Manga Review: So Cute It Hurts!!, Volume 2, by Go Ikeyamada

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Volumes: 12+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Kobayashi Mitsuru and Kobayashi Megumi are twin brother and sister, with identical faces but radically different personalities: while Mitsuru is a confident charmer who wins the hearts of dozens of girls, Megumi is an average otaku who is in love with a virtual hero. Yet, the two's lives start to turn upside down after Mitsuru and Megumi switch roles...

A complicated love story starts!

Review:

I will say that some of the humor is still too over-the-top for me. The way Megumu exaggerates in her thoughts and freaks out, Mitsuru’s ego, the use of text speak at times. I get that it’s purposeful, but it still doesn’t quite work for me.

We find out more about Aoi in this volume, a new problem that he has, as well as seeing what’s between him and Shino. We get to see the twins together and how similar they really are. The siblings falling for other siblings is an interesting thing to throw in.

The focus is more on Aoi and Megumu here, which I’m all right with. They’re more interesting to me right now. And I will say that the sexual tension between them is ridiculous. There’s some between Mitsuru and Shino, but not nearly at the same level. The way Megumu looks at Aoi with clearly loving eyes, even Aoi is falling for it, despite believing she’s a boy. Megumu doesn’t even think to hide it.

Which is to say that it shouldn’t be surprising when Megumu’s big reveal happens, even though I still wasn’t expecting it to happen so fast. I wasn’t expecting Mitsuru’s, either, but for a different reason. This twist does have me more interested, though, and impressed that it didn’t take very long.

I’m also impressed that this isn’t shying from the cross-dressing aspect. The couples are pretending to be the same sex, but that doesn’t stop the sexual tension rising from both sides, or others from thinking they might be gay. And it’s not really shamed or avoided—I love that.

I was surprised with this volume; the first half didn't pull me in, but the second half had me newly excited. Now I’m looking forward to the next one.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, and Erik Jansen from MediaLab PR. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Yamada-Kun and the Seven Witches, Volume 1, by Miki Yoshikawa

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: March 31, 2015

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

SWAPPED WITH A KISS Class troublemaker Ryu Yamada is already having a bad day when he stumbles down a staircase along with star student Urara Shiraishi. When he wakes up, he realizes they have switched bodies-and that Ryu has the power to trade places with anyone just by kissing them! After figuring out the workings behind this new and amazing ability, Ryu and Urara take full advantage of the situation to improve their lives. But with such an oddly amazing power, just how long will Ryu and Urara be able to keep their secret under wraps? From the Trade Paperback edition.

Review:

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this. It sounded fun, intriguing. The artwork looked pretty, and it definitely is.

While this is probably an odd comparison, since I have read very little and seen very little of the authors work, it reminds me of the style of Fairy Tail/Raven Master. The dramatic comedy and facial expressions, even the echi and pervy moments, felt very similar to that authors work. So, I guess, a recommendation, if you like one or the other?

This is about two people who accidentally kiss and switch bodies. The girl is very studious and quiet, and only cares about school, doesn’t even care about the kissing and switching. Whereas the boy freaks out. But it works out, because the girl is being bullied and he takes care of it, and he sucks at school so she takes care of that.

I don’t think we’ve really gotten into the witches part of the series, and I’m intrigued to see where that goes. But I did enjoy the characters we’ve met so far, and I like the two main characters. And it had a Fairy Tail feel, which I liked.

This isn’t at the top of my list, but I liked it enough to pick up the next one when I get the chance. And I’m sure a lot of other people will really like it.

Manga Review: Ani-Imo, Volume 2, by Haruko Kurumatani

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: February 2015

Volumes: 7.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When elder brother Youta and kid sister Hikaru get into an accident that switches their bodies, Hikaru (in her brother's body) changes into a fiendish sadist, and Youta (in his sister's body) finds himself her "girlfriend." Thrust into a bizarre reality where he's now taking orders from his own body, will Youta ever get himself out of this pinch and back where he belongs?!

Review:

This is a pretty mature series. I don’t know how much more it’ll get, but there’s a lot of forceful kissing, and a lot of hinting for more. I kind of love it.

I know that some people have a problem with the brother/sister thing (even if they technically aren’t), but I kind of don’t? I probably should, but I don’t. I’m just getting that out of the way. It doesn’t really bother me.

I do love the reverse stereotypical sexism here. How they’re now the normal stereotype of woman and man, that they’re in the others’ body. I mentioned it in the last volume, but it’s so well done here.

Youta is forced into a relationship with the now older sibling, even if he doesn’t want to be, or is denying that he wants to be. And Hikaru is very forceful about it, touching Youta all the time, not bothered if people know. And Hikaru's insecurity that Youta will never want it is very sweet.

We see more of Yurika, who is trying to manipulate the younger sibling to be hers. We got to know Kakeru better, though, and he’s a sweetheart. I really like him. I love how honest he is with “Hikaru”, even letting her go to be with “Youta” if he has to. He’s so sweet, the poor guy. Someone needs to love him. 

I’m enjoying this series quite a lot. It’s very mature, but it’s also funny, and honest, and I am really liking the characters. I look forward to the next one.

Manga Review: Requiem of the Rose King, Volume 1, by Aya Kanno

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: March 10, 2015

Volumes: 3+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

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.

Richard’s father, the patriarch of the House of York, is poised to become king of medieval England during the bloody Wars of the Roses. But just as success is imminent, he is abruptly cut down. Plunged into despair, Richard acts out in revenge and must face a powerful and beautiful new enemy.

Review:

I’m a little unsure what to say about this book, honestly. Mostly because I’m a little confused.

I guess for disclaimers sake, I should say that I’ve always had a hard time with Shakespeare. His plays have always been confusing and hard to understand for me. Plus, I haven’t even read or seen the play this book is based off of. And this book seems to play in the same realm of writing, at least some of the time, with those books.

Now, this book is by the author of Otomen, so of course I was going to pick it up, either way. No doubt about that. And I intend to read more, hope it grows on me. And the artwork is so very pretty, too. When drawing anything, really, I love it; but for example, Richards expressions and his one eye showing is very impressionable.

The story line has me a little confused, but also a little curious. I think it’s the Shakespeare influence that I’m having a hard time with, but I kind of want to compare it to Kaori Yuki. Yuki’s series are always gorgeous and addicting, but also somewhat confusing at times. I got enough though to want to see what happens next.

Despite my hardship with this volume, I did somewhat enjoy it, and fully intend to pick up the next one. I’m interested to see what happens next. And more Aya Kanno is never a bad thing.

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