Manga Review: Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 6, by Sui Ishida

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: VIZ Signature (VIZ Media)

Release Date: April 19, 2016

Volumes: 14.

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers.

Things heat up in the Ward Eleven as the CCG investigates the high rate of Investigator deaths. Kaneki has an explosive run-in with Aogiri Tree, the Ghoul Gang, run by a Ghoul known only as the Sekigan King.

Review:

Firstly, I appreciate that this volume has a character and previously-on page, and I must say that it’s organized very clearly. I like it, and now it’s easier to find out what everyone’s names are.

Trouble first starts in this volume when a guy, Banjo, shows up looking for Rize. It gets worse when Touka’s brother shows up, looking for Rize and the guy who smells like her—a.k.a. Kaneki. There’s a fight, and then Kaneki is kidnapped, along with the surprisingly nice guy who first showed up.

Apparently there’s been a ghoul takeover, a ghoul organization looking to control the other ghouls, and they’re invading certain wards. They’re interested in Kaneki, and when they find out he’s one-eyed, some new people get even more interested. We also get to hear about another one-eyed ghoul we might meet at some point.

It’s bad and messy and bloody. Kaneki is put in a bad position, not sure who to trust, not sure how to get out of the position he’s in. Then, just as Kaneki and Touka are starting to form a shaky possible friendship, they’re separated, not knowing if the other is even alive. Banjo, though, is a great character. I kind of love him—he’s a sweetheart who feels responsible and just wants to take care of his other ghouls.

I’m just getting more and more attached to this series with every volume. It’s getting higher and higher on my list.

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

Manga Review: Blue Exorcist, Volume 13, by Kazue Kato

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shonen Jump Advanced (VIZ Media)

Release Date: June 2015

Volumes: 16+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 12. 14.

Goodreads Synopsis:

The Exwires learn the tragic story of what happened to Izumo’s mother, Tamamo, when the Illuminati’s mad Professor Gedoin sought her out in order to conduct his insane experiments. Now Izumo has been captured and is next on the professor’s list of test subjects. Rin, Yukio, Shiemi, Suguro and Konekomaru head deep into Dream Town Inari to rescue Izumo, but what they find there is a horror none of them ever expected…

Review:

Shima’s betrayal is still fresh, and Izumo is still being held captive with her demise in mind. Meanwhile, the gang is attempting to save her. They’re split up, forced to fight their own enemies, and it’s bad.

This is messier than I expected, and darker. But I’m loving the development of plot and character. We get to know more about each character, most of whom I’m already a fan. We get to see what Shima is up to, and I’m really not a fan of him at the moment. I feel terrible for Izumo.

This series is getting darker, and I’m attached to everyone at this point. I’m really looking forward to the next volume.

Manga Review: Kiss of the Rose Princess, Volume 8, by Aya Shouoto

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2016

Volumes: 9.

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 7. 9.

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:

Some feelings between Kaede and Anise is broached, but since it’s in the middle of a battle, nothing is resolved there. I do like the way that Kaede doesn’t shy from his feelings here, though. He just likes her, all their serious jobs aside, and it’s sweet.

Lots of showdowns in this volume, though. Mutsuki fights with his brother once and for all, facing his feelings about that. We also see how close Mutsuki and Mitsuru really are, even if they fight it. Seiran fights for Anise, showing how much he really cares for them all. The fake princess stands off with Anise, and the Lime rose is there to help Anise later.

And then we end with Anise facing the last fake rose, in a final stand-off. The next volume is the last, and we’ll see how it all ends.

I’m excited, as I’ve really enjoyed this series so far.

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