Even though we’re on hiatus, I just found out that Bakuman バクマン。the movie comes out in a few days on Saturday 3 October in Japan. The movie is live action.
Archives for category: VIZ
I was reading one of my favorite shojo manga, “Kamisama Kiss” and it’s the school trip arc. One of the main subtopics for the trip is eating taco rice.
I read that it was invented for the American Troops stationed in Okinawa in 1984. It’s a combination of what most US citizens think of as taco fillings and instead of a tortilla it’s placed on top of rice and now is the most sought after dish for tourist in Okinawa.
There are tons of recipes online, so you can look them up.
BTW, taco’s aren’t always filled like that, and in Mexican and Chicano families not made with “shells” (what is that? not what I grew up with!), tacos can be the reason for using up leftovers in a meal or tacos can have fresh fillings made. Tacos aren’t made with flour tortillas – those are burritos (or if fried chimicangas – but to be real they take a special flour tortilla not found in most places – Sonora and parts of AZ, paper thin (you can see through them) and about 2 feet in diameter).
One article on Taco Rice said that it was because it was less expensive than tacos, but another said less time to make. Making a fresh tortilla from fresh masa is very quick and easy, whether hand-patted or pressed (someone used to hand-patting tortillas can be quicker than pressing them – it’s all about practice). However, unless they had a press meant for a restaurant (which would be horribly expensive and expensive to import) it really would be faster to make large amounts of rice (and they wouldn’t have access to fresh masa – and masa harina just doesn’t do it – I wouldn’t touch food make with masa harina – has to be fresh masa, or fresh masa that’s been frozen – it’s all about the best taste).
I’m sure someone will ask me now if I’ve tried Taco Rice. However, I’m not much of a rice eater (some Mexican and Chincano families do eat rice – but not all of them) and it’s so much quicker for me to make a tortilla. If I was going to have a otaku party, then I would make Taco Rice, but otherwise, doubt it.
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.
I’m so excited as in my May library delivery was one of my favorite BL manga first volume, World’s Greatest First Love: The Case of Onodera Ritsu 世界一初恋 ~小野寺律の場合~ (Sekaiichi Hatsukoi) by NAKAMURA Shungiku 中村春菊. Of course, it was among the first that I read, and then wanted to read again and again, so I will probably be buying this series.
This series is a classic, and one of my favorite things about this is the ending of each chapter about how long it’s going to take Onodera Ritsu to fall in love (starts with 1 day less than a year). Some of you will know the story line (maybe most of you will know about the story line, but because I’ve been warned about spoilers I won’t go into it here) of this 9 volume (in Japan) and ongoing classic. Anyway, the background is about the Emerald shojo manga editors in the same publisher that is in her other ongoing classic (not one of my favorites; however, I do like it) Pure Romance 純情ロマンチカ Junjou Romantica (I don’t know anyone that uses the English titles to these two series – the publishers in English (different and for Pure Romance 純情ロマンチカ Junjou Romantica defunct – maybe VIZ will get this series too and continue it at 18 volumes and still ongoing (only 12 were published in the past in English)) should probably kept the Japanese romaji names).
I hope that VIZ picks up the novels too. Too often novels associated or that the manga is based on don’t get published here. I have a long list of novels and novel series that aren’t available here that I’d love to read.
Even though these BL are comedies, they are graphic and only for adults. The second volume is due out in June. I think that’s a great rate of publishing; however, there’s nothing listed for when volumes 3 on will be published.
If you’re into BL and haven’t bought this or read this – unless you don’t like comedies, graphic BL/yaoi, or the works of NAKAMURA Shungiku 中村春菊, you’ll probably want to read these. I hope VIZ continues this series, that’s the only reason I hesitate to buy – I like to have the full series if I’m going to purchase manga.
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).
What a delightful surprise awaited me in my library delivery, one that I may wish to purchase for myself. This surprise is a classic manga from the late 1980’s – early 1990’s called Master Keaton マスターキートン by KATSUSHIKA Hokusei 勝鹿北星 and URASAWA Naoki 浦沢直樹.
An added bonus to the tankobon is that the original color pages are in color; however, it’s the story, so fresh compared to all the cloned stories we get these days. It’s being published by VIZ Signature and they’re publishing a volume every three months, since there are 18 tankobon in the series, I really wish it was released more frequently. Also, I hope that they pick up the sequel, Master Keaton Remaster MASTERキートン Reマスター by NAGASAKI Takashi 長崎尚志 and URASAWA Naoki 浦沢直樹, started in 2012 and has at least 1 volume out and I believe is ongoing. There is also anime, which as been released in the US in the past and I’m hoping that with the series now being published that it will get re-released.
The stories revolve around Taichi Hiraga-Keaton 平賀＝キートン・太一 and his work and family and sometimes people from his old SAS unit and jobs he gets from his agent as an insurance investigator, who is a specialist due to his SAS training and his archeology training. The stories are mostly on their own but sometimes interconnect running from one to a few chapters. The ongoing story is about his family life.
This is manga at it’s best. I’m so excited to get a good series. Once again it’s seinen; however, this time written by a man.
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.
Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie is the first Naruto movie that I enjoyed.
The movie is basically an alternative universe movie with most characters acting the opposite in the regular Naruto universe. Well, obviously can’t go into much more due to spoilers. The regular cast, good story and great music.
If you’re a Naruto fan (wouldn’t suggest to someone who hasn’t gotten through most of the series, as they won’t understand a lot of what’s going on) this would be a good movie for a rainy afternoon.
NITTA Youka 新田祐克 has claimed in the past that she wouldn’t write an yakuza manga nor a manga with a main character with long shiny black hair (not that long) – but she does so in Starting with a Kiss キスアリキ。(Kiss Ariki.), published in English by SubLime (VIZ) and originally published by b-BOY HONEY (Libre Shuppan), b-Boy Kichiku (Libre Shuppan), and Be x Boy GOLD (Libre Shuppan).
BL and yakuza seem to be a good match in many stories and is one of the main sub-genre’s of BL. However, Starting with a Kiss キスアリキ。(Kiss Ariki.) really has nothing much to add to the genre. It’s not as dark, gritty nor has the depth of the Finder (View Finder) series by YAMANE Ayano やまねあやの or No Money お金がないっ(Okane ga Nai) by SHINOZAKI Hitoyo 篠崎一夜 & KOUSAKA Tohru 香坂透 , not as interesting as Twittering Birds Never Fly 囀る鳥は羽ばたかない (Saezuru Tori wa Habatakanai) by YONEDA Kou ヨネダコウ or one-shot NightS ナイツ by YONEDA Kou ニトロ攻鉄, not as fun as Like the Beast ほんと野獣 (Honto Yajuu) by YAMAMOTO Kotetsuko 山本小鉄子, and the list of better yakuza stories goes on. Still it’s a decent read full of plotting, incest, etc., though not exactly all that memorable.
Unfortunately, Sublime (VIZ) isn’t putting out the 3rd and final volume in a timely manner at all – it’s not expected until June 2015! There were only 3 volumes and they could have been done in a few short months – not almost a year. 3 long months between volume 1 and 2 (too much) and then 7 months to wait to finish the series – are they really caring for their audience? Will the audience even put up with it by buying the last volume? I know that I forgot the plot and had to reread the 1st volume before continuing with the 2nd and it had been only 3 months! (I don’t usually have that problem with a series – so it’s just not so memorable for me.)
Not sure if I’d want to go on with such a long wait – and there is no need as the series was finished before it started to be released in the US in English. VIZ should have released all the volumes within 3-6 months at most (or better yet, as a bunkobon), not the almost a year. This doesn’t seem to happen with the shonen or seinen series – once again making women the second class citizens. I also wonder why they’re releasing such a series, even if the author is very popular, as there are much better series that should be published and don’t even seem to be up for consideration.
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.
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.
I started Monster モンスター by URASAWA Naoki 浦沢直樹. I was riveted and can’t wait for the rest of the series. Unfortunately, VIZ Signature isn’t putting out these kanzenban in a timely manner, so it may take several years to get out the 9 kanzenban.
Monster takes place in Germany – both before and after the Berlin wall is dismantled and is about twins, a serial killer, a genius doctor, a BKA detective, and others. Of course, they all think the serial killer is the monster. And because the serial killer is someone no one expects, but some know, those in the know are either killed, except for two, and one of the two in the know is blamed for the killings. The two that know who it is and aren’t killed may turn into monsters themselves by hunting him down, and the detective is also becoming a monster in a way with his closed mind, maybe by the end of the series it will show society as one of the monsters. So, the monster seems to be making other monsters, but this is just a first impression from the first volume.
This is a great, classic and award winner by an important history making mangaka.
Sam- Naruto
First the good news, there appears there is probably going to be a continuation of Naruto―ナルト― with the next generation coming next year.
For a long time I’ve been considering stopping Bleachブリーチ. It’s lost all its humor, charm, the later arcs and the anime only arcs have been bad, and I don’t care about the characters. It’s like KUBO Tite 久保帯人 just throws in characters to be there without taking the time to develop them any more. When he announced this would be the last arc, I thought I’d finish the series and was happy the anime was off the air; however, really expected NARUTO―ナルト― to end after it, and it’s just going on and on and I feel no connection to it. So at this point, I probably won’t finish Bleach ブリーチ, as there’s no point. Maybe I’ll check out the ending when it’s out, and maybe not.
On the other hand with NARUTO―ナルト― , yes, a lot of the time, especially during the 4th ninja war (which went on for far too long), it lost its humor but never its charm or the feeling of connection with the characters and caring for them. I really do want to see what happens with these characters and their families (with more humor). Also, the anime, even the fillers, never lost the charm and usually brought back the humor of the series in the filler anime and really stayed true to the series. KISHIMOTO Masashi 岸本斉史 seems to care about his characters and the stories.
I don’t think I’m alone. When going to events with cosplay there are always many NARUTO―ナルト― characters, but I don’t think I’ve seen one in the last two years from Bleach ブリーチ.
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?
Well, the end of an era with the last of Naruto―ナルト― by KISHIMOTO Masashi 岸本斉史 finally published. The story ends like most everyone expects – if you’ve not read I won’t spoil.
Naruto―ナルト― was one of the first manga and shonen manga I read and really enjoyed it to the end (although the war went on too long and it lost its humor). I’d love to have the last chapter (700 and all in color) be turned into a series, with some of the humor it and the earlier series had (although, I guess that’s covered in The Last: Naruto the Movie which will be released in Japan in December). I still love the characters, and would love to see them raise their families and keep the peace. Unlike Bleach ブリーチ (which should have ended years ago), I never tired of Naruto―ナルト―.
I read all 5 volumes of Children of the Sea Kaijuu no Kodomo 海獣の子供 by IGARASHI Daisuke 五十嵐大介.
This beautifully illustrated (especially the color pictures – kept in the US release by VIZ – Sigikki) and charming story is relaxing.
I wonder if it’s just a coincidence that I ended up reading it at the time of the Dia De Los Muertos celebrations. It reminds me in some ways of the original Aztec (not current Mexican changed by the Spanish and Catholic church) celebrations which are a harvest celebration that lasts about a month. The Aztec Dia de los Muertos celebration is about duality – life and death, male and female, etc.
For more information on that you can check out the Salinas Family (and if you have a chance catch their dancing at a festival near you – yes, even Japan, besides US, Mexico, and Canada):
Back to the story, it is a seinen supernatural mystery with a compelling story. Weaving connections with the ocean, space, life, and the universe. Mythological in may aspects and the science is good. This is a prize/award-winning manga and for good reason.
It was announced in the latest episode of Naruto―ナルト― by KISHIMOTO Masashi 岸本斉史 will be ending in 5 weeks.
It was expected to end this year.
Sublime (VIZ) has announced that it will start to publish in May 2015 Love Stage!! ラブ・ステージ!! by EIKI Eiki 影木栄貴 and ZAOU Taishi 藏王大志 .
It also announced starting in February 2015 the publication of Ginger Honey ジンジャーハニー the sequel to Devil’s Honey デビルズハニー by NATSUME Isaku 夏目イサク.
VIZ has once again published a josei supernatural romance by OHMI Tomu 大海とむ , Spell of Desire 魔女の媚薬 (Majo no Biyaku (Aphrodisiac Witch)). If you love supernatural with loads of cute creatures including a cat, a cat that is really a unicorn, and a puppy that is really a dragon, + want some romance you may enjoy her works. She also wrote Midnight Secretary ミッドナイト・セクレタリ, also published by VIZ for those into supernatural romance.
Spell of Desire 魔女の媚薬 (Majo no Biyaku (Aphrodisiac Witch)), is being published every three months, but they have not publication date for the final volume, # 5.
The story is about black and white witches and a complicated family life (including missing, presumed dead mother – but not, who is Queen of the Black Witches). I’ve only read the first volume, so can’t tell you how accurate it is + I’m not Wiccan (although I know several), I’ve had training in several healing, esoteric, and magickal traditions – but not Wicca. So, I’m not sure until I read more what to think about her research (if she did any at all into Wicca), but doubt she did any research into Wicaa. Maybe she’s looked at some herbal and New Age stuff – that seems likely from volume 1. But I’m sure most of you don’t know anything about this stuff and couldn’t care less about how accurate it is. I like a strong story but like accuracy also.
OHMI Tomu 大海とむ does come up with some strong stories and loves to write about the supernatural, often with animals and secret relationships.
I read The Man of Tango タンゴの男 and thought it was my first bara manga from the drawings; however, the author, OKADAYA Tetuzoh 岡田屋鉄蔵, is a woman and claims it’s BL. It just proves everyone has different taste.
This is a solid story, and lucky US audiences get the full story and beginning one shot; which the Japanese first printing didn’t have.
The title tells it all, about men and Tango. At first, I thought the women from the drawings were drag queens or transvestites or intersexual; however, they really are women that just look like men in drag (another reason I thought maybe bara).
The chapter titles are for the most part (maybe all) based on Argentinian Tango song titles.
If you can get past the drawings (very muscular and not bishie (to me)), the story is good. Check out the songs from the chapter titles on Youtube.
How do you handle injustice? Do you just sit back and be apathetic and/or wait for someone else to protest and make things right or give up without trying? Is that moral? Ethical? Can one person make a difference or is it up to all of society to make a difference, and not give into corrupt government policies? Can you even trust those around you that you think you can trust when you have such a corrupt government? When does letting government get away with unethical policies become the tipping point in a society? When do you give up and flee? This book is about one man’s struggle with these questions and others.
The last volume of Ikigame – The Ultimate Limit イキガミ by MASE Motoro 間瀬元朗 was recently released in the US. I loved this story from the beginning and looked forward every August for the next volume to be released by VIZ Signature.
This is a moralistic tale of government and individual ethics. I would hope that people reading this manga come away with more than mere entertainment and seriously contemplate the ethical issues and how to make a change for the better.
I hope to read more manga by MASE Motoro 間瀬元朗, I enjoy not just the intelligent tale but the ideals he’s trying to get across.
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.
Looking for BL with some intrigue, or maybe a nice slice of life with a car dealership, or just some real story BL shorts. You may want to try NightS ナイツ by YONEDA Kou ニトロ攻鉄 (more known for her doujinshi). What the book is missing is NightS – Another Story, a prequel that should have been included.
This volume has more of Reply than NightS in it and another one shot. It’s not that usual for SubLime (VIZ) to release a book of one shots and super short series. However, once again, this is worth the read. The stories are NightS (with an extra at the end – A Night One Month Later), Emotional Spectrum, and a short series (why wasn’t the book titled after this) – Reply (parts I & II), Reply to Reply, Reply Three Months Later – this short series takes up most of the book.
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.
It’s been announced that the 10th Naruto movie – The Last will be out in theaters in Japan on 6 December 2014. It’s supposed to be the opening for the Start of a New Era Project 新時代開幕プロジェクト (Shinjidai Kaimaku Purojekkuto), which will time skip again to the original students as adults. A teaser trailer is supposed to be out 1 August. Expect the movie in a little over a year in North America.
Last week Sublime (VIZ) annouced that they’ll be releasing The World’s Greatest First Love: The Case of Ritsu Onodera 世界一初恋 ~小野寺律の場合~ (Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi!) by NAKAMURA Shungiku 中村春菊 starting next February (2015) with a volume out every other month until it’s caught up with Japan.
This is great BL comedy. I hope that they also release the spin-offs, side stories, and novels. It would be nice if someone would release the anime and movie in the US too.
SubLime (VIZ) is releasing Crimson Spell クリムゾン・スペル by YAMANE Ayano やまねあやのat a healthy rate of 1 volume every other month until they get caught up with Japan (5 volumes and ongoing). I expect that volumes will come out once every year or every other year after that as she’s also working on another classic, Finder ファインダーの標的, for a different publisher in Japan (Finder ファインダーの標的 is now licensed by SubLime (VIZ) in the US – although they’re a volume behind Japan in the Finder ファインダーの標的 series and no date (that I know) to release volume 7 – please release Finder ファインダーの標的 vol 7 soon). Both Crimson Spell クリムゾン・スペル and Finder ファインダーの標的 series are classic and extremely graphic (sex and violence). Great adult stories and definitely NOT for children!
Crimson Spell クリムゾン・スペル is a fantasy action adventure BL, a rare genre these days for BL and a great story. Curses, princes, swords, journey, monsters, wizards, inter-wizard politics, familiars, etc. Some of the more interesting BL classics used to be fantasy works; however, they’re very rare these days (I understand they take a bit longer to draw as most of the characters have the difficult to draw long hair and maybe newer audiences just aren’t into them or know them in the genre).
The 3 main characters, Prince Vladrigr, Halvir, and Liethregveel – renamed Rulca by Vlad, are on a journey to break the prince’s curse and meet up with others, mostly hostile wizards and monsters/demons; however, that is only in the first volume. By volume 4 they have added to their companions and adventures.
If you love fantasy, action, and adventure and read BL you may wish to try this ongoing classic.
The first thing I need to say is too much male fan service in the 1st volume – and this is seinen, not shonen – so there is usually less male fan service (although usually directed toward a male reading audience – at least in theory). The overwhelming male fan service gets in the way of the good story for After School Charisma 放課後のカリスマ (Houkago no Charisma) by SUEKANE Kumiko スエカネクミコ, a female mangaka!
However, this ongoing series with 9 volumes out in the US (volume 10 due out in December 2014) and 10 in Japan (if my sources are correct), and if she would remember she’s writing for an adult audience and not an adolescent audience, is a good story about clones, with a clone war.
It takes place in a different timeline – possible parallel world. The story revolves around clones and world domination by clones, killing off the clones, using them as slaves by selling them off and no freedom to choose a life they want to live, hiding the fact that one is a clone for a while and trying to use him for others means in the coming actions about clone domination or clone wars to kill them off, several different factions – appearing at times to be working together, even at times same goals but really working against each other – in a nutshell, full of intrigue. Hints at romance, but some probably are more for manipulation than love.
One wonders about how all these murders and human rights violations that are gotten away with and condoned, but then there is, at first, the element of a secret elite group of rich and powerful behind it.
The story is promising and published by Ikki (Shogakukan) in Japan and Ikki VIZ in the US in English.
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.
seattlekifujin 