March 4, 2010
by Joy
6 Comments
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 … Continue reading
February 16, 2010
by Joy
6 Comments
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. … Continue reading
January 31, 2010
by Joy
1 Comment
[“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 … Continue reading
January 28, 2010
by Joy
17 Comments
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 … Continue reading
January 27, 2010
by Joy
1 Comment
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 … Continue reading
January 18, 2010
by Joy
2 Comments
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. … Continue reading
January 4, 2010
by Joy
Comments Off on 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) … Continue reading
December 16, 2009
by Joy
1 Comment
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 … Continue reading
December 7, 2009
by Joy
2 Comments
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 … Continue reading
September 17, 2009
by Joy
Comments Off on 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 … Continue reading
September 14, 2009
by Joy
Comments Off on 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 … 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
Comments Off on 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 … Continue reading
February 10, 2009
by Joy
Comments Off on Mizushiro, Setona: After School Nightmare, vol. 10
The tenth volume of After School Nightmare marks the end of the series and finally offers some answers regarding Ichijo’s mysterious experiences in the dream class. Readers who’ve stuck with this fascinating series through all its earlier twists and turns … Continue reading
October 30, 2008
by Joy
Comments Off on Nakaji, Yuki: Venus in Love, vol. 5
In volume 5 of Venus in Love, romance is finally blossoming between Suzuna and Eichi, and their relationship grows stronger as various holidays provide opportunities for each to demonstrate their affection to the other. But complications loom on the horizon … Continue reading
October 21, 2008
by Joy
Comments Off on Kusakawa, Nari: Two Flowers for the Dragon, vol. 3
In Two Flowers for the Dragon, Shakuya, the teenage princess of the Dragon Clan, finds herself in the uncomfortable situation of having not one but two fiancés. The cause of her predicament? The unexpected return of Lucien, her first fiancé, … Continue reading
July 16, 2008
by Joy
Comments Off on Hatori, Bisco: Ouran High School Host Club, vol. 9-10
Ouran High School Host Club is a shojo manga series that both embraces and pokes fun at the storytelling conventions that diehard manga readers have come to know, love, and occasionally mock. The protagonist, Haruhi Fujioka, is a poor but … Continue reading
April 9, 2008
by Joy
Comments Off on 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 … Continue reading
March 20, 2008
by Joy
3 Comments
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 … Continue reading
February 6, 2008
by Joy
3 Comments
Vampire Knight, Vol. 1 Story and Art by Matsuri Hino Rated T+ for Older Teen Viz, 2007 ISBN-13: 978-1-4215-0822-1 Review Yuki has no memory of her life before the day she was saved from a vicious vampire attack. Now, ten … Continue reading