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.

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.

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!

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.

Natsume's Book of Friends 9-11

Title: Natsume's Book of Friends
Japanese Title: Natsume Yujincho
Author: Yuki Midorikawa
Volume(s) Reviewed: 9-11
Publisher: Shojo Beat, VIZ
Genre: Young Adult Supernatural
Rated: Teen (scary images and situations, thematic elements)

Summary: For as long as he can remember, Takashi Natsume has been cursed by the ability to see spirits, a power inherited from his grandmother Reiko. Upon her death, Reiko bequeaths to her grandson her Book of Friends, a book containing the names of spirits Reiko had bullied into servitude. The Book of Friends is a highly prized item in the spirit world, and spirits haunt Takashi constantly. Whereas Reiko formed the contracts, however, Takashi spends his time dissolving the contracts and releasing the various spirits that come to him for help. But that doesn't mean there aren't malicious spirits trying to kill him.

Art: Black & white; soft, penciled.
Story: I didn't think one could go this long with such a simple premise, but Yuki pulls it off beautifully. Each storyline is different and interesting - she must've done her research.
Characters: Natsume is gradually growing and changing emotionally, and it's a wonderful thing to watch. His kindness and innocence make him easy to care about. The "regulars" are fun and interesting and really fill out the simple premise, especially the two friends from school (Volume 11, Chapters 42 and 43).

Comments: Japan's Shinto religion is always a fascinating subject for me, so Natsume is right up my interest alley. I find this series a calm read because of Natsume's easy take on things and the soothing feel of the art, even if most of the time they are dealing with disgruntled or evilish spirits. It also has some amusing moments as well. Can't wait to read more.

Favorite Bit: His protector, Nyanko-sensei, resides in a lucky cat statue! And his true form is beautiful and looks so soft (see cover of Volume 9 above)...

Recommend?: Definitely

Kana-a-Week: Vacation

To focus on my new writing project this week, I took a break from my pursuit to learn Japanese. I feel extremely guilty because I only learn one character a week, but I have over 11k words to show for my writing perseverance instead!

If only learning another language was as easy as writing a novel. :\

Kana-a-Week will return next week!

I Am Here! 1-2

Title: I Am Here!
Japanese Title: Ko Ko Ni Iru Yo
Author: Ema Toyama
Volume(s) Reviewed: 1, 2 (complete series)
Publisher: Kodansha/Del Rey
Genre: Manga; Contemporary Romance
Rated: Middle Grade (bullying)

Summary: Invisible to her classmates, Hikage Sumino is an eighth grader with no self-esteem. Her only friends are the visitors to her Internet blog. One day, the most popular boy in the grade suddenly talks to her. Encouraged by this twist of fate, Hikage determines to transform her life. But after the sudden disappearance of the encouraging "Black Rabbit" from her blog, a series of surprises shake up Hikage's world. What if someone you met online turned out to be someone you knew in real life? Hikage, Hinata, and Teru must overcome jealousy and betrayal, and together learn valuable lessons about friendship, love, and forgiveness.

Art: Cute and sweet.
Story: I could relate to an "invisible" girl, so the story touched me. It's a simple plot, but a strong one that I really got into. Ema did a good job with the Hikage-Hinata-Teru triangle, and the conclusion was satisfying and uplifting.
Characters: I adored Sumino - my heart went out to her, and I really cared what happened to her. The best friend yet completely opposite boys, Hinata and Teru, are cute and likeable, and it was easy to root for both to the end. Even the "background" characters had fun personalities. Ema did an excellent job.

Comments: I expected this to be just another fluff manga, and was pleasantly surprised to find loveable characters and a heartwarming depth to such a simple and common story. Will definitely read again.

Favorite Bit(s): (1) Sumino's hair looks like she has ears! XD; (2) The volumes are extra-thick, so I didn't feel like one sitting and it was gone; and (3) Mahimahi :).

Recommend?: Highly.