Manga Review: Kiss Him, Not Me!, Volume 12, by Junko

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 14.

Spoilers?: Yes.

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Volume: 1. 11. 13.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hiya! It’s me, Kae. Everyone came all the way to Hokkaido to rescue me from Tah-kun, but just as we were getting away, Mutsumi-senpai fell from a cliff and hit his head! Now Mutsumi-senpai is in the hospital and won’t wake up! But no matter how long it takes, I refuse to leave his side until he’s conscious again. It’s my fault that he’s here, and I’m going to do everything in my power to bring him out of his coma—even if I have to draw some magic circles and call upon a few spirits! But will my otaku skills really be enough to bring him back? Or will I have to borrow a method from a fairy tale to wake this sleeping bishonen? Either way, this experience has made me realize something about Mutsumi-senpai, and when he wakes up, I may just finally make my decision …

Review:

Mutsumi is in a coma for most of this volume. Of course, Kae is extremely worried and refuses to leave him unless absolutely necessary. It makes sense, given her history, that she worries herself skinny again.

I can honestly say that I didn't expect this to be the outcome of the harem. Even as this plot line started, I was doubtful. I still thought something else was going to come along to dramatize it or change Kae's mind. After reading that the author intended for this from the beginning, I accept it, though I'm still surprised.

I will admit that he's probably my second choice—I've been voting for Igarashi from the beginning, and he's still my favorite. But Mutsumi is also very sweet and I think he works with Kae, for the most part.

Now that they're official, though, we get to see how their dynamic is actually going to work. Kae is still a crazy otaku, and sometimes that comes first for her. He's rather supportive, but he might have to draw the line at a few things. I'm intrigued to see how this develops, and how they compromise for each other and discuss these things.

Manga Review: Kiss Him, Not Me!, Volume 9, by Junko

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: February 2017

Volumes: 14.

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 8. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Once again, it's me, Kae! It's so great that the whole group is staying together, and even Shinomiya-kun is opening up more.

These friend are more than I could ask for, but if I had to say what I want for my birthday...I'm sure there's plenty of exclusive anime merch worth wishing for. It looks like the whole gang is fired up to throw the otaku party of my dreams! But the birthday festivities lead to a heartfelt confession from Igarashi-kun, and it's too big to ignore! Things are also spurred on by the arrival of a gorgeous senpai from the boys' past...

...This cool beauty, Kotoha-senpai, has some blunt words for me about dealing with everyone's feelings. Everyone puts their heart into making me feel special, so I can't leave them hanging. But can I figure out how to deal with 3D love?!

Review:

At first, we get some fun episodic chapters. Shinomiya is living alone and being stalked, then afterward, it's Serinuma's birthday and everyone is working hard to find the perfect presents. Of course, Igarashi wins, in my opinion.

Afterward, Igarashi's possible-ex shows up. She's a nice girl, and she gives Serinuma a reality check. It's a much needed reminder for her, but it ends in a battle that doesn't really solve anything. It gives me possible hope that something might be decided soon? But it might be misguided, if that cliffhanger just leads to another harem member.

This series is fun, and I do enjoy it. But, to be honest, I don't love all of the characters, and sometime the focus on certain ones makes me disinterested. I would also like to see a conclusion at some point, which I didn't see coming any time soon--but after checking that it has, I might have to catch up with this series.

Manga Review: Kiss Him, Not Me!, Volume 4, by Junko

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: April 2016

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: Light.

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Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hi again! It’s me, Kae! After sweating it out with the boys, I’ve slimmed down again, but the fujoshi in me will never fade away!

After everything that happened in the last volume, Igarashi has now fallen in love with the true me. He’s decided to continue his pursuit, but this time, he means business!

Igarashi’s new resolve also spurs a change in Nanashima, and he doubles his efforts to win me over. It’s great that they’re both so fired up, but what’s firing me up is the thought of them possibly getting hot and heavy with each other…

Includes extras such as a White Day-themed bonus comic and sketches of never-before-revealed character designs!

Review:

Another delightful volume. I just can’t get enough.

In this volume, we find out that there was a competition between Nana and Igarashi when they were younger, only Nana decided he could never win and gave up. Kae roots them on until Nana agrees to be motivated. Lots of yaoi inducing moments here as well.

Then there’s a beach trip, with lots of swim suit shots, and a point where they all get lost in the woods. This is really about Shinomiya, though, and his low self-confidence. He thinks he’s the weak one, the one Kae won’t fall for, and so Kae has to give him some attention to boost his ego.

Igarashi is my favorite here, and I also enjoy Kae’s friendship with Mutsumi. Even Nishina intrigues me. This volume was fun and light, and showed an insight into a couple of the more background boys. I look forward to picking up the next one.

Manga Review: Kiss of the Rose Princess, Volume 3, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 2015

Volumes: 9

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Anise Yamamoto has been told that if she ever removes the rose choker given to her by her father, a terrible punishment will befall her. Unfortunately she loses that choker when a bat-like being falls from the sky and hits her. Anise is granted four cards representing four knights whom she can summon with a kiss. But now that she has these gorgeous men at her beck and call, what exactly is her quest?!

Review:

I think I’m running out of things to say about this series.

I really like it, don’t get me wrong. But a lot of it is the same, or at least feels the same. The plot is definitely moving forward, and something new happens every time.

Also, I know there’s some iffy feelings about this series. But I enjoy it for what it is, what I know it is and expect it to be. It’s a high school shojo reverse harem, with a bit of magical girl, and an Enemy. It’s fun, the humor works, I really like the group of characters, and the plot is moving forward. The artwork is gorgeous, and fits with the type of manga/shojo it is.

I don’t really want to delve into the plot. There are things I like and things I don’t about it—I like the twists and the suspense even, though some of the non-violent non-endings could have been better. Mostly I’m paying attention to the characters, and I think they’re all great.

I’m looking forward to picking up the next volume.

Manga Review: Manga Dogs, Volume 2, by Ema Toyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: December 16, 2014

Volumes: 3

Spoilers?: Light on plot.

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Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

MANGA’S BEST FRIEND?

Kanna had just gotten used to balancing her two lives as a high school student and a professional manga artist when three starry-eyed bozos intruded on her well-ordered life! But as she faces down a rival, a kidnapper, and her dismal popularity rankings, her dim-witted disciples have her back. Maybe having pets isn’t so bad after all?

A sharp-witted satire of the manga world from the creator of I Am Here! and Missions of Love!

Review:

This is an adorable comedy. I know there’s only one volume left, and I already wish there was more. Not to mention my love for Toyama’s art already, but the characters are just great here, as is the humor.

The mangaka-related antics and jokes are so great here.

The group go to a convention, are entered into a manga writing contest, try to help Kanna turn in her work on time. The new guy actually is a manga artist, though not published. Kanna has a signing, gets her manga made into a book, deals with a possible cancellation. We meet friends of Prince, and then Shota’s sister. All kinds of antics in this volume. And along the way, a lot of humor.

I love the antics here, the way the boys are so oblivious and idiotic, but do genuinely like Kanna and look up to her. I will say that I think I like Prince the best, in terms of Kanna. Shota is adorable, too, and Specs is oddly humorous.

I was laughing through most of this volume, and can’t wait for the next one. I suspect it will be just as good.

Manga Review: Manga Dogs, Volume 1, by Ema Toyama

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: October 7, 2014

Volumes: 3

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 2.

Wishlist Thursday.

Goodreads Synopsis:

MEET THE COMIC RELIEF

Kanna Tezuka is a serious 15-year-old manga artist, already being published as a pro. So when she finds out her high school is starting a manga drawing course, even she gets excited. But it's a fiasco! The teacher is useless, and the only other students — three pretty-boy artist wannabes — quickly adopt Kanna as their (unwilling) sensei. But they all have ridiculous delusions about being an artist, and if Kanna can't bring them back down to Earth, she'll never get any work done!

A sharp-witted satire of the manga world from the creator of I Am Here! and Missions of Love!

Review:

I was not quite expecting this. I’ve read and enjoyed both of Toyama’s other series released, and was looking forward to picking this one up as well. Her art is just so pretty, and her characters are also very enjoyable. And given that her two other series were rather different from each other, I was looking forward to seeing what this one was going to bring to the table.

I was definitely expecting a reverse-harem romance, along with some comedy. But this is actually pretty straight-forward with the manga-making parody. It’s full of comedy, and while there are some hints of romance (since Kanna is very inexperienced and is suddenly surrounded by three boys), none of it is really brought to the forefront. There isn’t really even a leaning toward one particular boy. It’s more comedy, all around.

And the comedy bits are quite funny. Kanna is a new mangaka, having debuting but still trying to make a name for herself. And the three boys want to become rich mangaka, only they’re thinking about everything but actually drawing manga. And the chapters are short, too, dealing with one of the boys’ ideas at a time, like a pseudonym or research by reading or what to do with the money. The boys are similar, but different enough—one a quiet ‘smart’ type, the cutesy boy, and the happy-go-lucky type. Then we meet a new boy at the end, who seems to have a problem with people debuting. Not to mention that they’re in a manga program at school, consisting of them, with no real teacher. It all adds up to a lot hilarity, and frustration for loner Kanna.

There are only three volumes in this series, and I’m looking forward to reading more, especially now that I’m expecting comedy. This should be good.