Manga Review: Red Riding Hood and the Big Sad Wolf!, Volume 2, by Hachoujou Arata

Rating (Out of 5): ~2

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 2.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1.

 

Goodreads Synopsis:

 

 “MY, WHAT BIG TEARS YOU HAVE!”

Love burns–especially when you’re a sensitive wolf who’s caught the eye of a sadistic pyromaniac! After incinerating Wolf’s home, Red Riding Hood has decided she’s going to marry him…but her parents have other plans. They want her to marry the lofty narcissist, Hawk, who sees Red as nothing but a pretty doll. Will it be wedding bells or wedding hell for Red Riding Hood and the Wolf? Find out in Volume 2 of this sadistic romantic comedy!

 

Review:

 

Everyone continues to torment Wolf in this final volume, whether because they want to or because he stumbles into situations in the woods. Red Riding Hood is still heavily chasing after him, including attempting to force him into a wedding.

I will say I'm glad that the ending didn't actually end in a sweet romance, though it also makes sense that it wouldn't given the comedy style. But still, I really didn't care for any of this. The humor might just not be my style, because I didn't really enjoy most of it. I also didn't particularly care for the characters, either.

I would say this was meh, but I was actually bothered by the torture of Wolf too much to even say that.

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, A Run, Volume 8, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: March 2020

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST

For Shiva’s sake, another life must be sacrificed. Teacher thought he had steeled himself to commit the deed, but perhaps some lingering trace of his humanity stilled his hand. Unable to harm others, he realizes the only recourse is to instead sacrifice himself. But what remains once the soul is gone?

Review:

Things take a drastic turn for the worst in this volume.

When Teacher sees just what's happening with Shiva, he makes a sacrifice that no one knew he had the option of, and it completely changes his status as outsider. It changes things for her, too, since suddenly he's not the teacher she knew, and everything is thrown in motion when they're attacked again. Shiva is forced to do quite a bit of growing up, here. It's a lot for her to take.

I don't have any idea how they're going to recover after this, and it's apparently going to be a little while for another volume. I'll be waiting anxiously.

Manga Review: Penguindrum, Volume 1, by Isuzu Shibata, ikunichawder, and Lily Hoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: December 2019

Volumes: 5.

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

PENGUIN POWER

Twins Kanba and Shoma live with their terminally ill little sister, Himari. One day, they visit the aquarium, a place full of warm memories for Himari, but she suddenly falls ill—and dies! At that very moment, a voice cries out, “Survival Tactic!” and Himari, wearing a penguin hat, comes back to life…?!

Review:

Himari is seriously sick, and her older brothers Kanba and Shoma are determined to take care of her and give her as much joy as they can. When she falls ill again, suddenly some other being seems to take over her body and the twins make a deal with it, willing to do anything to keep her alive.

I have mixed feelings about this. I did find the plot intriguing, and the way Himari turns into this almost robotic magical girl is really neat to me. This caught my eye first because of the art and how much I liked Hoshino's Kigurumi Guardians series, and this is quite pretty as well.

But I'm not quite sure where this is going after this volume, as the main plot is a little unclear to me. I also have suspicions about one of the boys being in love with Himari, and that makes me super wary of reading more.

There were good and bad things about this first volume, and while I'm still intrigued to read more and find out what the plot really is, I'm also wary of where any romance might be going. I'm unsure if I'll read more.

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run, Volume 7, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: August 2019

Volume: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

OF MONSTERS AND MEN

Hounded by two transformed soldiers desperate for salvation and with Teacher reeling from revelations about his own forgotten former life, the past finally catches up to Teacher and Shiva. With danger closing in around them at terrifying speed, is there nowhere safe for them to live a normal life together…?

Review:

This feels like the first real fight in this series to this point. Separated, Teacher and Shiva have to face their own enemy and attempt to get out okay. It puts Shiva through a pretty dangerous, scary situation, when she's still getting over the previous traumas.

A surprise is thrown at us here. A surprise we've all been dreading, which pushes Teacher into some dark and dramatic acts. It pushes him to a new low, somewhere he's considering going only for Shiva.

It's unclear what they're going to do next. Teacher is struggling with what he thinks he needs to do and what options he actually has, given that there's no real way of knowing how this is going to turn out. There's no way of knowing what will work here.

This was a hard volume. It's harsh, more so than previous volumes have been. And it doesn't look like it'll be getting any easier any time soon.

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run, Volume 6, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: March 2019

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

FAR FROM HOME

Pursued by soldiers, Teacher and Shiva left their home and searched for a new one in a distant hamlet. They thought to hide away there, but fate was not so kind to them. The cursed soldiers… The Insiders’ plans… Even Teacher himself. The mysteries surrounding them slowly begin coming to light…

Review:

Teacher and Shiva arrive at their new home in this volume. Shiva is still dealing with her mourning of her aunt, as well as her new feelings about herself. She's still processing and dealing with all of this. And during all of this, Teacher is given new doubts about his own history, how he's different from the the other outsiders, and what that might mean. He's starting to wonder about his past, since he doesn't remember any of it.

This is all leading to that terrible cliffhanger. This could be terribly bad for either of them, though I'm hopeful that they'll be okay.

Manga Review: Go For It, Nakamura! by Syundei

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: 2018

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

Nakamura has fallen in love-at-first-sight with one of his classmates, Hirose–but there's a problem: they haven't actually met yet... and Nakamura is a total klutz who might bungle things before they even begin!

Review:

This is a very lighthearted, one-shot manga. It actually has a shonen feel to it. It's mainly an all-boy cast, featuring Nakamura, who's got a crush on Hirose, the pretty, happy-go-lucky boy in his class. This stars Nakamura's attempts at getting closer to Hirose, some failed and some successes.

This was an okay story. It doesn't particularly stand out to me, but I enjoyed it. I will admit I usually read the more smutty yaoi stories, whereas this is more friendship-focused and sweet, with some funny high school antics involved.

It was fun to read, though, and I'm intrigued by the managakas other story, since I know it's a very different genre while still yaoi. I'm intrigued by that aspect, the diversity of it.

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run, Volume 5, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: September 2018

Volumes: 9+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Accursed Child

What Teacher feared most if true - the child Shiva has been afflicted with the curse of the Outsiders. Yet somehow, even touched by that blight, she remains human. How can it be possible? And what of the Insiders, and the revelation from their Holy Father? His divine words portend trouble for Shiva and Teacher alike...

Review:

There was a time when things seemed calm and relaxed—not any more, oh no no.

Shiva learns about her aunt rather quickly, which means that Teacher has to confess some things to her, like how he's been holding things back from her. Even for a little girl, she's very upset about this.

This is honestly one of the first true moments they feel like father and daughter. Shiva throws a fit, but understandably, and Teacher has to try to reason with her while in a crises, try to be reasonable but also firm, even when she starts to get to him. When they're yelling at each other and Shiva's locked him out of her room—one of my absolute favorite moments of this series so far. I laughed, it was adorable, but also so sweet, and real.

Near the end of the volume, they're off to a new place, somewhere they'll hopefully be hidden for a while, as we're learning more about what's different about Shiva.

This was a solid volume, and this series only gets better the more I read.

Manga Review: Become You, Volume 1, by Ichigo Takano

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: September 2019

Volumes: 1+

Spoilers?: No.

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Goodreads Synopsis:

A new high school drama from the Eisner-nominated creator of orange!

Ashie Taiyou is a high school musician with dreams of stardom, but when his bandmates quit on him, it feels like his dreams are slipping away. In an act of desperation, Taiyou strong-arms his sullen classmate Hikari into forming a band with him. Can the two boys turn their dreams into reality? Creator Ichigo Takano–of orange and Dreamin’ Sun fame–collaborated with band Kobukuro around the song Kimi ni Nare in Japan, creating this manga as part of a multimedia expression of hope for a brighter future.

Review:

Taiyou wants to play music, but his friends want to focus on school. When he discovers that Hikaru used to play, he tries convincing him to join in.

Hikaru has a clearly bad history, which is why he's so resistant. Taiyou has a very bright outlook, though, and keeps trying; he's also not afraid to try by himself, if it comes to it.

I don't mind either of the characters in this volume, though I didn't really grow attached to either of them. Then Taiyou has a girl friend that shows up, and she's sweet and supportive. There was no real romance hinted at here, though. Honestly, when I saw the book, I thought it might be leaning more in yaoi or shonen-ai territory. Maybe just a basic bromance or friendship story, though, is also possible.

This was a sweet volume, but it didn't really stand out to me. Honestly, I really liked orange, but then I didn't stick with her other series. I'm a bit iffy on this one.

Manga Review: Classmates: Sotsu Gyo Sei, Volume 2, by Asumiko Nakamura

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 3+?

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

SHELTER FROM THE COLD

Though Rihito’s always been a loner, lately he’s grown close to his classmate, Hikaru. The two of them have even fallen in love and tentatively started dating. But when Rihito’s mother ends up in the hospital, the stress of it all becomes too much for him. Hikaru wants to be there for Rihito, but can Rihito learn to open his heart and rely on another person?

Review:

At first glance, this seems like just a pretty, school boy, yaoi series. But there's so much maturity wrapped in this series.

Rihito and Hikaru are still getting used to being in a relationship, hiding it and growing comfortable around each other. And during this, there's still the teacher clinging to Rihito. Honestly, that's the only skeevy part of this series, how the teacher is clearly into Rihito, and that Rihito doesn't seem to realize fully. At least the teacher knows he shouldn't do anything and holds back, at least for the most part.

Rihito is shy and embarrassed easily, which holds Hikaru back a bit, I think. Near the end of the volume, it seems Rihito might be opening himself up to Hikaru a bit more, though, which is good.

There's one moment in this volume that really hit me. At one point, Rihito acknowledges that he and Hikaru are each others, but also they're still their own people. While they give each other pieces, they shouldn't give every piece of themselves away. This surprised me and was done in a really sweet way that hit me, and I just really appreciated the acknowledgment of it.

I've become quite a fan of this series at this point. I really appreciate what it's doing, and the artwork is so pretty. I can't wait to read the next one.

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run, Volume 4, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: March 2018

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH

Shiva's little white lie has had devastating consequences. While she reels from the shock of the horrific events that have unfolded, Auntie reveals to Teacher how Shiva came to live under her roof--and the cruel fate that awaits all who are afflicted by the curse.

Review:

Both Teacher and Shiva's Aunt seem to want what's best for Shiva, and thus they're both very distrustful of each other. Shiva's Aunt reveals how she came upon Shiva, but then the curse seems to be working on her differently than we've seen at this point, though that might be explaining some things as well.

It seemed like Shiva was getting a larger group, getting to form a family, but that seems too hopeful now.

This series is still very strong for me, and getting deeper.

Manga Review: Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare, Volume 3, by Yuhki Kamatani

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: September 2019

Volumes: 4.

Spoilers?: Light.

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Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR

When Tasuku attends a workshop organized by Cat Clutter, the last person he is expecting to see there shows up: his crush, Tsubaki! Is this the beginning of a dream come true?

Review:

After the last volume, Tasuku is still getting over his fight with Misora and worrying about what Tsubaki knows. This leads to Tsubaki suddenly helping out with the remodel business, and thus being around Tasuku a lot.

There's some interesting themes confronted in this volume. One of the characters at Cat Clutter is trans and this causes some issues when someone from his past shows up. And Tasuku gets to see when someone around him stands up for an lgbt issue during a conversation. While all of this is happening, he's growing closer to Tsubaki, only for Tsubaki to freak out about it because of his own denial issues.

This series is rough. The way these issues are handled are realistic and hard to take some times, but I'm so glad to see this kind of representation because of it. These issues shouldn't be denied and shameful in the way that they are here, and yet it's true still.

Highly recommend.

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, a Run, Volume 3, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Homecoming

Shiva's aunt has come to the Outside to bring her home, with several soldiers in tow. Alarmed at this show of force, Teacher tries to protect Shiva, but to no avail. Meanwhile, chaos threatens to engulf the small hamlet on the Inside. Where does Shiva truly belong?

Review:

Shiva's aunt has come, only nothing is as it seems, really.

This volume really upped the creepy factor. During most of this volume, I was wary and cautious and I didn't trust anything. Everything felt like a lie or a trick and I was scared for Shiva. She's just a sweet little girl, and all the adults are being terrible.

Unsurprisingly, this only leads to more devastation, and now Shiva is starting to think that it might be her fault, that she's causing more harm. It's awful.

Meeting her aunt opens new information, though, as it looks like there might be more to Shiva's story, and her significance with the curse, than we already thought there was.

I'm entranced with this series. I'm intrigued and purely enjoying it, and will be getting the next one very soon.

Manga Review: The Girl from the Other Side: Siuil, A Run, Volume 2, by Nagabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Untouchable

To be touched by an Outsider is to become an Outsider. A clawed, black hand reaches out to touch Shiva's cheek in her sleep. The hand does not belong to Teacher. Who is this strange new Outsider, and what do its creepy murmurings about "mother" portend?

Enter a fantasy realm shrouded in mystery, in a dark fairy tale-like setting for fans of The Ancient Magus' Bride.

Review:

Shiva getting touched and almost-attacked by a different Other freaks Teacher out, but Shiva's curiosity is what makes them explore this potential solution. It's unclear how this Otherness is spread, but it's very apparent that it happens somehow, and each side has their own theories.

Meeting these new Others adds a new foreboding feeling to the book. They're very odd creatures, who even Teacher doesn't quite understand, though he tries. He wants to find a cure for this, and he wants to keep Shiva safe.

Meanwhile, the humans from the Inside know that Shiva is out there and believe she's dangerous. Thus, they're planning an attack.

This series is so good and yet sometimes hard to read. There's more darkness to it than I expected, and it's frustrating and sad at times. I just want Shiva and Teacher to be okay and happy, and all these people are trying to ruin it.

Manga Review: The Ancient Magus' Bride, Volume 9, by Kore Yamazaki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: September 2018

Volumes: 12+

Spoilers?: Very light.

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Volume: 1. 8. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A Deal with the Devil

Elias hoped to break the deadly draconic curse that weighs upon Chise–but his methods have created a rift between them. Now Chise prepares to make a gamble of her own: What could she possibly hope to gain from a bargain with Cartaphilus? It is a time of curses cast and forks in the road. Will the paths of master and apprentice soon diverge…?

Review:

We finally get to see what happened to Chise in this volume.

As she's with Josef, there's a struggle between them. And then Chise is forced to go back and watch her past. We see when she was younger, when things were good... and then when things turned bad. The contrast feels like it should be unbelievable, because you don't want to believe that a person can change so much, can turn in such a way. But it happens. The way that it's handled, and the way that Chise overcomes it and how she is forced to accept and decide regarding it, was really well done. I appreciated her stance on what happened.

And then we see Josef's past.

It's all very sad and messy, and it results in an equally messy end. Though I think that Chise comes out of it all right, even for the better in some ways.

After all of that, it looks like a new plot line is starting. They're off to a new journey, and I'm intrigued by where it will go next.

Manga Review: Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare, Volume 2, by Yuhki Kamatani

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 4.

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

HELP OR HINDRANCE?

Tasuku is starting to feel at home at the drop-in center―just in time for him to help a younger student who also hangs out there. Misora Shuji likes to wear girls’ clothing but is unsure about their gender identity. Will Tasuku’s guidance offer Shuji some clarity or just make things harder?

Review:

There's a really harsh moment in this volume, just as a warning.

We officially meet Misora, a boy who likes dressing as a girl. This introduces a new aspect to the story, as Misora states he's not gay, he just likes dressing as a girl—and also explores the idea of not really knowing who he is yet. He's younger than Tasuku, and gives Tasuku a moment to help and be there for someone going through something similarly difficult.

It all goes down when Tasuku and Misora go out to a festival. Misora is confronted with a harsh part of being a woman, and he doesn't quite handle it well—not that anyone should, really. But he reacts by blowing up at Tasuku, in a very public, harsh way.

I appreciate the point of view that Misora presents here, but I don't particularly care for the way he talks. He's very brash with his words, which perhaps Tasuku needs. He blatantly uses the word fag, and how he treats Tasuku when he freaks out is just not okay. It was a really hard moment to read.

It also looks like Tasuku's crush is going to do something in the next volume. It's unclear where he stands on these things, but I suspect we'll find out soon.

I am really glad that this is being released. I think it's an important story. Plus, the artwork is gorgeous—I love the imagination used here. And those color pages at the beginning of this volume are just gorgeous.