In this third collection of short stories from famed gekika author Yoshihiro Tatsumi, the stories are longer, and the content more about the situations surrounding the sad characters rather than the depths of despair they can reach. A lot of the topics range back to post-WWII Japan and the effects on society, but some stray towards less specific targets, such as an older man who lusts after a younger coworker, and another about a young man living in a slum-like apartment complex that winds up vacant at the end of the story. All are emotionally powerful, and all offer commentary on the darker side of human nature and urban living. This collection was edited by Adrian Tomine, and features an introduction by Frederik Schodt that sheds light on some of the symbolism that might not be immediately recognizable to an international audience. By Yoshihiro Tatsumi Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly Age Rating: 18+ Genre: General Price: $19.95 It’s been a long time since I read the two short story collections that come before this, but I still think this would be my favorite of the three. With most of the stories dealing with depressing content, being hit with story after story…
Thrust in the middle of a family feud, Jae-Gyu reluctantly accepts Whie-Hwan’s proposal (he may be a jerk, but he’s loaded!). For the next month, she’s agreed to pose as his live-in girlfriend and obey his every command! It’s been less than a week since she moved to Seoul, and already she’s in way over her head! And small-town life has done little to prepare her for the dark deeds of city nightlife. When Jae-Gyu’s ignorance lands her in a roomful of eager playboys with money to burn, will it be her millionaire “boyfriend” or her rock star admirer who comes to the rescue? By GooGoo Gong Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Teen Genre: Drama/Romance Price: $10.99 This next installment of Gong GooGoo’s Sugarholic picks up right where it left off in the first volume. The seemingly ignorant Jea-Gyu ends up staying at rich boy Whie-Hwan’s apartment and agrees to his demands of being in a fake relationship with him in an attempt to fool his guardian and to atone for the ordeal she caused in the previous volume . In a plot twist this will end up being to Jea-Gyu’s advantage as staying at her brother’s place turns out…
These three volumes of One Piece are about 2/3 of the way through the Water Seven arc. It’s the longest arc so far. Volume 40 has Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates racing through Enies Lobby, the court of the World Government to rescue Robin. They are joined by the Franky Family and Galley-La company who are there to save Franky who was taken by CP9. It’s mostly Luffy plowing through with the rest coming from behind. Volume 41 reveals Robin’s childhood and why she is the most wanted person by the World Government. Volume 42 begins the battle between the Straw Hat Pirates and CP9 to save Robin. By Eiichiro Oda Publisher: Viz Media Age Rating: Teen Genre: Action Price: $9.99 Rating: Volume 40 is mostly all fighting. Luffy is just punching everyone in his way and moving on, while the rest of the Straw Hats and Franky Family take on the ever-growing resistance from the marines on the island. This volume is a good example of how Eiichiro incorporates flashbacks for characters into battles, keeping them from becoming tedious. In this volume, we learn more about the King Bulls Sodomu and Gomora. They were rescued by the Franky…
While I can’t say that I have a love-hate relationship with shonen manga, I do tend to be a bit critical of it at times. In some instances (Fullmetal Alchemist, One Piece, and Cat Paradise come to mind) the genre can be breath-taking, hilarious, awesome, and heart-rending. I think this has a lot more to do with developing a great set of characters, and essentially allowing them to interact in natural ways. It doesn’t matter if the characters are shamans, alchemists, pirates, demon-fighters, or bakers – if the author can give me awesome characters, I’ll generally love the book. The plot has to go somewhere, but good characters are what make the best manga. The same is true for the opposite side of the coin. Books that have poorly developed characters get left at the bookstore, even if the setting and art are awesome. This seems to be the trend for some of the latest shonen offerings from a variety of publishers. Case in point? Nabari no Ou. By Yuhki Kamatani Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Older Teen Genre: Action Price: $10.99 Nabari no Ou introduces us to Miharu, a young boy who has been born with the power…
Traveling in-between the world of the living and the twilight world of the dead, Akamushi, the shaman known as the Red Spider Exorcist, wields the powers of a giant spider to combat the demons of the netherworld. In a serendipitous moment, a young girl meets Akamushi, and falls in love with him at first sight. However, it turns out her grandfather and mother are haunted by a “Waraigao” – a demon that attacks living human bodies from the inside, eroding and eventually deteriorating them! Written by Hideyuki Kikuchi; illustrated by Shin Yong-Gwan Publisher: Digital Manga Publishing Age Rating: 16+ Genre: Horror Price: $9.95 Volume 2 of Taimashin picked up right where volume 1 left off with Megumi at the hot springs. Her story is finished and a second story starts up involving a young girl whose family seems to be cursed. This volume gives some more insight into the nature of Akamushi, and that he might not be completely the hero he appeared to be in the first volume. Megumi’s story is completed as the truth about her is revealed as is the reason why she is being chased by the demons. There is a climatic battle between Akumushi and…
At the age of twenty-five, newlyweds Makoto and Yura experience intercourse for the first time. Now, with their first anniversary right around the corner, Makoto and Yura are just as determined to be sexually fulfilled as the day they said their vows! But fears Makoto might be cheating test Yura’s trust and inhibit her libido, while their niece Jun looks for love in all the wrong places. Follow the hot young couple as they step up into love and continue getting it on… and on… and on! By Katsu Aki Publisher: Tokyopop Age Rating: M (18+) Genre: Romance? Price: $19.99 This volume continues the one-shot chapter formula, with the bulk of the focus on Makoto and Yura learning the best ways to satisfy one another amid a variety of everyday situations (ski trips, separations due to work, various anniversaries, et cetera). Alternate perspective and advice is offered, however, in chapters about Makoto’s over-sexed 20-something sister and Yura’s confused and newly available teenage sister. There’s even some advice offered for singles, couples in sexless marriages, and others as well. It’s light on plot, but extremely thorough and very informative in a non-creepy way when it comes to the how-tos. A likable…
Claire Lyons is the new girl at Octavian Country Day, an exclusive private school in Westchester County, New York, but this girl in GAP overalls isn’t even close to prepared for the social (and fashion) demands of her new peers. To make matters worse, Claire’s family has moved into the guesthouse of the Block family, and Massie Block just happens to be the queen supreme of Claire’s new school and hasn’t taken a liking to the new girl squatting on her estate! Does Claire have what it takes to become a part of The Clique? Written by Lisi Harrison; Illustrated by Yishan Li Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Teen Genre: Drama Price: $11.99 Yishan Li’s manga adaptation of Lisi Harrison’s popular Young Adult novel series The Clique is filled with melodramatic moments, pranks, and friendship rivalries. Claire and her family moves into the guesthouse of Massie until her family can become more financially stable. Before even getting a glimpse of Claire, Massie has already had it set in her mind that she will not like nor have any intention of becoming friends with the poor girl. Initially naive Claire tries to be chums with Massie til making a few friends…
Publisher’s info: All penniless college student Taiga Mutou wants is a cool job and a cute older woman as a girlfriend. So when he spies a Help Wanted sign outside an office and a hot girl inside, he applies for the job, no questions asked. After a few bumps at the beginning, things start going Taiga’s way, prompting him to steel his courage and ask out Yuiko, that hot girl he spied through the window, on a date. And when she later asks him if it’s okay that she’s a fujoshi (a very, shall we say, distinct kind of comics/animation geek), he tells her it’s fine out of sheer excitement. But poor Taiga has no idea how much trouble he’s just gotten himself into! By Rize Shinba Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Older Teen Genre: Romance Price: $11.99 Last week, I reviewed Peepo Choo, by Felipe Smith, a manga that viciously, but hilariously rips into otaku culture (among other). It seems that getting geeks to laugh at themselves in manga is on the upswing, because this week’s book, My Girlfriend’s a Geek Vol. 1, pokes fun at fujoshi, or the girl fan of boys love (bl) anime and manga. However,…
Winner of 2010 Eisner for Best U.S. Edition of International Matierial-Asia! Nearly 850 pages of pure comics genius. And it feels like it ends just a bit abruptly. By Yoshihiro Tatsumi Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly Genre: Autobiography/Memoir Rating: Older Teen Price: $29.95 But that’s a minor point against it. A Drifting Life is epic. It’s sort of a mashup of several things, even though it’s an autobiography mainly about the comics career of Yoshihiro Tatsumi. He also draws highly from his family life, even far into his adulthood. What’s interesting about the work is that pieces of history and other short elements are woven into the narrative in a way that makes this more than just an autobiography — it’s sort of a window into the era and culture of Japan. But, most importantly, it’s about comics. Tatsumi grew up interested in comics, so the main focus through the work is on his career as a manga creator and how that meshed with his personal and school lives. But it starts at the end of World War II, just as the Japanese emperor announced the surrender of the country. The earliest reference to comics in the work is Tatsumi asking…
When two mysterious young men walk into the café to declare war, Uru’s passion gets the best of everyone, and they accept the challenge—with one condition: the loser will have to quit the industry for good. However, just before the contest, Shindo sprains his wrist! And when Uru’s mother shows up at Bonheur, will she convince Uru to go back home? Café Bonheur will have to survive through some turbulent times if it’s to stay happy—and in business! By Kou Matsuzuki Publisher: Tokyopop Age Rating: Teen 13+ Genre: Comedy/Shojo Price: $9.99 In Kou Matsuzuki’s second volume of Happy Cafe the story picks up right where it left us in the first volume with Uru cheerfully serving customers delicious sweets made by the hands of a seeming-not-so-sweet Shindo. In Café Bonheur things heat up when the Abekawa brothers present a challenge that puts their business on the line. Within this second volume of Happy Cafe the setting of the story began to evolve outside of Café Bonheur as it brought in new characters from a rival cafe. As a reader I felt that it expanded the cafe from being the main focal point and fleshed out the personalities of the main…