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Author Archive for Lissa Pattillo

Otaku USA: On The Shelf – November 28, 2012

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, December 1, 2012

Busy, busy these days but never too busy for new comics. November was a huge month for manga releases, though this past week’s list of titles – which mark the last of the month – was considerably smaller. Our wallets appreciate the break though, right? Not that it means there aren’t still some must-haves, including Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service (Vol.13) and the Sailor Moon (Vol. 01-06) boxset. Off to the store!

The title details are over at their usual place, at a slightly later than usual time (my bad!), in my On The Shelf article for Otaku USA.

Deltora Quest (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Fairy Tail (Vol.22) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
GTO: 14 Days in Shonan (Vol.06) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Is This A Zombie? (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service (Vol.13) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Limit (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Sailor Moon Boxset #1 (Vol.01-06) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]

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Categories: Features, News, On The Shelf, Release Lists
Tags: Dark Horse, Kodansha Comics, Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Manga, Otaku USA, Sailor Moon, Vertical Inc, Yen Press

Review: The Innocent

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, November 26, 2012

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Authors: Avi Arad & Junichi Fujisaku
Manga-ka: YaSung Ko
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2011

Synopsis: “Wrongly executed for crimes he didn’t commit, a former detective is given a second chance at life. To earn that chance, though, the man now known as Ash must use the supernatural abilities with which he has been infused to prevent the deaths of other innocents. But is Ash willing to dedicate himself to helping others, or is his thirst for vengeance against those who destroyed his life and his loved ones too powerful to ignore?”

The Innocent is another of Yen Press’s collaborative pieces, taking the story of author Avi Arad and pairing it with the stylish artwork of Korean artist, Yasung Ko. While the two elements don’t mesh together without obvious seams, the final result ends up working better than many similar projects from the company to date, delivering plenty of action and eye-candy.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Global Manga, Manhwa, Yen Press

Review: Sailor Moon (Vol. 08)

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 23, 2012

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Manga-ka: Naoko Takeuchi
Publisher: Kodansha Comics
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: November 2012

Synopsis: “Chibi Usa’s sickly friend Hotaru isn’t just Sailor Saturn, Deity of Destruction. She’s also possessed by Master Pharaoh 90. Facing this cataclysmic power will be impossible – unless Sailor Moon can unite the powers of every Guardian of the Solar System. Then, when the moon eclipses the sun, a mystical unicorn begs for help. An elaborate ship floats through the sky, and Usagi and Chibi-Usa have trouble seeing eye to eye….”

It’s especially fun getting to this point in the story which was only briefly touched upon in English media during Sailor Moon‘s big popular streak starting in the 90s. All the planetary Sailor guardians are together at last, including the less than favourably anticipated Sailor Saturn (speaking only plot-wise of course). The individual personalities of the group are as interesting as their interactions, making the departure of some later in the book doubly sad. All the good guys continue to support Sailor Moon both as protectors of their princess, and the planet itself, while also serving as inspiring energy sources for her transformation into Super Sailor Moon.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Kodansha Comics, Manga, Sailor Moon

Otaku USA: On The Shelf – November 21, 2012

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, November 22, 2012

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Bathtubs! Bathtubs! Bathtubs! The theme of my favourite book out this week, Yen Press’s Thermae Romae. It’s a downright classy book and I hope it does well.

For more of my thoughts on Thermae Romae and some of the many other books out this week (ahhhh, November you spoil us!), then head on over to my weekly On The Shelf article for Otaku USA.

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Categories: Features, News, On The Shelf, Release Lists
Tags: Alice in the Country of..., Boys' Love/Yaoi, CLAMP, Dark Horse, DMP, June, Kodansha Comics, Manga, Omnibus, Otaku USA, Seven Seas, Viz Media, Yen Press

PR: Viz Media Announces 2012 Holiday Manga Offerings

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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VIZ MEDIA OFFERS FANS A BOUNTY OF HOLIDAY MANGA RELEASES

Wish List Releases Include New Shojo Series, Manga Box Sets New Omnibus Editions, And Adorable Gift Books

San Francisco, CA, November 19, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, gives fans plenty to choose from as it offers a diverse selection of manga (graphic novel) titles that will make thoughtful gifts to suit any budget this holiday season.

The 2012 holiday manga selection features the launch of the brand new shojo series DEMON LOVE SPELL, as well as the recent debut of STROBE EDGE. Shojo fans can further enjoy the celebrated series, OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB, in a fabulous new 18-volume box set edition. VIZ Media will also release Hayao Miyazaki’s celebrated manga, NAUSICAÄ OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND, in a special new box set.

The intense psychological manga masterpiece, LOVELESS, resumes after a four-year hiatus with the release of the new Volume 9, as well as a new 2-in-1 omnibus edition of the series’ first 2 volumes. NEON GENESIS EVANGELION fans can look forward to the release of Volume 13 of the acclaimed sci-fi action series, as well as the launch of a new 3-in-1 omnibus edition. Finally, gaming and pop culture fans can also look forward to the release of the STREET FIGHTER® X SANRIO: WORLD VIEW hardcover gift book and STREET FIGHTER® X SANRIO: STICKER BOOK.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Demon Love Spell, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Viz Media

PR: Viz Media Announces 2012 Kid’s Holiday Manga and GNs

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

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VIZ MEDIA CAPTURES THE ATTENTION OF YOUNGER FANS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A COLORFUL ARRAY OF MANGA AND GRAPHIC NOVEL RELEASES

Catch The Latest All-Ages Releases For POKÉMON, MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS™, MAMESHIBA, REDAKAI, VOLTRON FORCE®, And WINX CLUB In Time For The 2012 Holiday Season!

San Francisco, CA, November 19, 2012 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, delivers a colorful collection of manga and other graphic novel selections that are sure to excite kids and younger fans and catch the attention of their gift-giving friends and family members this holiday season.

Published under VIZ Media’s VIZ Kids imprint, the titles include the latest full-color graphic novel volumes for MR. MEN AND LITTLE MISS™, MAMESHIBA, REDAKAI, VOLTRON FORCE®, and WINX CLUB. VIZ Media has also released several new POKÉMON ADVENTURES manga box set editions for the BLACK AND WHITE, RED & BLUE, and SILVER & GOLD series.

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Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Viz Media

Review: Alice in the Country of Clover – Cheshire Cat Waltz (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, November 18, 2012

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Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz (Vol. 01)

Author: Quinrose
Manga-ka: Mamenosuke Fujimaru
Publisher: Seven Seas
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: July 2012

Synopsis: “Alice has a new suitor – this time he’s pink and furry, otherwise known as Boris, the Chesire Cat. After being transported to the mysterious Country of Clover, Alice is relieved to discover that her friend Boris has come along. But she can’t enjoy a moment’s respite, as the Chesire Cat keeps hitting on her. Should she give in to such a self-indulgent cat? While Alice wavers, their relationship is sure to evolve – for better or worse is anyone’s guess. Sweet, yet dangerous. Love is risky business in Wonderland.”

It’s a bit weird coming from having recently read Yen Press’s release of Alice in the Country of Hearts to Seven Seas’ Alice in the Country of Clover. Both are the same story continued from a different angle, are written by the same person and drawn by artists very similar, but you can definitely feel the little tone changes created by being handled by two different teams of creators and adaptors. The differences are minor enough that most readers probably won’t notice though, making it an easy switch between for those who read one and are left wanting for more.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Alice in the Country of..., Manga, Seven Seas

Review: Loveless (Vol. 09)

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 16, 2012

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Manga-ka: Yun Kouga
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: October 2012

Synopsis: “Seimei is very much alive and has torn through the Seven Voices Academy like a whirlwind. As Septimal Moon struggles to right itself and keep its secrets from spilling out, a new enemy takes center stage: the unit named “Bloodless” wages a crippling psychological war, ending battles without spilling a single drop of blood. Yet Ritsuka and Soubi must emerge victorious against them… or lose Kio. “

It’s not difficult to get caught up on the Loveless story here in the ninth volume. It has just about every remaining relevant character sprinkled throughout it. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost four years since the previous volume was released. Viz Media’s synopsis cracks open the haze with the big reveal that Ritsuka’s brother, Seimei, is actually alive. What exactly his role is, however, is a little less clear. What his renewed relevance is for sure though, is more angst and drama fodder which the series tries to make in spades.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Loveless, Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media

Review: Strobe Edge (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, November 15, 2012

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Manga-ka: Io Sakisaka
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: November 2012

Synopsis: “What is love, anyway? Ninako Kinoshita’s friends tell her it’s one thing, but Ninako wonders what this mysterious feeling really is. When she meets Ren Ichinose, a handsome, enigmatic guy who all the girls worship, her life takes an unexpected turn. With just a few words and a smile, he changes her world…”

Strobe Edge isn’t the kind of series I would usually pick up without considerable cause. The synopsis sounds like fairly average school life romance drama, and the artwork is okay but nothing that stands out. Yet in this instance it was these benign features that made me go out and purchase volume one in light of the excitement many seemed to have when Viz Media announced it. Is there an extra special something hidden beneath this average surface? So far, no.

Read more…

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media

Otaku USA: On The Shelf – November 14, 2012

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, November 14, 2012

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It’s week two of wow-is-there-ever-a-lot-of-new-manga-coming-out-this-month (aka, November). There’s a lot of variety this week too – new books, old books, back-from-the-dead books, boys’ love, shonen, 4-koma, shoujo, whatever the heck Excel Saga is, and more! Ahhh, I wish I could afford them all!

You can read my thoughts on a number of this week’s books over at Otaku USA’s On The Shelf article.

07 Ghost (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Arons Absurd Armada Omnibus (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bad Teachers’ Equation (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Blood Blockade Battlefront (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bunny Drop (Vol.07) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Cross Game (Vol.08) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Excel Saga (Vol.24) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Inu-Yasha VizBIG (Vol.13) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi-chan (Vol.06) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Missions of Love (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Nabari no Ou (Vol.12) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Neon Genesis Evangelion 3-in-1 (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Omamori Himari (Vol.09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Rin-Ne (Vol.10) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Secret Thorns [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Shoulder-a-Coffin Kuro (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Sleepless Nights [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Soul Eater (Vol.11) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Soul Eater Not! (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Spice and Wolf (Vol.07) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Start With A Happy Ending (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Umineko When They Cry: Golden Witch (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]