Manga Review: Candy Color Paradox, Volume 1, by Isaku Natsume

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 2019

Volumes: 4+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Reporter Onoe and photographer Kaburagi constantly bicker and argue on their stakeouts, but will their antagonistic behavior paradoxically evolve into something sweeter?

Satoshi Onoe, a reporter for a weekly magazine, has a new stakeout partner, and he’s anything but thrilled about it. Photographer Motoharu Kaburagi’s unconventional reporting methods and overall bad attitude are enough to drive Onoe insane. But the more the two work together, the closer they get.

Satoshi Onoe prides himself on his good writing and ethical reporting for the weekly magazine he writes for. But when the stakeout teams are shuffled around, he ends up being paired up with Motoharu Kaburagi, an ill-mannered photographer who’s nothing but trouble. Onoe despises Kaburagi’s haphazard and unethical reporting methods, and the two constantly fight. But as they spend more time together, Kaburagi’s two-faced attitude makes Onoe begin to see him in a different light.

Review:

I read the mangaka's previous series released, and enjoyed it enough. It was cute, so I thought I'd give this one a try.

Onoe is new at the magazine, still earning his place, so he gets shuffled around and teamed up with Kaburagi, who he hasn't really gotten along with at this point. Onoe is optimistic and hopeful, and would rather be writing, and thinks that he would be better in a different position. Kaburagi is a paparazzi, and he's good at it, but he's become a cynic after so long in the business.

They have very different points of view, so it takes a while for them to start getting along. Onoe overreacts, and Kaburagi tries to stay distant. I'm not attached, but I don't mind either of the characters. They realize they're attracted to each other, and just kind of go along with it, without too many precautions.

This volume was okay. I didn't mind the plot line or the characters, though none of it really stuck with me yet. I might read more.

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

Manga Review: False Memories, Volume 1 - 2, by Isaku Natsume

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2013 + 2014

Volumes: 2.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy Volume 1: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Buy Volume 2: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. Powells. RightStuf.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The latest series from the author of fan favorite Devil’s Honey.

Although they were best friends in high school, Nakano and Tsuda haven't talked in ten years. Which may have a little something to do with the fact that not only were they more than best friends, but also that Tsuda broke Nakano's heart, leaving him to pick up the pieces. Now that they’ve been thrown back together thanks to a work project, Nakano is determined to put the past behind him, and both men decide to keep their relationship strictly professional. The question is, can they?

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for mature audiences.

Review: 

In the first volume, we get to see the beginning of Tsuda and Nakano’s relationship, after meeting again as adults at work, when they had a small fling in high school. It’s been ten years, and they’ve both mostly forgotten about it until they see each other again. Nakano is ready to put it in the past, but Tsuda wants it to happen again.

In the second volume, we finally see them get together, confessing their feelings. Tsuda is easily embarrassed and doesn’t want to talk about his feelings, but he’s still hurt by what happened in high school. Nakano, on the other hand, is happy to talk about his feelings and tell Tsuda how much he wants to be with him. He also has no problem telling Tsuda how cute he is.

They’re very adorable, and I love seeing them together. I wish there was more of them, really, since the second half of the book focuses on one of their co-workers.

 Saeki is bummed that his best friend is getting married and moving on without him. He’s surprised when his best friend’s fiancé’s son confesses his love to him. He resists at first, but Kouhei is very persistent, and he surprises Saeki a lot with his pushing. They are rather cute, but mostly I enjoy Kouhei’s audacity and honesty with his feelings, and found that quite funny.

I really enjoyed this short series. The artwork is nice, and the characters are great, very easy to like. The humor is funny, and the sexy stuff is nice, though there’s not too much of it. The romances are more slow moving.

I will definitely be picking up her other books released from SuBLime.