September 21, 2009
by Joy
6 Comments
The other night I finally got a chance to read the first volume of the much-talked about Japanese food manga, Oishinbo, by Tetsu Kariya and Akira Hanasaki. This is the story of a cynical journalist, Yamaoka Shirō, who has been … Continue reading
September 17, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
Sugar Princess: Skating to Win, vol. 1 Story and Art by Hisaya Nakajo Translation and Adaptation by Anastasia Moreno Viz, 2008 Original Japanese edition: Hakusensha, 2005 Paperback $8.99 978-1-4215-1930-2 When middle schooler Maya Kurinoki takes her little brother to the … Continue reading
September 14, 2009
by Joy
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Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, vol. 1 Story and Art by Karuho Shiina Translation by Tomo Kimura Viz, 2009 Original Japanese edition: Shueisha, 2005 Paperback $8.99 978-1-4215-2755-0 Sawako Kuronuma is the terror of her high school classroom. Her … Continue reading
September 10, 2009
by Joy
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Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, vol. 4 Story and Art by Naoki Urasawa With the cooperation of Takashi Nagasaki English Adaptation by Akemi Wegmuller Viz, 2009 Original Japanese edition: Shogakukan, 2001 Paperback $12.99 978-1-4215-1923-4 Naoki Urasawa now has three different … Continue reading
September 9, 2009
by Joy
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In the latest volume of Goong, the ladies of the royal court think they have discovered the perfect solution to Shin and Chae-Kyung’s marital woes: sex. The young couple finds themselves locked in a bedroom on a cold winter night … Continue reading
September 8, 2009
by Joy
4 Comments
Bride of the Water God, vol. 1 Story and Art by Mi-Kyung Yun Translation by Heejeong Haas Edited and adapted by Philip Simon Lettering by Steve Dutro Dark Horse, 2007 Original Korean edition: Seoul Cultural Publishers, 2006 Paperback $9.95 978-1-59307-849-2 … Continue reading
September 6, 2009
by Joy
1 Comment
Fullmetal Alchemist, vol. 19 Story and Art by Hiromu Arakawa Translation by Akira Watanabe Adapted by Jake Forbes Viz, 2007 Original Japanese edition: Square Enix, 2008 Paperback $9.99 978-1-4215-2568-6 While reading vol. 19 of Fullmetal Alchemist, it’s hard not to … Continue reading
September 2, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
Naoki Urasawa’s 20th Century Boys, vol. 3 Story and Art by Naoki Urasawa With the cooperation of Takashi Nagasaki English Adaptation by Akemi Wegmuller Viz, 2009 Original Japanese edition: Shogakukan, 2000 Paperback $12.99 978-1-4215-1922-7 Having now written full reviews of … Continue reading
September 1, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
It doesn’t seem entirely fair to do a formal review of a single issue of a magazine, especially a magazine that serializes sequential art. So much is taken out of context that it’s difficult to do make a reasonable evaluation. … Continue reading
August 31, 2009
by Joy
3 Comments
Pluto: Urasawa x Tezuka, vol. 1 By Naoki Urasawa and Osamu Tezuka Co-authored with Takashi Nagasaki Supervised by Macoto Tezka With the cooperation of Tezuka Productions Translation by Jared Cook and Frederick L. Schodt Viz, 2009 Original Japanese edition: Shogakukan, … Continue reading
August 27, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
Split By Swati Avasthi Young Adult Fiction Knopf, 2010 Hardcover $16.99 978-0-375-86340-0 When Jace Witherspoon is kicked out of the house by his abusive father, he hits the road and drives until he finds himself on the doorstep of his … Continue reading
August 25, 2009
by Joy
3 Comments
Story and Art by Fumi Yoshinaga Translation and Adaptation by Akemi Wegmuller Rated M for Mature Viz, 2009 (First published in Japan in 2005) ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-2747-5 List Price: $12.99 Review In Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, Fumi Yoshinaga (Antique Bakery, Flower … Continue reading
August 25, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
Kojiro, a high school kendo instructor at Muroe High, has made a risky bet in a moment of desperation. If his all-girls kendo club can beat the Machido High club coached by his old friend, Kojiro will win a year’s … Continue reading
August 17, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
The last time I reviewed Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle for this site I noted that CLAMP had just kicked the plot of the series into high gear. Well, after many chapters of high drama, volume 22 finds our protagonists enjoying a … Continue reading
June 30, 2009
by Joy
1 Comment
When it comes to technological innovation, I am generally in the early adopter or early majority categories. (Which one usually depends on how expensive the innovation in question is, as I am also quite cheap.) After all, I am easily … Continue reading
June 20, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
The fifth volume of the manhwa Goong finds crown prince Shin visiting the royal family of England. Left behind in Korea, Chae-Kyung grows more and more lonely–and ever more vulnerable to the schemes of the Yul’s mother, the new daebi. … Continue reading
June 8, 2009
by Joy
2 Comments
Honey and Clover, Vol. 4-5 Story and Art by Chica Umino Rated T+ for Older Teen Originally published in Japan in 2000 Serialized in US Shojo Beat in 2008-2009 Published by Viz in volume form 2008-2009 ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-1507-6 (vol. 4) … Continue reading
June 5, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
I have never been a subscriber to Shojo Beat, but I was definitely among those who were sad to hear that the July 2008 issue would be its last. I’ve read the magazine off and on at the library for … Continue reading
June 2, 2009
by Joy
2 Comments
13th Boy is the story of Hee-So Eun, an eighth-grader who has been spectacularly unlucky in love. Despite her tender years, she’s already had–and lost–eleven boyfriends. So one can’t blame her for being reluctant to give up on boyfriend number … Continue reading
June 2, 2009
by Joy
0 comments
A young scholar sleeping in a temple courtyard encounters the beautiful daughter of a government official. It’s not quite love at first sight, but both parties are intrigued; before long, a clandestine second meeting is arranged. So begins The History … Continue reading