From the back cover: Love and life are programmed in * Is the life of a cute, young private detective on the line? * Can love be found only half-way down the line? * Will life change in a coffee shop? * How can an earthquake shake up a relationship? * Is destiny all it’s cracked up to be for a baseball loser? * Will a playwright balance loyalty against love? * Was it really … [Read more...] about Short Program 2 by Mitsuru Adachi: B+
Josei
Honey and Clover 2 by Chica Umino: A
From the back cover: Love is never easy for our heroes. Takemoto is forced to confront his resentment of his stepfather and his own feelings of being cast adrift, while Mayama and Ayu flounder in their unrequited loves and Morita faces the prospect of being held back another year. Review: Reading Honey and Clover for me is similar to reading Sand Chronicles in that it induces … [Read more...] about Honey and Clover 2 by Chica Umino: A
Four Shōjo Stories by Keiko Nishi, Moto Hagio, and Shio Sato: B+
From the back cover: An unprecedented collection of stories by the greatest shōjo manga (girls' comics) artists of our time! In shōjo manga, a uniquely literary genre of Japanese comics, the relationships between characters are as meticulously crafted as the story's action. Shōjo artists are renowned for their visual innovations, as well. Experimenting with page layouts, … [Read more...] about Four Shōjo Stories by Keiko Nishi, Moto Hagio, and Shio Sato: B+
Honey and Clover 1 by Chica Umino: A-
From the back cover: Takemoto, a sophomore art student in Tokyo, thinks his greatest worries in life are finding ways to eat more meat and getting to class on time. But with friends like his, life is never going to be that tame. Review: This series reminds me of Maison Ikkoku in a couple of ways. The main character is kind of a regular dude, and lives with an assortment of … [Read more...] about Honey and Clover 1 by Chica Umino: A-
Blue by Kiriko Nananan: A
From the inside flap: Kayako Kirishima and Masami Endo are about to discover that their recent friendship is turning into obsessive love. But when today's hopes and yesterday's dreams meet tomorrow's problems, will they be able to continue? Review: Blue is a one-volume title in nice binding and printed on glossy paper that happens to cost $24. I read it in the store today, … [Read more...] about Blue by Kiriko Nananan: A