Manga Review: Yona of the Dawn, Volume 16, by Mizuho Kusanagi

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2019

Volumes: 29+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 15. 17.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A red-haired princess loses her family and her kingdom… Now she must rise and fight for her throne!

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess of her kingdom. Doted on by her father, the king, and protected by her faithful guard Hak, she cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, Su-won. But everything changes on her 16th birthday when tragedy strikes her family!

A large fleet of ships from South Kai heads to Sensui at drug trafficker Hyo’s behest. Will Yona and her friends be able to thwart Hyo’s nefarious plans and stop these enemy forces? And what will happen to Yona when an infuriated Hyo attacks her?

Review:

Finally, the confrontation between Hak and Su-Won. Yona's been dealing with it without causing conflict, but by watching and being guarded. Hak has a very different reaction, because his main worry is protecting and avenging Yona.

No one else understands what's happening until later.

After that big moment, they seem to forget about Hyo. They've dealt with him somewhat, and it seems like they're leaving Riri to help with what she can without them. I do appreciate that Riri has grown stronger, how Yona was able to help her and impress upon her. It was a good relationship for both of them, I think.

I'm still a bit conflicted about Su-Won. I want to hate him, but he also appears conflicted. He did what he thought he needed to, but he still has a bond with Yona and Hak, and he doesn't seem to want to hurt them. That doesn't mean he won't, though. It's hard to tell what he plans next and what he's willing to do.

I'm a bit confused by the ending of the plot with Hyo, because Su-Won seemed to take all of the rest of the volume. I'm not sure where they're going next.

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

Manga Review: Don't Be Cruel, Volume 7, by Yonezou Nekota

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 2018

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1&2. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

When a playboy falls for a nerd, chemistry results in an explosive reaction!

Playboy Maya catches studious Nemugasa cheating on a test, and to ensure his silence, Maya blackmails Nemugasa into doing whatever he wants! But is this merely just a ruse so Maya can spend more alone time with him?

After spending a blissful night wrapped in each other’s arms, Maya and Nemugasa get a rude awakening when Maya’s dad arrives unexpectedly, catching them in bed together! Unfazed by his father’s disapproval of their relationship, Maya moves out on his own, and even though he’s been cut off from his credit cards and his family’s financial support, Maya’s love for Nemugasa only grows. There’s just one tiny complication. With no place to stay, Maya is forced to crash with the last person he wants anywhere near his beloved Nemugasa—Shimakawa!

Review:

Maya's father discovers him and Nemugasa together, and thus he's forced to confess. While his father isn't necessarily against it as a homophobic thing (though he doesn't understand), he has a hard time believing it, and decides that he's not going to support Maya any longer. Which means Maya is out on his own.

Maya's father is making this hard on him, and in result also making Akira's decisions harder, but I don't think the consequences are as bad as they could be. Maya has a job, and starts working more, while deciding about school, because now he has bills. But he ends up rooming with Naoya, which actually works out well, despite their differences. They fight, but they also stay out of each others business, and I think they do actually work well together, even without meaning to. And it's hard to dislike Maya's father, because he does care and dote on Maya, and he even bonds with Nemugasa at one point over their love of Maya.

Aside from them, we got quite a bit of focus on Akira and Naoya. Akira doesn't want to discuss his feelings, and he has a hard time being open about his wants with Naoya, but he takes the opportunities that he can in order to further their relationship. There's some development in their relationship here, and I'm interested to see how he reacts to their fathers decision in the future.

Aside from the drama, this volume was very steamy. There were several really hot scenes between both couples. It was good.

This is probably one of my favorite yaoi series. It's hot, and sweet, and I love the characters. I want more like this.

Manga Review: Dr. Stone, Volume 3, by Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi

Rating (Out of 5): ~2.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: Light.

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Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Imagine waking to a world where every last human has been mysteriously turned to stone...

One fateful day, all of humanity turned to stone. Many millennia later, Taiju frees himself from the petrification and finds himself surrounded by statues. The situation looks grim—until he runs into his science-loving friend Senku! Together they plan to restart civilization with the power of science!

Upon arriving at Kohaku’s village, Senku schemes to make allies out of the villagers. First up is Chrome, whom Senku wins over after beating him in a scientific battle of wits. Their first big task? Concocting a panacea to cure Kohaku’s older sister, Ruri.

Review:

Now that Senku has found a girl, he learns there's a whole village of people surviving, but they're not very welcoming to strangers.

This starts a test for Senku, as he wants to use this new knowledge, and decides to prove himself by pushing their technology forward. Thus, he decides to invent something to impress them all.

I really don't like this series. All of the characters are extremely dumb, so that it makes Senku look brilliant. I thought I was going to like this new girl, but she's just okay. I don't really care for any of the characters at this point, and am annoyed by a lot of them. I'm also really annoyed by the stereotypical characteristics and plots and how dumbed down everything is.

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

Manga Review: Tokyo Ghoul: re, Volume 1, by Sui Ishida

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 16.

Spoilers?: No.

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Tokyo Ghoul 14. Tokyo Ghoul: re 2.

Goodreads Synopsis:

In the world of Tokyo Ghoul, sometimes the only way to fight monsters is to become one…

The Commission of Counter Ghoul is the only organization fighting the Ghoul menace, and they will use every tool at their disposal to protect humanity from its ultimate predator. Their newest weapon in this hidden war is an experimental procedure that implants human investigators with a Ghoul’s Kagune, giving them Ghoul powers and abilities. But both the procedure and the newly formed Qs Squad are untested. Will they become heroes…or monsters?!

Haise Sasaki has been tasked with teaching Qs Squad how to be outstanding Investigators, but his assignment is complicated by the troublesome personalities of his subordinates and his own uncertain grasp of his Ghoul powers. Can he pull this ragtag group together as a team, or will Qs Squad’s first assignment be their last?

Review:

I took a break after the previous series ended, and I really wasn't sure if I wanted to read more. I was conflicted after the ending.

I've finally decided to continue this series, and after this volume... Well, I'm glad I continued, but now I'm a little confused.

As the volume started, I was very confused by when it was taking place, what all had passed, and who a lot of these people were. It wasn't until the last quarter of the volume, that some things started to make sense. But really, that only connected a couple dots, gave me more questions, but made me a lot more interested to keep reading. So, it did the job, quite well.

The world of the ghouls and the kagune and all that is a little confusing to me. There's a lot to understand, and a lot has seemed to change. Then there's this new squad, with Mutsuki and Haise and Urie and Shirazu. I'm intrigued by each of these characters, but I'm not sure what to think of them yet, or where they're going.

I'm very intrigued by Haise, but I want to know what happened that led him here, how things have changed so much. I will admit that some of this makes sense, because it always seemed like we needed to be inside the CCG, with them to see what they're doing.

I'm confused and intrigued. I'm also impressed with a lot of this. Even just the writing—it leaves you interested, and some of the character and technical choices were really thoughtful and done well, particularly with how Urie speaks and thinks.

I'm intrigued, and look forward to catching up.

Manga Review: The Promised Neverland, Volume 7, by Kaiu Shirai and Posuka Demizu

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2018

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: Yes.

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Volume: 1. 6. 8.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The children of the Grace Field House orphanage must escape a macabre fate before it’s too late.

Life at Grace Field House is good for Emma and her fellow orphans. While the daily studying and exams they have to take are tough, their loving caretaker provides them with delicious food and plenty of playtime. But perhaps not everything is as it seems…

Review:

The kids make it to the shelter, and they meet an adult there, but he's also an escapee, and he doesn't want to share the shelter with them. Despite them all being so young, and there being so many in such a small place, the group of kids know how to take care of themselves, and how to live on as little as they can. And they're rather good at out-smarting an adult, even under pressure.

The shelter gives them some new information, but it seems to be giving more questions than answers. It's a safe place to live in, but for how long? So Emma and Ray make a deal with the man, to venture outside and see if they can get to somewhere else, to see if they can find William Minerva, who is still a mystery.

This series throws so many twists out. I'm often surprised, and worried, but so far they've overcome most of it. I can't wait to see where this goes next.

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

Manga Review: Waiting for Spring, Volume 9, by Anashin

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: November 2018

Volumes: 11+

Spoilers?: Light.

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Volume: 1. 8. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A sweet shojo story of a soft-spoken high school freshman and her quest to make friends, Waiting for Spring will delight fans of earnest, fun, and dramatic shojo like Kimi ni Todoke and Say I Love You.

Mizuki is a shy girl who's about to enter high school, and vows to open herself up to new friendships. Of course, the four stars of the boys' basketball team weren't exactly the friends she had in mind! Yet, when they drop by the café where she works, the five quickly hit it off. Soon she's been accidentally thrust into the spotlight, targeted by jealous girls. And will she expand her mission to include... love?

Review:

We get some surprising drama involving Nana in this volume. Turns out she had a pretty impressive ex-boyfriend, who she's a little stuck on still, and then he shows back up. When Ryuji finds out, it depresses him, but he actually ends up trying to be very mature about it. I think it shows how true his feelings for Nana really are, and it's sweet how she reacts to that, as well. I was pleasantly surprised with how this plot line turned out, and I rather like Nana and Ryuji, if they ever get going.

Aside from that sweetness, Aya is causing more drama for Mitsuki. After confessing to her, he saves her again, only this time he ends up hurting himself. When Mitsuki finds out, it makes her more determined to help him. This triangle between Aya, Towa, and Mitsuki is getting very messy, I think. Aya is making it more complicated, while Towa and Mitsuki are trying to take it slow and grow enough first. It's very... annoying, at this point. Frustrating.

This is still a very fun series, and I love the sweet little romantic moments. I'm looking forward to the next one, as always.

Manga Review: Haikyu!!, Volume 30, by Haruichi Furudate

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 37+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 29. 31.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Shoyo Hinata is out to prove that in volleyball you don't need to be tall to fly!

Ever since he saw the legendary player known as "the Little Giant" compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?

Review:

The first half of this volume was all about Ryunosuke, and honestly, I'm all for it. We get to see what happened when he first joined the team, as he's faced with a tough opponent, and is determined to stay upbeat even though he hasn't done much in this game yet. He struggles, but it doesn't last very long. Ryu is pretty optimistic, which annoys his teammates after a point. He doesn't let himself get down. This also counts for love, and I'm intrigued by his devotion to Kiyoko. It makes me feel bad for his childhood friend, though.

In the latter half of the volume, we got to see Nekoma's game, and this meant a backstory on Kenma. This was also really interesting to me. I like Kenma a lot, and enjoy his odd friendship with Hinata. Seeing what made him join volleyball, and his long friendship with Kuroo, was nice. It also made me understand him and his gaming obsession better. It makes me like his contrasting friendship with Hinata even more.

I'm excited to see what happens next in the game. It look like Nishinoya is next, and I'm also excited to see his story, because I love him as well.

I love most of these characters, though, to be fair.

Manga Review: Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, Volume 26, by Yuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki, and Yuki Morisaki

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump Advanced (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2018

Volumes: 34+

Spoilers: No.

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Volume: 1. 24. 27.

Goodreads Synopsis:

An action-packed, saucy food comedy featuring one boy’s determination to be top chef!

Soma Yukihira’s old man runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town. Aiming to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, Soma hones his skills day in and day out until one day, out of the blue, his father decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school! Can Soma really cut it in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate? And can he convince the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school that he belongs there at all?!

Soma and the resistance have swept the first bout of the team shokugeki! But they can’t rest on their laurels, as the second bout is soon to begin. With the Council of Ten’s pride on the line, who will Central send out to protect it? And will Kuga’s desire for a rematch with Tsukasa affect the lineup?

Review:

Since Soma competed in the first round, he gets to watch as the next group is selected and their competition starts. There are some very minor characters in this round (to me, at least), but then there's Kuga against Tsukasa. I have always been an odd fan of Tsukasa, and Kuga is also a really fun character to me. It's interesting to see them get a rematch, as Kuga sees it.

This volumes contains most of the shokugeki, and next we'll get to see who's dish came out better. I wasn't all that invested in most of this, as most of these characters aren't really on my radar. Half of them were, I suppose, but a lot of the volume featured backstory stuff, too.

Eh. This was an all right volume, fun but a little meh at times. 

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

Manga Review: Again!!, Volume 2, by Mitsurou Kubo

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: April 2018

Volumes: 12.

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 3.

Goodreads Synopsis:

To Keep the Flame Burning

Kinichiro's traveled back in time, and whether this is reality or just an incredibly realistic dream, he's doing high school all over again. He's decided that bringing the school's ouendan cheer squad back from the brink of dissolution is the key to a better high school life, but it might take some begging to get there. Kinichiro's not much good at begging--but a former ouendan member known as the "Master of Groveling" might be able to pull it off...

Review:

Kinichiro is determined to make this ouendan club a success at the assembly, and so he tries to get the old members to come back, and he tries to get the current members to not ditch at the last second. He has quite a failure attempt at it, too, which is disheartening to him, and leads to him going it alone.

It's rather an uphill battle for him.

It leads to a temporary success for him, as he officially gets to join the club. Afterward, we get to see, once again, that Aki is messing up her new school life. She's so used to her great present time, that she's screwed everything up, since she forgot to act like she used to. Ruining the future and acting all uppity has ruined her friendships, and now her future boyfriend thinks she's crazy. It's not going so good for her.

Now that they've passed one hurdle, I'm not sure what's coming up next for the Ouendan club. But I'm definitely enjoying their personal life changes and struggles.

Manga Review: My Hero Academia, Volume 17, by Kohei Horikoshi

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2019

Volumes: 23+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 16. 18.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Midoriya inherits the superpower of the world’s greatest hero, but greatness won’t come easy.

What would the world be like if 80 percent of the population manifested superpowers called “Quirks”? Heroes and villains would be battling it out everywhere! Being a hero would mean learning to use your power, but where would you go to study? The Hero Academy of course! But what would you do if you were one of the 20 percent who were born Quirkless?

The raid on the Hassaikai gang is in full swing, and the heroes plunge into the darkness toward their ultimate confrontation. Lemillion engages Overhaul in an attempt to rescue Eri, and the battle reaches a new level of intensity. Midoriya is desperate to help his mentor, but what fate has Nighteye foreseen for them all in this clash? And does the key to Midoriya’s survival lie in Eri herself?

Review:

We get to see why the villains joined the yakuza, and it's a rather iffy cooperation. Two of them have agreed, temporarily and on shaky grounds, to help the yakuza.

When they finally reach Overhaul and Eri, it's rough. Mirio is set on helping Eri and doing everything he can to get her safe. There are a lot of battles going on, and they're all rough on the heroes. The villains, too, I suppose. The villains are determined to hurt and stall and win, while the heroes have hope and belief that they can do this, and they're putting everything they have into winning.

I really like Mirio, and I think him and Deku can make a good pair. They both have a strong sense of what's right and they do everything they can to accomplish that and to save people. They both have very good, strong spirits.

We see glimpses of Mirio's history here, and glimpses of what's happened to Eri and what's broken her. Finally getting to see hope bloom inside her, when she realizes she might be able to get out of this and not hurt people, and that these heroes are doing this for her, is a really strong moment. It's a really powerful message, too.

I'm really impressed with how all of this has been handled so far, the meaning and what's happened to the heroes. I'm wondering how it's going to wrap it all up.