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?

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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

Book Review: Ink Exchange [needs editing]

Fiction: Ink Exchange
Author: Melissa Marr
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Drama
Rating: 7/10

Summary [Taken from: Harpercollins.com]: Unbeknownst to mortals, a power struggle is unfolding in a world of shadows and danger. After centuries of stability, the balance among the Faery Courts has altered, and Irial, ruler of the Dark Court, is battling to hold his rebellious and newly vulnerable fey together. If he fails, bloodshed and brutality will follow.
Seventeen-year-old Leslie knows nothing of faeries or their intrigues. When she is attracted to an eerily beautiful tattoo of eyes and wings, all she knows is that she has to have it, convinced it is a tangible symbol of changes she desperately craves for her own life.
The tattoo does bring changes—not the kind Leslie has dreamed of, but sinister, compelling changes that are more than symbolic. Those changes will bind Leslie and Irial together, drawing Leslie deeper and deeper into the faery world, unable to resist its allures, and helpless to withstand its perils. . . .

I'm one of those people who judge books by their cover, but luckily I don't do the same for people.
This book should be put at the top of the list for it's amazing and captivating cover, unfortunately I can't say the same thing for the story itself.

I managed to painfully finish it and I was glad to get rid of it. The story itself was a little hard to follow since you had to remember a lot of names and I mean a lot but I managed to somewhat understand what the hell was happening.
First, the characters were well written and somehow captivating. Second, there were various plots to follow altogether, evil mothers, evil fairies with a lot of power, Irial's true love was dying and Leslie is being forced into marrying the summer king-Irial- in order to restore peace in the fairy world. As describe in the story, the fairies are really good looking creatures so of course all the girls were dying to be with Irial except Leslie since she was already in love with another guy.
The romance was constant since there were a lot of love triangles. The story was pretty good but the thing that just threw it off was the useless scenes that weren't needed, a lot of useless details and just continuous talk that just wasted my time.

Overall, it was an almost-great read. If you like fairies and just constant fantasy, then this is the book for you.

Eli.

Book Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

Fiction: The Time Traveler's Wife

Author: Audrey Niffenegger

Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Rating: 10/10

Unconventional, original and undeniably romantic – this story takes you around the bends of time where Clare discovers her soul mate at the age of six, and he (Henry) appearing to already be thirty-six at the time. It all seems rather surreal, though later on we uncover the whirl wind that is their untypical boy meets girl love story.

Niffenegger breaks barriers and boundaries of love in this novel, demonstrating the idea of fate in the most unexpected way. Impossible but true, Henry suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets and he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future. Through his misadventures in this unwanted time travelling, he finds himself to stumble upon a six-year old Clare, whom he already knows shall be his future wife. At this young age of pure innocence and naivety, Clare is already convinced that her heart can belong to no one other than Henry. Funny as it may seem, Clare grows up with the assurance of Henry being all she’ll ever want and need, thus it appears that she no longer has anything to worry about because as far as she’s concerned: the future is very well taken care of – it just seems to be a matter of waiting. Always waiting.

Personally, when I stumbled upon this book myself, it was in itself purely unexpected. I was clearing up in my mum’s room, and stashed away in some dusty yellow Selfridges bag was this book. The thick layer of dust over it made me hestitate to pull it out, but I am now glad beyond reason that I had disregarded its condition, for this novel has surely etched itself in my mind and heart. You will find that no matter how imperfect and struggling love can be, a moment’s bliss is worth all of it. An elegy to love and loss, and perhaps the reality of relationships and love itself, it is beautifully written, unmissable and dazzlingly imaginative.

I guess for me, what makes an amazing novel really worthwhile is the impression it leaves on you as a reader. It's safe to say that this novel has impacted me greatly; it offered me heart melting conversations, thought provoking concepts and genuine tears. I was taken away, lost in this story were ‘time is nothing’ – and finding that you can love whenever, wherever, forever. This story gave me hope, entertainment and impossible inspiration.

A must read.

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I have also just recently found out that it has been made into a film and will be released in August here in London, so I'm pretty surprised and truthfully ecstatic about it.

By: Ces

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

Manhwa Review: Totally Captivated

Yaoi: Totally Captivated
Author: Yoo Ha Jin
Genres: Action, Drama, Comedy, Romance, Yaoi, Psychological
Rating: 10/10





Summary [from baka-updates] :
The mafia threatens Ewon into working for a loan shark, where he's forced to run dangerous errands for no pay. The culprit who doomed Ewon to this life is none other than Jiho, Ewon's jealous ex who still burns at Ewon's infidelity. Their gang leader, Mookyul, who has movie-star good looks and the bizarre, drunken habit of biting people on the neck takes a keen interest in his attractive new errand boy. Will Ewon be able to survive the violent underworld (not to mention the constant sexual harassment he must endure) as an underling of Mookyul?
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You will sink yourself into the story and forget everything else around you.

There is a lot to say about this manga, but I'll keep it short.

Even though this is yaoi, it's a light read [doesn't contain strong situations], which mainly centers around romance and drama. The art is captivating. The author drew each expression and feeling in such a strong way with mesmerizing detail; it was amazing. The humor was present as well as drama. In unfortunate situations, the author still manages to add some comedy and somehow make it all work out. The story wasn't rushed - it had it's own pace. The storyline is superb and dramatic.

Everything becomes much more interesting during the middle of the story when their hidden pasts are revealed and the characters start to realize how strong their love is. The balance is right, a little of everything, plus fascinating artwork. I was entertained until the very end. It's one of those stories you fall in love with and never want to finish reading. It's one of those stories that make you want to read it over and over again. I will love this manhwa and the author (whose work I am looking forward to in the near future) forever.

There is an extra to this manhwa: Totally Captivated [contains strong situations]. The manga is impossible to find online since it's licensed, unfortunately. So Google it or buy it.

Eli
Edited by: Joey

Boys Over Flowers/ Kgotboda Namja [Need Editing]

Boys Over Flowers/꽃보다 남자 / Kgotboda Namja

Drama Recommendation

I'm surprised that there isn't a post on this yet. Here it is: the most popular drama on the other side of the International Date Line. Kgotboda Namja. BOYS OVER FLOWERS. Korean baby.

I'm sure all of us have watched either the Taiwanese or Japanese versions. I have watched both. :D.

All of these dramas are adaptations of the extremely popular Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango (Boys Before Flowers) by Kamio Yoko. Makino Tsukushi is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, the school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by Flower 4 or F4, a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa, the leader and heir of the Domyoji World Finance Group; Hanazawa Rui, the introverted son of a large company; Nishikado Sojiro, a player who is the heir of a tea ceremony school; and Mimasaka Akira, a madam killer with ties to the underground. If a student gets on the F4’s bad side, he/she gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school.(DramaWiki) Even though she is harassed, Makino decides to keep going to school because she is a “tough weed”. She declares war right back on the F4. Her resolve gets the attention of her crush Hanazawa Rui and oddly enough, rouses romantic feelings in her worst enemy, Domyoji Tsukasa. As all dramas are built, there is love, friendships, difficulties, misunderstandings, and love triangles.

The Korean version is a bit different:
Jan-di, the female protaganist of this drama, is the poor but bright girl who has a strong sense of justice and full of vitality. She transfers to an exclusive high school where only the rich go. In there, she encounters with the four rich and quirky boys and experiences love and friendship.
The storyline illustrates the supreme fantasy that a drama can bring out the most. Each of us probably has an experience of admiring or dreaming of something. The drama ‘Boys over Flowers’ is the concentration of the admirations.

I just started watching this when I thought "To heck with French, let's listen to another foreign language!" Of course, I just got to Episode One Part Two on Mysoju.com. Not very far, but that is going to change.

I'll post again when I watch a bit more and can justify my opinions. I'm just basing my enthusiasm from my other Korean friends' ravings about this drama.

Playing Jan-Di is Koo Hye Sun
























Playing Joon Pyo is Lee Minho

























Playing So Yi Jung is Kim Bum (Annie...I know you love him :D)































Playing Song Woo Bin is Kim Joon



















Gosh...I love them all :D
Watch it here!!

B.

Mei-chan no Shitsuji [Need Editing]

This isn't so much of a review than it is a heads up. I was just browsing MySoju.com when lo and behold, guess what I saw?

One: Boys Over Flowers is now the #1 Drama, over Fated to Love You.

Two: There is now a drama for Mei-chan no Shitsuji.

It basically translates to Mei-chan's Butler. This is based on a manga of the same name, done by the same mangaka who authored Love Monster. The general plot of it is (from MySoju, because I'm a lazy bum that can't write summaries):

The story revolves around a young woman named Mei who finally finds the "butler of her dreams", whom she has been searching for since a past encounter.

From Mangafox (be warned that the drama may not follow the same plotline):

Mei Shinonome always has this dream. When she was younger and lost her way in a dark forest, she sang her favourite song, "Mei-chan's Butler", to build up her courage. Suddenly she was lifted up by a man who said he was her butler. Now she can't remember what he looks like, but remembers his shimmering brooch and long slender fingers. Kento Shibata is a pretty boy who, along with everyone else in the class, doesn't believe Mei's dream was once real. Emiri Enari has a crush on Kento and looks down on Mei as her father is a noodle chef. How will Mei find the butler from her dreams and will she get everyone to believe her?

There's love triangles and bunches more.

Just saying...I'm really surprised that they made this into a drama. It looks interesting...Maybe I'll do a review on Mei-chan No Shitsuji later.

Click here to watch it.
Click here for the manga.

(Note: writing "just saying" reminded me of the movie I watched at Cineplex last night with friends: Fired Up. It was hilarious XD There was this one girl that kept saying the weirdest things and then, when all activity hushed and everybody looking at her, she'd say, "Just saying."

B. :)

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/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

Book Review: Thicker than Water

Fiction: Thicker than Water
Author: Carla Jablonski
Genres: Drama, Romance, YA
Rating: 8.5/10

[Even though I loved this book, I found that the ending was absurd and disappointing. It was a story I couldn't put down and a story with an amazing plot and strong characters I could relate to. However, while I was so much into it, I (along with the main character) was fooled by its surprising twist, which I hadn't seen it coming..until this day. I still laugh about it, because it's something I never experience in a book and it's something I find unique in a way.]

The story goes like this: It's about a girl, Kia, who's mother is dying of cancer. Her father is a complete fool and is never home, and her friends can't help her because they have problems of their own. The only way to escape the reality she lives in is while cutting herself.

In the mist of everything, she is introduced to a goth world filled with vampire fanatics and people who enjoy living in the darkness. This world is something out of the ordinary. And while being a part of it, she meets the sexy and handsome DJ Damon, whom she instantly assumes is a vampire due to the world he belongs to and the mysteries that surround him.

Jablonski introduces us to a world where everything is not what it seems; that appearances can be deceiving; and that reality can be mixed with fantasy. There are some things you want to believe, even though it seems irrational or unreal. In this story, Kia is able to experience the feeling of being liberated by a world that is fake and make-believe, yet she refuses to see otherwise. The pain caused by her dying mother is unbearable and she wants to be set free. By confining her self to Damon and believing that he is a vampire, she grabs hold of an escape that she badly needs.

While reading this book, I was entranced by its plot and its mysterious characters. The method in which it is written will surely make you feel addicted to it. The intensity and the depth of the characters; the feelings and strong personalities, are so well described that every reader can understand what Kia is going through.

[The book is a painfully true novel about how the cruelty of reality can cause us to escape to a fantasy world where lines blur between life and death.]

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...

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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

Book Review: Girl, Interrupted

Non-Fiction: Girl, Interrupted
Author: Susanna Kaysen
Genre: Drama, Memoir,YA

At first i didn't pay much attention to this novel, thinking maybe it was just some book about a typical girl's problems. But then I thought "what the heck"and started reading the first page. It was the most original story I've read so far [in a long time]. How should i say it - it was raw literature, simply brilliant and hillarious to the point of tears.

Susanna Kaysen writes about her memories as a young 18-year old girl struggling in a psychiatric hospital where she was admitted apparently because she suffered from Borderline personality disorder. She tried commiting suicide and [slitting her wrists], from there, she met a psycologist and concluded that she had this kind of disorder.

She met various people [with whom] she became friends with.
Her memories of being in the hospital were something unique, [especially when] outsiders feared them. Due of the fact that they were different and suffered from a disorder, they seemed like they had been cast off to the side by society and their own parents just because they did things that weren't "normal" to most people.

Heck, what does it even mean to be normal?

It's special in its ability to make you think about greater concepts. For the most part, it's a brilliant memoir of a world we hardly know of. The world of Susanna Kaysen may seem crazy and scary, but inside the hospital everything is peaceful and free, as [described] by the author.

And maybe at the end, you'll find yourself asking if she really suffered from BPD, whether or not if it was a matter of choice, or perhaps she was simply questioning her own sanity.

By: Eli
Edited By: Annie

Manga Review: Paradise Kiss

Shoujo: Paradise Kiss
Author: Ai Yazawa
Genres: Drama, Romance
Rating: 7/10

I first encountered Paradise Kiss in my school library, among volumes of One Piece and Death Note. I wasn't attracted by the cover, but as I learnt long ago, it's impossible to tell anything by the cover. What was supposed to be thirty minutes of productive work turned into thirty minutes of me pouring over the first volume, captivated by the art and unique plot. I identified greatly with the protagonist, a girl named Yukari.

From mangafox:

Yukari wants nothing more than to make her parents happy by studying hard and getting into a good college. One afternoon, however, she is kidnapped by a group of self-styled fashionistas calling themselves "Paradise Kiss." Yukari suddenly finds herself flung into the roller-coaster life of the fashion world, guided by George, art-snob extraordinaire. In a glamorous makeover of body, mind and soul, she is turned from a hapless bookworm into her friends' own exclusive clothing model.

There are various cameos by characters from another manga of Ai Yazawa's called Gokinjo Monogatari. However, I don't believe that the manga is nearly as good as Paradise Kiss. With this one, the most intriguing aspect of the story is definitely the relationship between Yukari and George. It isn't like most other shoujos, in which the whole plot revolves around the pairing. Although their relationship is an important factor that shapes the five volumes, it is portrayed in such a way that continuously keeps the readers guessing. The art is simply amazing. Every page is full of exciting, beautiful fashions. I think it's a must read for all inspiring designers.

Just like how Paradise Kiss was an escape for the main characters of the story, this story became a small escape of mine. The manga has spawned an anime series and has fans around the world. It's been translated to at least ten different languages. I recommend checking it out whenever you have time.

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: 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 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

Book Review: The Ruling Class

More Mean than the Mean Girls

Cat fights aren’t the only deal when girls are pushed to the brink

Fiction: The Ruling Class
Author: Francine Pascal
Genres: Teen, Drama
Rating: 1.5/5

It’s often easy to be swayed by the outward appearance of something to make a faulty judgment of what’s inside. The Ruling Class is like that, a book that at first seemed to be only describing scenes directly from a Mean Girls situation, but turned out to be much more. This book touches on an important issue that plagues almost every girl at least once in her life - bullying. Even though some cases can be more serious than others, it’s something that happens constantly in all age groups. This book – encompassing the backstabbing, intimidation and plain meanness of such people, delivers a riveting account of one girl who isn’t afraid to stand up to them.

Perhaps being a new girl at a rich high school when you’re poor isn’t what most people would consider their best experience in life. In fact, it’s beyond horrible for Twyla Gay Stark, who is constantly being picked on by a group of girls named the Ruling Class. Made up of the stereotypical cheerleaders, superrich snots and a few all too eager suck-ups to Jeanette Sue, their leader, these girls rule the school by terrorizing those they believe are in their way. Unfortunately, Twyla falls into that group. Having been picked on time after time, especially after Jeanette’s boyfriend Ryder shows interest in her, Twyla takes a stand. There is nothing for her to lose anyway.

One of the most outstanding qualities of this book is the feelings it invokes in the reader. As you watch the main character become a target of the Ruling Class, it is hard to extricate yourself from your personal emotions that compel you to take action along with this brave girl. Exasperated, the only thing to do is to flip another page and continue reading. There is also the feeling of satisfaction when Twyla, at certain times, becomes successful and outsmarts them. The fascinating characters and meaningful plotline are especially attractive to those who love teen drama.

Aside from such good qualities, there are certain aspects of this book that can be frowned upon. The circumstances Twyla is faced with often seem just a bit outrageous, which makes everything less convincing. The climax seems hurried and unexpected, in the sense that you wouldn’t have recognized it except for the number of pages that were still left. The falling action is quite weak, and there could definitely have been more strings to tie up the loose ends. However, these drawbacks do not draw away from the existence of a good story and the impact of an inspirational message.

- Annie