Ian is transported to another world by the fairy Ainsel, who promises to help him stop Tokage upon their return to the human plane. By Kaori Yuki Publisher: Viz Media – Shojo Beat Genre: Fantasy/Horror Drama Rating: T+ Price: $8.99 Dropping Celtic mythology into modern-day Japan, Fairy Cube is a departure from the usually moody and dark tales. There’s no brooding from the lead, or long, strung out plots. The story is fast paced, but still moves smoothly as it establishes both its characters and direction of the story. Ian Hasumi has always been able to see fairies. But because he has been the only one, no has ever believed him, except for childhood friend Rin. Ian has another secret. Another Ian, that haunts him, that he calls “Tokage”. He torments Ian, turning his father against him, and leading him into trouble. Tokage is a changeling, and manipulates Ian’s father to kill Ian so he can take over his body and life. Ian, relegated to spirit form, is determined to get revenge on Tokage and reclaim his body and life. When I first read the preview for this title, I thought it was going to be another dark story, with…
Things start heating up with a holiday visit to the sunny beachside! Sachie catches the eye of handsome Azuma Inui, sparking a rivalry between Azuma and Rakuto. Will a little competition force Rakuto to reveal his feelings for Sachie? Wild Ones Volume 2 By Kiyo Fujiwara Publisher: Viz Media Genre: Comedy/Romance Age Rating: Teen Price: $8.99 Moving away from the Yakuza comedy that made up so much of volume 1, volume 2 is more about the typical shojo conventions seen in every series; at the beach, at the school camp, the school festival, and the most conventional of all, the romantic rival. While these conventions can make the story more generic, the characters are still interesting enough to keep it from being pulled down to complete mediocrity. The volume starts off with a trip to the beach to visit with an old friend of Raizo. Sachie of course has to cause a scene when she sees someone wasting food. Then we meet Azuma, who’s obviously attracted to Sachie, and who conveniently is the grandson of Raizo’s friend. Rakuto and Azuma immediately butt heads, so of course Azuma has to come back with them to live while his grandfather is in…