Story of Saiunkoku Saiunkoku Monogatari 彩雲国物語

Story of Saiunkoku Saiunkoku Monogatari 彩雲国物語 by YUKINO Sai    雪乃 紗衣 and illustrated by YURA Kairi 由羅 カイリ, for me is a fun read.  Another manga/anime based on a novel series that I wish was available.  This reverse harem (done right), romantic comedy/drama, historic shojo leaves me wanting more and really want to read the novels (18 volumes + 6 volumes of side stories).

I recently got volume 9 of the manga and this volume is totally side stories; however, they’re still good enough to make up the whole volume and lots of fun.

Bunny Drop Usagi Drop うさぎドロップ

Bunny Drop Usagi Drop うさぎドロップ by UNITA Yumi 宇仁田ゆみ.  This is a heart warming josei, slice of life, school life (barely), romantic comedy/drama.  In case you’re not familiar with this story it’s  about a 30 year old single guy, Daikichi, whose grandfather dies leaving behind a “love child”, Rin, that no one wants and he decides to take her in as his daughter but she won’t let him adopt him.  The stories often invovle her friend, Kouki, and his single mother, Yukari, and about their lives as the children grow up.  Daikichi’s adjusting to having a child and raising her by himself, etc.  Also, other family members, including Diankichi’s cousin, and his niece, who is a friend of Rin’s.   Much later in the series Rin’s mother starts to play a more important part.

There is a 10 year time jump starting in volume 5 with 9 volumes originally and a 10th volume as an extra.  The series is published by Yen Press.

Bleach – soon over in Japan

Thank you RikaMello for the use of your fan art: BLEACH
http://browse.deviantart.com/art/BLEACH-298811826
http://rikamello.deviantart.com/

Thank you IFrAgMenTIx for the use of your fan art: Bleach – Reunion
http://ifragmentix.deviantart.com/art/Bleach-Reunion-325334481
http://ifragmentix.deviantart.com/

It’s been announced for a long time that Bleach ブリーチ by KUBO Tite   久保 帯人 will be ending very soon.

In Japan Bleach ブリーチ is on hiatus in Weekly Shonen Jump 週刊少年ジャンプ for about 6 weeks before the series resumes for the last part of the last arc and ends.  For more information see (content at the links are in Kanji):

http://i.imgur.com/G4Dt4VH.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/N8xXrq8.jpg

In the US it seems to be about 3 volumes and about 5-6 months behind Japan – so should finish here probably next year.

Thank you RikaMello for the use of your fan art: BLEACH
http://browse.deviantart.com/art/BLEACH-298811826
http://rikamello.deviantart.com/

Thank you IFrAgMenTIx for the use of your fan art: Bleach – Reunion
http://ifragmentix.deviantart.com/art/Bleach-Reunion-325334481
http://ifragmentix.deviantart.com/

Dogs aka Dogs: Bullets & Carnage DOGS 獵犬 BULLETS&CARNAGE

Thank you k-iricos for the use of your fan/cosplay art: DOGS: Bullets and Carnage 01
http://k-iricos.deviantart.com/art/DOGS-Bullets-and-Carnage-01-295809876
http://k-iricos.deviantart.com/

Thank you vivianpop12 for the use of your fan/cosplay art: Bullets and Carnage
http://vivianpop12.deviantart.com/art/Bullets-and-Carnage-169448628
http://vivianpop12.deviantart.com/

Dogs aka Dogs: Bullets & Carnage DOGS 獵犬 BULLETS&CARNAGE by MIWA Shirow 三輪士郎, the first 2 volumes (volume 0 and 1) were in my library delivery.  I thought that this basically graphic seinen battle manga would be too much for me; however, found volume 0 had some humor and the story interesting.

This is a battle manga that is science fiction packed with loads of action for action addicted readers.  Guns, swords (katana), global warming and genetic engineering, and quirky characters (mostly assassins and gangs; however, there are a priest, innocent bystanders, the victims, and bar owner and other shop people, and others in the main cast).  I look forward to getting and reading the rest of this series and there are (I believe) 8 volumes out.

VIZ is the US publisher for this Ultra Jump series.

Warning – lots of graphic violence – not for the squeamish!

Thank you k-iricos for the use of your fan/cosplay art: DOGS: Bullets and Carnage 01
http://k-iricos.deviantart.com/art/DOGS-Bullets-and-Carnage-01-295809876
http://k-iricos.deviantart.com/

Thank you vivianpop12 for the use of your fan/cosplay art: Bullets and Carnage
http://vivianpop12.deviantart.com/art/Bullets-and-Carnage-169448628
http://vivianpop12.deviantart.com/

Kaoru Mori: Anything and Something 森薫拾遺集

Thank you LumiCL (Madison) for the use of your fan art: Shirley Madison
http://lumicl.deviantart.com/art/Shirley-Madison-314375865
http://lumicl.deviantart.com/

Thank you Yuki-mono for the use of your fan art: Emma – Beloved
http://yuki-mono.deviantart.com/art/Emma-Beloved-92083161
http://yuki-mono.deviantart.com/

Thank you Stormchaser17/Giuseppe for the use of your fan art: Amira
http://stormchaser17.deviantart.com/art/Amira-203475633
http://stormchaser17.deviantart.com/

Well, I think it’s plain, although Kaori Mori is a seinen mangaka – I’m a fan.  I love this book – Kaoru Mori: Anything and Something 森薫拾遺集; although, in the past I’ve only read, until this volume, The Bride’s Story Otoyomegatari 乙嫁語り.

She’s really into research, European, especially English, aristocrats and servants from the Victorian and Edwardian ages, etc.  This book is exactly as it’s title presents: it’s bits and pieces, including small bits with characters from her series, that she’s done that aren’t her regular series.  If you’re not a fan of her’s or not read her stuff (I know very few BL fans that read seinen), you may want to check this out if you’re into fireplaces, corsets, etc.  And I love her little idiosyncratic pieces with herself in them like in her regular series.

She has a really great sense of humor and is extremely intelligent and her work reflects that (although I’ve not read Emma or the other maid-related series).   She seems like she’d be great fun to have as a friend  too.  

Thank you LumiCL (Madison) for the use of your fan art: Shirley Madison
http://lumicl.deviantart.com/art/Shirley-Madison-314375865
http://lumicl.deviantart.com/

Thank you Yuki-mono for the use of your fan art: Emma – Beloved
http://yuki-mono.deviantart.com/art/Emma-Beloved-92083161
http://yuki-mono.deviantart.com/

Thank you Stormchaser17/Giuseppe for the use of your fan art: Amira
http://stormchaser17.deviantart.com/art/Amira-203475633
http://stormchaser17.deviantart.com/

Popular series that should be published in the US

This is just a personal opinion.

I’d like to see the following series published in the US in English (some can be found in Japanese kanji, French, and Spanish (some are in other languages like German, Chinese, etc.)).  This list is not complete:

Josei:

Thank you Jeneko for the use of your fan art:Natsuyuki Rendezvous!
http://jeneko.deviantart.com/art/Natsuyuki-Rendezvous-323904031
http://jeneko.deviantart.com/

Thank you 0214 for the use of your fan art: Sakamichi
http://0214.deviantart.com/art/Sakamichi-320892215
http://0214.deviantart.com/

Thank you fuwishi for the use of your fan/cosplay art:Rendezvous
http://fuwishi.deviantart.com/art/Rendezvous-335881630
http://fuwishi.deviantart.com/

Princess Jellyfish Kuragehime 海月姫 by HIGASHIMURA Akiko 東村アキコ

Happy Marriage Hapi Mari はぴまりby ENJOUJI Maki 円城寺マキ

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

BL:

Thank you Ultimate-Low for the use of your fan art: Sekaiichi Hatsukoi manga coloring
http://ultimate-low.deviantart.com/art/Sekaiichi-Hatsukoi-manga-coloring-284608528
http://ultimate-low.deviantart.com/

Thank you Seunghana for the use of your fan art: Sekaiichi hatsukoi Yukina kou Kisa Shouta ~VI
http://seunghana.deviantart.com/art/Sekaiichi-hatsukoi-Yukina-kou-Kisa-Shouta-VI-322154978
http://seunghana.deviantart.com/

World’s Greatest First Love: The Case of Onodera Ritsu Sekaiichi Hatsukoi  世界一初恋 ~小野寺律の場合~ by NAKAMURA Shungiku         中村春菊

Pure Romance Junjou Romantica  純情ロマンチカ by NAKAMURA Shungiku 中村春菊(was once partially published in the US)

Love Stage!! ラブ・ステージ!!  by EIKI Eiki 影木栄貴and ZAOU Taishi       藏王大志

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

(most titles in Asuka Ciel)

Shojo:

Thank you Rini-chi for the use of your fan art: Demo: Hakkenden
http://browse.deviantart.com/#/art/Demo-Hakkenden-351050332?hf=1
http://rini-chi.deviantart.com/

Anything by AKINO Matsuri 秋乃茉莉

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(manga)

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

Two Soaked in Sin Tsumi ni Nureta Futari 罪に濡れたふたり by KITAGAWA Miyuki 北川みゆき

Shonen:

Thank you Miyukiko for the use of your fan art: Inu x Boku SS
http://browse.deviantart.com/#/art/Inu-x-Boku-SS-311260514?hf=1
http://miyukiko.deviantart.com/

Youko x Boku SS Inu x Boku SS 妖狐×僕SS by FUJIWARA Cocoa           藤原ここあ

Seinen:

Thank you piratekit for the use of your fan art: Desktop
http://piratekit.deviantart.com/art/Desktop-139022950
http://piratekit.deviantart.com/

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

Thank you Rini-chi for the use of your fan art: Demo: Hakkenden
http://browse.deviantart.com/#/art/Demo-Hakkenden-351050332?hf=1
http://rini-chi.deviantart.com/

Thank you Miyukiko for the use of your fan art: Inu x Boku SS
http://browse.deviantart.com/#/art/Inu-x-Boku-SS-311260514?hf=1
http://miyukiko.deviantart.com/

Thank you piratekit for the use of your fan art: Desktop
http://piratekit.deviantart.com/art/Desktop-139022950
http://piratekit.deviantart.com/

Thank you Seunghana for the use of your fan art: Sekaiichi hatsukoi Yukina kou Kisa Shouta ~VI
http://seunghana.deviantart.com/art/Sekaiichi-hatsukoi-Yukina-kou-Kisa-Shouta-VI-322154978
http://seunghana.deviantart.com/

Thank you fuwishi for the use of your fan/cosplay art:Rendezvous
http://fuwishi.deviantart.com/art/Rendezvous-335881630
http://fuwishi.deviantart.com/

Thank you 0214 for the use of your fan art: Sakamichi
http://0214.deviantart.com/art/Sakamichi-320892215
http://0214.deviantart.com/

Thank you Jeneko for the use of your fan art:Natsuyuki Rendezvous!
http://jeneko.deviantart.com/art/Natsuyuki-Rendezvous-323904031
http://jeneko.deviantart.com/

Thank you Ultimate-Low for the use of your fan art: Sekaiichi Hatsukoi manga coloring
http://ultimate-low.deviantart.com/art/Sekaiichi-Hatsukoi-manga-coloring-284608528
http://ultimate-low.deviantart.com/

A Bride’s Story Otoyomegatari 乙嫁語り a different change of pace

Thank you nala-2009 for the use of your fan art: otoyomegatari
http://nala-2009.deviantart.com/art/otoyomegatari-371598044
http://nala-2009.deviantart.com/

The more I read A Bride’s Story Otoyomegatari  乙嫁語り the more I enjoy this historical tale that takes place in nineteenth-century Silk Road near the Caspian Sea and is like being one of the characters, Henry Smith, and English research anthropologist.

The story is rich and about the tribal peoples and also the village peoples and their customs, family interactions, etc..

This story is being published by Yen Press in the US, and I really wish they’d be more prompt on releasing the English volumes.

This series is a historic slice of life seinen romance by MORI Kaoru 森薫 a great author that does a lot of research into her works and makes them such a great read plus she has an eccentric outlook and sense of humor that I really appreciate.

Thank you nala-2009 for the use of your fan art: otoyomegatari
http://nala-2009.deviantart.com/art/otoyomegatari-371598044
http://nala-2009.deviantart.com/

Happy Gay Pride Week!

We wish all of our readers a Happy Gay Pride Week!

New BL anime/manga in Japan

I heard it’s just been announced that an anime will be produced and the 3rd volume is just out in Japan for Eiki Eiki 影木栄貴 and Taishi Zaou’s      藏王大志  Love Stage!! ラブ・ステージ!!

There is a long list of manga/novels coming out but not sure from souce if in English and the US; however, every month there is BL released in the US by several different publishers.  You can always search Amazon under books and yaoi (although, many times the titles aren’t even yaoi or even shonen-ai and BL titles found at amazon under their own title but not in a yaoi search) or check out the publisher’s websites.

Depression of the Anti-Romanticist Anti-Romanticist no Yuuutsu アンチロマンティストの憂鬱

I picked up Depression of the Anti-Romanticist Anti-Romanticist no Yuuutsu  アンチロマンティストの憂鬱 by SAGINUMA Yasuna鷺沼やすな and YAMAKAMI Riyu やまかみ梨.  It was the Digital Manga, June division release and it’s a big disappointment.

June doesn’t have a number on the cover, so one would expect that it’s a stand alone or collection of one shots volume.  However, it’s not!  In Japan its a 2 volume series.  In the US, it ends with a big cliff hanger; however, there are no plans to release volume 2.  Does Digital Manga really want to stay in business.  They should have released both volumes together as a bunkobon, or got rid of all the extra stories and release as a tankobon, or released volume 1 and 2 at the same time or a few weeks  apart).

Also, much of the book is composed of one shot school life BL, not something that I’m willing to read.

Also, I’ve been placed on Digital Manga’s email list (without requesting it as I don’t like the quality of their stories in general) and notice much of their email is actually manga with heavy male fan service – not BL.  I believe I was placed on their email list after inquiring about another series (Border 境界線)  that only got partially released (they released volumes 2 and 3 after you could no longer buy volume 1 at a decent price (and that was used – and we’re talking a  few hundred dollars) and never released volume 4), another reason I don’t want to buy stuff from them.  If Digital Manga was serious these short series (this one 2 volumes, the other 4) would be out all at the same time.  I find it difficult, if I have the money to pass up a whole series that is finished and out; however, with their track record, I’d probably not buy even volume 1 (maybe that’s why the volume wasn’t numbered).

The Betrayal knows my Name Uragiri wa Boku no Namae o Shitteiru 裏切りは僕の名前を知っている

betrayal-knows-my-name by hitominokotae17
Thank you hitominokotae17 for the use of your fan art
http://browse.deviantart.com/art/betrayal-knows-my-name-365433333

Thank you YaelRukia for the use of your fan art: Render- Hotsuma,Shusei,Yuki y Luka
http://yaelrukia.deviantart.com/art/Render-Hotsuma-Shusei-Yuki-y-Luka-373094204
http://yaelrukia.deviantart.com/
Thank you YaelRukia

Thank you ShadowofChaos666 for the use of your fan art: Luka and Luze
http://shadowofchaos666.deviantart.com/art/Luka-and-Luze-370981481
http://shadowofchaos666.deviantart.com/

Thank you hitominokotae17, YaelRukia, & ShadowofChaos666 for the use of your fan art:

http://browse.deviantart.com/art/betrayal-knows-my-name-365433333

http://browse.deviantart.com/art/Render-Hotsuma-Shusei-Yuki-y-Luka-373094204

http://browse.deviantart.com/art/Luka-and-Luze-370981481

The Betrayal knows my Name Uragiri wa Boku no Namae o Shitteiru         裏切りは僕の名前を知っている by ODAGIRI Hotaru 小田切ほたる is a great shojo/shonen-ai manga that can probably go head to head with any shonen battle manga.

This Asuka series is shojo in the way the relationships are portrayed with an extremely slow pace to it due to the substantial material and the way the battle scenes are drawn are shojo style too; otherwise you would think this battle story good enough to be in Jump.  In fact, in Asuka that has several famous battle mangas for girls, this one is better written for the female population than many of the more popular titles that feel like shonen dressed up with bishies.  Also, remember, shonen-ai is a legitimate form of shojo manga (why are some fans bickering over if it’s one or the other – shonen-ai is shojo – started in shojo (Heart of Thomas Thomas no Shinzou トーマの心臓 – see blog from 21 March 2013) and is a staple of many shojo magazines still.

This slow supernatural, fantasy and mystery battle shonen-ai story takes 8 volumes just to set up the main characters and story.  This is non-romantic shonen-ai, leaving you wanting more.  There is a break during volume 9 to a lighter, comedic, almost like a side story that takes up the whole volume.  Then back to the darker, serious story in volume 10.

I do miss Sodom in volume 9.  And, in general, there is not enough of Yuki and Luka, we really want more interaction between the two.  Maybe because, according to ODAGIRI Hotaru 小田切ほたる Luka is hard to draw, or at least very time consuming.

There are at least 11 volumes out in Japan, and the 11th (volume 6 in the US, as the first 10 volumes have been released in bunkoban format, the equivalent of 2 tankobons each, volume 6 is the same as volume 11 in Japan and is therefore a tankobon).  The volumes have taken a while to come out in Japan too, as the author suffers from tendinitis; however, she states that she’s picking up the pace and the story’s pace also.

There are also 24 episodes of anime; however, I’ve not seen the anime and don’t know how close it actually is to the manga.

ODAGIRI Hotaru 小田切ほたる does write about it being performed in 3 plays and that there are DVDs, of at least the first play, and hopefully the others.  It would be great if these would be released in the US.

Also, at least one of the drama CDs has material she wanted in the manga series and wasn’t able to include about Yuki’s past life secrets that belong to the main story.  I hope that they translate it and add as an extra to the books.

Looks like Yen Press understands that they need to get these volumes out fairly quickly so as not to upset the fans; however, they could have them come out a bit quicker – volume 6 should have come out a few months ago to keep the fans really happy.  They’ve also done a better job on translating and proof reading than some of their other series, so maybe learning from that too.

****possible spoiler alert****

I’m one of those people that read the end of a book before reading it (I hate surprises); however, I know that many don’t like spoilers; however, (the author even alluded to it in volume 9) be prepared for a major character calamity in volume 10, and I hope it’s not as bad as I suspect and maybe find out for sure towards the end of September when volume 6  comes out in English in the US.

Looking for good non-romantic BL/shojo/mystery/battle/supernatural story – you may want to give this well written and well drawn manga a try.

videos – Koto players from Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

Here are the links to 2 Koto songs performed live at the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival 2013 – thank you Amor for shooting and posting the vids:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pr4wynhho5ajvnp/20130428_152858.mp4

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5et9xkt5itlw909/20130428_153859.mp4

We hope you enjoy the playing!

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Kurosagi Shitai Takuhaibin 黒鷺死体宅配便

Thank you MJLB for the use of your fan art “Texas Chainsaw…Delivery Service?“:

http://mjlb.deviantart.com/art/Texas-Chainsaw-Delivery-Service-335382827

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Kurosagi Shitai Takuhaibin                黒鷺死体宅配便  by OTSUKA Eiji 大塚英志 and YAMAZAKI Housui           山崎峰水 has been among my favorites for several years.  If a librarian hadn’t suggested it I may not have started to read seinen comics at all (although, what seinen is published in the US and the library gets are mostly either too violent and graphic for me, or usually found in children’s books area – i.e. Chi’s Sweet Home チーズスイートホーム and Yostuba&! よつばと! (well, maybe that’s shonen)).  This is a supernatural, horror, mystery, comedy manga.  One of the few in the horror genre (actually more supernatural than horror) that I personally like, and one of the few that Dark Horse Comics publishes that I’m continuing to read.

This story is a bit connected to MPD Psycho Tajuujinkaku Tantei Psycho 多重人格探偵サイコ via the character of Tooru Sasayama 笹山 徹, who appears in both.  Besides him the main characters are (names in romanji are in reversed order for English readers) Kuro Karatsu 唐津 九郎, Ao Sasaki 佐々木 碧, Makoto Numata 沼田 真古人, Yuji Yata 谷田 有志, Kere Ellis ケレエレス, Keiko Makino 槙野 慧子, and Yaichi やいち.  There seem to be many things in the past of these Buddhist college students with unusual skills and abilities that connect them, making it so difficult to wait for the next installment to come out from Dark Horse.

Dark Horse Comics did a good job on this series in the past, with copious notes for the reader to get a good idea of what is really going on.  I really like the way they take care of this series and wish other publishers would take the care with publishing their manga as Dark Horse Comics did with this series.   However, with the latest volume, the notes and the adaptation are not as good.  I’m not interested in the personal comments made in the notes and the adaptation leave a lot to be desired.  I would prefer copious notes (which as always there are) and a direct translation – no adaptation, please!   Also, one last thing, although Dark Horse does one of the better jobs of translating and proof reading, they fall down horribly on getting volumes out in a timely fashion.  This series alone is a few years behind Japan (I think about 2.5).  There are at least 4 volumes out in Japan not out in the US, Dark Horse, please see what VIZ is doing about getting volumes on most series out in a much more timely manner and please copy that.  VIZ and other publishers, please look at the quality of translations, proofreading and notes that Dark Horse does and learn from them.

If you’re looking for an interesting break from normal BL/shojo/shonen and can manage some mystery/supernatural/light horror – this may be a good selection for you.

BTW, for BL fans there is a lot of BL fan art out there to check out.

Embracing Love Haru wo Daite Ita 春を抱いていた

The classic Embracing Love Haru wo Daite Ita  春を抱いていた by NITTA Youkais 新田祐克 finally going to be published in the US by VIZ SubLime this fall.  This is hard core BL with no boyish ukes and seke & reversible couple action (although limited).

This is the story of the rise of two AV stars into mainstream acting stardom and those around them and their evolving relationship and eventual marriage.

The drawing style will look dated as the first 14 volumes were started in 1997; however, there is rumors that the story has been picked up again in Japan.

Serialized in the following publications:  b-Boy LUV (Biblos), b-Boy Phoenix (Libre Shuppan),b-Boy Zips (Biblos), and Be x Boy GOLD (Biblos).

The main characters are Kyousuke Iwaki and Youji Katou.  With reoccurring characters: Nagisa Sawa, Yukihito Sawa, with lesser characters:  Kazunari Urushizaki and Katsuya Kikuchi.

There are two OVAs that I’ve not seen.

I don’t know anyone that’s into BL that doesn’t want to read this classic or who hasn’t already read it and if in the US waiting impatiently for its publication in English.

This is an extremely adult manga.  And if you hate those young-looking ukes and love sekes and reverse couples, this is a manga for you; although, you’ll be wanting more seke/reverse couple scenes.

More photos from Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

Enjoy!

Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

Amor eating Takoyaki

Ev eating Takoyaki

Happy Beltaine/May Day! Ikebana and other flowers from the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival

Beltaine/May Day = Flowers.  So for our first set of pictures from the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival we decided to share Ikebana and other flowers for Beltaine/May Day!

Happy Golden Week!

 

Happy Golden Week!

怪 Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales aka Japanese Classic Horror Ayakashi

I just finished watching 怪 Ayakashi: Samurai Horror Tales aka Ayakashi  Japanese Classic Horror .  This was a great series; however, I wouldn’t suggest watching the English dubbed version.  Listen to the original Japanese and use subtitles.  In my opinion the English dub is horrible (but in general, I’m not a fan of the US voice actors – they just don’t seem to be as good as the Japanese voice actors, and also the translations for the dubs aren’t usually as good as the direct translation in the subtitles).

There are 3 stories in this series:  Yotsuya Kaidan “Yotsuya Ghost Story” – 4 episodes long, Tenshu Monogatari “Goddess of the Dark Tower”– 4 episodes long, and Bake Neko – 3 episodes long and my favorite (well, I do like cats also).

The opening song HEAT ISLAND by RHYMESTER is a great song that I want to listen to over and over.  The closing song is Haru No Katami by Hajime Chitose.  The opening credits art is fantastic with the bright colors and almost psychedelic theme for the 3rd series – Bake Neko.

I don’t usually watch or listen to the opening and ending credits; however, they were so good in this series that I watched the opening and many times the ending credits.

The stories are great – especially for someone like me into ayakashi, etc.  The animation is fantastic, I especially liked the drawing styles and colors used.  I found that I wanted to watch each story (either 3 or 4 episodes each) all the way through. 

Official website:

http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/ayakashi/index.html

Tail of the Moon Tsuki no Shippo 月のしっぽ

Tail of the Moon Tsuki no Shippo 月のしっぽ and Tail of the Moon Prequel: The Other Hanzo Tsuki no Toiki Ai no Kizu  月の吐息　愛の傷 by UEDA Rinko 上田倫子 – I just read this shojo classic first published in Margaret マーガレット , then released in US by VIZ Shojo Beat.

This is not too edgy shojo comedy, drama, historic fiction with some action.  If you have an empty day and looking to read some shojo, this 15 volume + prequel series may be alright.  For most of the series a very light and fluffy comedy; however, starting with Vol 12 gets a bit heavy for the 11-15 year old audience for which Margaret マーガレット is written, doing some battle/war story arc.  Although, for most readers there will never be a doubt and the author does give unneeded spoilers at the beginning of the series, the war arc could be bit too much for a younger audience with not enough experience in reading to know how it will end, which could be upsetting.

Also, for those that want their history fiction to be more accurate – this one isn’t for you.

Demon Love Spell Ayakashi Koi Emaki あやかし恋絵巻

I started to read Demon Love Spell Ayakashi Koi Emaki あやかし恋絵巻 by SHINJO Mayu  新條まゆ which has recently been released in the US.

I’ve read parts of 3 other of her series: Sensual PhraseKaikan Phrase  快感・フレーズ; and Ai Ore! Love Me! (in US two series combined into one) Ai o Utau Yori Ore ni Oborero!  愛を歌うより俺に溺れろ!; and Ai Ore! – Danshikou no Hime to Joshikou no Ouji                                                    愛俺! ~男子校の姫と女子校の王子~.

Her stories are more interesting than a lot of shojo out there; however, even though she doesn’t write BL, many times her male leads are drawn very much like many ukes are drawn (I don’t mean that as a compliment, as I don’t particularly like that sort of uke).  She tends to draw for an older teen audience than most shojo out there (but not all, and I’ve seen some that is much more explicit); however, it doesn’t get too edgy, and basically stays sweet.

She doesn’t write as quickly as other mangaka’s on a series, probably as she usually has more than one series at a time.  So although she doesn’t tend to write super long series, usually takes longer to get to the end of the series.   Also, in this case, they’re releasing the series in the US before it’s been finished in Japan.  However, VIZ is the US publisher, and they know that people don’t want to wait on popular series.

If you’re looking for shojo romance you may want to give the works of SHINJO Mayu  新條まゆ a try.

Inu x Boku Secret Service 妖狐×僕SS Youko x Boku SS

Thank you YoNeYu for the fanart.  Please see YoNeYu’s art at deviantart

http://yoneyu.deviantart.com/

http://yoneyu.deviantart.com/art/Inu-X-Boku-SS-342801638

Inu x Boku Secret Service 妖狐×僕SS Youko x Boku SS  by FUJIWARA Cocoa 藤原ここあ – finally is being released in the US this year – both anime and the manga!  The manga will be released starting in October by Yen Press and was originally published in Square Enix.  The anime has just been released in the US.

****Spoiler Alert****

I love this series.  Although there are two parts to it.  It’s about Maison de Ayakashi and it’s yokai inhabitants.  Although a shonen manga/anime, tons of bishies for fan service, and for some reason Square Enix gets some excellent women writing Shonen (not just FUJIWARA Cocoa            藤原ここあ, think about their most famous series – Fullmetal Alchemist    鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no Renkinjutsush, also by a woman writing shonen for Square Enix) and the stories are well loved by the female audience also.  It’s a bit zany; however, as stated above there are two parts to it and the first part doesn’t end well for the inhabitants of Maison de Ayakashi.

In Japan there are 8 volumes and it’s still ongoing.  If you love ayakashi/yokai, comedy, warm stories with zanie characters and a dark undertone, please give this a try.

Thank you noizi for permission to use your artwork

Thank you Remorsery for your artwork!

Thank you Ika-xin for permission to use your cosplay photos.

ONO Natsume オノ・ナツメ aka Basso

ONO Natsume  オノ・ナツメ  aka Basso is one of my favorite authors.  She writes both seinen and BL, usually slice of life, many times with Italian themes to the backdrop of her stories.

I think my favorite series is House of Five Leaves Saraiya Goyou            さらい屋五葉.  Other works of hers that may be of interest are Danza      ダンツァ, Ristorante Paradiso リストランテ・パラディーゾ, Not Simple, La Quinta Camera The Fifth Room 5番目の部屋, Gente – The People of the Restaurant Gente – Ristorante no Hitobito GENTE – リストランテの人々, Tesoro テゾーロ, and others are available in Kanji, French, and Spanish in the US – probably other languages.

She has a unique drawing style and riveting stories.  Not your usual fare both visually and storytelling-wise.

She not only has manga out, House of Five Leaves Saraiya Goyou        さらい屋五葉 was made into an anime and although I’ve not seen the DVDs in the US, you can watch it on HULU.

If you like gentle, intelligent stories you may want to check her out.

Not Simple

I’ve just read Not Simple by Natsume Ono オノ・ナツメ.  This is a tragic slice of life seinen that covers 3 continents and a short lifetime.

As usual Natsume Ono オノ・ナツメ spins a riveting yarn.  Follows a member of a convoluted family full of incest, secrets, hatred and child abuse, including child prostitution.  I can’t say much more as too many people dislike spoilers.

I find her drawing style very comforting and not the usual you would find in a BL mangaka; however, fits well with both her BL and seinen stories.  You won’t find those annoyingly too young-looking ukes or generic bishies.

If you’ve not read Natsume Ono オノ・ナツメ (she writes BL under the name of Basso) you may want to pick up one of her many works; however, only her seinen is available in the US (VIZ is picking up her seinen works on their IKKI collection, and there are rumors that her new work, Futagashira     ふたがしら, will shortly start to be released in the US by VIZ IKKI).

If you want to read her BL, please pressure the US publishers to publish her Basso works.

Mythical beasts of Japan from evil creatures to sacred beings 日本の図像 – Nihon no zuzō slightly off topic

A while back Amor and I went to KinoKuniya in Uwajimaya in Seattle.  We had a great time and found a real gem of a book: Mythical Beasts of Japan from Evil Creatures to Sacred Beings 日本の図像 – Nihon no zuzō by Shinjū reijū. 

This is a gorgeous picture book choked full of beautiful pictures of Japanese mythological beings.  A must for anyone reading/watching Japanese manga/anime with Japanese mythological creatures.  It gives you a better idea of how these creatures were portrayed historically.

What text there is is mostly in kanji; however, the majority of the writing can also be found later in the book in English.

This book is a bit on the pricey side (at least, if you’re on a very limited income) so you may want to check out from your local library before buying.  If your library doesn’t own it you can do a purchase order or ILL (inter-library loan).

It would also make a great coffee table book (although a bit smaller than most) and is bound to start conversations.

http://www.kinokuniya.com/

http://www.uwajimaya.com/

If it’s Easter weekend it must be Sakura-Con

Sorry we didn’t get your names Dr. Stein and Frog Witch

Amber- Crona Nick- Dr. Stein

Matthew Thompson as Red Power Ranger

Monica

Here are more cosplayers and an interview from 2013 Sakura-Con.

Interview with Polly and Monica

Where are you from?

Polly: Vancouver

Monica: Vancouver

Who’s your favorite character?

Polly: Law Trafalgar

Monica: Nizuma Eiiji Bakuna

What are you currently watching/reading?

Polly: One Piece

Monica: One Piece

What is your all time favorite anime/manga?

Polly: One Piece

Monica: One Piece

Kuro Nyan- Elizabeth Kuro Shijintsu

Easter Weekend = Sakura-Con!

Megan Garbe as Fancy Squid

As mentioned earlier there were great costumes from many of the big shonen series (except for Bleachブリーチ), One Piece             ワンピース being the most popular for groups with most of the crew from the Going Merry                   ゴーイング・メリー号, the first ship, and

Tessa as Yuki Cross from Vampire Knight ヴァンパイア騎士

didn’t really see later members from the Thousand Sunny             サウザンドサニー号, and although I know the newer members of the Thousand Sunny                          サウザンドサニー号, have not read

Card Captor Sakura family – Jennifer, Zack, and Ryan

to the point of them getting it – just to the point before.  Uzumaki Naruto うずまき ナルト, especially  in fox modes was very popular and from NARUTO—ナルト— also, as usual members, of the Akatsuki 暁 were popular – and we saw several Akatsuki 暁.  There was one family in dressed as characters from Cardcaptor Sakura                                         カードキャプターさくら.  Back to shonen from Fairy Tail                      フェアリーテイルthere was a great cosplay of Natsu “Salamander” Dragneel                ナツ・ドラグニル; Soul Eater ソウルイーター had many of the characters – mostly the witches and Franken Stein                           フランケン・シュタイン, also Death the Kid     デス・ザ・キッド; from Fullmetal Alchemist  鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no Renkinjutsush  Elric

Ari- Lust and David- Havoc

Edward                        エドワード・エルリック was the most popular; however, saw

many Homunculi ホムンクルス, Lustラスト being the most popular and from the alchemists and state military Alex Louis Armstrong

アレックス・ルイ・アームストロング, Roy Mustang ロイ・マスタング and Jean Havoc ジャン・ハボック, and many more.  From

Dakota as Naruto

the world of shojo there was Cross Yuki/Kuran Yuki 黒主 優姫 / 玖蘭 from Vampire Knight                   ヴァンパイア騎士

Sam- Naruto優姫

All the cosplayers were warm and friendly and posed for anyone for pictures.

We were hoping to bring you video from Sakura-Con; however, the few

people accepting interviews refused to be done on video; even when graciously letting us photograph them.

There were many other manga/anime classic cosplay, as well as some from games and American series.

Please look forward to more photos and an interview from Sakura-Con coming soon.

Vladimir- Natsu from Fairy Tail

Vladimir- Natsu from Fairy Tail

We hope you enjoy some of the pictures we were able to get at the

Tyler as Pain from Naruto —ナルト—

Sakura-Con.

Thank you to all the cosplayers that kindly let us take photos for the blog.  Please contact us at our gmail email if there is any incorrect information or information you’d like included.

http://www.sakuracon.org/

Easter Weekend means Sakura-Con!

It’s Easter weekend – so we went down to Sakura-con to checkout the cosplayers.  Mostly One Piece ワンピース; however, everything from Naruto              —ナルト— to Fairy Tail                          フェアリーテイル.  Enjoy the photos – more to come.  Below are cosplayers for One Piece ワンピースand Fullmetal Alchemist     鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no Renkinjutsush.  Amor is in generic bunny ears cosplay. 

Thank you to all the cosplayers that kindly let us take photos for the blog.  Please contact us at our gmail email if there is any incorrect information or information you’d like included.

Melissa as Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist 鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no Renkinjutsush 1

Melissa as Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist 鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no Renkinjutsush 2

http://www.sakuracon.org/

Antique Bakery 西洋骨董洋菓子店 anime

I’m not sure if I’ve read the manga by YOSHINAGA Fumi よしながふみ; however, just watched the anime Antique Bakery  西洋骨董洋菓子店.

I think it barely fits into the BL category and is more shojo.  I believe it was first published in Wings, which is mostly shonen-ai and shojo.

In the American released version and the subtitles were so bad, seems like a beginning English student did them, and at other times seems like someone was probably just using a dictionary and didn’t know English at all (since both Japanese and English have lots of homonyms).  Poor spelling, grammar, and just not making sense at times.

Also the subtitles wouldn’t be up long enough to read.

As for the anime itself, the format is weird with the way the characters were drawn compared to the background (would have been better to switch the background and character formats or match character and background formating).  The characters were simple and lacked much movement and the backgrounds were elaborate, this disrupts watching it for at least the first several episodes until you get used to it.

Unless a huge fan of YOSHINAGA Fumi よしながふみ and/or Antique Bakery  西洋骨董洋菓子店, or unless you’re really looking for some shojo/shonen-ai (barely) anime and any will do, I can’t really recommend this anime, although the story was interesting – the story needed to be more fleshed out, just too many flaws.  If the subtitles were better I may have recommended it for a larger audience.

rumors of Millennium Snow Sennen no Yuki 千年の雪

Millennium Snow Sennen no Yuki  千年の雪has been on hiatus for 10 years, and now, the rumors say that HATORI Bisco 葉鳥ビスコhas picked up the story in LaLa.  I haven’t read what has recently been published; however, I did just re-read the VIZ Shojo Beat English version.

I hope that she actually starts the story over, as she’s grown a lot in the 10 years since it went on hiatus, both in drawing and story telling.  The story is shojo, comedy, vampires/werewolves/werebat, reverse harem with dying girl and her life extended by a reluctant vampire.  Nothing very original in it; however, I know she can do a much better story now, and hope that it becomes something worth reading.

I look forward to the end of this story and hope it doesn’t run as long as Ouran High School Host Club 桜蘭高校ホスト部.

When VIZ picks it back up, I hope that they’ll re-publish the first 2 volumes and get a decent translator.  The 2 volumes put out in the US 6 years ago were so poorly translated it was almost not worth putting it out and no one seems to have proof read them at all.

The publishers are doing such a bad job of finding competent translators for the American English versions for manga (at least for Shojo and BL, rare to even find Josei in US for some reason – more josei, please!).  So many went out of business a few years ago, but they don’t seem to get it that they’re placing substandard and seemingly unproofread stuff on the market and complain when no one want to read it as it doesn’t make sense, misses a lot of what’s going on, poor grammar, etc.  Also the font used in the book was difficult to read (at least if you have older eyes).  This is supposed to be professional quality, and yet many amateurs out there and Japanese language students probably do a better job.  If the publishers want to sell more manga they’re going to have to do a better job on the quality of the translations, proofreading, and text, etc.

BTW, if you want to read the first 2 volumes and you don’t want to waste your money on the poor quality translation; several libraries have it and you can ILL (interlibrary loan) with your local library – they may charge a few dollars for shipping the books.  Even if not in US, libraries in Canada, UK, Australia, etc. do interlibrary loans with US libraries.

Website for HATORI Bisco 葉鳥ビスコ:

http://biscoroom.blog99.fc2.com/

The Heart of Thomas Thomas no Shinzō トーマの心臓

The Heart of Thomas Thomas no Shinzō トーマの心臓  by Moto Hagio     萩尾 望都 is supposed to be one of the first BL (shonen-ai) and also a major turning point in shojo manga.  This is probably a must read for anyone who reads shojo/BL/shonen-ai.  And although the drawing style is very old (1974-1975), it doesn’t get in the way of the story.  It’s a delightful change from what is out there now.  I have to admit that I find a lot of the BL and shojo out there non-original and recycled ideas to the point that it’s getting too boring.

Moto Hagio   萩尾 望都 inspiration for this work came from the French film Les amitiés particulières; however, it’s not the basis for the story.

You’ll want to save an afternoon or an evening without interruptions to read this story, as unlike most shojo manga these days – it’s really worth the read and is very different from what you usually find.

It recently was released in the US by Fantagraphics, known more for their seinen, especially some early avant garde and the wonderfully delightful Wandering Son Hourou Musuko  放浪息子 by SHIMURA Takako 志村貴子.

http://www.fantagraphics.com/browse-shop/manga-2.html?vmcchk=1

Fantagraphics’ The Heart of Thomas Thomas no Shinzō トーマの心臓 is done well, beautiful and large hardback, and until the middle there wasn’t a problem with the proofreading/translation (I think it’s proof reading in this case).  I’ve not noticed it before in their other manga or this until about half way through, the first was period instead of periodic; however, after that every few pages a glaring mistake, awkward sentencing, missed words, wrong verb tenses, characters called by the wrong name, and other basic grammar mistakes.  This is unusual with their manga that I’ve read so far, so don’t know what happened to have so many glaring problems.

Please give this manga consideration and it can be found at some libraries, so if your library doesn’t have it you can place a purchase order for it or do an ILL (interlibrary loan) and read it for probably to cost of shipping.