Elfen Lied Omnibus Vol 1 Review
Don’t let that innocent-looking cover art fool you. Elfen Lied may feature some harem-manga tropes, such as having a hapless, every-man protagonist living under the same roof as multiple lovely, young ladies, but this is in fact a brutal and bloody science fiction/horror manga. Be prepared for graphic violence and dark themes if you decide…
Cells at Work! Code Black Vol 1 Review
Cells at Work! is a hilarious and education manga series by Akane Shimizu, where the various cells that comprise the human body are represented as anthropomorphized workers carrying out various jobs. Red blood cells are personified as delivery workers carting oxygen canisters around the body and white blood cells are soldiers who constantly fend off…
Ghostly Things Vol 1 Review
Ghostly Things, by Ushio Shirotori, is a cute supernatural romp where spirits are portrayed as being household pests that steal food out of your fridge and make grass grow on your books, rather than as terrifying monsters… at least most of the time. Seems like the perfect October read for someone, like me, that doesn’t…
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World (manga) Vol 1 Review
Our Last Crusade or the Rise of a New World is a manga series, featuring art by Okama, that’s based on a light novel series of the same name by Kei Sazane. I haven’t read the light novels, so I can’t comment on how well this manga works as an adaptation, and will instead be…
Penguindrum Vol 1 Review
The Penguindrum manga, by Isuzu Shibata, is an adaptation of the anime series of the same name that was released back in 2011. Blending elements of comedy, drama, mystery and the supernatural, this is definitely one of the most unique manga I’ve read this year. Synopsis: Kanba, Shoma and Himari are a close-knit group of…
Saint Young Men Vol 1 Review
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Buddha and Jesus were to meet? Well, turns out they would be best friends and it would be great! Synopsis: After safely ushering the world into the new century, Jesus and Buddha decide to take a well-deserved vacation. The two of them get an apartment…
20th Century Boys: Perfect Edition Vol 1 Review
20th Century Boys is a series that I’ve been interested in for some time. Written and illustrated by Naoki Urasawa, the award-winning creator behind such classic seinen manga as Monster and Pluto, 20th Century Boys tells a thrilling mystery/adventure story involving evil cults, bioterrorism and a group of washed up adults whose childhood games of…
Sweat and Soap Vol 1 Review
Kintetsu Yamada’s seinen romance manga, Sweat and Soap, strikes me as a series that will be too pervy for some readers, but perhaps not pervy enough for others. Aimed at an older audience, this manga features plenty of steamy scenes and boasts a rather unorthodox premise, so get ready for some weirdness! Synopsis: Asako has…
What’s Michael? Fatcat Collection Vol 1
Well, here’s a real blast from the past! What’s Michael? is a comedy manga by Makoto Kobayashi that celebrates the delightful peculiarities of cats and the humans who love them. Originally published in Japan in the 80’s and first translated into English by Dark Horse Comics in the 90’s and early 2000’s, What’s Michael? has…
Cosmo Familia Vol 1 Review
Cosmo Familia, by Hanokage, the artist of the manga adaptation of Puella Magi Madoka Magica, is a fantasy manga with a very similar feel to that classic series. This comic features a bevy of cute girls and cartoony animals getting up to magical hijinks, all while an air of darkness hangs over their escapades. Synopsis:…
My Brother’s Husband Series Review
My Brother’s Husband is an award-winning manga created by Gengoroh Tagame, a mangaka known for his works targeted towards gay men. My Brother’s Husband marks his first foray into creating an all-ages title and his uncluttered art style and straightforward writing lends itself well to the didactic nature of the story he’s telling, making this…
The New Gate Vol 1 and 2 Review
The New Gate is an isekai manga, based on the web novels by Shinogi Kazanami and drawn by Yoshiyuki Miwa, that follows the adventures of a young man trapped inside a video game world, but with the twist that the story starts at the point where most series in this vein typically end. I’d like…
Ping Pong Vol 1 Review
I was looking forward to reading Ping Pong, so much so that I included it in my list of My Most Anticipated Manga of 2020. I didn’t actually know a lot about the series going in, but Ping Pong seemed to have a lot of things going for it. The creator, Taiyo Matsumoto, is an…
My Senpai is Annoying Vol 1 Review
Originally a webcomic, Shiromanta’s My Senpai is Annoying is one of those rare manga releases that features colour art! While there is still plenty of white space, it was a fun surprise to open this book and find it full of vibrant colours. The simple, yet endearing, art-style is a perfect fit for this tale…
Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition Vol 1 Review
Rumiko Takahashi is a hugely successful and influential manga creator who’s penned numerous beloved, smash-hit series, such as: Ususei Yatsura, Ranma ½ and Inuyasha. Maison Ikkoku is an example of one of her earlier works (originally published from 1980-1987) and this seminal manga has been adapted into an anime, several OVA’s and multiple live-action versions.…
Sazan & Comet Girl Review
Sazan & Comet Girl, by Yuriko Akase, is an action-packed space-opera that features vibrant, full-colour artwork and a diverting story that feels like it was plucked out of a bygone era. Strap on your spacesuits and get ready to blast-off into adventure! Synopsis: Sazan is a bright and idealistic young man who loves outer-space and…
Manga Mini Reviews (The Girl with the Sanpaku Eyes Vol 1, Sue & Tai-chan Vol 1 & Our Teachers are Dating! Vol 1)
The pile of new manga and comics that I want to review has been steadily growing over the course of this month. Thus, now seemed like a good time for another round of manga mini reviews. Coincidently, all of the manga I’ll be discussing today just so happen to be super cute! The Girl with…
Heaven’s Design Team Vol 1 Review
Heaven’s Design Team seems like a manga that was custom designed to make me happy. Written by Hebi-Zou & Tsuta Suzuki and drawn by Tarako, this educational series presents information about animals, and all of the fascinating ways in which they are tailored to their environment, through the format of an entertaining workplace procedural. Synopsis:…
Unicorns Aren’t Horny Vol 1 Review
I love a good pun title, and Unicorns Aren’t Horny is a good pun. However, it’s not an accurate title, as Uni the unicorn is horny, in both the literal sense and the carnal sense. Horny for the concept of virginity, that is! Synopsis: Emuko is a virgin and she isn’t happy about it. She…
Rainbow and Black Vol 1 Review
Rainbow and Black, by Eri Takenashi, is a cute, pet manga about a rigid-minded young lady and her exotic bird. Or is it a mammal? Or is it both? Synopsis: Kuroe is a college student who’s uncompromising approach to life frequently gets her into trouble, costing her several jobs and making it difficult for her…
The Witch and the Beast Vol 1 Review
A dark-fantasy manga tinged with elements of horror, Kousuke Satake’s The Witch and the Beast intrigued me, in large part due to it’s beautiful and atmospheric-looking cover art. Satake’s detailed artwork didn’t disappoint and it’s just as lovely inside the book as on the cover, but I found the story to be a bit lacking.…
Heterogenia Linguistico Vol 1 Review
I’ve always been kind of a dummy when it comes to learning other languages. I was terrible at the mandatory French classes I took in grade school and my short-lived attempt to learn Japanese in University was a disaster. It’s just not something that comes easily to me, so I greatly admire people who can…
What the Font?! A Manga Guide to Western Typeface Review
As I’ve stated before, I love a good pun as a title and What the Font?! is a great example of the kinds of titles that make me snicker. Written and illustrated Kuniichi Ashiya, What the Font?! A Manga Guide to Western Typeface is an educational comic that seeks to instruct you on fonts by…
The Apothecary Diaries Vol 1 Review
Based on a novel series by Natsu Hyuuga, The Apothecary Diaries, a seinen manga by Nekokurage and Itsuki Nanao, piqued my interest the moment I read the title and saw the lovely cover image. A period drama about a pharmacist? Sounds good to me! Synopsis: When Maomao is kidnapped and sold to the Imperial palace…
Mob Psycho 100: Reigen Review
You know him; you love him; he’s everyone’s favourite con-artist: Master Reigen! This new manga by ONE focuses on the fan-favourite character from the Mob Psycho 100 series and examines what makes him so great, despite that fact that he’s a fake and a liar! Synopsis: Tome Kurata has always been fascinated with anything supernatural…
Mama Akuma Vol 1 Review
Mama Akuma, by Kuzushiro, is a series that I decided to pickup simply because the cover looked cute, and this turned out to be an example of a time when judging a book by it’s cover was a great decision. This is a fun and charming comedy about a lonely girl and a forlorn demon…
Sex Ed 120% Vol 1 Review
When I first heard about Sex Ed 120%, I assumed that it would be a raunchy comedy, with a bit of educational content thrown in. This turned out to not be the case, but I was actually pleased that my expectations didn’t turn out to be correct, as I think the education-focused manga that we…
Wonder Cat Kyuu-Chan Vol 1-2 Review
Who’s that dapper littler cat with the bowtie? It’s Kyuu-Chan! A wonderful cat and a wonderful friend. Sasami Nitori’s Wonder Cat Kyuu-chan is a 4-panel manga about a magnificent cat and his beloved owner that’s cute, fluffy and suitable for all-ages. Synopsis: When Hinata finds a cat abandoned in a cardboard box in the park,…
The Dangers in My Heart Vol 1 Review
I can’t quite remember why I originally put Norio Sakurai’s The Dangers in My Heart on my “To Buy” list, but I can say that the promotional blurb I read about this manga didn’t do a very good job of explaining the plot. I think I thought this was going to be about a paranoid…
I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School Vol 1 Review
I want to extend my thanks to One Peace Books, who were nice enough to provide me with a digital review copy of volume one of Ui Kashima’s I Belong to the Baddest Girl at School in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Unoki is a kind, but somewhat wimpy, teenage boy who’s become used…
Skip and Loafer Vol 1 Review
Misaki Takamatsu’s Skip and Loafer is a high school romantic comedy/slice-of-life manga that I decided to pick up because I thought it looked and sounded cute. And, I was right; it’s super cute and a ton of fun! Synopsis: Mitsumi has just moved to the city from the country to attend high school, and she’s…
I Am A Cat: The Manga Edition Review
Soseki Natsume’s I am a Cat is a famous work of classic Japanese literature that follows a wise cat as he observes his fool-hardy master and his bumbling interactions with his family and neighbours. This manga edition, by Chiroru Kobato, presents the well known tale with the addition of some adorable art. Synopsis: When a…
The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today Vol 1 Review
I’m feeling spoiled by the plethora of cat manga that’s been coming out lately! While The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today, by Hitsuzi Yamada, is a bit of an unusual entry into the genre, it’s no less adorable. Synopsis: Saku is a reliable office worker who really seems to have her life together. Her…
Hello World The Manga Review
Hello World The Manga, by Manatsu Suzuki and Yoshihiro Sono, is a sci-fi adventure story about a withdrawn boy who discovers that he’ll need to come out of his shell and fight if he wants to save the love of his life. A shocking revelation, considering he hasn’t even fallen in love with the girl…
The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting Vol 1 Review
I almost missed this title entirely. I’m not sure when Kaiten Books was established, but I hadn’t heard of them or this series before I saw people posting snapshots of the manga on Instagram. I was curious about this new manga publisher, and I thought the premise of this series sounded cute, so I decided…
Manga Mini Reviews: Spooky Halloween Edition
It’s almost Halloween and I wanted to get into the spirit of the the season by reviewing some manga and comics of a spooky nature. I say spooky, rather than scary, since I’m too much of a wimp to read much actual horror. Instead, these titles are all works that contain supernatural or light horror…
Who Wants to Marry a Billionaire? Vol 1 Review
Given that it’s the start of the new year, I thought now might be a good time to try something a bit outside my typical manga comfort zone. Thus, I decided to pick up a title from Seven Seas Entertainment’s Ghost Ship line. Mikoto Yamaguchi and Mario’s Who Wants to Marry a Billionaire? follows a…
The Country Without Humans Vol 1 Review
Iwatobineko’s science fiction manga series, The Country Without Humans, is an interesting read. The story is both exciting and rather melancholy, as the main characters struggle to discover what happened to all of the humans in a technologically advanced society full of robots that once served them. Synopsis: A girl wakes up in a strange…
Island in a Puddle Vol 1 Review
Kei Sanbe, the creator of supernatural thrillers such as Erased and For The Kid I Saw In My Dreams, is back with a gripping new manga series. As a fan of the mangaka’s other works, I’ve been looking forward to a new hair-raising adventure from this master of suspense. So, let’s dive right into my…
The Music of Marie Review
The Music of Marie is a science fiction manga that explores a utopian world with a mysterious clockwork goddess whose blessings might disguise hidden truths. This manga was written and drawn by Usamaru Furuya, the creator of Genkaku Picasso and Lychee Light Club. As a fan of Genkaku Picasso’s surreal visuals and dramatic storytelling, I…
A Galaxy Next Door Vol 1 Review
A Galaxy Next Door is a cute new romance manga from Gido Amagakure, the creator of Sweetness and Lightening. This love story between an artist and his assistant is a lot stranger than it first appears, so get ready for some sci-fi shenanigan’s and mishaps involving alien physiology! Synopsis: Ichiro Kuga has been doing his…
Nightfall Travelers: Leave Only Footprints Vol 1 Review
Tomohi’s Nightfall Travelers: Leave Only Footprints follows a pair of high school girls as they do some urban exploring after school as part of an assignment. Together they experience the beauty of their town, handle a few brief scares and start to become friends. But is there more than meets the eye when it comes…
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