Shōjo Manga
Scene stealers in manga
This week marked the return of Shiho Sugiura’s Silver Diamond to Tokyopop’s publication schedule, and that is a reason for much rejoicing. It has been almost a full year since US readers got a new volume of this underappreciated shōjo gem, which combines an interesting fantasy premise with warm, funny character moments. I wrote a [...]
Ten titles to watch for in 2010
Everyone else did their list of what they’re looking forward to in January, but let’s just pretend I’m doing this for Lunar New Year! In the interests of brevity, I’m limiting myself to sequential art series or standalone titles being published in the US for the first time in 2010 and significant reissues.
Two series by Hidaka Banri
This month I’ve read volumes from two different series by Hidaka Banri–I Hate You More than Anyone (vols. 1 and 2) and V. B. Rose (vol. 1 only)¹–mostly thanks to the recs of various folks in the manga blogging ‘verse. Hidaka’s work had been on my to-read list for a while anyway, but last month’s [...]
What I’m Reading: Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 13
["What I'm Reading" posts are not intended to be formal reviews and generally contain spoilers for the book under discussion after the jump. Readers beware!]
A few days ago I finally sat down with volume 13 of Ouran High School Host Club, which I’ve been saving up as a special treat. Ouran is a comfort read [...]
Female friendship in shōjo manga
Over on Twitter today, Sean Gaffney (@Toukochan) of A Case Suitable for Treatment observed that many shōjo series have the situation “heroine hated by all female classmates, has male friends.” In response, I remarked that I have limited patience for shōjo manga that do not value female friendship. David Welsh (@PreCur) of The Manga [...]
Kawase, Natsuna: The Lapis Lazuli Crown, vol. 1
The Lapis Lazuli Crown, vol. 1
Story and art by Natsuna Kawase
Translation and adaptation by Sheldon Drzka
CMX Manga, 2009
Original Japanese edition: Hakusensha, 2004
ISBN-13: 978-1401221201
Paperback $9.99
Like many people in the kingdom of Savarin, Miel has been born with magical power. Unfortunately, she has not been able to master her ability. Her sister, Sara, is the overachieving genius [...]
Tsukuba, Sakura: Land of the Blindfolded, vol. 1-9
Land of the Blindfolded, vol. 1-9
Story and art by Sakura Tsukuba
CMX, 2004-2006
Original Japanese editions: Hakusensha, 2000-2004
Paperback $9.99
ISBN-13: 978-1401205249 (vol. 1)
ISBN-13: 978-1401205256 (vol. 2)
ISBN-13: 978-1401205263 (vol. 3)
ISBN-13: 978-1401205270 (vol. 4)
ISBN-13: 978-1401205287 (vol. 5)
ISBN-13: 978-1401210168 (vol. 6)
ISBN-13: 978-1401210175 (vol. 7)
ISBN-13: 978-1401210182 (vol. 8)
ISBN-13: 978-1401210526 (vol. 9)
Kanade is a high school student with a special ability that she [...]
Fujieda, Toru: Oyayubihime Infinity, vol. 1-6
Oyayubihime Infinity, vol. 1-6
Story and Art by Toru Fujieda
CMX, 2006-2007
Original Japanese editions: Akita Shoten, 2004-2006
Paperback $9.99
ISBN-13: 978-1401210755 (vol. 1)
ISBN-13: 978-1401210762 (vol. 2)
ISBN-13: 978-1401210779 (vol. 3)
ISBN-13: 978-1401210786 (vol. 4)
ISBN-13: 978-1401213053 (vol. 5)
ISBN-13: 978-1401213077 (vol. 6)
When Kanoko’s classmate Tsubame discovers that they both have butterfly-shaped birthmarks on their thumbs, he decides they’re fated to be together. According [...]
Shiina, Karuho: Kimi ni Todoke, vol. 2
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, vol. 2
Story and Art by Karuho Shiina
Translated by JN Productions
Viz, 2009
Original Japanese edition: Shueisha, 2005
Paperback $9.99
978-1421527567
Good news! Volume 2 of Kimi ni Todoke shows that the sweetness and charm of the first volume of the series was not just a flash in the pan; it was, in fact, [...]
Hatori, Bisco: Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 11-12
Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 11-12
Story and Art by Bisco Hatori
Translation by Masumi Matsumoto
Viz, 2008-2009
Original Japanese edition: Hakusensha, 2007-2008
Paperback $8.99
978-1-4215-2255-5 (vol. 11)
978-1-4215-2672-0 (vol. 12)
Anyone who has read enough high school shōjo knows there are a few plots that are almost guaranteed to show up in any given series. There’s Valentine’s Day and White Day, [...]
Nakajo, Hisaya: Sugar Princess, vol. 1
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 skating rink, she inadvertently draws attention to herself when she attempts and manages to land a double-axel jump. One person who witnesses [...]
Shiina, Karuho: Kimi ni Todoke, vol. 1
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 resemblance to the lead character from the horror movie The Ring has earned her the nickname “Sadako,” and her classmates claim that [...]
Umino, Chica: Honey and Clover, vol. 4-5
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)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-2366-8 (vol. 5)
Ysabet gets to review most Viz Shojo Beat titles over at Manga Life, so I’ve decided to put my [...]
Highlights from Shojo Beat (Apr-Jun 09)
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 the past three years, and I’ve enjoyed the early access to chapters of favorite series [...]
Mizushiro, Setona: After School Nightmare, vol. 10
My review of vol. 10 of After School Nightmare is now up at Manga Life. Here’s a preview:
Reading the final volume of a beloved manga series is always a slightly scary proposition. A strong ending can redeem a weaker series, while a weak ending can retroactively ruin everything that’s come before. (Kare Kano, I am [...]
Nakaji, Yuki: Venus in Love, vol. 5
My review of vol. 5 of Venus in Love is now up at Manga Life.
Kusakawa, Nari: Two Flowers for the Dragon, vol. 3
My review of vol. 3 of Two Flowers for the Dragon is now up at Manga Life.
Hatori, Bisco: Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 9-10
My review of vols. 9-10 of Ouran High School Host Club is now up at Manga Life.
An excerpt:
In early volumes, the clever use of shojo manga tropes made this series worth reading. Creator Bisco Hatori catered to her readers just as much as the Host Club catered to its paying customers. Just as there’s a [...]
Umino, Chica: Honey and Clover, vol. 1
My review of vol. 1 of Honey and Clover is up at Manga Life. An excerpt:
Chica Umino’s Honey and Clover follows the lives of five students at a Tokyo art college. Though it is published in the U.S. by Viz under the Shojo Beat imprint and serialized in Shojo Beat magazine, Honey and Clover is [...]
Nakajo, Hisaya: Hana-Kimi, vol. 1-2
Hana-Kimi, Vols. 1-2
Story and Art by Hisaya Nakajo
Translation by David Ury
English Adaptation by Gerard Jones
Rated T+ for Older Teen
Viz, 2004
(First published in 1997)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59116-329-9 (Vol. 1)
ISBN-13: 978-1-59116-398-5 (Vol. 2)
Review
Japanese-American teen Mizuki Ashiya has admired youth high jump champion Izumi Sano ever since she saw one of his competitions on television. Now she’s transferring into his [...]
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