Manga Review: The Water Dragon's Bride, Volume 8, by Rei Toma

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 11.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A modern-day girl gets whisked away to a strange land where she is sacrificed to a water dragon god!

In the blink of an eye, a modern-day girl named Asahi is whisked away from her warm and happy home and stranded in a strange and mysterious world where she meets a water dragon god!

Asahi is captured by a human who’s using the god of darkness to take over the world! Trapped in the underworld, Asahi resolves to figure out the true intention of this ruthless boy while the water dragon god and Subaru form a tag team to try and save her!

Review:

In the first half of the volume, we get to see how Asahi deals with being locked in darkness, and what kind of connection she has with both Subaru and the Water Dragon God. She has come a long way since she was first transported here and taken by the Water Dragon God. At this point, when faced with a cruel god, she doesn't cower anymore. It's really nice to see how far she's come.

But then we're left with a cliffhanger, as the second half of the volume is taken up with backstory on these new characters. It's interesting to see the boy and the god of the underworld, to see how he got there and what a different life he's had when compared to Asahi. They're very similar, but with very different perspectives, I think.

I really need to know what happens next between Asahi and the Water Dragon God. I'm so hooked.

Manga Review: Kaze Hikaru, Volume 26, by Taeko Watanabe

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: August 2018

Volumes: 42+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 24. 27.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A historical romance set in the time of Rurouni Kenshin!

In the 1860s in Japan, a new era is dawning. During this time fraught with violent social upheaval, samurai of all walks of life flock to Kyoto in the hope of joining a band of warriors united around their undying loyalty to the shogunate system. This group becames one of the greatest (and most infamous) movements in Japanese history…the Shinsengumi!

Kondo, disillusioned by the weakened state of the Shogunate, returns from Hiroshima in despair. Upon his return, he moves in with his mistress Mikyuki. Hijikata is on high alert, and he observes the couple very closely. What are Miyuki’s true motives?

Review:

There's some drama between Kondo and his new bride, Miyuki-Dayu in this volume. She's been denying him, and he's trying to be understanding, while his council are not quite as much. It's causing some issues, and when she explains why she's having a hard time to Kondo, he tries to help as much as he can.

Okita is basically an observer during this. They talk and he helps where he can, but Miyuki is running most of this show. And when her sister shows up, even more conflict shows up. I was wary of Miyuki during most of this, and while the concluding decision is a bit sad, it's also kind of sweet. It's a hard choice to make, between sisters and romantic love.

We see another sad parting in the last part of the book. It's sad, but honorable, I suppose.

I'm not big on historical stories, but I do like the way this is told. It's not too serious, but still handles serious matters and relationships. The art style makes it fun, I think.

 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 10, by Anashin

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Kodansha Comics

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 11+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volume: 1. 9. 11.

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 caf� 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:

Since Aya is still healing, Towa suggests they all go to a hot springs that's supposed to be good for that. It ends up being a big group event, with everyone going, though some more reluctant than others. We see that Aya, who initially refused, has some underhanded tactics. Towa isn't interested in him at all, only doing this for Mitsuki, but Kyosuke sees right through Aya.

Despite the rocky way this starts, the group ends up getting along rather well. They all have different ideals and ways of looking at things, and there are some interesting discussions during this trip. There are also some pretty sweet moments between Mitsuki and Towa. That ending, in particular... Oh man, they're so cute.

I really like this series. The guy friendship is very real, and I love seeing the guys hanging out. I also really like Nana, and of course the main romance. Aya keeps me constantly conflicted; I want to hate him, but then he makes me like him about halfway through. He's not a bad guy, but I'm never quite sure what he's planning. I do think he doesn't treat Mitsuki equally, though, and instead acts like he has to protect and shelter her, and that's not fair to her. Which is just more of a reason that she is better with Towa—those two are on very even footing.

I can't wait for the next one, of course. Following this series very closely.

Manga Review: D. Gray-Man, Volume 25, by Katsura Hoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shonen Jump Advanced (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2017

Volumes: 25+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 24.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A cursed teenage boy saves mankind one soul at a time.

Set in a fictional 19th century England, D.Gray-man is the story of Allen Walker, a boy who roams the earth in search of Innocence. Washed away to unknown parts of the world after The Great Flood, Innocence is the mysterious substance used to create weapons that obliterate demons known as akuma.

After a savage battle, Allen and the Millennium Earl, leader of the akuma, confront each other not as themselves but as mysterious entities that came into being as seeming twin brothers during an even more mysterious episode in the Earl’s past. Nea, the twin inhabiting Allen, has a mission: to destroy Mana, the one inhabiting the Earl. But then some of Allen’s erstwhile allies in the battle against the akuma show up at exactly the wrong moment—for them!

Review:

I know so little about this series, as I've not read or watched any of it, really. And it's always seemed like an odd shonen series, something in the vein of typical, crazy story lines. But the artwork is actually really pretty, and there are a lot of really pretty, pointed scenes in this volume.

The first half of this volume was rather interesting, as there's a big confrontation, and a reveal. I wish I knew more about the characters, and had more of a connection to what was happening, because it would have been a really good scene to follow closer, I think.

If given the chance, I might read more of this series, or watch it. I'm a bit intrigued.

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

Comic Review: Wires and Nerve: Volume 2 - Gone Rogue (The Lunar Chronicles series) by Marissa Meyer and Stephen Gilpin

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Release Date: January 2018

Volumes: 2.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Book 1.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Iko – an audacious android and best friend to the Lunar Queen Cinder – has been tasked with hunting down Alpha Lysander Steele, the leader of a rogue band of bioengineered wolf-soldiers who threaten to undo the tenuous peace agreement between Earth and Luna. Unless Cinder can reverse the mutations that were forced on them years before, Steele and his soldiers plan to satisfy their monstrous appetites with a massacre of the innocent people of Earth.

And to show he’s serious, Steele is taking hostages.

Cinder and Kai, Scarlet and Wolf, Cress and Thorne, and Winter and Jacin all feature in this epic new battle. But it is Iko who must face her deepest fears when she uncovers the truth about her own unusual programming.

Review:

I didn't realize that this series was only two volumes long, or I would have read it faster.

I didn't mind the plot line in this series. We get to see Iko adventure out on her own, hunting down the beasts, and trying to stop Alpha Steele from his nefarious plans. Of course, she gets to meet up with the rest of the group at different intervals, as they are always there for each other and ready to help when it's needed. I did like getting to see Iko grow into her own, explore her humanity and what makes her who she is when she's a robot, and her relationship with Kinney grow.

While I might not have loved the actual plot of this particular spin-off—any more time that I get with this group of characters is the best. Getting to see Cress and Thorne, Scarlet and Wolf, and Cinder and Thorne together again is always my favorite.

I really think this series would make an amazing TV show. It would have to be a long one, and it would be amazing.

Manga Review: The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Volume 13, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 15+

Spoilers?: No.

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Volumes: 1. 12. 14.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Himari Momochi inherits a mysterious house that comes with its own gorgeous demon guardian.

On her sixteenth birthday, orphan Himari Momochi inherits her ancestral estate that she's never seen. Momochi House exists on the barrier between the human and spiritual realms, and Himari is meant to act as guardian between the two worlds. But on the day she moves in, she finds three handsome squatters already living in the house, and one seems to have already taken over her role!

Review:

The plot line in which Himari gets separated from her body lasts much longer than I expected, and then goes into a whole other plot with Kasha.

It's kind of hard to worry too much about these characters, as I have such little doubt that they're not going to be okay, and I think I'm just having a hard time caring or connecting with them at this point.

Aside from that, Himari gets to watch and worry for the first half of this volume. And then things get switched around, and so she worries and tries to do what she can to fix things. She's put through a test to save Aoi, and it looks like some questions regarding Aoi might be answered in the next volume. At least, his relationship with Kasha, and why it's so twisted.

I don't mind this series, but I really wish I liked it more, that I cared more. I'm just ehh on it right now, I guess.

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

Manga Review: Ten Count, Volume 6, by Rihito Takarai

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2018

Volumes: 6.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder in this doctor-patient romance fraught with compulsion!

Corporate secretary Shirotani suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One day he meets Kurose, a therapist who offers to take him through a ten-step program to cure him of his compulsion. As the two go through each of the ten steps, Shirotani’s attraction to his counselor grows.

Review:

This is the final volume of the series, though I was unaware. We see Shirotani face some of his traumatic history in this volume, the girl who scarred him, and how Kurose reacts to that, despite not knowing the whole story. Shirotani has to get over a few of his issues, in his attempt at being better with his OCD. And he does get better in some ways, and he knows he still has more work to do, and that there's only so much he can do. This issue isn't an easy-step-process to being cured, and I appreciate that that's addressed at the end of the book. They both acknowledge that he isn't going to be magically better, but that he can still work to overcome some of this.

Throughout all of this, we see the couple grow more stable with each other, grow closer and better together.

I completely understand that a lot of people don't like this series. It's problematic—there's no arguing that. But I still really liked it. It's very hot, and I like the possible D/s elements it plays with. It's a definite guilty pleasure read. To me, it reads and feels very much like a Fifty Shades of Grey, or a Sylvia Day, kind of romance. It has very problematic themes and romanticizes not-good things and somewhat-unbelievable, problematic characters. And yet, it's still a book that I enjoy reading, and that I continue despite being unable to really defend it. It is bad, but it's also so good and fun/hot to read.

I enjoy this series, the good and the bad. I liked it a lot. And I would definitely read more of Takarai's work.

Manga Review: The Sacrificial Princess and the King of Beasts, Volume 3, by Yu Tomofuji

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: October 2018

Volumes: 10+

Spoilers?: Light.

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Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Hoping to take vengeance for the murder of his childhood friend Sariphi, the young Ilya infiltrates the royal palace. He's captured, and the King shows him mercy, sparing his life. When Ilya learns that Sariphi herself is still very much alive, he demands her return. Sariphi refuses, only to be kidnapped by Ilya, who intends to bring her back to human territory. The King is then confronted with a dilemma: If he truly wishes for Sariphi's happiness, is it kinder to pursue her...or to let her be returned to her own people?

Review:

This was honestly a surprising plot line for me.

It's a common trope, sure, having a guy from Sariphi's past show up, in the form of an old love. Of course, Sariphi didn't think of him like that. He was a kind boy who sometimes showed up in her village, and who she grew close to over time. But while Sariphi always knew she would be sacrificed and thus never put too much into relationships for the future, the boy came to love her and believed he needed to protect her.

The boy also hated beasts of any kind, as they killed his family. Discovering that Sariphi is with the king of beasts, he believes she's either dead or being held against her will, and wants to rescue her.

What surprised me about this, is how violent and steadfast in his believes he turns out to be. He wants to kill all the beasts, and is willing to fight the king for her. He also fully believes he needs to take her away, no matter what she tells him.

It's kind of heartbreaking, how different the two are. Sariphi is in a very different place from Ilya, and he doesn't quite realize that. On the other hand, he gives a good contrast to the king, who only wants Sariphi to be happy. And who does grow a bit possessive when this other guy tries to take her away.

It's a bittersweet story line. I like where it leaves Sariphi and Leonhart, though.

Manga Review: Itsuwaribito, Volume 20, by Yuuki Iinuma

Rating (Out of 5): ~2.5

Publisher: Shonen Sunday (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 2017

Volumes: 23.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 19. 21.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The adventures of a liar and his band of friends who use lies to do good.

Utsuho’s truthfulness as a child resulted in an enormous catastrophe, and he decided to lie from that day forward. Raised in a village of orphans by a monk, Utsuho is an unrepentant troublemaker. The monk eventually inspires him to help people, but there’s no way Utsuho’s going to lead an honest life! Instead, he’s going to use his talents for mischief and deception for good!

Utsuho and his companions continue their fierce confrontation with “hero” and itsuwaribito Gin Hobaku, who has the Land of Owari firmly under his thumb. Gin’s underlings, believing themselves superior to Utsuho’s friends, now find that those same friends are not quite the pushovers they thought they were! In the main event, however, it’s Utsuho against Gin, a foe who has defeated him once already and outwitted him at nearly every turn!

Review:

 I haven't read any of this series, and I had pretty much no idea what was going on as I started this.

We're starting up a battle, in the middle of rubble, it looks like. Light and dark are fighting, basically one guy against a group of people. It seems like a fight that's been a while coming, too. It's a sad ending to the fight, too. Pointed, and not necessarily a good win. But I guess a win nonetheless?

I don't know any of these characters, so I had a hard time rooting for either side, or following the end of the volume.

Meh. It was an okay read, though the art was interesting.

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

Manga Review: Kaguya-sama Love is War, Volume 6, by Aka Akasaka

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5-4

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2019

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Two high school geniuses scheme to get the other to confess their love first.

Two geniuses. Two brains. Two hearts. One battle. Who will confess their love first…?!

Will Kaguya figure out what Miyuki wants for his birthday plus present him with the perfect cake? Is treasurer Yu flunking out of school and beyond help…or can the person he fears most get him back on track? Then, the romantic Autumn Moon Viewing Festival leads to some stellar night moves. The student council plays a role-playing game in which at least one member doesn’t get to play out their fantasy. Ai assumes an alter ego to prove she can get Miyuki to fall in love with her in just one day. And Miyuki’s time as student council president is up!

We play many roles in life.

Review:

Pretty much all of the problems in this series is because the characters overthink everything. Kaguya and Miyuki both want something, but want the other person to admit it first, and thus they overthink everything they say, and everything the other person says, and how to react and what reaction that will cause. It's gone so far beyond a game between them at this point, I think.

There are some light chapters in the beginning, including a girls' day out, and some conflict/helpful studying between Kaguya and Ishigami. And also Ai pushes Kaguya regarding how little progress she's made with Miyuki. But then it's time for a new student council to take over, as they're going on to becoming third years. Which means they could try again, or there could be new people in their roles.

The reactions and the relationships are a bit ridiculous in this series. It's a lot of fun to follow.

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