Soliloquy in Blue

Manga and Book Reviews by Michelle Smith

MMF

Uzumaki, Vols. 1-3

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By Junji Ito | Published by VIZ Media As with Ito’s two-volume work, Gyo, the best word to describe Uzumaki—despite a back cover blurb promising “terror in the tradition of The Ring”—is “weird.” High school student Kirie Goshima lives in Kurôzu-Cho, a small coastal town nestled between the sea and a line of hills. She narrates each chapter in an effort to share the … [Read more...] about Uzumaki, Vols. 1-3

Flower of Life, Vols. 1-4

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By Fumi Yoshinaga | Published by Digital Manga Publishing When Fumi Yoshinaga sets a series in high school, you just know that she’s not going to do it like anybody else. Harutaro Hanazono is beginning his first year of high school thirteen months behind schedule due to a bout of leukemia. The manga begins as he introduces himself to his new classmates in a manner that … [Read more...] about Flower of Life, Vols. 1-4

Let’s Get Visual: Fruits Basket

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MICHELLE: So, we've been talking about Fruits Basket all week, but I'm certainly not yet weary of the topic. How about you, MJ? MJ: I suspect I could discuss Fruits Basket for weeks on end! MICHELLE: Me too. We've already discussed the general awesomeness of the story and characters this week, but one thing we haven't talked much about yet is the art. Takaya's style … [Read more...] about Let’s Get Visual: Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket 21-23 by Natsuki Takaya

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As I recounted in this week’s Off the Shelf column, I have been a fan of Fruits Basket for nearly a decade now. I followed the end of the series in Japanese, and because I knew how it ended, I was able to postpone reading the final English volumes and delay the sad moment when the series really would be over. This week’s Manga Moveable Feast, however, prompted me to finally … [Read more...] about Fruits Basket 21-23 by Natsuki Takaya