Wolf Magic 狼は魔法を (Ookami wa Mahou o)

Wolf Magic 狼は魔法を (Ookami wa Mahou o) by NATSUKI Zippo 懐十歩  – why did I even bother to finish this?  It’s a total waste of time.  The book contains the stories: The Water of Love for the Withered Flower; Magic for a Wolf; and Wolf Magic.  The characters are so uncharismatic and leave you not caring for them or their circumstances.  The stories aren’t that good (obviously), writing (and/or translation) bad and drawings, while not bad, aren’t that great either.  I know better than to expect something good from June; however, the last year or so there have been a couple of good surprises, but not this time.  I don’t even know why they bothered to publish it.

Although I wasted my precious time reading this drivel; I was fortunate that I didn’t buy it but checked it out from the library.

Yukarism ゆかりズム

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).

Samejima-kun and Sasahara-kun 鮫島くんと笹原くん (Samejima-kun to Sasahara-kun)

Another June title in my library delivery that I wish I’d not seen – Samejima-kun and Sasahara-kun 鮫島くんと笹原くん (Samejima-kun to Sasahara-kun) by Koshino 腰乃.  So boring and lacking a story about convenience store clerks/college students that wasn’t finish-able.

This purely Yaoi in the classic sense Yama nashi, ochi nashi, imi nashi (山[場]なし、落ちなし、意味なし) “No peak (climax), no fall (punch line/denouement), no meaning”. This phrase was first used as a “euphemism for the content was originally published by Cab (Tokyo Mangasha) in Japan, a magazine I’ve not heard of before and with material like this wouldn’t be interested in purchasing.

Unless you love story-less 801, you can skip this.

Deadlock – surprisingly good

I found Deadlock based on the novel by AIDA Saki 英田サキ  and art by TAKASHINA Yuu 高階佑 in my delivery from the library.  I thought from the title that it would be shonen or seinen; however, I was surprised that it was BL but then didn’t want to read when I saw it was June and thought it probably wouldn’t have a good story.  Was I wrong!  This has a great story and I wish the novel would be available in English in the U.S.

I did find problems with some of the proof reading and TAKASHINA Yuu 高階佑 doesn’t seem to know how prisoners in the US are dressed and her drawings could be a bit better – but they’re not bad (I think this is her first work – so hoping she’ll get better with time).  The story is strong and fairly believable.  There is one volume out and it’s ongoing in Chara (Tokuma Shoten) in  Japan – so I don’t know how many volumes there will be.  The characters are vivid and interesting.

I’d like to buy the series; however, because it’s June, but don’t think I would be able to buy it all at once and not sure if they’ll finish it – if they had a better record of finishing series, getting things out in a timely manner, all volumes being available, etc. –  I’d buy it in a minute.  This is BL but I would recommend it to non-BL readers.  So far, nothing graphic, and from my limited knowledge, fairly realistic about US prison life and feels like AIDA Saki 英田サキ did a lot of research (I love authors that do good research before writing).

Anyway, it’s a solid and interesting story and don’t decide not to try it because it’s BL or June.  If it wasn’t BL, it would probably be considered a seinen story.

I hope that June goes on to find more stories like this and continues the series in a timely manner.

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

I guess I was wrong (see 16 June 2013 article) – June published volume 2 of 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’s an unusually good story for Digital Manga/June and they actually finished the series.  I still think they could have deleted (or kept) the extra stories and put the two volumes out as one in a bunkobun.  Also, volume 2 doesn’t seem to be well proofread, especially the last half.

Looking for a fast, decent BL manga about a parent-less family and a bad guy turned good you may want to check it out. 

Once again, if you like to buy the volumes all at once – you won’t be able to as the first volume is out of print (why don’t they publish in a timely manner – they’d get more readers and make more money).  BTW, if you can’t get the first or don’t want to buy the second volume alone – you can always check it out from your local library, and if they don’t carry it, at least in US, Canada, UK, and Australia you can ILL (interlibrary loan) at your local library.  Talk to a librarian.  Also, volume 1 is available as a Kindle ebook – if you have good enough vision to read manga on a reader.

Midnight Secretary ミッドナイト・セクレタリ

VIZ has finally published a classic josei series: Midnight Secretary           ミッドナイト・セクレタリ by OHMI Tomu 大海とむ.  It’s about time that there is some josei out there that is non-BL; unfortunately, it’s a romance.

Since this is a classic those of you out there probably know something about it even if you’ve not read it.  It’s about vampires, secretaries, and corporate elite.  Basic romance for adults this is not a manga for kids.

If you’re old enough, check it out, if that’s your thing.  If you’re not sure about it you can check it out from your local library (or request they purchase it) and see if you want to continue.  For those of you into collecting classic manga this is one for your collections (if you collect josei).

This is a  short 7 volume finished series and VIZ could be releasing these volumes quicker.

Off Subject – Eclectic Babblings

Hi Everyone

Sorry we’ve been off-line mostly for so very long.  I will start to post and check emails shortly – by the mid-December, hopefully.  I’ve noticed that we’ve had a ton of hits – I’m so very sorry for the wait.

First I would like to encourage those of you in the Seattle area or visiting Seattle to dine at Traveler’s Thali House on Beacon hill (one block from El Centro de la Raza).  It’s really authentic Indian food and not greasy or overly spicy – very fresh, healthy and tasty.  The people are great and if you have food allergies or on elimination diet you will be able to find something there.  They have the best chai around, also.  They have supported Seattle Kifujin since the beginning and we’ve held our private meetings there.  The food changes monthly and is from a different region of India each month.  Weekends they have a lot of native East Indians and their families due to the fact it’s authentic.  Think you don’t like Indian food – try this – really.  And the prices are very good (much cheaper than other Indian restaurants).  Allen and Leon are the most caring people – please support Travelers Thali House.

http://www.travelersthalihouse.com/

I will shortly have a working computer running and fully loaded.

I’d also like to suggest to readers to contact their congress/parliament/diet/etc. about the poor quality of goods for sale now and how they don’t work out of the box and/or don’t last – even through the warranty period.  This is not only a financial issue but an environmental issue.  I was told that this started in the US when big business in the US could changed the warranty enforcement laws.  Anyway, I haven’t bought anything recently that worked out of the box and everyone I talk with whether at a business, friends and family, government, etc. says the same.  I’ve had many things last 30-35 years – my vacuum, food processor, and stereo (not the radio – stopped about 19 years ago and no parts then – but was 15 years old then).  Now everything doesn’t work properly out of the box.  Complain – be heard – stop buying things and spend your time/money on experiences and things that don’t break (like books).  Write up and copy and paste (makes it easy then you can email several with just a few clicks) to all of your government agencies, representatives, etc.  If enough people do this something will be done.  Boycott products/brands and stores that you’ve had a bad experience or sell poor quality items.

If you need a new computer – one that will last for years and then when you need to upgrade you can with your same computer for a fraction of the cost of buying one, or if you live locally and need  a computer repaired you may want to check out Puget Sound Systems.  All the people are very knowledgeable about computers and super friendly and they go out of their way for their customers.  Free, great tech support for the life of your computer and free labor.  Think of never having to buy a new system again but just upgrading parts as needed.

http://www.pugetsystems.com/

I also hope that we’ll have guest writers, as I’m going to be adding a couple new projects and won’t have as much time to read manga or watch anime/movies.

Feel free to contact us at our email with articles you want posted or pictures of cosplay from a recent event.  We’d love to see them and share them with others.

The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories Toudo no Tabibito 凍土の旅人 谷口ジロー傑作集

cover for The Ice Wanderer and other stories by TANIGUCHI Jiro 谷口ジロー

The Ice Wanderer and Other Stories Toudo no Tabibito                          凍土の旅人 谷口ジロー傑作集 by TANIGUCHI Jiro 谷口ジロー  – please more great manga like this book of short stories.  Some of these short stories are based on Jack London stories – no, I’ve not read any of Jack London’s classics; however, this manga was very good.  This volume is published by Fanfare/Ponent Mon, and unlike some of the other small publishers of classic seinen is not advant-garde.  These are good, solid stories for entertainment and adventure with historical elements and a good dose of drama.

The mutli-award winning (both Japan and France) TANIGUCHI Jiro         谷口ジロー is still an active mangaka; although, he’s a senior citizen.

As stated some of the stories are based on Jack London’s life/work; however, other stories are totally different.  All are well drawn and interesting.  Although many take place in Alaska/Yukon, some of the stories take place in Japan.  He seems to be partial to cold places and his drawings of these landscapes in these cold and mountainous areas are inspiring.

Now I want to read more by TANIGUCHI Jiro 谷口ジロー, and am waiting for the first 2 volumes of his A Distant Neighborhood Haruka na Machi e  遥かな町へ.  I hope to check out some of his other manga eventually, and will definitely place purchase requests for his works with the library so others can learn of his work and enjoy it also.

New BL announced for US

Word is out that the following will soon be published in the US in English:

Husband and Honeymoon Danna-sama to Mitsugetsuchuu                     旦那様と蜜月中~とろとろハニー編~ by MINAMI Haruka みなみ遥 (SubLime (VIZ))

Love Pistols (Sex Pistols) 寿たらこ by KOTOBUKI Tarako 寿たらこ (SubLime (VIZ))

Don’t forget to do a purchase request for your favorite library if you think these are good enough to buy (I know nothing about the first series) so others can learn about the series and purchase them if they enjoy it.  

 

Furious at Digital Manga

Thank you for Hemea the use of your fan art: Does the flower bloom ?
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Does-the-flower-bloom-367185457
http://hemea.deviantart.com/

Thank you Nazgullow for the use of your fan art: The Tyrant Falls in Love
http://www.deviantart.com/art/The-Tyrant-Falls-in-Love-196659377
http://nazgullow.deviantart.com/

This is just my opinion:

I’m super furious with Digital Manga (Yaoi, June, 801), as the few decent series they put out they don’t publish enough copies to buy unless you get the day they’re released (maybe).  Then within weeks, if not days, you’re looking at skyrocketing prices for used copies.  For the most part they put out manga that’s not even worth a look at; however, they do have two series I like (one I like a lot) and can’t get copies even right after volumes come out and both could really use extra editions of the volumes in these series.

The series are:  The Tyrant Falls In Love Koisuru Boukun 恋する暴君 by TAKANAGA Hinako 高永ひなこ (Yaoi) and especially Hidden Flower Hana wa Saku ka  花は咲くか by Shoko Hidaka 日高ショーコ (June).

They probably don’t publish enough volumes when they get decent series, as for the most part, they publish junk that no one I know wants to read and they wouldn’t sell many copies of those; but then they get a good or a classic series and don’t finish and only publish fewer than needed copies so people can’t get their hands on all the volumes and give up on the series or they quit publishing the series as people are upset as they can’t get the volumes.  They also don’t release volumes at a fast enough pace, especially for those volumes out or finished series.  In the case of a classic already finished series: Borders   境界線 by KODAKA Kazuma こだか和麻(June) they never finished the series and there was so long a wait between volumes that you couldn’t buy the series at once as out of print with each volume.  (I prefer to buy a series, especially one that’s finished and not too long, all at once.)

Even the library, that has signed up for one of these series couldn’t get all the volumes – that’s bad, as I and others I know, often check out something before spending my cash on buying it – don’t want to waste my money and libraries are great source to learn about new things that may be of interest to you.

There are probably several other series that I’ve missed as they just, in general, don’t publish good quality stuff and not worth checking on them and when they do get a good series or a classic series seem to mess up totally on publishing it to upset the fans.

And, unless you love to get spammed, don’t bother emailing them about something, you won’t get an answer and you’ll continue to get spam, especially on Project H material that is more male oriented and would turn most fujoshi off in a flash!  The few BL volumes in the spams don’t seem worth paying attention.  Just another irritant by an irritating publisher.

Why is this company still publishing?  Why are good mangaka’s allowing them the rights to their works?!?!?!

Thank you for Hemea the use of your fan art: Does the flower bloom ?
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Does-the-flower-bloom-367185457
http://hemea.deviantart.com/

Thank you for Nazgullow the use of your fan art: The Tyrant Falls in Love
http://www.deviantart.com/art/The-Tyrant-Falls-in-Love-196659377
http://nazgullow.deviantart.com/

Tiger and Bunny タイガー＆バニー glorified commercials

Thank you Risachantag for the use of your fan art: Tiger and Bunny
http://risachantag.deviantart.com/art/Tiger-and-Bunny-253419525
http://risachantag.deviantart.com/

Since so many into BL are into Tiger and Bunny タイガー＆バニー by Sunrise  アニメーション制作会社サンライズ (seinen, not BL), and even though I dislike mecha, I thought I’d give it a try – both the manga and anime.  What I found, more so in the anime since there is more out, is mostly a thinly disguised glorified set of commercials for large international and some national (Japanese) corporations.

I will not be spending my cash to watch/read commercials, I should be paid by the companies for watching/reading recycled generic material that is a commercial.  Another reason to always check at the library, especially when times are hard, than to buy out right. 

Thank you Risachantag for the use of your fan art: Tiger and Bunny
http://risachantag.deviantart.com/art/Tiger-and-Bunny-253419525
http://risachantag.deviantart.com/

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.

MIZUSHIRO Setona 水城せとな

I really like many of the works by MIZUSHIRO Setona 水城せとな.  Unfortunately, in the US, unless you can read kanji or French (or possibly German), you’re very limited on what you can get in English by her and I’ve not seen any of her works in Spanish.

She has a unique drawing style that you will recognize immediately.  Also, her writing is quirky, interesting,  and she has an individual way of spinning stories – even the ubiquitous vampire story is very atypical in her hands.  I think she excels at psychological, horror, slice of life and supernatural stories; and her romances aren’t always what you would expect.  She also writes comedy; however, I’ve not read any of her comedies.

She writes BL, shojo, and josei, with a large variety of topics and themes; of course, there is a preponderance of romance in most of her stories, (which tends to be the unfortunate problem with most BL, shojo, and josei stories), but not all.

If you can only read English you may still be able to get (some libraries have) copies of After School Nightmare Houkago Hokenshitsu               放課後保健室 (L’Infirmerie après les cour) and possibly X-Day(Tag X) Kanojotachi no X-Day 彼女達のエクス・デイ.  With French or Kanji you have a wider range of titles to choose from, including, but not necessarily the totality: Le jeu du chat et de la souris Sojou no Koi wa Nido Haneru  俎上の鯉は二度跳ねる;  S〈エス〉; Black Rose Alice (French – don’t know why the French title is in English) Kuro Bara Alice              失恋ショコラティエ; Nounai Poison Berry Poison Berry in My Brain             脳内ポイズンベリー; and probably others.

If you’re a fan of quirky horror you may enjoy her stories, and if you aren’t a horror fan and can read kanji or French there are other stories of hers that may appeal to you.  If we’re lucky more of her works will be published in English in the US.

 

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/

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.

MILLENNIUM SNOW Sennen no Yuki 千年の雪 picked back up

MILLENNIUM SNOW Sennen no Yuki  千年の雪 by HATORI Bisco             葉鳥ビスコ was interrupted while she wrote Ouran High School Host Club Ouran Koukou Host Bu  桜蘭高校ホスト部.  She has now gone back to writing it.  This is a supernatural shojo comedy about a dying girl and a vampire (if I remember right – I read it too long ago to really remember much about it).

I read volumes 1 and 2 years ago (VIZ – US version), but don’t know if there are plans to continue it in the US and if they’ll reissue it in the US.  If you can’t get it and your local library doesn’t have it you can either do a purchase request (if it’s still available or if reissued) or an ILL (inter-library loan) – my library still has it and I’ve just re-requested it.  If you read kanji it’s published in LaLa and LaLa DX, they’re available at Kinokuiya Book Store as will the Japanese versions of the tankobons.  Kinokuiya Book Store has a store in Seattle and websites in many countries.

http://www.kinokuniya.com/

 

Naruto Shippuden The Movie: The Will of Fire 劇場版 NARUTO -ナルト- 疾風伝 火の意志を継ぐ者

The following is just an opinion and this is a shonen not a BL title.  However, I guess I don’t have to point out that one the top manga/anime series in the world for well over a decade is shonen.

I just got Naruto Shippuden The Movie: The Will of Fire 劇場版 NARUTO  -ナルト- 疾風伝 火の意志を継ぐ者 Gekijōban Naruto Shippūden Hi no Ishi wo Tsugumono in my library delivery and I have to say that there were several continuity issues.  Yes, it’s nice to see Jiraiya (自来也 “Toad Sage” 蝦蟇仙人 Gama Sennin (also Pervy Sage)); however, Naruto is using several jutsu 術 that he didn’t have while Jiraiya 自来也 was alive.  And that’s just part of the problems with this movie.

I have to admit, that in general, I’ve been disappointed with the movies for both NARUTO—ナルト— and Bleach ブリーチ.

However, it’s for others more into these series to dismember the movies, since I’m just a casual reader of a few shonen series.

Yen Press – flubs it again with Yaoi

I just found out that Yen Press is doing Yaoi now.  I received some in my library delivery, that I didn’t request; however, there are a 4 librarians that occasionally request things for me they think I’ll like (usually not manga or anime) and most of the time are right.  Only one really knows the difference between manga and manhwa.

What I received was not manga but manhwa, and I really don’t like manhwa.  It was sadistic, boring, and not worth reading (didn’t waste my time on it after a few pages), even though very short (too short for a book without 2 or 3 other one-shots).  Also, they included the first part of another story, which I didn’t read, that is, I believe, not manga or manwha either, but probably American comic and the rest is only available via Amazon Kindle.  I’m not interested in American comics either.

BTW, reading manga on a kindle is very difficult, especially as you age, just can’t read the small writing, etc.

I’m not even sure if any of their yaoi library is really manga, as they don’t give authors in the in the ads and the drawings don’t look like manga.

I have to say, in general, I’m not impressed with most their regular, non-yaoi, manga series and they seem to have almost as much manhwa as manga.  I would be careful, if you’re only into manga/Japanese novels, to stay away from their yaoi library.

They will not get either my money or my time to read their yaoi in the future.

New anime releases in US directed at female audiences

Just found out the following  anime titles, directed at female audiences, are being released in the US.  I personally haven’t seen any of these nor have I read any manga/novels associated with them, so don’t know how good or bad they are.

Please remember that if you can’t afford something or want to check it out before purchasing it, that you can request your local library to purchase it.  It takes several requests and most people don’t know about this, I’m sure if you’re interested in watching these items or listening to/watching/ reading other items, other are interested too and don’t know they can request the library to purchase the materials.

The BL title:

Ai No Kusabi: The Space Between

also josei with tons of bishies:

Saiyuki Gaiden: Complete Collection

Shojo horror anime:

Vampire Princess Miyu

Shojo reverse harem:

Hakuoki: Record of the Jade Blood

anime, manga,library, and new season & fan service

I just noticed that the Seattle Public Library has purchased a lot of new anime – and very unusual, one is BL and most are shojo.  There are 2 shonen titles.

They’ve also purchased some shojo manga; however, update volumes to popular series and leaving out other very popular shojo series and BL series not updated.

It’s rare for the library to buy anime oriented to a female audience – so please support the library and check out the anime when it comes in.

Which brings me to this season’s anime that are out.  Almost all are shonen or seinen and massive (and many the raison d’etre and almost solely) fan service for males.  It’s so bad that there is one I was considering for the story; however, the fan service is just too much.  I’m not saying to cut it completely, and I do read/watch some shonen/seinen manga/anime that has fan service for males – but it’s usually not overboard or in extremely bad taste.  It also seems worse in the anime remakes of manga than the original manga. 

Christiane

The other problem with mostly shojo; however, seen it with popular shonen, etc. is getting way off the story and even making up a story line that doesn’t even fit with the original manga/novels.  It’s one thing for a long running manga/anime, if the anime runs out to add filler story arcs (however, I never really liked the added arcs in Bleach, on the other hand, the people doing Naruto/Naruto Shippuden the added anime usually are in the spirit of the original manga and even go back to the charming and humorous spirit of the beginning of the series).

Don’t they get that at least half the audience is female and we’re horribly offended by much of it!

If you’re looking for help picking interesting manga titles out at the library, Christiane at the Queen Anne Library is a great resource.

 

can’t afford manga/anime you want – here’s a possible solution

Most libraries allow the patrons to place purchase request orders or interlibrary loan requests. 

The Seattle Public Library allows 5 purchase requests per week per person. However, more than one person is required to request a title before it will be purchased.  Also, be sure that they don’t own it already and that it’s still in print – often things over a year old won’t be purchased (some manga titles out less than a year aren’t available either – so unless super popular please try to request close to the publishing date)  – but if it’s popular and still in print and easily obtainable, especially if part of a series that they have, I’ve heard that exceptions have been made.

The Seattle Public Library has one of the largest manga collections in the US, and are very willing to purchase manga and anime and has a lot of shonen and yaoi, some seinen and shojo, but very little josei. 

This way you can request all the BL, Josei, Shojo, Shonen, and Seinen manga or anime that you want to read/watch and can’t afford or don’t want to buy but want to read/watch.

If it’s out of print, you can request an interlibrary loan (ILL) for a small price. 

Also, most  emanga isn’t available for libraries to purchase yet – most of the manga publishers are against selling emanga to libraries.  If you want emanga available for library purchase, please contact the publishers and let them know to sell to the libraries.