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Posts Tagged Yen Press

On The Shelf: August 21, 2013

On The Shelf: August 21, 2013

It looks like Otakuthon was a lot of fun this year. I’ve always wanted to try going, but just haven’t planned it yet. Maybe 2014? Good excuse to take the train! I love our sad, barely running little train system.

As for manga, this week I’m most looking forward to Bunny Drop (Vol. 09) from Yen Press. This volume wraps up the main story and is the book long criticized for its ending. I’m so conflicted by the idea alone. On one hand (no spoilers!), yuck. On the other? Maybe Yumi Unita can make it less yuck? We’ll soon see.

No. 6 (Vol. 02) from Kodansha Comics is also a must-buy after enjoying the first so much, plus the anime adaptation. Yen Press is starting a new series with Judge (Vol. 01), the sequel to Doubt, and Viz Media is releasing the long-awaited Ikigami: Ultimate Limit (Vol. 09). At last!

Also work a note is this week’s Shonen Jump. Because the magazine is on holiday in Japan, there are no new chapters but Viz Media also released a special Naruto art book in its place. I’m not a Naruto reader myself, but it’s great they still put together something. My fingers are crossed they do the same for future holidays – I’d love a cover art collection of other series, such as Toriko, Bleach or Dragonball.

Battle Angel Alita: Last Order Omnibus (Vol. 02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
BTOOOM! (Vol. 03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bunny Drop (Vol. 09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Ikigami: Ultimate Limit (Vol. 09) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Judge (Vol. 01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
No. 6 (Vol. 02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Pokemon Adventures: Heart Gold & Soul Silver (Vol. 01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Puella Magi Kazumi Magica: The Innocent Malice (Vol. 02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Umineko When They Cry: Turn of the Golden Witch (Vol. 02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]


Yen Press Returns to the Demon World with Spin-Off Series, Bloody Brat

Bloody Brat

Yen Press has confirmed with AnimeNewsNetwork that they’ve licensed a spin-off to their currently running series, Blood Lad:

Bloody Brat – Yuuki Kodama & Kanata Yoshino

This one-volume book has a collection of short stories and 4-panel comics based on the characters and worlds written in Blood Lad. A page for the series popped up on Amazon (US) earlier this week, which lists it as scheduled for March 2014.

I’ve only read the first volume of Blood Lad so far, but I really liked it. The art style was a little dull but I was surprised by how smitten I became with the lead, Staz the vampire, and the humor the series has. I’ll need to get myself caught up before Bloody Brat comes out.

Yen Press released the third omnibus volume of Blood Lad this past May, while Viz Media is streaming the new anime adaptation (though unfortunately to US viewers only).


Review: The Betrayal Knows My Name (Vol. 05)

The Betrayal Knows My Name (Vol. 05)

Manga-ka: Hotaru Odagiri
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: February 2013

Synopsis: “Though the Zweilt are together at last, the calm before the inevitable storm of battle lingers. With no sign of activity from the camp of their sworn enemy, Reiga, Yuki and his allies are beguiled into a sense of peace. But even the distraction provided by a retreat to the Hidden Springs of the Giou to rest weary hearts and souls will not prepare Yuki for Sairi’s revelations about the brave but terrible end met by the Light of God through the ages…And when Takashiro is called in to investigate a pair of suspicious deaths, the winds of war begin to pick up in a frenzy…”

In the beginning The Betrayal Knows My Name was a shojo action manga with the occasional fan service scene. It’s since become a shojo manga with lots of fan service and the occasional action scene. The series has always coasted by on its pretty art, but with this volume it feels even more vacuous than ever.

Read more…


Review: Beautiful Creatures

Beautiful Creatures

Author: Kim Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Artist: Cassandra Jean
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Release Date: February 2013

Synopsis: “Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she’s struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever. Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town’s oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them. In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.”

This was my first exposure to ‘Beautiful Creatures,’ as I haven’t read any of the books or seen the movie. To its credit the comic manages to stand well enough on its own feet: I was never confused about what was going on, but that might be because the plot is so simple and standard.

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Swag Bag: Creepy Stares, Deadly Gates and Sailor Moon’s Finale

Swag Bag: Creepy Stares, Deadly Gates and Sailor Moon's Finale

It often happens that I don’t realize how many books I’ve bought recently until I write one of these Swag Bag posts. While my buying habits of today can be a pretty far cry from the look-at-all-my-disposable-income days of yester-year, I’m still ever grateful I can afford to fill one of these columns in a month. And this past month had some real gems that I hope many readers are able to fit into the budget as well.

Vertical Inc.’s books were the cream of the crop this past July. After spending Animaritime drooling over every copy I saw lucky buyers walking around with, I was quick to come home and buy my own copy of Gundam the Origin (Vol. 02). I never thought I’d be so invested in one of the classic Gundam stories, but I fell in love with this one right away. Vertical’s hardcover, colour-page insert editions definitely help too. This volume even came with a bonus illustration by CLAMP.

Next I went for something new and bought a copy of Vertical’s one-shot, Utsubora: The Story of a Novelist. There was something very reminiscent of Tezuka’s darker works reading Utsubora. This twisted tale of plagiarism, lust and suicide-mystery nestles well into Vertical’s library and I quite enjoyed it. Then I had to try Wolfsmund (Vol. 01), which really surprised me. Both of these series are for adults only, and Wolfsmund greatly so for the violent content. But that didn’t surprise me as much as how the book took a story-convention I’m really used to (and enjoy) and turned it on its head. Episodic stories with one reoccurring common character but instead of running a magical shop or granting wishes, in Wolfsmund it’s a gatekeeper who won’t let anyone pass. I rounded out my mini Vertical binge with a copy of Limit (Vol. 01) as well.

Black Butler (Vol. 14)I took a trip to my Yen Press list next to visit some continuing series. First was Blood Lad (Vol. 02) and then Drrrr!’s sequel series, Drrrr! Saika Arc (Vol. 01). My favourite new book out from Yen though was easily Black Butler (Vol. 14). Every volume since the book hit double-digits has been a real step up in the story and art; enough so to take it from a series I considered dropping, to one of my most anticipated. Warning, very mild spoiler ahead – Sebastian getting his butt handed to him? Much more interesting than Mr. Perfect-Butler.

Next up were some sad farewells to two series. The first, from Viz Media, was Children of the Sea (Vol. 05). I still don’t fully understand what happened in this series, but I think that’s the point. The slightly confused yet tranquil feeling I had finishing it just made me miss it more. That melancholy couldn’t hold a candle to my sadness at completing Sailor Moon (Vol. 12), however. Wow, what a series. It’s dramatic, beautiful, detailed, universe-encompassing in its scope, and totally inspiring to read as a woman. I’m really looking forward to the two collections of Sailor Moon short stories due out from Kodansha Comics in the Fall.

Gate 7 (Vol. 04) is another book I bought recently that desperately wants to be as pretty and epic, but unfortunately only succeeds at the first. This is one of CLAMP’s most recent works, and while the artwork is absolutely gorgeous, and the characters are kinda fun, the story itself is completely underwhelming. I really hope something big and interesting happens soon or else it could be the first CLAMP series I’m tempted to drop.

That does it for this week’s Swag Bag. As always, feel more than free to share what purchases you’ve made recently and if you’d recommend them!


On The Shelf: July 24th, 2013

On The Shelf - July 24th, 2013

It’s a big week for Yen Press with a stack of fresh manga volumes to help us get through these rainy days. …Or boiling hot days, depending on where you are.

Though I’m still in the fading stages of my Sailor Moon overload from last week‘s final volume, my enthusiasm will soon to be shifting to what lands in my shopping bag today, notably Black Butler (Vol. 14) and Doubt (Vol. 02).

And don’t forget about Shonen Jump, which comes out every week! This week’s issue includes, among many other things, the final chapter of Cross Manage and the second installment of Akira Toriyama’s new series, Jaco the Galatic Patrolman.

Black Butler (Vol.14) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Bloody Monday (Vol.11) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Doubt (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Is This a Zombie (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
K-ON! College [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Puella Magi Oriko Magica (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Soul Eater (Vol.15) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Until Death Do Us Part (Vol.04) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]


On The Shelf: June 26, 2013

On The Shelf: June 26, 2013

It’s a busy week for Kuriousity as half our writers, myself included, gear up for the upcoming Animaritime. It’s the final prep-day countdown! But that doesn’t stop us from oogling this week’s new assortment of manga, which includes a whole bunch of new Yen Press books.

I really enjoyed Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories which Yen Press is releasing as a single omnibus. Unfortunately my feelings weren’t as generous for Puella Magi Kazumi Magica. To each their own of course, and this week offers plenty to choose from. Buy and enjoy!

Aron’s Absurd Armada (Vol.02) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Fairy Tail (Vol.27) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Heroman (Vol.05) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Higurashi: When They Cry – Festival Accompanying Arc (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Nabari No Ou (Vol.14) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Negima! Magister Negi Magi Omnibus (Vol.07) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Pandora Hearts (Vol.16) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Puella Magi Kazumi Magica: The Innocent Malice (Vol.01) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Spice & Wolf (Vol.08) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Triage X (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]
Oreimo (Vol.03) [Amazon CAN, Amazon US, RightStuf]


Swag Bag: Girls, Guys and Thermae Romae

Swag Bag

It’s a new Swag Bag post! And as the last was a month ago, we have some catching up to do.

Seven Seas’ omnibus edition of Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink was one of my favourite purchases as of late. Yuri is uncommon enough, but after this release and Girlfriends, I won’t ever pass up an opportunity for more of Milk Morniaga’s work. I found this book tricky to get through. I related to these characters more than most in manga, so the book took considerable more emotional toll on me than I’m accustomed. It only speaks to their quality when in the right hands, however, and while it means I’ll likely never be able to write a full review for them, I have all the hopes in the world they continue to do well so we can get more.

Yen Press continues to make clever power plays for room on my bookshelves with a new set of shiny re-editions. This time it’s Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (Vol. 01-02) and Chain of Memories. Both are adaptations of the video games of the same name, products near and dear to my fangirl heart, and titles that Tokyopop originally published. While I already own the Tokyopop books, Yen Press’s new collected editions look and read great, plus have that new book smell. How could anyone resist? For more thoughts, you can read my review of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix.

A Devil and Her Love Song (Vol. 09) began my Viz Media purchases and was an enjoyable romp of beach time fun and character development. I reviewed another recent shoujo purchase, Dawn of the Arcana (Vol. 10), last weekend. Always the Queen of the crop, Sailor Moon (Vol. 11) was quick to enter the swag bag and carries us into the final, and possibly most emotionally intense, arc of the series.

Completing it’s final arc is Saturn Apartments (Vol. 07), which really surprised me with how dark it got for a while. I honestly didn’t know how it was going to turn out, which is always the best way to read something. All surprises! Much less of a surprise were Attack on Titan (Vol.01) and No. 6 (Vol. 01) from Kodansha Comics, since I’ve already seen the anime versions. But I love them both, Attack on Titan in particular, so I had to buy the manga of each.

Thermae Romae (Vol. 02)It was super shonen time with the newest volume of Toriko (Vol. 16). It’s continuing to be a little disorienting following the series both in the collected form and as new chapters come out via Shonen Jump. The two haven’t overlapped yet, but it is neat seeing what comes, what’s been and wondering what could possibly fill the gap. Less suspenseful is Pokemon Black & White (Vol. 10) but it’s always cute and fun.

Speaking of cute and fun, though in entirely different ways, I was thrilled to finally pick up a copy of Thermae Romae (Vol. 02). This series is amazing, both in the surprise of something with this plot simply existing, but also in how well it’s executed. This series continues to be hilarious and educational, not to mention brilliantly packaged by Yen Press. If you haven’t already, make sure you buy these gems while you can!

And I finished this month’s purchases off with some boys’ love – Bonds of Dreams, Bonds of Love (Vol. 04) and Blue Morning (Vol. 01). Bonds of Dreams, Bonds of Love is now over and went out the same way in came in – funny and full of enjoyably horny hijinks. Blue Morning starts a brand new series and one that’s pretty much the polar opposite in tone. I found Blue Morning a bit dull as it’s dark mood almost suffocated it, but now with the characters set-up, I’m looking forward to seeing more plot progress in volume two.

That does it for this week’s Swag Bag. As always, feel more than free to share what purchases you’ve made recently and if you’d recommend them!


Review: Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (Vol. 01-02)

Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (Vol. 01)

Manga-ka: Shiro Amano
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: All Ages
Release Date: May 2013

Synopsis: “After a terrible storm shatters the peace of his tropical island home, a young boy named Sora is set adrift from his world and his friends, Riku and Kairi. Meanwhile, Disney Castle is in an uproar when it is discovered that King Mickey has gone missing, leaving it up to Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy to find him! When Sora, in search of his friends, and Donald and Goofy, in search of their king, cross paths, their fateful encounter will change the destiny of the universe forever!!”

The recent announcement of Kingdom Hearts 3 set a rejuvenating ripple through the fandom at the recent E3 convention. Yen Press’s new release of the Kingdom Hearts manga almost couldn’t possibly be better timed.

Read more…


Review: Puella Magi Kazumi Magica – The Innocent Malice (Vol. 01)

Puella Magi Kazumi Magica - The Innocent Malice (Vol. 01)

Author: Magica Quartet/Masaki Hiramatsu
Manga-ka: Takashi Tensugi
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Release Date: June 2013

Synopsis: “Kidnapped and stuffed into a trunk by an unknown assailant, teenager Kazumi bursts forth from the confines of the case to discover that she has been stripped not only of her clothes, but also of the memories of her life before the kidnapping. When she is recovered by a pair of schoolgirls, she doesn’t recognize them as her best friends and roommates, Umika and Kaoru. As Kazumi tries to settle back into her normal life, she quickly realizes that her former “normal” was anything but!”

Puella Magi Madoka Magica was one of the best anime series I’ve seen in some time. The concept, the characters, the execution – it was a well-constructed story all on its own, but also one that laid out an entire universe’s worth of potential. I wanted to know more about this world’s magical girls, and who else had their wishes granted and became bound to battle witches. Puella Magi Kazumi Magica – The Innocent Malice is one of several spin-offs that have come about to fulfill just such a wish. Unfortunately, based on the amount of nudity and skimpy outfits on underage girls this book has, I’m not the particular audience Kazumi Magica spin-off is targeting.

Read more…


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