Manga Review: Bungo Stray Dogs by Kafka Asagiri

Yen Press
Dec. 13, 2016
192 Pages

Atsushi Nakajima no longer has a home. After being kick out of the orphanage, he saves a man from attempting suicide. At a strange turn of events, the man he saves, Osamu Dazai, is part of a detective agency that employs agents with supernatural powers. So, where does that leave Atsushi?

I really. . . really . . . enjoyed this series. And I was surprised that I did because for me Atsushi was a bit useless. Let’s start from the beginning.

Atsushi is the overall good guy that does two things: jump into a situation without thinking or considers running away when everyone else fails. He does that more than once and after a while I stopped caring about him and cared more about the surround characters, who in my eyes make the book.

Atsushi is like an open book, especially compared to Osamu, who from the beginning is surrounded by mystery, dark humor and secrets. . . lots and lots of secrets. I liked him, even though by volume 2 you see less of him. Osamu had depth and that is what was missing from Atsushi. All the surrounding characters had depth and the author was able to weave the different stories, creating a perfectly complex environment. It was amazing work. I know that I am chalking Atsushi as an average character, which is kind of is, but he is powerful and plays a huge roll in the story.

The art work was great but nothing I am going to go to sleep remembering. No offense to the artist, but the storyline overpowered everything. If there was more art telling the story, then it could compete. Although I enjoyed reading this series, I believe the anime would be better.

Overall,

4 Pickles

 

Book Review: The Rising of the Shield Hero by Aneko Yusagi, Minami Seira (Illustrator)

One Peace Books
Published Dec. 8, 2015
300 Pages

Naofumi Iwatani is summoned into a parallel universe, while reading a book in the library. In this world he discovers he is one of four heroes with a legendary weapon destined to save the world from the predicted end. 

But he is the shield hero, who is considered the weakest of them all. And because of that he has no one to turn to, is penniless and is betrayed. Here is the story of the shield hero.

I was surprised at how well this story was written because I really was not expecting much based off the summary. But the story developed really well and Naofumi wasn’t a tool nor did he become one.

What I liked about this series was the fact that it showed the darker side of being a hero, specifically the hero that no one wanted and what it takes to be the hero he wanted. There is growth but it is weird because I wouldn’t consider Naofumi actually going through growth. It was more of understanding and handling things better. However, the surrounding characters did grow, which made the shield hero a much better character.

I liked how there was a personal battle that tied in with the ultimate to save the world. It didn’t take away from anything and the two battles didn’t cancel or belittle each other. The author was able to tie each together and have them seamlessly move in sync. I really enjoyed that. The book wasn’t battle after to battle and I appreciated that.

The artwork was far from cliche. No one character looked like someone else, personalities was defined in the clothing and physical actions of each character and there was care in the work, I was surprised by this read and I am awaiting the next volume.

Overall,

4 Pickles

Manga Review: Niehime to Kemono no Ou by Yu Tomofuji

Hakusensha
Published May 20, 2016
162 Pages

Saliphie is the 99th sacrifice to the demon king. Looking to enjoy the last few days of her life, As she gets close to the King, she learns two secrets that can change his entire empire.  

When it is announced that Saliphie will be the King’s companion, she is determined to be his source of energy and support. 

This series was a surprise. Based off the summary, it sounded very cliche but the author put in some work with this one.

What I loved was the back story, provided for Saliphie. She is more than just a girl trying to bring happiness to everyone she meets; her past is sad and the fact that she even has some kind of innocence is slightly hard to believe.

I did feel the author was doing too much with her being naive or oblivious to things but I liked her. The best part of this book is the plot. The twists and turns are not cliche at all. Maybe slightly predictable in regards to the King but beyond that I was impressed by what I read. The pace was great. However, I did feel in the first volume it was becoming redundant but by the second volume that changed, which is a fairly quick turn around.

Saliphie relationship with the King shows growth, which I love. They each are feeling each other out, while also trying to become better individuals. Despite the fantasy aspect of it, it is a realistic interpretation of growing love. I really enjoyed it. Beyond the romance, a lot of shady things happen and I am all for it.

The art work was pretty good as it focuses on animals having human appearances and emotions. I was happy with it.

Overall, I am disappointed there isn’t a volume 3 yet because I really did enjoy this.

 

4.5 Pickles

A Few Memorable Manga Novels

 

 

I have read a lot of manga. For years, it has been my go to reads when I didn’t want to get too heavy in a new novel. After some time, manga didn’t just stay as my in between reads bu now it is a requirement in my book list.

Although I did not post all my memorable manga, these hold a special place in my heart. Their originality in plot and illustration and the emotion each brings out. I love them. And if you get the chance to read them, I hope you love them too!

 

<3

Manga Review: LASBOSS×HERO by Hajime Katsuragi

Shogakukan,
Published March 18, 2013
166 Pages

Sagara Masamune is a manga artist but a very good one. And he has to come to terms that his career is ending. To keep what followers he has on terms, he looks to end the female lead, Nina in the most spectacular way. 

As he works to conclude his manga, he is sucked into Nina’s world. Sagara doesn’t know what is happening but maybe killing Nina will be the way for him to return home. 

This series is one of those series you have to keep reading in order for you to get to the good stuff. I would say volume 3 for this book.

The first two volumes were distasteful. I get that it is supposed to highlight the cliche of manga, especially manga’s with female leads but it was tough to swallow.  But for some reason, I kept going and I am glad that I did.

First and foremost if Ecchi, skin or racy topics bothers you, this is not the manga for you. In the beginning there is a lot of it and once you get pass volume 3 or 4, there really isn’t any.

Sagara is an interesting character because I didn’t feel anything towards him for most of the book. I didn’t think he was a jerk for some of the decision he was making. However, he grows throughout the series and by the end I understood him and his issue as a manga artist.

Nina, is different because her personality was a blank slate. I didn’t see a whole lot of growth to her but that doesn’t mean that something didn’t happen. She changes but it is more subtle than Sagara.

The story elevates so much, you can appreciate the creativeness that is within it. The author really thinks this out. There are twists and turns that are not necessarily predictable and once the mess is over, the plot moves smoothly without you worrying you are going to see something you don’t want to see.

As for the artwork, it could have been better. There was cliche and it was obvious; you really couldn’t see a signature from the illustrator.

Overall, I was pissed because Kiss Manga doesn’t have any more translations and it ended abruptly. But I did really enjoy this series.

4 Pickles 

Manga Review: Tasogare Otome × Amnesia by Maybe

Kaze Manga
Published 2014

A young woman was left to died in the old building at the Academy for Sincere Teachings. Niiya Teiichi, a freshman, gets lost in that building and sees this young woman’s ghost. The two join together to find the truth about her death and past. 

*Review of the entire series. 

This manga was fantastic. If you do not mind some ecchi, then don’t read this. The plot. the pace, the mystery and the horror all moved together perfectly in each book.

I liked how the romance wasn’t over done nor was it completely obvious. It could have went either way and I appreciated that sort of “suspense.” Niiya was a character I didn’t think to like. He stayed true to himself and what he wanted and nothing stopped him from that. There was a love triangle… well other people were interested in Niiya but it was one sided. Perfect.

The artwork was great. There was horror not graphic, not bloody but certain images did provide the horror. What I really did love about this book is it was a huge game of telephone. Not everything was what it seemed, not everything was a lie. It was a great blend of what the babbling of high school students can and cannot do.

I can go on and on about this series but it would give a lot away. Overall, unforgettable story.

5 Pickles

Manga Review: I Am a Hero by Kengo Hanazawa

Dark Horse Manga
April 26, 2016

Hideo Suzuki is a manga artist that struggles with dealing with reality and his inner thoughts. When the zombie apocalypse unfolds right in front of his eyes, Hideo knows that he will be the hero. 

I normally review a manga when I am either finished or really deep into it. But this series . . . I only made it 3 volumes in. Hideo is an idiot. That is the first word to come to mind, when I think of him. I don’t have an issue with the main character being off and unsure of themselves. I don’t have an issue with the main character being average and struggling with that. I have an issue when the main character has no common sense and considers his selfishness as a heroic move.

I was so frustrated with Hideo that I pushed myself to read to second and third volume. Some may say the third volume is too soon to make a decision on the entire series but I couldn’t read it anymore. Which is a real shame because beyond him, I enjoyed this.

Art work was graphic and realistic. It was really gruesome at times; which is fitting for a zombie manga.  I liked what the author did in regards to the zombies. For anyone that actually wants to read it, I can’t say what it is but it is really cool.

Pace of the manga was good; there was movement that wasn’t just filled with constant action. I had hope for this but couldn’t get passed the idiot.

2.5 Pickles

Manga Review: Unbreakable Machine-Doll by Reiji Kaitou

Studio JG
Published Oct. 24, 2014
8 Books

Raishin Akabane is a puppeteer with a mission. Traveling from Japan to Liverpool with his automaton Yaya, he begins attending Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart. Once every four years, the Academy conducts a “Night Party” This “party” is a competition where puppeteers use their automatons to fight until the last person stands. The prize? To become the “Wiseman” the most powerful puppeteer in the world.

 But Raishin can careless for the title; his mission is revenge and the only way to get it is to get into the “Night Party”

I had very little hope in this series. Something about it, while reading the summary, threw me off. But once I started reading my mind shifted. This is actually a pretty decent story. Slightly predictable but nothing too bad, where I have to stop reading it.

Raishin is different from the rest. He is blunt and has a one track mind (his mission) or at least in the beginning. Despite this, he isn’t a jerk; he has some kind of consideration for other. Although he comes off humorous, he is genuine. The predictability comes in with Yaya. She is in love with him despite the fact that she shouldn’t. In the beginning this is known but it is not known if Raishin actually knows this. He treats her like a companion and is affectionate with her as well. Does he have feelings for her or is he just the brotherly type? Can’t tell you but what I will say is the line is a bit thin for me.

Just because their relationship is spoken about in the first two books, does not mean this is a classic high school love triangle (yes, another girl is in this series) with some special effects. The line between the puppeteer and the automaton is huge. The fight scenes are on point. I would have preferred it to be more graphic and much more intense but the scenes were good. As the series progresses the artwork becomes less cliché and more sexual.

As far as the rest of the story, I love the complexity of it and how it twists and turns. It is almost perfect. I say almost because there is deeper emotion missing for me. It isn’t intense enough.

 

Overall, I would recommend this read for those 17+ mainly because the sexual content that occurs.

 

3.5 Pickles

Manga Review: Devil’s Line by Ryo Hanada

Vertical Comics
Published May 24, 2016
224 Pages

Tsukasa is rescued from a vampire attack, by an unknown vampire blending with the human population. Anzai, her hero is a half-breed that uses his powers to help a shadowy police task force, fight against vampire- related crime in Tokyo. 

As Anzai and Tsukasa become closer, Anzai has to fight harder to keep from breaking his no human blood rule.

Based off the summary, this sounds like a typical vampire human romance. But trust me . . . it is not. I am only two volumes into this (because the other’s have not been posted online) and it is on my top ten for vampire mangas.

Tsukasa is a awkward college student. Although social-able when it comes around men, she doesn’t know what to do or for that matter say no. When she meets Anzai, she finds him fascinating as opposed to a freak (cliche I know). But there is something about Tsukasa that Anzai decides he has to protect her. The romance is there but it isn’t acted upon as easily as one would think. I loved how both didn’t completely understand their feelings but they weren’t avoiding each other either. It was a mature move; instead of running away they just went with it. I enjoyed that.

Beyond the romance, the story is amazing. So many characters are intertwined and complicates everything in the most artistic way. Is there some predictability? Yes. Is there a love triangle? No. (Thank God) But the cliche not everything is what it seems is the case with this one.

I loved the pace of the manga and how detailed it was without dragging. It was intense, dramatic and had some funny points. The art work was far from cliche; everyone looked different and had different personalities. The cliche of beautiful vampires doesn’t exist in this manga. It is mentioned but from my point of view, that vampire wasn’t all that cute.

If you want a vampire romance that doesn’t have the high school drama and is pure action and intensity, this is for you. I am in love with this therefore to the point, I may buy the series, I am impatient for the next volume to be released.

5 Pickles

Manga Review: Chocolate Cosmos by Nana Haruta

Shūeisha
Published Jan. 1, 2007
176 Pages

Sakurai Sayuki is the odd girl in school. Known for having sharp eyes that always make her look mean, Sakurai has not had a boyfriend ever. Now that she is in high school, things are different and she hopes for love.

*Short Review*

The thing about this manga is it is a very cliche romance. High school girl falls in love with a boy, she doesn’t realize is her home economics teacher (because she sleeps in that class). She goes through this back and forth of if her feelings are valid and if she should pursue the teacher.

Typical. . . completely. This manga was listed as a comedy but there wasn’t much humor to it. Sakurai was annoying and she over reacted to everything (well she is a high school girl in a manga).  The surrounding characters were iffy because you really couldn’t put your finger on what type of people they were. There wasn’t enough personality coming out of them, even though they were pretty dominate within the story.

To be honest, I expected something different because there has been occasions that things were different.  The art work was mediocre because everyone looked alike and it was hard to really tell them apart, especially the men. The story-line moved surprisingly very smooth. There was conflict but it fit within the plot very well.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad story. I know plenty of people that would enjoy it much more than me.

2 Pickles