Manga Review: Sweat and Soap, Volume 2, by Kintetsu Yamada

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: April 2020

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

In an office romance, there's a fine line between sexy and awkward... and that line is where Asako -- a woman who sweats copiusly -- met Koutarou -- a perfume developer who can't get enough of Asako's, er, scent. Don't miss a romcom manga like no other!

Asako's living her dream, working at the toiletry maker Lilia Drop. Little do her coworkers know, the reason she loves the company so much is that she's ashamed of her body odor, and their soap is the only thing that does the trick. So when the company's lead product developer, a perfuming genius, approaches her in the lobby and wonders what "that smell" is, she's terrified... but could it be... that he likes it? And, even more surprising to Asako... does she like him?

The hilarious ups and downs of an office romance at a personal care products company are the subject of this sexy, strange romp. Sweat and Soap combines the odd-couple chemistry of Wotakoi, the "too real!" workplace comedy of Aggretsuko, and a heavy dollop of office steaminess!

 

Review:

 

Asako is faced with a potential rival, and she has to decide whether she's willing to fight for herself here or not. She's always been a rather quiet and shy girl, unwilling to put herself out there or defend herself, or even ask for what she wants. But when she realizes just how much she wants Natori, she starts putting herself out there a bit more at a time.

I relate a lot to Asako, and I understand her struggle. Which is why it's also really nice to see her making the effort, putting herself in new situations in order to be closer to Natori.

While they're still keeping their relationship a secret at work, they're still finding time to be together as much as possible. And when Asako visits her family, she decides to share the news. The second half of the volume features Natori meeting Asako's brother, and while it felt very shojo here, it was still handled relatively well. Natori is tested, but he handles it well, and I think it even helps him want to be as good as he can be for Asako.

While there is some drama brewing, I think the themes are being handled rather maturely. And I do love Asako and Natori's relationship and how it's progressing. I'm excited for more.

Manga Review: After Hours, Volume 1, by Yuhta Nishio

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Media

Release Date: June 2017

Volumes: 3.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

There’s always something going on at night. Sooner or later, you’ll find your scene.

Emi Ashiana is 24, unemployed, and not really sure what she wants do with her life. When a friend invites her to a dance club, Emi doesn’t expect much. But what she finds will change her world!

The club is hopping and Emi isn’t…so she ends up hiding in a corner after her friend ditches her to flirt with a guy! Emi figures the night is a bust, but then someone amazing comes to her rescue. Kei is a DJ, and her effortless self-confidence captivates Emi. Is this just a wonderful night out or the start of the rest of her life?

Review:

Before starting this, I didn't realize that the characters were in their 20's, out of school and trying to figure out their lives. I did know it was yuri, but I didn't expect it to be so mature. That's not very common, I don't think, and I really like that.

Emi meets Kei rather by chance. After being dragged to a club she's not all that interested in, and separated then ditched by her friend, Kei kind of saves her. They end up going home together, and that sets their relationship in motion.

It's a rather fast move, but it's also sweet, and seems to just make sense. Kei is easygoing, and not at all worried about letting Emi stay and get comfortable from the start. Kei is also a DJ, and introduces Emi to that world, and to the job of VJ, which might be just what she's been looking for.

I related to Emi in a way. I understand her feelings about trying to figure out what it is she wants to do with her life, for a passion she doesn't really have yet. I also liked that this had a subtle, slice-of-life kind of feel to it. Their relationship is easy, and we get to see them hanging out and doing couple things, without any pressure.

This was a fun first volume. Easy start, with a few plot points that could lead to more. I'm intrigued to read the next one.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 17, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: February 2017

Volumes: 18.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 16. 18.

Goodreads Synopsis:

LOVE AT A DISTANCE

Mei is now in a vocational school to become a preschool teacher, and Yamato is in college with the aim of eventually becoming a professional photographer. But as they get more involved in their individual pursuits, they have fewer chances to see each other, putting a strain on their relationship. To make matters worse, an unsettling message about Yamato and Yamato’s new female friend at his college have brought doubt into the future of Mei and Yamato’s relationship. Meanwhile, Meg continues to struggle with her modeling career in Paris, but a shocking discovery forces her to make a big decision…

Review:

Mei and Asami are struggling with their high school boyfriends. They aren't in the same place anymore, and they're having a hard time staying close and communicating and staying connected. Asami seems to be in a worse state, but she's trying to do something about it or get it over with. Mei, on the other hand, finally talks with Yamato. Yamato seems to realize what he's doing wrong, though, and corrects some of his actions, thankfully.

Megumi, on the other hand, is just struggling. She's having a hard time finding work, and now her boyfriend cheated on her. She's on her own, in an unfamiliar place, floundering to be herself and succeed. I'm still rooting for her and Kai, but it also seems like going to Japan might be best for her anyway. Or at least, somewhere aside from France.

I'm enjoying this series, but the romance and the plot lines aren't seeming very intense or memorable. I think that the slower release dates aren't helping this. I guess there's only one volume left, though, so I'm interested to see how it all wraps up.

Manga Review: Say I Love You, Volume 9, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: August 2015

Volumes: 15+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 8. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mei Tachibana has no friends-and she doesn't need them! Ever since her "friends" betrayed her in elementary school, she's sworn off friendship entirely. All it leads to is betrayal and heartbreak, and she's well enough on her own. But everything changes when she accidentally roundhouse kicks the most popular boy in school! However, Yamato Kurosawa isn't angry in the slightest-in fact, he thinks his ordinary life could use an unusual girl like Mei! He won't take no for an answer, and soon Mei and Yamato embark on an unwanted friendship that will change both of them forever.Praise for the anime: "Surprises with its honesty, its sensitivity, its quality. Always it is smarter, more poetic, more touching, just plain better than you think it is going to be." -Anime News Network

Review:

This volume has Megumi and Yamato going on their date. It sounds like it should be more dramatic for Mei than it was—and it was hard for her, true, but it’s also hard to Megumi. Because she has to face that Yamato really doesn’t see her like that. He loves Mei. And the end to that chapter, where he goes to see her after the date, really shows that. To us, to Megumi, and to Mei.

After that, we get see Yamato’s brother, Daichi, and what’s going on in his life. And how he’s stuck on a past girlfriend, but his hair-styling assistant is stuck on him. It covers most of the book, and it’s a sweet side character story. Mei has an impact on both of them, but mostly Daichi needs to step forward and Kyoko has to build some confidence.

I know some people like more attention on the main couple in series—and I do love that, as well—but I also really enjoy seeing the side characters get their own stories. I’m happy to see what’s happening with Daichi.

Manga Revew: L-DK, Volume 1, by Ayu Watanabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: October 20, 2015

Volumes: 18+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

LIVING, DINING, KITCHEN...LOVE?

Aoi Nishimori is a high school girl who lives alone in her own apartment, but to her surprise, she discovers that the prince of her school, Shusei Kugayama, has moved in next door! To add to this, a series of crazy happenings result in the two living together under a single roof! Shusei is known to be a heartless guy and Aoi particularly hates him after he coldly rejected her best friend, so a life of cohabitation seems like a recipe for disaster. And yet, Aoi somehow can’t stop her heart from pounding when she’s with Shusei...

Review:

I was so excited for this series, and now I’m a little disappointed. Which sucks.

The first part is pretty rushed. We find out that Shusei is the popular guy in school, who gets confessed to and fanned over all the time, and who doesn’t like it. He moves in next door to Aoi, who lives alone. And by the end of the chapter, something happens with Shusei’s apartment and so he stays with Aoi.

They get in to a bit of trouble at times, what with trying not to let people know. Shusei doesn’t really care, but Aoi does, trying to keep it from her best friend who liked Shusei.

Mostly, the characters seem very one-dimensional. Aoi is exaggerated and easily embarrassed, pushing Shusei away. She tries not liking him for her friends sake, though, and I liked that she did seem to have a true friendship with another girl, who didn’t freak out upon finding out about Shusei. Shusei definitely has his jerk moments, like when he tricks her into staying handcuffed together for a day. But I also think that he truly doesn’t have an interest in most girls, gets annoyed over the way they fan over him, but is starting to like Aoi. I don’t see why, as she annoys me, and their chemistry is so one-dimensional, but still.

This volume was disappointing, but I will be giving it a couple more, because I see potential in it. I hope it gets better.

Manga Review: Ani-Imo, Volume 3, by Haruko Kurumatani

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: May 2015

Volumes: 7

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hikaru is pressuring Youta to take their relationship too far and too fast for her brother, who still can't see Hikaru as anything but a little sister. But Hikaru is not willing to take "no" for an answer. As tensions escalate between the siblings-turned-lovers, onlookers Oda and Mayama can't help but notice "Hikaru"'s uncertainty--a weakness Oda fully intends to exploit! But the opportunity turns to disaster when Oda and Mayama's hasty pursuit leads to an accident that changes everything...

Review:

I’m starting to feel a little unsure about this series. I really want to like it, too.

While some of the sexy stuff can be a little forceful, and I don’t always care for the manipulation that Hikaru uses, and I really don’t like the way the Doctor manipulates Youta, I do like it some parts of it. I do kind of enjoy Hikaru and Youta’s attraction. I don’t care for Yurika much—and I don’t like how all the dominant personalities turn to manipulation and coercion so quickly. I do think that Kakeru is a sweetheart, though, and I like him a lot.

But then there’s the whole psychology and biological aspects to the plot. The Doctor has a theory about what is happening to the teens and what it’s doing to them, and honestly I don’t really care for it much. It’s going in a direction that I’m not sure I like, and it’s making me unsure about continuing the series.

I’ll probably give it another one or two volumes, though, to see what I think.

Manga Review: Say I Love You., Volume 8, by Kanae Hazuki

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: June 9, 2015

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mei Tachibana has spent her 16 years without making either boyfriend or friends. One day, she drop-kicks a popular boy in school, Yamato Kurosawa, because of a misunderstanding but for some reason it seems that he takes a liking to her and one-sidedly claims that they’re friends. Furthermore, he not only protects Mei from a stalker, he does it with a kiss…?!!

Review:

This is all new material for me, and I love it!

There’s a popularity contest coming up at school, and of course Yamato is entered.  And since the male and female winners are supposed to go on a date, Mei has to decide whether she’ll try for it as well.

This is a big growing moment for Mei.  She’s never been popular, doesn’t particularly like being in the public eye or being all dressed up.  But Yamato is important to her, and so she goes for it, and somehow gets in the top five.  She has less hope for it than anyone else, but she ends up being inspiring to a lot of her classmates.  It was an important moment for her, and I’m glad she did it.  It’s also good for her and Yamato, and I like seeing them happy and getting closer.

Megumi is also entered, and she’s pretty much a shoo-in.  I don’t mind Megumi so much anymore; I don’t trust her feelings for Yamato, but I like seeing her standing up for herself and doing what she wants, pushing herself to do more.  We also got to see a little bit of the other couples in the series, and that was nice.

This is a lovely, slightly smutty, mature series, and I love it.  I’m always excited for the next volume.