Holiday Review: SUPER HXEROES

There were also plenty of titles trading in pure unadulterated fanservice, although most of them were not quite as literal about this as this title.

SUPER HXEROES (Dokyu Hentai Eguzerosu), by Ryoma Kitada.  First published in 2017 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

For some time now, the insectoid Kiseichuu have been ravaging the earth, trying to destroy humanity by sapping their lustful feelings.  The only defense against them are the HXEROES team, a group of teens who can weaponize their youthful horniness into alien-busting attacks.  Their leader is Retto Enjo, who is currently struggling to redefine his relationship to his prudish childhood best friend Hoshino Kirara.  Then Hoshino discovers not only Retto's secret, but that her own power might exceed his own.

Holiday Review: MEDALIST

Sports manga continue to thrive and I'm really glad it has because otherwise we might not have gotten a title like this one, even if it's digital-only.

MEDALIST (Medarisuto), by Tsurumaikada.  First published in 2020 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

At 26, Tsukasa's career is at an impasse.  He wanted to be a figure skater as a teenager, but ended up getting pushed into ice dancing and never quite did well enough to go pro.  He's unsure of what to do with his life until he meets Inori.  She's a fifth grader who has mastered many of the basics on her own, but her lack of confidence and fear of failure hold her back from voicing her desire to become a skater.  Tsukasa decides to become Inori's coach, helping her to refine her talents and achieve her dream of being an Olympic skater.

Holiday Review: BURN THE WITCH

Weekly Shonen Jump manga continue to dominate the American manga market, although most of the really successful ones were titles that were continuing from last year (if not earlier).  One of the few notable debuts was the return of one of the magazine's most popular creators.

BURN THE WITCH, by Tite Kubo.  First published in 2020 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

Noel and Ninni are two up-and-coming witches in the alternate world of Reverse London.  Their job is handle the harmless dragons that provide their world with everyday resources.  Then Noel's classmate Balgo is attacked by two different dark dragons.  Now he's cursed with the ability to draw dragons to him.  When they aren't cleaning up the messes Balgo creates, they're trying deal with the leaders of their world who are convinced that Balgo is too dangerous to keep alive.

Holiday Review: BEAUTY AND THE FEAST

Of course, not every story aimed at young men from this year was so action-packed.  Sometimes it was about more cozy fantasy, like a hot widow who only wants to feed you good home cooking.

BEAUTY AND THE FEAST (Yakumo-san wa Eduke ga Shitai), by Satomi U.  First published in 2016 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

Yakumo Shuko was a young widow with little to occupy her days until Shohei moved in next door.  He's a high school boy living on his own while attending a local school on a baseball scholarship, largely subsisting off school lunches and convienence food.  Yakumo starts inviting Shohei to her apartment for dinner, something that reignites her love of cooking and eases both their loneliness.  As Yakumo learns more about Shohei, the more their unlikely friendship starts to change...

Holiday Review: HIMITSU SENTAI GORENGER

Let's kick things off with some old-school manga.  Seven Seas has been spoiling us a little with some of their recent announcements of classic manga, including works like this from a long-neglected creator.

SUPER SENTAI: HIMITSU SENTAI GORENGER by Shotaro Ishinomori.  First published in 1975 and first published in North America in 2021.

PLOT:

The Black Cross Army is a nefarious secret society that steals the political and technological secrets of the world for profit and to stoke discord and strife.  The only defense against their evil plans is EAGLE, who have brought together five young people and given them special battlesuits that allow them to fight whatever evil Black Cross can throw at them.