By Yuhta Nishio | Published by VIZ Media In the opening scene of After Hours, Emi Asahina is attempting (unsuccessfully) to meet up with a friend in a loud and crowded nightclub. After a spunky DJ named Kei saves her from a grabby creep, they get to talking. Emi tells her, “I don't really see what's fun about places like this.” Much of the rest of the manga is Kei helping … [Read more...] about After Hours, Vol. 1
Manga
Moteki: Love Strikes!, Vol. 1
By Mitsurou Kubo | Published by Vertical Comics Although I was originally quite keen to read Moteki, it took me nearly a week to finish this volume. That isn’t due to its length (Vertical is publishing the entire series in two hefty volumes) but to the fact that the protagonist, self-proclaimed loser Yukiyo Fujimoto, is really hard to take in large doses. The story begins … [Read more...] about Moteki: Love Strikes!, Vol. 1
The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Vols. 1-8
By Kore Yamazaki | Published by Seven Seas I’d heard good things about The Ancient Magus’ Bride from my Manga Bookshelf compatriots, but I had also heard about a sad fate befalling some cats, so I steered clear. After reading and really enjoying Kore Yamazaki’s Frau Faust, however, I decided to give AMB a try. I’m glad I did, because it turns out the cat stuff wasn’t a deal … [Read more...] about The Ancient Magus’ Bride, Vols. 1-8
Again!!, Vol. 1
By Mitsurou Kubo | Published by Kodansha Comics Having greatly enjoyed Yuri!!! on Ice, written by Mitsurou Kubo, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of some of Kubo’s manga in English. (In addition to Again!! from Kodansha, Vertical Comics has just published the first omnibus of Moteki, which I shall be reviewing within the next week or so.) Happily, Again!! did not … [Read more...] about Again!!, Vol. 1
Lovesick Ellie, Vols. 1-3
By Fujimomo | Published digitally by Kodansha Comics I admit that I was initially attracted to Lovesick Ellie because of the covers, which are adorable. My favorite is the third, because it perfectly captures Ohmi-kun's personality. So, imagine you're an awkward boy who doesn't express himself well, only you've been born exceedingly handsome. You're placed on a pedestal, … [Read more...] about Lovesick Ellie, Vols. 1-3