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Posts Tagged Manga

Fresh from Amazon – BL From BLU and A Cat Who Makes Ramen

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, November 14, 2009

New From Tokyopop

With convention season behind us, it’s always fun to know there’s still new manga licenses coming our way! Granted new listings on Amazon aren’t as exciting or confirmed, but they do manage to sate the eagerness somewhat.

Note: While I have contacted Tokyopop regarding these new titles, there has been no confirmation as to the licenses. As with all Amazon listings, they remain speculation until confirmed by the publisher.

Neko Ramen Volume 1: Hey! Order Up! – Kenji Sonishi
Calling – Miu Ootsuki (BLU)
Scarlet – Hiro Madarame (BLU)

Neko Ramen sounds ripe with humour potential, the story of a cat who also happens to sell ramen. It’s another series from the artist of Viz’s Leave It To PET!. In regards to Scarlet and Calling, I’m really eager to see more of them because they both sport some fantasticlooking cover artwork – I hope the interior is just as eye-pleasing!

And though I don’t believe this is a new title, fans of Fruits Basket will be happy to see the next fan book, Fruits Basket Fanbook: Banquet, coming their way in May 2010.

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Categories: Licensing
Tags: Manga, Tokyopop

Review: Fushigi Yugi Genbu Kaiden (Vol. 09)

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 13, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Yuu Watase
Publisher: Viz Media
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “Back in her own world, Takiko tries to forget about The Universe of the Four Gods. Determined to live the life of an ordinary girl in Tokyo in 1923, she returns to her father’s home and concentrates on being a loyal daughter–and, soon, a dutiful bride. But she can’t leave her other life behind. And while Takiko struggles to cool her still-burning heart, the Celestial Warriors battle through a new ice age!”

Those who’ve read the original Fushigi Yugi series already know how Genbu Kaiden is going to end, but this volume is a clear indicator that Yu Watase isn’t going to ignore those of us thinking we have the end pegged. With Takiko transported back to her world at the end of the last volume, she’s now torn between the life she has there and the love she feels for those she left behind.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Fushigi Yugi, Manga, Shoujo Beat, Viz Media, Yuu Watase

Review: Hey, Sensei?

By Shannon Fay on Thursday, November 12, 2009

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Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Yaya Sakuragi
Publisher: June
Rating: Mature (18+)
Release Date: April 2009

Synopsis: “Hey, sensei…play with me?” Straight-laced Math teacher Isa is shocked by this proposition, but quickly regains enough composure to give the student, Homura, a good whipping. Undaunted, the brazen Homura continues to shower sexual advances upon the hapless Isa every chance he gets. Sensible and rational as the discipline he teaches, Isa calmly dismisses and rebuffs the student’s passionate display. But when Isa glimpses sincerity in Homura’s eyes and realizes that his pupil’s confession of love is true, his cool demeanor begins to falter…”

Despite being based on a bit of a taboo relationship, Hey Sensei? is more sweet than scandalous. The book deserves its 18+ rating because of the love-making scenes between the characters, but the generally sweet tone of the book gives the sex scenes a gentler vibe than found in many other yaoi.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

MangaViews.com Launches!

By Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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Today MangaViews.com is officially launched! Tagnongat and I have been working on this project for the past few weeks (I did the design while Anna is the genuis mastermind behind everything else) and we hope manga fans take the time to look around and let us know what they think.

MangaViews.com is a hub for manga reviews and reviewers from around the world. Bringing together writers, their thoughts and a love for manga, Manga Views’ intent is to foster discussion, promotion and connection among readers.

The website has an automatically updated list of new manga blog posts on the front page, forums for some fun discussion and a new but growing review database where we encourage bloggers to submit their reviews as well as series they’d like to see reviewed on the review list.

Because the site is still new, we’re constantly tweaking, shifting things and adding new content. If you come across any issues or dilemmas while using MangaViews, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

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Categories: Misc, Reviews
Tags: Manga

Review: Pet Shop of Horrors Tokyo (Vol. 06)

By Lissa Pattillo on Tuesday, November 10, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Matsuri Akino
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: November 2009

Synopsis: “Endangered species, mysterious attacks, dangerous mafia assassins and long lost love are wrapped up together in these tales of woe and triumph. This time, Taizuu meets his match. Can he quit smoking and manage to stay alive? Perhaps, but only if he can remember one thing: in Count D’s pet shop, not all animals are friendly… or real!”

With the more retro looking art style and occasionally dated looking styles, it’s often easy to fall into the mindset that Pet Shop of Horrors takes place out of our time. The opening chapter in this book pulls readers into the here however has Count D is introduced to an entirely different kind of mystery – the internet!

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manga, Tokyopop

Review: Black Jack (Vol. 07)

By Lissa Pattillo on Monday, November 9, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Osamu Tezuka
Publisher: Vertical
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: September 2009

Synopsis: “Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community’s hypocrisy and corruption. Black Jack charges exorbitant fees for his services, the proceeds from which he uses to fund environmental projects and to aid victims of crime and corrupt capitalists. But because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil.”

Though few qualms can be had for the fact that this seventh volume of Black Jack is more of the same, there are some distinct moments in the book that stand out in true effective fashion. Black Jack himself is most often seen by those around him as a money-grubber first and a doctor second but it’s no secret to readers that his cocky exterior and high prices still garnish a man of strong moral character.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Black Jack, Manga, Osamu Tezuka, Vertical Inc

Review: Exotic and Delicious Fate

By Lissa Pattillo on Friday, November 6, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Ryoku Tsunoda
Publisher: June
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: August 2009

Synopsis: “Eight years ago, Kaoru Miyagi was a struggling bartender with only a middle school education, until a kind benefactor took him under his wing and gave Miyagi a job at Tokyo’s classy “Tachibana” restaurant. Enter Kasuga – a new chef from a sister restaurant, who takes an immediate, enthusiastic liking to Miyagi. Why should Miyagi pay any attention at all to someone as immature as Kasuga? Unless… the impulsive chef has answers about Miyagi’s past that could point to a future beyond his wildest dreams!”

With many likeable aspects of Ryoku Tsunoda’s previously released, Where Has Love Gone?, there was plenty to look forward to in another of her one-shots. While Exotic and Delicious Fate doesn’t work as neatly as a one-shot as the previous it still proved itself a charming piece of short-term entertainment.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

Review: Love Roma (Vol. 04)

By Shannon Fay on Thursday, November 5, 2009

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Reviewer: Shannon Fay

Manga-ka: Minoru Toyoda
Publisher: Del Rey
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: October 2006

Synopsis: “Hoshino’s never been afraid to tell Negishi just how he feels about her. Hoshino loves Negishi heart and soul–after all, she’s his very first love. But suddenly it’s gotten harder to share his feelings, because now he’s feeling something he’s never felt before: jealousy! The new boy at school, Wakaba, has a major crush on Negishi. And when Wakaba and Negishi become friends, Hoshino gets worried. Is Negishi pulling away from him? And will Hoshino’s silence only make things worse?”

Love Roma is basically a one-trick pony, but if you like the trick then it’s still pretty entertaining. Much of the humour in the series comes from the characters being painfully straightforward, especially the male lead Hoshino. Hoshino isn’t mean-spirited in his bluntness, in fact he’s usually just trying to tell his girlfriend Negishi how much he loves her. Sometimes she gets the message, other times she whacks him over the head for being an idiot. Rinse, wash and repeat and you have Love Roma.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Del Rey, Manga

Review: Ludwig II (Vol. 02)

By Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, November 1, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: You Higuri
Publisher: June
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: September 2009

Synopsis: “The kingdom of Bavaria was absorbed into the German Empire during the latter half of the 19th century. The stunningly handsome king of Bavaria— who never married and who would have operas and plays privately staged for him—wandered between fantasy and reality, alone in his extravagant crystal palace, Neuschwanstein. “I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others,” Ludwig II once said, and now we reach the final act of his drama.”

Bringing to a close the tragic life of Ludwig II, You Higuri’s loosely-based historical take on the reign of Bavaria’s King continues to view his life from a personal perspective – following the sordid romance between Ludwig and his consort Hornrig while madness continues to nip at his majesty’s heels.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, June, Manga

Review: Soul Eater (Vol. 01)

By Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, October 31, 2009

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Atsushi Ohkubo
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: October 2009

Synopsis: “Maka is a weapon meister, determined to turn her partner, a living scythe named Soul Eater, into a powerful death scythe — the ultimate weapon of Death himself! Charged with the task of collecting and devouring the tainted souls of ninety-nine humans and one witch, Maka and her fellow meisters strive to master their weapons as they face off against the bizarre and dangerous minions of the underworld. But the meisters’ own personal quirks may prove a bigger obstacle than any sultry enchantress!”

Sporting a scythe wielding young girl next to a witch with a grinning Jack o’Lantern as the background on an otherwise sparse-white canvas – and with just as many ghouls, guises and grins on the inside, you’d be hard pressed to find something more festive than Soul Eater during Halloween night. Granted, you’d easily be able to find something scarier than this, but if you’re looking for the energy of Halloween embodied in something other than having your pants scared off, then this may be the book you’re looking for.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manga, Yen Press