Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Holiday Giveaway Winner & 2019 in the Rear View

First of all, time to announce this year's winner of my Holiday Giveaway: AmonduulUS!

Probably a tie between Go With the Clouds, North-by-Northwest (hard to beat a guy who talks to cars and drives around Iceland solving problems) and Gou Tanabe's adaption of In the Mountains of Madness (Tanabe's real good at drawing Antarctica and ships and horrifying monstrosity)

Amonduul, please contact me via Twitter so that we can send you that $25 RightStuf gift certificate right away!  In the meantime I hope you enjoyed my own take on Go With the Clouds, North-by-Northwest.

This year was probably the most I've had to struggle to put together the line-up for my holiday reviews.  That wasn't because there weren't enough books, but because there were so many good and interesting ones to choose from that I had to make a lot of hard choices.  While making all of those hard choices, I was able to reflect on just how much has changed between the beginning of this decade and its end.

At the beginning of this decade, I was in 26, just starting to dabble in anime, single, looking for steady work, unsure of what direction my life was going in.  Now as I head towards 36, I have a loving husband, two adorable kitties, and...well, I'm still working on the whole steady job and life direction part.  Yet the choice to start a manga review blog back in 2012 has a greater effect on my life than I ever could have expected. 

Yes, it's true that most of the manga blogs that inspired this particular site faded away as the conversation around manga shifted almost entirely to social media.  Yes, it's true that this particular blog has only garnered a little bit of attention over the years and a very modest income.  It's still more of a hobby than anything else.  Despite that, I'm proud of the nearly 600 (!) reviews I've written in that time.  Those works help me forge my own voice; without them, I probably wouldn't be writing  pieces for Anime Feminist or doing convention panels across the country, much less making more friends (online or otherwise) than I ever could have dreamed of back at the beginning of this decade.  The Manga Test Drive has helped make me the woman I am today. 

That's far from the only thing that's changed - manga in the US has changed radically in this last decade.  At the beginning, the American manga scene was one that was still in freefall.  Publishers were failing, series were getting dropped, the shelves were clogged with B- and C-list titles, and it all wouldn't come to an end until a year later with the (sadly temporary) closure of Tokyopop.  Now it's stronger than it ever, bolstered on the backs of Attack on Titan and half a dozen different series from various Jump magazines.  The publishers learned well from the mistakes of the previous decade, and combined with the rise of e-books and reading apps it's increasingly easy to enjoy manga legally.  We have hit series in genres that were previously thought unsalable: sports manga, josei, yuri, food manga.  We're seeing old standards resurrected for English audiences and new frontiers forged through webmanga.  Manga has truly never been better, more diverse, and more accessible than now.  These trends have shown no sign of stopping as we head into the 2020s, and I can only dream of the wonders this next decade will bring for myself, for manga as a whole, and for all those who love it.

Happy New Year, Happy New Decade, and may your days be full of good manga to read.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Holiday Review: SAINT YOUNG MEN

In any other year, Witch Hat Atelier would have been my final review, but then I remembered that this came out and the choice was all too obvious.

After all, the mythology of Christmas is all about miracles and the fact that we can finally read this in English is onto itself a miracle!  So many bigots like to harp about "the reason for the season," so why not read a manga about Him (and his best friend Buddha)?

SAINT YOUNG MEN (Seinto Onii-san), by Hikaru Nakamura.  First published in 2006 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

To better understand humanity, Jesus Christ and Buddha decide to live among humanity.  They establish themselves in a tiny apartment in the middle of Tokyo, trying (if not always successfully) to hide their divine natures.  Together they enjoy some of the tiny, everyday pleasures and frustrations of life in general.

STORY:

I feel kind of bad saying this because this series is so beloved and people have waited so long for this series because the mangaka was legitimately afraid that it would get protested if it were published in English but....I was kind of underwhelmed by Saint Young Men.

I will say this: I liked it a lot more than Arakawa Under the Bridge.  That's because instead of actively trying to be strange and random, the comedy here is a lot more focused.  The premises are simple, solid, and even a little sitcom-esque at times.  There's also a LOT of references to both Christianity and Buddhism, from the most obvious to obscure.  There are so many that each chapter has translation notes afterwards, not just at the end of the book.  Clearly a lot of research went into this.  I particularly like the way she uses that research to inform this particular interpretation of their personalities while retaining the odd couple dynamic.

And yet I kept waiting to laugh some big, boisterous laugh and that moment never happened.  I definitely smirked a few times, and smiled at jokes even more in a "I got that reference" sort of way.  I guess it's just a little too low-key to really tickle my particular funny bone.  Still, I'm glad we finally have the chance to experience it for ourselves.

ART:

Nakamura's visual humor is also kind of low-key.  There aren't a lot of big visual gags so much as jokes stuffed in asides and the sides of the panels.  The biggest visual joke is in the characters themselves, as no amount of casual T-shirts and jeans can hide that both Jesus and Buddha look about as archetypal as possible.  Indeed, more than a few gags are had about them being anxious about being recognized.  Being a gag manga, there isn't much of a focus on the scenery and not much done with the panel layouts.

PRESENTATION:

You know you're dealing with a prestigious manga when you not only get copious translation notes, but also a foreword from a curator from the British Museum who used this series in multiple manga-related exhibits.

RATING:

Even if it wasn't to my taste, Saint Young Men is an enjoyable comedy.  The way it combines the mythology around its main duo with its everyday premise is a good combo that shows a better understanding of both that other, more explicitly reverent works.  It's definitely worth a look, if simply to reward the time and effort it took to bring it over here.

This series is published by Kodansha Comics.  This series is ongoing in Japan with 17 volumes available. 1 volume has been released in print and 4 volumes are available digitally; all are currently in print.

Want a chance to win a $25 RightStuf gift certificate?  Then tell us about your favorite manga of 2019 to enter our annual Holiday Review Giveaway!  The giveaway ends at midnight tonight!




Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Holiday Review: WITCH HAT ATELIER

That being said, nothing that came out before or since this year prepared me for just how amazing today's selection was or how much I was going to love it.

WITCH HAT ATELIER (Tongari Boushi no Atelier), by Kamome Shirahama.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.



PLOT:

Coco has been fascinated with magic all her life, ever since a man gave her a book and a wand at a festival.  When she spies on a visiting witch, she learns the key to magic: it is based not on words, but intricate drawn sigils.  In her enthusiasm, she accidentally traps her mother in crystal, and the witch takes Coco on as his newest apprentice.  Coco's desire to learn is great, but will it be enough to overcome unfriendly students, magical tests, and a strange masked person who watches over her every move?

Monday, December 23, 2019

Holiday Review: PHANTOM TALES OF THE NIGHT

As we wind things down, I like to reflect on some of the manga that didn't necessarily fit any trends but simply made an impression on me like this one.

PHANTOM TALES OF THE NIGHT (Bakemono Yawa-zukushi), by Matsuri.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.



PLOT:

Somewhere on the edge between reality and the spirit world is an inn.  Inside, its owner will see to your every comfort and maybe even make a wish come true...for a price.  This owner does not deal in money, but in secrets, and to him nothing is more valuable than the deep, dark secrets that one would die to protect.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Holiday Review: KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE

That being said, my shojo series is technically not shojo (it runs in Morning Two, a seinen magazine), but for all intensive purposes is the best and weirdest shojo manga to come out in English this year.

KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE (Otome Kaiju Kyaramerize), by Spica Aoki.  First published in 2018 and first published in North America in 2019.



PLOT:

Kuroe Akaishi doesn't want anyone to get too close to her.  For as long as she can remember, whenever her feelings grow too strong her body undergoes monstrous changes.  That's why she goes out of her way to avoid Arata, the cutest boy in class.  When he reaches out to her anyway, she finds herself falling for him.  The closer he gets, though, the greater the risk that Kuroe's overwhelming feelings will turn her into a towering, city-stomping monster of love.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Holiday Review: ASAHI-SEMPAI'S FAVORITE

And of course there was plenty of digital-only shojo books that don't make their way to print because they're too dull, too douchey, or a bit of both like today's selection.

ASAHI-SEMPAI'S FAVORITE (Asahi-Sempai no Okiniiri), by Iroha Machino.  First published in 2017 and first published in 2019.




PLOT:

It all started when her brother's best friend Asahi walked in on her in the bathroom.  Ever since, Asahi won't leave Matsuri alone.  He constantly teases and touches her to get a reaction out of her at both school and home, and every time Matsuri is flustered and confused by her reactions.  Yet the more she interacts with him, the more Matsuri finds herself falling for him.

Friday, December 20, 2019

Holiday Review: KAKURIYO - BED & BREAKFEST FOR SPIRITS

Meanwhile, shojo manga was certainly...well, present.  There's still plenty of trend-chasing like what's going on with this series.

KAKURIYO: BED AND BREAKFAST FOR SPIRITS (Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi), based on the light novel by Midori Yuma and character designs by Laruha, with art by Waco Ioka.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Aoi loved her late grandfather, but after his passing she's determined to make it on her own (despite her ability to see yokai).  One day she is seized by an ogre, and she learns the truth.  Many years ago, her grandfather promised his most spiritually-gifted grandchild as collateral for a massive debt, and now the ogre is ready to take Aoi as his bride as payment.  Aoi would rather work to pay her debt, but the only place she's able to find work is with a friendly kitsune with a failing tea room.

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Holiday Review: BLANK CANVAS - MY SO-CALLED ARTIST'S JOURNEY

This year continued to be a good one not just for josei fans, but fans of Akiko Higashimura in particular.  We got a big fancy boxset for Princess Jellyfish, we got Tokyo Tarareba Girls in print, and a new (and extremely personal) series from her.

BLANK CANVAS: MY SO-CALLED ARTIST'S JOURNEY (Kakukaku Shikajika), by Akiko Higashimura.  First published in 2011 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Akiko Higashimura might be a big-name manga artist now, but she started out as a talented but lazy kid way out in Miyazaki prefecture who was convinced she could easily make her way into art school and eventually to shojo manga stardom.  Her youthful ego is punctured when she starts taking drawing lessons from a reclusive local teacher.  Hidaka-sensei may be a tough-talking taskmaster, but as the reality of applying to art schools sinks in Akiko begins to truly understand the discipline he teaches her.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Holiday Review: SECRETLY I'VE BEEN SUFFERING ABOUT BEING SEXLESS

One of the most interesting josei manga I read this year was also another example of the sorts of confessional webmanga that have been making a splash on the American market.

SECRETLY I'VE BEEN SUFFERING ABOUT BEING SEXLESS (Jitsu wa Watashi Sexless de Nayademashita), by Togame.  First published in 2018 and first published in North America in 2019.



PLOT: 

Togame is a happily married woman...or would be, if her husband would just have sex with her once in a while.  She tries every tactic possible to entice her spouse, from costumes to special meals to diets, but he just shrugs her off and falls asleep.  Her frustration builds and builds until she's ready to consider cheating with another man, but can she go through with breaking her vows?

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Holiday Review: MAIDEN RAILWAYS

Josei manga continues to creep into the US, helped along in no small part thanks to publishers like Denpa Books.

MAIDEN RAILWAYS (Tetsudo Shojo Manga), by Asumiko Nakamura.  First published in 2011 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

This collection of short stories cover a wide variety of romantic and relationship intersections along railways, be it the fumbling beginnings of new ones, the struggles of long-term ones, and the messy conclusions of failing ones.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Holiday Review: OUR DREAMS AT DUSK

Also continuing this year was the increase in queer manga - not just romantic fare like BL or yuri, but ones dealing with real-world experiences.  The stand-out was easily this one, a fictional tale from an openly nonbinary creator.

OUR DREAMS AT DUSK: SHIMANAMI TASOGARE, by Yuhki Kamatani.  First published in 2015 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Tasaku was nervous enough being the new kid in town, but then his classmates discovered gay porn on his phone.  He tries to deflect the teasing, but the fear and anxiety drives him to the point of suicide.  At the last minute, he meets the mysterious Someone-san, who leads him to Cat Clutter.  There, a group of queer folks meet to socialize and help renovate local houses for a non-profit.  Through them, Tasaku starts to come to terms with his feelings and his sexuality.

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Holiday Review: MONSTER AND THE BEAST

BL continued to expand across all the major publishers this year (as well as a number of digital ones), and I guess it was inevitable that we would find the intersection between BL and the monster-based romances of late.

MONSTER AND THE BEAST (Bakemono to Kedamono), by Renji.  First published in 2017 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Deep in the woods, a man once met a monster.  Cavo was a demon with a pure heart, who only longed for a little kindness.  Liam was a middle-aged cad who wasn't particular about who his partners may be, so long as he can enjoy his freedom.  The two become travelling companions, and as Cavo spends more time with Liam he discovers feelings he never thought he could feel for another.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Holiday Review: EVE AND EVE

Meanwhile, Seven Seas's domination of the American yuri market continued mostly unabated.  As they continued to expand their yuri offerings, we got books like this that experiment not only with genre but with degrees of explicitness.

EVE AND EVE ( Eve X Eve), by Nagashiro Rouge.  First published in 2018 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

This story collection follows women in love through scenarios as fantastical as space, divine curses, and the end of the world, but also through situations as ordinary as infidelity, hang-ups about sex and love, and even determining who's the top and who's the bottom.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Holiday Review: HAPPY SUGAR LIFE

It's good that we've had such interesting manga to counter the steady stream of media that seems to confuse edginess for quality, like this one.

HAPPY SUGAR LIFE (Happi Shuga Raifu), by Tomiyaki Kagisora.  First published in 2015 and first published in North America in 2019.



PLOT:

Satou used to have a reputation for sleeping around, but lately she seems to be settling down.  Her new partner is sweet, innocent...and also a little girl.  Satou would endure anything to stay with little Shio. She would work multiple part-time jobs.  She would endure all sorts of bullying.  She might even go so far as a little murder to maintain what she belives is their happy sugar life.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Holiday Review: BEASTARS

Yet one of the most emotionally complex and interesting manga was a school-based murder mystery about anthropomorphic animals, and that's just wonderful.

BEASTARS, by Paru Itagaki.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

At Cherryton Academy, herbivores and carnivores alike study and live together, albeit segregated.  It's a tenuous arrangement at best, but the murder of Tem the alpaca brings tensions to a head.  At the center of it is Legosi, a tall, awkward wolf and one of the techs in the school drama club.  He tries to minimize tension within the club in his own way, but a chance encounter with Haru the dwarf rabbit girl brings out feelings and appetites he's afraid to explore.

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Holiday Review: GO WITH THE CLOUDS, NORTH-BY-NORTHWEST

Emanon wasn't the only series this year to focus on slightly mystical journeys.  Vertical brought us another one from the creator of one of my guilty pleasures, Ran and the Grey World.

GO WITH THE CLOUDS, NORTH-BY-NORTHWEST (Hokuhokusei ne Kumo to Ike), by Aki Irie.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Kei Miyama is a seventeen-year-old Japanese boy with the magical ability to understand machines with just a touch.  He uses this skill to help solve cases of missing items and lost people in the countryside of Iceland alongside his lusty French grandfather, his latest squeeze, and her ethereal niece Lilja.  Now Kei faces his toughest case yet: to find his missing younger brother Michitaka.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Holiday Review: EMANON

There were some interesting and thoughtful manga out there for those willing to seek it out, such as Dark Horse's latest offering from Kenji Tsuruta.

EMANON (Omoide Emanon), based on the story by Shinji Kajio with art by Kenji Tsuruta.  First published in 2006 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

On a long ferry trip, a young man meets a lovely, lithe young woman who calls herself Emanon.  They start talking about science fiction and current events, only for Emanon to drop a bombshell.  It seems that she carries the memories of all her ancestors, going back all the way to the primordeal soup of life.  The young man isn't sure what to think of Emanon at the time, but their encounter haunts him for years to come.

Monday, December 9, 2019

Holiday Review: MAGUS OF THE LIBRARY

In the sea of isekai-based fantasy manga, it was a pleasant surprise to discover just a straightforward kid-friend fantasy tale just out there, waiting to be discovered.

MAGUS OF THE LIBRARY (Toshoukan no Daimajutsushi), by Mitsu Izumi.  First published in 2017 and first published in North America in 2019.



PLOT:

Theo loves nothing more than read.  He spends most of his days being scorned for his pale skin, elven ears, and general poverty.  He's even prohibited from using the village library, so he treasures every opportunity he gets to read and escape his everyday life.  His dream is to visit the far-away city of Aftzaak, where it is said that every book in the world is stored.  That dream becomes a reality when a quartet of librarians from Aftzaak come to his village.  Through them, he discovers potential and kindness that Theo never though possible, and his own adventure is soon to begin.

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Holiday Review: ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM

Yet from the dregs of countless isekai adaptations came the slow and steady return of shojo isekai.  Most of it is still confined to light novels, but one managed to cross over and completely charm me.

ASCENDANCE OF A BOOKWORM (Honzuki no Gekokujou), based on the light novel by Miya Kazuki and character designs by You Shiina, with art by Suzuka.  First published in 2015 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

The last thing Urano Motosu remembered was watching her beloved room of books collapse upon her during an earthquake.  When she awakens, she finds herself reincarnated within the body of the sickly five-year-old peasant girl Myne.  This is a world where class differences are stark, literacy is uncommon, and books are handmade luxuries available only to nobility.  Thus, Myne decides that if she cannot buy books in her new life, she will teach herself how to make books.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Holiday Review: DO YOU LOVE YOUR MOM AND HER TWO-HIT MULTI-TARGET ATTACKS?

This year, the flood of isekai titles has continued unabated.  Luckily, most of this has stayed in the realm of light novels, but a few managed to make their way into the manga world on the backs of their animated adaptations such as this one.

DO YOU LOVE YOUR MOM AND HER TWO-HIT MULTI-TARGET ATTACKS? (Tsujyou Kougeki ga Zentai Kougeki de Nikai Kougeki no Okasan wa Suki Desuka?), based on the original novel by Dachima Inaka and character designs by Iida Pochi, with art by Meicha.  First published in 2018 and first published in North America in 2019.



PLOT:

One day, Masato and his affectionate, clingy mother Mamako are given an incredible opportunity.  They are thrust into the video game world of the MMMMORPG to both serve as beta testers and to improve their relationship.  That's easier said than done when Masato resents his mother for getting better stats, better weapons, getting final say on whom joins their party, and generally puncturing his dreams of the ultimate fantasy adventure.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Holiday Reviews: KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE

Meanwhile, there was a sweet shonen series about friendship that managed to become of the best-selling manga series of the year.

Seriously, look it up on the Bookscan charts.  It's doing amazingly for a non-Weekly Shonen Jump series without an anime to support it.

KOMI CAN'T COMMUNICATE (Komi-san wa, Komyusho desu), by Tomohito Oda.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Tadano hopes that entering an elite high school will be a chance to distance himself from his junior-high dorkiness and coast through high school largely unnoticed.  That changes when he discovers that his classmate Komi isn't the stately, distant princess their class presumes her to be, but instead suffering from social anxiety so great that even the most innocuous comment is too daunting.  Tadano sympathizes and promises to help her achieve her goal of making 100 friends, even if sometimes it comes at the cost of his dignity and often thanks to the misinterpretations of others.

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Holiday Review: UZAKI-CHAN WANTS TO HANG OUT!

As far as shonen romance goes, it seems that it is where it always is: torn between sincerity and sexuality, and in this particular version the results are obnoxious.

UZAKI-CHAN WANTS TO HANG OUT! (Uzaki-chan wa Asobitai!), by Take.  First published in 2018, and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Sakurai Shinichi is a college student who wants to just enjoy some quiet down-time once in a while, but it seems like every attempt is foiled by his childhood friend Uzaki.  Uzaki is tiny, loud, and determined to keep her favorite sempai from getting lonely, whether he wants company or not.


Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Holiday Review: BAKEMONOGATARI

As far as shonen manga this year, it was mostly dominated by the usual Weekly Shonen Jump suspects, but there were some surprises this year, such as this.

BAKEMONOGATARI, based on the light novel by Nisioisin & art by Oh!Great.  First published in 2018 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

It all started with an accident on the stairs.  That's how Koyomi Araragi discovered that his distant, haughty classmate Hitagi Senjougahara weighed virtually nothing.  It seems that a strange, supernatural force took her weight in exchange for a dark secret from her past, and Araragi is determined to take her to the one person who might be able to help her.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Holiday Review: NYANKEES

That being said, nothing is more memetic than cats on the internet, so it's no surprise that early this year we got a manga that combined the eternal appeal of cats with an unexpected angle.

NYANKEES, by Atsushi Okada.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Ryuusei is a tough, street-wise tabby on the hunt for a calico tomcat with a scarred eyefrom his past.  He ends up fighting his way to the top of the local gang, only to find himself a target of another gang that wants to unite the cats of the town by force.  Things come to a head when Ryuusei learns that the gang's new leader is a strange-looking tom with a scarred eye...

Monday, December 2, 2019

Holiday Review: THE WAY OF THE HOUSE HUSBAND

If we're talking about manga that achieved meme status even before it was licensed, today's selection would be number one with a bullet.  Does it live up to the hype?

THE WAY OF THE HOUSE HUSBAND (Gokushufudo), by Kousuke Oono.  First published in 2018 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Tastu was once known as the Immortal Dragon, one of the toughest men in the Yakuza.  Now he's given up that way of life to embrace the ways of a stay-at-home house-husband.  His old associates and enemies don't believe that Tatsu has changed his ways.  His neighbors are confused by his fierce looks and rough language.  Yet Tatsu's dedication to homemaking manages to get him out of scrapes and even win over some of his old associates to the positives of homemaking.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Holiday Reviews: SKULL-FACE BOOKSELLER HONDA-SAN

More than ever, the internet is an important place for manga.  It's not just where an increasing number of manga get their start (thanks to sites like pixiv), but also where they can take on new life as memes and viral sensations.  There were quite a few comedies who benefited from this, including this series.

SKULL-FACE BOOKSELLER HONDA-SAN (Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san), by Honda.  First publilshed in 2015 and first published in North America in 2019.




PLOT:

Honda might not be the bookish beauty that most Japanese people expect a bookstore employee to look like, but that doesn't mean he's not busy.  He and his coworkers have to deal with everything: foreign fujoshi, difficult manga recommendations, employee training, and the daily struggles of the stockroom and pushy sales reps.

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!



Which means it's time again for our annual holiday round-up of reviews, where we review one new manga from today to Christmas, be they naughty, nice, or just somewhere in the middle.

That also means it's time yet again for our Holiday Review Giveaway!  The prize, as always, is a $25 gift certificate to RightStuf so that you can hopefully pick up some of the better books we cover for yourselves.  The rules are simple:

*Just comment (here or on Twitter) about the best manga you read this year.  Old or new, long or short, all are valid.

*The deadline for entry is 12AM on December 26.

*We will reach out to the winner via email or Twitter DM.

And that's it!  So enjoy the reviews, share with your friends, and if possible remember to share some of that love through the site's Patreon or Ko-Fi accounts!

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Review: FULL METAL PANIC!

Let's take a look at another notable mecha series from the 2000s that made a much more graceful transition into manga.

FULL METAL PANIC! (Furumetaru Panikku!), based on the light novels by Shouji Gatou with art by Retsu Tateo.  First published in 2000 and first published in North America in 2003.



PLOT:

Kaname Chidori is a popular, smart young girl who keeps busy with her duties as class representative.  Everything would be perfectly normal for her if not for the new boy in class: Sousuke Sagara.  As far as she knows, he's a weird military otaku who follows her everywhere and treats everything like a major threat.  What she doesn't know is that Sousuke isn't just some gun nut, but an actual sergeant for the secret military organization MITHRIL.  He and his teammates believe Kaname possesses a strange power that malicious forces want to exploit for their own purpose, and he is determined to protect her at all costs.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Review: RAHXEPHON

Of course, after talking about an Eva manga, it's time to talk about the manga adaptation of the last of the red-hot Evangelion wannabes.

RAHXEPHON (Razefon), by Takeaki Momose, based on the series by BONES and Yutaka Izubuchi.  First published in 2001 and first published in North America in 2004.




PLOT:

For years, Tokyo has been a world onto itself.  The city is enveloped within a giant bubble, leaving those within unaware of the world outside.  That's certainly true for Ayato Kamina, who spends his days with his adopted sister Reika and living the ordinary life of a high school student.  One day Tokyo comes under attack and both he and Reika are saved by a member of the Terra Force.  They reveal that Tokyo was sealed away by a mysterious race of beings known as the Mu, and that Ayako is the only person who can pilot Terra's greatest weapon: the giant battle robot RahXephon.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Review: NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: LEGEND OF THE PIKO PIKO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

November means mecha manga here at the Manga Test Drive, and that means it's time once more to look at the latest Evangelion gag manga from Dark Horse.

NEON GENESIS EVANGELION: LEGEND OF THE PIKO PIKO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS (Shinseiki Evangelion: PikoPiko Chuugakusei Densetsu), based on the series by Khara, written by Yushi Kawata & art by Yukito.  First published in 2014 and first published in North America in 2017.



PLOT:

There are enormous, strange creatures threatening to destroy the world...at some point in the future.  In the mean time, the staff at NERV Middle School need to train students to pilot their ultimate weapon: the Evangelion.  It turns out that there are three (later four) perfect pilots, so it's up to Misato to train Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Kaworu using the best method possible: video games.

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Review: EERIE QUEERIE!

Ghosts are spooky, but badly, mildly offensive localized titles are possibly even more scary.

EERIE QUEERIE! (Gosuto!), by Shuri Shiozu.  First published in 1999 and first published in North America in 2004.



PLOT:

Mitsuo is a lonely kid with a strange gift: he can see ghosts.  Because of this, he often finds him hassled by spirits desperate for attention and conversation.  Sometimes they'll even go so far as to possess Mitsuo's body, as Mitsuo learns the hard way.  When a dead schoolgirl does just this to confess to Mitsuo's classmate Hanasuma, he ends up gaining an unexpected partner who might be into Mitsuo more than he lets on.

Monday, October 7, 2019

Review: WITCHCRAFT WORKS

Now that it's October, it's time to take a look at some spooky manga.  What could truly be more spooky than the topic of today's manga: RELATIONSHIPS!

Oh, and witches I guess.

WITCHCRAFT WORKS (Witchikurafuto Wakusu), by Ryu Mizunagi.  First published in 2010 and first published in North America in 2014.



PLOT:

Honoka Takamiya is your standard issue ordinary high school boy, albeit one who always seems to end up at the fringes of the crowds that seem to constantly surround the strapping, silent class idol Ayaka Kagari.  The two begin to connect when a strange new girl attacks them both, forcing Ayaka to reveal herself as a fire-wielding witch.  Ayaka declares Honoka to be her 'princess,' possessing great power that rebellious witches will do anything to possess.  Ayaka is determined to protect him no matter what, teaching him the ways of magic and the world of witches.

Monday, September 30, 2019

Review: GREAT TEACHER ONIZUKA

Let's wrap things up with a classic that's not about students, but a teacher - possibly the greatest teacher in manga history.

GREAT TEACHER ONIZUKA (Gureto Ticha Onizuka), by Tohru Fujisawa.  First published in 1997 and first published in North America in 2002.



PLOT:

Eikichi Onizuka is tired of being just another aimless punk.  He's determined to make something of himself, and he's convinced that he needs to be a teacher.  Not just any teacher, though - he wants to be the greatest high school teacher ever, the sort who whips kids into shape and maybe scores a bit of action on the side!  He manages to barely graduate his certification program, but his first assignment may be his greatest challenge.  He'll have to use all his cunning and street smarts to survive not only a class full of delinquents determined to break him down as well as administrators skeptical of his ability to succeed at life, much less teaching.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Review: DRAGONAR ACADEMY

I'm glad that we are well past the 'magic school' trend in manga and anime, the ones about hapless nobodies going to Not-Hogwarts, discovering secret powers and gaining a harem in the process.  Today's selection was just one of many of that time, and it's as good as a representative as any of the general quality of these stories.

DRAGONAR ACADEMY, based on the light novel by Shiki Mizuchi with art by Ran.  First published in 2011 and first published in North America in 2014.



PLOT:

At Ansarivian Dragonar Academy, magically gifted young people are taught how to summon and tame powerful dragons.  Ash Blake is the only exception, a first-year student who is seen as a troublemaker because his own dragon has yet to appear.  On the verge of death, his dragon finally emerges...in the form of a very naked young girl with the power and horns of a dragon,  The dragon-girl, soon dubbed "Eco," is stubborn and autocratic, but their fledgling relationship is put to the test when Eco is kidnapped by nefarious forces determined to discover the secret of her unique form.

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Review: CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL

With it being September, it's time to take this site back to school with a month of reviews about school-related manga, starting with a very silly and satirical one.

CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL (Sakigake!! Kuromati Koko), by Eiji Nonoka.  First published in 2000 and first published in North America in 2005.



PLOT:

Thanks to a promise to a friend that fell through, Takashi Kamiyama finds himself the newest student at Cromartie High School, a place notorious for having the toughest student body around.  What he finds there are yankiis doing things like arguing over the importance of nicknames, a robot student that no one acknowledges is a robot, a rich boy caught up in his own ridiculous lies, a gorilla with a wristwatch and cell phone, and the mysterious man known only as Freddie.

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Review: BLAME!

It's a little late - I'm going to blame this on a holiday meant for rest from labor, but I want to save this last spot for an incredible old-school work like this.

BLAME! (Buramu!), by Tsutomu Nihei.  First published in 1998 and first published in 2005.




PLOT:

Killy is a lone man wandering endless levels of destruction, the remnants of some unknown superstructure.  There are rumors of survivors in the levels above, but from where Killy stands all he can see are mutants, killer robots, and a few scattered groups of humans struggling to survive.  All of these parties may be part of a larger conflict with a body known as The Authority, but Killy isn't interested in that.  All he knows is that he needs to find the Net Terminal genes - those from a time before the mutations started - and that he must continue to climb upward if he is to survive.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Review: MAICO 2010

As inconsistent as Cutey Honey might have been, later artists would prove that you could take the 'sexy android' concept and make an even bigger mess out of it.

MAICO 2010, by Toshimitsu ShimizuFirst published in 1997 and first published in North America in 2001.



PLOT:

Otari Masudamasu has used all of her skill, ingenuity, and money to create Maico, a beautiful android built for sex but possessing an innate understanding of the human heart.  Masudamasu wants to keep Maico's sordid purpose a secret, setting her up as the latest DJ at the failing radio station where she works.  Despite the threats of jealous coworkers and vengeful robots, the biggest threat to Maico might be the growing love triangle between her, her creator, and the handsome yet hapless assistant director of the radio station.

Monday, August 12, 2019

Review: CUTEY HONEY

Seven Seas' recent foray into classic manga has given us delights like Devilman and Claudine, but it was inevitable that one of these golden oldies would be a little more...problematic than the rest.

CUTEY HONEY (Kyuti Hani), by Go Nagai.  First published in 1973 and first published in North America in 2018.



PLOT:

Honey Kisaragi is her father's pride and joy.  She's a powerful, beautiful android with a built-in device that grants her strength and the ability to change appearance on a whim, but those same qualities make her a desirable target for the group of witches, brawlers, and thieves known as Panther Claw.  Honey has to use all of her wits and strength to keep one step ahead of them, all while trying to keep her modesty in the face of perverted teachers and allies.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Review: METROPOLIS

It's August, so once again we're focusing on old-school manga, spotlighting some of the classic titles of decades past.  Today's might be one of the oldest we'll ever cover, a one-volume wonder dating all the way back to the late 1940s. 

METROPOLIS (Metoroporisu), by Osamu Tezuka.  First published in 1949 and first published in North America in 2003.



PLOT:

The city of Metropolis is under threat by the wicked Duke Red, who ropes an unwitting scientist into creating an artificial humanoid named Michi.  The scientist fakes his death to hide himself and Michi from Duke Red, but eventually Michi escapes to learn about the world.  Meanwhile, a group of international detectives are trying to hunt down Duke Red, and these plots end up crossing thanks to Michi making friends with a couple of local children.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Review: VIDEO GIRL AI

Let's look back on one of the biggest magical girlfriend series of Shonen Jump's past.  Is is still relevant in this new millennium or is it just an outdated artifact of the past?

VIDEO GIRL AI (Den'ei Shojo) by Masakazu Katsura.  First published in 1989 and first published in North America in 2000.



PLOT:

Yota Moteuchi is such a hopeless dork with girls that when he tries to ask his crush Moemi out, he ends up helping her ask his best friend out instead.  Heartbroken and ashamed at his own cowardice, he wanders the streets until he comes across a strange video rental shop.  He picks up a promising title: "I'll Cheer You Up: Ai Amano." Yota takes it home and manages to jerry-rig his broken VCR long enough to play it, but somewhere some wires got crossed and Ai emerges from the TV into his room.  In the video she was gentle and sweet, but now she's blunt and tomboyish with smaller endowments to boot.  Yota can't complain when it means that someone can cook for him (even if she sucks at it), keep him company, and help him figure out how to win Moemi's heart, but what will happen when Ai starts to develop her own feelings for him?

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Review: BLEACH

Weekly Shonen Jump has been producing big shonen manga hits since the 1960s, and it's time that we here at the Manga Test Drive dedicate a month to some of the many titles to come from its pages, starting with one of the biggest titles of the 2000s.

BLEACH (Burichi), by Tite Kubo.  First published in 2001, and first published in North America in 2004.



PLOT:

Ichigo has always been able to see ghosts, but he doesn't consider it a big deal.  It's just one more complication in a busy life full of school, siblings, and his family's medical clinic.  That ability becomes a big deal when a Soul Reaper named Rukia shows up in his house to fight an evil spirit called a Hollow.  When Rukia is injured, she insists that Ichigo take part of her power to continue the fight.  Ichigo accidentally takes it all, forcing him to take on Rukia's role of keeping the balance between the human and spirit world while Rukia figures out how to fix things.

Friday, June 14, 2019

Review: GERARD AND JACQUES

Whenever I review BL, I always have to promise myself that I cannot front-load it with all of my favorites.  I only get one slot for the likes of est em or Fumi Yoshinaga, and I'm using it this year to talk about one of Yoshinaga's most unique yet flawed works.

GERARD AND JACQUES (Gerard to Jacques), by Fumi Yoshinaga.  First published in 2000, and first published in North America in 2006.



PLOT:

Jacques was the teen son of minor nobility, sold into prostitution to cover his father's debts.  Gerard is a wealthy commoner, a novelist with a tragic past and a distaste for the aristocracy.  The two meet in a high-class brothel, and soon after their encounter Gerard buys Jacques's freedom.  Jacques works his way up from houseboy to personal secretary with speed, skill, and intelligence, and in the process the two start to become not just master and servant, but friends.  Then Jacques learns the details of Gerard's past and he starts to question just what the nature of his feelings for Gerard may be.

Saturday, June 8, 2019

Review: FALSE MEMORIES

Once again, it's time for another month of cleaning out my giant box of BL books BL reviews!  I want to start things on a good note, so let's take a look at one of the better offerings from SuBLime.

FALSE MEMORIES (Ikasama Memory), by Isaku Natsume.  First published in 2012, and first published in North America in 2013.



PLOT:

Nakano is a representative for Bandai Randai's toy line, and while he's known for being surly and distance he gets good results.  His life is disrupted when a meeting with some new contractors includes his former high-school friend Tsuda.  The two were once closer than close, but their friendship fell apart after a failed attempt at sex.  Tsuda is ready to reconnect, but Nakano is still hurting from what he sees as a betrayal.  Can these two sort out their feelings without ruining their professional relationship?

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Merry Month of (Shojo) Manga: MOON CHILD

You know what?  Let's get weird today.  Let's get "gender-changing amnesiac merperson from space falls for human dancer" weird.

MOON CHILD (Tsuki no Ko), by Reiko Shimizu.  First published in 1989, and first published in North America in 2005.



PLOT:

Art is a struggling dancer in New York who gets in a car accident.  He's saved by a mysterious and beautiful young man with amnesia, who is quickly dubbed "Jimmy."  Art takes the boy in, and the two start to bond.  Then strange things start to happen: Art exhibits telekinetic powers, strange fish-like beings start to appear, and a boy from hundreds of years in the past comes looking for Jimmy.  His past turns out to be tied to a a species of intergalactic merfolk, witch hunts, and the story of The Little Mermaid, and the more he remembers the more his life is in danger.

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Merry Month of (Shojo) Manga: MIRACLE GIRLS

From the creator of Ultra Cute comes a series that tries to combine your standard, slice-of-life school romance with psychic shenanigans.  The results are...mixed, at best.

MIRACLE GIRLS (Mirakuru Garuzu), by Nami Akimoto.  First published in 1991 and first published in North America in 2000.



PLOT:

Toni and Miki are twin sisters with a secret: they can talk to one another psychically, and when together they can even teleport.  This becomes handy when brainy Miki finds herself stuck on the relay race team for her school's sports day and needs sporty Toni to switch places with her.  Toni finds it hard to keep up the charade when she starts falling for Miki's classmate Jackson, and harder still to avoid the attention of science teacher/wanna-be paranormal researcher Mr. Kageura.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Merry Month of (Shojo) Manga: THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR

You know what we need more of?  Manga set in the Taisho era.  I don't need more samurai or Shinsengumi - I want more spunky schoolgirls in fancy hakamas like today's selection.

THE HEIRESS AND THE CHAUFFEUR (Ojo-sama no Untenshu), by Keiko Ishihara.  First published in 2010 and first published in North America in 2016.



PLOT:

Sayaka Yoshimura is a lovely young girl, one of the many fine ladies at her ladies' school.  As a refined young lady, she is escorted to and from school by her family's chauffeur, Shinobu Narutaki.  Narutaki is handsome and dedicated, and naturally rumors are constantly swirling that he and Sayaka are in love.  When Narutaki defends Sayaka for an offense she did not commit, her school demands he be dismissed or else Sayaka will lose the privileges as top student.  Will Sayaka cave to social pressure or stand in defense of a loyal servant?

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Merry Month of (Shojo) Manga: DEFYING KUROSAKI-KUN

The trashier side of shojo can be a safe space for young girls and women to explore their fantasies, but I have some serious words about the sort of fantasy that books like today's selection have to offer.

DEFYING KUROSAKI-KUN (Kurosaki-kun no Iinari ni Nante Naranai), by Makino.  First published in 2014, and first published in North America in 2018.



PLOT:

Yu Akabane is hoping that a make-over and a new school will be just the thing to improve her social life.  Her plans go awry when her parents have to suddenly force her to move into the dorms, putting her at the mercy of deputy dorm monitor Haruto Kurosaki.  He's the dark, moody, and foul-tempered best friend of class idol Takumi Shirakawa, and when Yu confronts him, his response to declare her his slave and forcefully kiss her.  Will Yu ever get out from under his thumb?  And just what is Kurosaki hiding behind his glowering stare?

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Merry Month of (Shojo) Manga: PORTRAIT OF M & N

Shojo manga is frequently all about romance, but seldom about the kinkier side of it.  Is it still possible to make the audience's hearts pound when it's less about holding hands and first dates and more about whips and restraints?

PORTRAIT OF M & N (M to N no Shozo),  by Tachibana Higuichi.  First published in 2000 and first published in North America in 2010.



PLOT:

Mitsuru is a stunning beauty from an accomplished family who is seemingly perfect and demure...at least, until she gets hurt.  A lifetime of parental abuse has given her a masochistic streak, and the slightest injury leaves her in a daze begging for more.  Her secret is discovered by her classmate Natsuhiko, who then confesses his own kink: he's a narcissist who has to wear coke-bottle glasses to keep himself from obsessing over his image in any mirrored surface.  The two soon bond over their kinky lifestyles, but their tenuous relationship is threatened when a popular boy also discovers Mitsuru's kinky little secret.