Review: MAID WAR CHRONICLE

I wanted to end this month on a tidy and hopeful note.  I don't know if I entirely succeeded with this choice of manga, but it's probably as good as anything I was likely to find in my boxes of books to review. 

MAID WAR CHRONICLE (Maid Senki), by RAN.  First published in 2007 and first published in North America in 2009.

PLOT:

The kingdom of Arbansbool has been without a king for years, waiting for the crown prince Alex to come of age.  On the verge of his coronation, the royal castle is attacked and young Alex must flee for his life with only a squad of royal maids to protect him.  Gifted with holy weapons from a hidden shrine, they must learn how to fight like knights to protect not just themselves but the future of the kingdom itself.

Review: THE FOOD DIARY OF MISS MAID

We could stand to read something more pleasant after that last review...perhaps a nice, soothing food manga?  With a maid?

THE FOOD DIARY OF MISS MAID (Maid-San wa Taberu Dake), by Susumu Maeya.  First published in 2019 and first published in North America in 2022.

PLOT:

Suzume Tachibana was perfectly content working as a maid for her unnamed English master...at least, until his home was destroyed while she was away.  It's going to take a year to rebuild, so now she's stuck in Japan for a year with nothing to do but take care of herself.  There's only so many times she can tidy her tiny little apartment, so she spends most of her time wandering around and eating whatever tasty delicacies she comes across.

Review: RAVE MASTER

During Tokyopop's prime, they struggled to get their hands on big-name shonen manga titles.  They really only managed to do so twice.  One of those was Love Hina.  The other was this.

RAVE MASTER (Rave: The Groove Adventure), by Hiro Mashima.  First published in 1999 and first published in North America in 2003.

PLOT:

Haru Glory has spent sixteen idyllic years on Garage Island alongside his sister.  Then he fishes a strange, snowman-like creature out of a pond, inadvertantly setting into motion the renewal of a battle between the forces of darkness and light, of Dark and Rave.  An ancient warrior stumbles into their village proclaiming that only Haru can wield the powers of the Rave, so now Haru must master his new weapon against the the forces of Demon Card while searching for the four remaining Rave Stones that can bring this battle to an end.

Review: AIR GEAR

This month we're looking at nothing but shonen manga.  The focus has been on Viz's offerings for the better part of two decades, but I'm going to start with a somewhat forgotten title from Kodansha.

AIR GEAR (Ea Gia), by Oh! Great.  First published in 2002 and first published in North America in 2006.

PLOT:

Itsuki Minami is the talk of his junior high class.  He's the leader of the Eastside gang, has incredible strength, and lives with the tough but beautiful Noyamano sisters.  One day, the violent and vindictive Skullsaiders gang take their violent revenge upon Itsuki's gang, which plunges him into despair.  That's when the sisters reveal that they are members of a secret gang of their own.  They bring Itsuki into their fold, gifting him a pair of special motorized in-line skates called Air Treks.  These combined with his natural strength and agility give Itsuki the ability to do all sorts of fantastic feats.  Now Itsuki has the tools he needs to rebuild his gang, take back his turf, and spread his wings.

Review: DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO

 It was inevitable that I would have to grapple with the series that gave us the go-to user icon/Favorite Anime Girl of online chuds everywhere.

DON'T TOY WITH ME, MISS NAGATORO (Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san), by Nanashi.  First published in 2017 and first published in North America in 2019.

PLOT:

It began in the library, when Naoto accidentally dropped the manga he had been drawing in his spare time in front of a bunch of gyarus.  They all mocked it for a bit and then left...except for Hayase Nagatoro.

Despite being a year younger than him, she knows weakness when she sees it.  She needles him for ages, until he's on the verge of tears.  After that, it seems like she goes out of her way every day to tease him as he blushes and freezes.  Is it mere bullying, or something more complicated between them?  Naoto isn't sure, but neither can he quite gather up enough courage to make her stop.

Holiday Review #22: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE ORIGIN MSD: CUCURUZ DOAN'S ISLAND

 You think I would be excited to read not just a new Gundam manga this year, but a spinoff to site favorite Gundam: The Origin.  Alas, things always seem to end up a little cursed whenever Cucuruz Doan is involved.

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM: THE ORIGIN MSD: CUCURUZ DOAN'S ISLAND (Kido Senshi Gundam: Cucuruz Doan no Shima), based on the original concept by Hajime Yatate and Yoshiyuki Tomino, the original manga by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, mechanical designs by Hajime Katoki, and character designs by Tsukasa Kotobuki, with story and art by Junji Ohno.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2024.

PLOT:

Once, Cucuruz Doan was the commander of the Y-02 Platoon, there to test some of Zeon's latest prototypes in their efforts to win the One Year War.  He was known for his ruthlessness and ferocity in battle...until the day he defected.

Months later, the former members of his squad have been scattered across the battlefields of Earth, thinking back on their commander and wondering how things all went wrong as one by one they confront the dreadful Gundam.

Holiday Reviews #14: HOME OFFICE ROMANCE

My favorite romance of the year wasn't shojo, though.  It was this simple little one volume seinen romance from the creator of Manga Test Drive favorite Sweat and Soap.

HOME OFFICE ROMANCE (Telework Yotabanashi), by Kintetsu Yamada.  First published in 2020 and first published in North America in 2024.

PLOT:

Thanks to the pandemic lockdown, Nokoru is forced to work from home.  This becomes something of a boon for him, as gives him enough time to transform his bare apartment into a proper, personalized home.  It also gives him time to interact with his neighbor, an attractive archeology grad student named Natsu.  The two hit it off right away, but how do you start a romance in a time of social distancing?

Holiday Review #8: I GOT REINCARNATED IN A (BL) WORLD OF BIG (MAN) BOOBS

From the moment I saw the announcement for this one, I knew I had to talk about it.  I haven't been this compelled by a BL title since the days of Dick Fight Island.

I GOT REINCARNATED IN A (BL) WORLD OF BIG (MAN) BOOBS (Kyonyuu Suki nanoi BL Kai ni Tensei shimashita), by Tsukiji Nao.  First published in 2021 and first published in North America in 2024.

PLOT:

Nagare Otokawa was just another otaku, full of dreams of big boobs and the desire to touch them before he got mowed down by a truck.  Things seem to be picking up when he is reincarnated as a handsome young man in a world that operates on visual novel rules.  Unfortunately it works like a BL VN, so every time he tries to make a move on the pretty, well-stacked Haruko he ends up (literally) running into the cushiony pecs of Ryuji Onizuka, a delinquent whose tough demeanor hides a heart as soft as his chest.  Can Nagare fight back against his fate and the other delinquents at school, or is he doomed to forever drown in man-titty while Haruko watches?

Review: FLYING WITCH

There are many manga that posit what it would be like if magic and witches were real.  This is possibly the most ordinary notion of that idea possible.

FLYING WITCH (Furaingu Witchi), by Chihiro Ishizuka.  First published in 2012 and first published in North America in 2017.

PLOT:

As far as Kei and Chinatsu knew, they were simply hosting their big city cousin Makoto while she went to school with them in rural Aomori.  What they didn't know is that Makoto is a witch in training who has come there to further her magical studies.  So while they help her get her bearings and make some friends, she helps them navigate some of the supernatural things she encounters.

Review: A SCHOOL FROZEN IN TIME

Fittingly enough, we end this month on a distinctly spooky school, which has become the site of a very strange mystery. 

A SCHOOL FROZEN IN TIME (Tsumetai Kosha no Toki wa Tomeru), based on the novels by Mizuki Tsujimura with art by Naoshi Arakawa.  First published in 2007 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

It was seemingly just another snowy school day for Hiroshi, Mizuki, and their circle of friends.  It takes a while for them to realize that they are trapped in the school with no one else around, no cell phone service, and no way to get out of the building.  Stranger still, all their watches and clocks stop at the same time and mysterious messages start appearing on the chalkboards and coming through their phones.  It all seems to be tied to the suicide of a classmate three months prior, a classmate who has seemingly disappeared from their photos and memories.  In order to rediscover

Review: MY MAID, MISS KISHI

With spring on the horizon, it's time for some spring cleaning.  That makes it the perfect time of year to look at a few of the many maid manga out there, such as this recent digital offering from Kodansha.

MY MAID, MISS KISHI (Maid no Kishi-san), by Kano Kashiwagi.  First published in 2020 and first published in North America in 2022.

PLOT:

Kiichiro Hayase is the heir to a corporate conglomerate.  He's young, handsome, wealthy beyond measure, polite...and hopelessly klutzy.  That's why he relies upon his personal maid, Miss Kishi, to manage the little details of his everyday life.  Miss Kishi is as capable and reliable as he could ever hope for, but he begins to wonder why he's never seen her smile.  Thus, Kiichiro takes it upon himself to show his gratitude by finding a way to please Miss Kishi.  How do you find a gift for a maid who wants for nothing, isn't impressed by fabulous displays of wealth, and never seems to change her expression?

Review: FOUR-EYED PRINCE

I don't know if it's reassuring or not that Kodansha has always been peddling shojo manga about taming Asshole-kuns to Americans, even when they were Del Ray Manga.

FOUR-EYED PRINCE (Megane Oji), by Wataru Mizukami.  First published in 2007 and first published in North America in 2009.

PLOT:

Sachiko thought it was bad enough when her confession to the stoic class prince Akihiro was rejected.  Then she had to move in with her long-absent mother after her grandmother had to go to a nursing home, and during that time her mother married Akihiro's father.  Now her crush is her step-brother and the two of them have to find a way to live together harmoniously.  That's no small challenge considering that Sachiko's crush is still going strong in spite of Akihiro's regular attempts to needle her, embarass her, and deny any connection to her as much as humanly possible.

Holiday Reviews #24: WITCH HAT ATELIER KITCHEN

 It's the time of year where many of us are busy in the kitchen with holiday meals and goodies galore, so there couldn't be a better time to talk about this particular spinoff.

WITCH HAT ATELIER KITCHEN (Tongari Boshi no Kitchin), by Hiromi Sato, based on the manga by Kamome Shirohama.  First published in 2019 and first published in North America in 2023.

PLOT:

When Qifrey isn't busy teaching his students and Olruggio isn't busy tinkering with his devices, the two of them need to eat.  They use the magical ingredients they have on hand to make simple dishes to enjoy together as well with Coco and the rest of the girls.

Holiday Review #18: NINA THE STARRY BRIDE

 Ok, I need to talk about a manga that isn't twisted, clumsy, or just plain bad.  For once, Kodansha is here to help me out with a shojo series that just made the jump from digital to print this year.

NINA THE STARRY BRIDE (Hoshifuri Okuko no Nina), by Rikachi.  First published in 2019 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

Nina was just a common thief, an orphan trying to get buy in the fringes of Fortna's capital city Dayah.  She's sold off as a slave to the royal family, who need a replacement for their fallen princess Alisha.  Nina physically looks the part, but she'll need months of intensive training with Alisha's haughty half-brother Azure to pass well enough to take over Alisha's duties as Astral Priestess and to take her place in an arranged marriage with a neighboring prince.  In the meantime she's going to have to deal with royal intrigue, a bratty crown prince, and her own increasingly conflicted feelings about Azure.

Holiday Review #12: THE GREAT CLERIC

 Don't worry - there were plenty of lazy, boring isekai manga released this year as well.  The only notable thing about this one is its publisher.

THE GREAT CLERIC (Seija Muso), based on the light novels by Broccoli Lion and character designs by sime, with art by Hiiro Akizake.  First published in 2017 and first published in North America in 2023.

PLOT:

One day, a hardworking salaryman was randomly shot.  An unknown goddess took pity on him, giving him a second chance as a teenager named Luciel.  He wants to make the most of his new life, so Luciel decides to become a healer.  This sets on him on a journey full of hard training, grateful patients, and pretty girls, all on his quest to become a great healer.

Holiday Review #9: IS LOVE THE ANSWER?

 We've had plenty of manga discussing the realities of being gay, lesbian, trans, and genderqueer, so it's only fair to see some manga on asexuality as well.

IS LOVE THE ANSWER? (Kimi no Sekai ni Koi wa nai), by Uta Isaki.  First published in 2020 and first published in North America in 2023.

PLOT:

Chika could never understand what people wanted from her.  She tried to date boys in high school, only to feel nothing when they tried to be romantic (or more).  Her friends tried to console her, but many of them just talked behind her back about Chika being weird, leaving her more anxious and alone than ever.  College seemed to be shaping up to be more of the same until Chika met Shinobu Ishii.  She's a psychology professor and openly asexual.  Through her, Chika begins to understand herself and finds a community of friends and peers who truly understand her.

Holiday Review #5: RIVER'S EDGE

 We haven't seen a new Kyoko Okuzaki work in English in well over a decade, back in the glory days of Vertical.  Naturally, when Kodansha put out a new one I had to check it out.

RIVER'S EDGE (Ribazu Ejji), by Kyoko Okuzaki.  First published in 1994 and first published in North America in 2023.

PLOT:

At a run-down high school near the edge of an overgrown river, all sorts of teenage drama plays out.  Relationships are created and split apart.  Kids get bullied.  Girls and boys alike struggle with sex and their bodies.  In the midst of it all, Haruna find some comfort when she defends the class pretty boy and the resident model, even as they all struggle with their own personal demons.

Holiday Review #1: TEPPU!

 It's time for another round of Holiday Reviews and we're start this year off much in the same way that we ended the last one: with a review of a manga that had been requested so often and for so long for licensing that it had become something of a joke...until it was finally picked up and released this year.

TEPPU!, by Moare Ota.  First published in 2008 and first published in North America in 2023.

PLOT:

Natsuo Ishido is a born athlete.  Tall and strong, she's always been able to achieve at every sport she tries.  Then the new Brazilian exchange student Yuzuko convinces her to try the new mixed martial arts club.  For the first time in a long time, Natsuo feels genuinely challenged.  Maybe it's just the novelty of the sport.  Maybe it's just a desire to wipe that fulfilled smile off of Yuzuko's face.  Either way, Natsuo is determined to show them just what she can do with her fists.

Review: BOSS WIFE

 Going by the title alone, you might presume that this is another josei manga about a young working woman who gets swept up in an unconventional romance with a dashing, wealthy man.

Well...you're half right about that.  You're just missing one element: organized crime.

BOSS WIFE (Gokukon: Chodeikiai Yakuza to Keiyaku Kekkon!?), by Mayu Sakurai.  First published in 2019 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

Hasumi just wanted to be an illustrator.  Instead she's been hounded day and night by the local yakuza thugs for her father's debts and she's exhausted every option she can think of.  By chance she runs into Yamato Kujo, her old high-school crush, and their meeting turns into a one-night stand.  That's when Hasumi discovers that Yamato is not just yakuza himself, but the heir to a powerful family.  He makes her an offer she can't refuse: in return for clearing her debt, he wants to marry her.  

Merry Month of Shojo Review #16: STELLAR WITCH LIPS

 This titles is a veritable mash-up of shojo sub-genres, along with influences both old and new.  If only that mash-up were as graceful as the magical girls on its pages.

STELLAR WITCH LIPS (Majo Kaito LIPS), written by Hana Kagami with art by Kotoko Ichi.  First published in 2019 and first published in North America in 2020.

PLOT:

Miku Hoshino is just as eager to help others as she is about her favorite boy band, even if doing so means missing out at a concert at the local museum.  That's all the proof her homeroom teacher Mari needs to pass on her magical girl powers to Miku.  With the application of a magical lipstick, Miku transforms into the magical witch Stellar Lips Star Crimson, The Sixth Witch of the Night!  She is soon joined by two other girls, who together must use their magic to keep others from stealing the mana of the people all while evading the attention of teen detective Ryusei Azuchi.