Sunday, January 13, 2013

Black Bird 1-8

Title: Black Bird
Japanese Title: Burakku Baado
Author: Kanoko Sakurakoji
Volume(s) Reviewed: 1-8
Publisher: Shojo Beat, VIZ Media
Genre: Supernatural Romance
Rated: Mature (sensuality and sexuality, violence, some gore, adult situations) (The Publisher rating is Older Teen - this is laughable.)

Summary: Misao sees things that other people can't. Normally, the monsters would do harmless things. But suddenly, on her sixteenth birthday, the creatures she sees take it farther by trying to kill her. She's saved by a childhood friend from her past, Kyo Usui, who just so happens to be a demon as well. She finds out that she is the rare "Bride of Prophecy," also known as "The Senka," and must depend on Kyo for protection from those who wish to eat her flesh or drink her blood, which gives the consumer incredible power.

Art: B&W; Cute and beautiful characters, engaging action.
Story: An intriguing premise in the world of Japanese folklore, I was quite entranced by the surface of it. But where I thought the story could have shined in restraint, there was none. The story revolves around all sorts of breathtakingly handsome demons trying to make Misao their "bride" (aka sleep with her) or eat her (oh, if only someone would've eaten her and been done with it). And Kyo is no different, able but completely unwilling to restrain himself from claiming her as his own - and when she resists, has no compunctions in "showing her who's boss." Volumes 1-8 follow Misao's initial resistance, reluctance, but eventual surrender to Kyo's "powers of love," no matter what or how he may be. For the first time I wished for a woman to try to change her man for the better, but Misao takes him as-is and let's him have his way - with her and everything else. All sorts of forces (demons, demon hunters, family) try to split them up, but are unable (unfortunately). It is a true story of love conquering all, of seeing the ugliest bits of a person and still standing by them no matter what - even taking that ugliness onto oneself to remain with them. 
Characters: Misao is both strong and weak, which is not a good combo in a female lead but fits perfectly in this story. She is a mess that Kyo must always save, but has no problem standing up for how he treats her or her eventual love for him. Kyo is beautiful but a sadist - he loves Misao too much, and it brings out the literal demon in him. He is a good protector though, and fights for what he wants. The supporting cast of friends and enemies play their parts to bring them together or pull them apart, all existing solely to continue the story along on it's dark and blood-soaked path - and, thankfully, add a bit of much-needed humor.

Favorite Bit: I always love a good demon and human of prophecy story, which is why I read it this far.

Comments: While the premise is right up my alley, the sensuality (and eventual sexuality) overpowered the interesting bits of the story and became just too much for me. By the end of Volume 8, I'd had quite enough. Kyo is just too rough with her, and the fact that Misao puts up with it and then eventually likes it rather disgusts me. He could have been gentle, but instead liked to "teach her lessons" through pain. Needless to say, a few scenes made me a little ill. I know for a fact (for I have peeked) that a pregnancy is soon in the making - a pregnancy that, it is my guess, will surely kill her, or something equally horrid (Breaking Dawn-like, perhaps?) - and that has gone and put me off the rest of the series once and for all, thank goodness. 

Recommend?: If you like paranormal "bodice rippers" with overbearing, sadistic male leads, then by all means.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas in Japan

Comparing major holidays around the world is always fascinating, and when it comes to Japan, Christmas is not to be overlooked.

Christmas was initially introduced to Japan with the arrival of the first Europeans in the 16th century. But only in recent decades has the event become widely popular (despite the fact that Christians make up only 1% of the population).

Encouraged by commerce, the secular celebration of Christmas is popular in Japan, though Christmas is not a national holiday. More and more people are taking up traditions such as decorating their homes, giving presents to friends, holding Christmas parties around Christmas Day, and celebrating the event with a special meal. Christmas lights decorate cities, and Christmas trees adorn living areas and malls. Christmas Eve has even become a holiday for couples to spend time together and exchange gifts. 

In manga, Christmas is one of my favorite subjects (especially since it usually sees couples with romantic aspirations visiting amusement parks ;). No matter what, it seems, there are three points you can always count on:



Fried ChickenA successful advertising campaign in the 1970s made eating at KFC around Christmas a national custom. Its chicken meals are so popular during the season that stores take reservations months in advance.





Christmas Cake - The other traditional Japanese Christmas food is Christmas Cake, usually made of sponge cake, strawberries and whipped cream. You can find a wide selection of good-looking Christmas cakes at stores. 




CouplesChristmas Eve has become a night for couples to go out and spend a romantic time together at fancy restaurants or hotels in Japan. It isn't easy to make reservations for such restaurants and hotels at the last minute on the day.


Merry Christmas! :)

What's your favorite Christmas tradition in manga?

Sources: wikipedia, japan-guide.com, gojapan.about.com

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

5 Centimeters per Second

Title: 5 Centimeters per Second
Japanese Title: Byousoku 5-senchimeetoru
Author: Makoto Shinkai (story), Yukiko Seike (art)
Publisher: Vertical
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rated: Teen (brief sensuality, thematic elements throughout)

Summary: Love can move at the speed of terminal velocity, but as award-winning director Makoto Shinkai reveals in his latest comic, it can only be shared and embraced by those who refuse to see it stop.

Takaki Tohno quickly befriends Akari Shinohara when she transfers to his school. They grow closer to each other due to similar interests and attitudes; for instance, they both prefer to stay inside during recess due to their constitutions. As a result, they form a strong bond.

Upon ending their school year, Akari moves to Tochigi, due to her parents' jobs. The two keep in contact by writing letters, but eventually begin to drift apart.


Art: Evocative, detailed in all the right places but not cluttered.
Story: Sweet and sad and at times heartwrenching, but it never crossed the downer line. It had its wordy times but also its wordless times, so it balanced out well enough. The overall premise is simple and quiet but the subject matter is heavy and evocative.
Characters: Normal but real. You could understand what they were going through, and really root for each of them, even as their happiness in love went against another's.

End: The ending is not something an American would expect, but it's definitively Japanese. Be prepared for disappointment yet contentment - it's what they do best.

Recommend?: If you like a heavy-hearted romance.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

B.O.D.Y. 1-10


Title: B.O.D.Y.
Author: Ao Mimori
Volume(s) Reviewed: 1-10
Publisher: VIZ, Shojo Beat
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rated: Older Teen (sensuality, innuendo, some language)

Summary: Everyone thinks 16-year-old Ryoko has a weird taste in guys because she can't stop drooling over Ryunosuke, the strong silent type who sits next to her in class. When she discovers he works for a host club--where women actually pay men to date them--will she finally wise up? Or will he leave his job to be with her? Or will she take a job at the club so he can quit and she can be with him...? Only one thing's for sure in B.O.D.Y.--you can't put a price on love!

Art: B&W; soft and pretty
Story: Interesting at first, when he was a host, but it went downhill from there and became too angsty. By Volume 10 I was pretty fed up with the whole thing.
Characters: All the characters are well done - it's the story given to them that weighs them down way too much. Ryoko and Ryunosuke are a sweet couple, even when they are tested (again and again and again...).

Comments: It was good at first, but after a while I got sick of all the drama. Originally I was collecting these, but by Volume 4 I regretted the purchase. When they came into the library I thought I would see what happened, and am glad I stopped buying them.

Favorite Bit: The beginning, when he was a host (first 3 volumes).

Recommend?: If you like angsty romances where the couple never gets to be happy.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Line by Yua Kotegawa

Title: Line
Author: Yua Kotegawa
Publisher: ADV Manga
Genre: Manga; Young Adult Thriller
Rated: Older Teen (violence, some gore, intense situations, language)

Summary: Normal. Carefree. This was Chiko's life before the day she found the cell phone. Before the voice on the other end said she had scant minutes to save the life of someone she'd never met. Now, accompanied by her classmate Bando, Chiko has just one night to stop a series of gruesome deaths before they can occur.

Art: Black & white; simple backgrounds, pretty characters.
Story: A quick, intense one-shot that kept my interest all the way through. It read more like a Japanese novel than a manga, but without the length of an actual novel, which was nice.
Characters: Everyone was a little odd (especially Bando), but Chiko's strength fit the story.

Comments: While simple, it was interesting and I enjoyed the short burst of intensity it brought to my evening.

Recommend?: If you like time-clock thrillers, it's worth the one-sit read.

Friday, September 7, 2012

A Bride's Story 1-2

Title: A Bride’s Story
Japanese Title: Otoyomegatari
Author: Kaoru Mori
Publisher: Yen Press
Volumes Read: 1,2
Genre: Manga; Adult Historical
Rating: Adult (some nudity)

Summary: Acclaimed creator Kaoru Mori (Emma, Shirley) brings the nineteenth-century Silk Road to lavish life, chronicling the story of Amir Halgal, a young woman from a nomadic tribe betrothed to a twelve-year-old boy eight years her junior. Coping with cultural differences, blossoming feelings for her new husband, and expectations from both her adoptive and birth families, Amir strives to find her role as she settles into a new life and a new home in a society quick to define that role for her.

In Volume 2, she struggles to remain with her new groom despite the wishes of her family, who would see her wed another. Will Amir be able to preserve the bonds she has cultivated in her new home?

Art: Black & white: Absolutely beautiful with exquisite detail.
Story: Where I should have been bored with the simple act of following this family in their everyday lives, I found myself engrossed with every frame, studying every panel closely before moving onto the next. The slow feel of most of the chapters is relaxing, and before you know it you are lazily drifting along, thoroughly enjoying the simple act of something as mundane as making bread.
Characters: Simple and immensely fascinating, you can’t help but fall in love with the whole lot - and be dazzled by the sheer foreignness of them compared to our life and time.

Comments: I expected this to be boring and was amazed how enraptured I became within just the first few pages. I could feel just how much time Kaoru took on each frame and savored them, which made the whole story experience all the sweeter. I cannot wait to read more of this series.

Favorite Bit: Amir – she is so fun and loveable, and even with her “elevated” age she is still a child and I adore her greatly.

Recommend?: Definitely, yes!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Library Wars: Love & War 1-7

Title: Library Wars: Love & War
Japanese Title: Toshokan Sensou LOVE&WAR
Author: Kiiro Yumi
Original Concept: Hiro Arikawa (novels)
Volume(s) Reviewed: 1-7
Publisher: VIZ, Shojo Beat
Genre: Dystopian Action Romance
Rated: Older Teen (some violence)

Summary: In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections and form a military group to defend themselves---the Library Forces! Iku Kasahara has dreamed of joining the Library Defense Force ever since one of its soldiers stepped in to protect her favorite book from being confiscated in a bookstore when she was younger. But now that she’s finally a recruit, she’s finding her dream job isn't quite what she thought it would be. Especially when her hard-hearted drill instructor seems to have it out for her!

Art: B&W; Good-looking characters, simple backgrounds, smooth flow and action.
Story: An interesting concept. With the way the real world is going right now, this actually feels like it could come to pass. The "romance" isn't very strong but it's fun and sweet; the action is interesting and engaging. There's even a bit of intrigue weaved in.
Characters: A well-balanced group. Everyone is fun and different and no matter who takes the lead I always enjoy the story.

Favorite Bit: It's about libraries. Nuff said.

Comments: An interesting story that I will continue following. I would love to read the novels.

Recommend?: Definitely.