At times hilarious, at others heartwarming, this collection of short stories penned by one of Japan’s most talented artists is a perfect addition to any library! A young girl discovers that new glasses give her a whole new perspective on the world, a bunny-girl waitress learns to cope with her male customers with dignity, an introverted art student inspires her fellow club members even as she takes inspiration from them, and more! Fans of Mori will enjoy seeing concept designs and historical notes from her award-winning series, as well as Mori’s own brand of enthusiastic commentary throughout. By Kaoru Mori Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Older Teen Genre: Short Stories Price: $16.99 I haven’t read much of Kaoru Mori. I’ve only read A Bride’s Story so far. With CMX gone, her first series in English, Emma, is rather difficult to come by now. I do know about the series, and the praise it has received from other reviewers. What I wasn’t aware of, was just how much Mori likes her maids. This short story collections really makes her obsession with maids, and other things, very clear. I’ve never been into maids, so being hit with so many at once was…
Every week, the Manga Villagers will go through the new releases for the week and pick out the titles they are most looking forward to reading. Whether it’s buying or just window shopping, check out what we’re looking at every week!
Every week, the Manga Villagers will go through the new releases for the week and pick out the titles they are most looking forward to reading. Whether it’s buying or just window shopping, check out what we’re looking at every week!
Madoka Kaname is a happy, normal high school girl. She has a loving family and good friends. There’s nothing to cause her harm, until Kyubey, a strange, cat-like creature comes stumbling into her life, and introduces her, and her friend Sayaka, to the world of magical girls. It seems exciting at first, as she and Sayaka go on missions with Mami, the magical girl protecting their city. But it’s not all fun and games, as the girls quickly learn, but Kyubey’s offer of granting any wish becomes too tempting to Sayaka. But not everyone is cut out to be a magical girl. Story by Magica Quartet; Art by Hanokage Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Older Teen Genre: Action/Fantasy Price: $11.99 Being a magical girl sounds exciting. You get magical powers, a cool transformation, an awesome weapon and a cute mascot. You use all these things to fight the powers of darkness and protect the people around you. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to be for magical girls. Puella Magi Madoka Magica takes all those expectations and turns them completely on their head. I first heard about the anime that this manga is based on, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, back…
Haruka is a young girl who is able to predict the future with incredible accuracy–an ability that has made her a target. When she is kidnapped, Haruka uses her power to seek out someone who can help her, fixing upon a blind man amid the crowded streets of Tokyo. Though seemingly odd choice, Haruka’s powers have not led her wrong, as her chosen protector draws a sword from his walking stick and deftly takes out her captors. Knowing she will always be pursued for her gift, Haruka begs the mystery swordsman to keep her safe… “Until Death Do Us Part.” Story by Hiroshi Takashige; Art by DOUBLE-S Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Older Teen Genre: Action Price: $18.99 I was interested in Until Death Do Us Part when it was first announced at NYCC/NYAF last year, though now that I think back, I can’t seem to remember why. That is unfortunately a common theme with this title. It isn’t very memorable in story or characters. The best thing it’s had going for it is its similarity to other stories that I did enjoy. Blind Swordsmen are nothing in Japanese story telling. Zatoichi, a character created by novelist Kan Shimozawa is…
Every week, the Manga Villagers will go through the new releases for the week and pick out the titles they are most looking forward to reading. Whether it’s buying or just window shopping, check out what we’re looking at every week!
It makes sense to me that one of the most cutting edge manga in Yen Press‘ manga collection is Soul Eater Not! The series is published on the same day and date in the USA as it is in Japan, and is the only series that Yen Press releases with that schedule. In Japanese comics, it stands beside Rumiko Takahashi’s Rin-Ne from Viz Media as the only other mainstream* comic that is released day and date in both Asia and America. The reason why this makes sense to me has quite a bit to do with the characteristics of Soul Eater Not! – it is neither shojo, shonen, or moe, but rather a strange mix of all three. By Atsushi Ohkubo Publisher: Yen Press Age Rating: Older Teen Genre: Slice of Life/Action/Fantasy Price: $11.99 USA The best way to describe Soul Eater Not! is that is not the same manga as Soul Eater, another popular release from Yen Manga. Written and illustrated by the same author and set in the same world, it even uses some of the same characters to tell a much different story. Tsugumi, our main character, is a girl enrolled in the DWMA, an international organization in charge of training meisters and “weapons” in order to make sure they are able to control their abilities…
Every week, the Manga Villagers will go through the new releases for the week and pick out the titles they are most looking forward to reading. Whether it’s buying or just window shopping, check out what we’re looking at every week!
Every week, the Manga Villagers will go through the new releases for the week and pick out the titles they are most looking forward to reading. Whether it’s buying or just window shopping, check out what we’re looking at every week!
Every week, the Manga Villagers will go through the new releases for the week and pick out the titles they are most looking forward to reading. Whether it’s buying or just window shopping, check out what we’re looking at every week!