#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 22

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 22
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1108-6; paperback (February 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese shojo manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 22 (Chapter 124 to 129) opens, the battle against the Nation of Sei and its treacherous nobles, Lord Hotsuma and Lord Kishibi, has ended in defeat for Sei.  Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe have been rescued, and now, is the time for reunions and revelations.  For instance, Riri has a crush on a military leader … who is also a married man!  Meanwhile, is Yona ready to admit her feelings for Hak?

Later, Yona, Hak, the Four Dragon Warriors (Gija, Jaeha, Sinha, and Zeno), and Jun travel to the Nation of Xing, where trouble brews.  It seems that Princess Kouren, leader of Xing, is preparing to start a war against Kohka.  Her younger sister, the exiled Princess Tao, would prefer that Xing become a vassal state of Kohka.  Tao hopes that Yona and the Dragon Warriors, whom she believes to be beautiful and fierce monsters, can make that happen.  So what will Yona do, and can a decision come in time with all their lives in danger?

THE LOWDOWN:  It has been exactly a half-year since I last read the Yona of the Dawn manga.  I find historical shojo romance manga to be a highly enjoyable read,  The series belongs to one of my favorite shojo sub-genres, the manga that use elements of Chinese history and myth.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 22 says goodbye, for the time being, to Princess Riri and the Water Tribe.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi briefly delves into the relationship between Yona and Hak, while delivering readers a surprising development in the life of Yona.  Then, Kusanagi does what she does best – insert Yona into another conflict in which she must help a troubled young noble woman.  Of course, Yona is this series' most troubled young novel woman.  This manga may seem repetitive, at times, but it tells an absorbing story with lovable characters.

Yet, JN Productions (translation) and Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) never make it boring.  Their work makes us want to follow Yona once more into the breach and the lovely lettering by Lys Blakeslee creates the sense of a magical romantic adventure.  Once again, dear readers, I highly recommend that you also follow Yona.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
8 out of 10

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


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https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
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The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 5

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 5
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8786-1; paperback (April 2017); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Princess Yona is living an ideal life as the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka.  Her father, King Il, dotes on her, and her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yon even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne by finding the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 5 (Chapter 24 to 29) opens, Yona, Hak, Yun, and Gija the White Dragon leave the Village of the Blue Dragon, after they escape from an earthquake.  Yona gives the Blue Dragon a name, but will he leave with Yona and company?  Next, Gija senses the presence of the Green Dragon, which takes the small band to Awa Port in the land of the Earth Tribe.  Although his presence is strong, the Green Dragon proves hard to find.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is part Chinese historical romance (or at least a Japanese version of it) and part quest-adventure.  Over the last ten years of reading manga, I have come to enjoy the particular shojo spin on historical fiction/romance/adventure.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 5 offers more of the elements of this series that have become familiar to readers.  This is, however, not more of the same.  In the six chapters contained in Vol. 5, creator Mizuho Kusanagi shifts the focus away from her star Yona, and delves into the personalities, goals, and trials and tribulations of the rest of her cast, especially focusing on Hak.  This volume might make the reader believe that he is the star, and Hak does have a star quality.  He could be the lead of his own manga, which is one more reason to read Yona of the Dawn.  Yona and Hak give this series two excellent leads.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the Shojo Beat title, Yona of the Dawn.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 4

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 4
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8785-1; paperback (February 2017); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Princess Yona lives an ideal life as the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka.  Her father, King Il, dotes on her, and her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yon even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne by finding the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 4 (Chapter 18 to 23) opens, Yona and Hak continue their journey to find the rest of the Four Dragon Warriors, after locating Gija, the White Dragon.  Gija can sense the other warriors, but only slightly when they are at a great distance away.  Luckily, the trio is also accompanied by Jun, pretty-boy genius.  Next up, is the location of the Blue Dragon, but this warrior's village is not a welcoming place.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is in my manga fanboy wheelhouse.  Part Chinese historical romance and part quest-adventure, so I cannot help but like it.

In Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 4, creator Mizuho Kusanagi further delves into her star quartet's personalities.  She throws a surprise at her readers, by making the place of the Blue Dragon not as friendly or as easy to navigate as the home of the White Dragon.  Her origin story of the Blue Dragon is a poignant and heartbreaking tale, but our heroine Yona is the spoonful of sugar to make it all better.  It should not be so easy to like this series, but the main characters are classic lovable shojo teens.  Yeah, they are quite sugary even in this epic adventure.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the Shojo Beat title, Yona of the Dawn.

A-

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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 21

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 21
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9381-4; paperback (December 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 21 (Chapter 118 to 123) opens, King Su-Won continues his advance into the rival nation of Sei.  Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe were betrayed and became prisoners of Sei, working as slave labor on one of two forts being built along Sei's border with Kohka.  After their devastating siege of Lord Hotsuma's fort, Su-Won and company move on to Lord Kishibi's fort after not finding either princess at Hotsuma.

But Yona and Princess Riri have been separated, and Yona is alone and injured in a nearby forest.  Meanwhile, Lord Kishibi prepares to execute Riri!

[This volume includes a bonus chapter, “From Good Morning to Good Night.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  I find the Yona of the Dawn manga to be a hugely-enjoyable historical shojo romance manga, which is one of my favorite genres of manga.  I also like that it uses elements of Chinese history and mythology.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 21 is a typically fantastic entry in this series.  In the case of this series, I think being “typically fantastic” is just “Jim Dandy!”  Seriously, despite the action of violent battle, creator Mizuho Kusanagi takes time to delve into the relationships between her core players.  Kusanagi also takes some time to further develop the steadily growing relationship between Hak and Yona.  It's intense and hot!  Let's keep reading, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
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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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#IReadsYou Review: NOT YOUR IDOL: Volume 2

NOT YOUR IDOL, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Aoi Makino
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Nancy Thislethwaite
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1517-6; paperback (September 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
168pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Sayonara Mini Skirt is a shojo manga written and drawn by Aoi Makino.  The series has been serialized in the Japanese manga publication, Ribon Magazine, since August 2018.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language adaptation of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, entitled Not Your Idol, under its “Shojo Beat.”

Not Your Idol focuses on high school freshman, Nina Kamiyama, who wears slacks and has cut her hair so that she looks like a boy.  You see, Kamiyama was once “Karen Amamiya,” the “center” of the “miniskirt” pop idol, girl group, “Pure Club.”  In the wake of a brutal assault by a male fan, Kamiyama quits Pure Club, shuns her femininity, and starts dressing as a boy.  At Kaito High School, she keeps to herself, but fellow male student, Hikaru Horiuchi, realizes who she is.

As Not Your Idol, Vol. 2 (Chapters 4 to 6) opens, Horiuchi is under suspicion!  Is he really the stalker who attacked Nina six months ago when she was Karen Amamiya a.k.a. “Ren-Ren” and a member of Pure Club?  No, he's not, Nina insists, and she Horiuchi begin a serious relationship.  Still, someone else at Kaito High knows who Nina was once, so is she really safe?

Meanwhile, their classmate, Miku Nagasu, who is obsessed with getting the attention of boys, schemes to get Horiuchi all to herself.  Nagasu plans to do anything she can to get him, even if it puts herself in danger.  But when is dangerous just too dangerous?

[This volume includes a message from the author and an illustration.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The first volume of the Not Your Idol manga is one of the most shocking manga that I have read this year.  Its themes of violence against women and of obsessive fans captured my attention and yielded a lurid first volume.

Not Your Idol Graphic Novel Volume 2 is just as stunning.  On the surface, creator Aoi Makino offers tales of catty girls, determined pop idol handlers, and horny high school boys.  Underneath this tale of high school love triangles is a burning hot story of friendship and exploitation.  Friends do whatever they can to help one another, but the exploiters are like predators, using others for their own selfish ends with gusto.

Makino, however, almost seems to suggest that the exploiters may not really know what they want, which can also be said for the star couple of Nina Kamiyama and Hikaru Horiuchi.  The final 30 pages of Vol. 2 encapsulate this malaise of confusion, fear, and indecision.

Once again, the translation by Tetsuichiro Miyaki and the English adaptation by Nancy Thislethwaite yield a story that is hard to stop reading.  Inori Fukuda Trant's lettering conveys Not Your Idol's interior torments and slashing emotions.  Yes, you will want more, too, dear readers, when you try Not Your Idol.  This is one of those times that I can say that a really good second volume actually surpasses a really good first volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of edgy shojo high school dramas will want the Shojo Beat title, Not Your Idol.

10 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
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The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

-------------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 20

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 20
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9220-6; paperback (October 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 20 (Chapter 112 to 117) opens, Yona and Princess Riri of the Water Tribe have been betrayed!  Now, they are prisoners of the nation of Sei, working as slave labor on one of two forts being built along Sei's border with Kohka.  Yona and Riri's respective companions split into two groups, with each group heading to one of the forts.  Which team will find the two:  Team Jaeha with Zeno and Ayura or Team Hak with Yun, Gija, and Sinha find Yona and Riri?

Meanwhile, Riri's father, General Jung-Gi, receives some surprising offers of help to find his daughter.  And one of them has ties to Yona!

[This volume includes miscellaneous comics material.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is a highly-enjoyable historical shojo romance manga, which is one of my favorite genres of manga.  I also like that it uses elements of Chinese history and mythology.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 20 is a fantastic entry in this series.  I can say, without spoilers, that it begins with trouble and ends with trouble.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi always finds a way to keep readers coming back for more.  Kusanagi also delves deeper into the complicated relationships that surround Yona and Son Hak.  Even with all the action and intrigue, Yona of the Dawn always manages to get to the heart of the matter – the character melodrama.

The work of JN Productions (translation) and of Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) helps to deliver some strong scenes of personal moments – within characters and between characters.  Plus, Lys Blakeslee's lettering sets the mood, as usual, for Vol. 20, which like Vol. 19, is a bit more intimate than other volumes.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
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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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#IReadsYou Review: FUSHIGI YUGI: BYAKKO SENKI Volume 1

 

FUSHIGI YUGI: BYAKKO SENKI, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Yuu Watase
TRANSLATION: Matt Treyvaud
LETTERS: Sara Linsley
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1164-2; paperback (August 2020), Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S. $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Fushigi Yûgi Byakko Senki is a shojo manga series written and drawn by Yuu Watase.  It is the second prequel series to Watase's Fushigi Yûgi.  Byakko Senki began with a one-shot story, entitled Fushigi Yûgi Byakko Ibun, before beginning as a serial in the Japanese manga magazine, Monthly Flowers, in August 2017.  VIZ Media began publishing an English-language edition of Byakko Senki as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint in August 2020.

Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens in Japan in the year 1923.  Suzuno Ohsugi is a young girl who is doted upon by her devoted mother and father.  Her father, Takao Ohsugi, works in book publishing, which gives him access to the papers of Einosuke Okuda, the translator of the book, “The Universe of the Four Gods.”  Okuda is a controversial figure whom the public believes killed his daughter high in the mountains before taking his life in some kind of murder-suicide ritual.

Suzuno's father now has possession of The Universe of the Four Gods, and he absolutely does not want his daughter to touch it.  Then, “the Great Kanto Earthquake” occurs, and in a bid to save his daughter, Takao sends her into The Universe of the Four Gods.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki manga is an “isekai fantasy.”  This is an “accidental travel” genre that is prominent in Japanese entertainment, including light novels, manga, anime and video games.  Isekai fantasy revolves around a normal person from Earth being transported to or reborn in a parallel universe or fantasy world.  The entire Fushigi Yûgi series is an isekai fantasy.

The series began with Fushigi Yūgi, a Japanese shojo manga series written and illustrated by Yuu Watase.  It tells the story of two teenaged girls, Miaka and Yui, who are pulled into the world of a mysterious book, “The Universe of the Four Gods.”  Fushigi Yûgi was serialized in Shōjo Comic from May 1992 to June 1996.  VIZ Media published an English language edition of the manga as an 18-volume paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint from December 2003 to April 2006.

Watase produced a prequel to Fushigi Yūgi, entitled Fushigi Yûgi Genbu Kaiden.  It was serialized over a period beginning March 2003 and ending February 2013 in four magazines over the course of its run.  This prequel series details the creation of The Universe of the Four Gods and tells the full story of the Priestess of Genbu.  VIZ Media published an English language edition of the manga as a 12-volume paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint from July 2005 to March 2014.

Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki Graphic Novel Volume 1 begins a story that is familiar to anyone who has read the previous two series.  While Byakko Senki is a prequel to the original series, it is also a sequel to Genbu Kaiden, while occurring before the original.  I read at least the last five or six volumes of Genbu Kaiden, but I am not sure if I read any of the original.  If I did, it was no more than the final volume or volumes of the series.

I like this first volume, but it is sort of all over the place, as it takes place in two time periods, in the Universe of the Four Gods, and in flashbacks.  Matt Treyvaud's translation keeps the story together and coherent.  The lettering by Sara Linsley also helps to establish setting as much as it does tone.

If you, dear readers, are familiar with the work of Yuu Watase, you will like this first volume of Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki, as I do.  There are so many things left unsaid and unfinished in this first volume that I can't wait to return to the story.  However, I must add that you do not need to have read the earlier series to enjoy Byakko Senki.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the Fushigi Yûgi series will like the “Shojo Beat” title, Fushigi Yûgi: Byakko Senki.

8 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 syndication rights and fees.

--------------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: NOT YOUR IDOL: Volume 1

NOT YOUR IDOL, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Aoi Makino
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Nancy Thislethwaite
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1516-9; paperback (May 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
168pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £7.99 UK

Sayonara Mini Skirt is a shojo manga written and drawn by Aoi Makino.  The series has been serialized in the Japanese manga publication, Ribon Magazine, since August 2018.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language adaptation of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series, entitled Not Your Idol, under its “Shojo Beat.”

Not Your Idol, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 3) introduces Nina Kamiyama, a high school freshman.  Unlike other girls who wear miniskirts, Kamiyama wears slacks and has cut her hair so that she looks like a boy.  You see, Kamiyama was once Karen Amamiya, the “center” of the “miniskirt” pop idol, girl group, “Pure Club.”  One day, at a “handshake” event where the girls get to thank fans, a male fan brutally attacks Karen.

In the wake of an assault, Kamiyama quits Pure Club, shuns her femininity, and starts dressing as a boy.  At high school she keeps to herself, but fellow student, Hikaru Horiuchi, realizes who she is.  So is Horiuchi, a judo club member, more than what he claims to be.

[This volume includes a message from the author and an illustration.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Not Your Idol manga is one of the most shocking manga that I have read this year.  It isn't as twisted as the other manga to shock me this year, Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, but it is quite intense.

Not Your Idol Graphic Novel Volume 1 dives deep into the subject matter of violence against women and girls.  The themes of obsession and trauma infuse this story with an edgy atmosphere that makes Not Your Idol as searing as one of those pot-boiler, suspense-mystery crime thriller novels.  [The ones about demented men who hurt women.]   Aoi Makino has developed Nina Kamiyama in such a way that readers will feel her psychological torments, constant fear, and self doubt, but she does so in such a manner that the readers will not be turned off by the darkness and certainly will not want to turn away from Kamiyama.

Tetsuichiro Miyaki's translation and the English adaptation by Nancy Thislethwaite yield a story that is hard to stop reading.  As soon as I was finished, I wanted more.  Inori Fukuda Trant's lettering conveys Not Your Idol's interior torments and slashing emotions.  Yes, you will want more, too, dear readers, when you try Not Your Idol.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of edgy shojo high school dramas will want the Shojo Beat title, Not Your Idol.

A
9 out of 10

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


https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia


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

------------------------------

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#IReadsYou Review: KAKURIYO: Bed and Breakfasts for Spirits Volume 6

KAKURIYO: BED & BREAKFAST FOR SPIRITS, VOL. 6
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Waco Ioka
ORIGINAL STORY: Midori Yuma
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Laruha
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Tomo Kimura
LETTERS: Joanna Estep
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1042-3; paperback (September 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
152pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits is a Japanese shojo fantasy manga written and drawn by Waco Ioka.  It is based on Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits (also known as Afterlife Inn Cooking), a Japanese light novel series written by Midori Yūma and illustrated by Laruha.  The manga has been serialized in Enterbrain's josei manga magazine, B's Log Comic, since 2016.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits focuses on Aoi Tsubaki, who inherited something great and terrible from her grandfather, Shiro – his ability to see the spirits known as ayakashi (yokai).  Aoi, however, also inherited Shiro's massive debt to the ayakashi, and now, she’s been kidnapped and taken to Kakuriyo (the spirit world) to settle that debt.  Kijin a.k.a. “the Ōdana,” who is an ogre and the owner of  the inn, “Tenjin-ya,” wants Aoi to marry him to settle the debts her grandfather owes him... or she can be eaten by demons.  But Aoi is determined to settle those debts on her own terms.

As Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Vol. 6 (Chapters 24 to 30) opens, Aoi looks forward to preparing a meal for the royal couple, Lord Nui and Lady Ritsuko.  She is overjoyed at what this could do for “Yūgao,” her little restaurant located behind Tenjin-ya.  So, Aoi will travel to the “Eastern Lands” to do some grocery shopping at a fancy imported food market.

Before she can buy a single ingredient, however, Aoi is spirited away and held captive in what seems like a giant crate.  Aoi worries that she won't gain her freedom in time to cook for the royal couple.  A good opportunity will be the least of her problems if she can't escape from the suddenly flooding prison in which she finds herself.

[This volume includes end notes.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits manga has turned out to be as good as I thought it would be.  Of course, I am a sucker for shojo manga starring yokai (also known by the term “ayakashi”), and I have yet to find one I did not like.

Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits Volume 6 epitomizes the series' dual tone, being both sweet and gentle and also dark and mysterious.  Aoi is by nature a giving person whose warmth and generosity are most on display when she is cooking for and feeding even strangers who appear on her doorstep.  On the other hand, Aoi will stand up for herself and her grit and determination carry her into the unknown with the readers following her into the mystery that is Kakuriyo.

Tomo Kimura's light and sugary English adaptation also captures the series' darker moments with an engaging sense of mystery.  Joanna Estep's lettering always strikes the right tone, from the warmth of meal time to the allure of discovery and exploration.  I can't wait for the next volume.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of yokai manga will want to read the Shojo Beat series, Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits.

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 syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 19

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 19
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8801-8; paperback (August 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin, Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed, and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 19 (Chapter 106 to 111) opens, Yona, Hak, Jun, the Four Dragon Warriors: Gija, Jaeha, Sinha, and Zeno, arrive in the “Blue Forest.”  While gathering firewood, Sinha the Blue Dragon finds a stone dragon idol.  When the idol's mouth begins to close down on his animal companion, “Ao,” Sinha slices the idol's head off.  Sinha does not realize that his actions have also released an ominous spirit – one with a connection to his past!

Then, it is on to a reunion with Princess Riri of the Water Tribe and her two guardians, Ayura and Tetra.  Once again, Riri must call upon Yona and company for help.

[This volume includes the bonus chapter, “Sleep Well Tonight,” and also miscellaneous comics.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga is a historical shojo romance manga, one of my favorite genres of manga.  I also like that it is somewhat based in Chinese history and mythology.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 19 offers a glimpse into the past of one of its Dragons.  Creator Mizyho Kusanagi uses this opening story not only to reveal some things about Sinha, but also about the other characters.  “The Blue Forest” mini-story arc is also a brief interlude that allows readers to enjoy the series' seven main heroes.  Kusanagi also gives us some intense moments between Yona and Hak that bring the two closer together than ever.

The work of JN Productions (translation) and of Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) helps to deliver some strong scenes of personal moments – within characters and between characters.  Plus, Lys Blakeslee's lettering sets the mood, as usual, for this more intimate Vol. 19.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

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.



------------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: ORESAMA TEACHER Volume 26

ORESAMA TEACHER, VOL. 26
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Izumi Tsubaki
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Erik Erbes
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0837-6; paperback (July 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Oresama Teacher is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Izumi Tsubaki.  It was serialized in the shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, from July 2007 to February 2020.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” imprint since March 2011.

Oresama Teacher focuses on Mafuyu Kurosaki.  She was once the take-charge, hard-hitting leader (“bancho”) of a high school gang.  Hoping to reform her daughter of her delinquent ways, Mafuyu's mother sends Mafuyu to Midorigaoka Academy, an isolated school far off in the country.  There, Mafuyu reunites with Takaomi Saeki, the childhood friend who set her on the path of delinquency.  Now, Saeki is Mafuyu’s homeroom teacher.

As Oresama Teacher, Vol. 26 (Chapters 147 to 152) opens, Mafuyu has been kidnapped.  The kidnapper is her homeroom teacher, Mr. Seiichiro Maki, who is something of a conundrum.  He has spirited her off to some unknown place and locked her in a room.  When she discovers that she is locked in one of many rooms in a mansion, Mafuyu is happy because she loves mansions.  That aside, she will have to unravel the mystery of Mr. Maki if he is to escape and continue her bid to save her school.  But to do what she needs to do, she will have to rely on an enemy.

[This volume includes bonus manga:  “Okegawa's College Debut,” four pages of four-panel comics and a “Bonus Chapter.”]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Oresama Teacher manga is a bit inconsistent in tone.  It is, at its heart, a raucous high school manga featuring former delinquents and scheming high school club types.

Oresama Teacher Graphic Novel Volume 26 shows the series' other side, its best side, and that is poignant, character revealing back stories.  I find that creator Izumi Tsubaki does her best work in these flashbacks and characters pieces.  She grounds the silliness of her narrative in good storytelling with the dramatic examinations of her characters.

JN Productions also does its best work in translation and English adaptation when the story turns poignant.  Here, letterer Erik Erbes also turns his fonts into strains of haunting melodies that draw the readers into the drama before they return to the rough and tumble.  Vol. 26 is an entry in the series that longtime readers deserve.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of offbeat high school shojo manga will want to try the Shojo Beat title, Oresama Teacher.

A
8 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.

----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: YONA OF THE DAWN Volume 16

YONA OF THE DAWN, VOL. 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Mizuho Kusanagi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-4215-8798-1; paperback (February 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Yona of the Dawn is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mizuho Kusanagi.  It has been serialized in Hakusensha's shojo manga magazine, Hana to Yume, since August 2009.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series since August 2016 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

Yona of the Dawn focuses on the only princess in the Kingdom of Kohka, Yona.  She lives an ideal life, and her father, King Il, dotes on her.  Her faithful guard, Son Hak of the Wind Tribe, protects her.  Yona even cherishes the time spent with the man she loves, her cousin Lord Su-won of the Sky Tribe.  However, everything changes for Princess Yona on her 16th birthday when the king is killed and Hak is blamed.  Soon, Yona is on the run with Hak, but she is determined to reclaim her throne.  To do so, she begins a journey to find the Four Dragon Warriors.

As Yona of the Dawn, Vol. 16 (Chapter 89 to 94) opens, Yona and her companions continue their fight against the drug known as “nadai,” which has spread swiftly through the coastal towns of the “Water Tribe” territories.  Their fight has earned them the ire of the nadai's kingpin, the drug dealer, Hyo, who has called on his allies in South Kai to help him defeat all those who have massed against him.

Now, a fleet of South Kai ships sails into the waters of the port town of Sensui.  Can Yona and her friends stop Hyo and his allies?  Can Yona's new friend, Lady Riri, the pampered princess of the Water Tribe's chief, General Jung-Gi, convince enough of her people to follow her?  Plus, Yona comes face to face with a dear friend turned adversary.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Yona of the Dawn manga concludes its adventure into the land of the Water Tribe, one of five tribes that comprise the Kingdom of Kohka (Sky, Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water).  This is my favorite story arc of the series, thus far.

Yona of the Dawn Graphic Novel Volume 16 is a tale of two princesses, as was Vol. 15.  Creator Mizuho Kusanagi seems to have initially used this story arc to contrast Yona and Riri.  While Yona seems so brave and self-assured to Riri, readers know that Yona is still discovering herself and what she can do.  Riri, however, is struggling to come into her own, but Kusanagi depicts her as being stronger and more capable than she thinks herself to be.

The fun in reading this arc is not only in seeing the “Nadai conspiracy”play out, but also in watching Riri come into her own, which plays a part in the formation of Yona of the Dawn's next arc.  JN Productions (translation) and Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane (English adaptation) always reveals the romantic side of this shojo historical fiction and romance, but in Vol. 16, they capture the evolution of a princess and the ongoing journey of discovery of another.

Also, in hopes of avoiding spoilers, I can say that in a way, Vol. 16 throws a spotlight on Hak.  His actions here are bound to come back to haunt future story lines...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of historical romantic adventure will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, Yona of the Dawn.

A+
10 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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#IReadsYou Review: KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE Volume 3

KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE, VOL. 3
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Spica Aoki
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel
LETTERS: Lys Blakeslee
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0860-5; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
164pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Otome Kaiju Kyaramerize is a manga written and illustrated by Spica Aoki.  It was serialized in the seinen manga magazine, Monthly Comic Alive, starting in early 2018.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga in North America as a series of graphic novels under the title, Kaiju Girl Caramelise.

Kaiju Girl Caramelise focuses on an outcast girl named Kuroe Akaishi.  She is suffering from a rare, incurable illness that causes frightening changes to her body, and she spends her high school days avoiding all her classmates.  Then, she draws the attention of class idol, Arata Minami, so now, Kuroe questions the weird feelings she has when she is around this popular boy.  But Kuroe's mother, Yuriko Akaishi, knows the truth.  Her daughter is the Godzilla-like kaiju known as “Harugon!”

Kaiju Girl Caramelise, Vol. 3 (Chapters 11 to 16) opens shortly after Harugon's latest appearance.  But Kuroe's real problem is that the new school semester is beginning.  Despite her best efforts to keep her budding relationship with Insta-famous classmate, Arata Minami, a secret from her classmates, Kuroe is thrust into the spotlight.  [“Insta” is this series' Instagram-like social media app.]

Now, the socially awkward girl finds herself attracting unwanted attention from girls who are jealous of her relationship with Minami.  Luckily, she meets a new friend, a gorgeous classmate named Raimu Kouno a.k.a. “Rairi.”  But this uber-attractive girl who has a knack for make-up hides her own dark secret regarding physical transformations.

[This volume includes an “Afterword” in comics form.]

The Kaiju Girl Caramelise manga is another new title to me.  My Yen Press rep included it in a batch of titles for review.

Kaiju Girl Caramelise Graphic Novel Volume 3 won't confuse you, dear readers, if it is your first encounter with the series.  It is too damn good to be confusing.  Creator Spica Aoki hits upon themes and plots that are timeless and familiar in juvenile fiction.  Self-confidence, self-hate, the fear of unwanted attention, acceptance of peers, young love, teen angst, friendship, physical appearance, having a secret side, and more are all there in Vol. 3.

Also Aoki has created such a lovable cast of characters.  Kuroe is endearing, and her friends, classmates, and contemporaries (even the jerks) are engaging characters.  It is just a blast to read their adventures, especially because of Taylor Engel's adaptation, which captures the narrative's serious moments and its comic and sugary side.  Lys Blakeslee's lettering also goes a long way in giving each moment its correct tone.

From what I gather via my research, Vol. 3 may be the final volume of the series... for the time being.  This volume ends with a “to be continued.”  I hope so; this is the best Yen Press manga that I have read to date.

9 out of 10

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


https://yenpress.com/
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https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/23045551-yen-press


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


---------------------------

#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.


---------------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: SP BABY Volume 2

SP BABY, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Maki Enjoji
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9375-3; paperback (February 2018); Rated “+” for “Older Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

SP x Baby is a manga written and drawn by Maki Enjoji.  It was serialized in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, Petit Comic, from 2014 to 2015.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a two-volume graphic novel series, entitled SP Baby, from 2017 to 2018 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

SP Baby centers on 23-year-old Tamaki Hasegawa, who wants to join the “Security Police” (SP) and works hard towards that goal.  One day, she is on the way to an interview for a much-needed job when she stops to help a young man whom she believes is being assaulted.  That young man turns out to be Kagetora Sugou, the nephew of the prime minister of Japan.  Now, Kagetora wants Tamaki to be his bodyguard, and although she accepts, Tamaki does not realize that she has met Kagetora in the past.

As SP Baby, Vol. 2 (Chapters 6 to 9 to Final Mission) begins, Tamaki isn't feeling well.  She perks up, however, when her younger brother, Taishi Hasegawa, informs her that the most important man in her life, longtime friend, Natsuo “Natsu” Shino, is coming for a visit.  Meanwhile, the 25-year-old who wants to be the most important man in her life, Kagetora, also stops by for a visit.

With Kagetora acting more like a boyfriend than a boss, he is bound to give Natsu the wrong idea about their relationship, which is supposed to be strictly professional.  Natsu, however, also has some big news to share with Tamaki.  So will Tamaki let her guard down and accept Kagetora's advances?  Will she become his “SP Baby?”

[This volume includes a five-page bonus SP Baby manga story.]

The SP Baby manga is written and illustrated by Maki Enjoji.  She is one of the current reigning queens of shojo romance.  Enjoji specializes in chronicling the evolution of romances between young females and young males whose personalities clash, as seen in VIZ Media's current Enjoji project, An Incurable Case of Love.

SP Baby Graphic Novel Volume 2 is the final volume of this two-volume series.  Vol. 1 was not so much a love story as it was a “Me Too” era violation.  Enjoji depicted Kagetora as a bore who did not respect Tamaki's space.  He acted like a privileged brat, and his actions sometime bordered on being criminal.  Tamaki was depicted as plucky and determined, but she lacked the good sense to quit her job as Kagetora's bodyguard.  In fact, if she had trusted her feelings, she would not have taken the job in the first place.

Vol. 2 is a more traditional frothy shojo romance story.  Kagetora comes across more as a desperate pest who is madly in love with Tamaki.  The plucky Tamaki of the first volume is still plucky in Vol. 2, but her feelings are more conflicted.  Also, now, her feelings lean more towards accepting Kagetora's courtship.  JN Productions' translation conveys the sharp change in narrative tone from the first volume to the second.  As usual, Inori Fukuda Trant's lettering is perfect for a Maki Enjoji manga.

In her afterword, Enjoji writes that she was pregnant will producing the chapters that comprise the first volume and struggling with a newborn child will producing the chapters for the second volume.  That might explain the shifts in tone from the first half to the second half of the series.

So, SP Baby is not a great series, and I think that it is the least of her works in terms of quality that I have read to date.  But the ending is nice.

B
6 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.

----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: THE WATER DRAGON'S BRIDE Volume 11

THE WATER DRAGON'S BRIDE, VOL. 11
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Rei Toma
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Abby Lehrke
LETTERS: Monaliza de Asis
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0958-8; paperback (November 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

The Water Dragon's Bride is a shojo fantasy romance manga from writer-artist Rei Toma (creator of Dawn of the Arcana).  It was serialized in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, Cheese!, from 2015 to 2019.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as an 11-volume graphic novel series from 2017 to 2019.

The Water Dragon's Bride focuses on Asahi.  A modern-day girl, she is pulled into a pond and is whisked away to a strange and mysterious new land.  She meets a boy, Subaru, the son of a prominent family from a nearby village, but his mother immediately dislikes Asahi and plots to sacrifice her to the god of the Great Lake.  The Water Dragon God wants Asahi to be his wife, and though she refuses, some locals still see her as a priestess.

As The Water Dragon's Bride, Vol. 11 (Chapters 41 to 43 to Last Chapter) opens, the Water Dragon God continues to weaken because he previously transferred his powers to Asahi.  Now, he wants to return Asahi to her world before his powers disappear, but when he sends her home, this god will die.  Although she struggles to stay with him, Asahi knows that the day when they must part is coming – sooner than either realize.  Is it truly the end for these two star-crossed lovers?

[This volume includes the four-panels comics, “The Water Dragon God's Chill Zone #1-3” and bonus manga.]

The Water Dragon's Bride manga sometimes suffered from a sense of the sameness.  As the series approached its conclusion, however, it recovered some of the edginess it showed in its earliest chapters.

The Water Dragon's Bride Graphic Novel Volume 11 is the final volume of the series.  Creator Rei Toma has more surprises in store for her readers.  Vol. 11 depicts the love between Asahi and the Water Dragon God at its most passionate.  I found myself racing through this volume, hoping for a happy ending, and Toma does not disappoint.  The resolution is off-beat and edgy, and she makes us work for our happy ending; real love is bittersweet, and it doesn't come easy.  Toma offers the perfect ending because she leaves us wanting more.

To that end, Abby Lehrke makes the most of this volume's sparse dialogue, as she captures the wanting, the desperation, and the yearning.  Monaliza de Asis splashes her lettering like glittering water droplets throughout the art, helping to give this timeless tale of love an ethereal quality.  So, dear readers, The Water Dragon's Bride gives me the substantive ending for which I had hoped.

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.


----------------------------

#IReadsYou Review: SP BABY Volume 1

SP BABY, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Maki Enjoji
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-4215-9540-5; paperback (November 2017); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

SP x Baby is a manga written and drawn by Maki Enjoji (who also created Happy Marriage?!).  It was serialized in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, Petit Comic, from 2014 to 2015.  VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as a two-volume graphic novel series, entitled SP Baby, from 2017 to 2018 under its “Shojo Beat” imprint.

SP Baby, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) introduces a young woman named Tamaki Hasegawa.  One day, she is on the way to a much-needed job interview when she stops to help a young man whom she believes is being assaulted.  That young man turns out to be Kagetora Sugou, the nephew of the prime minister of Japan.

Kagetora starts to pursue Tamaki to be his bodyguard because he was impressed with the way she handled the assault.  At first, Tamaki is put off by Kagetora's playful, teasing demeanor.  She is determined, however, to get a job so that she can earn money to prove herself as a good worker and to help her younger brother, Taishi, pay for college.  Although she does accept the job, Tamaki does not realize that she and Kagetora have met before...

The SP Baby manga is from one of the reigning queens of shojo romance manga, Maki Enjoji.  She specializes in chronicling the evolution of a romance between people whose personalities clash, as seen in VIZ Media's current Enjoji project, An Incurable Case of Love.

SP Baby Graphic Novel Volume 1 isn't so much a love story as it is a “Me Too” era violation.  Kagetora is a bore and does not respect Tamaki's space.  He acts like a privileged brat, and his actions sometime border on being criminal.  Tamaki is plucky and determined, but if she really had any good sense, she would quit her job as Kagetora's bodyguard.  In fact, if she had trusted her feelings, she would not have taken the job in the first place.

Vol. 2 is going to have to come up with a really good reason for Kagetora's behavior and personality.  It will likely have something to do with the characters' shared pasts.  I do give credit to JN Productions' translation, which really conveys Tamaki's struggles to succeed and her stubborn determination to get what she wants.  And, as usual, I thoroughly enjoyed Enjoji's art and graphic design.

4 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseauxa 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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#IReadsYou Review: VAMPIRE KNIGHT: Memories Volume 4

VAMPIRE KNIGHT: MEMORIES VOL. 4
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Matsuri Hino
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Nancy Thislethwaite
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1076-8; paperback (March 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Vampire Knight is a vampire romance and shojo manga from creator Matsuri Hino.  It was first serialized in the shojo manga magazine, LaLa, from 2004 to 2013.  It was collected in 19 tankōbon (similar to a graphic novel), and VIZ Media published the manga in an English-language edition as a graphic novel series under its “Shojo Beat” format.

Vampire Knight is set in and around Cross Academy, a school for vampires (the “Night Class”) and humans (the “Day Class”) and focused mostly on the following characters: Headmaster Kaien Cross; his stepdaughter, Yuki Cross, a pure-blood vampire; Zero Kiryu, a human suffering from the curse of the vampire; and Kaname Kuran, the progenitor of a pure-blood vampire family line.  At the end of Vampire Knight, Kaname sacrifices his body to create new vampire-killing weapons for the vampire-hunting Hunter Society and then, sleeps for a thousand years.

A few years after the end of the original series, Hino began producing a series of “special chapters.”  These “Memories” are chapters that recount the events which occurred during Kaname's slumber.  VIZ Media publishes Vampire Knight: Memories annually as a single-volume graphic novel.

Vampire Knight: Memories, Vol. 4 opens with the story, “Dark Shadows of the Underground.”  It is a precarious time in the relationship between vampires and humans.  A mysterious group calling itself the “Vampire King” has launched a terrorist campaign of bombings.  Yuki and Zero are determined to capture the Vampire King, a mission that will take them deep into the underground areas beneath the city.  With the help of Maria Kurenai, a young leader in the Hunter Society, they close in on the quarry.  Their target, however, is also prepared for them and has plans to take prisoners.

In “One Step After a Hundred Years,” Yuki realizes just how shocking what she blurted out to Zero is.  What will she do about what she said?  Is she willing to join Zero in a life-changing event?  Finally, in the stories, “The Hope Inside a Photo Album” and “Goodbye and Hello,” a rabble-rousing human mayor of a nearby city pulls a publicity stunt that leads to Headmaster Cross making a decision that will have momentous consequences.

[This volume includes the bonus story, “The End of a Certain Lady;” the one-page comic, “Memories of Little Consequence;” and “Editor's Notes.”]

I am a fan of the Vampire Knight manga, although I did not like the final graphic novel, Vampire Knight, Vol. 19.  As for the Vampire Knight: Memories manga, the various chapters have been of uneven quality.  Some are exceptionally good, while others run the gamut from good, to bad, to average. The graphic novel collections have been good, especially Vol. 2, and Vol. 3 stood out by focusing on romance.

Vampire Knight: Memories Graphic Novel Volume 4 picks up on a theme and plot line that began to play out in Vol. 3 – the rising tensions between humans and vampires after a period of peace between the two races.  Vol. 4 is filled with tense stand-offs, kidnappings, rescues, subterfuge, suspicion, bombings, and mad scientists.  There is also some romance and a shocking turn of events that I do not want to spoil.  I can say that in the chapters that comprise Vol. 4, creator Matsuri Hino has brought back the mystery and the violence and the romance and the drama that were the highlights of the best chapters in the original run of Vampire Knight.

Tetsuichiro Miyaki (translation) and Nancy Thislethwaite (English adaptation) do stellar work conveying the deep feelings of love and family between characters like Yuki, Zero, Headmaster Cross, and Ren and Ai (Yuki and Kaname's children).  They also capture the heartfelt emotions, the sadness, and the sense of hope that define the end of Vol. 4.  Inori Fukuda Trant's lovely and quiet lettering emphasizes the drama with power that lingers after the final page.

Fans of the original series would serve themselves well to obtain this fourth volume of Vampire Knight: Memories, especially if they have not really followed the series since its English-language debut in 2017.  Vol 4 is a winner for sure.

10 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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#IReadsYou Review: LOVE ME, LOVE ME NOT Volume 1

LOVE ME, LOVE ME NOT, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Io Sakisaka
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Nancy Thislethwaite
LETTERS: Sara Linsley
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1309-7; paperback (March 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Love Me, Love Me Not is a shōjo manga written and illustrated by Io Sakisaka, the creator of such manga as Strobe Edge and Ao Haru Ride.  Love Me, Love Me Not was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Bessatsu Margaret, from 2015 to 2019.  VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of Love Me, Love Me Not as a series of graphic novels.

Love Me, Love Me Not, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens the spring before Yuna Ichihara enters her first year of high school.  She is pained that her best friend, Satchan, is moving away.  On her way to the train station to say good-bye to her, Yuna meets a strange girl about her age, and the girl asks Yuna for money.  The girl, Akari Yamamoto, promises to pay Yuna the following day, which she does.  When they leave the train station, however, they discover that they live in the same apartment building.

The girls instantly become friends, but discover that they explore and look at love in completely different ways.  Yuna is an idealist, and Akari is a realist.  Throw in Yuna's childhood friend, Kazuomi Inui, and Akari's brother, Rio, and this becomes a complicated case of love and friendship.

The Love Me, Love Me Not manga is like creator Io Sakisaka's other manga.  Sakisaka's shojo romances are sweet confections... on the surface, but bite enough times and you, dear readers, will find a pungent or tart side.

Love Me, Love Me Not Graphic Novel Volume 1 offers so much of Sakisaka's lovely, ethereal art.  It looks like a film shot through greased lens.  The heart of the story is a bit more solid.  Yuna and Akari are teen girls in a state of growth and change, and as they navigate their first year of high schools, their thoughts and feelings don't fit simple descriptions like “idealist” (Yuna) and “realist” (Akari).  The “tart” or edgy elements arrive at the end of this first volume.

JN Productions (translation) and Nancy Thislethwaite (English adaptation) do excellent work capturing the nuances of this story.  While reading Vol. 1, readers will find that Yuna, Akari, Inui, and Rio are four distinct personalities, and, as these characters are endearing, they will want to meet again.  Also, Sara Linsley strikes the perfect tone with her lettering... especially for that killer ending.

8 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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