Reviews are subjective things. A reviewer is drawing on many things when they write their review. Besides technical things such as story structure, character development and art, a reviewers personal preferences and experiences can affect their feeling about a book. And sometimes, even their gender can make a difference as to whether a book gets a good score or bad. In the following discussions, reviewers Alex Hoffman and Lori Henderson will look at different books and examine the similarities and differences they have over each of them. Bakuman, Volumes 1-4 Written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata Publsiher: Viz Media Age Rating: Teen Genre: Shonen/Drama/Comedy Price: $9.99 ISBN: Vol. 1: 978-1421535135, Vol. 2: 978-1421535142, Vol. 3: 978-1421535159, Vol. 4: 978-1421537931 Alexander Hoffman (AH): It looks like our first He Said, She Said was pretty big success, Lori! Lori Henderson (LH): It does indeed! We even got some ‘likes’, so I guess they really like us! AH: I wonder if they’ll like us after we discuss this edition’s topic – Bakuman? Let’s find out. If you don’t mind Lori, I can do our introduction. LH: I yield the keyboard to you. AH: Bakuman is a comic that focuses on…
Now this is a new releases list! Lot’s of different publishers are releasing lots of different titles. Bandai debuts it’s new title, Kannagi, which has been a big hit in Japan. Will it be in the US as well? And for once, it’s not based on an anime! Dark Horse continues it’s mature title Ghost Talker’s Daydream, and DMP has a rare non-yaoi manga with the second volume of Fafner: Dead Aggressor. The big news this week though is the debut of Kodansha, which is starting out with the return of several popular Del Rey titles, and Yen Press releases its most anticipated title so far this year, which also sweeps our picks. Scoll down to find out what it is! The List: BANDAI ENTERTAINMENT Kannagi Volume 1 GN (Of 6), $10.99 DARK HORSE COMICS Ghost Talker’s Daydream Volume 6 TP, $10.99 DIGITAL MANGA PUBLISHING Fafner Dead Aggressor Volume 2 GN, $9.95 Great Place High School Student Council Volume 2 GN, $12.95 That Was Good GN, $12.95 Tyrant Falls In Love Volume 3 GN, $12.95 **Weekly Pick** Your Story I’ve Known GN, $12.95 KODANSHA COMICS Arisa Volume 2 GN, $10.99 Fairy Tail Volume 13 GN, $10.99 **Weekly Pick** Negima Magister…
Some of my critics are quick to point out that I don’t give very many high scores on my reviews. I generally don’t have nice things to say about the books I read, and I don’t really give out high marks on my reviews at Manga Village. I don’t know if this is because I have a high standard for the materials I read, or if I just want to be as honest as possible about the content so that people can get an opinion before they go out and buy the manga. I think it is probably a mix of these two personal factors and one key point I constantly fail to remember: the manga I read and review oftentimes are not written with me in mind. By: Mitsuru Adachi Publisher: Viz Media – Shonen Sunday Age Rating: Teen Genre: Sports/Drama Price: $19.99 When I received the Cross Game omnibus a few weeks ago, I worked through it with a bit of trepidation. I love baseball, so I was worried that the manga would either be too preachy about the rules or have large errors in gameplay that would make my enjoyment suffer. My misgivings were buffered by the…
This short of a list also seems to get a short list of recommendations from our reviewers, but definitely don’t write off these titles. Dark Horse hits both sides of the spectrum with the Korean shojo Bride of the Water God and the violent horror that is Gantz. Viz releases more from their Signature line, and one of Tokyopop’s last hurrahs ties into their recently released movie Priest.
Shoyo’s ace, Fujima, drops himself into the lineup and quickly helps his team retake the lead from Shohoku, and despite struggling with fatigue, Mitsui stays on the floor as well. Realizing that they are the keys to winning the game, Coach Anzai focuses on both Mitsui’s scoring finesse and Hanamichi’s monstrous rebounding, but with only five minutes left on the game clock, Shohoku will need to deliver, and fast. Which player will ignite the spark that will carry Shohoku on to victory? And does Mitsui have enough stamina left to hit some crucial three-pointers? By Takehiko Inoue Publisher: Viz Media Age Rating: Teen Genre: Sports Price: $9.99 I first read Slam Dunk during its short stint in Shonen Jump. While there was nothing wrong with the story, I just couldn’t really connect with the characters, and I don’t care about basketball, so I didn’t keep following it. Ten volumes later, I’ve picked it up again, and while I find the characters during play compelling, and all the basketball action entertaining, it’s not my cup of tea. Though I think I might have an idea who should. After ten volumes, the Shohoku basketball team seems to have really come together. The…
Reviews are subjective things. A reviewer is drawing on many things when they write their review. Besides technical things such as story structure, character development and art, a reviewers personal preferences and experiences can affect their feeling about a book. And sometimes, even their gender can make a difference as to whether a book gets a good score or bad. In the following discussions, reviewers Alex Hoffman and Lori Henderson will look at different books and examine the similarities and differences they have over each of them. Oresama Teacher Volume 1 By Izumi Tsubaki Publsiher: Viz Media Age Rating: Teen Genre: Romantic Comedy Price: $9.99 ISBN: 978-1421538631 Oresama Teacher is about Mafuyu, a delinquent who often got into fights. After being expelled from school, her mother sends her to an isolated school, where Mafuyu is determined to turn over a new leaf, and be more feminine, and not fight anymore. But her sense of justice gets her into trouble the night before her first day at school. She comes to the aid of a guy who is getting beat up, who also turns out to be her teacher. Now, Mafuyu has to struggle to keep her past a secret while…
Small-list syndrome hits this week, but still the Villagers are able to find the good stuff. Viz dominates again, and probably will from now on, except for Yen Press’ monthly releases. This week it’s the Shonen Sunday titles. Dark Horse gets out another release of their very long running Oh My Goddess!, and Vertical has some starry goodness with the next Twin Spica.
Hey, look! An actual list this week! Seven Seas has some more omnibuses, so now is the time to check out these older titles at a great price. Vertical hits fans with some series WTF with their newest title, and Viz makes it rain Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat titles, including the final volume of Hikaru no Go, and the first of their 3-in-1 titles with Kekkaishi and Naruto. The List: SEVEN SEAS ENTERTAINMENT Blood Alone Omnibus Volume 1 TP, $15.99 **Weekly Pick** Gunslinger Girl Omnibus Volume 2 TP (Of 2), $15.99 **Weekly Pick** VERTICAL 7 Billion Needles Volume 4 GN, $10.95 **Weekly Pick** Lychee Light Club Volume 1 GN, $16.95 **Weekly Pick** VIZ MEDIA AI ORE Volume 1 Love Me GN, $12.99 Bakuman Volume 4 TP, $9.99 Black Bird Volume 8 GN, $9.99 Death Note Black Edition Volume 4 TP, $14.99 Genkaku Picasso Volume 3 GN, $9.99 **Weekly Pick** Gin Tama Volume 22 TP, $9.99 Haruka Beyond The Stream Of Time Volume 12 GN, $9.99 Hikaru no Go Volume 23 TP, $9.99 Kekkaishi 3-In-1 Edition Volume 1 GN, $14.99 Kimi ni Todoke From Me To You Volume 8 GN, $9.99 **Weekly Pick** Naruto 3-In-1 Edition Volume 1 GN,…
Manga authors’ notes are usually self-deprecating and full of “oh God this is awful I can’t bear to look at it”, and usually I disregard them as the typical perfectionism of artists, not a true indication of the quality of the work. Not so in the case of Amnesia Labyrinth. At the end of this volume, there is a writer’s note that says “I sort of ran out of things to write, and therefore I admit there are a number of lazy, phantom passages scattered throughout.” And sure enough, Amnesia Labyrinth is a frustratingly uneven manga. Story by Nagaru Tanagawa, art by Natsumi Kohane, character design by Hinata Takeda Publisher: Seven Seas Age rating: OT/Older Teen/16+ Genre: Shounen/fantasy Price: $10.99 The story concerns a boy named Souji who moves back to his family’s home from boarding school after his older brother disappears. There’s no sign of his parents; his family seems to consist of his three sisters, who are all more-or-less creepy; all three of them are excessively devoted to Souji (in Saki’s case the devotion leads her all the way into incest). There are hints and overtones of the supernatural that remain mysterious and vague; over and above the…
It’s…not much of a list again, so while we present this week’s releases, our picks are in honor of the Manga Movable Feast this week, which is all about Rumiko Takahashi’s works. Enjoy as our reviews pick their all-time favorite Takahashi title.