Manga Review: Real Account, Volume 1, by Okushou and Shizumu Watanabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: March 2016

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

UNFOLLOW OR DIE

Like many of his peers, Ataru Kashiwagi has found himself addicted to the newest social networking service, Real Account. But one day, Ataru and almost 10,000 other people, get sucked into the Real Account Zone, where they have become players in a series of deadly games. The basic rules of these games are simple—if you lose all your followers, you die in real life, and if you die, all of your followers die with you. As these depraved games decimate the players around him, Ataru must use quick thinking and his knowledge of Real Account to win each round and return to the real world. But when true friendship determines whether he lives or dies, can Ataru really survive when the only people he can count on are his Internet friends?

Review:

I’ve heard surprisingly good things about this series, but it still didn’t really stand out to me. But a friend told me to read, so I’m giving it a try.

Ataru was living in a perfectly normal world, even though a certain social media website/app was taking over everyone's attention. It wasn’t a big deal, up until him and so many others got pulled in to the virtual world and the leader—a giant-happy-faced fellow—started killing everyone and their followers off. And now he’s in a world where you have to survive and choose the right answers in order not to be killed along with the few followers you still have.

It’s a world where having real people in your lives is important, as well as how smart you are to work around the system. Ataru is doing his best, and he’s doing well so far.

I will admit that the happy-faced person can get quite creepy at times. And the games and deaths are rather horrible. But some of the emotions, or something behind it all, fell a little flat for me. The artwork is just okay.

I’m not hooked yet, but I’m going to give it another try.

Manga Review: Liselotte & Witch's Forest, Volume 1, by Natsuki Takaya

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: July 2016

Volumes: 5 (Hiatus)

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Despite being completely hopeless at endeavors like farming and cooking, Liselotte, a young lady of noble birth and guardian to twins Alto and Anna, picks up and moves to a remote land. At the easternmost reaches of her new home lies a forest where it's said witches roam. When Lise one day finds herself at the receiving end of an attack by one such witch, she's saved by the sudden appearance of a young man named Engetsu. Though they're strangers, Engetsu is remarkably similar to someone she already knows...?

Review:

This is a very intriguing start to a series.

Liselotte has been shipped out of her rich family's home, and now lives in a forest, with two kids as her caretakers. She's optimistically doing all she can to learn how to farm and scavenge, even when she's not particularly good at any of these things.

And then she learns of the witch myths regarding the forest they live in. And suddenly, there's a man named Engetsu there to help her, and Liselotte believes she knows him from before everything happened. It's clear, though, that he's up to something, and that he knows more than he's letting on.

We get a few hints, but this is definitely setting up for something more. Not giving any answers, but it's a good start. I love the artwork, and I'm happy to be reading a new Takaya book.

I'm looking forward to the next one.

Manga Review: That Wolf-Boy is Mine!, Volume 1, by Yoko Nogiri

Rating (Out of 5): ~3-3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: August 2016

Volumes: 4.

Spoilers?: Very Light.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Komugi’s not sure what to expect when her family moves to the remote northern island of Hokkaido, and she starts at a new high school. But she certainly didn’t expect a boy to come up to her and say, “Gee…you smell good, somehow!” That boy is Yu Ogami, and Komugi finds herself strangely drawn to him. But when she sees him in an unguarded moment, she discovers he’s a werewolf! Now she has a choice to make: to keep his secret, or to ask for help and risk angering a wolf-boy?

Review:

I was hoping to like this series from the very beginning. And while I do think it will grow on me, I'm not entranced yet.

It's slow to start. We meet Komugi, and she's trying to keep a low profile after being bullied at her old school. And then she meets Yu, and he turns into a wolf in front of her. This leads her to meeting his other kin, some of whom are not quite so open to her presence.

While it's slow to really get a feel for the characters, and I'm not really attached to any of them, the story is actually a little rushed, or at least not developed very smoothly. I don't quite believe Komugi's change in character, it was too fast for me. I do like the cliffhanger, though, and the twist that it gives to the older style of shojo stories. I'm interested to see where that goes next.

I definitely see the Fruits Basket reference, of course, only they turn into animals when they want to. I'm not as attached so far as I would like to be, though.

Manga Review: Shuriken and Pleats, Volume 2, by Matsuri Hino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Volumes: 2.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The creator of Vampire Knight returns with a tale about a female ninja in modern Tokyo.

When the master she has sworn to protect is killed, Mikage Kirio, a skilled ninja, travels to Japan to start a new, peaceful life for herself. But as soon as she arrives, she finds herself fighting to protect the life of Mahito Wakashimatsu, a man who is under attack by a band of ninja. From that time on, Mikage is drawn deeper into the machinations of his powerful family.

With her final mission as a ninja fulfilled, Mikage strives to lead the life of a normal high school girl. But the shadows of her former colleagues threaten to mar the peaceful skies. Mikage encounters someone she thought she’d never see again...

Review:

I wasn't quite expecting a wrap-around, closed ending, but I like that that's how it's worked out. It feels more settled and resolved that way.

Mikage is trying to have a normal high school life, like her previous master wanted. She just keeps getting dragged into ninja business, though; she can't help but wanting to help, it's ingrown into her. Even going so far as continuously saving this boy in her school, who just shines so bright she can't handle it.

And then there's a new reveal with her master.

I won't spoil it, but I was surprised by the reveal. I didn't expect the story to go in that direction, but I guess it makes sense. The romance I didn't expect to go there, either; I guess I believed it was going to start fresh? I don't mind the way the story went, though I expected to. It fit.

This was a cute little series. It was a little harder to get into as some of her previous ones, but I still enjoyed it, and I'm happy with the ending.

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

Manga Review: Platinum End, Volume 1, by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 4, 2016

Volumes: 4+

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Troubled Mirai’s life changes when he gains the power of an angel, but he may need to become a devil to survive in the battle against others just like him!

As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.

Mirai's once-great life turned to hell after his family was killed in a mysterious accident. But now that an angel is on his side, things might be looking up. With his newly received angelic powers, can Mirai get over his tragic past and find true happiness…?

Review:

Having enjoyed Death Note, I was intrigued to pick this up and see what their newest series would be like. Obata does do very pretty artwork, and it's used nicely here.

The story starts with our protagonist clearly dissatisfied with his life and deciding to commit suicide. He even jumps, and is then saved by an angel, who gives him special powers in order to make sure he's happy in life. We quickly find out there's more to it than that, and he's actually been chosen to enter a contest to become God, though Mirai doesn't think he wants anything to do with that.

The morality of good and evil here is very skewed, and I'm confused as to what that's going to reveal later. The angel, who looks like a cute girl angel, is very excited and nice to Mirai, though forgetful. Mirai is also a very good guy; given the powers he now has, he doesn't want to hurt anyone, no matter how badly they've treated him. But the angel doesn't have any problem with him committing crimes, and even urges him to do so under the pretense it will make him happier. It's unsettling, to say the least.

The volume ends on a cliffhanger, in which Mirai meets another angel and is attacked (possibly good? possibly not going to do anything to him?). I'm intrigued by this series so far, and though there are similar ideas or setups to Death Note, I am hoping to read more of it.

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

Manga Review: Yona of the Dawn, Volume 1, by Mizuho Kusanagi

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2016

Volumes: 21+

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

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, Soo-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when she witnesses her father's murder! Yona reels from the shock of losing her father and having to fight for her life. With Hak's help, she flees the castle and struggles to survive while evading her enemy's forces. But where will this displaced princess go with such an uncertain path before her?

Review:

I have read a few of Kusanagi's previous books, so I was looking forward to this being released. I'm glad to say I wasn't disappointed.

Yona, a princess, is in love with her distant cousin. She has been for years, and her bodyguard knows it, but her father will never let anything happen between them. Yona is ready to fight for this, when she's betrayed and her world is thrown out of order in one night, and suddenly she's thrown out, on the run, with only her bodyguard there she can trust.

I wasn't really sure what all this hinting was leading up to, and I can say that I was surprised by the sudden turn of events. It seemed like certain characters were ready to give up their own wants for another person's, and then suddenly everything changed.

I love Hak from the beginning. He's funny, teasing Yona all the time, and yet it's obvious he really does want to protect her. I do hope that Yona gets stronger soon; I like her for the most part, but I want to see her buck up and start fighting back and getting smarter, though it's believable how she's kind of shriveled up given what happened.

The comedy was nicely mixed with the serious moments, and I'm happy about that. Kusanagi has had troubles with that in previous series, and here it's more thoughtfully done. There's teasing to lighten some scenes, and then when it gets serious it does it purposely and well. And when Yona is feeling numb and hurt, it's clear and isn't bothered by humor.

This was a really good starting volume, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next.

Manga Review: Komomo Confiserie, Volume 5, by Maki Minami

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 6, 2016

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble.

Volume: 1. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

As a little girl, Komomo Ninomiya delighted in picking on Natsu Azumi, the son of her family's pastry chef. Ten years later, when the family fortune is lost and she has no place to live, Komomo encounters Natsu again in her hour of need. Now that Natsu is a master pastry chef in his own right, he'll help Komomo-but only if she works for him at his new confiserie!

Both Komomo and Natsu are resolute in their stance that they are not in love with each other, even though everyone else around them thinks otherwise. Now that Komomo’s fortunes and arranged fiancé have returned, a romance between a pâtissier and a princess seems even less likely. But Komomo is determined to pursue her own path in life when she realizes what she wants most.

Review:

This fantastic series draws to a very nice close. It didn’t feel rushed to me, and it worked out very nicely in my opinion.

There’s some love-triangle drama involved, but that doesn’t take as much precedence. And I don’t think it matters as much when Komomo’s father tries telling her what to do and she straight-up refuses. She even makes Natsu pay for being such a jerk to her, and I think he makes it up to her in a very deserving way. It is cheesy, for sure, but it’s adorable, and I love the way it all wraps up.

This was a super fun series, and I really love the author's work. I hope they release everything else of hers they can; I would eat it all up.

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

Manga Review: The Heiress and the Chauffeur, Volume 2, by Keiko Ishihara

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2, 2016

Volumes: 2.

Spoilers?: Some.

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

Volume: 1.

Goodreads Synopsis:

At an all-girls school during the Taisho Era of Japan, rumors swirl that heiress Sayaka Yoshimura is having a forbidden love affair with her chauffeur, Shinobu Narutaki! Sayaka scoffs at the rumors, but could a romance between master and servant actually be brewing?

Sayaka’s father arranges for her to marry the son of an earl! Meanwhile, Sayaka has started to develop special feelings for Narutaki… But with such a huge divide between their social standings, is it even possible for Sayaka and Narutaki to be together?

Review:

Even if the ending of this series is unbelievable to some, or inaccurate to the times, or whatever—I don’t care. I still enjoyed it and found it at least somewhat plausible, and even then that’s not the point to me.

Sayaka gets a real suitor for marriage, and even though their first meeting goes terribly, she sparks something in him and he decides to work for real. It’s competition for her chauffeur. Thankfully, this doesn’t go far, though. Sayaka isn’t the type to go along with something she doesn’t really believe in, or to pretend when she doesn’t believe in it.

Which is why it makes sense for her to finally accept her feelings for Narutaki, and how things continue from there. Her feelings for him are more important to her than anything else, and it’s the same for him, so it’s sweet to see them finally together. But that doesn’t mean she’s going to run away or lie or give in to disagreement from others, so I think that the ending fits quite well.

I enjoyed this short series, the artwork is very pretty, and I don’t really care about any inaccuracies. I would read more.

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

Manga Review: QQ Sweeper, Volume 3, by Kyousuke Motomi

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2016

Volumes: 3 + Sequel

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

One day, Kyutaro Horikita, the tall, dark and handsome cleaning expert of Kurokado High, comes across a sleeping maiden named Fumi Nishioka at school... Unfortunately, their meeting is anything but a fairy-tale encounter! It turns out Kyutaro is a 'Sweeper" who cleans away negative energy from people's hearts-and Fumi is about to become his apprentice!

Fumi still has no memory of her past, but she begins to feel a sense of calm working and living with Kyutaro and his family of Sweepers. But when a Bug Handler goes after her, how will she overcome his dark manipulation?

Review:

The series wraps up rather well, I think.

We find out who is behind all of Fumi’s misfortune. What exactly they’re doing to cause so much trouble to Fumi, and why Fumi in the first place. I’m intrigued by the reasoning, by what her role in all of it is. I liked the change that Fumi goes through at times, the strength she can suddenly have.

I really like Fumi and Kyutaro’s relationship, and definitely want to see it develop even deeper. I enjoy the other characters, as well.

I want more, definitely. I feel like the real story is only just starting as the volume ends. It feels more like a beginning, a prequel even, to what is coming. I very much want Viz to license the sequel, and feel like it’s only a matter of time.

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