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Review Archive

To see a list of reviews in alphabetical order, please see our review index.

Review: Mail (Vol. 02)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Monday, July 7, 2008

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Manga-ka: Housui Yamazaki
Publisher: Dark Horse
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: January 2007

Synopsis: “Postcards from purgatory… Broken dolls that prey on people… babies who toddle forward with sharp scissors and laugh… elevators trapped amidst floors, as if caught between heaven and hell. All these and more are known to exorcist detective Reiji Akiba as messages to the living from the restless dead. But answer this mail at your own risk, unless you a sign with a bullet from Akiba’s sanctified gun!”

It’s more chilling stories here in volume two of Mail. Continuing in an episodic manner, numerous people are contacted by the dead many of whom seek what they couldn’t have in life, even if they must take it from the living. The only hope these people have is Reiji Akiba, a detective who has the ability to see ghosts and a gun that can stop them.

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Review: Cynical Orange (Vol. 04)

Posted by Marsha Reid on Sunday, July 6, 2008

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Manhwa-ga: Yun JiUn
Publisher: Yen Press
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: June 2008

Synopsis: “Hye-Min gives Ma-Ha the cold shoulder after discovering how he broke up with Bora. But when Bora seeks her help to reunite with Ma-Ha , Hye-Min can’t say no to her friend. Things get even more complicated when Ma-Ha catches on…and reveals how he truly feels about Bora as well as what he thinks about Hye-Min!”

Cynical Orange is based around the complicated life of beautiful Hye-Min. She’s a lovely girl with a slight body and face which melts most boys’ hearts. In volume one she found out being quiet and polite was keeping the guy she was crushing on from liking her, and the gloves have been off ever since. Keeping the secret of her fiery and violent temper from her classmates, she goes so far as to almost kill someone in a single mad fury over a stolen kiss.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Manhwa, Yen Press

Review: Bleach (Vol. 23)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Friday, July 4, 2008

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Manga-ka: Kubo Tite
Publisher: Viz
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: June 2008

Synopsis: “The Arrancars, Hollows that have attained Soul Reaper-like powers, have descended on Karakura Town. Led by Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, they plan to eliminate anyone who poses a threat to them. And their deadly hunt doesn’t stop with Ichigo and the Soul Reapers – the Arrancars are after anyone with even a trace of spiritual powers!”

The plot continues to thicken as the new group of baddies on the scene prepare to create some havoc for the inhabitants of Karakura Town, home of Ichigo and friends. Much to the lead cast’s surprise, however, is the appearance of several acquaintances in light of the coming attacks, acquaintances who are looking for places to stay. With a first half dedicated to humour and drama and a second half that packs a dangerous punch, volume 23 delivers a little bit of everything and does it wonderfully.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Bleach, Viz Media

Review: Dark Prince (Vol. 02)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, July 3, 2008

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Author: Yamila Abraham
Artist: M.A. Sambre
Publisher: Yaoi Press
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: May 2008

Synopsis: “The macabre tale of deviant royalty and shattered innocence continues. Prince Davon must flee his home with his new slave Aon when his jealous brother Lor tries to take Aeon from him. Davon’s second home, the Kingdom of Ralstorm, holds even more illicit secrets: a taboo affair, dangerously affectionate relatives… and a mad scientist who thinks he can cure Davon’s impotence with electricity.”

Webs continue to be woven here in volume two of Dark Prince. With Aeon safely by his side, Davon goes to the home of his loving uncle to seek safety from his brother, Lor, after finding him trying to steal away Aeon. Meanwhile Lor finally knows all that is going on thanks to a talkative and lusty demon God who wishes to use the power hidden inside of Aeon to overthrow Pharah, the God who holds control over Davon. Unfortunately for Davon, tales of his murderous ways have reached this home away from home and his uncle, the King, wishes to see to it that Aeon is not the next boy to lose his life.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Yaoi Press

Review: Nightmare Inspector (Vol. 02)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Thursday, July 3, 2008

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Reviewer: Lissa Pattillo

Manga-ka: Shin Mashiba
Publisher: Viz
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: June 2008

Synopsis: “Dreams on the menu in this volume: a telephone operator who may be the girl of another patron’s dreams, a blind girl whose hearing is driving her mad, a missing fiancé who may be trapped in his own painting, and a mysterious lodger intent on discovering Hiruko’s private past.”

Those plagued by their nightmares continue to seek help from the mysterious dream-eater, Hiruko, here in volume two of Nightmare Inspector. Things are still not always as they seem which becomes even more evident with the revelation of the delirium shop, a place that deals with people’s fantasies much in the same way the Silver Star Tea House deals with dreams.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Viz Media

Review: A Foreign Love Affair

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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Manga-ka: Ayano Yamane
Publisher: 801Media
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: May 2008

Synopsis: “Celebrating his marriage to the daughter of a rival yakuza clan, the hot-tempered under boss Ranmaru Ohmi soon attracts the passengers attention as much for starting fistfights as he does wearing a kimono wherever he goes. Enter Alberto Valentiano, a handsome Italian stud with a taste for all things Japanese – and a few secrets. Instantly smitten by the passionate Ranmaru, Al uses all his European charm to conquer the object of his desire.”

Ranmaru has just been wed to the daughter of a rival yazuka clan but he seems less than enthusiastic over the prospects of it. Instead he runs about the cruise ship they wed on, getting into fistfights and stirring up attention with his refusal to wear anything but his traditional kimono. It doesn’t take long for him to catch the eye of Alberto, an Italian with a love for the Japanese. It doesn’t take long for the suave, and drink buying, man to whisk Ranmaru into his bed for some ‘cultural exchange’.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: 801Media, Boys' Love/Yaoi

Review: Petshop of Horrors Tokyo (Vol. 02)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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Manga-ka: Matsuri Akino
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: June 2008

Synopsis: “Bothered by the rumours that Count D sells slaves to clients, Woo-Fei continues his attempt to kick the Count out of Neo Chinatown. Meanwhile, a woman visits the store to sell her cat, hoping that she can give the man of her dreams the ultimate gift… Later, a different women finds herself beckoned to the shop by a pet she carries in her stomach. Between blackouts and hunts for mythical creatures, Woo-Fei has his hands full with this trouble-making tenant!”

Count D’s back at his usual in volume two of Petshop of Horrors: Tokyo. Keeping with the usual episodic nature of the series, several different clients enter Count D’s shop in the hopes of finding pets, or finding ways to get rid of ones they have. Woo-Fei, owner of the building the Count’s shop currently resides in, continues to be more and more suspicious of the shop’s true purpose and is determined to figure out what’s really going on behind those exotic doors.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Tokyopop

Review: Dark Prince (Vol. 01)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Monday, June 30, 2008

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Author: Yamila Abraham
Artist: M.A. Sambre
Publisher: Yaoi Press
Rating: Mature (18+)
Released: October 2007

Synopsis: “A gothic and macabre tale of twisted royalty and demonic deities… The nobleman Lowry came to find out why Prince Davon murders boys whose names start with the letter A. He discovers a myriad of royal secrets: incest, demon worship, matricide… but still no answers on why Davon kills. Or why he stops killing when he finds a desperate boy named Aeon.”

Dark Prince is a twisted tale of royalty, reincarnation and skewed sexual desire. The beautiful Prince Davon has for years been killing boys eight years younger than him whose names begin with the letter A. His Father wishes him to be King over his stepbrother so a nobleman named Lowry is asked to investigate and discover the secrets behind Prince Davon’s murderous deeds.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Boys' Love/Yaoi, Yaoi Press

Review: Honey and Clover (Vol. 01)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Sunday, June 29, 2008

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Manga-ka: Chica Umino
Publisher: Viz
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Released: March 2008

Synopsis:
“Takamoto, a sophomore art student in Tokyo, thinks his greatest worries in life are finding ways to eat more meat and getting to class on time. But with friends like this, life never going to be that tame. Love triangles – Who says you don’t learn math in art school?”

Honey and Clover follows the lives and trials of numerous college students. The main cast of characters consists of Takamoto and fellow art students living together in a cheap housing unit. Their yearn for a break from their everyday noodle dinners and deal with lots of believable problems that many readers can no doubt relate to.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Viz Media

Review: +Anima (Vol. 01)

Posted by Lissa Pattillo on Saturday, June 28, 2008

1 Comment »

Manga-ka: Natsumi Mukai
Publisher: Tokyopop
Rating: Teen (13+)
Released: May 2006

Synopsis:
“In this alternate universe, +Anima walk among us – shunned by society – as they search for others who have similar traits. Cooro is a crow-like boy who is on a quest to find other +Anima. When he meets Husky, a disrespectful boy with a past shrouded in mystery, he finds a kindred spirit who also possesses animal-like powers. Together, they try to gain acceptance in a world cruel to anyone or anything that is different.”

One last leftover from last week’s Animal people theme! +Anima is a series that introduces us to a fantasy world where there exist ‘creatures’ of the series’ name: +Anima. +Anima are people who have animal like qualities and some of their associated powers. For example, the lead character in the story is Cooro, a sweet little crow boy who can fly about with his dark feathered wings. In this first volume he befriends Husky, a pretty little boy who is able to turn into part fish when in the water. Unfortunately +Anima are often shunned or feared for being different, and thus it’s the search for friendship and acceptance that’s the core of this series.

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Categories: Reviews
Tags: Tokyopop