Manga Review: Parasyte

Seinen: Parasyte
Mangaka: Iwaaki Hitoshi
Genres: Action, Drama, Horror, Mature, Psychological, Romance, Sci-fi, Seinen
Rating: 10/10

Summary [from mangaupdates.com]: They arrive in silence and darkness. They descend from the skies. They have a hunger for human flesh. They are everywhere. They are parasites, alien creatures who must invade - and take control of - a human host to survive. And once they have infected their victims, they can assume any deadly form they choose: monsters with giant teeth, winged demons, creatures with blades for hands. But most have chosen to conceal their lethal purpose behind ordinary human faces. So no one knows their secret - except an ordinary high school student. Shin is battling for control of his own body against an alien parasite, but can he find a way to warn humanity of the horrors to come?

--

There are perhaps only 2 or 3 horror mangas I've read since I started my obsession with manga, and I never finished them because I'm not a big fan of horror mangas. However, this one is something everybody should read. The art wasn't thrilling at first, but I got used to it as I read into the deep plot and interesting turn of events. The art is suitable for the story itself - it's not all that perfect nor realistic in some scenes, but it gets better during the really horrific scenes where the action and killings happen.

The character development is pretty amazing, and the relationship between the two main characters progresses as the story goes on. The pace is quick, it gets right to the point. The parasite idea is something I've encountered in books and such, so it's not surprisingly creative. But the author does take the suspense and character expression to the next level. Even thought it's really all about the horror and tragedy, it gets really comedic at parts and opens your mind to how you view things.

The way the parasites transform is kind of disgusting, then again, you'll encounter a lot of disgusting and pretty awful things as you read on, but you won't be able to put it down for some reason. I really like this manga.

By: Eli
Edited By: Annie

Manga Review: Koukou Debut

Shoujo: Koukou Debut
Mangaka: Kawahara Kazune
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shoujo, School Life
Rating: 10/10

Summary [from baka updates]:

When Haruna Nagashima was in junior high her life consisted of playing softball and reading comics. But now that she's going to high school, Haruna decides to put all of her energy towards getting a boyfriend and having the high school romance of a lifetime. To help in her quest, she enlists cute upperclassman Yoh Komiyama to coach her as she eschews her jock tendencies and turns herself into the kind of girl who can catch a guy. Yoh agrees, but with one exception: He tells Haruna not to fall in love with him!

Another great shoujo manga. Number 3 on my Favorite Shoujo Manga list! Among others like Hana Kimi and Beast Master, this one definitely caught my attention and I am so happy to have read this great piece of work.

This was so amazing that it made me laugh and cry. I absolutely did not want it to finish it, though it ends with 5 volumes, 52 chapters. I will always love this manga. The plot is original, surrounding an idea I've never encountered before. In addition, I instantly fell in love with the characters. Haruna is not your typical everyday girl - she's strong and a little insecure, but she's the type of person who doesn't give up on her goals. The way she does things makes you laugh out loud. The male main character Yoh is a very particular character, whom I fell completely head over heels for. He is quite the opposite from Haruna - he's reserved and cool, but there is still an undeniable amount of attraction between them. Yoh' s ways of expressing his love is quite different from what you might imagine, but Haruna is not the weak girl who can get easily affected by his harsh words. It's interesting to note that most of my fellow shoujo-readers thought he was the awesomest guy ever.

I fell in love with this manga so much that I think I'm becoming a shoujo manga otaku. This manga made me crazy about it to the point where I didn't want it to end. I mean, it was hilarious to the point of tears, the romance was there, and in each scene you could see in detail the characters' expressions and feelings. Until the very end, it kept me at the edge of my seat. Again, since the story revolves around high school, there are a few love triangles, a lot of humor, and a refreshingly youthful romance. The characters have very distinct personalities, though they work together very well. It's a masterpiece - you will surely love this manga and will never let go.

To read it: Koukou Debut

By: Eli
Edited By: Annie

Lovely Complex

Name: Lovely★Complex, Love★Com, ラブ★コン ,Rabu★Kon
Mangaka: Nakahara Aya
Genres: Shoujo, Romance, Comedy, School Life
Rating: 9.7/10

Before I start my review on Lovely Complex, let me write about a chapter in my life that nobody knows about: my brief stint with OchibiChan Scans. I have been an avid reader of Lovely Complex since about...the dawn of time. There has always been something that's been tugging me in a corner of my mind. What can I do to contribute? I don't want to always be a silent reader - reading a chapter, and then spamming the scanlation group for a month until they update again.

Maybe there was something deeper than that. Something that would put this mental harassment to an end. And there it was: the answer to everything. I can, I shall, I WILL become a scanlator. I was pretty handy with Photoshop and I think I could read my fair share of Chinese. So I emailed them and after dinner, they replied saying that they'd love to have a potential translator/typesetter on board. They emailed me two tests to do, a translator one and a typesetter one.

There's a reason why it's called a "brief" stint with OchibiChan Scans. That night, I got to work on the Translator test (they kept hinting at the vacancies in their translator posts...). Unluckily, my mom (with her psycho-Asian mom powers) managed to come into my room at the same time I was in the middle of a quite finicky Traditional Chinese character. Outraged at my association with these "abhorrent Japanese trash", she banned me from doing anymore of this "useless" thing. I managed to email Ochibichan that due to circumstances I was unwilling to say, I couldn't go through with my application.

That's my sad, short (not really) story. Now onto the actual review section.

Lovely Complex rates high on my list of good mangas. There are only a few mangakas who draw don't always make their characters look as pretty and composed as [we expect them to be]. One is Nakahara Aya-san. Another one I can think of is the mangaka of Goong (I actually can't remember her name!).

Lovely Complex is the hearwarming story of two people: Koizumi Risa and Otani Atsushi. When you look at the characters of their names, there is something interesting. Koizumi (小泉) means "little spring". Otani (大谷) on the other hand, means "big valley". Their real-life personas can't be anymore different. Koizumi is the tallest girl in her grade at 172cm tall, towering above the rest of the petite and cute girls in her school. Otani, on the other hand, is shorter than the other boys in their grade. He is 156 cm, humiliatingly shorter by about 20 or so centimeters than the rest of the male population.

The whole story revolves around these two odd people. The two of them are always in the same class, where the apparent height difference is constantly picked upon by their peers. The entire school jokingly dubs them as the "All-Hansin Kyojin" after a famous Japanese comedic duo that has the same height difference. Both are very sensitive about their height...leading to meaningless and comedic fights between themselves. Hate slowly turns to like as the story progresses. About half the storyline is concerning Koizumi's attempts to get Otani to like her (he couldn't 'see' her as a girlfriend just yet).

I absolutely loved this series but I was bipolar when it came to the end of this series. Yesterday, the last chapter of Lovely Complex came out. I was happy that it finally came out after about 3 months of dormancy (I even finished the sequel first!), but there was a feeling of disappointment because it had ended.

The art isn't Korean manhwa but I think that there is something special to be found in it. [However simple it may be, it's capable of summoning a whole range of emotions from you]. It seems confusing, but goodness knows how many times my heart throbbed at their angsty antics. Nakahara-san manages to bring a healthy dose of comedy into each chapter. Either with lates (to school, school trips, and eventually even the graduation ceremony) on Koizumi and Otani's parts or with absolute hilarious faces and expressions.

As the story gradually progresses from hate, dislike, neutrality, and then to like, I felt myself melting into the storyline and relating to all of the characters, especially Koizumi. Being 171 cm myself, I remember going back to China and feeling like a lanky giant. I totally felt everything she felt, with all of her insecurities and doubts. Of course, here in Canada, the height complex isn't as prevalent as in Asia so I don't think I have it as bad.

Ending on a final note: read it! I think it is considered as a classic manga, up there with Ouran, Special A and Naruto (which I absolutely detest...I don't even know why I'm naming it...=.=). The manga has been made into a 24 episode drama, a live-action movie, and a video game (what do they NOT make into a video game nowadays?!). I have watched all of them and loved it. Lovely Complex has a fiercely unique plot with equally original characters. It is deep but light at the same time. It explores the psyche of teenage adolescents while maintaining its humor and keeps the romance flowing.

Read the manga.
Watch the anime.
Watch the movie.

Experience the love.

By: Berber
Edited By: Annie

Manga Review: Until death do us Apart [Need Editing]

Seinen: Until death do us Apart
Mangaka: Takashige Hiroshi
Artist: Double-S
Genre: Action, Adventure, Seinen
Rating: 9.8/10

These series is about a blind guy who can pretty much kick butt and a girl who can predict the future.

This ability has gotten her into the sight of various organizations that want her for their benefit.
Despite all of this, she meets Hijikata Mamoru, a blind swords man who is greatly feared by everyone for his amazing skills, along with his companion, Igawa they sweep the streets of Japan for known criminals and so on.
Thought this manga is still ongoing and irregular [meaning you don't know when the next chapter is going to come out], it's one of my favorites among a few, since the art is pretty awesome and kicking, the action is totally amazing, I am a big fan of swordsman plus Mamoru is seriously hot and awesome, his blindness makes him even more intriguing. I fell in love the minute I saw him. Thought his ways of showing affection is kind of harsh, he's a pretty cool character.
The action is always there since there are a lot of people who want Haruka's power, but Mamoru is always there to protect her.
There are a lot of surprising twists, among others that are very cunning, the plot is well written and I hope they keep translating it because I look forward to the characters' futures and their so called-Romance...

Clickie: Until death do us apart

Eli.

Manga Review: Kare Kano

Shoujo: Kare Kano
Mangaka: Tsuda Masami
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School, Life, Shoujo,
Rating: 10/10

Kare Kano [his and her circumstances], which is number 2 on my favorite shoujo manga list, is about a girl, Yukino Miyazawa, who is perfect at everything in her school. She is both smart and athletic. She has the looks and the personality of a perfect young lady. Everybody admires her and thinks she is amazing. But, that's not her real personality. The real Yukino is actually the queen of vanity - she loves to be praised by others regarding how perfect she is.

Everything goes according to plan until she enters high school. There, she meets her match - Soichiro Arima. He is athletic, smart and good-looking. He soon finds out about Yukino's real personality and that's when everything starts to change.

Kare Kano fills my thirst for the perfect shoujo manga. On top of the amazing art, the characters were flawless and the various plots were something to scream about. The romance was extraordinary and cunning. The various problems that the main characters faced had depth to it, the comedy was hilarious and original, and the story itself was a masterpiece. It was written with immense detail; Tsuda Magami made sure you understood each character and its circumstances.

I found the whole story mind-blowing and something unique. Although some said the story dragged out, I think it was due to the setting and the many characters that were introduced. It took place in high school, and the memories of it were precious to the characters themselves. The drama and romance kept me at the edge of my seat.

If you are looking for a manga that has drama, romance, and everything in between, check this one out. It is truly a masterpiece.

By: Eli
Edited By: Joey

Manga Review: Othello

Shoujo: Othello
Mangaka: Ikezawa Satomi
Genre: Comedy, Psychological, Romance, Shoujo
Rating: 9.5/10


A long time ago, I realized that some mangas are really rare and hard to find. Therefore; you had to cherish them. For instance, this little piece of work, which I completely adore and hate at the same time, Othello.

The main character suffers from Multiple Personality Disorder, where two or more distinct personalities exist within a single person. I've come across a few mangas with this type of psychological genre which are really hard to find, so I'm happy it came to my mind.

Yaya is a naive and incompetent girl who does what everybody tells her to do. But, she is too ignorant and gullible to even realize that others treat her like a dog. Then, in comes Nana, a girl who's hard-rocking and butt-kicking and doesn't let anybody tell her what to do - the complete the opposite of Yaya.

These two girls are quite the opposites, but they are, surprisingly, the same person. You will come to hate Yaya or pity her, since her stupidity is something out of this world. I didn't like her, because she was over-the-top ignorant and never did anything against her "friends." But that's what the mangaka was aiming for. She wanted the characters to be complete opposites, like fire and ice. Yaya being weak shows how Nana comes out and solve the problems that she faces.

The thing about this manga is that it made me hate Yaya and love Nana. Along with romance and comedy, this is a manga that you will surely like. The art is also pretty. Nana's superhuman strength is something to laugh about and her boastful personality is strong and independent - something that Yaya is lacking.

Overall, I give this manga a 9.5 out of 10. I don't know about you, but I hate main characters in mangas who are weak and aren't able to say no.


To check it out: Othello

By: Eli
Edited By: Joey

Manga/Anime Review: Death Note

Shounen: Death Note
Mangaka: Ohba Tsugumi
Artist: Obata Takeshi
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Shounen, Supernatural, Tragedy
Rating: 10/10

This morning, while I was listening to the song Alumina by Nightmare (the first ending of Death Note), the manga came flashing through my mind. After watching the anime and reading the manga, I fell completely in love with the music that came with it.

To me, this manga/anime was awesome to the core. It was something outside the box, highlighted by its originality and creativity. The intense action filled scenes will surely leave you wanting for more.

The story goes like this: Light Yagami is an ace student, and he's bored out of his mind by the normality of the endless days ahead of him. One day, he finds a notebook dropped by a Shinigami, or a Death God, who also happens to be suffering from the same boredom. Ryuk decides to spice things up a bit in the human world with a Death Note. This note book is able to kill all the people whose names are written in it.

As time progresses, there arises various national and philosophical conflicts. You can say that the anime/manga begins to take on a political theme, and that's where the famous detective L gets introduced to the plot. Who wouldn’t be curious when criminals start to turn up dead in great numbers?

I'm not a fan of mangas/animes involving political themes [ex: Ghost in the Shell] where it involves high authorities. In fact, I hate them because occasionally, I can't keep up with the high class vocabulary. However, this manga was definitely an exception. Besides the art which I instantly fell in love with, I love shinigamis, and the whole theme of death. The story was not difficult to follow, especially when the characters happen to be strong and overwhelming. Despite the tragedies, there’s also a lot of humor (surprisingly).In addition, the constant battle between good and evil, or perhaps what's considered to be good and evil, continues until the very end. Among all the problems that were present, the mangaka never left the main topic – [that the fight between light and darkness is subjective, and there are times when the line becomes blurred.] In the ongoing war of fates, the conflict between Yagami Light and L's is something that won’t resolve even after death.

I seriously recommend this.

To read: DEATH NOTE
To watch: Death Note~

By: Eli
Edited By: Annie

The Wallflower

Shoujo: The Wallflower

Mangaka: Hayakawa Komoko

Genres: comedy, drama, romance, shoujo, school life

Rating: 9.5/10

Who hasn’t read The Wallflower, otherwise known as Perfect Girl Revolution? I admit that I was addicted to it over the summer, [and have been impatiently waiting for updates ever since.]

Wallflower is about a girl, Nakahara Sunako, who used to care about pimples, hair, and clothing. Until, that is, when she gathered the courage to confess to an upperclassman that she had a crush on. He responded rather cruelly, saying, “Sorry, I only like PRETTY girls.” Rather than making herself pretty in response, Sunako loses faith in people and in the superficiality of beauty, including her own.

She refers to pretty people (bishounen and bishoujo) as “creatures of light.” She is obsessed with horror movies and blood. Her rich celebrity aunt is worried for her, so the aunt makes a deal with the (extremely attractive) guys renting one of her mansions: if they can turn her niece into a real lady, they can have free rent, but if they fail, they have to pay 3x the rent. Kyohei, Yuki, Oda, and Ranmaru are up to the challenge. While the four of them manage to make Sunako physically beautiful (occasionally, when she feels like crawling out of her shell), it is still difficult to cure her emotional outlook. The main problem lies with Sunako's attitude and interests (which she has no intention of changing).

~

This manga just cracks me up - it's hilarious! There was one scene in the beginning when Sunako scares the bejeebers out of the four guys by crouching in the rose bushes. All of her fights with Kyohei and her constant nosebleeds whenever she sees a “creature of light” are beyond comical.

I have to admit, if you are the type of person who likes reading slow, extremely slow romances, this is it. It beats Ouran High School Host Club (romance started around Chapter 62…ish) and even Special A (Hikari FINALLY realized around Chapter 56 -I was about to throttle Hikari's denseness). There are about 87 Chapters scanlated on Mangafox right now. The first hint of romance was in Chapter 59. HINT. Not even an “I think I like her.” Just a hint.

Only now does the romance start flowing in. The first 85 chapters deal with how Sunako copes with the presence of four extremely hot bishounen around the house that forces her to lose copious amounts of blood. It is so sweet when she does start to have fewer nosebleeds and the four guys get scared out of their minds less and less.

As an artist, I also really like the art of this manga. The characters all have very prominent jaw lines, chinlines (if that makes sense :P), and foreheads. There are four things that captivate me in the art:

1. The body proportions. Sure, they are a bit exaggerated, but Kyohei just rocks those legs of his. They aren’t over-exaggerated like Gals! or Code Glass.

~

2. The eyes. The eyes that Hayakawa draws are absolutely amazing. They have the dimensions of real eyes, only manga-fied and beautified. The lashes are so crisp and clear; the pupils don’t resemble black and white Easter eggs. It's just so beautiful to look at.
~

3. The hair. I don’t know how the mangaka does it, but the hair is just so wonderfully drawn. Every single clump and strand is inked on. The tendrils and the bits that escape are tremendously realisitc.

~

4. The hands. The hands aren’t beautiful or graceful. In fact, they are knobbly and kind of unproportional. But there is something alluring about them. Have you ever imagined a man’s hands? Kyohei’s hands are thin, long and strong. It’s really indescribable.

It’s an awesome shoujo, definitely in my top 20 mangas. Check it out :D

Note: There is also an anime out, though sadly, there is no feature on the impending romance. :'(

By: Berber

Edited By: Annie

Manga Review: Liar Game

Seinen: Liar Game [ongoing]
Mangaka: Kaitani Shinobu

Genres: Drama, Seinen, Live-Action

Rating: 8/10
Reason: The manga is still ongoing, but overall, I find the art great and interesting. The twists just keep on coming and there are still mysteries to be solved..

Summary from Onemanga.com:

Congratulations! You are one of the 1 in 100,000 people who have been entered in the amazing LIAR GAME TOURNAMENT! Along with the postcard there are 100 million yen in notes. That's the beginning of the Liar Game. When the game ends, in 30 days, you will have to return your 100 million. If your opponent steals them, he can keep them as a prize, and you will have a debt of 100 million...

-------------

Even if it's ongoing, this manga deserves a mention in this blog.

[Twisted] Keeps you at the edge of your seat, with compelling twists that will keep you reading.

[Dark]-The mystery and madness...The characters would go to any means necessary in order to achieve what they want.

This manga will surely keep you interested. For fans of mistery (Death Note and such), you will surely love this manga.

You can't trust anybody and you can't run away. If you are not smart enough, then you will surely die..because you need to set up strategies in order to win the liar game.

In regards to the art - it may not be that great at some parts, but it keeps you in deep.

Similar mangas:
Deadman Wonderland
Rabbit [Doubt]

To read Online: LIAR GAME

By: Eli
Edited By: Annie

Manga Review: Beast Master

Shoujo: Beast Master
Mangaka: Motomi Kyousuke
Genres:Comedy, Romance, School Life, Shoujo
Rating: 10/10

Summary from Onemanga.com:

Yuiko Kubozuka is a high school girl who loves animals. Unfortunately, animals hate her and flee from her whenever possible. So when a new classmate, Leo Aoi, turns out to be a scary guy who resembles a wild animal than anything human, she is intrigued.....
---------
Hahahah!
I seriously have to tell you to read this manga when you have the time - it's short yet amazing. I laughed so much that my stomach began hurting.
I completely love it, it's hilarious. The art is amazing and the expressions are incredible.


Note by Annie: I remember reading this manga. Though I didn't finish it, it was pretty unique in its plotline and its ability to give its readers a light-hearted good time.

To Read: Beast Master
By: Eli
Edited By: Annie

Manga Review: Absolute Boyfriend

Okay, so I seriously hate this manga to the bottom of my heart, yet i love it and can't help liking it despite what happened...

Shoujo: Absolute Boyfriend
Mangaka: Watase Yuu
Genres: Shoujo, Romance, Sci-Fi
Rating: 8/10
Reason for Rating: The art and the story line were pretty original, but 2 points deducted for its abrupt surprise (and inability to fulfill my hopes).

Summary from onemanga.com:

Rejected way too many times by good-looking (and unattainable) guys, shy Riiko Izawa goes online and signs up for a free trial of a mysterious Nightly Lover "figure." The very next day a cute naked guy is delivered to her door, and he wants to be her boyfriend! Has Riiko died and gone to heaven? The cute guy turns out to be sweet, smart, a great cook, and lots more. And he looks like a million bucks, which is what he's going to cost Riiko if she doesn't return him in time...

-------------------------

At first I thought this was a light hearted manga because it was really funny at some points - like the fact he acts really innocent and doesn't know the ulterior motives of the people around Riiko.

The perfect boyfriend was delivered to Riiko and now she has to pay a really big amount of money since she added things like "must speak many different languages, smart, strong.." and every other thing a girl dreams in her perfect man.

Yet this was a trial and so they didn't know for how long he was going to last. The big disappointment in this manga is that there was a sad and unexpected surprise at the end.

There was a drama made for this, though I haven't checked it out yet. It might be good, so go for it drama lovers.

Note by Annie: This manga has one of the most original plotlines I've ever come across. Though I've never been a fan of Watase Yuu's drawings (art-wise), I really loved the creative aspect of this series. Not only is Absolute Boyfriend super popular among readers, a Japanese drama has been made based on the manga (like Eli mentioned). By the way, does anyone else have something against pointy chins (in manga drawings), or is it just me?

To Read: Absolute Boyfriend

By: Eli
Edited By: Annie

Manga Review: Mars

Shoujo: Mars
Author: Fuyumi Soryo
Genres: Drama, Romance
Rating: 8/10

I feel that this is one of the most emotionally engaging manga series I have ever read. I reread it pretty recently, but had to wait a week before reviewing it because my sense of ardour would simply overwhelm my review had I attempted it then. The characters were so engaging, and so beautifuly crafted, that I actually felt a sense of loss by the end. It is truly an inspirational piece of artwork, and deserves to be remembered by all manga readers. It brings back memories of Conversations Between Us, for those who have read Solangel's internet novel.

The plotline's streamlined berth allows it to delve much deeper into its themes than most mangas. The story revolves around an introverted artist, Kira and a playboy motorcycle rider, Rei. The two first meet when Rei asks Kira for directions to a local hospital, and Kira draws him a map. On the back of the map is a sketch of a mother holding her child, and Rei becomes intrigued by the drawing and the artist. In school, the two find out that they're classmates, and a series of events soon lead Rei into posing for Kira as a model, in return for a painted version of the sketch on the back of the map.

Seems innocent enough, right? This story takes some huge turns within the first few volumes (there are 15 in total). The issues it deals with are dark and oftentimes painful. The drama is a little overwhelming at times, but one cannot deny the beauty of the characters themselves. While Kira takes a little getting used to, Rei keeps true to his nature. Since Kira is a painfully shy girl, it is often difficult to understand her, much less like her throughout the series. This gives way to little support for some of her actions. Rei, on the other hand, lights up every frame he's in. He draws people to him like moths to a flame (as befitting his prescribed social status) and perhaps even the most relatable of all the characters. Though one might wonder at the extent of his recklessness, he's surprisingly engaging due to the impossibility of having an equal counterpart in real life. The two turn out to be a very balanced pair.

Had the art itself been anything less than what it was, Mars would not garner such widespread attention. There are no excessive details, and the author takes no shortcuts in drawing anything. Everything is displayed realistically, and it's simply impossible to read market trash after going through this series. It is difficult to describe the extent of Soryo's talent, but her portrayal of every one of her character deserves to be applauded. Their stance, their expressions, the setting... her drawings define the better qualities of manga.

One of the most memorable moments of the manga (guess what the statue is of):

Though I loved almost everything about the series, I was bothered by the often gloomy atmosphere. There were moments of surprising clarity and fluidity, but most of the time I felt the manga was shrouded in a tremendously depressing perspective of their adventures. Then again, I suppose the issues in this story requires such a setting. This manga is not for the faint of heart.

As one of the members of my top ten, I encourage you to check it out.

 ~~~

I have read too many books to count in the space of a week. I am currently stuck on some epic fantasies (wrong move there, I've now got a billion pages on my hands). I've read Green Rider, First Rider's Call, Medalon, Treason Keep, and will attempt to finish Harshini soon. On the non-epic scale, I read the YA novel Another Kind of Cowboy (don't ask). I reread Paradise Kiss (def. reviewing this one) and a few others that I've forgotten the name of. I would like to review everything, but I simply don't know how to fit it into my Holiday schedule. Dropping everything and going off to Columbus in a few days would further cut away at the time I have to work on important things. Doesn't matter, I will get my hands on The Hunger Games soon, and it better be fantastic.

Manga Review: H2O

Shoujo: H2O
Author: Hwang Sook Ji
Genres: Friendship, Comedy, Romance, Shoujo
Rating: 8.5/10

I was perhaps three volumes in when this manga found a place within my top ten favourites list. Even after reading countless novels and mangas, I still haven't been able to determine the recipe for the perfect literary escape, but whatever it may be, H2O has hit pretty close to home. Its originality is absolutely refreshing, and the humour is both witty and at times satirical. The story is told through the interactions of numerous charactes, and provides a fascinating perspective on the tiresome hustle and bustle of student life.

Occasionally, one wonders if the subtle humour found in the dialogue can be considered as well-disguised social commentary - especially regarding some of the issues that are brought to light in the plot.

Short Summary from Baka-Updates:

Menga is simply known as the vice rep and is bullied. Hanako has moved to Korea but was robbed the first day and has nothing. Na Hong Soo is known as a troublemaker and is in constant trouble. And Eechan is the student body president, very popular and known as Bacchus. It seems they have nothing in common but all of this will change soon.

On another note, the story is both engaging and relatable. Nothing seems overly dramatic, though upon further consideration, this might be because of the realistic portrayal of human reactions to rather dramatic situations that allow for this feeling of easy relatability than a drab plotline.

To be honest, this was perhaps the first manga that had me questioning who was in fact the main character. I then realized that there were two, and that every character (both main and supporting) were so well developed that it was like a third person narrative. This is a rare phenomemon due to the fact that manga artist/authors tend portray their stories in first person, allowing for an easy relationship to form between the reader and main character. In this case, though this attempt was tremendously creative and original, I always felt that there was a sense of distance between the characters and the reader. For once, I was a bystander, and I have to admit that it's only fun for the first time.

The art, on the other hand, is close to flawless. I dislike mangas by artists who take the shortcut and draw small, shapeless features for their characters when given the chance. Example:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

- exaggerated features

- shapeless characters

- crowded spaces

- pointless frames

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Instead, I prefer work by artists who adhere to attention and detail. Example from H2O:

- attention to detail
- accurate drawings
- realistic
- beatiful expressions
- large, simple frames







There are instances where bad artwork can be ignored - when the plotline is overwhelmingly good. (Itazura na Kiss). Other times, great artwork can substitute for a mundane or slow plotline (Bride of the Watergod). Most of the time, however, artwork and content go hand in hand. H2O is such an example.

It is definitely a manhwa to check out.

- Annie

Manga Review: Cat Street

Shoujo: Cat Street
Author: Yoko Kamio
Genres: Drama, Friendship, Romance
Rating: 8.5/10

This is the second work I've read by Yoko Kamio, and I only need to mention that the first was Hana Yori Dango before I can see you nodding with appreciation and acknowledgement. Like all other works by Kamio, this story is raw inspiration. I have never read a manga that portrayed the relatable themes of friendship and life in such a pure and unaffected manner. The lack of excessive frills allows Kamio to put more emphasize on the genuinity of her characters and the relationships they develop. This sincere dipiction of the strength that lies within the fraility of human nature is what makes this manga stand out and above others in the same genre.

From Condensation:

The story centers around Keito Aoyama, a former famous child actor. Due to a childhood incident, she retired from her career early and withdrew from normal society. Now 16, she passes her days in boredom and without purpose. One day she runs into a stranger who takes her to El Liston - a free school for high school students like herself, who don't have a place where they belong. Though hesitant at first, Keito decides to enter El Liston and subsequently, she begins a new stage in her life. With the help of her only remaining childhood friend, Taiyou, and her new classmates Rei, Momiji, and Kouichi, Keito slowly finds the courage to open up to others and to accept their support. Will Keito return to acting? Will she find true friends? Love?

It is difficult to find faults with Kamio's artwork. Her ability to capture the emotions of her characters is exceptional. These characters come alive for you. At the same time, it is all too easy for place yourself in to any one of their shoes and find yourself swept along in a life-changing experience. By the end of the manga, it felt as if I'd lived a lifetime in the space of a winter afternoon.
 
Simply said, Cat Street is a must-read.

Manga/Anime Review: Artist Recommendation: Hayao Miyazaki

Artist Recommendation: Hayao Miyazaki
Director, Artist, etc

I have always loved Miyazaki's films.

It is amazing that I encountered each of his works individually and loved them beyond words before realizing that it was one artist behind all of them.

My favourite movie ever is called Kiki's Delivery Service, and though it's very childish to admit that now, I can't help but love it. I watched it during one of those long lazy summers when I was still in elementary school, and haven't watched anything since that made me feel even close to what I felt then.

It was more than inspiration and hope - it was almost magical. Every time I think about the movie, I think about how it would feel to just fly above a beautiful coast city and enjoy the wind blowing by. What would life be like in a world where you could live each day as it comes, with no expectations or worries or fear of letting life escape through your hands in carelessness?

Then came movies like Castle in the Sky and My Neighbor Totoro. Could anyone watch them and not love them inexplicably? Watching each moment of the movie became feeling each of those moments, and I simply didn't want them to end.

I remember the day I watched Spirited Away. I wasn't even aware of the man named Hayao Miyazaki at that point. In fact, I was a bit miffed that Spirited Away won the Academy Award as opposed to Spirit (the movie about the horse), and didn't hold it in high regard.
It was after the movie ended that I realized I had been holding my breath for the last few moments, hoping to make the "magic" last just a little bit longer. The music, the scenery, the art, the characters - everything was just so perfect. I turned from a skeptic into an advocate.

I couldn't believe it when I found out that Miyazaki was going to make one of the most enchanting fantasy books - Howl's Moving Castle, into a movie. I nearly died of happiness.

I suddenly had countless screensavers saved on my laptop from the movie and my ipod was filled with every song from Howl's Moving Castle. Sophie and Howl became common names to me, and I looked forward to every update by Studio Ghibli.

Since then, I have watched every movie made by Hayao Miyazaki, and have been touched every time. I don't know how he does it, but the fact that I'm not the only person who's been influenced by his works is a testament of his ability to create beautiful masterpieces.

Here's a list of his works.

~~~

Director, screenplay, and storyboards

Yuki's Sun 1972 (Pilot film for a never-realized anime series)
Future Boy Conan, 1978 anime series
The Castle of Cagliostro, 1979 film
Sherlock Hound, 1982 anime series
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, 1984 film
Laputa: Castle in the Sky, 1986 film
My Neighbor Totoro, 1988 film
Kiki's Delivery Service, 1989 film
Porco Rosso, 1992 film
Princess Mononoke, 1997 film
Spirited Away, 2001 film (winner, Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, 2002)
Howl's Moving Castle, 2004 (nominee, Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, 2005)
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea, 2008 film

Shorts

On Your Mark, 1995 music video for Chage and Aska
The Whale Hunt, 2001 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum)
Koro's Big Day Out, 2001 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum)
Mei and the Kittenbus, 2002 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum)
Imaginary Flying Machines, 2002 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum as a part of the exhibited material)
Ornithopter Story: Fly! Hiyodori Tengu Go!, 2002 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum as a part of the exhibited material)
Monmon the Water Spider, 2006 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum)
House-hunting, 2006 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum)
The Day I Harvested A Star, 2006 (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum)
Film Guruguru, ? (Short film exclusive to the Ghibli Museum as a part of the exhibited material)[26]

Scene design, layout

Heidi, Girl of the Alps, 1974 anime series
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother, 1976 anime series
Anne of Green Gables, Episodes 1-15, 1979 anime series
Concept, screenplay, storyboards, scene design, key animation

Panda! Go, Panda!, 1972 short film

Screenplay, storyboards, scene design, art design, key animation

Panda! Go Panda! and the Rainy-Day Circus (パンダコパンダ 雨降りサーカスの巻, Panda Kopanda: Amefuri Sākasu no Maki?), 1973 short film

Screenwriter, storyboards, executive producer, sequence director

Whisper of the Heart, 1995 film

Story consultant, key animation, storyboards, scene design

Animal Treasure Island (どうぶつ宝島, Dōbutsu Takarajima?), 1971

Key animation, storyboards, scene design

Hols: Prince of the Sun, 1968 film

Organizer, key animation, storyboards

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (アリババと４０匹の盗賊, Aribaba to Yonjūbiki no Tozuku?), 1971

Key animation, storyboards, design

Puss 'n Boots, 1969 film
Flying Phantom Ship, 1969 film

~~~

Even after everything, my favourite is still Kiki's Delivery Service. It brings back memories of ripe blackberries, geese eggs, and a bright green summer.

I wish I can recapture that feeling I had when I watched it for the first time, though I am unsure...
if it's anticipated or half-remembered.

Manga Review: Do You Want to Try?

Shoujo: Do You Want to Try?
Author: Cha Kyung Hee
Genres: Romance, Drama, YA
Rating: 6/10

I started reading Do You Want to Try? today, and I have to say that I don't mind the style. In fact, after the first chapter, I really started getting into the plotline and the characters. I like the main character, who is assertive and even agressive when the situation calls for it. The main male character is also quite attractive, and as an added bonus, his personality reminds me of Jaewon from Conversations Between Us.

As for the artwork, I'm not going to sing praises about it. I don't like it as much I should (I try to appreciate everything I see in its own style), but let's just say it's similar to (but still a notch below) Hwang Mi Ri's. One of these days, I really wish I would be able to encounter stuff like The Bride of the Watergod or Red River, because even if the plots were horrible (they are not), I'd read them to enjoy the artwork.

Overall, the tone is optimistic, so I'm not really expecting a sad ending. However, it deals with tough school leaderships (which remind me of gangs), and in that way, who knows what can happen? In regards to the story, I think what started off as cliched is no longer as predictable. The interesting parts always stem from originality, and I see the potential for new development. I haven't been able to get my hands on more than perhaps 2 volumes, so I can't say that much more. Check it out when you have the time, but don't expect too much.

The Internet Summary:

When the hot-tempered Han Hye Won accidently insults the handsome jjang of Han Hwa Go, Sun Woo Bin decides to pay her a visit... with his entire motorcycle gang, ready to see some blood. So how does that lead up to a kiss and the infamous captain begging for a date? Do you want to try?

- Annie

Manga Review: Kiss in the Blue

Shoujo: Kiss in the Blue
Author: Kaho Miyasaka
Genres: Romance, Drama, Shoujo
Rating: 7/10

I read this manga about a year ago. I've decided to review it now because I've never forgotten it, and because it's fundamentally different from most other works I've read. A majority of the time, I'm in the mood for romantic comedies. I like things that are light and appealing, because it increases the general outlook I have on other things as well. I don't need works that make me feel bad, because literary escapes are supposed to make me feel good.

Occasionally, I encounter a masterpiece - a piece of work that I have to enjoy to the full extent, no matter how it makes me feel. It is during these rare circumstances that I disregard the possibly that I might feel sad, depressed or lost by the end, because all the emotions that I would never experience in life (the drama!) have appeared somewhere in the middle.

I'm not necessarily saying Kiss in the Blue is a masterpiece, nor am I saying that it makes me feel bad. It's just one of those few mangas that stand out among the others in its category. The plot line isn't as cliched as it could be, and the main character isn't the most annoying I've encountered. The art isn't bad, and I've got to say that throughout the whole manga, I was genuinely interested. It is something that a manga-lover has to check out (and notice I said "manga-lover", because someone who's just starting into mangas may not be immediately be attracted to the dark undertones.

On to the summary!

From Wikipedia: This is a very dark and angsty work, much more so than Miyasaka's other works. Saeki Chise has no recollection of the summer of three years ago. Whenever she feels as though her memories might be returning, her head begins to ache and Chise stops trying to remember. That's when Tamiya appears before her. He has a familiar face and photographs from the traumatic time that Chise's mind has suppressed. He uses the photos to blackmail her into becoming his woman...but then Chise is saved from Tamiya by Katsuragi Kaoru, the biggest delinquent in class! Chise begins to fall for Kaoru, but his role in this situation is not as innocent as Chise at first believes.

I'm planning to reread the series (there are four volumes in total) because I haven't found anything really good up to now. The last awesome manga I read was 100% Perfect Girl in April or so of this year, and I've been on a futile search for something just as good ever since. There was one point when I would read everything and anything, but now I've become picky. I want to experience the feelings of when I first stepped into the manga world - when there were numerous good titles that never ran out. Now that I've been through them all, finding a good one is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Of course, "good" is subjective. What I mean is something that truly appeals to me. The same thing is happening to me with books. Though I've got a bigger selection with books, I spend most of my time reading halfway into it deciding that it isn't right for me, and that there is no way I'd like it. I wish I would come across a list with absolutely eveything that I should read - specifically tailored to me.

But then again, I'd be missing half the fun, wouldn't I?

- Annie

Manga Recommendation: Honey Mustard

Shoujo: Honey Mustard
Author: Yeo Ho Kyoung
Genres: Shoujo, Romance, Comedy
Rating: 6.5/10

I wasn't exactly excited about reading this series, since I had my hands on only one volume. However, the plotline in the one volume was amazingly exciting, setting up the story for lots of action in the future.

A quick summary from TokyoPop: Ara, a pretty high school student, finally gets the chance to cozy up to the guy of her dreams, but she blows it and ends up kissing the wrong boy under fairly compromised circumstances. Hilarious complications, mistaken identities, and misinterpreted signals ensue, and Ara soon finds herself being backed into an arranged marriage she at first wants no part of ...
But, as we all know, one love has a way of blooming in the unlikeliest of places ... and, of course, one love eventually conquers all!

If anyone has ever watched the Korean drama series Delightful Girl Choon Hyang, you can easily spot similarities between the two plots. In fact, I believe the drama is based off the manga, if not the other way around.

Since this isn't a review, I'm not going to delve into the rhetorics of the art and pacing, and only say that this manhwa is worth checking out. It's most suitable for someone who wants a light, enjoyable laugh without too much concentration on serious topics. The only downside I can see is that I've only been able to read one volume, and haven't looked further into the series to see how it progresses as the initial drama dies. Chocolat is an example of a manga that failed miserably after the first volume, but I do not believe Honey Mustard is like that.

- Annie

Manga Recommendation: Beauty is the Beast

Shoujo: Beauty is the Beast
Author: Tomo Matsumoto
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Shoujo
Rating: 6/10

A stolen summary:

When bubbly eleventh-grader Eimi Yamashita finds out that her parents are relocating for work, she decides to strike out on her own and move into a dormitory for girls. Little does Eimi suspect the exciting romantic adventures that await her there!

Eimi's fellow residents are a little bit crazy but a whole lot of fun. They've got a secret mission planned for Eimi's new resident initiation...and it has something to do with sneaking into the boys' dormitory across the street and returning with a special keepsake! Can Eimi pull it off without getting caught by one of the handsomest (and cruelest) boys in the dorm?

It's not a review, so I shall not go into the details. I'm only recommending it, and saying with all honesty that you should check it out.

I really enjoyed it, mainly because the author could take a very simple, everyday occurance and turn it into an experience. Though I've read pretty original/strange/unique plotlines, this one - which stresses simplicity was able to carry me all the way through till the end. However, I will warn you that you might not be satisfied with the end. I wasn't, but it's nothing to complain about.

I forgot to add this to The List, but if I had to, it would be in the Honorable Mentions.

Manga Review: Chocolat

I started this series today - Chocolat. Five volumes later, I'm reviewing it.

Shoujo: Chocolat
Authors: Written by Shin Ji-sang and illustrated by Geo 
Genres: Romance, Comedy, Shoujo
Rating: 4/10

I hate summaries, so here's one from Wikipedia:

All Kum-Ji wants in life is to meet her favorite boy band, DDL. When she finds that the roster for the fan club is full, Kum-Ji despairs on ever having the chance to meet them face to face. Just when she believes all hope is lost, she decides to con her way into the boy band circuit by faking an interest in another band, Yo-I, and joining their fan club. Once in, she will have access to other bands, including her beloved DDL, who often performs at the same venues. However, even the best laid plans frequently go awry, and her deception is discovered by one of the band members, E-Soh. E-Soh originally decides to blackmail Kum-Ji into doing whatever he wants, but he never planned on falling in love!

I enjoyed myself reading the first volume. After that, it took an effort to concentrate. I was not impressed by the storyline, as there was nothing amazingly original, nor was there anything worth pointing out. So another average girl hits another cliched jackpot. So what? Not to mention, the girl has some serious issues. In possession of one of those bipolar personalities - she stands out for not giving in to the hot guys' charms, and often uses her fists to wreck havoc. But in other circumstances, when she's faced with a group of rapid fangirls, she's back to a crybaby and unwilling to do anything about it. It's so frustrating to see this concept used so consistently in the countless mangas out there! This is why mangas like Hot Blooded Woman stand out, because the girl doesn't get pushed around by other jealous fangirls.

On the other hand, I did like the art, not to mention the bishies. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have continued to read it. There were quite a few moments when I laughed aloud, as well. If there is anything that even slightly saves the day - it's the comedy.

Of course, it's not as hilarious as Girl Got Game (that one had me rolling on the ground), this one gave me quite a few chuckles.

If you're going to read it - be prepared for a sagging plotline (it becomes pointless after the first volume or two), and an annoying main character who is so juvenile that it hurts, and of course, some pretty boys - the selling point.