She, Her Camera, and Her Seasons is an interesting and very realistic school drama. Akari is your basic highschooler until she notices Yuki, a short hShe, Her Camera, and Her Seasons is an interesting and very realistic school drama. Akari is your basic highschooler until she notices Yuki, a short haired girl, who always has a camera and hardly ever smiles. Akari falls for the girl really fast, but it would seem Yuki is interested in her childhood friend Rintaro, who's interested in Akari actually. The setting is juicy as we cannot trust Akari, since she simply doesn't know enough. I especially enjoyed getting inside Akari's head as she ponders her feelings and how she tries to understand the situations. Yuki is wonderfully out of place and hard to grasp and Rintaro easy and outgoing. Who really likes who is a good question. Also, setting this around photography is great especially since it's one with darkrooms and actual film.
The art looks delicate and cute, but the atmosphere is quite heavy and suffocating, which is really great. Somehow I have the feeling that Yuki isn't how she seems to be. The series is five books long, which seems great as in there must be something interesting for the future. Tsukiko is good at picturing high school feelings and how those are fleeting and severe at the same time. Everything is the end of the world, always. Who will get who in the end?
Merged review:
She, Her Camera, and Her Seasons is an interesting and very realistic school drama. Akari is your basic highschooler until she notices Yuki, a short haired girl, who always has a camera and hardly ever smiles. Akari falls for the girl really fast, but it would seem Yuki is interested in her childhood friend Rintaro, who's interested in Akari actually. The setting is juicy as we cannot trust Akari, since she simply doesn't know enough. I especially enjoyed getting inside Akari's head as she ponders her feelings and how she tries to understand the situations. Yuki is wonderfully out of place and hard to grasp and Rintaro easy and outgoing. Who really likes who is a good question. Also, setting this around photography is great especially since it's one with darkrooms and actual film.
The art looks delicate and cute, but the atmosphere is quite heavy and suffocating, which is really great. Somehow I have the feeling that Yuki isn't how she seems to be. The series is five books long, which seems great as in there must be something interesting for the future. Tsukiko is good at picturing high school feelings and how those are fleeting and severe at the same time. Everything is the end of the world, always. Who will get who in the end?...more
Getting Closer to You is a sports shoujo series or at least something like it? Hibi is a muscle maniac girl, who ogles boys' muscles everywhere she goGetting Closer to You is a sports shoujo series or at least something like it? Hibi is a muscle maniac girl, who ogles boys' muscles everywhere she goes, but she's not into the guys per se of course. She keeps a muscle diary and the basketball club's muscle prince Natsume notices this and asks the girl to be the manager of the team. Hibi doesn't really want to, but ends up saying yes and actually enjoying the whole thing. Natsume also falls in love with the girl, but Hibi isn't that easy to conquer. I really liked that it's the boy who has feelings first and declares them too. The manga is a show of these two characters, but I kind of hoped we'd get to meet others too instead of them being paper thin side characters to fill the pages. So, in a sense this is like you basic shoujo structure-wise, even though the theme is something else.
The art looks cute and nice, but gladly the characters have facial expressions too. We get to see games and practice too, which is nice, since usually those are almost absent in romantic series. The story moves very fast and I wish Kamino would use more time to establish the relationship, since it's hard to believe this sudden love easily. Otherwise this is OK and the muscle approach is great!...more
Nina the Starry Bride was something I didn't expect and I enjoyed it very much! I first thought this was shoujo, but this is josei, so that could explNina the Starry Bride was something I didn't expect and I enjoyed it very much! I first thought this was shoujo, but this is josei, so that could explain it. Nina has blue eyes and they are rare, thus the orphan hides her gender until she's captured by Prince Azure to act as a princess. The original princess died and now Nina has to "die" in order to become Alisha. They don't have that much time, but Nina isn't your basic girl, so it's not going to be easy. I really loved Nina and Azure's relationship and their interaction. Azure is cold and passive and Nina is like a rascal boy. All the characters have their own personas and even the young prince is wonderful, even though annoying kids are usually, well, annoying.
The art looks great and vibrant, which is awesome. There's action and not just talking heads. The plot isn't the most original, but I do hope Rikachi is innovative with it. The characters are likable and the discussions are profound. I'm very much into this, which is surprising. The cover is beautiful, but the title isn't the best possible, since it somehow feels so lame compared to the story's purpose. For once a great fantasy story with romance!...more
Mia & Co is a slice of life comic about a group of teenagers. There are four friends, Mia and three boys, Gauthier, Louka and Zouzou. They've known eaMia & Co is a slice of life comic about a group of teenagers. There are four friends, Mia and three boys, Gauthier, Louka and Zouzou. They've known each other for an eternity and they do geeky stuff together, like play console games and visit haunted houses etc. At the same time they are growing up and starting to like different things and Mia has a crush of her own and well, Gauthier lands himself a girlfriend. Times are changing and so are the dynamics. I really liked the realistic approach of the comic and how there's no real plot, but just happenings in the teenagers' lives. The friends are all very different, although not all of them got enough stage time, but I do hope it will eventually happen. Mia & Co isn't amazing or earthshaking, but it's very solid and funny even. Vanyda's story structure works well with everything and I'd need to read more to know how everything evolves.
The art is manga-like, but cruder and reminds me of pseudo-manga. Still, Vanyda has her own style with thin line art and simple art that has some edge to it too. The color blends in with the airy art and they compliment one another. The speech bubbles feel a little off and I'm not so sure whether the font is the best possible combination with the lively art. Another interesting French comic this one is and I hope we get more, since comics for teenage girls are scarce. Mia & Co is like Lou! in a sense, but starts straight from teenagers. So, really nice indeed if still somewhat raw....more
I was intrigued to read Police in a Pod, since we don't get to see police work that much in manga. Kawai is about to resign from being a police, sinceI was intrigued to read Police in a Pod, since we don't get to see police work that much in manga. Kawai is about to resign from being a police, since it wasn't what she even wanted and she doesn't feel like she fits in the police force. Her station gets a new female director and this woman is not only a badass, but really good at her work and begins to teach Kawai too. She does it on the side and soon Kawai notices that the work doesn't suck as much as she thought. I really liked the fact that there were lots of women in the police force especially considering we are talking about Japan here. I liked the dry discussions and all, but I'm not so sure if the manga is correctly done. I don't think officers such as these do all the work themselves. Like checking dead bodies, working with police dogs and whatnot. This felt unprofessional.
I had hard time getting into this, since in Finland police school is a polytechnic level education and one of the hardest to get in. It's very strict what you can do and in the manga this protocol felt lazy. We also never get to know our characters, since they don't really have a persona. It's just dry police talk and jumping from one case to another. I didn't understand what the manga wanted to say and thus two stars....more
I actually thought that Wind Breaker is a sports series, since the cover so looks like it, but it's not. Our protagonist is Haruka Sakura, a boy new iI actually thought that Wind Breaker is a sports series, since the cover so looks like it, but it's not. Our protagonist is Haruka Sakura, a boy new in town. He wants to be the greatest fighter and thus has decided to attend Furin High School that's meant for power obsessed delinquents. Except the school has changed in a short period of time and now they call themselves Bofurin and protect the village by fighting. Haruka just doesn't want to be a hero, but the top. Now it seems he's on his way to become the hero though... This first volume is quite packed, but manages to explain the situation and actually sets the story nicely. Haruka is sightly annoying as he's a tsundere it seems, but I hope he'll grow eventually. I do like the side characters and how we haven't met all the key players yet. Perhaps I wanted to get to know Haruka better though, since now he seems childish and full of himself, which doesn't make me want to support him as a character.
The art looks great and the movement too, which is nice. We get to see a lot of fighting, so movement is important. There are a lot of mysteries and that makes this interesting. I also like Haruka's hair and eyes, I wonder why they look the way they do not to forget why he wants to be the top. A steady shounen series with an interesting angle....more
Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is a harem series really, but gladly not the worst. Uryu Kamihate wants to become a doctor and studies hard for Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is a harem series really, but gladly not the worst. Uryu Kamihate wants to become a doctor and studies hard for it. He now needs to move to another foster home and the place is actually a shrine and there are three miko there. These three girls are the granddaughters of the priest and the old grandpa wants Uryu to marry one of the girls and continue as the priest of the shrine. I actually like Uryu, since he's quite normal, humorous and serious. The sisters are your basic cliches though, the youngest being cute and athletic, the second one a tsundere and the oldest one gentle with big boobs. The plot feels like something I've read a thousand times and the need to save the shrine and whatnot. I'm glad this isn't as ecchi though, although we get to see naked bodies and boobs everywhere, but it could be worse still.
The art looks amazing when Naito draws whole page poses. Otherwise the art is nice too, but the depth in the pictures is the best when used in said poses. I hope there will be something different in the series, since otherwise this is just another harem series. The potential is there, I'd actually would enjoy if there wasn't romance at all in the series, but just an out of necessity sort of marriage....more
Love After World Domination is a refreshing manga surely! Our main characters are a hero called Fudo Aikawa aka Red Gelato of the Gelato Five and the Love After World Domination is a refreshing manga surely! Our main characters are a hero called Fudo Aikawa aka Red Gelato of the Gelato Five and the counter force (or menace) is Desumi Magahara, Reaper Princess. Desumi herself works for the shadow organization Gekko. These two are supposedly mortal enemies and fighting, but actually they are in love and dating and trying to desperately hide the fact. It's great that their relationship is cute and mundane, as realistic as it can be if you consider the circumstances. This is surely the best part of the series and how these two are quite grownup in a sense. So, not your basic shounen romance, which is great. My only worry is that how long can this series go with a premise like this, but gladly the end showed potential where this could go.
The art looks OK, perhaps the panels are a bit stuffed, but otherwise this looks good. The style works for the series and there's humor too. I also liked the fact that Desumi is a full character and of the same value as Fudo. So, not your "save the senseless girl" situation. An interesting series that'll hopefully develop along the way!...more
It's always interesting to read Belgian comics! This first part of the Jack Wolfgang comics is all about anthropomorphized animals that are trying to It's always interesting to read Belgian comics! This first part of the Jack Wolfgang comics is all about anthropomorphized animals that are trying to fit in with humans and find their place in the society. Of course they wear clothes, but differences make it hard to blend in and especially in the CIA it's tough. Jack Wolfgang works as a food critic (mostly the super tofu stuff) and he's also an agent, who needs to find out about a certain murder and what it has to do with the tofu that's not so herbivore friendly in the end. For me there weren't enough pages to pull off both Jack's professions and how they intertwine with the crimes. Mostly the comic just feels like running from a place to another and we don't get to know the characters enough. Blacksad did this way much better.
The art looks great though, as well as the panel angles. The art works nicely and creates movement in the comic, which is good, since as I said before - there is lots of "running". The pace is too quick, but the art saves a lot, which was a relief. I wish the font had stayed the same and not vary especially in size, since it eats out rhythm. The cover of the comic is surely great and the topic too, since Enter the Wolf isn't as hard boiled as Blacksad - which in this case works for the series. So, an easier crime story!...more
Girlfriend, Girlfriend, what can I say? I wasn't a fan of the premise, but I decided to try this, since with topics like this you're always in the danGirlfriend, Girlfriend, what can I say? I wasn't a fan of the premise, but I decided to try this, since with topics like this you're always in the danger zone. Gladly Hiroyuki doesn't bomb it. Naoya is dating Saki, his former childhood friend and they're quite in love. It just happens that a cute girl named Nagisa also confesses to Naoya and the guy cannot turn her down. Instead he comes to a conclusion that he must date both so that both girls know about it too, so polyamory. Somehow they end up living together and hiding this odd relationship that's the base for comedy. So, danger zone as expected. I didn't really like how the characters used "two-timing", since this isn't about that. You can have a relationship of three if everyone is OK with it. Also, Naoya's stupidly forward and blunt character saves a lot. It's Saki who sees perverted stuff everywhere and Nagisa is naive, but understands where Saki is coming from.
The characters save a lot, but I just wish this setting had been between a girl and two boys for once. The topic is hard to do well, although as I said, Hiroyuki manages quite well actually. It's just that for modern age this isn't the best, since of course the girls want to serve the guy and well, it's so old fashioned and Japan is that of course. Thus having this translated can be a weird choice, even though this isn't as bad as I thought it could be. It's even clever at times....more
This manga version of The Tale of Genji is surely interesting and that we finally have this in English, when it was originally published in the late 1This manga version of The Tale of Genji is surely interesting and that we finally have this in English, when it was originally published in the late 1970s and 1980s(!). The story revolves around Hikaru Genji, a second son of Emperor Kiritsubo, who tries to find love basically. His mother died when he was a child and afterwards he was taken care of Princess Fujitsubo. Genji falls in love with the princess and they even have an illegal child that is kept a secret later on and they cannot really be together. Thus Genji goes from one woman to another in search of someone like her. He even adopts a girl in a way to raise her to be the perfect wife and names her Murasaki and somehow I have the feeling she is Murasaki Shikubu, the writer of the story perhaps?
The art looks like shoujo at the time so perhaps this doesn't appeal to young readers. The story is mature too in many ways and Genji makes love to everything basically. Either way this is an interesting look at the court life and Japan's history, which makes this intriguing and perhaps this is an easier version compared to the book. The manga is heavy with text and the panels are full, which makes this a slow read, but in a way it works with the story well. It's hard to remember the characters though, since the women look the same and their names are somewhat similar too. It'd like to see a fresh version brought to this day actually, it would be awesome. Still, this is worth the read and the translation works too....more
Silence is a pseudo manga, since well, it's French. Perhaps for me this was more like a comic than manga. The world is in turmoil, a post-apocalyptic Silence is a pseudo manga, since well, it's French. Perhaps for me this was more like a comic than manga. The world is in turmoil, a post-apocalyptic one with monsters and humans (that are dying). The main character is Saber and his village is cut off the world. The monsters hunt thanks to sound and thus the people need to use sign language. A woman named Lune arrives in the village though and it seems the only way to fight the monsters is becoming one. Saber wants this so he can save everyone. The setting is great, really. I liked the world building a lot and how the former village was burnt down just like that. It's still hard to say what happens, since it's just the beginning of the journey. Sadly so we don't get to know the characters well enough yet, which makes this slightly detached.
The art looks nice and different, which is understandable, since this isn't Japanese manga. There's a hint of Dragon Ball art-wise though. There are at least three parts in French, so there's going to be more happening in the future I take. The cover surely looks nice! ...more
The Spellbook Library sounded interesting and gladly the main plot moves slowly, since the mystery is surely interesting. Oddly enough this manga was The Spellbook Library sounded interesting and gladly the main plot moves slowly, since the mystery is surely interesting. Oddly enough this manga was first published in English as a test and then it will be published in Japanese. This isn't even the only one. Everything revolves around libraries and spellbook librarians that both Yan and Tohru want to be. We get to see their journey towards that goal and there are mysteries along the way and Tohru's past is something else too. I really liked the setting and the world is surely interesting, since I love libraries and I work in the field myself too. But, the superimposed humor eats away some of the pleasure and feels so detached. Especially Yan is super annoying.
The art is OK, nothing amazing, but works in the genre. Library themed stories are the best and especially when the setting is magical fantasy. I wish we get to see more of the monsters and less humor, since it feels cheap. But, this is shounen so I don't hold breath for a change. Still, I hope we'll get to enjoy the mystery a lot longer. ...more
Golden Gold is super creepy! I really enjoyed it and how the creepiness is somehow invisible and you're scared even though you don't know why. The stoGolden Gold is super creepy! I really enjoyed it and how the creepiness is somehow invisible and you're scared even though you don't know why. The story takes place in Neijima Island, where Ruka lives. She has a crush on a boy and her grandma has a store. Ruka ends up finding a weird doll-like figurine from the sea and suddenly the creature comes alive after she put it in a shrine. It keeps following her and she thinks it could be a god of fortune. Only those not born on the island see it as it is, all the others see it as an old man. Somehow the weird creature starts to develop the island to its liking. The whole thing is so interesting and the story combines horror with a Japanese country life so well. This makes the setting extra creepy and I don't know where this is going, but I think I need to find out. Although I'm scared.
The art looks nice. The backgrounds are amazing and detailed, but the faces look a bit odd at times. I love how the characters have facial expressions and the liveliness is the best part surely. The slight wonkiness works out well though, as it adds to the creepiness. This series is surely something else and thus refreshing by every standard!...more
Elma, a Bear's Life is charming, beautiful and oddly sad. It's about a little rascal girl named Elma, who lives in the forest with Papa Bear. The bearElma, a Bear's Life is charming, beautiful and oddly sad. It's about a little rascal girl named Elma, who lives in the forest with Papa Bear. The bear found her when she was just a baby and they have to make a secret journey that seems dangerous and the bear's sadness is carved on it's face. The comic reminds me of Luke Person's Hildafolk and Cyril Pedrosa's Three Shadows. The atmosphere is hollow and perfect, just waiting for the upcoming storm. The rhythm is wonderful in it's slow and simplistic pace. The story is small in a sense, but fits the comic so well. There's hardly any text, just facial expressions, colors and whatnot. A very artistic comic and works for kids too, which is great.
The art line is sketchy and light, but with humor and warmth. The comic feels distant and odd at times, which is wonderful, since it makes you wait for something. There's something looming all around, which makes the comic electric almost. I love the bear and how his character is so multifaceted. Elma is a complete opposite and they still work so well together. I so want to keep reading to know more and what happens, since Elma, a Bear's Life is exciting and heartwarming....more
Samura surely surprised me with Wave, Listen to Me! Interestingly so the manga is about radio shows (talk radio), which is very refreshing. Minare endSamura surely surprised me with Wave, Listen to Me! Interestingly so the manga is about radio shows (talk radio), which is very refreshing. Minare ends up blabbing her problems with her boyfriend to a guy when she's drunk and that ends up on radio show. She works in a curry restaurant and barges in the station only to be offered a talk show thanks to her peculiar voice and style. Of course this thing isn't all that simple and the setting is quite realistic albeit Minare is truly a character... The first first volume sets the thing and shows us how Minare struggles with her work and love life, gets fired from the restaurant and such. It's like a row of bad outcomes that somehow fit the situation and well, she is slightly immature and annoying too. For me the manga is a bit too much all over the place, but it can get better.
The art looks awesome and it's precise Samura surely. The characters have persona looks-wise and the panels are multifaceted and dimensional. The series looks great, but still lacks something. Not really the plot though, but how it's constructed here and perhaps this needs some toning down. Still, I'm very happy about the topic and how the female protagonist actually has balls. Such a different kind of manga!...more
I very much enjoyed Aster of Pan, since it's a dystopian comic with sports! The comic is set in 2068 after contamination has made many of the places iI very much enjoyed Aster of Pan, since it's a dystopian comic with sports! The comic is set in 2068 after contamination has made many of the places inhabitable. Now the land is flooded and there's hardly any place to grow foods. The city of Pan survives by growing rice and it's raided by pirates all the time until the neighboring city of Fortuna demands foods for protection. Pan's last choice is to take part in an old ritualized game known as Celestial Mechanics that is a lot like... dodge ball! Our main hero is Aster and girl living in Pan, but not from Pan herself. I really liked the setting and how the story unfolds slowly. I really loved the pondering between Aster and Wallis and them wandering around so that we see the world. The rhythm is great, deliciously slow and beautiful.
The art is just perfect with blending watery colors, the scruffiness and the feeling of spring. Merwan manages to draw the games so that it looks like everything is moving, which is important when you draw sports. The characters have facial expressions and the world looks so interesting! I so want to know what happens, since this is something different and you cannot really have enough sports comics (that aren't sports comics per se), haha....more
Usually I'm not a fan of maid manga, but My Maid, Miss Kishi is somewhat different. Kiichiro Hayase is an eligible man with wealth and he's single tooUsually I'm not a fan of maid manga, but My Maid, Miss Kishi is somewhat different. Kiichiro Hayase is an eligible man with wealth and he's single too, but the guy is actually a walking glitch himself. Everything he touches basically explodes and his way of thinking is weird too. He has maids to help him, but Miss Kishi is surely the best. The woman can do anything and doesn't even move a face muscle while doing it. Because of this Kiichiro doesn't know if Kishi is happy and enjoys work, since he can't read her at all. No one can. In a sense this is great and how Kishi doesn't give in to Kiichiro's affection and whatnot. She lives a humble and small life, which is great. The problem is that this is the single joke we have and building a story around it is hard. This first volume keeps using the same elements all over again, which gets tiring fast.
The art looks humor manga like and works that way without being too detailed or anything. The comedy element is already in the art, so it gives extra boost to the story. I hope Kashiwagi broadens the story, since this is six books long, so it kind of needs more to it to stay interesting. Otherwise this is an OK series for those who like the setting....more
Her Majesty's Swarm is an isekai series, but actually quite refreshing and brutal. Our main character is a girl that plays this spider video game and Her Majesty's Swarm is an isekai series, but actually quite refreshing and brutal. Our main character is a girl that plays this spider video game and somehow ends up inside it. Well, it's not sure she's actually there and now she tries to understand how the world works and how she became the queen of the spider forces, Arachnea. The series is quite violent and dark, somehow even humorously twisted. Our queen is a handy girl with lots of talent and she actually ponders a lot. So, not your typical female heroine (if you can call her a heroine that is). I really enjoyed the fact that this is about spiders though and they look quite realistic too. The series reminds me of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, since the structure and feeling are very similar if you don't count the violence.
The art looks very nice and quite realistic. The characters have facial expressions and the view angles are interesting too. The flow of the story works, but somehow I kind of expected more, since the genre is so used. The plot has just started and it all depends where it's going whether this will be a hit or not. The potential is there though....more
Small Nozomi and Big Yume is an odd one. Our main character is Nozomi Koiwa, who's a high schooler. At the beginning of the story she wakes up and hasSmall Nozomi and Big Yume is an odd one. Our main character is Nozomi Koiwa, who's a high schooler. At the beginning of the story she wakes up and has shrunk to the size of a soda can and cannot remember basically anything except her name. She somehow ends up living with this alcohol loving 22-year-old woman, who's a neet. Nozomi makes Yume believe she's just her imagination and tries to help the woman out to try to organize her life. But, it seems Nozomi isn't the only one having shrunk... Well, the setting is interesting, but the series is only three books long, so it may not be enough. The pace is really fast and Nozomi doesn't really try to solve her situation enough to make this more interesting. It's just about Yume getting drunk and not understanding why she can see the little school girl.
The art looks nice, a bit sexy at times, which feels weird considering the topic. I'm much more interested in the reasons than in Yume's situation though. The shrine seems to be the key to everything. Still, it's great that this is a shorter series, since we need more of those. The topic is quirky too in a good way....more
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