted. And we get to see Yuki's kids as they grow older, Ai and Ren, as they wait for Kaname to wake up and tell him what's happened.

While the differences in timeline didn't really bother me, some of the story still felt a little off. I don't know if it's that Ren and Ai seemed under-developed or if I just didn't really care for them. And then Yuki and Zero's relationship... After everything with Kaname, I'm still conflicted on how I feel about them.

I'm going to read more, but I would like Hino to move onto something else, start a new story. I think I'm over this series, maybe.

Manga Review: You & Me, Etc. by Kyugo

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Blu Manga

Release Date: 2011

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Iku and Keita have been buddies since childhood, and have played sports together their whole lives... until their final year in middle school, when Keita's baseball career abruptly ended as a result of the severe injuries he sustained when saving Iku from being hit by a truck. Ever since that accident, Iku has distanced himself from both the game and his friend, presumably out of guilt. Can these two friends patch up their differences, and become something more...?

Review:

This volume had three main stories. One about two guys who were in baseball together, and one of them got injured. Another short one about classmates, one guy who catches two guys fooling around, and he’s already thinking he needs something new in his life. The last one about the main guy and his friends son.

The one about the two baseball buddies I found really sweet. I liked their connection, and how they reacted after the one got hurt. The ending, and the second chapter, were very cute. The third one, about the friends son, was rather sad, but very sweet in the end.

I was impressed with the depth to the characters and the story in this one. The artwork was okay, and there wasn’t much smut, but the romances were still sweet. I quite enjoyed this one.

Manga Review: In/Spectre, Volume 5, by Kyo Shirodaira and Chashiba Katase

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: July 2017

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The new mystery thriller with a romantic edge from the creator of Blast of Tempest, and The Record of a Fallen Vampire!
Both touched by spirits called yokai, Kotoko and Kuro have gained unique superhuman powers. But to gain her powers Kotoko has given up an eye and a leg, and Kuro's personal life is in shambles. So when Kotoko suggests they team up to deal with renegades from the spirit world, Kuro doesn't have many other choices, but Kotoko might just have a few ulterior motives...

Review:

Kotoko has come up with four possible theories, and she's going to throw all of them to the online forum. She's decided to flesh each one out, and see what happens, one at a time. The first one is a frame job, which might make sense to some people. And then she decides to agree that she is a ghost, and flesh out that idea. They're all a bit far-fetched, and she knows that a lot of people will counter her ideas and she's ready for that. She's giving a history lesson, throwing out possibilities for why Karin might be vengeful or why someone might want to kill the detective. She's thought out all of these possibilities thoroughly.

Her main opponent is Rikka, who is killing herself just like Kuro and grabbing strings to get to the conclusion she wants. It's a hard foe to fight.

This series is really thought- and text- and idea-heavy. There isn't a whole lot of action, and I admit I'm kind of waiting for more of that. But I do like the way it's been adapted, as I imagine the novels were even more so. The images and way the online forum is visually portrayed is well done, and the artwork is so pretty.

Manga Review: All My Darling Daughters by Fumi Yoshinaga

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2010

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Yukiko, a salarywoman in her thirties, still lives with her mother Mari. But their relationship suffers a sudden change when Mari announces that she's getting married—to an ex-host and aspiring actor who's younger than Yukiko. Yukiko, convinced he'sout to fleece her mom, can't stand to stay in the house and decides to move in with her boyfriend.

Fumi Yoshinaga weaves together the lives of Yukiko, a thirty something salary woman, and her friends in five short stories, exploring the various relationships women have with all the skill and elegance she is known for.

Review:

I’ve been meaning to pick this up for a while, because I’ve heard a lot of good things. And now I’m glad I finally got it.

Each chapter features the same characters, but focuses on different ones, with different stories. It’s one-shot based. There’s the mother and daughter, the mother in a new relationship with a younger man, and the daughter finally deciding to move out and get serious with her boyfriend. Then there are their friends, some of whom have their own drama. Like a teacher friend of theirs, whom a student has started forcing herself on. That chapter had interesting maturity and themes, to me, and I liked how they were handled.

I did like the relationship between the mother and daughter, and the development between all of the characters. The humor was fun, as well, with all the teasing.

I quite enjoyed this volume, and am now more intrigued to pick up her other books.

Manga Review: The Promised Neverland, Volume 5, by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu

Rating (out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2018

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 4. 6.

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…

As Grace Field House goes up in flames, Emma and the other children make their run for freedom. With Mom refusing to give up and an army of demons at her call, this escape from captivity won’t be easy. Just what will Emma have to sacrifice to pull it off…?

Review:

The kids are now on the run, and so they have to catch Ray up on what they've been doing this whole time. Emma put on a very good show, and even had Ray convinced. They definitely got one over on Mom, but they know they have more to learn along the way—they don't really know what they're going to face after this.

They're quite brilliant kids, and they've thought of everything for getting out of the compound, at least.

We get a little insight into Mom's history, which I appreciated. It shows a bit of humanity in her; while she is working for the demons, and she's lost all hope for anything else, she is only doing what she has to, to survive. She is only human.

As the kids start on their venture outside, they have to face some surprising creatures. It's really a wonder what has become of the world now, but they've had some hints they didn't realize from the books in the compound. But even aside from that, the demons are on their tail.

I'm so entranced in this series. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Manga Review: The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Volume 11, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 2018

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 10. 12.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Himari Momochi inherits a mysterious house that comes with its own gorgeous demon guardian.

On her sixteenth birthday, orphan Himari Momochi inherits her ancestral estate that she’s never seen. Momochi House exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms, and Himari is meant to act as guardian between the two worlds. But on the day she moves in, she finds three handsome squatters already living in the house, and one seems to have already taken over her role!

Review:

Momochi House is under attack in this volume. Crazy things are happening in the house, attacking and turning dark, staining some yokai. When we meet the cause of it, they claim that Aoi is an impostor, not the real Nue.

Amidst all that, we're learning some ominous things about Aoi and the Nue, and Himari is still determined to save him. The more we learn about the position of Nue, the more bad it seems for Aoi.

Aside from those dangers, there's Aoi and Himari's relationship. I like the idea of their relationship, and I enjoy how sweet and naive Aoi is—not understanding why they shouldn't sleep in the same bed, for example. But they still seem so awkward together, to unsteady, and Himari is constantly getting embarrassed and pushing him away, that it's driving me crazy. What's the point of being together if they're not actually growing closer?

The dangers aren't much of a worry for me. Even the scare in the middle of this volume—it was handled too easily for it to be real. And it was actually more anticlimactic than anything, which is a little disappointing.

I enjoy this series, but it also bothers/frustrates me at points.