Snow White with the Red Hair Vol 1 Review
Despite its title, it would be a stretch to call this manga an adaptation of Snow White. There’s no evil queen, dwarves or magic and the only plot element the two stories seem to share is a poisoned apple. Rather, this is a fairytale-esque story that borrows a few elements here and there, but imbues…
Phantom Dream Series Review
Phantom Dream is the debut manga series of Natsuki Takaya, the creator of the award-winning, shojo manga classic Fruits Basket. With Fruits Basket receiving a new anime adaptation, I recently went back and re-read the whole series and enjoyed it so much that I decided to re-read some of her other works. I started with…
Songs to Make You Smile Review
Songs to Make You Smile is a single volume anthology of short stories by Natsuki Takaya, the creator of Fruits Basket. The five stories collected in this book are all from early in Takaya’s career and thus have a much older and, is some cases, less polished look then her more recent work. The majority…
Fruits Basket Another Series Review
The Fruits Basket manga, by Natsuki Takaya, is one of my favourite manga series of all time! I love the characters and the emotional, heartbreaking and, ultimately, uplifting story. So, when I heard that there was going to be a sequel I was over the moon with excitement. But could this new series live up…
Codename: Sailor V Series Review
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: A beautiful junior high school student comes across a mysterious talking cat that tells her that she has an important destiny. To her shock and amazement, she discovers that she is no ordinary teenager, but actually a chosen warrior and the reincarnation of a princess! She is……
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Series Review
The Sailor Moon anime started airing in Canada when I was around 10 years old, and I instantly fell in love with it. I adored the art style, the epic fights and all of the drama! My friends and I would talk about the show together all the time and this series, along with Dragon…
Become You Vol 1 Review
It can be frustrating, and even crushing, when ones abilities don’t line up with ones dreams. These feelings of angst are beautifully articulated in Become You, the latest shojo manga from Ichigo Takano.
Kamen Tantei Series Review
A mysterious figure in a mask and cape, who bears a striking resemblance to Tuxedo Mask, appears right when he’s needed in order to help solve any case. He is the Masked Detective, Taro Suzuki, and he is a fictional character within the world of this manga. Written by Matsuki Akino, who is probably best…
Zodiac P.I. Series Review
Zodiac P.I. is a series that I have a huge soft spot for, as it’s one of the earliest manga series that I ever read and, if memory serves, the second one that I ever bought! Written and illustrated by Natsumi Ando (who is perhaps better known for her other shojo works such as Kitchen…
The Rose of Versailles Vol 1 Review
Penned by Riyoko Ikeda and beginning publication in 1972, the manga series The Rose of Versailles was a sensationally successful period-drama that’s had a huge and lasting impact on the landscape of shojo manga since its release. The story has been adapted into a hit anime, as well as several movies and musicals, and now…
Living-Room Matsunaga-San Vol 1 Review
I can’t tell you how many shojo manga stories I’ve read where the writer has concocted some convoluted scenario that forces the romantic leads to live together. It’s a classic set-up that throws the potential couple together in an intimate setting and then lets the sparks fly. Keiko Iwashita, the writer/artist of Living-Room Matsunaga-San, has…
A Man & His Cat Vol 1 Review
A Man & His Cat is the debut release of the new, North American manga publisher: Square Enix Manga & Books. Square Enix has been licensing out its manga titles for years, but they just recently established their own publishing company in North America and they’re kicking this new venture off with a bang, as…
Love Me, Love Me Not Vol 1 Review
Love Me, Love Me Not is a new shojo romance manga by Io Sakisaka, who has several other works available in English, such as Strobe Edge and Ao Haru Ride. The hook that makes Love Me, Love Me Not unique is that it features two heroines, both of whose love lives are given equal weight…
The Fox and the Little Tanuki Vol 1 Review
If you’ve been feeling a bit stressed out lately and you’re on the lookout for a feel-good read, then boy do I have the manga for you! The Fox and the Little Tanuki, by Mi Tagawa, is a sweet and light-hearted story that’s sure to help take your mind off of your worries. Synopsis: Senzou…
Prince Freya Vol 1 Review
Sword fights, treacherous plots and an ordinary peasant girl who turns out to be one hell of an actress are just some of the elements that comprise this thrilling new fantasy manga by Keiko Ishihara. Some readers might be familiar with Ishihara’s other works, such as of The Bride & the Exorcist Knight and The…
Yuzu the Pet Vet Vol 1 Review
Has anyone out there heard of Wannyan Dobutsu Byouin: Suteki na Juui-San ni Narou! before? Apparently, it’s a video game for the 3DS that was released in 2015 and is based around the player caring for a series of adorable animals at a veterinary hospital. It doesn’t look like the game was ever localized to…
Primitive Boyfriend Vol 1 Review
You may be looking at the cover image and title of this manga and thinking to yourself, “Is this a comic about a girl dating an early hominid?” Yes. Yes it is. Synopsis: Farm girl, Kamigome Mito, is a peerless beauty admired by everyone at her school, but she just can’t seem to catch a…
Angels of Death Vol 1 Review
I’m a huge wuss when it comes to horror and, as such, it’s not a genre that I tend to dip my toes into very often. While there are a few horror series that I do enjoy, I usually don’t go out of my way to seek them out and probably wouldn’t have picked up…
Fiancée of the Wizard Vol 1 Review
I’m really enjoying all of these isekai manga series staring women that we’ve been getting lately! Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter is an interesting political drama, My Next Life as a Villainess is a hilarious and self-parodying harem series and now, Fiancée of the Wizard gives us a sweetly romantic tale of an ordinary person…
With a Dog and a Cat, Every Day is Fun Vol 1 Review
Hidekichi Matsumoto lives with her dog, Inu, and her cat, Neko, and began drawing this simple, gag-manga chronicling her daily experiences with her quirky and loveable pets and posting it on Twitter. It became so popular online that it was eventually published in physical books and I’m glad that it has been licensed in English,…
Ao Haru Ride Series Review
Ao Haru Ride, by Io Sakisaka, is a shojo romance manga that has both impressed and frustrated me as I’ve read it. Since the final volume just recently came out, I’m eager to share all of my thoughts on this series. Synopsis: In middle school, Futaba didn’t like boys and found them to be too…
Cutie and the Beast Vol 1 Review
Cutie and the Beast, by Yuhi Azumi, is a shojo romance manga about a young fan-girl who falls in love with a beefy professional wrestler. Unfortunately, this manga doesn’t seem too interested in really dealing with any of the ethical issues surrounding said relationship. Synopsis: Momoka is a fan of professional wrestling and a special…
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…
The White Cat’s Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King’s Lap Vol 1 Review
Here we have yet another one of those long-winded, but attention-grabbing, light novel titles! The White Cat’s Revenge as Plotted from the Dragon King’s Lap was originally a light novel by Kureha and with character designs by Yamiyo. This manga adaptation, by Aki, is a delightful shojo, isekai series about a young lady who’s always…
Kageki Shojo!! The Curtain Rises Review
Kageki Shojo!! The Curtain Rises is one of the manga that I’ve been the most excited about reading this year, and I am so pleased to report that the series more then met my expectations. Kumiko Saiki’s art is lovely and I found the story to be fun, emotional and heart-warming, all at once! Synopsis:…
The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess Vol 1 Review
The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess is a shojo isekai manga by Akiharu Touka and it’s one of the series that I’ve been most looking forward to checking out in 2021. I’m quite partial to shojo isekai (a genre where young ladies are either transported to or reborn into magical worlds) and I find…
Mint Chocolate Vol 1 Review
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, so it seemed like the perfect time to do a review of a new, romance manga! As an added bonus, Mami Orikasa’s shojo series, Mint Chocolate, has a sweet title that’s just perfect for this season. Synopsis: Nanami is nervous about meeting her new step-dad and step-brother after her mom remarries,…
The King’s Beast Vol 1 Review
Rei Toma is a mangaka whose works I’ve all loved and I’ve been really looking forward to her newest series, The King’s Beast, which is set in the same world as Dawn of the Arcana – though on a different continent, so you don’t need to have read that series to jump into this one.…
Golden Japanesque: A Splendid Yokohama Romance Vol 1 Review
Golden Japanesque: A Splendid Yokohama Romance, by Kaho Miyasaka, is a shojo romance that takes place during the Meiji era, a period in Japan’s history characterized by great change and rapid modernization. With its long period of isolation over, Japan begins to embrace many Western ideas and technologies, but amidst this massive cultural shift, can…
Magical Angel Creamy Mami and the Spoiled Princess Vol 1 Review
Magical Angel Creamy Mami is a famous magical-girl franchise from the 80’s which follows the adventures of Yū, a young girl who’s granted the use of a magic wand for one year by some aliens she winds up helping. Yū uses her powers to transform herself into a teenager and become a hugely successful idol…
Love of Kill Vol 1 Review
Fe’s Love of Kill began life as an online comic, before eventually being published as a print manga, and it’s one of the series that I’ve been most looking forward to reading in 2021. There aren’t a ton of action-focused shojo series being published in English, so I was excited to give this one a…
The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent (Manga) Vol 1-2 Review
Allow me to introduce you to my new obsession! Adapted from the light-novel series of the same name, by Yuka Tachibana, The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent is a delightful isekai manga by Fujiazuki, which tells the story of an office worker who is unexpectedly summoned to another world, where she finds herself gifted with…
I Think Our Son is Gay Vol 1 Review
Okura’s I Think Our Son is Gay is an LGBTQ+ manga that I’ve been greatly looking forward to reading. I’d enjoyed That Blue Sky Feeling, another manga written by Okura, quite a lot and was excited to see their take on a more comedic series, especially since this one looked really cute. I’m happy to…
I Was Reincarnated as the Villainess of an Otome Game but the Boys Love Me Anyway! Vol 1 Review
I’m, apparently, continuing to just eat-up the increasingly prolific sub-genre of isekai stories where someone is reincarnated as the villainess in a game or novel. I don’t know why I enjoy this type of story so much; maybe it’s the appeal of a heroine with insider knowledge of the world, or the tension surrounding whether…
Yakuza Lover Vol 1 Review
Yakuza Lover, by Nozomi Mino, is a shojo manga that feels like it should be a josei series. This steamy romance stars a college student who gets caught up in a relationship with a member the yakuza, and it’s much more sexually charged than what you’d typically find in your average shojo manga. I can’t…
Kageki Shojo!! Vol 1 Review
It’s finally here! Kageki Shojo!! The Curtain Rises was one of my favourite new manga series from last year, and I’ve been greatly anticipating the arrival of Kumiko Saiki’s sequel series: Kageki Shojo!! It’s time for more drama, more dazzling theatre and more adorable moments of friendship! Synopsis: Watanabe Sarasa has managed to make it…
Her Royal Highness Seems to be Angry Vol 1 Review
Neko Yotsuba’s Her Royal Highness Seems to be Angry is an action/fantasy manga about a former princess who’s been reborn many years into the future, where she’s dismayed to discovered that certain things have gone decidedly down hill! Adapted from a novel series by Kou Yatsuhashi, this tale of reincarnation features a heroine who’s more…
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…
I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss (manga) Vol 1 Review
As loyal readers of this blog may already be aware, I’m a big fan of that particular flavor of isekai manga where the protagonist is reincarnated as the villainess in a romance game or novel. Anko Yuzu’s I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss falls neatly into that category – I mean, it’s…
Vampire Dormitory Vol 1 Review
Ah, vampires. A tried and true romance staple. Ema Toyama’s Vampire Dormitory combines these seductive creatures with some good ol’ gender-bending hijinks, creating a drama-filled romance that’s both spicy and sweet! Synopsis: Mito has beautiful looks, but terrible luck. After her parents died, she was shuffled around to various relatives who all resented having to…
The Savior’s Book Café Story in Another World Vol 1 Review
So, a god offers you anything you want as a reward for going to another world to act as its savior. What do you ask for? Good looks? Great power and influence? How about a comfortable little café filled with books where you can wile away your days reading and sipping tea? If you found…
A Tale of the Secret Saint Vol 1 Review
Adapted from the novel series of the same name by Touya, Mahito Aobe’s A Tale of the Secret Saint is a charming fantasy manga about a girl with the healing magic of a great saint who simply wants to become a knight and hit things with swords. Will she manage to keep her powers a…
Daily Report About My Witch Senpai Vol 1 Review
Maka Mochida’s Daily Report About My Witch Senpai puts a bit of a fantasy twist on your classic office romance. But even though the leading lady of this manga is casting spells and whizzing around on a broomstick, this love story proved to be quite down to earth. What you’ll find here amongst the fluffy…
Lovesick Ellie Vol 1-2 Review
Lovesick Ellie was originally released in English digitally as a part of Kodansha’s digital-first initiative. Fujimomo’s romantic comedy about a girl who’s caught up in horny daydreams garnered a lot of positive buzz and I’ve been looking forward to its physical release for some time. Having now read the first two volumes of this manga,…
Ima Koi: Now I’m In Love Vol 1 Review
Ima Koi: Now I’m in Love is written/drawn by Ayuko Hatta, the creator of the Wolf Girl and Black Prince manga. While that series has yet to be licensed in English, I quite enjoyed the anime adaptation, so I’m happy to see some of Hatta’s other works being translated. Hopefully more are on the horizon.…
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion Vol 1 Review
Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansion is a korean webtoon with art by Whale and original story by Milcha. It follows the struggles of a young woman who’s been reborn into the world of a novel as an unfortunate side-character fated to die. Using her wits and knowledge of the original novel, she’s…
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