Tierra is keeping her read/watch list updated at times. So feel free to check out that page. Amor has been too busy to update in a long time.
Archives for category: shojo
Both Amor’s and Tierra’s Pages for Suggestions for Reading/Watching have been updated.
If you’re looking for something to read or watch you may want to check out what they’ve been reading and watching and think is good enough to suggest.
I’ve read Meteor Prince おとめとメテオ(Otome to Meteo) by TANAKA Meca 田中メカ , a 2 volume cute shojo series.
I usually don’t like many shojo stories, especially if they’re school life and romance; however, the first volume is a bit different and endearing. It does in the second volume have the cliched people trying to interfere with their romance, which is made it more like other shojo manga.
The story is about a super bad luck girl and a meteor prince and their romance, if I go into more there will be spoilers. This is not some edgy, mean-spirited manga; even though at first it seems she’s being bullied when in fact it truly is super bad luck. This story is fun; however, really suited almost exclusively for teens.
Anyway, this is a cute, short shojo romance that’s a bit different.
EIKI Eiki 影木栄貴 is currently writing two of my favorite current BL manga: Love Stage!! ラブ・ステージ!! and it’s spin-off Back Stage!! バック・ステージ. While EIKI Eiki 影木栄貴 is known for mostly BL, she does write shojo too (and is proud of her younger brother, DAIGO☆STARDUST).
One of her shojo is Train*Train トレイン☆トレイン. I recently received in my delivery the 3 volumes of Train*Train トレイン☆トレイン. According to the manga there is a 4th volume; however, everywhere I look, there is only mention of 3 volumes, so don’t know what happened, maybe the 4th volume was canceled (at least in the US – this is old manga).
Train*Train トレイン☆トレイン is about an incompetent and cute 18-year-old, Saruta Asahi, who wants to follow his deceased father’s shoes and work for the trains. He’s assigned to a crazy station known for its bishonen and crazy antics. This is a comedy with animals too. Look for Pure the prairie dog, owned by Saruta Asahi, and cat named Stasha, owned by Matsumaru Hokuto.
EIKI Eiki 影木栄貴 worked at a train station and had since wanted to write a manga about it and this is the result. If you read Love Stage!! ラブ・ステージ!! and Back Stage!! バック・ステージ, you can see how she’s grown as a mangaka.
I really had good hopes for Yukarism ゆかりズム by SHIOMI Chika 潮見知佳, as her Raisetsu らせつの花 (Rasetsu no Hana) wasn’t so bad (but I read that years ago when starting to read manga). The idea isn’t all that unusual for shojo, so there is the problem of another formula series. This is of real concern when I read that she was pressured into writing it by her editor and it wasn’t a period or subject she was interested in and didn’t know much about. Also, there are only 4 finished volumes in Japan, so that is telling too, if it was better, with the way it was written, there would have been more volumes.
I think this is another reason there is so much wrong with shojo, shonen, BL, and josie manga these days (much less than in seinen). The editors are basically writing the stories and they have a formula and go along and make changes according to how the ratings are and not come up with a total and original story and let it play out and possibly as it goes on and is obviously different could get more popular. Editor’s aren’t the author’s, they’re there to make sure that the writing/drawing is the best it can be by polishing, checking for grammar and factual mistakes and lucidness, and refining the story, not forcing material and telling the author what and how to write.
Anyway, this is the first volume and setup to the story. It has potential, interesting subject matter about reincarnation and remembering a past life, Edo period, etc.; however, with only 4 volumes, doubt it should have been released in the US in English as probably not that good and is probably too formulaic. Knowing this you can decide whether or not to waste your time and money on another formula story, or if you want to read you can get from your local library (if they don’t have it you can place a purchase request or inter-library loan for it).
The first thing one notices about He’s My Only Vampire 純血+彼氏 Junketsu + Kareshi by SHOUOTO Aya 硝音あや is that Yen Press made horrible choices in the print and it’s very difficult to read (at least if you’re older, and many of our readers are). There is not enough contrast in the font and manga, and the fonts are difficult to read and smallish at times.
Since this is the set up volume, I really can’t get a good feel for it yet. It looks like it could become a reverse harem, which would be a shame as that’s almost always done poorly. Also, since it’s a supernatural themed story that also could be cause to worry about it just being another clone-type shojo manga, especially since it seems to be a school life story, which in general tend to be, usually, pretty much alike. So, at this point I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series or not, especially if they don’t change the fonts and contrast.
If it does turn out to be readable, with 10 volumes Yen Press isn’t getting the volumes out fast enough at once every 3 months. One would like to finish a series if it’s finished and not over 12 volumes in a year if possible, not 2.5 – 3 years, if they continue to publish the series and keep the same pace of once every 3 months.
Even though I was ready for Vampire Knight ヴァンパイア騎士(ナイト) by HINO Matsuri 樋野まつり to end, and didn’t necessarily like the ending (I loved Kuran Kaname 玖蘭 枢 – don’t expect much of him in the short stories in this volume, or Kuran/Cross Yuki 優姫); Vampire Knight Fleeting Dreams by HINO Matsuri 樋野まつり and FUKISAKI Ayuna is a volume of short stories and is still a fun read, with a lot of comedy.
The volume contains 6 short stories and there are a few problems, at times, with stilted translation (just a little in a few places) and poor proofreading, not what you’d expect from a large company like VIZ. However, the stories are fun and here is a list of the titles: Deranged Love; Gifts for Yuki; Hidden Love; Queen of the Abyss; A Maiden’s Melancholy; and In A Thousand Years. Do expect some fun from White Lily!
Youth Ride アオハライド (Ao Haru Ride) by SAKISAKA Io 咲坂伊緒 is so popular but not available in the US in English. So, since her series Strobe Edge ストロボエッジ is fully available I thought I’d give it a try. Unfortunately, with a few minor things that barely make it worth while to read, it’s basically a rubber stamp version of most shojo story out there now.
I’m not sure why in Japan, and especially in the US, where classic shojo manga that aren’t all alike are not available and would be most appreciated, that they would bother with one more story that you just basically change the names and a few incidences and it’s considered alright. Isn’t that plagiarism? Why is shojo now days just the same story over and over and over again with name and minor incident changes. I’m totally bored with it and I’ve heard others say the same. I think if I had a grandchild reading manga I wouldn’t want them reading the same thing over and over and not expanding their point of view. In the past shojo manga had some very different stories and definitely not all romance. I wish some of the American publishers would go back to the past and bring back some of the classics that aren’t romantic but fun, maybe scary, and/or made you think.
I have heard from several sources lately that the reason all of shojo is becoming homogenized is that the male publishers are pushing for it and don’t want female readers to have access to different ideas. I don’t know if this is true or not; however, seems very plausible given the state of shojo and josie and even BL manga these days. There is a growing female magaka underground movement due to this; however, since it’s underground rarely being published and not seen by the masses.
A Letter to Momo ももへの手紙 (Momo e no Tegami) is a delightful, award-winning anime movie about a girl that’s just lost her father; her culture shock at moving to a small island; her experience with yokai sent to watch over her and her mother; etc.
These are yokai acting differently from yokai I’ve seen in other manga and anime. They’re endearing at times, frustrating at other times for her and the audience.
A good movie for a rainy afternoon.
Well, I’d like to have read more before writting this up about Demon From Afar 異域之鬼 (Iiki no Ki) by YUKI Kaori 由貴香織里 ; however, Yen Press is not releasing these volumes in a well-timed manner, and so really not read enough to make a decision about it.
This is a shojo manga, but seems not to be the typical shojo manga, at least so far. Which is good. There is a tiny bit of school life, but not enough to ruin it for me. It’s horror/supernatural with demons, occult societies, murder, earthquakes, an important part of it is about promises, there are also spies, amnesia, seemingly betrayal, etc.
I’m still on what seems setup stage in this series and there also seems to be at least one time skip, maybe more.
Yen press only has the schedule at this time for the first 3 volumes out of 6 volumes. They should probably had the series done by now if they cared about the series and those that like it, and I’m not sure if they’ll finish the series since no release dates past volume 3.
I love the stories that MIZUSHIRO Setona 水城せとな you think you’re going to get another by the numbers shojo manga; however, she always has some very interesting twists to her stories making them worth while. She’s one of the better shojo story mangka that occasionally gets published in the US.
Black Rose Alice 黒薔薇アリス (Kuro Bara Alice) is finally being published by VIZ in English in the US. This is a vampire story with a twist with insects and arachnids. Shorter, stranger, and more enjoyable than Vampire Knight ヴァンパイア騎士. This is also a twist on the reverse harem but not in the usual tedious manner that most are written.
The story starts in Vienna in 1908 and then time jumps to Tokyo in 2008. Much of the story is about unrequited love. This is a tragedy. I really can’t say much more without getting into trouble for writing spoilers.
Looking for romantic love or vampire manga but not the usual story – try this. Unfortunately, VIZ isn’t putting the volumes out at a rate I’d like – but it’s not too bad, one volume every 3 months – livable.
Once again a list of manga I would love to read in the US in English – this time some will be repeats and at least one is on hiatus
BL:
Kisses That Taste of Lies くちづけは嘘の味 (Kuchizuke wa Uso no Aji) by SAGAMI Waka サガミワカ
Heart’s Refuge ハートの隠れ家 Heart no Kakurega by NATSUME Isaku 夏目イサク
How to Discipline Feline Boys Nekoka Danshi no Shitsukekata 猫科男子のしつけ方 by UKYOU Ayane 右京あやね
Hideaway for the Heart Heart no Kakurega ハートの隠れ家 by NATSUME Isaku 夏目イサク
Amber Paradox Ameiro Paradox 飴色パラドックス by NATSUME Isaku 夏目イサク
You Are Confused by Love Kimi ga Koi ni Midareru きみが恋に乱れる by TAKANAGA Hinako 高永ひなこ
Pure Romance Junjou Romantica 純情ロマンチカ by NAKAMURA Shungiku 中村春菊
Back Stage!! by EIKI Eiki 影木栄貴 and ZAOU Taishi 藏王大志
Mr. Kayashima’s Graceful Life Kayashimashi no Yuuga na Seikatsu 茅島氏の優雅な生活~プロポーズ編~ by TONO Haruhi 遠野春日and MAMAHARA Ellie 麻々原絵里依
Like the Beast Honto Yajuu ほんと野獣 by YAMAMOTO Kotetsuko 山本小鉄子
Another Sleepless Night Konya mo Nemurenai 今夜も眠れない by YAMAMOTO Kotetsuko 山本小鉄子
A Blessing on Your House! Omairi desu yo お参りですよ by YAMAMOTO Kotetsuko 山本小鉄子
No Money Okane ga Nai お金がないっ by SHINOZAKI Hitoyo 篠崎一夜 and KOUSAKA Tohru 香坂透
Cool as you Toshishita no Ryuugi 年下の流儀 by MARUYA Kae 円屋榎英
Josei:
My Elder Sister’s Marriage ANE NO KEKKON 姉の結婚 by NISHI Keiko 西炯子
Deka Wanko デカワンコ by MORIMOTO Kozueko 森本梢子
Princess Jellyfish Kuragehime 海月姫 by HIGASHIMURA Akiko 東村アキコ
Natsuyuki Rendezvous 夏雪ランデブー by KAWACHI Haruka 河内遙
Sekine’s Love SEKINE-KUN NO KOI 関根くんの恋 by KAWACHI Haruka 河内遙
Kids on the Slope Sakamichi no Apollon 坂道のアポロン by KODAMA Yuki 小玉ユキ
Yoru Café. – My Sweet Knights ヨルカフェ。by ENJOUJI Maki 円城寺マキ
5-ji Kara 9-ji Made From Five to Nine 5時から9時まで by AIHARA Miki 相原実貴
Diamond Life ダイヤモンド・ライフ by FUJIWARA Akira 藤原晶
Light of the Firefly Hotaru no Hikari ホタルノヒカリ by HIURA Satoru ひうらさとる
Any tittle by AKINO Matsuri 秋乃茉莉
Shojo:
Ayakari-Zoushi あやかり草紙 by NATSUME Isaku 夏目イサク (hiatus from Wings 月刊ウィングス (Shinshokan 新書館))
Of the Crimson, the Light, and the Ayakashi あかやあかしやあやかしの (Akaya Akashiya Ayakashi no) by HaccaWorks* members: Kanan Misaki 華南みさき, Mizuki Satoru 水城サトル, Yumi Riku ユウミリク, Yumekagami Misaki 夢各神ミサキ, and Warabe Yuta わらべゆた & art by Nanao 七生
Akatsuki no Yona 暁のヨナ by KUSANAGI Mizuho 草凪みずほ
Laughing in a Cloudy Sky 曇天に笑う (Donten ni Warau) by KARAKARA Kemuri 唐々煙
Last Notes ラストノーツ by SAKURAKOJI Kanoko 桜小路かのこ
Even So, the World is Beautiful Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii それでも世界は美しい by SHINA Dai 椎名橙
Adekan 艶漢 アデカン by NAO Tsukiji 尚月地
Hanaibara はないばら by KAWAHARA Mio 川原美央 ISHIDA Sui
Ghost Hunt – Doll’s House Compilation Ghost Hunt: Ningyou no Iehen ゴーストハント 人形の家編 by ONO Fuyumi 小野不由美 and INADA Shiho いなだ詩穂
Any tittle by AKINO Matsuri 秋乃茉莉
The House of Nightmares – Ghost Hunt Akumu no Sumu Ie – Ghost Hunt 恶灵猎人 by ONO Fuyumi 小野不由美 and INADA Shiho いなだ詩穂
Bookmark of Demise Shuuen no Shiori 終焉ノ栞 by Suzumu スズム and YUKI Amino 結城あみの
Kamitoki no Resist 神解きのレジスト by YAMADA Shiro 山田シロ
Hakkenden – Touhou Hakken Ibun 八犬伝 東方八犬異聞 by ABE Miyuki あべ美幸 and TAKIZAWA Bakin タキザワバキン
Honey Bitter ハニービター by OBANA Miho 小花美穂
Spirit Detective Yakumo Shinrei Tantei Yakumo 心霊探偵八雲 by KAMINAGA Manabu 神永学 and illustrated by ODA Suzuka 小田すずか
Akaya Akashiya Ayakashi no あかやあかしやあやかしの by HaccaWorks* and Nanao 七生
The Sleepy Residents of Birdcage Manor Torikagosou no Kyou mo Nemutai Juunintachi 鳥籠荘の今日も眠たい住人たち by KABEI Yukako 壁井ユカコand TAKARAI Rihito 宝井理人
Shonen:
Nobunaga Concerto 信長協奏曲 (NOBUNAGA KYOUSOUKYOKU) by ISHII Ayumi 石井あゆみ
Heaven’s Memo Pad It’s the Only Neet Thing to Do Kami-sama no Memochou 神様のメモ帳 by SUGII Hikaru 杉井光 and art by Tiv
Silver Spoon Gin no Saji 銀の匙 by ARAKAWA Hiromu 荒川弘
Seinen:
Mononoke モノノ怪 by NINAGAWA Yaeko 蜷川ヤエコ
Une histoire d’un amateur de friandises SONO OTOKO, AMATOU NI TSUKI その男、甘党につき by Est Em えすとえむ
Nekomichi ねこみち by IWAOKA Hisae 岩岡ヒサエ
Silver Fox Gingitsune ぎんぎつね by OCHIAI Sayori 落合さより
Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha いなり、こんこん、恋いろは。by YOSHIDA Morohe 吉田もろへ
Ito Junji’s Cat Diary 伊藤潤二の猫日記よん&むー by ITOU Junji 伊藤潤二
My Girl マイガール (佐原 ミズ) by SAHARA Mizu 夢花李
Piano Forrest Piano no Mori: The Perfect World of Kai ピアノの森 – The perfect world of KAI by ISSHIKI Makoto 一色まこと
I think you all know I’m pretty fed up with the state, in general, of shojo and josei manga these days being mostly romance (although not in the past) and extremely formulaic and banal. Well, here’s a new spin that is fresh and more than just your ordinary romance (and yes, it is a romance). The “macho” non-bishie guy gets the cute girl and his strong relationship with his best friend. Unusual misunderstandings. Oh, I forgot to tell you that the title is My Love Story!! オレモノガタリ!! (Ore Monogatari!!) and it’s written by KAWAHARA Kazune 河原和音 (who wrote the classic High School Debut 高校デビュー (Koukou Debut)) and art by Aruko アルコ.
I’ve only read volume 1; however, not the usual nasty and overdone stereotypical story, so far, and I hope it continues this way.
It’s wonderful to read something fresh, encouraging, and non-cliched. And the main characters are all very helpful and truthful, nothing mean or unpleasant and truly care for each other and others in need, the main character is a true and gentle hero.
This is running in Japan in Betsuma (Shueisha) and in the US in English in Shojo Beat (VIZ). The volume 2 came out in October with volume 3 following in January 2015 and I hope that if you love romance and/or shojo manga but are so very tired of the same rehashed stories, please give this a try.
The first thing that you notice reading Say I Love You 好きっていいなよ。Suki tte Ii na yo. by HAZUKI Kanae 葉月かなえ is how bare the panels are because she doesn’t have backgrounds. This seems to be a serious flaw and I’ve heard of other mangaka being assigned assistants to teach them how to do backgrounds or to draw the backgrounds, but not in this instance and it does detract from the manga and makes it seem less professional.
This story is supposed to be a message manga, and it is, but simplistic and hackneyed. I’m surprised that it’s still ongoing in Japan with at least 12 volumes out. Kodansha is a large publisher and should be able to get better translators for this story. Kodansha is trying to release it in English in the US at a good rate of 1 volume every other month.
I’ve only read two volumes; but it’s just not high enough quality writing or drawing to keep me reading.
Well, actually, lately when we talk, it’s rarely or mostly not manga/anime. However, we did touch on the fact that women’s manga (shojo, josei, even BL) is mostly romantic and rarely anything but romance (Natsume’s Book of Friends 夏にはため息をつく (Natsume Yuujinchou) being the only one not romantic that I could think of off the top of my head). This was not always the case with shojo/josei manga; however, it’s the state that it’s in now days. We discussed how there are rumors in the community about it being the publishing company’s male leader’s rules about romance for women and anything else being in seinen.
This is serious discrimination against the female population. However, as many groups continue to get better treatment (not exactly totally equal) with civil rights movements of all kinds and in many places. Women around the world are still treated like slaves or, at best, second class citizens. Please protest to your favorite and other manga companies if you’d like more than romance in shojo, josei, and BL manga.
Honey Blood 蜜味ブラッド (Mitsu Aji Blood) by MITSUKI Miko 蜜樹みこ: this supernatural tale is creepy; and not in a supernatural way. The male main character comes across as a pedophile, exhibitionistic playboy, stalker (even if for protection from the “vampire attacker/killer”) and even a murderer as he talks about killing his editor once she’s not food for him; more than the hero of a shojo manga. There is no chemistry between the two main characters, and since she thinks him such an old geezer, what is she doing hanging around him? Why is her family letting her spend time with an older man by herself? Even if the mother is a fan of his books, it’s disturbing having a teenager spending so much time alone with an older man and he should be busy writing and not have some teenager in the way. Plus with all the vampire attacks/killings it’s obvious it’s not him; it’ll probably be someone he knows. And then there is the poorly thought out contract, she can always leave him and cause him to die if she tires of him, etc., not just when she dies. I can’t say there’s much mystery/surprise to this manga other than why the two leads get together (it is shojo manga, of course they end up together and form a contract).
Volume 2 is due out in December and there is a volume of one-shots: Honey Blood:Tale 0 coming out in February. There are only 2 volumes to this series (besides the Tale 0); with such a popular subject as vampires and only 2 regular volumes, you know it’s not good. Why did VIZ think a bad story in Japan would be a good story in English in the US? Don’t they know a bad story is a bad story? There are so many better manga they could have picked to publish in English – so what’s going on here?
If you’re a regular reader I think you probably know I’m not a fan of Comic Zero Sum stories – so why am I giving Devils and Realist 魔界王子 Devils and Realist (Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist) by TAKADONO Madoka 高殿円 and YUKIHIRO Utako 雪広うたこ a chance? I really don’t know, maybe not much out there that’s different.
The story takes place in an English boarding school about an aristocrat that has lost his money and is super ambitious and not even religious but needs the appearance of a religious background for his ambitions and demons (and eventually angels) who are basically stalking him due to who he is and about his naming the next king of hell while Lucifer slumbers. He has a sidekick that’s into the occult, seemingly for comic appeal.
There is anime out there but I’ve not seen it – so can’t comment on it. In Japan there are at least 9 volumes out and it’s ongoing. Seven Seas seems to be releasing a volume every 3 – 4 months.
Just finished I Am Here! ココにいるよ！ (Koko Ni Iru Yo!) by TOOYAMA Ema 遠山えま. Unless you’re very unfamiliar with shojo manga, you’ll probably be bored by this transparent and clichéd series. The normal bullying (the way the class and eventually the main bully stop their bullying are unrealistic), best friends love triangle, mysterious person suspected to be one person when it’s obvious who the real person is, etc. Sunflowers and internet are an integral part of this series.
The drawings are about as bad as the rest of her manga – not that great. I don’t know why many shojo only mangaka don’t do well with their drawings and their characters look-alike. You don’t seem to find it too often in other genres of manga, and it’s not just the character drawings, but backgrounds as well. I’m not saying all shojo mangaka draw poorly (some are great and have interesting and unusual stories also – seems often to go hand-in-hand), or some don’t get much better the longer they’re doing manga, but TOOYAMA Ema 遠山えま doesn’t seem to be growing as an artist.
I can’t recommend this 2 onmibus series published by Kodansha.
Hana to Yume 花とゆめ (Hakusensha) has announced a second season of anime for Kamisama Kiss 神様はじめました (Kamisama Hajimemashita). They’ve also announced volume 19 will be out in Japan on 19 September.
When starting a new series by an author that one’s read before, one hopes that it’s better than the last – no matter how good the last series was, or at least as good. Unfortunately, in the case of Voice Over! – Seiyuu Academy 声優かっ! (Seiyuu Ka!) by MINAMI Maki 南マキ it’s not as good as S.A. S・A スペシャル・エー was. The characters, especially many of the secondary characters, are mostly unmemorable and many look too much a like. The story, while it has some original points, reminds me in many ways of at least two other better manga (one shojo, one shonen – can you guess? hint – both published also by VIZ). It’s surprising it lasted 12 volumes, not as long as S・A スペシャル・エー lasted (17 volumes and sequel for a total of 18 volumes).
Also, the emotionally abusive parent(s) (hints that there may be more than one of the characters with severely dysfunctional families – I’m only 5 volumes in and may not finish) could be handled better.
However, if you’re a cat lover, you will love all the cats and Catherine’s Diary. Unfortunately, there are so many cats, that in real life it would also start to be considered an abusive situation. There are tons of stories in the news all the time of people taking on too many discarded animals than they can take care, which then becomes a form of abuse as the animals don’t get the attention, if not the food and clean conditions (although in this case they do get the food and cleanliness) that is needed.
The idea for the series, based on voice actors, is a good idea, but from what I’ve read so far the material is not all that original. Also, the story is a gender bender and it seems to be turning into a reverse harem, which can get to be boring at times if not done properly. The comedy is not as much as one would hope for in a comedy.
If you’re a regular reader – you know Tierra loves stories about yokai. There is a recent article on manga with yokai:
http://www.mangahere.co/topic/youkais_world/
This article includes manga titles of mostly shonen and shojo with at least one josei and at least one seinen – some I’ve read and are very good – some among my favorite series, others I’ve heard of, some I have no knowledge about at all.
Once more my requests for titles to be published in the US in English:
BL:
How to Discipline Feline Boys Nekoka Danshi no Shitsukekata 猫科男子のしつけ方 by UKYOU Ayane 右京あやね
Songbirds Never Fly Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai 囀る鳥は羽ばたかない by YONEDA Kou ヨネダコウ just heard June has picked up as Twittering Birds Never Fly
Josie:
My Elder Sister’s Marriage ANE NO KEKKON 姉の結婚 by NISHI Keiko 西炯子
Shojo:
Last Notes ラストノーツ by SAKURAKOJI Kanoko 桜小路かのこ
Even So, the World is Beautiful Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii それでも世界は美しい by SHINA Dai 椎名橙
Adekan 艶漢 アデカン by NAO Tsukiji 尚月地
Boys, Please Kiss Him Instead of Me 私がモテてどうすんだ WATASHI GA MOTETE DOUSUNDA by Junko ぢゅん子
Hanaibara はないばらby KAWAHARA Mio 川原美央 ISHIDA Sui
Youth Ride Ao Haru Ride アオハライド by SAKISAKA Io 咲坂伊緒
Seinen:
Une histoire d’un amateur de friandises SONO OTOKO, AMATOU NI TSUKI その男、甘党につき by Est Em えすとえむ
Tokyo Ghoul Toukyou Kushu 東京喰種 by ISHIDA Sui 石田スイ
Shonen:
Heaven’s Memo Pad It’s the Only Neet Thing to Do Kami-sama no Memochou 神様のメモ帳 by SUGII Hikaru 杉井光 and art by Tiv
Nobunaga Concerto Nobunaga Kyousoukyoku 信長協奏曲 by ISHII Ayumi 石井あゆみ
This classic move could actually turn into a great gag(s) – but it’s always used seriously (at least when I’ve seen it).
There is a fight/training – usually swords, sometimes spears or other weapons and usually one is a ninja/master/etc. The ninja, master, or other fighter flips up into the air and lands on the other fighter’s weapon – keeping them from fighting them. The latest time I noticed was watching the anime – Samurai Deeper Kyo サムライディーパーキョウ, but have seen over and over in manga, anime, and film classics (like Kill Bill, and maybe some of Ziyi Zhang‘s films, etc.).
First – with all the force (mass x acceleration = force) would push the weapon down – no matter how strong the weapon’s wielder is and especially since most of the time they’re surprised by the move, even the strongest person in the world will at least be pushed down some, if not all the way.
Secondly, all the wielder needs to do is drop the end of his/her weapon and that would usually get rid of the person on his weapon and they’ll fall to the ground – could be funny too, then continue the fight.
I’d love to see this used as a joke, or at least the weapon wielder is smart enough to know to drop the weapon’s end to have the advantage if used seriously. Of course, this could also turn into another gag, if the other fighter/master/etc. keeps on the slanted weapon and the person with the weapon is trying to vigorously shake them off.
I tried to watch Hiiro no Kakera 緋色の欠片 anime a while ago and didn’t finish the first season – just not interested. Then both seasons in my delivery, so decided to give it a try once again.
I will say this. They have western magick (yes, magick with a k – look it up) totally wrong. However, to be fair, most fiction based on western magick is way off, sometimes even when written by pagans/ceremonial magicians and others in the magick community (for a variety of reasons). Even if you find and read historic alchemical and magick books written for alchemists and magicians, etc. before (and occasionally after) the late 20th century, almost all (except those handed out in secret communities under oath not to be shown to anyone) are written in code (even as recipes), allegory, metaphors, etc. You need to know this and know how to decipher each one – usually in a different way. So, no one really gets a real look at it in fiction.
Hiiro no Kakera 緋色の欠片 is a reverse harem supernatural and magick battle (action) romance, with conspiracies, greed, betrayal and loads of other characters with their own agendas thrown into the mix. It’s based on an Otome game and I understand that there is a volume of manga out also. Lots of bishounen (including some annoying female fan service – please be more subtle), but with a lead character (female) too weak, naïve, and lacking in to many ways to be appealing. This is a story about dysfunctional families (both Tamyori princess/guardians and – the two organizations Logos and the Bureau of Medicine (although not a true families)) with all the serial murder, deception, jealousy, lying, backstabbing, etc. Although, far from a favorite of mine (it could have been better written – just for a beginning and I don’t want to go into everything), there are many appropriate lessons – that we should all remember. A few of those lessons, but not all, have to do with the consequences of: lying; revenge; deceiving; mistreating children; domestic violence within a family; serial murder; spying; lack of belief in self; etc.
Another manga with a message is Otomen オトメン(乙男) by KANNO Aya 菅野文. This was one of the first shojo manga series that was ongoing that I started about 5 years ago and just finished the series. This series was published by Bessatsu Hana to Yume 別冊花とゆめ in Japan and Shojo Beat VIZ in English in the US. There was a live action series based on the manga; however, I’ve not seen it.
This is a allegory that is a few decades dated, although ran in Bessatsu Hana to Yume 2006 – 2012. At least, there have been enough advances made in female and gender equalities where the miscreant is a woman and mother of the principle character (who doesn’t live by the message she’s trying to force on her son and those around him). Anyway, it’s about being who you are and accepting others for who they are. The telling is rudimentary; however, the story is aimed at teenage girls, who aren’t necessarily that sophisticated. Still, it’s a fitting piece to read with a pleasurable story with a message that all should remember – not to force stereotypical gender identities on people and to accept them for whom they are.
I just took about 4 hours to read the first 12 volumes of Dawn of Arcana 黎明のアルカナ (Reimei no Arcana) by TOMA Rei 藤間麗. The last volume should be out in September and it’s published in English in the US by VIZ and originally published in Cheese! (Shogakukan) in Japan.
This is a story with many hidden secrets and about the destructive power of favoritism in families and bigotry within families and in society. The story is a bit naive at times – but it’s written for a young audience who wouldn’t appreciate a more sophisticated version of this story. The story is a very quick read for shojo manga – almost a quick as reading shonen battle manga. There are many of the usual things found in romantic shojo – the other lovers/spouses – but not too much and is more adventure than romance and battle and much of it is tragic.
There are mysterious powers, hidden agendas, hatred towards family, killings, nasty politics, genocide, hidden relationships, and good messages about accepting others for themselves, discrimination’s destruction both within families and society, and building peace.
A quick, enjoyable read for a lazy summer afternoon with a good message.
Tarot cards with the characters were one of the freebies in Japan (Arcana (not in the story) alludes to the major and minor Arcana – which make up a tarot deck).
I recently re-watched Saiyuki, the anime. I’ve not read any of the manga of the original series (shonen) or any of the spin-offs, prequels, sequels (all shojo). I’ve not read Journey to the West (although I have read (in English and unabridged) The Tale of Genji Genji monogatari 源氏物語 (Japanese), and the only one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Romance of the Three Kingdoms), but do know a lot of liberties was taken with these series. Even if I wanted to read the series in English it’s out of print as was published by TokyoPop (as was one of the spin-offs Saiyuki Reload 最遊記RELOAD).
I do know that Cho Hakkai was a pig monster in the original (and even the imitator looks like a pig) and here he’s a human turned into a demon from killing 1000 demons. Also, they have Sha Gojyo as half human but still part water demon (kappa) in the series. Son Goku is not necessarily the famous Monkey King, but is still called a monkey and I”m not sure he plays as important a role as he does in the original Journey to the West and Genjyo Sanzo is the priest. I’m sure all of their personalities are substantially altered, and except for Cho Hakkai can be irritating at times.
Since the anime is from 2000-2001 the drawing styles and animation are vastly different from the anime coming out of Japan now. I don’t have a problem with the drawings but the animation is choppy and old-style so not as sophisticated as most current anime. I think this is considered an anime classic.
I’m sure that those of you that love Comic Zero-Sum (Ichijinsha), are so excited that VIZ has finally bought the rights and is publishing a volume every other month of 07-Ghost セブンゴースト by AMEMIYA Yuki 雨宮ゆき and ICHIHARA Yukino 市原てつ乃. This is a good rate of release for this completed 17 volume series.
They did not pick up the side story (at least not that I know of) 07-Ghost: Children.
One other thing that Go!Comi did but VIZ isn’t doing, and almost never does in any series, the color pages were in color. If you’re like me this is one of the things about VIZ that I hate, they usually do the color pages in black and white (I actually can’t remember ever seeing any color pages in color with VIZ).
Since I’m not a fan of Comic Zero-Sum (Ichijinsha), I’ve started many of their series, including 07-Ghost, but have been super bored with the bishie battle manga that seems to be what they produce, that I’ve never finished or gotten close to finishing any of their manga.
seattlekifujin 