Showing posts with label Aya Shouoto. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aya Shouoto. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE Volume 13

THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE, VOL. 13
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Aya Shouoto
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0402-6; paperback (January 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
172pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

The Demon Prince of Momochi House is a supernatural and romance manga series written and illustrated by Aya Shouoto.  It began serialization in Kadokawa Shoten's shojo manga magazine, Monthly Asuka, in July 2013. VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint since July 2015.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House focuses on Himari Momochi.  When she reaches her 16th birthday, Himari learns that she has inherited an old house located deep in the woods.  She has never seen this domicile, which is called “the Momochi House,” and does not know that it already has three inhabitants.  One of them, 17-year-old Aoi Nanamori, is the “Nue,” the “Demon Prince” of Momochi House, which acts as a barrier between the human world and the spiritual realms.

As The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 13 (Chapters 47 to 51) opens, Himari believes that she is dead because the conniving ayakashi, Kasha, shot her with a pistol.  However, what Kasha shot Himari with was really an “ayakashi item.”  It only removed Himari's spirit from her body, and while she isn't dead, the struggle to return Himari to her body is... well, quite a struggle.

Kasha has plans and ulterior motives, and even his agreement to return Himari to her body is a ruse.  But everyone will be shocked when Kasha reveals his true intent.  Plus, Himari gets help from two returning supporting characters.

[This volume includes miscellaneous illustrations.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Demon Prince of Momochi House manga is delightfully infused with a sense of magic and mystery.  Practically every page of this delicious series is populated by ayakashi (yokai), but sometimes the series seems too dreamy for its own good.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House Graphic Novel Volume 13 pays off the killer of a cliffhanger ending that Vol. 12 presented.  Kasha shot Himari at the end of the previous volume.  That leads to this – Vol. 13 being one of the best volumes of the series.  What makes it so good?  The answer is first, conflict, and secondly, is hindrance.

Kasha and a special guest star both force Himari to struggle for what she wants, and one of the characters proves to be not only a tremendous adversary for Aoi, but also something else.  The chapters in this volume, all five of them, are one long series of hindrances in the way of Himari's determination to make everything right again.

So conflict and hindrance create drama, and Vol. 13 offers some of The Demon Prince of Momochi House's most potent drama to date, and JN Productions' translation conveys that drama in all its potency.  And as ever, letterer Inori Fukuda Trant offers stylish lettering and word balloons that bring out the beauty in the supernatural chaos and strife.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of high school supernatural romance and of yokai fiction will want to visit the “Shojo Beat” title, The Demon Prince of Momochi House.

A
9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.



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Tuesday, October 30, 2018

I Reads You Juniors October 2018 - Update #69

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  Fox has reportedly hired Julius Avery, the director of "Overlord," to direct its long in development film based on the "Flash Gordon" comic strip.

From BleedingCool:  Juan Jose Ryp announces that he is leaving Valiant Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Former Marvel President Bill Jemas and former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso are launching a new comic book/multimedia publisher, "Artists, Writers & Artisans Inc."  Grant Morrison and Garth Ennis are among the talent working on books for them.

From ANN:  Suu Morishita, creator of the "Shortcake Cake" manga, will launch a new manga, "Hoshokukei Heroine ni Ato 1-nen Inai ni Taberaremasu (I Will Be Eaten by a Predatory Heroine Within the Next Year)" on the Gangan Online website November 12.

From ANN:  Aya Shouoto, "Kiss of the Rose Princess" manga creator, also launching a new title at Gangan Online.  The title has not yet been released.

From Deadline:  Legendary to adapt Kohei Horikoshi's manga, "My Hero Academia" manga into film.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau" trade paperback will only be available in comic book stores - not at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

From ComicBookBin:   Webcomic Johnny Bullet #1 in color
From ComicBookBin:   Webcomic Johnny Bullet #1 en couleur

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' hip-hop variant covers from a few years ago to appear on actual hip-hop albums.

From Newsarama:  Kelly Thompson, one of three writers relaunching Marvel's "Uncanny X-Men," talks to Newsarama.

From ICv2:  Fantagraphics Books early 2019 releases include an art book of the late, great Wally Wood's erotic comics and art.

From ColumbusDispatch:  Event explored Jewish influence and input in American comic books.

From KyodoNews:  Cameroon-born manga artist deftly captures life growing up in Japan

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics is discontinuing its line of "Marvel Comics Digest."

From GeekTyrant:  RWBY will get a new manga in English releases of "Shonen Jump."

From BatesNews:  How Gabby Rivera is revolutionizing pop-lit’s depiction of the comic-book hero

From BleedingCool:  A Marv Wolfman-penned Superman story will see the light of day next year.

From ComicBook:  The first Pokemon manga has never been released outside of Japan because it depicts, among other things, full frontal nudity.

From IGN:  This article talks about Junji Ito's new "Frankenstein" collection.

From BleedingCool:  Retailers ordred 300,000 copies of "Return of Wolverine #1."

From 13thDimension:  In 2017, comic book writer/artist/designer/cover illustrator Alex Ross pitched a reboot of the Fantastic Four.  See his images from his proposal at "13th Dimension."

From BleedingCool:  Writer Chuck Wendig says he was fired from Marvel because of his politics.  He was in the middle of writing a "Star Wars" miniseries.

From ABCAustralia:  Aussie manga creator Queenie Chan tells her story.
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From DorkSide:  News from the Lucasfilm Publishing panel at NYCC 2018.

From AutoStraddle:  What were the gayest comic books from New York Comic Con 2018.

From Newsarama:  "The Walking Dead'" Robert Kirkman has signed a deal with Sony Television to form a new production company, Skybound Galactic, which will develop comic book projects for television, among them Top Cow's "The Darkness."

From BleedingCool:  Here is a one-page preview of "Batman: Damned #2."

From Polygon:  Bruce Wayne's penis is making DC Comics reassess future "Black Label" releases.

From ComicBook:  "The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman quietly launches the animated series, "Super Dinosaur," in Canada.

From CriticalHit:  Big announcements from New York Comic Con 2018.

From CBR:  New manga and novel based on American anime series, "RWBY," coming in 2019.

From BleedingCool:  Todd McFarlane says that he is planning a trilogy of "Spawn" films.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:   It is just coming to light that Jim Novak, one of the most influential and accomplished comic book letterers and designers, died in April of this year.  He worked for both DC Comics and Marvel Comics.  He redesigned the "Star Wars" logo and also designed the logo for the film, "Creepshow."

From Webtoons:  Warren Ellis and Colleen Doran's new webcomic, "Finality," has debuted.

NEW YORK COMIC CON 2018:

From BleedingCool:  Todd McFarlane says that he will meet with a "Game of Thrones" cast member about creating a comic book series.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Women of Marvel" panel at NYCC 2018 fielded a "talent and diversity" question.

From BleedingCool:  There was a #MeToo and #TimesUp panel at NYCC 2018.  Unionization of comic book creatores came up. [As a side note, here is an article about an attempt to form a comic book union, from ComicsAlliance.]

From THR:  NYCC 2018 attendees thrill to the film footage from director Neil Marshall's "Hellboy" reboot.

From BleedingCool:   Due August 20, 2019 is "White," a sequel to Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith, Jamal Igle, and Khary Randolph's "Black" comic book miniseries.

From CBR:  Joss Whedon will oversee BOOM! Studios upcoming "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" comic books series.  Whedon will join writer Jordie Bellaire and artist Dan Mora to reboot the entire Buffy concept.

From Newsarama:  Marvel new "Invaders" comic book will launch in 2019.  It is set during World War II and will pit Captain America and Sub-Mariners against each other.

From Newsarama:  "Star Trek: The Q Conflict" will bring together four "Star Trek" franchises, the "Original Series," "'The Next Generations," "Deep Space Nine," and "Voyager."

From BleedingCool:  Todd McFarlane draws a Michael Myers "Halloween" poster for NYCC 2018.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics rumored to announce "Wonder Comics."  This is an in-continuity teen comics imprint from Brian Michael Bendis.
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From Deadline:  Actor Matt Bomer will play "Negative Man" in DC Universe's streaming, live-action TV series based on the comic book, "Doom Patrol."

From YouTube:  The YouTube channel, "Cereal at Midnight," discusses IDW's current miniseries, "Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers."

MEMORIAM - From EW:  Carlos Ezquerra, the artist who co-created seminal British comics character, Judge Dredd," has died at the age of 70.

From EW:  Chuck Palahniuk announces "Fight Club 3" comic book series with artist Cameron Stewart.  It would be the second sequel to his cult novel, "Fight Club," that was produced as a comic book, following the 10-issue "Fight Club 2," which was also drawn by Stewart.

From HeatVision:  Dynamite Entertainment announces another comic book starring "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark."  It is entitled "The Shape of Elvira," a reference to the Oscar-winning film, "The Shape of Water."

From CBR:  Neil Gaiman ("The Sandman") has signed a development deal with Amazon.

From DeejayDayton:  "Babblings About Comics" blog talks about New Titans Annual (1995).

From BleedingCool:  "Marvel Action" is the name of Marvel/IDW's line of all-ages comic books starring Marvel characters.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book creator and attorney, Rod Underhill, recently died.  There is a GoFundMe campaign to help his family.

From Variety:  The "Titans" TV series that streams of the "DC Universe" streaming service will stream to international customers on Netflix.

From Newsarama:  In DC Comics' "Action Comics #1005," writer Brian Michael Bendis brings back the classic version of Steve Ditko's Charlton character, "The Question."

From DailyCalifornian:  Why you should start reading "Saga."


OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Dynamite Entertainment for 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From TFW:  IDW Publishing from October 2018
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for October 2018
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertaiment solicitations for October 2018.

NOVEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Fantagraphics Books for November 2018
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Lion Forge solicitations for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics solicitations for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000AD for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2018

DECEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for December 2018
From ComicList:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2018

JANUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Papercutz for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Jan. 2019


Thursday, July 16, 2015

Review: THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE Volume 1

THE DEMON PRINCE OF MOMOCHI HOUSE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Aya Shouoto
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7962-7; paperback (July 2015); Rated “T” for “Teen”
172pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

VIZ Media is publishing another manga from Aya Shouoto, the creator of Kiss of the Rose Princess.  Entitled The Demon Prince of Momochi House, the series focuses on a young woman who inherits a house with a strong supernatural connection.

On her 16th birthday, Himari Momochi inherits an old house in the woods that she has never seen.  She does not know that it is called the Momochi House and that it already has three inhabitants.  One of them is practically the “Demon Prince” of Momochi House.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 3) opens with Himari deep in the mountains looking for the ancestral estate, Momochi House.  A local warns her to avoid the house because she will be cursed by the “Omamori-sama.”  When she finally finds the house, she discovers that the place is practically a wreck, and that three squatters live there.

Seventeen-year-old Aoi Nanamori seems to be the leader, while Yukari and Ise just seem like lazy guys looking for a place to stay.  There is, however, more than meets the eye, as she learns that Momochi House is a barrier between the human and spiritual realms.  The house may have even more residents, and Aoi... handsome Aoi has a secret.

I am a sucker for a yokai-themed manga, and The Demon Prince of Momochi House manga focuses on “ayakashi,” an apparent old term for yokai.  Demons and spirits aside, this is, like other manga from creator Aya Shouoto, a shojo manga.

The Demon Prince of Momochi House Volume 1 quickly establishes a budding and complicated romance between Himari and Aoi.  This series seems as if it will be both a supernatural romance and a high school romantic drama.  It has potential, but, other than establishing the dynamics between the leads, The Demon Prince of Momochi House is a bit unformed after three chapters, which is what makes up this first graphic novel in the series.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux (Support Leroy on Patreon)


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


Thursday, November 6, 2014

KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS Volume 1

KISS OF THE ROSE PRINCESS, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Aya Shouoto
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7366-3; paperback (November 2014); Rated “T” for “Teen”
188pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Kiss of the Rose Princess is a nine-volume graphic novel series from manga creator, Aya Shouoto.  The series focuses on a mystical girl and the four magical knights who help her on a quest to save the world from the Demon Lord and the forces of evil.

Anise Yamamoto cannot remove the rose choker from her neck or she will suffer a terrible punishment.   That is what her father told her, and she takes his dire warning quite seriously.  Then, a strange creature falls from the sky and hits Anise, causing her to lose the choker.  Instead, she gains four cards representing four knights, each of whom she can summon by kissing a card.

Kiss of the Rose Princess, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens at Shobi Academy.  As usual, Anise begins the school day running from the dress code enforcer who wants to remove the choker, which is a violation of the school dress code.  However, Anise is more afraid of her father than anything, so she won't remove that choker.

Then, the bat-like/cat-like Ninufa falls from the sky and knocks the choker off her neck.  He gives her four rose cards and exhorts her to kiss each one.  Each card summons a Rose Knight who is bound by an ancient Contract of the Rose (the Rosette) to the one who summons him.  Each knight is handsome, but Anise wonders why she needs them.

I think the Kiss of the Rose Princess manga is one of those shojo manga about a magical girl.  I think VIZ Media describes Anise as a “mystical girl,” but whatever she is, this plucky heroine is a funny girl at the head of comic fantasy romance.

The humor is what surprises me about Kiss of the Rose Princess Volume 1.  Creator Aya Shouoto has a funny “straight man” in Anise, who plays the grown-up in a reverse-harem situation.  Honestly, I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this first volume.  Where does this series go?  Well, there is a lot about Anise's magical destiny and about her father that has yet to be revealed.  In fact, I think it is worth coming back at least one more volume to get some answers.  Fans of magical/mystical girls will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Kiss of the Rose Princess.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.