Comic Review: Adulthood is a Myth (A “Sarah's Scribbles” Collection, #1) by Sarah Anderson

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Release Date: 2016

Spoilers?: No.

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

Are you a special snowflake?
Do you enjoy networking to advance your career?
Is adulthood an exciting new challenge for which you feel fully prepared?

Ugh. Please go away.

This book is for the rest of us. These comics document the wasting of entire beautiful weekends on the internet, the unbearable agony of holding hands on the street with a gorgeous guy, dreaming all day of getting home and back into pajamas, and wondering when, exactly, this adulthood thing begins. In other words, the horrors and awkwardnesses of young modern life.

Review:

This is the first collection of Sarah Scribbles comics. I could tell it was an earlier work, as the artwork and subjects aren't quite as polished or as good. She's perfected the humor of this style at this point, I think.

Still, these are all funny. More typical scenarios, some romance-focused comics, but still an introverted girl getting along as an adult. If you enjoy these comics, I would recommend picking up the collected books.

Manga Review: Vanilla Essence by Yamatogawa

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Project-H

Release Date: 2017

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Boyfriend and girlfriend engage in a dramatic bike race where the winner takes all (with benefits), while others cool down in the pool they're supposed to be cleaning for their club duties. For other after school engagements for those not into sports, there's activities for those that like to use their video skills to voyeuristic extremes, stargazing clubs to explore lovely constellations, and even a few field trips that may lead to impromptu anatomy sessions!

Collection of stories/one-shots

1. Ikenai Asobi (Naughty Game)
A school girl discovers the joy of voyeurism but finds she's not alone

2. Maru Game (Circle Game)
A boy confesses to the perfect girl but gets more than he bargains for

3. Gaido Settei Very Easy (Difficulty Level Very Easy)
New lingerie brings a couple together

4. Tadaima Pool Seisouchuu (Right Here During Pool Cleanup)
Things get hot for a couple while cleaning the school pool

5. Trip on Trip
A couple must avoid getting caught together while on a field trip

6. Touch Me If You Can!
A cyclist lures her new boyfriend into sex

7. Hatsumoude (During the Year's First Shrine Visit)
A boy and girl ring in the new year by ridding themselves of their worldly desires

8. You Gotta Star
Two stargazers share a night under the stars

9. Hayaku Dashite ne (Hand It In Already)
A couple gets delayed while handing in their graduation paperwork

Review:

This was a kickstarter a while ago, and so I thought—why not? I like helping weird projects.

This was being spouted as more of an erotic romance, I believe? That it has real story and depth, it's not just porn. But let's get this straight from the get go—this is hentai, plain and simple.

Each chapter features different stories, all of them star in a high school, some have couples and some don't. None of them stood out to me, I'm not sure if any of them was supposed to. It's graphic, uncensored. Some of it was hot, but I also don't really read very much of this stuff.

I didn't mind it.

Manga Review: Crimson Spell, Volume 6, by Ayano Yamane

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: July 2019

Volumes: 6+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

A cursed prince turns into a raging demon whose lust can only be calmed by the skillful hands of one powerful sorcerer!

Prince Vald is struck by a curse that turns him into a demon! He seeks out a powerful sorcerer named Halvir to help break the curse, and the two go on an epic journey full of danger—and lust—in search of clues to break the young prince’s curse!

Vald finally discovers the one responsible for placing the curse upon his sword, Yug Verlind, and it’s none other than court mage Limris?! Shocked and confused, Vald is then faced with his greatest threat yet as the immensely powerful sorcerer Asterdol wrenches his soul out of his body. His demon half, now in complete control, goes on a rampage, and Vald faces the real possibility of losing his soul forever!

Review:

It has been such a long time since the previous volume, and I expect it will be again till the next one, so that it's very easy to forget the intricacies of the plot and characters in this series. However, it is very easy to fall back into the main relationship.

Despite it being so long, jumping back in and being reminded of the struggles that Vald is facing was pretty fun. And now made more complicated, as the two sides of himself are forced apart in a much more literal way.

Of course, this leads to some pretty steamy scenes here, unintentional on the villains part. Both sides of Vald want Halvir, so it's no surprise that he's able to have his way with him. Still, it doesn't look like things are getting less complicated any time soon.

I'd definitely forgotten where the plot was at in this series, though I was surprised how easy it was to get back into it; I was excited to get a new volume nonetheless. And I will still definitely be picking up the next one, whenever it gets released.

Manga Review: Go For It, Nakamura! by Syundei

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Seven Seas

Release Date: 2018

Volumes: 1.

Spoilers?: No.

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

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: Juni Taisen: Zodiac War, Volume 3, by Akira Akatsuki, Nisioisin, and Hikaru Nakamura

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: February 2019

Volumes: 4.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 2. 4.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Twelve fighters enter, one fighter leaves—who will win the 12th Zodiac War?

Every 12 years, 12 fighters take the form of the Chinese zodiac and engage in a battle royale. With their strength and mysterious powers, they fight to the death and the sole survivor is granted the ultimate prize—any wish.

With half of the fighters down for the count, the Zodiac War rages on! Usagi—the fighter of the Rabbit—and his undead army continue to rampage across the battlefield, intent on destroying anyone who stands in their way. For an honorable fighter like Ox, Rabbit’s desecration of and complete disregard for human life is unacceptable. To obliterate this heretical army, Ox teams up with an unlikely ally—the drunkard Tiger!

Review:

This series is crazy af. I really don't even know where to guess it's going at this point.

They've narrowed down the contestants severely. There's more at the beginning of this volume than there are at the end. One of them is not a big surprise to me, once we meet the characters more. The other one, though, I'd kind of hoped would last longer. Especially once we got to see their past a bit more—I was kind of becoming intrigued in their character. But oh well on that one I guess.

I'm also a little confused behind the Ox's motivation. It feels a little off to me. He claims that he's killing the others so they won't be turned into zombies. I didn't think Rabbit had to kill them himself, they just had to be dead? Why wouldn't Ox just go kill Rabbit?

This series is weird and disturbing, and throws in a lot more surprises than I expect. Whenever it feels like we're going to get to know a character, they die.

Manga Review: Platinum End, Volume 9, by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata

Rating (Out of 5): ~3

Publisher: Shonen Jump (VIZ Media)

Release Date: July 2019

Volume: 12+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 8. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

From the creators of Death Note! Mirai may have been saved by an angel, but his battle is just beginning…

As his classmates celebrate their middle school graduation, troubled Mirai is mired in darkness. But his battle is just beginning when he receives some salvation from above in the form of an angel. Now Mirai is pitted against 12 other chosen humans in a battle in which the winner becomes the next god of the world. Mirai has an angel in his corner, but he may need to become a devil to survive.

With Metropoliman finally defeated, Mirai and Saki try to enjoy a moment of reprieve. But with other god candidates still out there, it’s only a matter of time before their peace is shattered!

Review:

This boy candidate, Susumu, takes all of the attention as he goes on TV and announces to the world what's going on. This also gives the government most of the information they need, and puts everyone on the suspect and danger list.

Saki and Mirai have to be careful about their next steps from here on out, and this causes some changes. At one point Saki proposes that they both just run away, disappear so that no one can find them and they don't have to do any of this any more. Honestly, it's the smartest idea anyone here has had, so of course they don't do that.

The angels have a meeting in this volume. It still makes me wonder at their motivation and what this is really about—but it also doesn't seem to help anything? It's another interesting point how media and technology is being used in this series. That's a definite theme here, of how it's implemented and how it is affecting the course of this competition.

I wouldn't say I'm rooting for anyone in this series at this point, and I would even say I dislike all of them. I'm definitely not rooting for anyone to win at this point. It's also definitely starting to feel even more like Death Note, now that the police are getting involved.

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

Comic Review: Lobster is the Best Medicine: A Collection of Comics about Friendship by Liz Climo

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Running Press

Release Date: 2015

Spoilers?: No.

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

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fans have fallen in love with Liz Climo's charmingly quirky animal kingdom, which was first featured in The Little World of Liz Climo-a place where porcupines, anteaters, and grizzly bears all grapple with everyday life with wit and humor.

Friends: They are there when we just want to hang out, or need someone to listen. They make us laugh, and lend a shoulder to cry on. Comic artist Liz Climo captures the true spirit of friendship with this quirkily charming collection. Her animal kingdom is a place where sharks, otters, porcupines, and even crustaceans come together to show the best of what friends have to offer.

This little book will remind you to appreciate your own friendships...and inspire you to share with a special pal.

Review:

This is a collection of animal comedy strips. All two panel pages of humor, light-hearted and sweet; mostly about friendship and odd friend pairings, but also some odd situations animals can get into and puns.

I'd read some of these before, but others were new to me. It was a very fast read, but also really fun. Quick little humor snippets, cute drawings and sense of humor.

This was a delightful little book, and I plan on picking up more.

Manga Review: Shortcake Cake, Volume 6, by suu Morishita

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: November 2019

Volumes: 12.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

An unflappable girl and a cast of lovable male roommates at a boardinghouse create bonds of friendship and romance.

When Ten moves out of her parents’ home in the mountains to live in a boardinghouse, she finds herself becoming fast friends with her male roommates. But can love and romance be far behind?

Ten is taken aback by Chiaki’s unexpected kiss. He confesses his feelings for her, well aware of how she feels about Riku. How will Ten respond?

Review:

As Ten starts putting herself out there more and expressing herself, she's starting to grow on me. She hasn't had much personality, to me, but she's starting to seem more now.

With Chiaki's confession, Ten has to confront that possibility, and also her feelings for Riku. I appreciate that she's straightforward about how she feels here, at least with Chiaki. She's honest and kind about it, and even Chiaki takes it well, as he pretty much knew what was coming. Mostly there's Riku, who's been rejected and so doesn't think anything is going to change with that, as Ten has started trying to get closer to him.

The cliffhanger could very easily be going in a good direction from here. I'm wondering if some kind of curve ball is going to be thrown in at some point, but so far it's been honest and straightforward without too much unnecessary drama. A sweet series, which falls a little under the radar, I think.

Manga Review: Don't Be Cruel, Volume 8, by Yonezou Nekota

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: SuBLime (VIZ Media)

Release Date: October 2019

Volumes: 8+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1&2. 7. 9.

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?

It’s been a while since Maya and Nemugasa have had any alone time, so they can’t help but go a little overboard when they finally see each other! But later that same night, Maya sneaks out to help his friend Ruka after he’s had a severe asthma attack. When Nemugasa asks him the next morning where he went, Maya quickly changes the subject. Is a bad habit from Maya’s playboy days rearing its ugly head? And what will Nemugasa do when he finds out the truth?

Review:

Ruka is still causing drama between Maya and Nemu. His attachment to Maya is honestly a bit off-putting, and how he's deliberately trying to cause issues. Some of it might have been explained here, but I still don't like it one bit. I don't like him.

Thankfully, though, Maya and Nemu are pretty good at communicating. They definitely read each other wrong sometimes, and have their fights, but they come together in the end. They talk it out and explain and make up. Usually in a pretty hot way, too.

This is a really strong couple in this series, and I like that. They've also got pretty good friends and family around them, and I appreciate that, too.

This is always a fun series to get more of, and I'm always excited for the next one.

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.